Our Past Is Present November 30, 2017

November 30, 2017

Today’s story is titled “Central National Bank’s Unique Way of Deterring Robbers.”

The word was out to all bank robbers who might have been planning a visit to Junction City after November 24, 1932: “Arm yourselves with Kleenex, handkerchiefs or towels in addition to your usual assortment of machine guns, revolvers and pistols.”  It was on that date the Central National Bank installed an alarm system of tear gas bombs as a further preventative against robberies.  According to the planners, the tear gas would fill the lobby and vaults with a smarting eye irritant that would send bank Presidents, cashiers, bandits, bookkeepers and customers alike stampeding outside for fresh air.  The tear gas was contained in shells or tear gas guns positioned in different parts of the Central National Bank.  The same system of push buttons that controlled the burglar alarms controlled the gas guns and the whole system could be set off simultaneously by any bank employee.

            Release buttons were located at every cage window, at the different desks and at other strategic points throughout the entire bank building.  The directors hoped the new tear gas guns would be an added safeguard for the bank depositors and apparently – it worked.  Junction City was fortunate that during the Depression period, bandits by-passed our town. 

            That’s today’s story.  We want to remind you that if you want a unique gift for that special person on your list, we have books, decorative items, games and other items of interest in our Gift Shop.  Stop by Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 1 and 4.  Our Museum is located at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets.   If you have a person on your list who is interested in something related to Geary County history, we most likely have that special gift. 

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

Our Past Is Present November 29, 2017

November 29, 2017

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

            It seems that scams have always been around.  At the end of November in 1914, local stockmen were warned to go easy when a stranger came along with his checkbook in hand and wanting to buy thoroughbred hogs for breeding purposes.  After purchasing the hogs, the stranger would take the animals to a packinghouse and a few days later the check would be returned as being bogus.  It was learned later that this particular con man had been working all over the United States.

He was described as six feet tall and weighed 200 pounds.  He looked and acted like a stockman, but clearly was not an honest man.  When he arrived in a city, he managed to visit a few of the well-known stockmen and since he was knowledgeable about the business, he was readily accepted. 

When investigating the case, the Sheriff found that the hogs purchased for the $62.00 had been shipped to Topeka and then sold to a packing house.  In less than a week, the Sheriff received word that the con man had been working his way through the country and it was suspected that he was on his way to find another gullible Kansas stockman of whom he would take advantage. 

We all need to be cautious of scams and pay close attention to salespersons who offer us something that sounds too good to be true, because it probably is.

Thanks for reading  “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present November 28, 2017

November 28, 2017

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

            Today’s story is titled “The Moose Is Loose.” It is the title of a song written in 1914 by Will A. Brown of Junction City.  Mr. Brown wrote the song as a campaign song about Teddy Roosevelt.  According to the Dictionary of American History, the term “Bull Moose” became a popular name for the Progressive Party that was formed in 1912.  When asked about his health, Teddy Roosevelt replied that he felt “fit as a bull-moose” and the name Bull Moose Party stuck.

            When Will Brown died in 1915 an article appeared on the front page of the Junction City Republic newspaper.  The author of the article stated that Mr. Brown, who was born in Ohio, was a long time resident of Junction City and had been employed by the Ziegler Lumber Company. He had pursued writing music set with words.  A Copy of “The Moose Is Loose”, “The Kansas State Song” and “Whisper of God” were for many years in the musical library of the late Alverta Trebilcock, organist at the Methodist Church.  After her passing in the 1980s, the choir director of the Methodist Church donated copies of these local compositions to our Museum. 

            Stop by the Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets to see our Galleries of Geary County artifacts.  Our doors are open for visitors between 1 and 4 Tuesdays through Saturdays and admission is free.  

Our Past Is Present November 27, 2017

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

            In November of 1886, a local boy was running for election as the Congressional Representative from the Fifth District.  John A. Anderson had made his initial Kansas home in Junction City in 1868.  For five years he was the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church and an influential community leader.  According to accounts, he was an energetic, magnetic orator and charismatic man who enjoyed people.  When he left Junction City in 1873 to become the first President of the Kansas State Agriculture College, which is now Kansas State University, he left behind a new church building, a flourishing congregation, a newly established city cemetery and many devoted friends.  One of those friends was George Martin, the staunch Republican editor and founder of the Junction City Union newspaper.

            After five years in his academic role, Anderson entered the political arena and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.  In 1885, Anderson was the incumbent and the unanimous choice of the constituents in the district.  However, when the delegates met in Concordia in July to nominate the Republican candidate, some wheeling and dealing took place.

