The LHS Newsletter Archive

Volume Twenty-one, Issue Number 1

Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Spring 1995 Digitally Archived August 2006

UfI£2) ~ae£~VOl. 21, No. I LECOMPTON, KANSAS SPRING 1995

STARR -- YOUNG

RURAL SCHOOL NEAR LECOMPTON

"'~"d.lli-!'W'bliJ/I' ~IIYVt~/i . I ..'Rf.i1flfUFU "7Jtli£..,~.,d~ - ..do::='~TAR. SCHOOL f.pu,.cAN

due to the high cost and lack of money ortransportation. After the necessary building wasdone, the settlers looked around for schools fortheir children to attend. As there were nonenearby, many solved the problem of teachingelementary reading, writing and arithmeticthemselves. However many didn't have either thenatural or required ability to do the instruction Themother was often the one who picked up theresponsibility for the instruction. If the neighborsperceived she was being successful they would tryto make arrangements with her to teach theirchildren also. Most of the pioneers were verydesirous for some training for the children.

There was also an urgent desire for a churchorganization-any building large enough to hold asmall congregation was considered suitable, hotel,saloon or an office was used and under somecircumstances used for schools also. Many rusticlog houses were built to serve as schools andchurches. However many did not have stoves so

Kansas Territory opened for settlement in 1854and immediatelymany young families from all overthe eastern part of the United State hurried thereso they could take advantage of the low cost of 160acres of land, however, as it was bare acreage withno buildings, fences or wells, but as it was grassand tree covered as "nature willed", there was agreat deal to be done to make it habitable. Abuilding for a house was the first priority and wherethere was timber, a log cabin was soon built, then afence or barn so that the livestock could be givenprotection from predatory animals or thieves. All ofthis required long, hard hours, and as there werefour seasons, there were many days when theweather interfered.

The houses were often crude cabins as sawedlumber wasn't available or could not be bought,

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there were only spring or summer terms. In 1855notax had been assessed for school expenses, soeach family involved paid a voluntary subscriptionfor all expenses including the teacher's salary,usually for a term of three months. InJuly, 1855,theTerritorial Legislature provided a plan for a systemof schools to be paid by a tax patterned after that inMissouri, but the "free state' people would notcooperate. In 1858,the "free state" citizens were inpower and they proposed a tax bill that provided forthe school expenses. This was accepted andmany schools all over the Kansas area were soonbuilt and in use.

Under the Wyandotte (Kansas) Constitutionthe United States Congress agreed to givesections 16and 36 of every surveyor township forthe use of common schools. Much of this land wassold and the money given to the state to invest, butas the land was cheap then, a large amount ofmoney was not involved. The state invested it andeach year divided the interest among all the Kansascommon schools on the basis of the number ofpersons between the ages of 5 and 21 yearsresiding in each school district. This helpedsomewhat, but the school was chiefly dependenton what the school board decided was needed forthe school term. A budget was made by the board,and a tax was levied to take care of the schoolexpenses. This kept expenses in a reasonablearea, and they were not in debt. When this planwas legitimized,some errors were made and schoolroom expenses and teacher's salaries plummeteduntil it was straightened out and money wasavailable for buildings.

"Starr -YDung"An area one mile west and about 4 miles

south of the Lecompton city limits was organizedsome time prior to the selection of a school site, so.school was possibly held in someone's home. Inabout 1870the district bought two square acres inthe S. E. corner of 1/4section 16,T. 12,R 18from theDouglas County Treasurer for $10.00. This wasfrom the school lands set aside by the legislature of1864. When papers concerning the sale werecompleted they were made patent in 1872 byGovernor James Harvey.

A small frame building was then built andfurnished with home-made desks-consisting oflong-hand sawed boards for seats, and higher onesto be used for writing and storing books and paper.This building was used for over thirty years.

The first information found in the early

newspapers, was in the Lecompton Monitor, Dec.31,1885. "Report of Dist. No. 19,at the close of thesecond month. Enrollment 17. Those obtaining anaverage of 90 percent and above are: LenaKersting, Rosie Martin, Theodore Sulzen, NoraHafer, Mary Cummings, Willie Klaus, Willie Sulzen,Maggie Cummings and Nettie brown. TeacherLucie Oliver."

