2023 1st quarter newsletter
Around Town
The Carson Lodge No. 132 of Elk City held their annual Waffle and Sausage Supper the first Saturday in February. It was a nice winter evening and a great turnout was on hand.
The Carson Masonic Lodge is beginning their 4th Sunday Breakfast in April. They have been closed for the winter months but plan on a delicious breakfast on the 4th Sunday of the month till next October.
PRIDE sponsors recycling the first Saturday of every month. PRIDE will be placing Spirit of Community in well kept yards beginning May 1st.
Community U hosted BINGO the first Saturday of each month all winter and served a supper and snacks. Good crowds enjoyed BINGO They also sponsored a Paint Party. They work hard with community projects to sponsor several things for kids.
An Easter Egg Hunt is planned for the children of Elk City in April
First Christian Church will have Good Friday Service, which will be seen on facebook, a Easter Egg Hunt, Bible Study and handing out commodities.
Alumni Banquet is being planned for the last Saturday in May. This is the first banquet since COVID. The high school closed in 1970 so this is the the 50th year since the school closed its doors.
Besides Easter services provided by the churches. Several organizations and citizens sponsor a Easter Egg Hunt. A beautiful day brings out all the egg hunters and adults. A few pictures.
Senior Citizens of Elk City Plan
The Senior Citizens of Elk City are remodeling the north side of the Community Building. The north side old cement has been taken out and replaced with new cement. Plans are on the agenda to add flowers, benches, family name bricks on the walk, hoping to make a nice place for visitors to sit and see family names of those who have lived here in Elk City.
Tid Bits by Jane
January
EMAW!! Way to go K-State University. Big 12 Champs And to the KC CHIEFS! Division Champs! Of course, Pastor Beeman is a KU fan, so we have our banter about that! He just says, wait until basketball. HA Now that 2023 is here, I wonder as I wander. I wonder if 2023 will be seeing much improvement over the last couple of years.. It’s been a whole year of political upheaval, medical woes and anything else weird that can happen, will! So the following is a repeat, but I still feel this way. And it seems each year I live, these feelings seem more important. Maybe an age thing? I find the world news scary, the border problem, inflation & etc. The answer is to NOT listen to the news, I believe we need to be aware of the events going on around us & then find peace knowing God in control thru prayer. I heard a radio commentator talking about living a fulfilled life…. Then there is the pursuit of Happiness. Are we in the pursuit of Happiness to live a fulfilled life? What is a fulfilled life? As I sit & think, Oh I haven’t done this or I should have done that… would those things have made me feel anymore fulfilled? I would imagine the meaning is something different to everyone. Some would say Travel to places you have
always dreamed of, Engage in extreme sports like mountaineering, skydiving, rock climbing, white water rafting and bungee jumping. Visit an ocean and engage in all the activities there like deep sea fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling or whale watching, all these sites are wonderful to see, but do you have to do them to be happy? Spending your free time developing a new hobby, learning a language, volunteering with a local group, or joining your local church. Have lunch with someone who did something that annoyed you and work
out how you can improve your relationship with them and also forgive them. Throw a huge party for all your friends to have fun together and show them how much you appreciate them. I love a good party; I receive happiness from visiting and being around people. Then
there are those who feel their life is fulfilled by just simply enjoying the small pleasures of life like watching the sunrise and sunset from their porch swing. Reading a good book or looking out for shooting stars, Dancing in the pouring rain with someone you love and play in the mud. Planting a garden, growing flowers, playing with the kitties, hunting with a new puppy, enjoy spending time with your children and grandchildren and growing old with your spouse. Whatever makes you happy, go do it, but it doesn’t always have to be the wild adventure
that makes us happy. Most of all, on your quest for a life fulfilled, make sure that in your pursuits, life includes Christ and that you lived in such a manner as to Honor Him and love one another. Happy New Year to all! What I learned this month: We can easily get caught
up in thinking petty things will make us happy or change our lives, when a child said to me, “we should be happy with a warm home, love of family and the simple pleasures in life, because our world may still change into something we don’t recognize and all those petty things
that seemed so important won’t matter at all. �
February
their secretaries were busy closing out the end of the year & starting a new one. They would like to fertilize wheat ground & spring crop ground if it doesn’t get muddy, haul last year crop to town if it’s still in the bins & work on equipment that broke down last fall in
