Our Past Is Present October 31, 2018

October 31, 2018

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

            Today’s story is about the homecoming for Geary County’s Company L. and Gaylynn Childs wrote this article, which may be found in its entirety on page 325 of the book Set In Stone.

            Junction City attracted state-wide attention with the welcome it gave the soldiers who fought in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.  Company “L” of the 20^th Kansas Volunteers was made up of soldiers from Geary and Dickinson counties.  According to the accounts of several local officers published in area newspapers, they saw considerable action in battles fought in and near Manila.  In November of 1899, the war was over and the soldiers came home to a so-called “reception fit for a king.” 

            3,000 area residents waited at the depot for the train.  One account stated that “Early in the morning everyone was out decorating residences and businesses in honor of the 20^th Kansas boys who were expected on the 2:15 PM Union Pacific train.  The train was an hour late, but when it at last pulled in carrying its precious burden, such a shout arose as to almost shake the surrounding hills.”

            A 21 gun salute was fired by the artillery battery from Fort Riley.  Then, commanders quickly got the soldiers formed into a column for the parade.  The parade was headed by the Sixth Cavalry Band, then Mayor J.V. Humphrey and officers of the 20^th Kansas and Sixth Cavalry in carriages.  They were followed by veterans of the Mexican War and Civil War.  The Board of Education followed by the pupils of the city and county schools came next.

            The parade ended at the Opera House where the 20th Kansas boys were ushered inside by way of the stage door.  “When the Opera House doors were thrown open, thousands of people were waiting outside and in a very few minutes the house was filled to capacity leaving hundreds of people who could not enter.”

            This was a celebration deserved by Company L and any of those who serve our nation’s armed forces upon return from combat.  We should be sure to thank those who have and are serving us to keep us safe, preserving our democracy and our freedoms.

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

           

Our Past Is Present October 30, 2018

October 30, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Sometimes when we have seen a movie, play or have watched something on television, we begin to share the story with someone, but don’t want to reveal too much, so we stop and say: “I don’t want to spoil or ruin the story for you… you need to see it yourself.”  Well, in a mysterious play titled “The Bat” the audience was asked to be sure not to reveal the ending of the play to anyone for just that reason.

            Halloween is tomorrow and we thought it would be interesting to look at that play, which was performed in March – rather than October - at the City Theater in 1922.  Remember the City Theater is also referred to as the Opera House at the corner of Seventh and Jefferson Streets in Junction City.   Again, the title of the play was “The Bat.”

            Avery Hopwood and Mary Roberts Rineheart co-wrote the play.  Mary Roberts Rinehart was often called the American Agatha Christie.  “The Bat” is a mystery/comedy.  Cornelia Van Gorder and guests spend a stormy night at a rented summer home.  While there, they end up searching for stolen money they believe to be hidden in the house.  They find themselves stalked by a masked criminal known as “The Bat”, whose identity is not revealed until the last act. Thus, there is a need for secrecy in order to not spoil the ending for those who have not seen the play.

            This play and its adaptations inspired other comedy/mysteries with similar settings and influenced the creation of the comic book super-hero “Batman.” 

            And that’s today’s story from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present October 29, 2018

October 29, 2018

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

            Today’s story is titled “The Swedes – From Quarries To Farms” and is some of the information included in Mary Kay Munson’s article found in the book Set in Stone. Mary Kay wrote that “Early Swedes who came to Kansas after the Civil War used Junction City as an outfitting point for those traveling to west.  Some of them, however, either stayed or came back to what was then Davis County just as it is believed Carl August and Emilie Monson did. Monson was spelled M-o-n-s-o-n.

            Whatever their original destination, the family group showed up in Junction City in 1869  and stayed.  The Monsons may have lived in some of the housing provided for arriving Swedes until they could get a house of their own.  Records show they purchased land in 1872 near the current Spring Valley Historic Site at the corner of what is now K-18 and Spring Valley Road. 

            Family members recalled that there were no trees west of Junction City when the Monsons moved there. So Emilie went to the river and transplanted six cottonwood and walnut trees along the creek near the Spring Valley home.  Carl worked as a quarryman and built buildings with stone through the end of the 19^th century. 

            Caroline Peterson, Emilie Monson’s sister who had traveled with the Monson’s to the area, met Harry Wilson, a Norwegian immigrant who came to work on the MKT Railroad the same year the Monson’s arrived.  Harry also worked as a law enforcement officer in Junction City.  They eventually moved to South Dakota and made their home on a farm in that state.    

