Our Past Is Present June 7, 2018

June 7, 2018

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

             Set In Stone, a book available at our Museum, contains information about Geary County History and makes a great gift.  It has stories collected by Linda Barten, Gaylynn Childs, Leona Garrison, Jan Gray, Shelly Gunderson, Kathy Harris, Mary Kay Munson and Eric Stahl.  Today’s story comes from that book and is titled “Fletcher Sergeant – The Only Man Modiste in Kansas.  A modiste is a fashionable dressmaker. The article was written by Gaylynn Childs.

            “During the few years that Fletcher Sargeant practiced his trade in Junction City, he was known as “the only man modiste in Kansas.  Since he was a little boy, he designed apparel for his sisters. In the mid-1920’s, Fletcher went into the dressmaking business for himself and opened the studio above his father’s drug store at 706 ½ North Washington Street.

            Amy Hayes Rodiger, who worked as a seamstress in Fletcher Sargent’s shop for several years beginning in 1929, remembered that Sargeant had an obsession with the idea of going to Hollywood and opening a studio there. As a result he saved every penny he could.  This sometimes made it difficult for the seamstresses to collect their pay.  They made mostly formal and party gowns for the officers’ wives at Fort Riley and for prominent ladies in town.  Most of the clothes were original designs.”  Amy also stated that “Each gown that was turned out was a unique and quality piece.”

            On August 10^th 1929, Robina Manley caused quite a stir in conservative Junction City when she married Phillip Hedges at the Country Club.  The cause of commotion was because of her wedding dress.  Robina’s strikingly simple ivory satin gown was designed by Fletcher and worn with the only undergarment being a dainty, pink silk “teddy” also designed and made by him.  It was also NOT the traditional white color, which also was a cause for much conversation. There is a picture of Robina’s questionable gown on page 149 of the Set In Stone book.

            In 1931 or early 1932, Fletcher Sargent left Junction City for California in search of his dream of becoming a designer for the movies.  We are not sure that his dream was ever realized, however.

            No matter how well Fletcher fared in California, he will be remembered by some  as “our hometown Christian Dior."

            And… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.