Another articleappeared Feb. 25, 1886."District 19closed the Winter term Feb. 19thwith adinner and a few exercises by the children. Theyreturn many thanks to Mrs. D. Martin for herkindness in presenting them with apples andcandy. Master Willie Klaus was the happy boy whogot the prize for the greatest improvement inpenmanship.

A'ogrammeSong---Happy SchoolDeclamation-The King of England-Nora HaferDialogue-Cooking ClubDeclamation-Twinkle Little Star-Johnnie OliverSong--Fred SulzenDeclamation--Farm Boy-Theodore SulzenDeclamation-Papa's Letter-Nellie BrownDeclamation-Idle Ben-Willie KlausDialogue-The Wise & Foolish-Little GirlsSong-Home of the RestDeclamation-Nobody's Child-Mary CummingsDeclamation-Wouldr1'tbe a Girl-WillieSulzenDeclamation-Wouldn't be a boy-Ella CummingsDeclamation Crusaders' Appeal-Rosie MartinSong-Men Arouse YeDialogue-The Way to be Happy is to be GoodDeclamation-ForAll Who Die-Mary CummingsSong-Old Women-Johnnie OliverDeclamation-Young Soldiers-Willie KlausDeclamation-Spring-Willie SulzenSong-Mr. Fred SulzenDialogue-Martha Washington Tea PartySong-School Acquaintance

LucieOliver,Teacher

On March 14, 1905 this ad appeared in theLecompton Sun. (a local newspaper)

"District#19. Sealed bids will be receivedbythe undersigned up to 6 o'clock for the erection ofa school house to be 24 ft by 40 ft with a 12 ftceiling, stone building Specifications may be seenat the County Superintendent's office or the StateBank of Lecompton. No money to be paid untilbuilding is completed. Building must be completedno later than Aug. I, 1905. The board reserves theright to reject all bids." DIRECTORS;G. J.Bahnmaier-J. D. Anderson and C. F. Bahnmaier.

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The following item also appeared in theLecomptonSun June 9, 1905. "The work on thenew school house in Dist. #19 is being pushedrapidly. The foundation has been laid and the joistsput in. The board will sell the old building to thehighest bidder in the near future.

This building was erected in front of the oldone and was nearer the road that ran north andsouth. Some time after it was completed, the frontwas torn down and rebuilt because the patrons didnot think it lined up properly. It had a belfry with ahuge school bell but after some years, the agingtimbers supporting it were deteriorating so therewas danger of the bell falling.

The interiorof the buildinghad a large roomfurnace that burned wood, it was set in thenorthwest corner. The teacher and the studentsbrought in wood daily and ashes were removed atthat time. There were three large windows on boththe north and south walls. The entrance on theeast provided accommodations for coats, bootsand lunch pails. Each student brought his or herlunch, if there were several from the same family,often the largest one carried a large pail and theyate together. There was also a west entrance thatprovided for securing the wood, etc. There was aflag pOle near the east entrance where the flagsalute was said in clement weather. A well on thesouth provided the water which was put in the entryon a table, and everyone dipped his cup in it for adrink or to wash his hands in a near-by wash pan.The west door opened to the play ground and ledto the two restrooms that were at west end of theyard. (Note: Frances Wulfkuhle said & also othersthat the girls restroom was made of cement for thatthe boys could not tip them over) Francesalso saidthat when she was in the first grade that FredMigliario wanted one of her curls, so she told hermother and she cut off a curl and tied a ribbon on itfor her to take to Mr. Migliario) The teacher's deskwas on a small platform at the.west end of the roomand there was a long recitation seat directly in frontof it.

