A Century of Greenwood County, KS History - Eureka Herald, 1968

1947

Johnson Bros. Grocery, established in 1913, was temporarily closed due to illness. The thermometer touched 24 degrees below zero on January 4, the coldest since 1899 when 25 was recorded. Walt Geist purchased the Ott Grocery at 823 North Main. The Greenwood Alfalfa Mill, a new business venture of Allen Green, Jack Wallace and John Branson, was to be ready for harvest season. The Eureka Locker and Cold Storage formally opened on March 1 at Sixth and Main.

A three-day Blue Stem Festival was held in May for the benefit of the swimming pool when $2,315 was raised. A Grand Champion Rodeo, at the McGinnis field, in September for the pool benefit, was attended by 4,000 people. Roger Babson returned to eureka in April and was royally entertained while here on business concerning Utopia College. After two weeks here, Mr. Babson departed for the east in a 10-gallon hat, gift of Ward McGinnis; high-heeled cowboy boots gift of Jack Bayless of J.C. Penny; and a silver studded belt, gift of Wayne Cox. He expected to carry the spirit of the cattle country by appearing to his eastern associates in western attire.

Walter Bowers was named president of Utopia College and Babson was present for the opening of the school on October 3. A National Guard was activated here in April and hoped to have a membership of 71. The Municipal Building was leased by the organization. A Eureka Saddle Club was organized in May. The new Foodtown Super Market opened its doors in June. A special election was called for July 23 to vote on $125,000 for a sewage disposal plant, which carried by a good margin.

The three-story Taylor building, Second and Main, was barricaded, by order of the state fire marshall, for public safety. Later, J.W. and L.J. Clever purchased the building and planned to remove the third floor and rebuild and remodel the first two floors. Burt doze, editor of the Democratic Messenger, died in July. The Lee Washburns had purchased the Brown Studio. Miller Dry Goods Store, operated her by the family since 1880, was sold to C.C. Boles. Vocational Ag. had been added to the high school course of study. Erma Hoffman was elected president of the National Council of State Boards of Beauty Culture at a New Orleans convention.

A new organization, future Farmers of America, was formed at eureka High School in October. Talk of the Month Club was organized in Eureka with a full schedule of speakers for the winter. A charter was granted to Roger Babson and others to incorporate Utopia Church. Students, faculty and Eurekans were rejoicing over the purchase of their new school athletic bus - to be used the first time when the Tornadoes journeyed to El Dorado for a Turkey Day clash.

1948

The Kansas City market paid $28.25 for a shipment of Greenwood Co. steers. Sliced bacon was 63 cents; picnic hams, 47 cents; eggs, 47 cents; potatoes, 10 lbs. for 47 cents; and hamburger, 39 cents. Gerald Brizendine had purchased the Oklahoma Tire & Supply and took charge on January 16. The Lasater Garage at Madison was razed by fire. An appeal was made for funds to keep the youth center, REK, open. The Eureka basketball team had won the Tri-Valley championship. Members were: Bob McCue, Weldon Jacobs, bill Brookover, Farrel Starner, Jerry Steele, Lew Marshall, Bob Dettmer, Bob Henry, Don Henderson, Duane Vanhaverbeke, and coaches were Blair and Erickson.

Farmers were asked to sell their scrap metal to maintain maximum steel production. Several carloads of cattle were shipped to Greenwood County from the drought-stricken area of southern California. Kenneth Griggs was elected president of the Kansas Skeet Shooters Assoc. in March. Al Langton, Ward Clark and Bob Lewis, All EHS athletes, were members of the Kansas State Wildcats Big Seven Champions. A number of big name business and industrial leaders met in Eureka to confer with Roger Babson to organize a "Magic Circle" council.

The Lions Club show, "Mirthful Mississippi Minstrel," netted approximately $800 for the swimming pool fund. W.H. Carter, a jeweler here since 1916, died in May. Brushes were flying as Chamber of Commerce members painted the swimming pool in May. The BPW club served the painters a buffet lunch. The pool was opened at 1:00 p.m. on May 29 with Bobby Brown making a running dive to hold the honor of being the first one in. Charlotte Murdock was the first girl to hit the water.

The Harlan Dairy Products, a new Eureka industry, manufacturers of cheese, opened for business in June at 116 East Fourth. Jack Johnson purchased the Burns Auto Parts store in June. Eureka elevators were swamped with a million dollar wheat crop. Thousands of bushels of the golden grain were dumped into the streets and at the fairgrounds, due to box car shortage. Nine inches of rain had been recorded in Eureka in two weeks during July, causing considerable damage to lowlands.

Dr. C.M. Crum announced the opening of optometric practice in Eureka on August 16. Rhudy's, Eureka new ladies store, held its grand opening on August 23 in the new Clever building, corner of Second and Main. Registry of young men for the draft, between the ages of 18 and 25, was underway at Madison and Eureka. Clarence Burch was the first registrant.

The Motor Inn Garage was destroyed by fire in September. The entire business district was threatened and fire departments for El Dorado, Yates Center, Howard and Fredonia responded to emergency calls. Tires and debris smoldered for two days. Utopia College opened its second year with 80 students. The schools inaugurated a hot-lunch program in October. The Lutheran Church celebrated its 75th anniversary on Nov. 21. Dr. S.W. Moonlight, retired physician, died in December.

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1949 - 1950


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