            As with most of the Swedish immigrants who came to America during this era, the Monson’s eventually Anglo-sized the spelling of their name and today Carl and Emilie’s proud Geary County descendants spell their name “M-u-n-s-o-n.”

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

Our Past Is Present October 26, 2018

October 26, 2018

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

            Today’s story is about Junction City’s brief reign as a cow town and the information is taken from the collection of stories found in the book Set In Stone, which is available at our Museum.

            Even though it is true that Abilene was the terminus of the Chisholm Trail, and probably the most famous cattle trail in the West.  However, Junction City was also a cow town for a short period of time.

            This was verified in a short history of the Kansas Pacific Railroad line in the 1960s.  The Shawnee Trail known as the “Middle” or West Shawnee” road that brought the Texas cattle to Geary County was named the “Old Shawnee Trail”, because it passed through the Shawnee Indian country and was a close rival of the Chisholm route during the early days of the big trail drives. 

            The southern segments of the trail came in to use in the 1850s, however, it was not until after the Civil War that the advantages of moving the herds to Kansas became apparent.  There was a surplus of cattle in Texas during the four years of the Civil War and at the same time the farms in the eastern United States had not been worked productively either, for the same reason.  So, there was a demand for cattle, but a great distance apart.  It was the railroads that came to the rescue. 

            As the railroads pushed across the western plains at the end of the Civil War, enterprising ranchers discovered that by driving the herds to meet the rail heads in the grasslands of Kansas, the steers could be grazed to prime condition before they were shipped to markets in the East. 

            When the railroad arrived in Junction City in 1866, so did the cattle.  However, 1871 was the last year of the West Shawnee Cattle Trail as it was for the Chisholm and eastern Shawnee routes.  In that year, nearly a million cattle were driven north along these trails.  Junction City and Baxter Springs received an estimated 300,000 cattle. 

            As the railroads moved further west, settlement moved with them and the cattle trade, by force, had to move beyond the farmers and homesteaders who were plowing the land and fencing the prairies.  Slowly, the numbers on the long drive decreased as the shipping centers moved to Wichita and Dodge City.  As the trails were pushed westward mile by mile the cowboy was seen less on the Kansas plains.  After 1885, all herds had to be taken through Colorado and when the trails reached the Rocky Mountains they completely disappeared.

            And.. that’s the story about the brief reign of Junction City as a cow town and you have been reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.     

Our Past Is Present October 25, 2018

October 25, 2018

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

            Today’s story is titled “Mass Transit Comes To Junction City In 1901”.  On August 1^st of 1901, the first trolley cars of the Junction City-to-Fort Riley Electric Railway rolled onto Washington Street.  This was the beginning of the first “mass transit” system in our community and would ultimately link the prairie post and Junction City through flood, fire, famine and war for over three decades.           

            The idea had been tried by numerous people and at least on two other occasions. However, by the turn of the 20^th century, the time for the electric railway had come and in 1900 and 1901 a third group succeeded in organizing and getting the trolley line construction underway.

            Permission was gained to run the streetcar tracks along 8th Street, then north on Washington Street and then through the rural “flats” along the northwest side of Grant Avenue, which was then mainly a wagon road to the Republican River.  It was necessary for the company to construct a four-span steel bridge set on concrete-filled steel piers and located a few hundred feet above the junction with the Smoky Hill River.  The destination was Waters Hall on Fort Riley, which at that time was the Headquarters Building on Main Post. 

            Initially, there were only two cars on the Junction City to Fort Riley run.  The first left downtown Junction City at 5:10 in the morning and made the four-mile run to Waters Hall with a return to town by 5:40 AM.  There were two trolleys making these runs every half-hour until 11:10 PM.  The last trolley usually arrived back at the car barn by 1:00 AM completing the day’s run. 

            The cost to ride was 10 cents.  If passengers did not have a dime, they often took the option of paying a nickel and getting off at the Red Box switch point at Grant Avenue and walking the rest of the distance into town or out to post depending on their destination. 

            We have been told that a more specific run from Fort Riley to Junction City was up Grant Avenue to Monroe Street, then to 8^th Street over to Washington Street and back down Grant Avenue on the return to Fort Riley.  Your host has only imagined that trip, but would have enjoyed riding the trolley to and from Fort Riley if it were here today.