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The classeswere not large, mostlyonly twoor three, occasionally four or five. Some classessuch as the third and fourth, or fifth and six couldhave common English, spelling, or reading classestogether. Taking the third grade books togetherone year and the fourth the next. Math. was usuallytaught to one grade alone. In the seventh andeighth grades du~ to the county tests that had tobe taken each year, they were not combined. Theseventh grade tests were on Kansas History,geography and health. The eighth grade were

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tested in all their subjects. These tests were takenin various school buildings chosen by thesuperintendent, usually the larger schools werechosen as they had more large desks that fitted thepeople being tested. The students had to passtheir grade level to go on to a high school.

The high schools were often some distancefrom the rural schools and as the means of travel inthe early days was by horse, many quit theireducation after the 8th grade. Some went to atown that had a high school, rented a room andstayed there when the school was in session. Thiswas especially true of the girls, some of the boyswent by horseback or horse and buggy.

Today school buses cover the school district,picking the students up at their door step andprovide (for pay) a noon lunch.

Foryears there was frictionbetweenthe Irishand the German residents of the district, and one ofthe disagreements was about the name of theschool. One group preferred "Young" after a localresident and the other preferred "Starr". So reportscame in to the County Superintendent with somethe school designated "Young" and others "Starr"according to the sentiments of the clerk in charge.

The school neverhad a largeenrollmentbutdid enjoy a large literary society that presented agood entertainment including book reviews, music,comments on the news and some demonstration ofprevious skills. Fred Sulzen, called "Uncle Fred" bymany, was not a singer or speaker, but he wouldentertain with a boisterous dance called a "jig". Heinvited and he often had help. Then eachparticipant tried to out jig the others--so sometimesit was a riotous affair, not unruly, but fun and wasthe recipient of the loudest applause. Oneteacher, John Godfrey, was the Superintendent ofthe local Sunday school who met there everySunday.

One of the special treats the children enjoyedfor several years, was an annual hay rack ride toLawrence, arranged by a member of the schoolboard. On a chosen day a local farmer would hitchhis team to a wagon with a rack on, and thestudents with some parents would climb aboard togo to the county seat (Lawrence), ten miles orabout two and one-half hours away (with horse-drawn equipment) to see the sights and have agood time.

No reports prior to 1897was found but fromthe annual report of 1897-1898the district clerk, J.W. Slutz gave the name of the director, HenryHafner, but failed to name the treasurer. Theteacher was Lottie Brune, whose salary was

$25.00 a month and the total cost of maintainingthe school for the entire year was $148.23. Thereport also states that there were six pupils enrolledand that the number of pupils of school age in thedistrict was 25.

Teachers are as following: 97-98 LottieBRUNE--98-99 Vera NELSON--99-00 MaggieMcCOLLUM--OO-OICarrie BLAKEMAN--01-02VeraSMITH--02-03 Kathryne MIGLIARIO--03-04 MinnieWILLIAMS--04-05 Viva McKenzie--05-06 GoldenSTARR--06-07 Clara MARTIN--07-08 & 08-09 F. C.MIGLIARIO--09-10,10-1i& 11-12 Mildred LA HUE--12-13Sophia BRECHEISEN--13-14Mary SCHEHER--14-15& 15-16 Marguerite GIBSON--16-17 John A.GODFREY--i7-18 Alice FERRIS--18-19 & 19-20Mildred MALONEY--20-21& 21-22Ula SMITH--22-23teacher not listed-- 23-24 Vesta SLAVENS--24-25Ella R. GODFREY--25-26 Myrtle SUITER--26-27 to30-31 Mary M. MILLER--31-32 & 32-33 GertrudeHENRY--33-34 to 35-36 Jessie NORWOOD--36-37Mrs. Fred STUBBS--37-38 Dorothy SANFORD--38-39 Mrs. Fred STUBBS--39-40 Alvina BRECHEISEN--40-41Mrs. W. B. STAUFFER--41-42through 43-44 school was closed--44-45 Sara WALTER--45-46Mary WALTER & Jessie JONES--46-47 Anna MaeBIEBER--47-48 Vesta BAHNMAIER--48-49Dorothy WIECHMAN.

