· 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
Kansas
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
Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Hooper
· 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 his new—actually, the county’s new–1927 Standard Six Dictator automobile. He’s parked near the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Main Street, in the shadow of Hutchinson’s tallest skyscraper, the Wiley-Rorabaugh building, which opened in 1913. Sitting next to Fay, 35, is Houston Whiteside, 81, a friend and retired attorney. * “The … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Hooper
Sheriffs of Reno County: William E. Long
· William E. "Bill" Long (1862-1940) Sheriff 1898-1903* · William Elbert Long and Sarah Cassandra "Cassie" Baker (1871-1913), both natives of Tennessee, were married in 1897 in Pawnee, Nebraska. Their three children, Clella, Charles, and Chester, were born in Reno County, Kansas. Photos compliments of Alice Dugan * It’s Saturday, October 15th, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Houston Whiteside, 81, and Bill Long, 65, are talking about the olden days in Reno … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: William E. Long
Sheriffs of Reno County: John Q. Patten
· John Quincy Patten (1855-1922) Sheriff 1894-1898 · * It’s Friday, October 14, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, enters Carey Cold Storage, Main Street at C, carrying an empty gallon bottle, when she recognizes a lady who has just filled a jug with delicious apple cider made at Willowbrook. “Ophelia Cornelia, how are you?” asks Julia. “Why, Julia, I’m fine, how are you and Houston?” “We’re doing well,” responds Julia. “I just received a letter from my sister, … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: John Q. Patten
Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Jones
· John Wesley Jones (1856-1926) Sheriff 1890-1894 · * It’s October 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Julia Whiteside, 59, meets her husband, Houston, 81, at the door. “The radio just announced that Ruth Elder is safe!” said Julia. “They were rescued from the ocean off the coast of the Azores. The American Girl had a broken oil line.” “Is George Haldeman well?” asks Houston. “Yes, they were both picked up by a Dutch steamship.” “All of McPherson will be glad to hear that,” remarked … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: John W. Jones
Creative Non-Fiction
· 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 some early-day Kansas photographers who created some of the postcards in my collection. Now that I know these people better, I’m ready to share some of the conversations they might have had. The following is a story with real people and events. The meeting actually took place. Let me set the scene for you. Photographers from Kansas during late … [Read more...] about Creative Non-Fiction
John O. Siemsen
· 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 comment to a blog/podcast I’d posted two months earlier. A person can’t prepare for unbelievable. My earlier post, “EXAGGERATION Postcards: Tall Tales from the Great Plains,” https://jimpotterauthor.com/exaggeration-postcards/ gave an abbreviated history of the cards, including an appreciation for Frank D. “Pop” Conard, a creative and … [Read more...] about John O. Siemsen