Greenwood County
KSGenWeb
The National Farm Loan Assoc. of Eureka changed its name on Jan 1 to the
Federal Land Bank Assoc. of Eureka. The name change was in compliance with the
1959 Farm Credit Act passed recently by Congress. Lloyd L. "Tom" Grayson
announced the sale of the Western auto Associate store in eureka to Clayton
Bailey. Grayson operated the business for seven years and, on the advice of his
physician, retired. Bailey had been active for 14 years in the operation of the
Bailey Bottling co., which was no longer to function as a business.
The
condemnation of the present fire station by the State Fire Marshal due to its
age and structural weakness, prompted the city of Eureka officials, citizens and
commission members to hasten an investigation of plans and costs for a new city
building which would adequately house the municipal facilities, including fire
station, police department, city clerk's office and commissioners meeting room.
According to the commissioners, it would be too impractical and too expensive to
remodel the present Memorial hall due to its design, size and age. A preliminary
plan had been presented to the commission by an authorized architect, which the
commission desired to place before the public and to hold a city election to
authorize issuance of bonds. The bonds were voted down on April 7.
Eureka's
most disastrous fire since 1948, reported at 4:20 p.m., Saturday, February 27,
destroyed the McLellan store building and its contents, seriously endangered
several other buildings in the 200 block of North Main. The fire all but
exhausted the city's water supply and resulted in costly smoke and water damage
to four nearby establishments. Realizing at one the local fire department lacked
equipment to battle a blaze of such extent and ferocity, Chief Carl Knudsen
called for assistance from the El Dorado fire department. A pumper truck and two
firemen were dispatched at once. A pump truck and crew of the Dowell Co also
donated their services.
Fire reported at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 20,
resulted in heavy damage to Bratton's Grill, 108 N. Main, and the George R.
Brown building adjoining it to the north. The over-all loss totaled many
thousands of dollars. Just 21 days previously, the McLellan store was gutted by
fire. The two major fires were the most serious in Eureka since 1948.
The
Eureka Floral and Gift Shop at 312 N. Main, a new business enterprise for
Eureka, announced its formal opening on April 2. The business was to be operated
as a partnership of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Winfrey and Clyde Zimmerman. City limits
were to be enlarged. All persons owning land near the city and desiring to be
included were to petition the city clerk. New style telephone numbers were to go
into service in Hamilton on April 30 as this city went on the new dial plan.
Purkeypile's Econ-o-Wash, Eureka's new coin-operated self-service laundry held a
grand opening on May 20 - 21. The new facilities at First and Elm street were
open for 24-hour a day, seven-days-a-week service. An estimated 8,000 persons
thronged Toronto Dam and Reservoir area on June 18 for formal dedication of the
$14.7 million facility on the Verdigris river, south of Toronto. The reservoir,
which drains an area of 730 square acres, was authorized by Congress in 1941 and
construction by the Corps of Engineers began in 1955. The conservation pool
covers a surface area of 2,800 acres with a total storage capacity of 195,000
acre-feet including the 24,000 acre-feet conservation and sediment reserve pool.
Following the annual summer custom in Eureka, religious services were held each
Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. in the ball park at Eureka city park. The
Ministerial Alliance of Eureka sponsored the services. The city received an
$80,219 estimate on remodeling the Memorial Hall for a combined fire station and
city building. In the last city election a proposal for a bond issue not to
exceed $65,000 for the construction of such a building was voted down. another
bond issue was to be put to public vote as the widening of the cracks and the
increased hazard of the present fire station in the last few months made it
imperative for the commissioners to be able to take action as soon as possible.
The bond issue was voted down once more.
A meeting for the purpose of viewing
the proposed plan of the Fall River Watershed project was held August 16. The
proposed plan included 28 flood water retarding structures and one multi-purpose
flood water retarding and municipal water supply structure for the city of
Eureka. The plan was accepted by the board of directors of the watershed
district and by the city officials.
The Eureka postoffice turned 102 years of
age in August with "business as usual," now serving approximately 6,000 patrons.
