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One-Room Schoolhouses

September 12, 2018 by Jim Potter 18 Comments

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·  Sargent School  ·

What image do you conjure up when you think of a one-room schoolhouse? Do you remember reading a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder? She wrote the Little House on the Prairie series of children’s books based on her experiences as a settler, pioneer family, and teacher.

Or maybe you recall watching the TV series that was based on the “Little House” books where the children received their textbook education in a one-room schoolhouse. The drama was set on the prairie in the 1870s.

In 1900, Kansas had approximately 9,000 one-room public schools. The astounding number was due to the need of having a school within walking distance of the students. By 1945 the number had dropped to 7,200 due in large part to the ease of transportation, the cost savings of larger schools, and the desire for an expanded curriculum. By 1963 and the unification of schools into districts, the state claimed only 427 one-room schools. (http://kansasoneroomschools.blogspot.com/)

Sargent Rural School, District No. 145, near Sylvia, Kansas in 1900. Teacher George Marteeny is #1. See more at Students Identified. Also at Early Days.

My brief examination of the one-room schoolhouse is largely based on the personal memory of a friend of mine, Allen Marshall, age 87. He was a student in Kansas elementary schools from first grade through eighth grade during the years 1936 through 1945.

Five-year-old Allen, the seventh son of his parents, started school in 1936 when his family lived in Lyon County. He was enrolled a year earlier than expected due to a shortage of students at the country school.

School started September 7th and ended April 24th for a total of 158 school days.  

Mrs. Violet DeShazer, his first teacher, taught all eight grades at School #52. First grade subjects were the 3 R’s (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic), Language, Social Studies, and Drawing. “Traits of Pupil” were also graded. They consisted of: Interest, Conduct, Preparation of Lessons, Carefulness, and Health Habits.

The subjects in Allen’s second grade, taught by Bertha Newton, were the following: Social Studies, Language Arts, Arithmetic, Music, and Art.

After a family move to Wabaunsee County, Allen (third grade) and his brother Orval had an unforgettable school year with teacher Art Masters.

Unidentified students at Sargent School. Unknown date.
Unidentified Sargent School teacher with snow shovel. Unknown year. Probably between 1939-45.

From the outside looking in, the parents might have accepted everything as normal. The subjects were standard: the 3 R’s, Spelling, Language, and Music. The traits taught were commendable: Industry (tries hard), Dependability (keeps promises), Self-reliant (initiative), and Co-operation (join with others).

But according to Allen, Mr. Masters “was a kook. For one thing, he was apt to pick up girls and carry them around which wouldn’t work today. He would put ammunition on the wood stove until it went off. He just did crazy things.”

Unable to comprehend why a teacher would put ammunition on a hot stove, I asked Allen: “Was it a scientific experiment?”

“No, just because he was crazy . . . it was just crazy. I saw him hit my brother over the head with a geography book. Art Masters would have been in big trouble in today’s age. I don’t know why he wasn’t turned in.”

Thanks to Allen, my image of hard-working, dedicated, godly educators teaching on the plains of Kansas is forever tarnished. But he assures me that Masters was indeed an oddball who was an exception to the rule of psychological stability in the rural school system.

If Masters had been my teacher, I would have been scared to death to attend school! Unfortunately for Allen and Orval, their family didn’t move until a year later when Allen was in the fourth grade.

In 1939 the Marshall family moved back to Reno County just a few miles away from where Allen was born. Home was a piece of country about two miles west of Sylvia and 1.5 miles south. This was one mile east of the Stafford county line. They lived down a little road from the one-room school called Sargent School, No. 145. It was about a block away. (See map Portion of 1902 Plat of Sylvia Township)

Good thing they lived nearby, because the Marshall family didn’t have transportation—no horse and buggy, and no automobile. Allen’s father, Ray, never drove a car in his life.

The school building was built in 1885 and was named after Mr. Sargent, who donated the land. The first teacher was Mattie Balantyne. She taught for many years for only $20 a month. (Sylvia, Kansas, 1887-1987: Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future)

Allen Marshall, 1945

According to Allen, Sargent School was “just a plain old white school building with a little old coal shed out behind.” Allen remembers that the school’s wood stove was centrally located and that in 7th or 8th grade he was in charge of tending the fire.

The five dollars he was paid each month was considerable since the Marshall family was “on the county, we were so poor.” The Great Depression made the hard times worse.

Just like today, lunch and recess were the few times during the school day that the children got to escape the academic routine. Allen recalls a merry-go-round, slippery slide, tetter totter, and some basketball goals. Everyone brought their lunch.

Allen remembers his teachers at Sargent School as all being women and all nice. There were no discipline problems and no ammunition sitting on a hot stove.  

Here is a list of Sargent School’s teachers during Allen’s schooling from 4th through 8th grade:

  • Ferne Krey (4th), 1939-40
  • Opal Davidson (4th and 5th), 1940-41, 1941-42
  • Mrs. Dorene Prior (6th), 1942-43
  • Vevea Viola Miller (7th), 1943-44
  • Alice Hackler (8th). 1944-45

In fourth grade Allen was seriously ill. His oldest brother Floyd, who was married and out of the house, drove Allen to Turon by car to see Dr. Greeves. Allen was diagnosed with Bright’s (kidney) disease and missed so much school that he had to repeat 4th grade. Dr. Greeves treated Allen and told him that had he waited another week before seeking help, it would have been too late.