the middle of harvest or just service it so it’s ready to start all over again in the spring & summer. Are you gardeners ordering seed and getting it started in your house. 6 week before last frost free date. It’s time soon. I know it’s winter, but it just seems all the time! HOMETOWN NEWS If you read the old newspapers there was always a column about the comings and goings of the people of the community. Hattie Davidson wrote for the Elk City Sun & we all liked to read it. Now we think that’s silly news, nobody wants their comings and goings in the newsletter, but yet Facebook is flooded with postings of “visiting this or that place”, checking in, feeling happy, sad or something. We even put an emoji on the place we are so everyone knows. And then we tag friends, I’m
here with “with so & so”. What made the old-time news so silly? It’s the same, except now it’s stored in a cloud who knows where & who knows what agency is using it! The picture I found in some old newspapers my mom had saved. Thought I’d share the humor. I think there’s a lot to be seen in Elk City, if you’re looking at the right time. Always something going on. .Happy Day to all.
Don’t forget to play Bingo in Feb. after you eat waffles and sausage with the Masons and the next weekend is the Paint Party sponsored by Community U to raise funds for the community garden. The bingo blackout winner in January won $58.
Words of Wisdom from an almost 4 yr old: “You need to pay more attention and be careful.” You can’t talk to me when you’re mad, you just can’t do that”. “God loves us, He’s our best friend”., yes He is, I know that. Willard and Sarah were members of this community for many years. What I learned this month: It takes a lot Jesus in our heart to get thru life. Life is too hard on our own.
March
Did March come in like a lion or a lamb? I think it was very much a lamb, so what does that mean for end of the month! We had a round of possible severe storms one night, losing a cedar tree out this way & knocking an electric pole & transformer down, resulting in an outage. Otherwise, it seemed pretty calm. Some fertilizing and ground working was taking place, The ground is fairly dry despite the small showers. Is it a sign of another dry summer is the question? That would be devastating for cattlemen and farmers. The wheat is growing, it seemed to like the moisture from snows and showers. Just when it feels like time to till the garden and plant the seeds, mother nature reminds us with another cold night, she is not done with winter. At least it warms right back up. Some gardens are worked up & maybe planted? I planted onions, lettuce, radish, spinach. I spent one of the nice days raking & burning leaves and sticks. I burned lots of leaves, tree limbs and pampas grass with the garden hose on standby. If it wasn’t for tree debris, spring clean- up would be easy. The daffodils, tulips & fruit trees are in full bloom and very pretty Did you remember to spring ahead on March 13th for daylight savings time? Won’t it be nice if Congress would actually pass a bill making daylight savings the permanent time, no more switching. Being the wife of a
farmer, daylights saving time only means he comes in an hour later and we eat supper an hour later, it doesn’t really help my day! The extra sunshine is nice though. The fire departments have already made several runs with out-of-control pasture fires. Sure would be nice if the out –of-towners wouldn’t light a fire at 5 pm on Sunday night and head for home, leaving firefighters to go out in the middle of the night because it is out of control.
A group from the 1st Christian Church went to see the movie Jesus Revolution. Very good movie. It’s about the Jesus movement of the 70’s, the Jesus Freaks. The young man in the movie, Greg Laurie, has gone on from that movement to be a minister in California. It is said there is a Jesus movement in this country today, several of the Universities, starting with Asbury, are holding revivals. A Jesus movement would be welcome compared to some of the “movements” of today. Pastor Randy Beeman of the 1st Christian Church is a new grandfather. “One Day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.” This was a social media post I saw one day. Set me to thinking. What are the things we want to do? We only live once, so the saying goes. How can we make the most of it? Everyone has a specific age and decides that it is time to get things done. For some of us, that age is 21. For others, that age is 40. For the true rebels, that age may never even come. Whatever stage you are at in your life, there are ways you can enhance the quality of your experience. Sometimes that statement, don’t wait, brings in guilty feelings that you aren’t doing something exciting with your life, but not always the case. For some it’s reading a book that you’ve always wanted to read, for others it’s traveling to foreign lands or others it’s something in between. If there is a lack of ambition and no desire to improve your situation, this is a red flag. Human beings should want more, psychologically & spiritually. It doesn’t have to be more money. It can improve the quality of relationships with family & friends. It could be that you want to be a better gardener, better at your job, better with technology. 😊
The point is, we want to progress. God expects us to progress as Christians and be good stewards of the things he has given us. What I learned this month: Enjoy your life as it is, if you want to do more, then get up and do it! Don’t procrastinate!