Large crows attended the three-day open house of the L.D. Griffitts Plumbing at
the new location, 108 North Main. Glenn E. Truskett announced the opening of a
new Allis-Chalmers agency, east of Eureka, known as Truskett Equipment. C.R.
McKay opened a new Fina station at 200 West River, which was also the
headquarters for Eureka Propane Co. The Greenwood Cafe reopened for business
under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Myers. Open house was held for the
new State Highway Commission building on East Seventh.
H.F. Brenton announced his purchase of the Coin-o-Matic Laundry at
Third and Oak. Econ-o-Wash at 108 North Elm street was sold by Dale
Purkeypile to Mr. and Mrs. Billy J. Hawthorne of Eureka. With an
assessed agricultural valuation of $16,725,035, more than one-third of
the county's assessed valuation of $45,397,814, agriculture must be
recognized as Greenwood County's No. 1 industry.
A.E. Green, owner of
the Green Insurance Agency, announced the appointment of Stanley
Marshall as manager of the agency, succeeding J.W. Weed. Hundreds of
Masons and members of affiliated groups were expected in Eureka in
February for the formal dedication of the new home of Fidelity Lodge No.
196, A.F.&A.M., at Sixth and Main streets. Grand officers were to
conduct the dedication
Another milestone in the Fall River Watershed
program was achieved when, On February 9, at the end of the 40-day
waiting period for any protests, the board formally adopted the
watershed work plan. The first step on the projected development of a
city park area at the scene of Eureka's birthplace, on the west bank of
Walker's run, took place in March. The spring was cleaned out, cemented
and encased in a rock wall. New metal steps led down to the spring. On
discovering this clear gurgling spring at this site on August 14, 1857,
Edwin Tucker and others of the founding fathers were reported to have
cried "Eureka!" and determined to establish a permanent settlement here.
The Eureka Garden Club, with permission of the mayor, Arley D. Burt,
invited citizens and civic organizations to purchase trees in the
Centennial tree-planting program. The mayor suggested as possible
planting sites, the Eureka city park, the north and east boundaries of
Greenwood Cemetery, the Ohio Street ball grounds and certain areas of
Eureka Lake. Several trees had been purchased for the Eureka Country
Club by individual members. A violent tornado lashed across Greenwood
County the afternoon of March 26, leaving six homes in the Thrall area
wrecked beyond repair, other building flattened or unroofed, telephone
and electric service disrupted and residents shocked and stunned.
R.C. Reno purchased the building at 412 North Main and was to open a
hardware store about June 19. David Jackson, manager of Foodtown,
announced the promotions and transfer of two of the store's personnel to
Coffeyville. Elliott Mann, assistant manager, and Paul Jackson, produce
manager, left for Coffeyville, with Ray Sjorland and Phillip Bratton of
Eureka taking their places.
Don Jones announced the sale of Don's IGA
Foodliner to Jim Saunders, who had been acting manager since October,
1960. Jones, who built the store building in 1954, retained ownership of
the building. E. Dwayne Meadows purchased the Eureka Accounting Service
from Mrs. Lois French. An open-type hay shed at the Eureka Auction Sale
grounds and about 1400 bales of hay belonging to Herb Rockhill,
auctioneer, went up in smoke with a $1250 loss.
Open house was held
at three Eureka schools, improved with funds from a $275,000 bond issue
approved in April, 1960. On October 1, a new corporation, Advanced Well
Service, Inc., was formed by George Barnard, Merle Mitchell and Bill
Thompson. something new was found in the latest telephone direction,
instructions about Area codes, the modern way to place long distance
calls.
Traffic was rolling on new Highway US-54, a four-year project
costing $2,229,000. Highway traffic through Eureka was re-routed over
the new east-west River street project November 3, bringing into use
also the new diagonal alignment east of town to the east junction of
K-99 with US-54, commonly called Tonovay corner. The length of the new
rout from Main street east was 6.8 miles, or a savings of approximately
1.2 miles in length.