Allen recalls that there were usually not more than twelve or thirteen students in his whole school so it wasn’t uncommon to be the only student in a single grade.

He remembers some of the other students. They were Willadean Sowers, Verda Sowers, and Dwight Sowers; Keith Mann and Lorene Mann; and of course his older brother, Orval Marshall.

I asked Allen if the school building was still standing. No, it had been sold and moved away like many a country school house. (Sylvia’s centennial book remarks that the building was moved one mile north where it was used as a barn.)

Allen has sure come a long way. He recalls: “My father went to school ‘till the fifth grade and he was bigger than the teachers. Orval, my older brother, quit school before eighth grade.”

Those were different days when eking out a living was a priority over education.

On April 27, 1945, eighth grade student (5 A’s and 3 B’s) Allen Marshall was promoted to freshman in high school. He was Sargent School’s last graduate. The school closed its doors. (Losing Your Local School) The following year the Marshall family moved to Sylvia where Allen could walk to Sylvia High School.

The last active one-room public school in Kansas was Dermot, in Morton County. It closed in 1990. 

Nancy & Allen Marshall at the Kansas State Fair after performing with the line-dance group “The Sunflower Dancers,” sponsored by the Delos V. Smith Senior Center. This year the Marshall’s celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary.

Today it’s common for families to privately homeschool their children. (There are 29,744 non-credited private schools listed as “active” in Kansas. Non-Credited Private Schools in Kansas) The pupils often have only one teacher in charge—usually their mother—who may or may not rely on interactive computer-based curriculum.

Unlike the old-time days, this teacher is often responsible for making lunch for her students.

The interest towards homeschooling today, with one person in charge of all grades and all subjects, reminds me of when Allen Marshall was growing up, receiving his education in a one-room schoolhouse.

Which also reminds me of a proverb: “Everything old is new again.”

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

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Comments

  1. Nancy Julien Kopp says

    Really enjoyed this post, Jim. I’ve shared it on facebook for others to read.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Nancy, thank you! Everyone has a story. We need to save as many as we can. Jim

      Reply
  2. Tom says

    I love this blog about the one room school house and your friend giving us a first hand account. Thanks, Tom

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks, Tom. There are so many stories to save to share for the future. Jim

      Reply
  3. Ronda says

    I attended a one room school house named East Guerney. It was very close to the Colorado border. Our female teacher also used to hit us on the head–discipline of a physical nature wasn’t uncommon in those days. We brought our lunches from home and took turns heating up items in the basement where there was a stove.
    On nice days we continued our softball games well past recess. Once my sister’s knee went out on her and the mailman noticed. He stopped in and put it back in place.
    Did you know school houses were often moved to the family with the most children in attendance? Ronda

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Ronda, thank you so much for sharing! I wonder if the teachers went through special universal training on using books to hit students on the head? Jim

      Reply
  4. Sean says

    In England we call them see-saws, not teeter-totters.
    Hundreds of years ago there was a way of cutting timber where one man would be in a pit and another would be above ground and a log would be placed on the surface between them. They would have a very long saw, maybe ten feet long, and they would saw the log going up and down. Hence the expression see-saw. We have an old poem which is “see-saw, majory daw, Johnny shall have a new master, he shall have a penny a day, because he can’t work any faster.”

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Sean, fascinating! You could teach history, for sure. Jim

      Reply
  5. Tracy says

    Enjoyed this entry! Through Meadowlark, I’ve just begun work on a book that reviews all of the high schools in Kansas that were lost through consolidation (well maybe not all, but at least one in each county). So many stories to be preserved and shared.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks for the comment, Tracy! It’s easy for me to comprehend how the loss of a school negatively changes a community. I hope the book you’re referring to has room for some happy stories, not just one long funeral procession. Jim

      Reply
  6. Susan Alexander says

    Jim, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. I love history and the history of schools has always fascinated me, including the one room schools.

    Please thank Allen Marshall for sharing his personal experiences with school in the “olden days.”

    Maybe it’s time for an area gathering of people who attended one room schools. I’m sure there are lots more stories out there.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks for your comments, Susan. I too love history. Think of all the stories “out there!”

      Reply
  7. Karen says

    Oh I just saw your last post–that was so much fun! I went to a one room school house and I just loved having the memories brought back.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thank you for your encouragement. Susan said she thought it was time for one-room schoolhouse reunions. I wonder if there are many of them?

      Reply
  8. Laurie Crawford says

    I attended Dermot school in Morton County, moving on to a local Junior High in 1987. Our wonderful teacher, Mrs. Selola “Sally” Lewis passed away in 2017. I Came across your post while looking for some information on the school online. Thanks for the interesting and nostalgic post, I really enjoyed it.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks, Laurie. On average, how large was your class, or the entire school, when you attended? Do you have deep roots in Morton County? My dad was born near Rolla in 1920.

      Reply
  9. Laurie Crawford says

    My class itself was 1-2 kids. The district agreed to keep the school open as long as there were at least 10 students in the school itself; and it ranged between 10-14 kids the 6 years I attended. My parents both grew up in Hugoton (Stevens County), but my paternal grandmother grew up in Morton and Stevens County and actually attended Dermot herself as a child. She was born in 1924. Her maiden name was McMillan. She lived with her grandparents, the Sauls for a time period in Morton County.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks for sharing. It’s simply difficult to imagine a class of one student!

