Our Past Is Present June 6, 2018

June 6, 2018 

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

            We want to give you a “heads-up” about our “Memories at the Museum” oral history program scheduled for June 24 from 3 until 4:00 PM. The topic this month will be “Businesses of Geary County Past."  Join us at the Museum on Sunday, June 24, and share your stories and memories about businesses you remember shopping in Junction City as a younger person or as an adult. 

            And… now for today’s story.

            Many of Geary County’s early settlers fought during the Civil War, in both the Union and Confederate armies.  After the war, the settlers had to learn to set aside their differences and work together in their growing community.

            One of these Confederate settlers was Caleb Estes.  He enlisted with the Confederate States Army in June of 1861 and served with Co. F, 26^th North Carolina Infantry Regiment.  This regiment is known for having the most casualties on either side throughout the entire war. During the war, Caleb fought at Gettysburg and was captured twice. 

            After his return from the war, Caleb and his wife, Mary, decided to move west.  They settled on the Geary-Riley County line and raised a daughter by the name of Ariel.

            Nearly 30 years after Caleb fought at the battle of Gettysburg, his daughter, Ariel, married Ed Hudson, the son of a Union soldier who fought on the other side at Gettysburg.  Ed and Ariel raised a family and Ed served as a blacksmith with the 7^th Cavalry during the Indian Wars.  It really is interesting how life experiences turn us from being enemies to … well …even marriage.

            We have some interesting displays about the 7^th Cavalry in our Main Street Gallery. Stop by and take a look and see why we say – “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.