Mr. and Mrs. William Weber announced the sale of the Eureka News
Stand to Max Downard. A new shoe shop for sales and repair was to open
in the Osborne Building, 208 North Main. Charles McKenna of Hutchinson
planned to move some of the equipment soon. Announcement was made of the
sale of McManis Implement Co. to Pete Ott & sons of Lamont. The new
business was to be known as Ott's Implement Co., carrying the slogan,
"You Otta Do Business With Ott's." A complete line of John Deere
implements and parts was to be carried.
Improvements at the Greenwood
County fairgrounds were underway, which, when completed, would provide
additional barn space, rest room facilities and make the race track the
only approved Quarter Horse track in Kansas. Grand opening was held for
the new Goodyear Service Store, 201 North Oak. don Wells was the manager
and Kent Cornett was to be sales and service manager.
The First
Christian Church marked its 100th anniversary, being founded in Eureka
in 1862. An all-weather landing strip 50 x 2600 feet was being
constructed which, when completed, was to greatly encourage air travel
to Eureka. Executive planes, light planes and even a DC-3 were to have
no excuse or reason to avoid landing at Eureka's well-located airport.
Stanley Willis, former resident of Eureka, purchased the Greenwood shoe
Shop, 106 East Third, from Jim Dixon.
The Bluestem Lodge,
ultra-modern 20 unit motel on East River, held open house on July 15.
Norman J. Hand and Chuck Hand , brothers, were the owners-operators.
Eureka Motor Co. announced it had been appointed Cadillac dealer for
Greenwood County. This made the company the dealers for all General
Motors automobiles, including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and
Cadillac.
All aerial photography was completed and all center stakes
for tentative dam structures for the Fall River Watershed project were
set. Six sites were selected for the first phase of construction and the
board was to proceed to obtain easements from landowners. The Eureka
city commission voted unanimously to purchase a new fire truck, a
750-gallon-per-minute front mount pumper, from the General Safety Corp.,
in the amount of $12,962 and the chassis from the Bush Motor Co. in the
amount of $3,750.
C.C. Hoover of Medford, Oregon, was to give away
12,000 trees to school children of Greenwood County in his "Spruce Up"
operation. Hoover made the gift in honor of his wife, the former Elsie
Wallace, and other members of the Wallace family in this area. His gift
of trees was of inestimable worth to the county. Members of the First
Southern Baptist Church dedicated their new church at 300 South
Jefferson in October.
Announcement was made of the grand re-opening
of the Ben Franklin store, recently purchased by Almon A. and Mary
Atkins and currently under the management of Lanford Barnett. The Rock
Island Lumber Co. was sold to the A.C. Houston Lumber Co. C.R. Lewis was
retiring from the Rock Island. Lyman Hawthorne was manager of the
Houston Lumber. With the completion of the 2,600-foot all-weather
runway, the Eureka Airport attained approval status of the Federal
Aviation Agency. The airport could accommodate any twin-motored plane.
Monett Albeck, 17-year-old high school senior from Copenhagen, Denmark,
had been chosen for a year's study in Eureka High School on an American
Field Service scholarship. Miss Albeck's study and residence here was
made possible by the determined effort of the Eureka High School French
Club and its sponsor, Mrs. Audre Basham, as well as by generous
contributions of many other groups and individuals. The student was to
arrive in August and reside in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle English.
Mrs. A.E. Green announced the sale of the A.E. Green Insurance Agency
to Stanley Marshall, who had been employed as manager of the firm for
the past two years. Conrad Photos ceased business operations as Mr.
Conrad had accepted a position as city editor of the Iola Register. Mr.
and Mrs. Clyde Wing moved the Wing Drug Store from 220 North Main to
their new building at 501 North Main. John cook of Cook's Aluma-Fab Mfg.
Bo., 1221 East River, announced a big two-day open house, featuring a
new retail front and display windows.
The First Baptist Church of
eureka, Fifth and Elm streets, held dedication services for the newly
constructed educational building. The two-story semi-basement structure
with red Roman brick interior had 5,000 feet of floor space, including
classrooms, office space, kitchen assembly and recreational area, as
well as rest rooms and storage facilities.