      Reply

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Jim Potter, Author

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Jim Potter, retired deputy sheriff, is enjoying the change of pace which allows him more time for writing (that is, when he and his wife, Alex, aren’t line dancing in Hutchinson, KS).

He has just published his third book, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish after his first novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, became a personal and literary success. Now he’s busy getting the word out, looking for an expanded audience of readers.

Jim really enjoys creating his fictional characters and getting to know them well enough so that they can interact. Once the dialogue begins, the author likes to say, he can sit back and transcribe their conversations!

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  • Reno County: Searching for Alice
    April 28, 2021
      · Searching for Alice, Finding Elizabeth: Alice Elizabeth Thomas Hartford * It’s Tuesday, February 12, 1935, at 108 E. 14th Street, […]
  • Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874
    April 21, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Reno County Picnic: Grasshoppers · It’s August 3, 1899, at the Old […]
  • Reno County: Civil War Stories
    April 14, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Old Settlers’ of Reno County Picnic: Civil War Stories · The […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Randy Henderson
    April 7, 2021
     (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Randy Henderson (b. 1954) Sheriff 2002-2019 · It’s Election […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Larry Leslie
    March 31, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Larry Leslie (b. 1943) Sheriff 1993-2002 · It’s Friday morning, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Jim Fountain
    March 24, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · James H. “Jim” Fountain (1928-2017) Sheriff 1972-1993 · […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Heidebrecht
    March 17, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Charles Heidebrecht (b. 1927) Sheriff 1963-1972 · Reverend Richard […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard
    March 10, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Calvin Sheppard (1925-) Sheriff 1959-1963 · Click to see photo of […]
  • Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions
    March 6, 2021
    · Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions · Book Designer and Coach For years Gina Laiso, book designer and coach, has been helping people self-publish […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Roy Sheppard
    March 3, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Roy Sheppard (1897-1977) Sheriff 1956-1959 · It must be Monday, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Al Severson
    February 24, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Al Severson (1921-1983) Sheriff 1955-1956 · It’s Tuesday morning, May 15, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Victor H. Frazey
    February 17, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Victor H. Frazey (1900-1971) Sheriff 1951-1955 · It’s Christmas Day, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter Dixon
    February 10, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Walter Leslie Dixon (1894-1965) Sheriff 1947-1951 · It’s Saturday, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Steve Stapleton
    February 3, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Othar Wilson “Steve” Stapleton (1888-1963) Sheriff […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Guy Ankerholz
    January 27, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Guy Ankerholz (1904-1991) Sheriff 1939-1943 · It’s Monday, January […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: George Allison
    January 20, 2021
     (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · George T. Allison (1883-1951) Sheriff 1935-1939 · It’s 1:30 Sunday […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Ed Cunningham
    January 13, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Ed Cunningham (1896-1971) Sheriff 1931-1935 · It’s Wednesday, July […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
    January 6, 2021
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Fay Brown (1891-1968) Sheriff 1927-1931 · It’s Monday, August 3, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Jesse Langford
    December 30, 2020
    · Jesse Langford (1879-1935) Sheriff 1923-1927 · It’s Wednesday, June 24, 1931, on the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway in route to Chicago, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
    December 23, 2020
    · William “Bill” Clark (1864-1934) Sheriff 1921-1923 · * It’s Monday, October 24, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Houston Whiteside, 81, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
    December 16, 2020
    · Walter “Scott” Sprout (1875-1941) Sheriff 1916-1921 · It’s Saturday, October 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia, 59, and Houston […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
    December 9, 2020
    · Tom McGinn (1883-1956) Sheriff, December 31, 1916 – January 4, 1917 · It’s late Friday afternoon, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
    December 2, 2020
    · Tom Jennings (1860-1916) Sheriff 1915-1916 · It’s Friday, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Julia Whiteside and her husband, Houston, are […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Konrad C. Beck
    November 25, 2020
    · Konrad C. “Koon” Beck (1876-1947) Sheriff 1911-1915 · It’s Thursday, October 20, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia and Houston […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: George M. Duckworth
    November 18, 2020
    · George M. Duckworth (1867-1954) Sheriff 1907-1911 · It’s Tuesday, October 18, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hutchinson Chief of Police George “Came” […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Hooper
    November 11, 2020
    · John W. Hooper (1855-1936) Sheriff 1903-1907 · * It’s Monday, October 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Reno County Sheriff Fay Brown is parked in […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: William E. Long
    November 4, 2020
    · William E. “Bill” Long (1862-1940) Sheriff 1898-1903* · William Elbert Long and Sarah Cassandra “Cassie” Baker (1871-1913), […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: John Q. Patten
    October 28, 2020
    · John Quincy Patten (1855-1922) Sheriff 1894-1898 · * It’s Friday, October 14, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, enters Carey Cold […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Jones
    October 21, 2020
    · John Wesley Jones (1856-1926) Sheriff 1890-1894 · * It’s October 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, meets her husband, Houston, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Daniel E. Miller
    October 14, 2020
    · Dan E. Miller (1839-1916) Sheriff 1888-1890 · It’s Wednesday, October 12, 1927. Houston Whiteside, 81, and Julia, 59, his wife, are at the corner […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: John LaFayette “Fay” Smith
    October 7, 2020
    · John LaFayette “Fay” Smith (1852-1926) Sheriff 1884-1888 · Julia Whiteside, 59, is at Smith’s Flower Shop, 414 North Main Street, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Allen P. Jordan