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

           

Our Past Is Present October 24, 2018

October 24 2018

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

            Today’s story is about the early days of the limestone industry in our community and the information comes from an article written by Gaylynn Childs, retired Executive Director of the Geary County Historical Society.

            “One of Junction City’s selling points in the beginning years was the existence of an abundance of quality limestone for building purposes.  The stone could be found in the outcroppings, sometimes called rim-rock.  The best stone for sawing purposes was found beneath the surface of the soil down to a depth of 12 to 15 feet.

            The stone was workable when it was first taken from the ground then hardened with exposure to the air and elements.  Major O.J. Hopkins, who had earlier served at Fort Riley, settled in Junction City after the Civil War and in 1866, initiated the commercial process of sawing the limestone.  It is possible that he got the idea from Daniel Mitchell, who was an early settler and experimented with the use of a hand saw to saw this stone while constructing his house.  Hopkins apparently witnessed this experiment and later initiated correspondence with the operators of eastern quarries to learn more about quarrying methods.

            He got  Junction City founder, James McClure and others interested in forming a company to undertake the sawing of local limestone.  This venture became one of the largest industries in the early history of Junction City, employing 60 men and turning out about $1,500 worth of stone per month.  The company used the McFarland quarry, which was probably the earliest quarry in the area. 

            In 1867, primarily through the efforts of George W. Martin, editor of the “Junction City Union” newspaper, the Junction City Stone Sawing Company secured a contract to furnish all the stone needed in the construction of the east wing of the State Capitol building in Topeka.

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

Our Past Is Present October 23, 2018

October 23, 2018

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

            Well, last Tuesday we told you that today’s story would continue with a connection between the Willys-Overland Company of Toledo, Ohio and the City Theater.  Remember the Opera House name had been changed to the City Theater in 1919 even though some still called the building the Opera House. The information comes from a January 25, 1919 article titled “Lyman Howe’s Pictures Show Motor Car Construction In Big Factory”. 

The author of the article stated that “The American manufacturing methods have probably reached their highest development of efficiency in the huge factories where automobiles are made.  For this reason, the views of the immense plant of the Willy’s-Overland Company in Toledo, Ohio is said to be the largest automobile factory in the world.

            The pictures shown follow the making of an automobile from the time the raw material enters the forges as bar steel, to be formed into crankshafts and piston rods by immense drop hammers, to the time the finished car leaves the factory under its own power for the final test.

            The time and labor saving machinery employed and the marvelous efficiency achieved in the handling and routing of material is clearly shown in these pictures. The pictures show the various car parts in process of being manufactured and the employment of some of the most modern factory in use ending in the department where the final assembly is made on traveling chain belts. 

            This picture, starting with the bare skeleton of a car frame that grows as it moves into a finished automobile and is probably the best exposition of modern factory efficiency that it would be possible to secure,” according to the reporter. 

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

Our Past Is Present October 22, 2018

October 22, 2018

            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            The information for today’s story was written by Ralph Murphy and the late Marilyn Heldstab and may be found on page 110 of the Set In Stone book, which is available at our Museum. The story is about the First United Methodist Church in Junction City. 

            “Apparently the first Methodist church building was shared with congregations of other denominations for a time, because the Baptists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians all had buildings in various stages of construction soon after the Civil War. 

            The Methodist congregation began to grow and there became a need for a larger building.  By June of 1892, Pastor John Cook reported that a committee had been instructed to “buy lots to build a church on and they were located at the northwest corner of Eighth and Jefferson Streets. As the church was being built there was a “severe money panic” and construction was halted.  It wasn’t until August of 1894 that trustees decided to continue construction with an estimated completion date of January 1, 1895. 

            During construction, however, a hard rain and hailstorm swept over the city on September 14^th.  More than half of the rafters were blown down and some of the east wall was knocked over.  It took time to repair the damages.

            The new church, which was called the Methodist Episcopal Church was finally ready for dedication on December 18, 1894.  The completed church cost about $13,000 thanks to the financial assistance made by the construction workers.  Each man gave a portion of the regular wage rate as his contribution towards helping to pay for the church. 

            In the 1920s, Junction City’s First Methodist Church became the First United Methodist Church, when Pastor S.L. Buckner facilitated the uniting of the church with the Zion Methodist (German) congregation.  In August of 1994, Junction City’s First United Methodist Church marked the 100^th anniversary of the dedication of their present house of worship.” Next year will mark their 125^th Anniversary.