Followingare names of those who wereliving this district from ages 5 to 21ANDERSON, Beatrice & Berniece--ARNETT,Lloyd, Austin, Lawrence, Elsie, Ora, & Grace--BAHNMAIER, Elmer, Anna, Roy, Andrew, Edith,Caroline, Edna, Helen, Ester, Elizabeth, George,Margaret, Matilda, Frances, Walter, Ina, Peter,Florence, Leah Mae, John, Elsie Irene & Paul--BISHOP, Carlson, Fred & grace--BOWEN, Roy,Rena, Myrtle, Bertha, William & Caroline--BUSCH,Grace, Ethel, Fredie & Marlin--COBB, Bernard,Margaret & Mary--COOK, Arnold, Lois, Cyrus &William---CUMMINGS,John--DAKIN, Nora & Paul--DARK, Clayton & Mary--DITTRICH, Deloris--DREASHER, Francis--DULlN, Billy & Bobby--ERSKINE, Ruth, Edgar & Helen--EWING, Margaret,Eugene & Wm. Randel--FITZPATRICK, Michael,Jane & Mary Frances--FULLER, Arthur & Retta--GLENN, Earl, Dale, Ralph,Clarence,Jr. & Geneva--GRAUEL, Joe, Josephine, Lula, Jennie, Florence&Agnes--GREGORY, Fay (?)--HIBNER, Farrell,Raymond, Oneta, Donald & Betty--ICE, Leonard,Tom, & Mary--JACKSON, Louise--JAMES, Elsie,Lula, Martha, Walter, Ida & Josephine--JOHNSON,Selena--JONES, Irene--KING, Barbara. Sarah, D. F& Melvin--LA HUE, Mildred & Richard--LlNABERY,Howard--MACK, Gail(?), Norma, Louis & Ellen--

MAY, Lloyd & Clarence--MILLER, Mary M.--MITCHELL, Lawrence--MOHATT, Effie--PASLAY,Martha, Marie, Dorothy, Charlie, Albert & David--PICKENS, Mildred, George, John & Frank--PINNEY,Harvey & Hellen--POLLY, Faye--PRESSGROVE, Ada, Violet, Leon, Leroy &Joseph--REYNOLDS, Emily, William, Roberta,Vernon Wray & Wm. James--SANFORD, Rachel,Herbert, Donald, Karen, Larry, Mary, Galen--STCLAIR, Frank--SCHROYER, James, Ada, Jennie,Lenora & Ruth--SLUTZ, Jane, Frank, Mary,Elizabeth, Rentoun(?)--STOURT, Eugene--SULZEN, Francis, Neoma, Charles, Donald, Marvin,Theodore, Jr. Gene, Dorothy, Lucille, Frederick &Robert--SUTTON, Thelma Marie & WaIter--TRIMBLE, Harvey & William--WALTER--MaryAgnes, Frank, Richard, Mary M.& Robert--WELCHER, Cecil E, Viola, Gladys, Juanita, Frank,Cornelia, Jack & Reuben--WIMER, Lillian, Ralph,Waunita & Mona Lou.

The followingservedon the schoolboard:DIRECTORS: G. J. Bahnmaier, Joseph Cummings,Fred Gregory, Fred Sulzen, Herbert Reynolds,Theodore Sulzen, Geo. Miller, Frank Walter andWilliam Reynolds.CLERKS: J. W. Slutz, Herbert Reynolds, MaryCummings, W. F. Grauel, U. S. Pressgrove, E. J.Walter, Sam Dark,Jr., Wm. F. Reynolds..TREASURERS: C. F. Bahnmaier, J. D. Anderson,J. F. Fitzpatrick, F. D. Fitzpatrick, AndrewBahnmaier and Pete Bahnmaier.

The Starr Schoolwas disorganizedJune 29,1949,as they had such few students and attachedto Districts 36 Lecom,pton 40 Yarnold, 72 BigSprings. An auction sale was held Aug. 31,1949byCounty Superintendent Emma Berg who sold theschool house and other property, dividing theproceeds among the districts aforementioned on apro-rata basis.

The buildingwas later purchasedby privateindividuals and was used as a home. Mrs.Evangeline Page being the last resident. For along period of time it remained vacant, but now it isbeing restored again to be a home. The northstone wall was damaged, but will be fixed. It has alovely view of aJarge area of grassland and hills.

