Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff * One day a newly elected sheriff, a bachelor, asked the retiring sheriff if he could give him any advice on running the jail. The veteran sheriff replied, "Yes, get married as soon as possible." * In its first 150 years, Reno County has elected thirty-two of its thirty-three different sheriffs. This book will introduce each one of the lawmen chronologically, in separate chapters, beginning with Charles C. Collins. Running the sheriff’s office has always required … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff
Fay Forrest Brown
Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
Preface * Books don’t just happen. While growing up, I heard stories that triggered my imagination. Stories are seeds to an author. When planted and nourished, they can become a bountiful harvest. In my case, there are several reasons why I wanted to research and write about the sheriffs of Reno County, Kansas. When I was growing up, I regularly watched weekly westerns on television. My favorites were The Lone Ranger, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, and Gunsmoke. The first show was … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
Sheriffs of Reno County: Ed Cunningham
· Ed Cunningham (1896-1971) Sheriff 1931-1935 · It’s Wednesday, July 1, 1936, in Hutchinson, Kansas. “Well, look what the cat drug in,” said Fay Brown, owner-operator of the Brown Wheel night club, as plain clothes city detective Ed Cunningham walked in the door. Fay Brown and Ed Cunningham were old chums, lawmen, who had worked on the Hutchinson police force in the early 1920s and had teamed up as sheriff and under sheriff of the Reno County Sheriff’s office from 1927 to 1931. … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Ed Cunningham
Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
· Fay Brown (1891-1968) Sheriff 1927-1931 · It’s Monday, August 3, 1931, in Hutchinson, Kansas. “Buenos días mi amigo,” said Fay Brown, 40, causing Houston Latimer Whiteside, 41, to smile. It was Fay’s common greeting to those men who had served on the Mexican border in 1916 during the international trouble. “We’re sorry for your deep personal loss,” continued Fay. “Julia was a gift to Hutchinson.” “Thanks, Fay,” responded Houston, Jr. “If she hadn’t been visiting her sister … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices
· 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, after arriving in Hutchinson, Kansas. Don’t ask me what happened this morning because my short term memory is iffy, but I remember my first days in the Salt City. I was in the darkness of my packing container 93 years ago when I overheard conversations in the sheriff’s office." * "After the train trip from Denver in the postal car, I was hoping to soon … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Hearing Voices
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Preface
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge, Preface · "Pardon me if my brain’s not as sharp as it used to be. I’m nearly 93 years old. Due to my age, I occasionally get names and dates mixed up. It could happen to anyone. "However, for the time period 1927-1930, my glory years, my recall is as sharp as a tack, or in my case, it would be more appropriate to say, as sharp as a pin. "You see, in late 1926, I was crafted by an artisan at Sachs-Lawlor manufacturing in Denver, Colorado. I shined in golden … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Preface
