· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: The Influenza Epidemic in 1918 Fay Forrest Brown and his wife, Cora May Phares Brown, are asleep in their bedroom. Fay is the Reno County, Kansas, sheriff; Cora is the jail matron and cook. It’s July 6, 1927. * “Cloe! Cloe!” screamed Fay. “Hold on!” “Fay, wake up!” said Cora, firmly touching his shoulder. “You’re safe. You were dreaming.” “I saw her turning blue, then purple,” said Fay, his body sweating and hyperventilating. * Cloe Marcia Brown Young, … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Influenza Epidemic in 1918
Behind the Books Blog
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: July 4th Celebration Hutchinson, Kansas, planned a big July 4th celebration in 1927. It started with a parade. * The brand-new Ford Model T touring car parked in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Main Street, facing south, lurched forward. It was 10:30 the morning of July 4th, 1927. The parade had begun. Hutchinson Mayor Chester Lyman, 49, and several city commissioners were leading the parade, the center of focus, beginning the grand celebration. The crowds … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Sisters Night Out It's the evening of June 18, 1927. Cora Phares Brown, 33, and her sister, Occie Phares Hamilton, 40, are going to the Midland Theater to see the silent film, "The Telephone Girl." * Occie pulled her Overland coupe up to the sheriff's residence which was part of the Reno County Jail, at 15 B, east, Hutchinson, and got out. Recalling brother-in-law, Sheriff Fay Brown's cautionary advice, she locked the doors. Cora stepped out of the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. It’s May 20, 1927. Fay and Cora Brown, married, are talking about aviator Charles A. Lindbergh who is enroute to Paris from New York City in his single-seater, single engine, monoplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. * According to the news,” said Fay Brown, “the weather finally improved on Long Island, New York City, and in the northern Atlantic. Charles Lindbergh hopped-off from Roosevelt Field on his solo trip across the ocean … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home”
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: "We Lost Our Home" At 11 o'clock, the evening of May 7, 1927, many citizens of Hutchinson, Kansas, heard the sound of a freight train approaching their homes. * If Cora and Fay Brown hadn’t scheduled a couple of hours off work, away for their residence at the county jail, they would have never found time to see a movie at Hutchinson’s Midland Theater. On Friday night, May 6, 1927, they were entertained by Buster Keaton starring in The General. Cora and Fay, … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home”
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial The Citizens State Bank of Arlington, Reno County, KS, was robbed January 2, 1927, and the bandit was caught and charged. On April 11, the jury was selected. * Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown walked to the witness stand in district court, prepared to testify about the attempted robbery of the Citizens State Bank of Arlington which had occurred over three months earlier, on Sunday, January 2, 1927. Sheriff Brown knew that the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Chicken House to the Big House
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Chicken House to the Big House It’s Sunday, April 10, 1927. There’s little doubt that being a Reno County sheriff is a full-time job. Just ask Fay F. Brown. * “Never a day off,” said Sheriff Fay Brown to his undersheriff, Ed Cunningham. “No rest for the wicked,” replied Cunningham. “After last night,” said Brown, “Jim Hacker has proven to me that he’s one of the most despicable men I know. I hope his term in the state pen is long and hard.” “Brownie, it … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Chicken House to the Big House
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bank Bandit
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Bank Bandit Bob Collins was a wanted man. Thug, ex-convict, and bank bandit, he was no choir boy. Even his father admitted that as a youth, his son always seemed to be getting into trouble because he was easily influenced. * Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown, 35, pressed a piece of ice against his jaw. Hutchinson Chief of Police George M. Duckworth, 60, wiped the blood off his pistol. It was April 22, 1927. The two local lawmen had just locked up Robert “Bob” … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bank Bandit
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls”
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: "Hello Girls" It’s Wednesday, March 16, 1927. Cora Brown’s thirty-third birthday isn’t until Thursday, but she’s expecting her sister, Occie, and brother-in-law, to arrive any minute to help her celebrate. Occie’s promised to bring a freshly baked cake; Cora and Fay, her husband, will provide tea. * “It’s Occie and Sidney,” said Fay. “I’ll get the door.” “Hello, Fay,” said Occie, handing him a picnic basket and receiving a kiss. “Where is she? Does she … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls”
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Mule Men
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Mule Men It’s Friday, March 4, 1927, at the Reno County Sheriff’s Office in the temporary courthouse. Fay Brown and Alfred Ludwig, friends, are talking about their former military service. * “Brownie,” said Alfred J. Ludwig, 33, Army recruiter for the Hutchinson, Kansas, area, “how are you?” “Expecting spring weather to show up any day,” replied Sheriff Fay F. Brown, 36 years old. “How’s recruiting? You need an old mule man to help make your monthly … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Mule Men