Leah Mae Shaw recalls the large ditch north ofthe school, which they thought was a good placeto play hide and seek, and recalls a piano on theplatform and the programs of minstrel play and aPeter Rabbit play. Also a teacher AlvinaBrecheisen boarding at her parents home.References: Ks.. Historical Collection Vol IX 1905-1906-State Printing office Topeka, 1906-Pages160-

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162; 372;394; 35-38 released he would bombard the town.Arnold, Anna, History of Kansas, The state of' . In 1858Lecomptonwas a ~ourishJngAittleKansas, Topeka 1931-Pages186-203. city of 1500!nhabitants. It had .a n.um~er~,~gelse/y, Bliss, Richards, Marvin, The Kansas Story- hotels of which the Rowena, which IS stili ~~O@tng,Harlow PublishingCorp. Okla. City, Okla. 1961-a es was on~. There were four churchorg~1324;272;323;100;185;323;273. p g The United States courts and land offuDaniels, Goldie Piper-Rural Scho I & I?cated there. There was also a terry alSchoolhouses of Doug/as County, Ks. 0 s nve~ and state lines were running>iJi,~1ISchool Records at the Register of Deeds BU~lnesslots sold for from $5QO;tq,~.~Lawrence,Ks. ' residence lots from $50 to $109ea~,

Whenthe free state~~power, the legislature continued to-in.Lecompton, but each time adjouf'.which was also a contestant foatH~~

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Topeka became the capital, Lecom1practically deserted: some of thecW2.,"""

Lawrence, some to Topeka , somei'~'the state, and not a few went back, '

which they came. Missouri. Many~:were torn down and moved away. ~'people were left in the town.:~",.-;,- ,,~~,,'

Among those who sett~jjri1tiey1CitNtYofLecompton in 1854, and whose inflMenceaCthattime went far in helping to shape ffi~{~ar:~r:Otthe people, and whose descendaii!s, many ofthem, still call Lecompton their hom~et9wn, were A.W. Glenn,A. G. Glenn, G. W. Zinn,'Oavi(JMartil1.M,.S. Winterand WilliamShirley, Moses McCallcamein1855. These names are familiar to many of '.ourcounty's old settlers.

Situatedon the mainlineof the SantaFerailway, Lecompton is well adapted for the raising offruit of all kinds, not only for shipping facilities, butfor the character of its soil. Many a crate of smallfruit, strawberries, blackberries'and raspberries, hasbeen shipped out of Lecompton. In the eighties.hundreds of crates were shipped per day. But thecultivation of small fruit has fallen to decay, until nowyou can scarcely get a box of berries in the town.Yet Lecompton can boast of two fine appleorchards, one of which is owned by George L.McCarty, the other by Clyde Gibbens.

As to what Lecompton has contributedto Douglascounty, to the state of Kansas and manyother states of our Union, in the way of education,can only be told by the character of the men andwomen who received their education there. LaneUniversity was founded by Solomon Weaver in1865, and for several years on account ofgrasshoppers and drought its finances werelimited, but the teachers and student worked with awill and much and lasting good was accomplished.Among the teachers was one whose name will long

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LECOMPTON HISTORY

The following was taken from the Lawrence JournalWorld-October 19,1933.

EARLY HISTORYWAS MADE IN LECOMPTON"Was Flourishing Town of 1500 in 1858---Descendants of the First Families Still CallNeighborhood Their Home.

IN THICK OF EARLY STRIFEAs the annual meetingof the DouglasCounty

Old Settlers Society held September 14,J. FrankKerns of Lecompton read the following paper onearly days at Lecompton and the town'scontributions to Douglas county.

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Lecompton is located about eighteen mileseast of Topeka, and twelve miles northwest ofLawrence. Back in the days of '54 and '55 whenthe minds of the entire nation were interested withthe question whether Kansas should be centeredto the Union as a Free or Slave state, Lecomptonwas the headquarters of the Pro-Slavery party,while Topeka was the headquarters of the FreeState party. Lawrence also was a Free State partycenter. To these facts was due the contestbetween the three towns for the location of thecapital, and this was to be decided by the victory ofeither party.