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

Our Past Is Present October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

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

            The complete story used in today’s program may be found on page 81 of the book

Set In Stone, which is available at our Museum at a reduced rate for GCHS members.  Stop by to purchase your copy today or any day Tuesdays through Sundays at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets.  That way you can read the complete story and others in this marvelous book of stories about Geary County history.

            Now for today’s story…

            Although records indicate there was an African American presence in Junction City right from the beginning, finding information about them is a challenge.  Often it appears that personal or family histories of these early residents are non-existent. 

            However, today’s story is about George and Mariah Young.  The Young’s pictures may be found in the main hall at the Museum amongst those of other early settlers in Geary County.  George and Mariah are the only African Americans represented in the collection compiled by photographer Louis Teitzel in 1909 in observance of the 50^th anniversary of Junction City’s founding.

            The George and Mariah Young family settled here in 1864 prior to the end of the Civil War.  George was a barber by trade.  Susan Franzen in her book Beyond The Façade of Fort Riley’s Hometown, which is another “must have” book, wrote that “When Love’s Barbershop was opened by four black men in 1867, the “Union” newspaper made note of it.  By the time of the U.S. Census of 1870, one of the barbers, George Young from Tennessee, was quite wealthy. His real estate was valued at $1,000.  George Young later went into the feed business.  He married Mariah Young and they had four children. 

            At the beginning of the new school term in January of 1866, one of the children, Willowby, was enrolled in the city school. The enrollment of the “colored” boy in the public school caused an uproar and much heated debate, both on the streets and in meetings and gatherings all over town.  The Young’s immediately withdrew their son, but this did not end the dispute.

            A meeting was held about school integration.  Those in favor of educating young Willowby with the white children of the town finally prevailed and the School Board ruled in that effect. In January 18, 1866, the Ganz building where children were being taught, mysteriously burned down.

            Little else is in our files on the Young family. 

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

Our Past Is Present October 17, 2018

October 17, 2018

            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Prior to the end of the Civil War, worshippers made little or no attempts to establish separate congregations.  However, once the war was over that changed.  The newspaper at the time reported that the Baptists were the first to split from these Union meetings.  In 1865, under the leadership of Elder Caleb Blood, the First Baptist Church of Junction was organized. Soon they had dedicated a large room for worship in the back part of the Streeter and Strickler store at the corner of Seventh and Washington Streets.    This was said to be their first regular place of worship in Junction City.

            After a few years at the Streeter and Strickler Building, James Streeter donated money to have a permanent church built for those of the Baptist faith.  This new church was located between Sixth and Seventh Streets and was on the west side of Jefferson Street.  It was dedicated on January 27, 1867. 

            An interesting account of the church’s early history is that for three years, 1867-70, the church did not have a rooftop.  It was blown away in the middle of a storm.  Because of this the Reverend Balcom, who was a Baptist Evangelist, was called upon to help “pray the roof back on.”  A year after the help from Reverend Balcom and the Junction City community the roof was back on the church and the sermons were back to normal. 

            After WW II the Baptist church saw a growth in members and the church itself.  In order to get to as many people as possible, live broadcasts of the morning worship services were aired on the KJCK – AM radio station and are still aired today. 

            A major setback occurred when approximately $40,000 worth of damage was caused by a fire in December 15, 1955. This did not stop the church from increasing its membership and has become one of the major institutions in Junction City.  

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

Our Past Is Present October 16, 2018

October 16, 2018

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

            Well, it is Tuesday and if you have been reading these blogs since January, you know that Tuesday has been set aside for historical stories about The Opera House.

            Regular readers remember that the opening of the Opera House was in January of 1882. There were minstrels, wrestling, boxing, a circus, high school graduation exercises, variety shows and concerts by local talent.  In January of 1898, the building caught fire but was restored and re-opened in October of that same year.  In 1918, silent films were shown and then talking pictures were shown as early as 1919.  The building was renamed and that is where we pick up our story today.  The information for today’s story comes from an article in the “Junction City Union” newspaper dated September 22, 1919.

            T.W. Dorn announced that he would open the opera house Wednesday evening, September 24.  It had been renovated, renamed and regenerated with the great feature picture classic “Sahara.”  The building was going to be called the City Theater. It would play the good regular theatrical attractions offered and a line of high class and varied pictures.  An excellent orchestra was to be one of the promises made by the management.  It was also stated that on account of the actors’ strike, the road attractions would be from six weeks to two months late in coming here.  This implied that only the motion pictures would be shown until that strike had ended.”

