(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Looking Backward to Go Forward • It’s Wednesday, October 29, 1930, at Sprout Ranch, 12 miles south of Mullinville, Kansas. Carolyn “Carrie” Norman Sprout, 49, and her husband, Walter “Scott” Sprout, 55, are moving into their son’s house. A week earlier, on October 22, Carrie and Scott’s daughter-in-law, Thelma Barrick Sprout, 23, gave birth to a second child, Thelma Lorraine Sprout. But the … [Read more...] about Reno County: Looking Backward to Go Forward
Sheriff Scott Sprout
Reno County: The Corps and the Cannons
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) The Corps and the Cannons • It’s Saturday, October 10, 1942, at Ethel and Tom McGinn’s house, 726 E. 6th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Twin sisters, Ethel Rose Sames and Effie Kate Sames Chandler, 56, are talking about no-win situations, specifically the dilemma Ethel has encountered for the past week as President of the Joe Hooker Women’s Relief Corps. * “I hated doing it,” said Ethel, “but after a … [Read more...] about Reno County: The Corps and the Cannons
Reno County: Death Ditch
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Death Ditch • It’s Thursday, July 22, 1920, at the home of Harriet “Hattie” Moore Jennings, 220 Sherman East Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. Living with widowed Hattie, 52, are three of her five children: Don, 31; Mack, 29; and Beulah, 20. Hattie’s still holding a $3,500 check when Beulah enters the room carrying a cup of coffee. * “Is it hot in here?” asked Hattie. Before Beulah could reply, Hattie placed … [Read more...] about Reno County: Death Ditch
Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · 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 … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: William “Bill” Clark
Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · 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 … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Walter “Scott” Sprout
Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · 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 … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
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
