· James A. Woodson: A Newspaper View · James A. Woodson (1893-1971) achieved a lot of during his twenty-two year career as an officer on the Hutchinson Police Department (Kansas) from 1927 through 1949. Who else, anywhere, was hired as a city dog catcher and retired as a lieutenant? Early Days Can you imagine being a police officer walking the beat on Main Street without a vehicle, without a two-way radio, and certainly without a smart phone? That’s the way it was for Officer Woodson … [Read more...] about Another View of James A. Woodson
Behind the Books Blog
James Andrew Woodson
· James Andrew Woodson: A Family View · When I asked Leland Woodson, 84 years of age, for an interview about his father, James A. Woodson (1893-1971), my interest was mainly his dad’s career as a Hutchinson Police Officer from 1927-1949. I understood that I’d only get a glimpse of the officer’s lengthy service. After all, I was writing a blog, not a book. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that three of Leland’s siblings, all sisters, Galena Mae (Crable), 90; … [Read more...] about James Andrew Woodson
Kirch Split
· Kirch Split William C. Kirch, Photographer · Part 2 - Conclusion During the 1920’s, women’s first names were still mostly missing from newspapers. The publications identified a married woman as either “the wife of” or as “Mrs.”, followed by the initials of her husband’s first and middle name, then his surname. For the most part, married women were forced to agree to play by the unequal rules of the only game in town. At least the U. S. Federal Census consistently documented some … [Read more...] about Kirch Split
Kirch Couple
· William C. & Mae Besore Kirch · Adam (1843-1907) and Margaretha Mayer (1851-1914) Kirch, who had farmed in their home country of Bavaria, becoming part of Germany prior to their emigration to the United States in 1872, had to wait several years before having another opportunity to work the land. Will, like his two older brothers, Fred and Henry, were born American citizens in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after his birth, the Kirch family may have moved to Jersey City, New Jersey (across the … [Read more...] about Kirch Couple
Creative Non-Fiction
· Western Kansas Photo Club · I’m a postcard collector and historian who loves reading, research, and writing. As a result, I’ve been curious about some early-day Kansas photographers who created some of the postcards in my collection. Now that I know these people better, I’m ready to share some of the conversations they might have had. The following is a story with real people and events. The meeting actually took place. Let me set the scene for you. Photographers from Kansas during late … [Read more...] about Creative Non-Fiction
Richard Wickliffe
· Captain Richard Wickliffe Giving, Not Taking · People who know Richard Wickliffe remark about how he’s always calm. I’ve never seen him upset. So, when we sat down together for an interview, I had to see if he would share his secret. And while I was at it, maybe I’d also learn how a guy who retired from the Hutchinson Police Department (HPD) in 2001 at age 64, still looks young enough to be running marathons. Richard, a/k/a/ “Wick”, didn’t reveal his secret of eternal youth but he did … [Read more...] about Richard Wickliffe
Powerful Poetry
· Powerful Poetry: Annika Smith · After speaking with Annika Smith, senior at Buhler High School, it’s clear that teachers really do help change the world. Annika, a/k/a Anni, is an excellent example. I only met Annika in April during her book signing at Bookends book store in Hutchinson, KS. I didn’t know that she considered herself a shy learner. What I observed was a person who had successfully published a book of her poetry during her junior year in high school, scheduled her own … [Read more...] about Powerful Poetry
Is this man Elmer Swanson?
· Is this man Elmer Swanson? Photo Postcard from the Past · Is this man Elmer Swanson? Morgan Williams, collector and expert on exaggeration postcards, sent me another postcard challenge. As I examined the image of the front and markings on the back, I thought, Boy, there isn’t much information here! The photograph had the feeling of early 1900s but the clues were sparse: a man, sharply dressed, was holding a sword next to a step-ladder. He was staged as if preparing to climb the … [Read more...] about Is this man Elmer Swanson?
The Joy of the Hunt
· The Joy of the Hunt: Wade Photographer When Morgan Williams, known far and wide for his amazing collection of exaggeration postcards, sent me a postcard image to examine, I was hooked! The advertising postcard showed a side-view of an early model car, a convertible, with a smiling driver, parked on a brick city street. Photos of thirteen babies or infants had been added to the picture to give the impression they were all peacefully engaged while sitting for a portrait. The lettering at … [Read more...] about The Joy of the Hunt
Bottle Collector
· Bottle Collector: Mike McJunkin It was a joke. After seeing a lot of fascinating bottles in Mike McJunkin’s extensive collection, I asked him, "Do you have earthquake insurance?" “No,” was his one-word reply. When he hesitated a moment, I hoped I hadn’t created an unpleasant image for him of shards of glass on the floor. But a few seconds later he offered, “I had a good friend whose wife had been cleaning windows in the home one day when she accidentally knocked over and broke a … [Read more...] about Bottle Collector