            It was mentioned in the article that the name of the Opera House was changed to the City Theater.  Even so, we found references to the building being called both the City Theater and the Opera House.  That may have been out of habit and knowledge that the City Theater was originally called the Opera House.    

            Anyway, we will have a story next week  about how the Willys-Overland Company plant in Toledo, Ohio had a connection with the City Theater.

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

Our Past Is Present October 15, 2018

October 15, 2018

            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Most of our stories this week and next will come from the marvelous collection of stories found in the book Set In Stone, which is available at our Museum.  Today’s story was written by Gaylynn Childs and may be found on page 144 of that book.

            “Dwight D. Eisenhower’s brother, Roy, owned and operated a drug store at 622 North Washington Street for about 25 years. Net Quest Computer Sales and Repair is currently located in that building.  Roy always referred to himself as a “druggist”, Ike preferred the term “pharmacist”, when describing his brother.

            Roy Eisenhower was a thirty-second-degree mason, a lifelong member of the Chamber of Commerce and was active in many service clubs and community organizations.  He was an avid sportsman and like his famous brother enjoyed playing golf whenever he could get away from the store. 

            He was described as a “red hot Republican” and took an active interest in local politics.  Because of the relationship between Fort Riley and Junction City, Roy was much better known to the officers and men at the post was his military brother.

            Roy died in 1942.  His widow, Edna Eisenhower, continued to run the drugstore.  

            There are no documented accounts of Dwight Eisenhower visiting in Junction City after he was President, however it was reported by Fred Beeler, that when Ike was in Abilene, during and after his presidential years, “he would drive his Secret Service guys nuts” when he’d occasionally slip away and borrow a car from one of his Abilene friends and drive himself over to Junction City to pay a visit to his brother’s widow. She died in 1989 at the age of 97.

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

Our Past Is Present October 12, 2018

October 12, 2018

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

On September 11, we shared some stories about where our staff was on that date in 2001.  Well, today’s story may bring back some similar recall by you concerning where you were when you first heard about the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and remembrances about the connection to Grandview Plaza and Junction City.  The information for today’s story was taken from the “Daily Union” newspaper dated April 20, 2011 and was written by Brandy Cruz.  Brandy wrote that “On the anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, crews were tearing down the Dreamland Motel in Grandview Plaza on Tuesday of this week. The local motel will forever be tied to convicted terrorist Timothy McVeigh, even though it will no longer be visible to travelers driving by on Interstate 70.

            On April 19, 1995 a yellow Ryder Rental Truck containing more than 5,000 punds of ammonium nitrate and nitromethane pulled up in front of the Murrah Building.  Several minutes later the rental truck exploded, taking with it one third of the building, killing 168 people and injuring more than 800 others.

            Within 24 hours after the bombing, the FBI focused its investigation in Junction City and Grandview Plaza.  McVeigh, a former Fort Riley soldier, had rented the Ryder Rental Truck from Elliot’s Body Shop in Junction City.  McVeigh and Terry Nichols, built the bomb by a dock at Geary State Fishing Lake, just south of Junction City and then took it to the Dreamland Motel, where McVeigh stayed as he planned the attack. 

            Jerome Thomas explained why the Dreamland Hotel was demolished when he stated that the City Council approved the demolition on March 15 especially since the dilapidated motel had stood vacant for several years.  It was estimated that the demolition process would take several weeks.”

            Do you remember where you were on that morning in 1995?  Some of us have a vivid memory, but little did we know that there would be another attack on our nation on September 11, 2001 in which 2,996 people would die on that fatal day. Keep reading each day at about this same time for more Geary County History on “Our Past Is Present”.

Our Past Is Present October 11, 2018

October 11, 2018

            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Damon Runyan was born in 1880 in nearby Manhattan, Kansas.  Runyon gained fame in the 1920’s and 30’s as the author of stories about the colorful characters which peopled New York City’s Broadway Stages in that era.  His show, “Guys and Dolls” became familiar to readers and theatergoers worldwide as Runyon’s stories were published in foreign languages and converted into stage and move adaptations. 