    September 30, 2020
    · Allen P. Jordan (1843-1888) Sheriff 1880-1882 · Julia and Houston Whiteside are recovering from a house full of family and guests at 504 East […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: John M. Hedrick
    September 23, 2020
    · John M. “Captain” Hedrick (1840-1938) Sheriff 1876-1880 and 1882-1884 · It’s Sunday, October 10, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. At 504 […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Henry Hartford
    September 16, 2020
    · Henry Hartford (1837-1919) Sheriff 1874-1876 Houston Whiteside, 81, sips his coffee and looks out the front window of the mayor’s Oxford Café, […]
  • Sheriffs of Reno County: Charles Collins
    September 9, 2020
    · Charles Collins (1845-1906) Sheriff 1872-1874 ·   It’s Friday, October 7, 1927. Houston Whiteside, retired attorney-at-law, resident of […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Yankees and The Long Count
    September 2, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Yankees and The Long Count· It’s Saturday, October 1, 1927, in the Stamey Hotel’s coffee shop at 5th and […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes
    August 26, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes· Final Episode It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor
    August 19, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor· It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Johnson & […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep
    August 12, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep· It’s Thursday, August 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the day after Harvey E. Albrecht […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”
    August 5, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies
    July 29, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies· It’s September 21, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. A man has killed himself by […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: I Killed Him
    July 22, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “I Killed Him”· On September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, while attempting to serve divorce […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock
    July 15, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. A civil process server is […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield
    July 8, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield· It’s Saturday, September 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff Fay Brown and his wife, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”
    July 1, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”· It’s Tuesday, September 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora May Phares […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter
    June 24, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter· It’s Sunday night, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella Albrecht has been […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows
    June 17, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows· It’s Sunday evening, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Pearl […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic
    June 10, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic· It’s Thursday, September 8, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora Brown, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pearl and Delbert
    June 3, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pearl and Delbert· It’s September 7, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Downtown’s Fall Festival Frolic begins with a […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Line-of-Duty Deaths
    May 27, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Line-of-Duty Deaths· It’s September 1, 1927. Reno County Sheriff Fay Brown is driving to Wichita to attend a […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon
    May 20, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon· (Conclusion – Part 2 of 2) It’s Sunday night, August 21, 1927 in […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon
    May 13, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Wilkinson’s Watermelon· (Part 1 of 2) It’s Sunday night, August 21, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora and […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Rin-Tin-Tin the Police Dog
    May 6, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Rin-Tin-Tin the Police Dog· It’s Friday night, August 19, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Fay and Cora Brown are […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Martin E. Jolliffe and Oil Hill
    April 29, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Martin E. Jolliffe and Oil Hill· It’s Wednesday, August 10, 1927. Reno County Sheriff’s Deputy Martin E. […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Kansas City Monarchs Baseball
    April 22, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Kansas City Monarchs Baseball· It’s Friday, July 29, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. The day is heating up. […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bad Boy of Arlington
    April 15, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bad Boy of Arlington· * It was July 19, 1927. Truman Reynolds, 18, had rubbed Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Ralph Galpin
    April 8, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Ralph Galpin · On the morning of July 14, 1927, Ralph Galpin, 13, was attempting to escape an abusive […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Influenza Epidemic in 1918
    April 1, 2020
    · 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 […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration
    March 25, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: July 4th Celebration Hutchinson, Kansas, planned a big July 4th celebration in 1927. It started with a parade. […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out
    March 18, 2020
    · 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 […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr
    March 11, 2020
    · 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 […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home”
    March 4, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “We Lost Our Home” At 11 o’clock, the evening of May 7, 1927, many citizens of Hutchinson, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial
    February 25, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Arlington Bank Robbery Trial The Citizens State Bank of Arlington, Reno County, KS, was robbed January 2, 1927, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Chicken House to the Big House
    February 19, 2020
    · 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 Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bank Bandit
    February 12, 2020
    · 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 […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls”
    February 5, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Hello Girls” It’s Wednesday, March 16, 1927. Cora Brown’s thirty-third birthday isn’t until […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Mule Men
    January 29, 2020