In fact, the nomination went to Judge A.S. Wilson instead.  Anderson’s supporters were outraged and on July 29^th they convened another convention in Clay Center, where Anderson’s name was placed on the ballot as an independent candidate.  On November 6, 1886, theUnion newspaper reported that Anderson had won by a landslide over his two opponents.  Anderson went on to serve several terms in the U.S. Congress and then was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, where he later died.

 John Anderson was laid to rest in Junction City’s Highland Cemetery, which he helped to create.  

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

Our Past Is Present November 24, 2017

November 24, 2017

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

            Today’s story is another from a published in the “Junction City Daily Union” and written by Gaylynn Childs, our retired Executive Director.

            “As the Kansas frontier pushed westward, one of the first agencies established in a new settlement was the post office.  In the territory that now constitutes Geary County, the first post office was at Pawnee, the village started near the First Territorial Capitol in 1855.  Robert Wilson, who ran the settler’s store at Fort Riley was appointed the postmaster in March of that year, but the community was so short-lived that by December the Pawnee post office had been moved to Fort Riley. 

            The first post office in Junction City was established in June of 1858, but there are conflicting accounts as to the first postmaster.  The Kansas State Historical Society records list Nathan S. Ranschoff, but in the Andreas “History of Kansas”, L.J. Harris is named as the first Junction City postmaster.

            Ranschoff was a merchant and the post office was located in his store until 1861.  This store was located on West Sixth Street between Washington and Jefferson Streets. 

            In 1864, George W. Martin, editor of the “Union” newspaper was appointed the sixth postmaster of Junction City and the location of the post office was moved to the building in which Martin lived.  This was midway between 8^th and 9^th Streets on the east side of Washington Street.  The mail was delivered by stagecoach during this period an often arrived in the middle of the night. 

            When William S. Blakely was appointed the postmaster position in 1873, the post office was located on Washington Street somewhere between 7^th and 8^th Streets.  Ella Lawrenson, the only woman postmaster to ever serve Junction City was appointed in 1894 and served until she was replaced by her husband a year later. 

            There will be more about how mail was delivered by carriers – even to the point of having to swim across the Solomon River to do so. 

             

           

Our Past Is Present November 23, 2017

November 23, 2017

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

            Today’s story comes from an article published in the “Junction City Daily Union” newspaper written by Gaylynn Childs, our retired Executive Director at the Society. She wrote that “Ever since the first Plymouth colony gathering in 1621, Americans have associated Thanksgiving with feasting.  Even before President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, it had been the custom in most regions of the country to gather around boards laden with the bounties of the earth and the fruits of the farmer’s toil to give thanks. 

In 1883 there was excitement about a newly completed Opera House in the community, where citizens could gather to celebrate.  The holiday news that year was that the grand Thanksgiving Night Ball would be held in the Opera House.  A local dance master by the name of Tappan had been preparing the citizenry in a number of nearby communities as well as our own, to dance off the effects of the Thanksgiving feast.

            However, the Ball was upstaged by a Thanksgiving Day fire, which got out of control in the Highland Cemetery.  It scourged the entire burying ground, ruining the trees and evergreens.”

            We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day feast of amazing food, conversation, football games or whatever you chose to do on this special day.  Please remember to pause at some point to remember those who are less fortunate than so many of us and if you can support the Food Pantry, “Wheels of Hope” and other organizations that do so much to provide food to the needy. 

            And… Happy Thanksgiving from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017

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

With large numbers of American troops deployed again this Thanksgiving, today’s story is about the kind of meal served to our troops during WWII.  The “Junction City Union” reported that for Thanksgiving dinner in 1949 every man and woman in Uncle Sam’s armed services would sit down to a good old fashioned turkey dinner whether they were in Japan, Alaska, Okinawa or Kansas.  Each person would have a pound and a half of turkey with all the trimmings including cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

The Army Quartermaster Corps, which had charge of procuring the food for all services had purchased about five million pounds of turkey since June and expected to buy more.  They had started buying turkeys for the Orient in early spring and turkeys for eastern posts and Europe were purchased later.  Service men and women were permitted to invite immediate family and/or a friend.

At the Fort Riley Mess Hall, it was reported that they would have about 14 cooks to help prepare the entire dinner, with two men devoting their entire time to turkey carving beginning just after breakfast Thanksgiving Day.  All the cooks were graduates of the Army Cooking and Baking School at Fort Meade, Maryland.

