(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Calvin Sheppard (1925-) Sheriff 1959-1963 · Click to see photo of Calvin Sheppard Calvin and Carol Sheppard are off to vote. It’s Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 1964, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Finally, on the ballot, the people of Kansas get to decide on an amendment to the state constitution. Will sheriffs be allowed to seek more than two consecutive two-year terms? * “I’m pretty sure the amendment … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Calvin Sheppard
Roy Sheppard
Sheriffs of Reno County: Roy Sheppard
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Roy Sheppard (1897-1977) Sheriff 1956-1959 · It must be Monday, because we’re having ham and beans today, thinks Fannie Elizabeth Masters Sheppard, jail matron and cook at the Reno County jail on the fifth floor of the courthouse. It’s 0750 hours, December 29, 1958, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Fannie, 61, wife of Sheriff Roy Sheppard, also 61, is working with a trustee in the county jail’s kitchen. … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Roy Sheppard
Sheriffs of Reno County: Al Severson
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Al Severson (1921-1983) Sheriff 1955-1956 · It’s Tuesday morning, May 15, 1956, in Hutchinson, Kansas. As Reno County Sheriff Al Severson attaches his prosthetic hook to his left elbow and upper arm, he says to Grace Wells Severson, his wife and jail matron, “It’s finally here, Resignation Day.” Grace agrees that the last year and four months serving as Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff have been exciting and rewarding, … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Al Severson
Orville “Matty” Mathias
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) 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 … [Read more...] about Orville “Matty” Mathias