            While a star reporter for the Hearst newspapers for over 30 years, Runyon kept up a steady production of fiction works with which he quickly gained a long lasting and devoted following until his death in 1946.  The Junction City connection was acknowledged in Runyon’s own words.  This came about through the literary success of another native son, Joseph Stanley Pennell.  In 1944 Pennell published a novel, The History of Rome Hanks and Kindred Matters, which enjoyed success, received extraordinary reviews and sold more than 100,000 copies.  It was this novel that prompted a tongue-in-cheek review of the book by Runyon, which was printed in the “Junction City Union” newspaper in 1944. Near the end of the article, Runyon wrote: “ I note that Pennell is a newspaperman and was born and brought up in Junction City, Kansas where he wrote the novel .  This interests me, because my old man once lived in Junction City.  In fact, that is where he married my mother Elizabeth Damon.”

            Damon Runyon died of throat cancer in 1946 and was cremated and his ashes were illegally scattered from a DC-3 airplane over Broadway in New York City by Captain Ernie Rickenbacker.

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

Our Past Is Present October 10, 2018

October 10, 2018

            You are reading to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is about the demolition of the Sunset Motel in Grandview Plaza in 2002. 

            This story was taken from an article written in the “Junction City Union” newspaper, August 27, 2002 and was written by Gail Parsons, who then was a “Daily Union” staff writer.

She wrote that” The demolition process of the Sunset Motel had begun.  It was the scene of two explosions on Sunday. However there was a discovery of asbestos throughout the building which was going to hamper further work. 

            Grandview Plaza City Superintendent, Jerome Thomas said demolition began early that morning, but was halted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment until approval was received from KDHE for asbestos control.

            Sharon Watson, KDHE Public Information Officer, stated that samples were taken from the site on Monday for testing.  Although the test results have not come in, the results became irrelevant as panels were discovered in the front and back of the building that were clearly labeled “asbestos containing”.

            Geary County Assistant Fire Chief Garry Berges said there were two contributing factors to the blast heard on Sunday.  There was a propane leak in the basement and the gas was detonated as a result of a knife switch in an electrical panel box not being fully opened or full closed, thus allowing an electrical arc to originate and ignite the gas vapors.  Berges said a knife switch is what is found on old breaker boxes. 

            Hotel owners Lalji “Lee” and Kokila Patel were both serious injured in the blast and were listed in serious condition at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita.  Lee Patel was reported to have been blown out of the plate glass window of the front office of the hotel.  He also suffered burns over 60% of his body. Kokila received burns over 40% of her body, but was able to alert the couple’s 14 year old son, Ravi Patel, a freshman at Junction City High School.  He was able to escape without injury.”

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

Our Past Is Present October 9, 2018

October 9, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is titled “Laughing Night At The Opera House”. Opera House Manager Dorn announced that on Friday, October 13, 1899, there would be the big laughing night of the theatrical season of 1899-1900.  It was the night the merry jingling comedy “Two Merry Tramps” would be presented.  It was thought the play had made more people forget their troubles for an evening and created more genuine laughter than any of the farce comedies, which have been recently seen.  The author claims a plot for the play, but when asked to define it explained it to be a plot upon the part of the comedians to cause extreme laughter from the audience.  An unusually large and capable company of comedians, singers, dancers and musicians were engaged for the production.  New songs and musical numbers will be introduced during each act.  The company has a fine band and orchestra with it.”

            Well, that was about a night of comedy and fun at the Opera House.  The most recent Junction City Little Theater production of “Beauty and the Beast” will also go down in our collection of historic events at the Opera House.  The cast, orchestra, lighting, set design and those amazing costumes created and made by Ellen Westerhaus for a spectacular production that had a theme for all ages.  The theme of “it’s not the outward appearance of a person that makes people who they are, but what is on the inside – their heart, their caring their service to others  - that defines them.  This was so timely (in your host’s opinion) for each of us when we listen to some of the news about our politicians and world leaders, who lack those qualities today and how we should be focused on causing things to be better and do it together rather than fighting and disagreeing with each other so much.

            Well… that’s our time together on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present October 8, 2018

October 8, 2018

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

            Last week we shared a story about Mrs. A.W. Bentley, who lived in a boarding house in 1867, where the Municipal Building is now located.  We found some more information in an article printed in the December 10, 1935 “Junction City Union” newspaper and will be part of today’s story.

            Mrs. E.N. Church, pioneer resident of Geary County, who now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. A.W. Bentley, at 120 East Second Street, opened a boarding house in the original two-story frame building on the site in 1867. Previous to that the building was occupied as a private home by the James Street family, who were pioneer business people in Junction City.

