(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 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’ … [Read more...] about Reno County: Grasshopper Invasion of 1874
Houston Whiteside
Reno County: Civil War Stories
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · 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 … [Read more...] about Reno County: Civil War Stories
Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
(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, 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 … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Fay Brown
Sheriffs of Reno County: Jesse Langford
· Jesse Langford (1879-1935) Sheriff 1923-1927 · It’s Wednesday, June 24, 1931, on the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railway in route to Chicago, Illinois, from Hutchinson, Kansas. Houston, 81, and Julia Whiteside, 59, and their son, Houston, Jr., 41, are making an emergency trip to the windy city’s Presbyterian Hospital. Julia needs surgery. * “I do hope Wiley Post and his navigator succeed with their record flight around the world,” said Julia. “They’ve completed the first lap … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Jesse Langford
Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
· William "Bill" Clark (1864-1934) Sheriff 1921-1923 · * It’s Monday, October 24, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Houston Whiteside, 81, tells Julia, his wife, 59, that the escapees from the Reformatory released their kidnap victim, Roy Lloyd, unharmed, in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday afternoon. “Mr. Lloyd is home safe. He was released after the men on the run decided not to ‘bump him off,’” said Houston. “The police haven't located the criminals yet.” * “Bill Clark must have an … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
· Walter "Scott" Sprout (1875-1941) Sheriff 1916-1921 · It’s Saturday, October 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia, 59, and Houston Whiteside, 81, are discussing the escape of three men from the Reformatory. “The inmates were members of a work detail digging sweet potatoes when they overpowered a guard and took his .38 calibre Colt revolver,” said Houston. “They kidnapped a man on Harvey Street while he was collecting the family laundry and forced him to drive them to Kansas City in … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
· Tom McGinn (1883-1956) Sheriff, December 31, 1916 - January 4, 1917 · It’s late Friday afternoon, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia, 59, and Houston Whiteside, 81, are sitting at their dining room table when Julia stops talking, turns her head to the southeast, and announces, “The reformatory siren is going off.” “I wonder who escaped,” said Houston. * “Which Reno County sheriff was never elected, but he served in that position for four days?” asked … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
· Tom Jennings (1860-1916) Sheriff 1915-1916 · It’s Friday, October 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside and her husband, Houston, are still talking about the opening of the newest J. S. Dillon & Sons store at 13th and Main. * “The new Dillon store is clean and modern with reasonable prices,” said Julia. “John Dillon’s sons, Ray and Clyde, are carrying on their father’s tradition,” said Houston. “Since his early days of repairing wagons and buggies in Sterling, John … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
Sheriffs of Reno County: Konrad C. Beck
· Konrad C. "Koon" Beck (1876-1947) Sheriff 1911-1915 · It’s Thursday, October 20, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia and Houston Whiteside are making plans to attend a Saturday show on the south end at Riverside Park. The Wallace Bruce Players will be performing on stage. * “As much as I enjoyed Buster Keaton’s masterful performance in the 1916 movie, The Bell Boy,” said Julia, “years earlier, before his silent movie, the musical-comedy stage production at Riverside Park was … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Konrad C. Beck
Sheriffs of Reno County: George M. Duckworth
· George M. Duckworth (1867-1954) Sheriff 1907-1911 · It’s Tuesday, October 18, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hutchinson Chief of Police George “Came” Duckworth, 60, and Mrs. Anna Kelly, 46, police matron, are at the police station, talking. * “If the citizenry knew we worked 15-hour days with hardly a day off, do you think they would recommend we receive more support from the city?” asked Anna. “Hard to tell,” replied Chief Duckworth. “There are some who think we’re already overpaid. … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: George M. Duckworth