            The dinners were all prepared by a master menu, which was made in advance by home economics experts and sent out to the troops.  These menus were carried out by Mess Officers, cooks and local Commanding Officers. 

            We wish all of you and especially our troops stationed in the States and abroad a Happy Thanksgiving from the Geary County Historical Society.  

Our Past Is Present November 21, 2017

November 21, 2017

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

            Today’s story is about some of the activities going on around town to get ready for Thanksgiving celebrations.  On Wednesday, November 23, 1932, the “Junction City Union” reported that the “City Is Ready For Thanksgiving.”  “Six churches were taking part in a united service at the First Methodist Church that evening.  On Thanksgiving, St. Xavier Catholic Church would have a high mass.  Immanuel Luther Church, Church of God and First Church of Christ Scientists also conducted services either on Wednesday or Thursday.  On Thanksgiving Day, the weather was perfect. The air was crisp and cool and roads were in almost perfect condition for those who desired to take a motor trip to football games, go hunting or visit relatives.  All stores, the post office and public offices were closed and the streets were practically deserted.  The principal attraction of the afternoon was the annual football game between Junction City and Chapman High Schools.  In the evening there was the annual Elks Charity Ball, which was held in the Jones Ballroom above the Kaw Theater. The Good Eats Café was serving oyster and fruit cocktails, cream soup, baked young turkey and stuffed duck.  Candied yams, baked brown potatoes and mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and hot mince pie were also on the menu.  All this could be had for the sum of seventy-five cents.”  At that time, however, most people dined at home.

The day after Thanksgiving, the newspaper reported that the Junction City football team was victorious over Chapman by a score of 14-13.  One thousand two hundred fans attended the game.  The Thanksgiving Day football game was played each year until 1935, when the two schools joined different leagues. 

We hope you have made your plans for celebrating your thankfulness this year.  

Our Past Is Present November 20, 2017

November 20, 2017

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

            One of the most popular delicacies enjoyed by Kansans in the 1890s was oysters.  In Junction City during this era, oyster suppers were frequent offerings at every kind of social gathering from debutante balls to church bazaars.  How these so called “fruits of the sea” reached land locked Kansas in a state fit for consumption was somewhat of a mystery.  However, the “Junction City Union” newspaper had an article about just that in November of 1909.  The author stated that “the people of Kansas were expected to consume 180,000 gallons of oysters that winter.  The estimate had been made by companies who had made shipments here in previous years.”  The article further stated “If the estimate is correct, an order issued two years ago by the State Board of Health that prohibited the adding of water to oysters and shipment into the state in ice means a saving of $54,000 to the people of Kansas in one year. 

In previous years the common way of shipping oysters was to pack a big bucket two-thirds full of oysters and then fill the tub with ice.  The ice melted and then the oysters and the water were sold at from 40 to 60 cents a quart.  The Board of Health and Dr. Crumbine stated that this was a pretty high price for the people of Kansas to pay for water. So an order was issued prohibiting oysters to be shipped with ice in the same tub. The ice must be packed around the tubs containing the oysters and the oysters themselves were not to be touched by ice.

Oysters on the half shell, in dressing or as a stew are popular at this time of year.  If you love oysters – enjoy!!!

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

Our Past Is Present November 17, 2017

November 17, 2017

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

 If we get some rain, this story will have more meaning.  The story comes from a November 1910 newspaper and is about using an umbrella in other ways than protecting us when we are outside in the rain.  The author of the newspaper article wrote that “Umbrellas require a great deal of attention to keep them in good repair but at the same time they are well worth it.”  The author asked: “How often have your bonnets and hats been saved from ruin when caught in a sudden downpour with no shelter at all?  Upon arriving home after being caught in the rain, it was suggested that the umbrella should not be stuck in the stand and left to drain.  The moisture would gradually accumulate in the silk causing it to rot and go into shards in a short time.  It should be placed open, in a dry, airy room until it is thoroughly dry.

The article went on to instruct that when put away the umbrella should be left unrolled to avoid having the creases wear through.  One’s best silk umbrella should never be put in a stand, where the commonplace ones are kept.  Anyone coming in in a hurry, which places a walking stick or other umbrella in the same place, could unintentionally poke a hole in your umbrella. Old, worn out elastic or dilapidated and discolored tassels should promptly be discarded and new ones replaced.” 

            Well, if we get some rain and if you are a user of an umbrella, perhaps these tips from 1910, will be of use to you at least that is our hope. 

            Thanks for reading today, to “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Our Past Is Present November 16, 2017

November 16, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. Promoting the good things about our city is not a new concept. When people put down our city, each of us needs to have some specifics about our town and community that counter any negativity which is said.