            Mr. and Mrs. Henry Aimen built the first hotel on that location in 1878.  This hotel was known as the “Aimen House”, and in 1883 was sold to Henry Kemp and the name was changed to the Central Hotel.  This hotel was operated by various people until 1933, when Thomas Settle remodeled the building into apartments. 

  The author of the article further stated that “From a six-room boarding house in 1867 to a 54 room apartment house in 1935 – such was the growth and expansion of the Central Hotel building at Seventh and Jefferson Streets.  This hotel was to be torn down for the building of Junction City’s $213,000 Municipal Building. 

            Look here tomorrow, as we continue our look at the long history of the Opera House, which is celebrating its 120^th Anniversary and on Wednesday, we will have a story about the two explosions at the Sunset Motel in 2002. 

            And...thanks for reading today and every weekday at about this time to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present October 5, 2018

October 5, 2018

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

            Today’s story is about an attempted robbery of the Milford State Bank.  The information comes from the “Republic” newspaper dated September 20, 1917. 

            “The Milford people were surprised and somewhat disgusted when they read in the “Kansas City Star” newspaper about the robbery in Milford.  Between 12 and 1 o’clock Saturday, am. Some of the people were aroused by an explosion at the bank, which was followed by several other explosions between that hour and 4 o’clock am when the robbers were probably alarmed by the sound of cars, which were preparing to start for Fort Riley.  Charley Say, who watched the proceedings from the telephone central office was prevented from making much of an alarm because of the frightened condition of his wife.  Mr. Say stated that there were at least four robbers, though he only saw two at any one time.  Tools were taken from the U.P. tool house with which to make an entrance to the vault.  They succeeded in only getting through the first plate of the safe leaving seven more plates in which to reach the cash chest, which had another strong locked door. 

            It was not definitely known how the robbers left town, nor in what direction.  There was not a shot of firearms, nor were there any soldiers sent to Milford.  The A.F. Fawley Store was entered and probably from two to three dollars in change taken from the cash drawer.  The bank carries $3,000 burglar insurance and its loss is fully covered, amounting to about $800.  The bank is open again.”   

            Look here next week when we will have some stories about buildings razed in 1935; explosions at the Sunset Motel; Damon Runyon and the demolition of the Dreamland Motel in 2011.

            And… thanks for reading today to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present October 4, 2018

October 4, 2018

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

            Today’s story is about the birthplace of Mrs. A.W. Bentley.  Mrs. Bentley lived at what was then 120 East Second Street and was probably the only person in Junction City who could boast that the Municipal Building marked the site of her birthplace.

            Mrs. Bentley was born in a frame building, located near what is now the southeast corner of the new building in the days when Wild Bill Hickok was making regular visits to Junction City.

            She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Church and was born on June 13, 1868.  She lived in Junction City all of her life. Her birthplace was a rooming and boarding house operated by her parents.  The old house had been added onto and came to be known as the Central Hotel.  There were eight rooms in the hotel.  Wild Bill Hickock was a frequent visitor when he came to town from Abilene.  When Mrs. Bentley was a baby, he would push her around town in her baby buggy.  She stated that she was “too small to remember much about it, but he used to take her downtown.  Every other place in town was a saloon in those days and sometimes he would take me into a saloon with him.” Mrs. Bentley also said that “Some of her mother’s friends, used to tell her mother that she shouldn’t let Bill take her with him because of that, but mother wasn’t afraid for me.  He was a gambler, but he was a good man and a gentleman.”

            Mrs. Bentley also recalled that “there were few buildings in Junction City when they lived in the rooming house.  To the east was the city jail, located about where the new fire department is situated (this is now the Opera House).  Above the jail was the school room where Mrs. Charlotte McFarland taught the children.  Mrs. Bentley did not attend this school, but attended the “Ninth Street School”, which was built in 1918 (which is now the Freshman Success Academy). 

            Mrs. Bentley also mentioned that “The old town clock, (which was on the tower of the Opera House) has fooled me many times. Working as a telephone operator I used to pass it every day.  I’d look at one side of it and think I was late.  Then I’d see another side and I’d still have plenty of time.  Sometimes the hands of the clock would stick due to icy weather and cause the clock to display different times.  It just depended on which side of the clock you were looking up to on the tower as to the time.”  

