She Killed Her Husband * It’s late Thursday afternoon, October 11, 1951, at the Reno County Jail on the fifth floor of the courthouse. Vera Gambee Frazey, 45, jail matron and cook, hears the metallic sound of heavy jail keys, followed by the forceful clang of a door being shut, and the keys locking the gate. She’s making supper for her and her husband, having earlier helped prepare the two daily prisoner meals served at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sheriff Vic Frazey, 51, walks into the kitchen … [Read more...] about Reno County: She Killed Her Husband
Behind the Books Blog
Reno County: Girls in Jail
Girls in Jail * It’s Monday afternoon, August 1, 1949, at The Fox theater in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mrs. Sheriff, Ruth Graves Dixon, 54; and her sister, Charline Graves Allison, 60; are talking prior to the start of the picture show, The Barkleys of Broadway, staring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. * “How’s the jail treating you?” asked Charline, as she crunched her buttery popcorn. “After two-and-a-half years, I still surprise myself,” answered Ruth, sipping her Coca-Cola. “How so?” … [Read more...] about Reno County: Girls in Jail
Matty Mathias
"Matty" Mathias * It’s noon, Thursday, July 5, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Harry Smith, 58, owner of Smith’s Flower Shop, 2606 North Monroe, is wearing a freshly cut red rose in his suitcoat buttonhole. * Lulu Morse Stapleton, 51, enters the display room and gravitates to the bell-shaped lilies. She bends over and inhales the sweet aroma. Harry approaches with a greeting. “Welcome, Mrs. Sheriff. While our country celebrated its freedom yesterday, I hope you had an enjoyable … [Read more...] about Matty Mathias
My Dad, the Sheriff
· My Dad, the Sheriff It’s Sunday afternoon, January 10, 1943, at the home of Juanita Mae Chambers Ankerholz and Guy Leo Ankerholz, 829 East 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Their daughter, Dona “DeNean,” 10, is writing a school report that’s due the next day. * “Mom,” said DeNean, “my teacher said we should write on something, but not everything.” “She’s correct, you want people to learn about a topic. You’re writing about your father being Reno County sheriff for the last four years. … [Read more...] about My Dad, the Sheriff
That’s Him
· "That's Him." It’s Sunday night, August 7, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Charline and George Allison home, 309 West 16th Avenue. George, 55; Charline, 54; and their daughter, Georgiann, 14, are playing cards. * “Dad, now that Rosanna Sandberg has positively identified her kidnapper, do you think she’ll sleep better tonight?” asked Georgiann. “Sure thing,” answered George. “I think the fact that she was able to see Earl Young dead, lying in the Hot Springs morgue, should give … [Read more...] about That’s Him
It Was All a Terrible Mistake
· It Was All a Terrible Mistake It’s Thursday night, June 19, 1934, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dorothy Swafford Simon Cunningham, 25, wife of Reno County Sheriff Ed Cunningham, age, 37, has just returned to town after running off with a saxophone player. Having been apprehended days earlier in Columbus, Ohio, Dorothy is welcomed by her father, Tom Swafford, 45. * Tom opens his arms to greet his daughter, “Dorothy, we're so glad you’re safe." “Oh, Daddy, I’m so sorry; it’s all my fault,” … [Read more...] about It Was All a Terrible Mistake
Hello Girls
· 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 suspect anything?” “She’s got … [Read more...] about Hello Girls
Reno County: What Happened to Morality?
What Happened to Morality? • It’s Friday, June 6, 1924, outside the Reno County courthouse in Hutchinson, Kansas. Reno County Sheriff Jesse Langford, 45, and his wife, May Burkhalter Langford, 42, are walking to their sheriff’s residence next door, east of the courthouse. * “He thought he could get away with murder,” said May to her husband, Jess, referring to Dr. Kenn B. Uhls, 31, of Overland Park. Uhls had just been convicted of second degree murder in the brutal slaying of William … [Read more...] about Reno County: What Happened to Morality?
Reno County: Good-bye, Rosa Carney
Good-bye, Rosa Carney • It’s Wednesday morning, June 1, 1921, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence attached to the jail, 15 Avenue, East, Hutchinson, Kansas. Rose “Eva” Hopper Clark, 44, jail matron; and Minnie Marshall Deck,35, custodian for traveling prisoner Rosa Carney, 37; are talking prior to collecting prisoners for the train trip to Lansing State Prison. * “Please be careful,” said Eva, as she sipped her coffee. “You know she nearly killed Mrs. Mary Elward.” “If we eat … [Read more...] about Reno County: Good-bye, Rosa Carney
Reno County: Looking Backward to Go Forward
Looking Backward to Go Forward • It’s Wednesday, October 29, 1930, at Sprout Ranch, 12 miles south of Mullinville, Kansas. Carolyn “Carrie” Norman Sprout, 49, and her husband, Walter “Scott” Sprout, 55, are moving into their son’s house. A week earlier, on October 22, Carrie and Scott’s daughter-in-law, Thelma Barrick Sprout, 23, gave birth to a second child, Thelma Lorraine Sprout. But the euphoria of a baby was soon countered with grief. Mother Thelma died three days later from an … [Read more...] about Reno County: Looking Backward to Go Forward