    · 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 […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pedestrians Beware
    January 22, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Pedestrians Beware It’s Saturday, February 12, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. * Sheriff Fay Brown pulled into the […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: More Than a Bad Check Artist
    January 15, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: More than a Bad Check Artist · It’s Tuesday, January 25, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora Brown, 32, matron and […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cops in the Clubhouse
    January 8, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cops in the Clubhouse · I’m Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge, and I’m pinned to the sheriff’s vest. […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Jailer Jess Blanpied
    January 1, 2020
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Jailer Jess Blanpied · It’s Monday, January 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff Fay. F. Brown’s Badge is […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse
    December 25, 2019
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse · If you’re one of those people who believe that badges don’t have feelings, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office
    December 18, 2019
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie
    December 11, 2019
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey
    December 4, 2019
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey · Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices
    November 27, 2019
    · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices · “Hello readers. I’m Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge and I’m recalling my days in January 1927, […]
  • Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Preface
    November 20, 2019
    (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)   · Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge, Preface · “Pardon me if my […]
  • Conclusions of a Cop
    November 13, 2019
    (To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) Recently, I was visiting with a friend who is a retired cop. I’ll call him Tom […]
  • Purchased Postcards
    November 6, 2019
    · Purchased Postcards: My Favorites · Recently I had the pleasure of purchasing postcards. What a treat! Today, I’m going to share with you my top […]
  • A Day I Shall Never Forget
    October 30, 2019
    · “A Day I Shall Never Forget: Citizens Bank Hold Up” · There are people in the world who crave to have their fifteen minutes of fame. […]
  • Suspicious Person
    October 23, 2019
    · Suspicious Person: Billy Brassfield · Writing Prompt by Sean McArdle Sean McArdle, Kansas Authors Club member from Winchester, England, recently […]
  • Lucky’s Sculpture Story
    October 16, 2019
    · Lucky’s Sculpture Story: Lucky, the Daydreamer · “Oh, Alex, she’s beautiful!” squealed Jenna as she approached from the hallway. “Does she […]
  • Smile Across the Nile
    October 9, 2019
    · Smile Across the Nile: Bellygrammed by Alexandria  · Surprise birthday parties have been planned and carried out for centuries. The most recognized […]
  • Stories Are Everywhere
    October 2, 2019
    · Stories Are Everywhere: My Blogging Topics  · MY PURPOSE in BLOGGING In 2017, when I sent my final draft of my novel, Taking Back the Bullet, to my […]
  • Another View of James A. Woodson
    September 25, 2019
    · 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 […]
  • James Andrew Woodson
    September 18, 2019
    · James Andrew Woodson: A Family View  · When I asked Leland Woodson, 84 years of age, for an interview about his father, James A. Woodson […]
  • Kirch Split
    September 11, 2019
    · Kirch Split William C. Kirch, Photographer  · Part 2 – Conclusion During the 1920’s, women’s first names were still mostly missing from […]
  • Kirch Couple
    September 4, 2019
    · William C. & Mae Besore Kirch  · Adam (1843-1907) and Margaretha Mayer (1851-1914) Kirch, who had farmed in their home country of Bavaria, […]
  • Creative Non-Fiction
    August 28, 2019
    · 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 […]
  • Richard Wickliffe
    August 21, 2019
    · 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, […]
  • Powerful Poetry
    August 14, 2019
    · Powerful Poetry: Annika Smith · After speaking with Annika Smith, senior at Buhler High School, it’s clear that teachers really do help change the […]
  • Is this man Elmer Swanson?
    August 7, 2019
    · Is this man Elmer Swanson? Photo Postcard from the Past · Is this man Elmer Swanson? Morgan Williams, collector and expert on exaggeration […]
  • The Joy of the Hunt
    July 31, 2019
    · The Joy of the Hunt: Wade Photographer When Morgan Williams, known far and wide for his amazing collection of exaggeration postcards, sent me a […]
  • Bottle Collector
    July 24, 2019
    · Bottle Collector: Mike McJunkin It was a joke. After seeing a lot of fascinating bottles in Mike McJunkin’s extensive collection, I asked him, […]
  • John O. Siemsen
    July 17, 2019
      · John O. Siemsen Framed by F. D. Conard in Garden City, Kansas · Last month I had my socks knocked off by a surprise email sent to my website as a […]
  • International Writing Contest Results
    July 10, 2019
    · International Writing Contest Results Essays ·           The results of Sandhenge Publication’s first International […]
  • Save-A-Date July 27
    July 9, 2019
    · Save-A-Date July 27: Young Writers · On Saturday, July 27, 2019, young writers from the Reno County community will be highlighted in a panel format […]
  • The Doll Lady
    July 2, 2019
    · The Doll Lady: Cyndy Enders Landon · I’ve never owned or collected dolls, but as a child I did enjoy playing with toy soldiers. My, the memories I […]
  • Our House Guest
    June 25, 2019
    Our House Guest: Alexa She’s extremely intelligent, very polite, and has a calming voice. Could we even ask for more? Alex, my wife, started […]
  • Robert E. Enders, Part 2
    June 18, 2019
    Robert E. Enders and the USS Bountiful In the first part of this true story, titled Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, […]
  • Robert E. Enders
    June 11, 2019
      Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Last week, I was a guest speaker at a club meeting talking about my reward postcard […]
  • Catalpa Hometree
    June 4, 2019
    · Reverence · On Saturday we celebrated our catalpa trees and all catalpa trees. We celebrated sacredness of nature and our environment. We invited […]
  • Dad’s Bataan War Story
    May 28, 2019
    · Lt. Robert Lee Morris · Jim Ganyon, U. S. veteran, is the son of a World War II Bataan Death March survivor. Recently I had the honor of attending […]
  • One is the Loneliest Number
    May 20, 2019
    · Heroes of Hutch · I’m a writer and I’m used to spending a lot of my time alone, writing. I can’t imagine a group of writers collaborating, but I […]
  • Wichita Street Fair & Carnival
    May 14, 2019
    · 1899 Pin-Back Buttons · A couple of weeks ago, I received two electronic images of exaggeration postcards and one of a collector pin-back button. […]
  • Journey to Journalist
    May 7, 2019
    · Veronica Coons · Veronica Coons, journalist at the Great Bend Tribune is a talented writer who has recently joined the Kansas Authors Club. That’s […]