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest
Mitchell, owners and operators of the Kastle Cafe, 407 North Main, for
the past six years, leased to David Eugene "Gene" Cox, formerly of El
Dorado. Harold G. Forbes and George Forbes, attorneys, announced that
Dale Pohl of Emporia was to be associated with them in the practice of
law.
A Greenwood County land mark, the 60-year-old grandstand at the
fairgrounds at Eureka, was destroyed by fire July 1, on the eve of the
four-day Quarter Horse race meet that would open on July 4. Had the old
stand held out another week, 6,000 more guests would have visited her
for the racing meet. but the old girl was too smart, for she went out in
a blaze of glory at a time when she would draw the peak publicity. The
south end of the newly-constructed bleachers at the north side of the
grandstand caught fire but firemen held the fire to a minimum damage.
Greenwood County Fair Assoc. board members met within the hour after the
fire and arrangements were made to secure portable bleachers from the
Chase County Rodeo at Strong city. Trucks were dispatched at dawn on
Tues to transport the bleachers to Eureka. Also, at day-break on
Tuesday, bulldozers, dirt loaders and other heavy equipment went to work
to clear debris for the placement of the bleachers. The observation
tower at the north end of the fairgrounds had been moved to the
grandstand area to be used as a photo-finish platform to comply with
regulations of the American Quarter Horse Assoc. Scores or
public-spirited men worked around the clock to bring everything in
readiness for the four-day racing meet.
C.C. Whittaker, Jr. announced
that Stanley R. Ausemus of Madison was associated with him in the
practice of law. Zenishek's store in eureka added a men's and boys'
department August 16. The new addition was in the building just north of
Zenishek's, formerly the Wing Drug Store, and was connected with a
12-foot archway. Eugene "Dusty" Rhodes, formerly of Wellington and
Emporia, was manager of the new store. Roy Sanders, Emporia, was
operator of the Roy's Cash & Carry TV-Radio Repair Shop, located at 605
East Seventh.
A completely modern, excellently equipped 24-booth
language laboratory had just been installed in Eureka High School for
the purpose of teaching modern languages. The 1963 graduating class of
EHS presented funds to its Alma Mater for the purchase and erection of a
large bulletin board to be located at the southwest corner of the high
school building. The 10 x 4 foot sign was to keep the public informed of
all school programs and activities.
The Fall River Watershed had
taken another big step in the watershed program with the start of
construction on the first contract of three floodwater retarding
structures. The Church of Christ secured the building formerly occupied
by Church of Christ, Scientist, corner of Ohio and Main streets. The
one-room school District 67, otherwise known as the Worley school, had
gone the way of most of the rural schools in the state, but not without
nostalgia on the part of the students and teachers of this 88-year-old
institution of learning. A last farewell and get-together was held at
the schoolhouse on October 10.
Open house and consecration services
were held at the First Methodist church for the new educational
building. The new addition, with the remodeling of the older building,
new furnishings and improvements cost between $105,000 and $108,000. The
Memorial Hall stage underwent a face-lifting program. A new
octagonal-shape stage was erected within the old stage and Sweet
Adelines removed the 30-year-old velvet curtains and made side drapes
and a top valance. A new auditorium floor, new paint on the stage and
ceiling and a general clean-up job finished the project for the hall.
Robin J. Marshall successfully passed the CPA test and was issued a
license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant by the Oklahoma
State Board of Accounting. Ted Freeman, owner and manager of Freemans
located at Third and Main, completed expansions and improvements to his
building. A new TV-Stereo entertainment center was added in the portion
of the building formerly occupied by the Basement Bar.
The building recently purchased by Kenneth Rockhill, eureka attorney,
was near completion. Dr. W.A. Watkins was to move his dental offices
from 226 1/2 North Main to the new location shortly after the first of
the year. Rockhill planned to move from his offices in the Citizens
National Bank Building, 123 W. Third. The structure was 23 by 90 feet
and had been completely remodeled.
