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
Reno County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse
· 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, then I’m talking to you. I know why I was created. My life as a badge has purpose, which is to serve Reno County Sheriff Fay F. Brown to the best of my ability. When Cora, the sheriff’s wife, left me in her purse while he took his oath of office on January 10, 1927, of course I was disappointed. But when she took me out and I saw her, I was excited, … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Carey’s Condemned Courthouse
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office
· 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, 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. Ninety-three years ago I was in Cora Brown’s purse, awaiting the opportunity to meet Sheriff Fay F. Brown. I’d been handed to her by outgoing Sheriff Jess Langford when he was leaving the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Oath of Office
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie
· 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, 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. Ninety-three years ago I was in Cora Brown’s purse, awaiting the opportunity to meet Sheriff Fay F. Brown. I’d been handed to her by outgoing Sheriff Jess Langford when he was leaving the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Cora and Occie
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey
· 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 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. Ninety-three years ago I was in total darkness, inside a package sent though the U. S. mail, when I overheard conversations in the sheriff’s office. Outgoing Reno County Sheriff Jesse … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Blinded by Corn Whiskey
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
Conclusions of a Cop
· Conclusions of a Cop · Recently, I was visiting with a friend who is a retired cop. I’ll call him Tom Jennings. Even though he’s no longer physically involved in the business, intellectually he’s still working. He has ideas about how cops can and should make community connections in order to help solve problems, not just make arrests. * Addressing the serious issue of unarmed people (not only people of color) being killed by police officers, Jennings said the public needs to be taught … [Read more...] about Conclusions of a Cop
Tax Warrants
· 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 hubbub of her move, she hadn’t received or had lost the second half of her property tax notice. Since I used to serve civil papers, working out of the courthouse, she thought I might be able to answer some questions for her. Now, before I continue, I must inform the reader that my friend has an excellent sense of humor—in my opinion. She drips … [Read more...] about Tax Warrants
Orville “Matty” Mathias
Ballplayer, Tank Commander, and Lawman David Orville Mathias, known as "Matty", came to Hutchinson, Kansas, in March 1934 to play professional baseball for the Hutchinson Larks. Born in Merom, Indiana, June 24, 1906, he was stretching it to play with the ball team which had an age limit of 26. The Hutchinson Larks existed from 1934 through 1938 (when it became the Hutchinson Pirates through 1942). It was in the Western Association of class C teams. The Larks became a St. Louis Cardinals … [Read more...] about Orville “Matty” Mathias