  • Our Fighting Fathers
    April 30, 2019
    · World War II Patriots · It’s not Veterans Day and it’s not Father’s Day, but let me introduce you to some Fighting Fathers, American Patriots. I’ve […]
  • The Story You Tell Makes a Difference
    April 23, 2019
    · Rural America · Recently I attended a community meeting organized by Heal Reno County http://www.healrenocounty.org where a rural sociologist, Ben […]
  • Book Club
    April 16, 2019
    ·  Reading Rendezvous · It was good for me to get back to the monthly Reading Rendezvous Book Club at Metropolitan Coffee in Hutchinson, Kansas. If […]
  • Lyrical Literature
    April 9, 2019
    ·  Diane Wahto · Diane Wahto’s combination of lyrical and descriptive power in her poetry makes music in my mind. The Sad Joy of Leaving is an […]
  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game
    April 2, 2019
    ·  The St. Louis Browns and Eddie Gaedel · Herb Potter, my uncle who died last year, used to tell me about a major league baseball (MLB) game he […]
  • Do the Right Thing
    March 26, 2019
    ·  You Can Make a Difference · It’s safe to say that white nationalist members and sympathizers prefer the racist 1915 film, “The Birth of a Nation” […]
  • Memories in Motion
    March 20, 2019
    ·  Lessons Learned Make the Memoir  · If you write anything, you’re likely to connect with and use your memories. On a daily basis we are reminded of […]
  • EXAGGERATION Postcards
    March 13, 2019
    ·  Tall Tales from the Great Plains  · #1 Are you old enough to remember road trip vacations down Route 66? How about the restroom breaks at service […]
  • Writing Memoir Workshop
    January 19, 2019
    The Honking Tree If you live or have lived west of Wichita, Kansas, then you might recognize this tree that grows on the south side of K96, a couple […]
  • Memories Make Memoirs
    November 14, 2018
    ·  Susan Painter  · The older you get—hopefully—the more memories you’ll have to write about.   Recently, I’ve run into a number of former […]
  • Meeting Authors
    November 7, 2018
    ·  H.B. Berlow  · A few weeks ago sixteen artists gathered at the Wichita Library to recite their poetry accompanied by music. In short time I […]
  • Talking Tombstones
    October 31, 2018
    ·  Henry Hartford in Two Worlds  · If you’ve heard of Talking Tombstones then you probably know that real people, now deceased, have their stories […]
  • My Weekend
    October 24, 2018
    ·  Postcards, Poetry, and Food  · This past weekend in Wichita, Kansas, was all about postcards, poetry, and eating. When you hear the word […]
  • Historical Research and Writing
    October 17, 2018
    ·  “King of Hypnotists and Mind Readers”  · Do you enjoy historical research? I love it! As I’ve mentioned before, I collect […]
  • Writing a Novel
    October 10, 2018
    ·  Immediately Engage the Reader  · Discovery of a person’s body is a great way to begin a mystery or crime novel. This single event requires readers […]
  • Crazy Writing Ideas
    October 3, 2018
    ·  Listen to the Muse  · I wake up. It’s 3:30 a.m. I’ve been dreaming. I have an idea for writing a story or novel. It’s titled, The Vice […]
  • Research Subject
    September 26, 2018
    ·  Mo Yoder  · When I first learned that Mo Yoder, Buhler, Kansas, had been a research subject involved in testing by the military during the Vietnam […]
  • Characters from the Zodiac
    September 19, 2018
    ·  “What’s your sign?”  · “What’s my sign?” “Yeah, what’s your astrological sign?” “Oh, […]
  • One-Room Schoolhouses
    September 12, 2018
    ·  Sargent School  · What image do you conjure up when you think of a one-room schoolhouse? Do you remember reading a novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder? […]
  • What Motivated Kaitlin?
    September 5, 2018
    · Stories Change Lives · I had to learn the answer to the question. What motivated Kaitlin to go to Scotland? It’s normal for people to dream and to […]
  • Writer, Author, Publisher
    August 29, 2018
    · Bill Bush · Bill Bush “lives in Halstead, Kansas with his two teenage children, who are the inspiration behind many of his stories.” Sydney and […]
  • Major League Baseball
    August 22, 2018
    · Chicago White Sox · I learned to be a Chicago White Sox fan from my dad. He loved sports, and once we moved near Chicago, the major league teams […]
  • Writers Write
    August 15, 2018
    · Elsa’s World · I interviewed a young writer friend of mine today. Her name is Elsa. She’s fifteen.  We’re from the same tribe; we love […]
  • Fear of Failing
    August 8, 2018
    · Do You Make Time for Your Writing? · In an earlier blog, I asked you: “What’s Your Writing Routine?” […]
  • Characters and Setting
    August 1, 2018
    ·  The Beginning of the Story is Called Exposition  · When you start reading a book, you want to know so many things all at once. The primary […]
  • Fantasy Writer
    July 25, 2018
    ·  Author William “Mark” Simmons  · Since the Kansas Authors Club, District 6, is preparing for its next meeting, Saturday, July 28th, I […]
  • Country Living
    July 18, 2018
    You Know You Live in the Country (Reno County, KS) when . . . Living in the country isn’t for everybody. If dirt roads and lack of sidewalks bother […]
  • Early Reno County (KS) Settler
    July 11, 2018
      ·  James Chamellis Potter (1865-1955)  · My great-grandfather, James Chamellis Potter, participated in the Cherokee Outlet land run, was a […]
  • Tax Warrants
    July 4, 2018
    ·  You Are NOT Under Arrest  · A long-time friend who recently moved out of Reno County contacted me by email. She told me that during the hectic […]
  • Cottonwood County
    June 27, 2018
    ·  Unintended Consequences  · Previously, in Episode 1 (https://jimpotterauthor.com/cottonwood-county-kansas/), Tom Jennings was perusing a Facebook […]
  • Cottonwood County, Kansas
    June 20, 2018
    Let Them Eat Cake Tom Jennings was all riled up. Against his doctor’s advice, he continued to watch the news, search for news, and read the […]
  • Writing Routine
    June 6, 2018
    ·  What’s Your Writing Routine?  · Do you have a routine in your writing? Do you have a specific time and place when you’re at your […]
  • Orville “Matty” Mathias
    May 30, 2018
    Ballplayer, Tank Commander, and Lawman David Orville Mathias, known as “Matty”, came to Hutchinson, Kansas, in March 1934 to play […]
  • Blaming the Victim
    May 23, 2018
    Slavery by Another Name Blaming the victim is pretty common. Relentlessly, we judge people. A homeless person is accused of choosing an unpredictable […]
  • Suicide Joe and Buffalo
    May 16, 2018
    ·  Suicide is a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem  · I met Joe back in 1973 in prison. No, we weren’t cell mates serving time. We were […]
  • Trauma Writing
    May 9, 2018
    Writing Your Trauma Without Too Much Drama In promoting Ronda Miller’s trauma writing workshop in Hutchinson, the main attraction of the Kansas […]
  • Do You Believe in the Death Penalty?
    May 2, 2018
    ·  Just Mercy  · Until recently, despite uncertainties and inequalities in the criminal justice system, I’ve been in favor of the death penalty. But […]
  • He Got Away with Murder
    April 25, 2018
    Too Bold to Hold My “wanted for murder” postcard didn’t give the date of the criminal offense, but it did offer that Joe Mosley had been paroled from […]
  • George
    April 18, 2018
    ·  The Relic of Vecinaria  · I heard that George, fifteen years old, was writing a novel. Being a writer—an author—I was quickly curious. Karen, his […]