Lecom,pton named after S. D. Lecompte,leader of the party that founded the town, was thehome of the territorial legislature. In 1855the workof the constructing a state capitol building wascommenced. When completed the building was tocost five hundred thousand dollars. Only thebasement and a few feet of the first story werebuilt,costing about fifty thousand dollars. Nofurther work was ever done on the building, andthat part was afterward converted into a fort and aplace for confining free state prisoners. The factthese prisoners were held caused Jim Lane to planthis cannon on the east bluff overlooking the townand sending word if these prisoners were not

be. remembered on account of the fidelity to theschool and his underlying interest in his students.Professor N. B. Bartlett was solicited to accept aposition in the faculty of K. U., but he declined theoffer, preferring to remain in his church schoolwhere he gave the best years of his life, oftengiving back half of his meager salary.

The followingare a few of LaneUniversity's graduates and students who havegone out in life to help raise the standard of highideals in the minds of those with whom they comein contact:

C. W. Bean,a graduateof Lane,taught schoolin Kansas for a few years, then moved toWashington state where he was elected statesuperintendent of schools two terms, and for manyyears a teacher in the university at Pullman,Washington.

Mrs. F. C. Wenrich grew up in Lecompton,received her education there, and after teachingschool in the county for several years, enteredHaskell as a teacher. After 30 years of efficientservice she has just lately retired and is now living inthis city.

J. S. Brooke, a Lane graduate, was elected tothe chair of mathematics in his Alma Mater, aposition he held for many years.

W. C. Hoad, a Lecomptonboy, after graduatingat Lane, came to K. U. and received a degree. Hewas elected to a position in the department ofengineeringin K. U., and in 1912 was electedheadof the department of sanitary engineering in theUniversity of Michigan, a position he still holds.

N. H. Huffman, a Lane graduate, served as amissionary in Porta Rico and Haiti for several years,and for some time was assistant teacher of Spanishin K. U.

Fred Winter was born and grew up atLecompton. After his graduation in Lecomptonhigh school, he came to K. U. After his graduationin K. U. he went east to Schenectady, N. Y., wherehe has been engaged in electrical engineering forthe past 25 years.

M. E. Lewis, a Lecompton boy graduated atLane, was principal of the city schools of several ofour Kansas towns. He spent a couple of years in K.U., and one in Yale.

W. R. Smith was bom and reared inLecompton. He founded the Lecompton Sun,owned papers in several Kansas towns, waselected state printer twice. During his secondterm, he resigned as state printer to accept areasonable position with the Capper Publications.

Dr. H. L. Chambers,whom many of you

know, graduated at Lane. He received the title ofM.D. at the Kansas City Medical College. For tenyears he was connected with the medicaldepartment of K. U., and is now one of the leadingphysicians and surgeons of Lawrence.

Hon. U. S. Guyer attendedschoolatLane University and has been for years asuccessful attorney in Kansas City, Kansas. He hasbeen elected three times to congress, and is nowone of the outstanding members of the house ofrepresentatives at Washington, D. C.

Many other names might be mentionedbut we forbear.

The Lecompton grade school has a corps of fineteachers, and stands among the foremost ones ofthe county, some of its pupils often receiving thehighest grades in the county.

The Lecompton high school has been occupyingits fine new building, which is modern in everyrespect, for several years. The school board hasbeen fortunate in securing a splendid corps ofteachers and has at present an enrollment ofseventy four.

This paper would be incomplete if we did notmention the names of Dr. J. H. Bonebrake and Dr.P. M. Lewis, who spent their lives in caring for thepeople in and around Lecompton.They rode afar and near, in sunshine and rainadministering to the sick of the community. Thecoldest weather or the darkest night was notenough to deter them from their duty.

And so Lecomptonhas its history,and in asmall way has done its part in the county.