Past Alumni Minutes
The Elk City High School Alumni Assoc. held its annual banquet, on Monday evening May 29, 1961 in the high school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. with a total of 188 persons attending. Twenty members of the 1961 class were present. Members who graduated prior to 1900, and were present were Cassius Davis of Casa Grande, Ariz, class of 1891 and Samuel Davis, Glendale, Calif, class of 1892.
Invocation was given by Miss Susie Tusing Rankin (1927). After an excellent dinner served by the Methodist Church ladies, Dick Lessman led the group singing, accompanied by Mrs. Page Manley. Mrs. William McKinzie Widick (1920) President, presided at the meeting and introduced Byron Hare (1926) who served as toastmaster for the evening. A tribute was paid to a departed member, "Ned" Davis, who helped organize the association and always had an active interest in it.
Music by the "Fearsome Four" quartet of Coffeyville was especially enjoyed by everyone. The highlight of the evening was given by Richard Rankin, son of an alumni, Horace C. Rankin, who told of his experiences as an IFYE delegate to Brazil last year and showed slides during the seven months he lived and worked there as a member of several Brazilian families.
After the roll call of classes, a business meeting was held, and the following officers were selected for the coming 1962 year.
President - Nelson Lucius
Vice President Kay Reed
Sec. Trea Carroll Rankin Faler
A collection of $62.37 was taken to help on expenses.
The meeting adjoined with the singing of the school Ala Mater
by Marjorie Davidson McTaggert Sec., Trea.
1961 Financial report
Bal forwarded 31.71
tickets sold 203.75
collection 62.37
- Expenses
- Indy Reporter for ad 10.08
- Elk City Sun printing 29.61 (cards tickets programs
- Clements book store 6.41 Lable pages
- Raydean Benfield 2.72 table decorations - napkins
- WSCS circle 1 188.88 Methodist Church
- Richard Rankin 8.00
- Fearsome four 5.00
- total 249.82
- Bal on hand 48.01
- Dinner Served:
Ham, spiced apple ring, parsley potatoes, baked corn, carrot and pineapple salad, jelly hot rolls, angel food cake and coffee
- Alma Mater_
- Far above the old Elk Valley, on the lofty heights
- Stands our noble Alma Mater, Bathed in Golden Light
- Lift the chorus, speed onward, strive with all your might
- Hail to thee our Alma Mater, dear old Red and White.
Rita Inlow Bible Shares
Rita Inlow Bible shared quite a few old newspaper articles which I will share with you all.
Independence Daily Reporter dated January 31, 1960
Montgomery County Carved out of Indian Land in 1869 by Wilma Schweitzer
At Kansas Day meeting throughout the state this week much was heard of the centennial celebration planned for 1961. During the soaring sixties, Montgomery County and Independence will also attain their hundredth anniversaries
Carved out of a part of the diminish reserve of the Osage ceded land, Montgomery County was organized by proclamation of Gov. James M. Harvey on June 3, 1869. It was named for Gen. Richard Montgomery, an American officer in the Revolutionary war.
Immediately the county officials set about to divide the county by east and west lines into three townships. These were named Drum Creek, Verdigris and Westralia.
Verdigris City located on the west side of the Verdigris River was designated the temporary county seat. It stood below a trading post at the mouth of Drum Creek . Mrs. R. R. Bitterman, regarded as an authority on early day history is quoted as saying Verdigris City was immediately north of the site at McTagger's dam.