  • Writing Experience
    April 11, 2018
    ·  When Did You Start Writing?  · Think back for a moment at your desire to write or to be published. Do you recall the first book that moved you? […]
  • Color-Blind Racism
    April 4, 2018
    Did you hit a triple or were you born on third base? Many whites or Caucasians believe that racism in the United States is nearly dead, a thing of […]
  • Violence Prevention Model
    March 28, 2018
    ·  Alive and Free  ·  If your doctor informed you that your chance of having a heart attack was extremely high, you’d probably ask what you could do […]
  • Tribal Identity
    March 21, 2018
    ·  Left or Right?  · I grew up in a white, suburban neighborhood of Chicago. People in my community, Skokie, were predominately of the Jewish faith. […]
  • Writing Dialogue
    March 14, 2018
    ·  Know Your Characters  · “So, you said you wanted to be a better writer.” “Yeah, I do.” “Well, I’ll give you […]
  • Bond Agent
    March 7, 2018
    ·  “It’s a Whole ‘Nother Story”  · Kathleen Carter, Hutchinson, Kansas, has been a bail bonding agent for fifteen years. […]
  • Icebreakers
    February 28, 2018
    ·  Writing Prompts  · Today I have some “icebreakers” to share with you. You might find them valuable and fun as a tool in […]
  • Law Enforcement 101
    February 21, 2018
    ·  General Law Enforcement Terms  · Having worked in law enforcement for over three decades, I tend to take some things for granted when it comes to […]
  • Black and White TV without Color
    February 14, 2018
    ·  US Marshal Bass Reeves  · I grew up watching black and white TV. Actually, it was more like white TV in the sense that people of color rarely […]
  • Disrupted Childhood
    February 7, 2018
    ·  Bridge Out  · Recently I posted a blog about a family who had been evicted from their home. I wondered about the short and long term consequences […]
  • The War Trunk
    January 31, 2018
    ·  A Postcard  · As a child I played soldier. With friends in my neighborhood we had gun battles with toy guns. We repeatedly killed and died. I also […]
  • Sculptures and Their Stories
    January 24, 2018
    ·  Bouncy’s Tall Tale by J. Alex Potter  · On today’s blog J. Alex Potter, my wife, shares her creativity about creativity! You will see […]
  • Losing Your Home
    January 17, 2018
    ·  Missing Memories  · I’ve been involved in many evictions, but I can only imagine what it must be like for someone to lose their home. I’ve been […]
  • The Stolen Refrigerator
    January 10, 2018
    ·  “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”  · AUTHOR’S NOTE: I do not give out legal advice; I share memories and tell […]
  • Character Development
    January 3, 2018
    ·  Narcissism  ·  What if you developed a fictional character who was narcissistic?  If you decide to “give” one of your fictional […]
  • Voir Dire
    December 27, 2017
    ·  Jury Duty Excuses  · I used to think that being on a jury would be a neat experience. But once I was hired as a deputy sheriff, I knew there was […]
  • Drug Test
    December 20, 2017
    ·  Have You Ever Been Drug Tested?  · I remember my first drug test in a bathroom when I was required to pee in a container. Even though I’d […]
  • Stir Up Sunday
    December 13, 2017
    ·  Creole Christmas Cake  · In late November my friend in Winchester, England, told me about Stir Up Sunday. “It’s sort of a Christian festival or at […]
  • Finding A Story
    December 6, 2017
    ·  Digging Deeper  · A friend and her siblings were making arrangements for their mother’s funeral. Mother had insisted in her dying days that […]
  • Kansas Authors Club
    November 29, 2017
    ·  Author Ann Christine Fell  · On Saturday I attended a district meeting of the Kansas Authors Club (KAC) in Hutchinson, Kansas. All writers and […]
  • “I Want to Write a Book”
    November 22, 2017
      ·  Ideas Are a Dime a Dozen  · I’ve been meeting a lot of people lately who recognize that I’m a writer and author. Sometimes they congratulate me […]
  • Veterans Day
    November 15, 2017
    ·  Remembrance  · Veterans Day was celebrated a few days ago. This year the remembrance hit me harder than expected. It started early on Saturday […]
  • Michael Jackson or Me, You Decide
    November 8, 2017
    ·  A Book Reading at Hutchinson Public Library  · Tomorrow night I have my first official book reading/signing for my debut novel, Taking Back the […]
  • Book Reviews
    November 1, 2017
    ·  Recommended Reading  · If you want to stimulate your imagination and relax, then read. If you want to write, then read. But if you want to […]
  • The Big Lie
    October 25, 2017
    ·  Rolla Preceded Roswell  · A good portion of the population has heard of Roswell, New Mexico; not for its desert beauty, but for the decision of […]
  • Stretching the Truth
    October 18, 2017
    ·  Tall Tales  · My Grandpa Clarence used to talk about the fertile farmland in western Kansas before the drought, grasshoppers, jack rabbits, and […]
  • Back Story
    October 11, 2017
    ·  Going Backward in Order to Go Forward  · “422 to 409.” “409, go ahead.” “If you want to stop by, you can take some […]
  • Mix Things Up
    October 4, 2017
    ·  Braiding  · Braiding means weaving information into the story, especially characters, like a hairdresser weaving strands of hair into one strong […]
  • Getting to Know Your Characters
    September 27, 2017
    ·  Who Are These People and What Are They Doing In My Head?  · I’m having so much fun thinking about the fictional characters coming alive […]
  • More Seeds to Sow
    September 20, 2017
    ·  Fourteen Therapeutic Pet Ducks, 24 Bearded Dragons, and a Masked Batman Caper  · “You can’t make this stuff up!” I tell other […]
  • Seeds to Sow
    September 13, 2017
    ·  Questions to Ask  · Recently, in a Hutchinson News article, there was a story about a long-time bar being forced to close due to dwindling […]
  • Seeds to a Story
    September 6, 2017
     ·  Listen, Read, Write, Repeat  · If you’re a writer, or want to be a writer, do you save story-starters?   Do you file newspaper clippings, […]
  • Cultural Exposure
    August 30, 2017
     ·  Albinism and Africa  · I’ve never been to Tanzania, but I’ve researched the country, especially the PWA community. The acronym stands […]
  • Creative Writing
    August 23, 2017
    ·  Fake News  · Today the media talks about the alarming impact of “fake news.” No doubt that in our instant, mass communication world, […]
  • Best Character Descriptions
    August 16, 2017
    ·  WANTED FOR MURDER  · I’ve been collecting “Reward” postcards since I was first hired by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office […]
  • Using Metaphors
    August 9, 2017
    ·  Metaphorically Speaking  · “Our marriage is like an iris that no longer blooms,” she said. “It doesn’t laugh. It […]
  • A Writing Environment
    August 2, 2017
    ·  Peer Support  · Despite all the people and animals residing in our home–gerbil, snakes, cats, turtles, birds, rabbits, horses, bull, […]
  • A Writer’s Rabbit Hole
    July 26, 2017
    ·  Down the Rabbit Hole  · I’ve traveled down many rabbit holes before completing a first draft of a book. The trip down the black hole always […]
  • Research in Writing
    July 19, 2017
    ·  Read and Travel  · If you write fiction, have you created a place for your characters to hang out? Writing is a combination of reading, travel, […]
  • My Darkest Chapter
    July 12, 2017

