The Worst Week Ever for Florence Evaline Field Jordan • It’s Sunday night, May 13, 1900, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Roy E. Jordan’s body is finally in the ground, buried at Eastside Cemetery. * When Florence read the wire the previous Monday evening, it was hard. She knew that her son, Roy, 24, had been so sick with dysentery that he had been sent back to the US from Manila, where he was stationed in the Philippines. Stateside, since April 28, he’d been under care at the Army … [Read more...] about Reno County: The Worst Week Ever for Florence Evaline Field Jordan
Blog posts
Reno County: When Two Deaths Make a Marriage
· When Two Deaths Make a Marriage * It’s Wednesday evening, January 2, 1901, at the home of Mrs. Mary E. Ingram Wilson, 114 9th Avenue East, Hutchinson, Kansas. Shortly, Reverend Anderson Forbes (A. F.) Irwin will be performing a marriage between a widow and a widower. * Hutchinson has been a good move for me, Belle, and the children, thought Anderson, as he considered the past twelve years serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, arriving from Peoria, Illinois, … [Read more...] about Reno County: When Two Deaths Make a Marriage
Reno County: Searching for Alice
· Searching for Alice, Finding Elizabeth: Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford * It’s Tuesday, February 12, 1935, at 108 E. 14th Street, Hutchinson, Kansas. Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford, 80, is on her death bed. * “Ethel, Ethel,” Elizabeth cried out, “stay with us, we love you.” Elizabeth was talking to her eldest daughter who was dying of typhoid malaria on a Saturday night, September 8, 1894, when Ethel Winter was 15 years old. “You’re our pride and joy, Ethel,” … [Read more...] about Reno County: Searching for Alice
Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874
· Reno County Picnic: Grasshoppers · It’s August 3, 1899, at the Old Settlers’ of Reno County picnic in Riverside Park, Hutchinson, Kansas. Loretta McMillan Collins, 51, eating watermelon; Sarah Jane Riddle McMurry, 45, drinking blackberry cider; and Julia Clementine Latimer Whiteside, 31, eating fresh cherry pie; are sitting in the shade. They’re all wearing fancy hats and talking about the good ole’ days. However, at age 31, Julia’s hardly eligible to be considered an old … [Read more...] about Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874
Reno County: Civil War Stories
· Old Settlers' of Reno County Picnic: Civil War Stories · The three men had often heard each others’ stories, but they were good listeners, and good friends. Charles Collins, Jon McMurry, and Houston Whiteside, all recalled the good old days, even when they were bad. * It’s Thursday, August 3, 1899, at Riverside Park in Hutchinson, Kansas. With the picnic dinner nearly over, early-day settlers are moving more slowly. They better hurry home for a nap. There's a big dance in the … [Read more...] about Reno County: Civil War Stories
Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson
· Randy Henderson (b. 1954) Sheriff 2002-2019 · It’s Election night, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson’s house. Smiling, new-jail supporters can’t believe the overwhelming success of the ½ cent sales tax vote. Unofficially, the bond issue is passing by an incredible 77.4%. The result is no miracle; instead, it’s the outcome from many conscientious individuals working together for a single community goal, led by the hard-working, … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson
Sheriffs of Reno County: Larry Leslie
· Larry Leslie (b. 1943) Sheriff 1993-2002 · It’s Friday morning, January 3, 2003, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Larry Leslie, 59, ex-sheriff of Reno County, is beginning his jail sentence for misdemeanor conflict of interest. He’s been booked into the same jail he had formally run. He’s been fingerprinted. Instead of a suit and tie, he’s wearing the jail’s standard black-and-white striped jumpsuit. * Larry Leslie was an honest sheriff before he became a careless criminal. * In 1998, … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Larry Leslie
Sheriffs of Reno County: Jim Fountain
· James H. "Jim" Fountain (1928-2017) Sheriff 1972-1993 · It’s Wednesday, June 5, 1985, in Hutchinson, Kansas, on the third floor of the Reno County courthouse. For the last three-and-a-half weeks, the jury trial of Arnold Ruebke, Jr. has been in session. Ruebke is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated kidnapping. The crimes occurred on October 29, 1984, one mile outside of Arlington, Kansas. The bodies of two-year-old twins, Andrew and James … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Jim Fountain
Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Heidebrecht
· Charles Heidebrecht (b. 1927) Sheriff 1963-1972 · Reverend Richard Burson, minister at the Gospel Chapel, Elm Street and 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas, takes a deep breath. He looks shrunken, his eyes downcast. It’s Sunday, July 30th, 1972, two days before Reno County citizens vote in the primary election to decide who will be the next top lawman. The Republican winner will almost certainly be the next sheriff since there’s no Democrat challenger on the ballot. Click to read … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Heidebrecht
Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard
· Calvin Sheppard (1925-) Sheriff 1959-1963 · Click to see photo of Calvin Sheppard Calvin and Carol Sheppard are off to vote. It’s Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 1964, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Finally, on the ballot, the people of Kansas get to decide on an amendment to the state constitution. Will sheriffs be allowed to seek more than two consecutive two-year terms? * “I’m pretty sure the amendment will pass,” said Calvin. “It won’t help us or dad, but it will allow men to come … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard