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

Our Past Is Present October 3, 2018

October 3, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today we are continuing with our stories about early pioneers in this area.  Josephine Munson wrote an article for the “Junction City Union” newspaper, which was published in 1987.  The article was titled “Reaching Fort Riley Not Easy In 1800s.” This is what she wrote.

            “Crossing the rivers at Fort Riley was a challenge in the early years.  An account of “My First Days in Kansas,” by Mrs. S.B. White tells of their journey from Westport to Fort Riley in March of 1855: They were advised to take the route by way of Council Grove, because it was the best road.  She stated that it “surely was the longest one and if other roads were worse, I pitied those who traveled them.”  From Council Grove, they “made a beeline for Fort Riley. We struck a bluff on the east side of the Smoky Hill River where the descent was so steep the wheels of the wagons had to be tied together.  We could neither walk nor roll down, as the snow was so deep on the ground.  We crossed the Smoky on the ice, then on again we crossed the Republican on the ice and at last came to the Fort.”

            When the ice was thawed, it seemed the most successful method of crossing the rivers in the early days was by a ferry.  On November 1, 1856, a license was issued to Mary Clarke to keep a Ferry across the Republican Rivers.  Mrs. Clarke was the widow of a Fort Riley soldier who had operated the ferry at that spot since the bridge had washed out in 1860.  “Widow Clarke”, as she was known, continued to run the ferry until 1867 in spite of plans to bridge the river.”

            Read more on Monday when we have another story about “Widow Clarke” on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. 

Our Past Is Present October 2, 2018

October 2, 2018

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

            Remember the Opera House caught fire in January of 1898.  Efforts were made to get the building cleaned up, restored and re-opened in October of that same year.  We found an article in the “Junction City Sentinel” newspaper dated October 14, 1898 that stated: “ T.W. Dorn, Manager and G.W. Porter, electrician had a force working like tigers the past week to get the new opera house in first class order for the opening play Thursday evening.

            At 7:30 Wednesday evening, the lights were turned on and everyone promptly gave out its brilliancy.  This is very remarkable and shows marked accuracy and genius in the electrician when taking into consideration the number of feet of wire and lights.  Ten thousand feet of wire was used and supports 350 lights distributed judiciously throughout the building.

            G.W. Porter, the gentleman who has the contract for wiring the opera house, has the praise of all for the excellent work he did.  The wires do not come in contact with any wood.  All of the wires pass through porcelain tubes, making the system absolutely safe.   Mr. Porter says the system in the opera house is wired heavy enough to carry at least one third more lights if desired.  He also stated that Junction City can boast of having one of the prettiest, most convenient and substantial opera houses of its size in the United States.

            Among the many brilliant features is a sign, suspended from the dome facing east with the words “Opera House”, which is lit with 100 lights.  Mr. Dorn is pleased with the electric system and the opera house in general.  He is sparing no pains to provide scenery, curtains and other fixtures to correspond.”

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

Our Past Is Present October 1, 2018

October 1, 2018

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

            On Sabbath morning, Miss Agnes Lizzie Henderson died at her home among the stately cedars at Logan Grove, three miles south of Junction City.  She had been in failing health for some time, but clung to life for the sake of her mother, whom she loved so much.

            Agnes (or Lizzie as she was commonly known) was born August 8, 1858.  Her parents were Robert and Agnes Elizabeth Henderson.  She entered into rest January 28^th, 1917. Her whole life had been spent in Junction City or on the beautiful farm south of the city.  She was the first white child born on the townsite of Junction City and the townsite company deeded to her a lot on East Seventh Street in honor of the event.  They also wanted to name her Junctianna, which did not meet with the favor of her parents.

            Lizzie was educated in the private schools taught by Mrs. McFarland, Mrs. Harshorn and others and then in the public schools.  She was a great reader with a great memory.  Lizzie was a charming conversationalist and with her wit and cheerful disposition had a large circle of friends.  In her early childhood, she joined the Episcopal Church in Junction City. 

            Lizzie was survived by her mother; a sister, Mrs. C.A. Ritter; two brothers, James and Robert and one niece, Miss Helen Ritter.

            That’s our story for today.  Remember: if you miss any of our stories, you can go to gearyhistory.blogspot.com and read the scripts.  Stories about the Opera House may be heard by going to the C.L. Hoover Opera House website and clicking on “Our Past Is Present”, which is brought to you by this station and the Geary County Historical Society.