The Western Star, October 5, 1951.
Last Saturday was the biggest day in Coldwater in many years when some 2,000 people lined up in their cars or on foot to witness the largest parade in this city for several decades.The occasion was the first annual Comanche Pool Reunion, at which time the pioneers who helped found and settle this county particularly were honored. In the parade starting at 9 o'clock were the Coldwater, Wilmore and Sun City bands in their colorful uniforms, the showy Buttermilk Saddle Club and the B.P.W. and V.F.W. floats, besides some old timers and other features.
The center of greatest attraction in the forenoon was the exhibit of pioneer relics of this county and the registration and reunion of the old settlers. They flocked in from most everywhere and met and exchanged greetings with others whom they had not seen for many years. People were amazed at the many relics shown and a number of families have signified that they will bring next year the relics which they have. The pioneers were interviewed over the public address system by Big Bill Adams, the announcer for the day.
Vieing for top honors in coming the greatest distance to the reunion were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hayes and Mrs. Hayes' son, Earl Wagner, and wife, of Modesto, California, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Garst Jr. of Los Angeles, California. It was Earl's first visit here in 19 years. Frank is a son of Frank Garst Sr., one of the early day cattlemen and ranchers of Comanche county. The Garst ranch was primarily located on what is now the Ray Bennett farm southeast of Buttermilk. Frank and his cowboys drove many herds of cattle from Texas and New Mexico up the Chisholm Trail to Dodge City, Abilene and Fort Supply and some to the ranch. One of his cowboys was a former neighbor in Lincoln county, New Mexico -- Andy C. McDonold, who in the early days moved with his family to southern Comanche county. Andy helped drive five herds of cattle of from 3,000 to 5,000 head each time for Mr. Garst and Bud McDonold, now of Augusta, Kansas, made two trips with his father when a lad of 14.
Next week the Star hopes to give a further account of the coming of early settlers, including Mr. McDonold and his family, to this county. A list of other old timers who registered at the Comanche Pool Reunion, together with further comments will be published next week.
A Busy Afternoon During the noon hour Corky Edminster and His Corral Gang from Station KANS, Wichita, and George Gow, news analyst and radio commentator, gave his daily news broadcast over KANS from Main Street in Coldwater. The polo game between Hays and Wichita, though delayed, due to a misunderstanding, was interesting and drew a large crowd. Joe Kirkwood, with his trick shots, could make a golf ball do about everything but talk and with his one man repartee put on a show that exceeded even his advance publicity. His was a most pleased audience. Pratt's ace golfer, Rich Farmer, was one of four who played with Joe Kirkwood, world's foremost trick golfer, in an exhibition on Coldwater's golf course Saturday afternoon.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was the Gyp Hills Variety Revue sponsored by the Pratt Junior Chamber of Commerce, with a 14 year old tenor, Jerry Webb, stealing the show with his rich voice. Bill Harpold, cowboy crooner, a barbershop quartet composed of Rudy Fischer, Don Gardiner, Bob Cooley and Van Green, as well as Elsie Greenstreet, tap dancer, and Clara Windsor, songbird of the south. Jerry Angood, Ray Looney, Merlin Freeman and Clarence Renner, master of ceremonies, all drew a big hand, even though they, too, were delayed in reaching here.
The day's festivities ended with a big dance in the school auditorium with music by Corky and His Corral Gang.
A bigger and better celebration is planned for next year by the Coldwater Business Men's Association, the sponsoring group.
RELATED HISTORIES:Register of County's Early Day Settlers The Western Star, October 12, 1951.
Jessie Evans of Evansville, Comanche County, Kansas Notes from the research of Phyllis Scherich.
The History of Evansville, Comanche County, Kansas Headquarters of the Comanche Pool.
Perils of the Plains An account of pioneer life as experienced by Will and Hattie Wimmer, how they met, married, and lived within the boundaries of the vast Comanche Cattle Pool of South Central Kansas in the late nineteenth century. Written by Hattie Pierce Wimmer in 1929.
Emil "Joe" Bowers Killed by a tornado on 9 May 1899.
Bill Hill, The Comanche Pool's Bronc Buster
John and Lizzie Platt John Platt and his Uncle came to Comanche County in 1884, buying shares in the old Comanche Pool.
John W. Platt and the Platt Ranch A history by Mike Platt and Joyce Reed, Chosen Land: Barber County, Kansas, p. 368..
Mary Josephine (Sunderland) Smith "Another Pioneer Taken in Death"
Obituary of John W. Platt Published in The Western Star, 6 August 1920. Transcribed by Shirley Brier.
Obituary of Colonel Dick Phillips, an organizer of The Comanche Pool From The Western Star, 30 June 1916.
Frank & Almada (Parker) King Frank King was the last foreman of the Comanche Pool.
Almada (Parker) King "Mrs. Frank King Is Another Pioneer"
Christopher Carson "Cap" PEPPERD Born in Ireland. Confederate Civil War veteran, cowboy, bronc buster, cattle trail driver & early (1874) Comanche County rancher. His ranch foreman, Tommy Wilmore, was a Union veteran of the Civil War.
Charles F. Colcord One of the organizers of the Comanche Pool.
Thanks to Bobbi Huck for finding, transcribing and contributing the above 5 Oct 1951 news article to this web site! The article is from the Ruth Botts Scrapbook Collection, courtesy of Roberta Malone.
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