By J. Frank Kerns

CONSTITUTION HALLWork on Constitution Hall was to begin the first

part of February. Dan Rockhill of Lecompton is thecontractor for the job. The work will include ahandicap accessible parking lot from the alley. Aflag pole and National Landmark plaque will belocated to the south of the main door. The porchwill be rebuilt with stone piers and a wood deck.The porch will not be accessible from the outside.Cedar shingles will be installed on the roof. Thesiding will be repaired and window madeoperationable. A restroom and curators office willbe constructed on the first floor. The land office willbe located on the first floor level. The walls will beplastered. Electric heat will be installed. Thesecond floor will be the location of the legislature.Mr. Rockhill has completed excellent work inrestoring .other historic buildings in the area.

The dedication of Constitution Hall will beTerritorial Day June 24th at 1:00p.m. Many greatthings are planned with the help of Tim Rues thecurator of the building. This should be an importantday in our history.

Proud of his Hometown LecomptonRecently someone from Topeka attended a

convention in Tucson, Arizona and heard CharlesPlumb give his motivation speech. During thepresentation he mentioned his hometown asLecompton. It is always great how people fromLecompton remain loyal to this community nomatter where they live and work.

.CHRISTMAS VESPERSThe annual Christmas Vespers was attended

by over 180 people this year. This is the largestattendance for this event.

Thanks to the followingfor providingmusic:Community singers under the direction of KimStewart.Mandolin Quartet by Beth & Jeff Dearinger, CharlesHigginson and Mike Stewart.Amanda Smith, Sarah Henrichsen, Tim Berendson,John Mulvihill, Jennifer Fuggett, Cindy Daniels andFrances Sanford.

Also thanks to the following who helped insome way decorating or with the reception: David &Darlene Paslay, Karen & Rich McConnell, Ron &Diane Meier, Ross & Margaret Wulfkuhle, Sherri,Stephanie and Lindsey Neill, Helen Norwood,Louise Norwood, Opal Goodrick, MargueriteBowman, Iona Spencer, Muriel Maness, A. K. &Charlene Winter, Ralph Davis, Maxine Dark Bisel,Wally & Mae Holderman,Jim & Elaine Boose, Rick &Anne Paslay, Bill & Marcella Anderson, JenniferFunk, Jon Piffley, George & Arloene Simmons,Vicki Roberts, Dorothy Shaner.

Thanks to the following for their recentdonations to the museum:

Christmas Ornament by Roy & Marsha PaslayFamily Photos by Roberta FrenchFamily Photos by Opal HallNewspaper articles by Marie Bahnmaier

By President, Paul Bahnmaier

ANNUAL ALUMNI BANQUET MAY 27

In the class of 1955we omitted the name ofLoene Spena.

(NOTICE)

Due to the increase of POSTAGE we would like to

inform you to please let us know of any change inyour address. The Post Office charges us .50cents to let us know of your new address. If yourchange of address has expired at the Post Officeand they return the "Bald Eagle" newsletter to us,we are charged $1.36. Then it will cost us another.32 cent to remail it when we get your new address.

SO PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR NEWADDRESS!

MEMBERSHIP REPORTLife Members: Duane WyattLen & Nancy (Morris) HowardLinda BaranskiMarva Lee (Kreipe) PowellDennis R. Nelson by mother Dola NelsonDarrell PearceDennis Domer by wife ShirleyDorothea (Slaughter) KlineBarbaraJ. (Taylor)CarlsonJulia 'Judy' (Ice) HillRegina 'Blondie' (Meyer) Andrew

**************************************Please Clip and Mail With Your Check*************************************

THE LECOMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Lecompton, Kansas 66050, is a non-profit corporation for thepreservation of historical sites. We are eager for continued membership and new members.