Arrangements were completed for
the formation of a new business enterprise in eureka known as the A-OK
Insurance Agency, Inc. This firm was a Kansas corporation with a capital
of $50,000. The corporation acquired the Miller-Hobbs Insurance Agency,
located in the Citizens National Bank building, and was moved to 408
North Main in offices previously occupied by the Shira Drilling Co. E.A.
(Andy) Hibbard was manager of the new firm. Glen Hawthorne and Harley
Brenton were to continue as outside real estate salesmen and Mabel
Gordon remained in her previous capacity of insurance and real estate
saleswoman. Hibbard was to continue his present occupation of realtor
and abstractor.
J.T. Francis & Sons remodeled and enlarged the
present business at 116 North Main to include a complete line of
hardware in addition to their present line of plumbing, heating and air
conditioning. Barb's Cafe added a new dining room. Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Benton, owners, purchased the building at 502 North Main from John
Runyan and converted it into additional dining room with a seating
capacity of 150.
A group of local art students of Dane Keys, local
artist, designed and were to paint a mural for the recreation room of
the Midwest Institute. Students working on the monochromatic mural were
Marie Keys, Nina Francis, Lettie Hawthorne, Helen Forbes, Vernona
Burton, Madge Ogilvy, Josephine Warrick, Ida Belle Mitchell and Gary
Mitchell.
An extensive plan was in progress to improve McGinnis Field
and facilities. Mr. and Mrs. Ward McGinnis had recently donated seven
acres of land just north of the present athletic field and south of the
railroad, a tract that would about double the size of the field. Lynn
Braden was contracted by the Board of Education to regrade and fill the
football field. Practice fields, additional parking area and new
vaulting and broadjumping pits were to be constructed on the new tract.
Harrison Brookover, who had operated the Brookover Grocery & Market at
300 West Second, sold his business to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brown of
Ellsworth. Brownie's Cafe changed hands when George Brown sold to Mrs.
Towler, former manager of the Greenwood Cafe. Clayton Bailey of Western
auto announce the opening of his new catalog order center, as an added
service to his customers.
Open house was held for the new city
offices at Memorial Hall, recently remodeled. Storage rooms had been
converted into an office for the city engineer. The water department and
office of the city clerk moved into the office formerly occupied by the
engineer. A new bookkeeping room had been added to the west of this
office. The Chamber of Commerce was to move into the room vacated by the
city clerk. Additional dressing rooms were added to the south side, to
be used in connection with the auditorium. The kitchen had been
remodeled as well as the stage and all offices were redecorated.
"The
Garden Spot," a new business at 601 North Main, was being opened by
Harrison Brookover at the location formerly occupied by the Sinclair
station.
Recent improvements to the city included a new water line to
the cemetery with additional hydrants installed there; a trash-burning
facility at the city dump; a sewer system at the Eureka airport; and a
year-round recreational program developed in which facilities of the
Memorial Hall would be used. Mr. and Mrs. Byron Manchester sold the
Dairy Queen, corner of Main and First, to Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Cook of
Arkansas City. Manchester was to be associated with Knapp Electric.
The ninth Regional Fire School was held at Eureka, April 11-12.
Demonstrations at the fairgrounds and the fire station were well
attended and many new methods of fire-fighting were learned and
exchanged. Due to high wind, it was unsafe to completely burn the house
at Vermont and Indiana streets. It was later destroyed by the local fire
department under the direction of the chief.
Considerable activity
was taking place at the Greenwood County fairgrounds preparing for the
erection of a new grandstand. The structure, the only one of its kind in
the state and surrounding territory, was located at such an angle to the
race track that everyone could have a clear view of the entire track at
all times. It had a capacity of 2000 persons. The south end was 60 feet
from the track and the north end was 80 feet. A 26 x 60' concrete
paddock was to be located directly in front of the stand, where horses
would be saddled and mounted. The old bleachers to the north had been
torn down and the lumber used in the construction of the box seats with
a seating capacity of 240 and for repairs to other buildings on the
grounds.