Rivalry Developed - Almost as soon as Verdigris City was named the county seat, settlers challenged the decision of officials. Keen rivalry developed among towns seeking the honor. Among those hoping to attain distinction were Montgomery City, Liberty and Independence.
Montgomery City was situated at the mouth of Drum Creek, six miles southeast of Independence R. W. Dunlap was the founder and he became the first postmaster in Montgomery county. Liberty had been located on land on the east banks of the Verdigris. Its sits was moved south one mile east of the present location in the hope that the railroad lines would be built close to town.
The little settlement was designated as the county seat after the challenge by others and been made concerning Verdigris City. And a log house constructed to serve as the courthouse was moved to Liberty. But the election that had resulted in Liberty's selection was declared void.
Independence the largest of the towns seeking the county seat was able to land the prize. But it did not become county seat until 1871 although it had been a thriving frontier trading center since 1869.
The selection was made, Mrs. Bittman reported because of the ideal location of the townsite. It was on high ground, well drained and had ample water supply. Townsmen contended it was more centrally located than the other rivals. Independence is the namesake of a town in Iowa, it was learned.
This city might never have come into being if the plans of George Brown had not been realized, representing the white settlers, Brown had acquired from the Indians a formal, if not legal, title to a tract described as bound by Rock River Creek on the south, Elk River on the north, Verdigris river on the east and Walker and Table Mounds on the west. The sum of $50.00 was pad to chief of Chetopa of the Osage tribe. After the agreement had been made the chief was also to receive other considerations, among them being pasture for his ponies.
Brown was to have the right to build, all the houses he wished and fences about them. But a misunderstanding between Chetopa and Brown for a time the Indians threatened revolt, Finally Brown agreed to exempt the part to be platted for the town of Independence. And Chetopa was to receive $3 per claim sold in addition to his original asking price of $50.
Brown had decided on the name Colfax for the town he envisioned. If his plans had been followed, its site would have been north and west of Mt. Hope Cemetery in the approximate northwest section of the land on which Independence Community College stands.
Just before the town building operations were due to start, Brown was persuaded to discontinue his efforts. It was then a small party of men from Oswego led by Dr. R. W. Wright formerly of Independence, Ia. assumed the responsibility of building a town.
L. T. Stephenson, serving a the first clerk of the district court, was appointed to lay out the streets of the town. (An addition in the southeast section of Independence is named for him. It extends from the alley between Park Boulevard and Fourth streets to the alley between Penn and 8th street and from Edison north to Birch.
The officials chose Stephenson to do the work because he was the only one whose duties did not require a full day, according to records. The group had voted for the streets to be 75 feet wide but Stephenson had argued they should be 100 feet wide, so when he drew the plans, the streets were 100 feet wide.
The first general store was opened by E. E. Wilson, father of Mrs. Thomas E. Wagstaff and grandfather of Donald W. Stewart. His partner was F. E. Irwin. Their emporium was located on Penn Avenue. Stock for it was freighted in from Lawrence. Fort Scott and Fontana. Mail was distributed from the store by the townspeople.
First Hostelry - Stephenson opened Independence's first hostelry with wagon yard and livery stable. Its location was at the corner of 6th and Laurel. The building was made of logs. Later it was covered with clapboards.
In October, 1869 a Wald Schmidt opened a saw mill at the east end of Myrtle street. In the winter of 1871 he began to grind grain for the settlers in the area. His grist mill is reputed to have been the first on the Indian Reserve. Wald street running north and south in the east part of town is named for his pioneer.
The first houses erected here were hay covered and hay-banked. Because of the use of this material, early day trader's sometimes refereed to Independence as "Hay town" Frame buildings were not constructed until 1870.
The first convention there held after Independence became a town was that of Episcopal Conference.
The first newspaper made its appearance in September 1869 with E. R. Trask as publisher and known as the Independence Pioneer, the newspaper was published in Oswego until the next March when the printing plant was moved to Independence.