Dues are $4 per year for individual membership and $6 for a couple's membership. The dues are fromDecember to December. Life membership is $50 per individual, contributions are tax deductible. Checksshould be made payable to the Lecompton Historical Society, and mailed to lona Spencer, 1828E. 100Rd.Lecompton, KS 66050

$4.00 Annual Individual Membership

$6.00 Annual Couple's Membership

Other Contribution

$50.00 Individual Life or Memorial Membership

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NAME Address__--_---------------------------

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*OBITUARIES*

Phoebe Orlena RogersPhoebe O. Rogers died Nov. 26, 1994. She

was born Oct. 29, 1901near Reno, the daughter ofLewis David and Ida May Hicks Hodson. She grewup in the Lakeview area. She attended LawrenceBusiness College. She and her husband operatedthe family farm. She married Lionel Herbert RogersMarch 21,1928. He died in 1976. Survivors include adaughter, Rosalie Banks, a sister, Ida Anderson, 4grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Clarence Transmeler

Clarence Transmeier died Dec. 2, 1994 inMcAllen, Texas. He was born the son of Hermanand Lydia Stahl on Jan. 16,1913.He graduated fromLecompton High School. He was a patrolman inJohnson County and owned Rambler Motels in 3different cities. He married Erma Irlene Elliott March4, 1933,she survives. Other survivors include twosons, Larry and Ross; a daughter, Sandra LePone;14grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

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Zolla Jane TietjensZolla J. Tietjen of Nortonville died Dec. 3, 1994.

She was born Nov. 29, 1924 in Big Springs, thedaughter of Lewis Elmer and Lea Frances Wilson.She married Hugh Wingfield in 1943. She marriedWilliam Tietjens in 1951. Both preceded her indeath. Survivors include a son Clint Tietjens, twodaughters Cynthia Ireland and Florence AnnDePoy, two brothers Alvin and K. B.; six sisters,Esther Holms, Mabel Wendel, Jesse Rake, SallyBoydston, Carol Simpkins, and Hazel Stewart; 13grandchildren and 14great-grandchildren.

Charles Floyd AndersonCharles F. Anderson, Overbrook died Dec. 8,

1994. He was born May 25, 1922,in Stull, the son ofGeorge Andrew and Jessie Prudence MooreAnderson. He graduated from Lecompton HighSchool, received a bachelor's degree fromWashburn University and a master's degree fromKansas University. He had been a teacher andprincipal for the Seaman School District for 37years. He was a farmer and a real estate agent. Hewas married to Percie Ruth Durkee, she survives.Other survivors include a daughter, CharlotteMorse Gay, two sisters, Buena Vista Lohman, andMary E. Turley, one grandson and three greatgrandchildren.

Wilma Gibbens WilliamsWilma G. Williamsof Forest Grove, Oregon,

died Jan. 20, 1995. She was born in Lecompton onNov. 16, 1912,the daughter of Clyde and FlossieCunningham Gibbens. She was married toLeonard Williams on April 7, 1933, he survives.Other survivors include a son, Leo; two grandsons,Timothy and Roger, of Portland, Or. one brother,Chester, of Glendale Az. Her brother Denzelpreceded her in death.

PROGRAMS FOR MONTHLYMEETINGSMarch 9th--Judy Billings and others will present acomprehensive Sign System for Douglas County.ApriI13th--Stanand Jim Rood will present BluegrassMusic. MargaretWulfkuhle-Chairper&:ln

DATES TO REMEMBERAlumni Banquet May 27, 1995Territorial Day & Constitution HallDedication June 24,1995

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President* Paul Bahnrnaier l-fistoricalVllriter* Sara WalterVicePresident* Rich fv1cConneli Genealogical Vllriter& Membership *lona SpencerTreasurer * Betty Leslie Illustrator* BienDuncanBoardMerrt>ers* MaxineDark,BruceBeresford Tours* Charlene VVinterGeorgeSimmons,DavidPaslay,RalphDavis,RonMeier Funding* MaeHoldermanCurators* MargueriteBowman,OpalGoodrick,DorothyShaner Program* Margaret WulfkuhleGeorge &ArloeneSimmons,David&DarlenePaslay AssistantTreasurer * SherriNeillMembership Ass't. Duane & DorothyWulfkuhle Kitchen-Helen Hildenbrand******************************************************************

Forwardingand Address Change Requested

Published by

The Le<x>r1l)tonHistorical Society

LECOMPTON, KANSAS 66050

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Pemit No. 1

Lecol'TlJton, Kansas