Harold Black, assistant manager of the Eureka Mill &
Elevator, resigned his job of 10 years in Eureka and accepted a similar
position at Chanute. Jim Zlomke was transferred here by the Commonwealth
Theatres as manager of the Princess Theatre and the Drive-In. Eureka
boasted a radio station. KBTO of El Dorado had a local studio in Eureka
on East Second street and weekly broadcasts were heard from here. A
benefit supper was held to help finance the new steel grandstand at the
fairgrounds. The stand, designed by Lynn Braden, was of unusual design
and the only one of its kind in Kansas.
The Eureka Jaycees erected a
"Welcome to Eureka" sign on east US-54. The progress of the Fall River
Watershed was ahead of schedule. If all went well, 3 1/2 years of
construction work would be completed in the next two years. A change in
ownership of one of Eureka's leading business institutions was announced
when Howard Willoughby purchased the interest of his partner, William
McCartney, in the City Drug store. Jerry Handley was employed as
pharmacist. A smoldering fire was discovered in one of the steel storage
tanks at the Eureka Mill & Elevator. The tank contained 550 tons of
alfalfa pellets, valued at $19,000 that had been stored for about a
month. The pellets were hauled away and graded according to fire damage.
The Eureka Carnegie Library celebrated its 50th anniversary on September
27 with an open house. J's Market, owned and operated by Jerry and Lila
Kempker, at 300 W. Second was open for business. Kenny's Eureka Cafe,
117 W. Third, was a new type restaurant service. The owners, Mr. and
Mrs. Kenneth Bruhn, were to operate and up-to-date servateria, with a
variety of food. A new water tower was being erected at the corner of
Fifth and Mulberry, with a capacity of 500,000 gallons. This improvement
was one phase of the $145,000 water improvement program underway in
Eureka.
Mr. and Mrs. George McCurry sold the Eureka Motel, 201 South
Main, which they had owned and operated for over eight years, to a local
concern headed by George Forbes and Don Bratton, Jr. After a complete
renovation and remodeling the new owners change the name to "The
Carriage House Motor Hotel." Twelve young Frenchmen and Frenchwomen,
with their leader, arrived in Eureka to spend three weeks here, each
guest living with a different family. The Lions Club sponsored an
outdoor ice skating rink at the Ohio Street ball diamond during the
winter. The field was to be leveled and a dike erected, preparatory to
flooding it. The area was to be lighted each evening until 9:30.
Sylvia Neel, 17, of France had been chosen for a year's study in
Eureka High School on an American Field Service scholarship. The student
arrived the latter part of August and was Denyse Hill's foster sister
while residing with the J.D. Hill family.
The courthouse building
bond was retired and the Greenwood County Hospital bond paid off in
January. Each county budget account had a cash balance and the county
was in excellent financial status. Sacred Heart Church was razed in
January, following a fire on November 25, 1964 when the structure was
heavily damaged. The old building was to be replaced by a new modern
church of native stone and glass. Three school districts in Greenwood
County were approved for unification.
The oldest piece of
fire-fighting equipment in the Eureka fire department was retired from
service in February - not from choice, but from necessity - as a result
of a long list of mechanical failures, coupled with old age. The old
29-year-old Ford truck had answered a call to a pasture fire between
Rosalia and Sallyards and was returning home when it gave its last gasp
at the Reece corner and had to be towed in. Reports were that it was
suffering from "tired motor."
City officials held open house and Town
Hall meeting in March, prepatory to submitting an industrial levy to the
voters. America's first two-man space flight was completed successfully
March 28. The industrial levy carried 4 to 1 in the city election. The
Eureka waterworks improvement program was nearing completion. The county
4-H clubs were raising money for the new show barn at the fairgrounds.
An organizational meeting was held in May for Teen Town. The new water
tower was completed and ready for use on May 17. Record rains caused
heavy damage, with 12.83 inches of rain in nine days. Thomas Monninger
resigned as superintendent of schools and Charles Campbell was elected
to the position. announcement was made of the future erection of a new
48-bed nursing home. A twister damaged property at Eureka Lake on August
16. The 4-H livestock sale set a record high during the fair, totaling
$31,000.