Miss Mary Walker was the first teacher in Independence. The school was opened in 1870 on the northwest corner of 4th and Maple streets. It had doors and windows, features lacking in some of the other like structures in the county.
Churches Organize - Presbyterians, Methodist and Baptists organized congregations in 1869, but the Baptists were the first to erect their own church. It was dedicated in 1871. The St. Andrew's Catholic parish was organized that same year.
F. D. Irwin was appointed the first postmaster. He received a salary of $12.00 per year. L. T. Stephenson was the initial postal carrier.
The first dram shop license was issued to Henry Kaiser.
By March 1871 the population of Independence had reached a high of 1,282 persons.
First claimants to land within the city limits were Frank Bunker, Shel Reed and W. O. Sylvester.
A teachers' institute, said to have been the first in Montgomery county was held in Vandiver's Hall in the summer of 1870 with Prof. Boles as the manager.
Four men who have served as governors of Kansas have claimed Independence addresses as some period in their lives. A distinction few other cities can claim, Mrs. Bittmann stated, included in the list are Lyman U. Humphrey, Harry Woodring, Alf M. Landon and Ben S. Paulen. Woodring later served in the cabinet of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Landon was the G.O.P presidential candidate in 1936.
Other residents have ranked high nationally in professional diplomatic business, cultural sports and social circles.
When queried about her interest in historic events and places, Mrs. Bittmann said, I believe it extends back to my childhood. We spent a good many summers with Grandpa and Grandma Berry, who resided at the top of the hill after you crossed Elk River. Grandpa used to tell me stories of the Indians and I love them, later, I read a story written by a Kansas author and reference was made to the battle in Southeast Kansas, believed to have been the only one fought in this area between the north and the south. I recalled Grandpa Berry had told me about it years before, so I began to ask questions of pioneers who came into our store. My interest was sparked and It has never flagged.
The Good Old Days
South Kansas Tribune dated 5-21-1890
Memorial Service - The accustomed religious Memorial Service will be held next Sabbath at the M. E. church, at 11 a.m. and be in charge of McPherson Post No. 4 G.A.R., Rev. H. P. Vrooman, of the Congregational church will preach the sermon.
The Comrades at request of the Commander, Dr. W. A. McCulley will meet at the hall at 10:15 and march in body to the church. It is now understood that the Decoration Day Exercises (Friday, May 30th) in this city, will be in charge of Dan Gass Camp, S. of V., who will decorate the graves early in the morning. The Post expects and extra train on the Mo. Pacific and with a large number of citizens, intend making a return visit to Coffeyville and participate with the Post in Memorial Day Exercise.
Elk City Enterprise dated 8-16-1895
Commencement - The Seventh Annual Commencement of the Elk City High School will be held at the Christian church on Wednesday evening, April 24th. There are only five persons in the graduating class this year, to wit: Mabel Daughterty, Bertha Hancock, Bobbie Metcalf, Daisy Christman and Clyde Elder, but the entertainment will be equal to those of former years.
Elk City Enterprise 8-16-1895
Miss Loretta Wilson, the 100 percent student of the Elk City High School Commences her first school at Pleasant Hill, district 55, in September. She has high noble aims and it is confidently believed will make one of the most successful teachers in the county. She is planning to take a course at the State Normal School another year and we are informed aims to make teaching a profession.
Elk City Enterprise 8-16-1895
State Superintendent of Schools Stanly will assist at the Commence Exercises of the Elk City High School on April 24th.
Obituaries
Bowers, Everett France , 81 passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022 burial in Havana Cemetery
Dunham, Robert Bruce died December 11,
Sanders, Ronald D. 84, passed away on Saturday, November 26, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery
Fisher, Margaret Fay age 93, passed away, December 26, cremation has taken place
Aemisegger, Scott age 33, passed away January 12
McGinnis Florrie N. age 74 passed away on Thursday, January 5, graduate of E.C. High 1966
Bright Willard A., 87, January 20, graduated from E. C. High 1953 burial in Oak Hill Cemetery
Cox Joan Mitchell died January 20,. cremation has taken place