Our Past Is Present June 19, 2017

June 19, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            68 years ago in our town, the philanthropy of a local young man got the summer’s swimming season off to an exciting start.

            It was reported in the “Junction City Union” that the six year old boy could have won a popularity contest at the Municipal Swimming Pool during a June afternoon in 1949.  He was passing out $20.00 bills.

            The youngster found the bills in a billfold at home and immediately started on  his brief, but highly successful project of giving the money away.  There was a total of $240.00.  On his way to the swimming pool, he met a couple of other youngsters, who agreed to accept $70.00 of the money.   

            The money went even faster at the swimming pool, when there were others eager to help the young lad with his philanthropy.  That was until --- someone notified the police.  Most of the money had been distributed when Police Officer Berl Woodland arrived.  He suggested that some of the receivers might like to give back the money.

            Well…. Some did, but some did not.  The final score was about one dollar for every two given away was recovered.  $151 of the $240 was returned. 

            Philanthropy is a good thing – if the money comes from a legitimate means. It is wise to keep in mind that what seems too good to be true, probably is too good to be true.