· 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 County sheriff was never elected, but he served in that position for four days?” asked … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: Tom McGinn
Tom Jennings
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
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
Deputy Jennings Tells a Story
· Final Episode (#16) · Deputy Tom Jennings and Yackel, his K-9 patrol dog, pulled into Adam and Rosannah Yoder’s driveway with the latest news. The German sheperd was in the backseat with the rear windows slightly down, his nose pressed to the vented window. Yackel von Baerenzwinger either recognized the farmstead or a familiar scent. Two children playing in front of the house spotted the patrol car and ran inside to safety. Seconds later, their father, Adam, opened the front door as he … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Tells a Story
Tom & Jesse Jennings Discuss Parenting
· Episode 9 · Summary: Tom Jennings had never been all that interested in the Old Order Amish. He figured he was about as curious of them as they were in him. Both he and the Amish lived in separate worlds and that was fine. Then, after interacting with several individuals who were Amish, he changed. First, he was assigned to investigate someone stealing county dirt from a county ditch. The absurd assignment only got crazier as more and more Amish buggies arrived at the farmstead where he … [Read more...] about Tom & Jesse Jennings Discuss Parenting
Deputy Jennings Learns a Lesson
· Episode 7 · Previously, in Episode 6 (Deputy Jennings Works an Accident), Deputy Tom Jennings worked an accident between an Amish horse-and-wagon and a hit-and-run truck. The officer interviewed the Amish teenagers, Rebecca and Reuben Schrock. * It was God’s will for the children to be in the wreck, but it was also His will for them to live. With the results of God’s plans surrounding them, Martin and Irene Schrock were thankful. They also reminded themselves to limit their … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Learns a Lesson
Characters from the Zodiac
· "What's your sign?" · "What's my sign?" "Yeah, what's your astrological sign?" "Oh, I'm a Libra." "Libras have a strong sense of justice and fair play." "Yes, social justice is important to me." When I was gradually imagining characters for my novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, I studied the astrological signs in order to get ideas on how I wanted my fictional characters to be different from one another. I already had most of the characters plotted … [Read more...] about Characters from the Zodiac
Cottonwood County
· Unintended Consequences · Previously, in Episode 1 (https://jimpotterauthor.com/cottonwood-county-kansas/), Tom Jennings was perusing a Facebook post with its many threads. The messages were overwhelmingly critical of the Cottonwood County Commissioners for considering cutting overtime pay for deputy sheriffs. Episode 2 Tom’s phone played music and vibrated. A county commissioner was returning his phone call. “Tom Jennings, may I help you?” “This is County Commissioner Guy … [Read more...] about Cottonwood County
Michael Jackson or Me, You Decide
· A Book Reading at Hutchinson Public Library · Tomorrow night I have my first official book reading/signing for my debut novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. I’m looking forward to the interaction with the attendees—if anyone shows up. Well, I know some people will show. J. Alex Potter, my wife, she’ll be there. We’re riding in the same car. Kate Lewis, Marketing and Communications Manager of the Hutchinson Public Library (HPL); she’ll be there. That’s three … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson or Me, You Decide
