(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) 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, … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff
Reno County Jail
Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) 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 … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
Reno County: She Killed Her Husband
Reno County: Girls in Jail
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Girls in Jail * It’s Monday afternoon, August 1, 1949, at The Fox theater in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mrs. Sheriff, Ruth Graves Dixon, 54; and her sister, Charline Graves Allison, 60; are talking prior to the start of the picture show, The Barkleys of Broadway, staring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. * “How’s the jail treating you?” asked Charline, as she crunched her buttery popcorn. “After … [Read more...] about Reno County: Girls in Jail
Reno County: My Dad, the Sheriff
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · My Dad, the Sheriff It’s Sunday afternoon, January 10, 1943, at the home of Juanita Mae Chambers Ankerholz and Guy Leo Ankerholz, 829 East 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Their daughter, Dona “DeNean,” 10, is writing a school report that’s due the next day. * “Mom,” said DeNean, “my teacher said we should write on something, but not everything.” “She’s correct, you want people to learn about a … [Read more...] about Reno County: My Dad, the Sheriff
Reno County: That’s Him
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · "That's Him." It’s Sunday night, August 7, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Charline and George Allison home, 309 West 16th Avenue. George, 55; Charline, 54; and their daughter, Georgiann, 14, are playing cards. * “Dad, now that Rosanna Sandberg has positively identified her kidnapper, do you think she’ll sleep better tonight?” asked Georgiann. “Sure thing,” answered George. “I think the fact … [Read more...] about Reno County: That’s Him
Reno County: It Was All a Terrible Mistake
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · It Was All a Terrible Mistake It’s Thursday night, June 19, 1934, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dorothy Swafford Simon Cunningham, 25, wife of Reno County Sheriff Ed Cunningham, age, 37, has just returned to town after running off with a saxophone player. Having been apprehended days earlier in Columbus, Ohio, Dorothy is welcomed by her father, Tom Swafford, 45. * Tom opens his arms to greet his daughter, … [Read more...] about Reno County: It Was All a Terrible Mistake
Reno County: 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run • * It’s Saturday night, September 16, 1893, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence, 15 Avenue East. Roscoe, 3; Ethel, 10; Victor 12; Bud (John Jr.), 13, and Mabel, 15, are in bed. John, 37, and Jennie Jones, 35, take a minute to reflect on the day. * “This would have been a bad day to count noses for a census,” said John. “I wonder how many … [Read more...] about Reno County: 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run
Reno County: “She Jumped from the Train”
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) "She Jumped from the Train" • It’s Wednesday, April 3, 1889, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Daniel Miller, Reno County sheriff, 45, returns home to the sheriff’s residence at 15 Avenue East. Cecelia Edmunds Miller—Mrs. Sheriff—41, spots a new gray hair on her husband’s head. * “Hello, honey, how are you and the children?” asked Dan, as he entered the sheriff’s residence, gave his wife a kiss, and hung up … [Read more...] about Reno County: “She Jumped from the Train”
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · 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,” … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom Jennings