Hail the size of tennis balls, accompanied by severe wind
and rain, caused nearly a million dollars damage in Eureka on September
3. Hardly a residence or business building in Eureka escaped damage.
Hundreds of cars were damaged. Insurance claim offices were set up here
to take care of loss reports. Brownie's Cafe was damaged by fire in
September. The Eureka area received 9.64 inches of rain the first 22
days of September.
Parks Oil Company closed the service station at
Seventh and Main streets after serving the public at that address for
more than four decades. The Methodist Church observed its 100th
anniversary in October. Two Japanese brothers visited Eureka on a
good-will tour of the United States. Cook's Aluma-Fab was heavily
damaged by fire on Nov. 16. The 38th annual Cattlemen's Day was
celebrated on October 29.
Two American spacemen broke all space
records when they traveled 5,129,400 miles in 330 hours, 35 minutes.
During their flight, Gemini VII, manned by Borman and Lovell,
rendezvoused with Gemini VI, manned by Shirra and Stafford, in space.
The new Eureka Rest Home, 1406 North Elm, was opened in January.
Greenwood County was celebrating a no-accident year, the first in 10
years. Medicare was coming into existence and was being explained to
participants in the county. Clayton Bailey had moved his Western Auto
Store to its new location, 121 W. Third, in the Souders building which
he purchased and remodeled. The First Methodist Church held a dedication
in February of its new educational building and a mortgage burning
ceremony.
Local prisoners had been playing out-again and in-again in
the county jail and had taken their second leave of absence within a
month. Preliminary work had started on US-54, east of Eureka. Open house
was held at the new Sacred Heart Church which was built to replace the
62-year old church that burned in 1964. The new edifice had walls of
native stone from the Flint Hills and more than 1200 squares of colored
glass in the windows. Floors of the church were of Vermont stone with
native stone used in the alter.
The Kiwanis Club held its eighth
annual Student Awards banquet in March. ruby Foster had been employed as
city clerk and Herb Rockhill was re-elected mayor of Eureka. Kenneth
Keely was appointed game protector to replace J.A. McNally, who had been
promoted and moved to Salina. Kleo Daily, undersheriff, was severely
burned while fighting a prairie fire northwest of Sallyards in April.
Edward Mantzey was employed as Welfare Director of the county.
Phil
Evans had joined the staff at the Citizens National Bank as
agricultural, new business and public relations director. The tenth
annual Babo Ball was held in May. Eleven French students in Eureka High
School and other schools left in June with Mrs. Audre Basham to study in
France. The three-day flight of Gemini 9 was completed with a two-hour
walk in space included in the performance by astronauts Stafford and
Cochran.
Carter's Jewelry celebrated its 50th year on Main street in
July. Rural Route 4 was discontinued out of the Eureka Postoffice.
Another of Eureka's older landmarks, the McCoy Livery Stable, was razed
in July, located in the first block east of Main on river street. Built
before the turn of the century by J.A. McCoy, who had been in the dray
and hack business here sine the 1870s, the barn was well known. Roy
McCoy has associated in the business since 1900. Progress in the form of
the "gasoline buggy" soon eliminated the need for the old reliable horse
for transportation. Many old timers recalled the elaborate scenery
painted on the doors of the old barn.
"Hank" Hibbard had been named a
Peace Corps volunteer and left for India in June. Seven young people
from France, and their leader, arrive in Eureka in July to spend two
weeks with local families. Heavy storm damage resulted when a
thunderstorm swept across the county in August.
Eureka Cable TV
opened its office in Eureka with Jim Cassin as local manager. The
Jaycees operated their Labor Day Rest Stop, west of Eureka, for the
second year. Thompson Motor Co. held a grand opening in September in
their new location, Second and Oak streets. The senior college program
for Midwest was underway with the "Opportunity 4" campaign headed by
Elwood Marshall, with a goal of $150,000.
Plans were made for a new
recreation center in Eureka, including bowling lanes, billiard tables
and dining areas. The Red Letter Club of Eureka was organized in October
with a membership of 300. Levi Oblander had erected a new business
building at 202 East River. Mears Electric opened for business at
Seventh and Main. Charles B. Williams was promoted to the rank of
sergeant by the State Highway Patrol and the family moved to Topeka.