     ·  Death and Dying  ·

    [caption id="attachment_1120" align="alignleft" width="112"] "Pluto" sculpture by J. Alex Potter Photo by Yukari Danshita[/caption] Whether it's non-fiction,memoir or fiction, for me, writing about death is the ultimate mood swing. Having a dark chapter (or two) gives the reader a taste of the highs and lows of life. Without the lows, the highs aren't as high. In Cop in the Classroom, I recall a couple of on-duty deaths that just tore me up inside. I expose the reader to my pain while attempting to answer a student's serious question. Here is the introduction to one death . . . […]
  • Writing A Memoir
    July 5, 2017
    ·  Getting Started  · First, I decided to write about my career in law enforcement. In the beginning of my process, I thought about making it a […]
  • Expand On Your Experiences
    June 28, 2017
    · Dead End Road · Yesterday morning we received a phone call from a country neighbor. “Have you been down to your mailbox yet?” she […]
  • Character Driven Literary Fiction
    June 21, 2017
    ·  Tom Jennings is a HUGE Character!  · Here’s a brief blog on writing. This one’s about creating fictional characters. I use character […]
  • Welcome!
    June 14, 2017
    ·  Welcome to my blog!  · I’m writing from south-central Kansas. For those of you more familiar with our geography, my wife and I live outside […]

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