            In November of 1877, the “Junction City Tribune” newspaper advised that it had added 60% to its circulation during the 16 months prior to November and that subscriptions were still growing.  Scarcely a day went by that new customers were not welcomed among the paying subscribers.  Some days it seemed that they came by the dozen and every trip by the home canvasser in our town as well as adjoining counties were fruitful.  The paper prided itself on the fact that its columns were the best medium for advertising in this part of the state.  The “Tribune” also boasted that there were readers in every state of the Union, thus making it a valuable tool for advertisements and a means of letting the other states know the value of Junction City.  This advertising brought to the west, tens of thousands of settlers every season.  They naturally chose localities where there was the greatest evidence of thrift and general prosperity.  They counted the stores, the mills, the factories and the shops and decided to stay – proving the power of advertising and positive promotion of Junction City.  

            We may not have all the stores and restaurants people want today, but we have a great quality of life with our schools, parks, law enforcement, fire fighters/EMT’s  and most of all a diverse community of amazingly talented people.  We are the best source of advertising about the good in Junction City/Geary County. Share your optimist with others about our community.  And… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.   

Our Past Is Present November 15, 2017

November 15, 2017

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

            On Monday we had a similar story to this one, which is about the need to control the population of animals that were a threat to the survival of farmers and ranchers.  In the 1930s, when very little else was thriving in western Kansas, the population of black tailed jackrabbits exploded.  The rabbits were pests, which needed to be eliminated.  Farmers and ranchers had lost their crops and thus their income. 

            A local resident recalled that the rabbits ate all of the vegetation above the ground, then dug down and ate the roots.  Grass was sparse after years of severe drought.  Cattlemen estimated that 60 rabbits ate as much as a cow.  Ranchers and farmers asked neighbors to help round up and exterminate the fast breeding rabbits.

            Organizations such as the American Legion and Farm Bureau chapters began sponsoring rabbit drives.  These drives became spectacular public events.  Thousands of people participated and tens of thousands of rabbits were killed. The residents gathered on horses, in cars and on foot to drive the rabbits through the fields into the holding pens.  The rabbits were then handed out for dinner during the depression days or sold for their skins.

            Even though I am not a hunter, I appreciate the need to control the population of animals that can quickly overpopulate and do damage to fields, crops and even our domesticated animals.  So, thank you to those who participate in legal hunting and use the meat for personal use. 

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

Our Past Is Present November 14, 2017

November 14, 2017

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

            Today’s story is about two polo games played at Fort Riley one Sunday in November of 1908.  The games attracted one of the largest crowds to the games that year.  Many of the farmers from eastern Geary County drove over to see the match, because the Humbolt boys were one of the teams involved.

            The first four periods were played between the Mounted Garrison and the Junction team.  Although this contest was not played at a fast pace, the teamwork of both sides WAS apparent. 

            The second game was played by the Humbolt team and a team made up of selected players from the Post.  The Humbolt team was made up of farmers, who had not played at all that year, however, they stayed competitive.  At the end of three periods, the Humbolt boys had four scores and the Post team none.  The play was fast and brought cheers from the on-looking crowd. The Post team came back and at the end of the eighth period and the score was tied.  It was decided to play off the tie.  During the tie breaker, the Humbolt team scored a goal and won the game, bringing a pleasant, but exciting afternoon to a close where the “Life of Riley” was at its best.

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

Our Past Is Present November 13, 2017

November 13, 2017

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

            It was called the “biggest wolf hunt (or coyote/rabbit hunt) to ever take place in southern Geary County.”  The event happened in late 1920. The area of the hunt was a wide section of territory that extended south to Lyonsdale and Skiddy.  Seven hundred men and boys took part in the hunt with about an equal number of farmers and townsmen. 

            Aubrey Edwards had planned the event and was the captain of the north line.  The round up was in the Boyce meadow near the Hardscrabble School. Five coyote and several hundred rabbits were shot that day by the hunters.  It was reported that one or two coyote broke through the lines and escaped.  A.N. Miller, one of the townsmen said that “it was one of the best managed and best attended wolf drives he had known in his 32 years of residence in Junction City.” There were two dead coyote, which could not be identified as having been killed by one of the shooters. The dead coyote were auctioned off.  Thirty-seven dollars was raised and donated to the Salvation Army.    

            This was a huge hunt to better control the population of coyote and rabbits in the area, which is sometimes necessary to assist mother-nature to keep things in a balance. 

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