Our Past Is Present September 28, 2018

September 28, 2018

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

            Today’s program is titled “Life At Fort Riley As Seen Through The Eyes Of Margaret Clark Conless” and is taken from a 1988 article written by Gaylynn Childs for the “Junction City Union” newspaper.

            Margaret was born at Fort Riley in 1890.  Her father was assigned as the Chief of the Quartermaster at the fort. This was a Civil Service position.  For 30 years the family lived in Quarters No. 123, which is now the Custer House Museum. 

            Margaret stated that “The house was built in 1855 of large limestone blocks quarried from the hills north of the post.  There was no running water in the house in those early days.  There was a pump in the kitchen over an old iron basin.  There was an outhouse or privy.  Kerosene oil was used in lamps and coal was for heating water.  All the rooms originally had fireplaces that were later boarded up and plastered over.  The fireplaces gave way to a large pot-bellied stove or Franklin stove.

            I was probably five or six years old when water was piped into the house – first to the kitchen and then to the servant’s room upstairs that was made into a bathroom.  I must not forget that there was a stable and carriage house in the rear of the house. 

            My first schooling was held in St. Mary’s Chapel.  It was built in 1855 of limestone blocks.  There were seldom more than eight children of early school years on the post at that time when I first went to school in 1896.  Usually older children were sent to boarding school in the east.

            My first teacher was Sgt. Alexander Llenoc, who was under the supervision of the Post Chaplain.  A large church was built in 1897 and a school room was part of the church. Classes were moved from St. Mary’s Chapel to the newer, larger chapel. (In a note to our readers: this is now called Main Post Chapel.)

            Evening classes were held in the new building with classes held for enlisted men, which were also taught by Sgt. Llenoc.  He was the son of a well-known family in New York City, who objected to his enlistment in the Army.  I learned later that Sgt. Llennoc had changed his name and identity by spelling his last name backwards.  His real name was not Llennoc, but Connell.

            Several years later, three other children and I had a private school of sorts in the home of Capt. And Mrs. Forsythe. Our teacher was Miss McCracken, who came from Junction City each school day to teach us.  The Quartermaster provided her transportation. 

            When I was ready for high school, I attended Junction City High School and graduated with the class of 1908.”  That building is now the Geary County Museum.  And… that is today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.