C.W. Stone had purchased the Jackson Super Service, 111 E. 4th, from
John Jackson, who had completed 30 years service at this location. The
Reverend Joseph Morgan had resigned from the pastorate of the eureka
Congregational Church. The Morgans planned to make their future home in
eureka. Trooper Lowell Parker replaced Sgt. Charles Williams as highway
patrolman. The Greenwood County Board of Realtors was organized in
January. The Rev. Laverne Leigh was installed as minister of the First
Christian Church and the Rev. C. Gunnels returned to Eureka as pastor of
the first Baptist church.
A flash fire killed the entire three-man
crew of the Saturn Apollo 1. The city of eureka issued revenue bonds for
the improvement, enlargement and extension of the waterworks system, not
to exceed $318,000. The Greenwood county Mental Health Assoc. affiliated
with the Mental Health Center at Emporia. Open house was held at the new
fire and police station in March, one of the most modern in the state.
Roger Babson, founder of Midwest Institute, died at his Florida home in
March. The Federal Land Bank celebrated its 50th anniversary in April.
eureka community was included in Roger Babson's public bequest. Three
Eureka students, Christine Erickson, Brent Brown and Larry Hayward,
swept honors at the regional science fair in Emporia. Instrumentalists
and vocalists from Eureka High School received top honors at the Emporia
Music Festival.
Dr. John Sagartz opened the Eureka Animal Clinic in
May on East Seventh street. Ward McGinnis, a charter member of the
Kansas Roughnecks' Club, was among those honored at a meeting in
Wichita. A disastrous fire destroyed the M & S Ford and Sears buildings
on North Main on May 12. R.E. Sears was honored in June at a Federal
Land Bank dinner in Eureka for 30 years service with the bank. Eureka
BPW observed its 40th anniversary.
Thousands lined Main street on
July 4th for Eureka's "Parade America" followed by a program in Memorial
Hall. The Rev. Norman Kirsch began his pastorate at the Congregational
Church to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the Reverend
Morgan.
The Reece post office was closed on July 14. Jim Cannon was
appointed manager of the Federal Land Bank to replace R.E. Sears, who
retired July 1. Bill Hodgson was the new owner of the former Todd Barber
Shop.
A severe wind storm lashed at central and eastern Kansas, with
considerable damage to power lines, trees and buildings. Dr. C.E. Slade
retired after 46 years as a dentist in eureka. Eureka Unified PTA was
organized. The Sutton Bar-S Ranch, Southeast of Eureka, was sold in
October to O & B Holdings, Inc. for $2.5 million. The new recreation
center was started on East River.
Virgil Boatwright was named acting
president of Midwest Institute, following the resignation of O. Dale
Baker. Robin Marshall was selected to fill the vacancy created at the
Home National Bank by the resignation of Don Grove, who had accepted a
position in Oklahoma city. The E.C. Small Alfalfa Products had been sold
to the O & B Holdings, Inc. in November.
The Kiwanis Club presented a
shelter house in the park to the city. Mrs. Mammie Holmes, Eureka's
oldest resident, died in December at the age of 101 years. W.I. Boone
and Elwood Marshall were elected to Midwest Institute Board of Trustees.
Jim Yost was appointed assistant postmaster at the Eureka office.
The Rev. Eugene Smith of the Christ Lutheran Church resigned in
January to accept a pastorate in Hutchinson. New mail rates went into
effect January 7 with first class mail increased to six cents, air mail
to 10 cents and post cards to five cents. Gene Francis, who had been
with Francis & Co. in Eureka, accepted an accounting position in Dodge
City. Hugh S. Dennis was elected to the highest position of the Midian
Temple when he was elevated to the office of Potentate. Bob Zenishck was
appointed to the position of Outer Guard on the Divan of Midian Temple.
For the first time in the history of the 58-year old Temple, a
non-resident of Wichita had received the honor bestowed on Dennis.
Dr. James Basham of fort Scott, formerly of Eureka, was appointed to the
Kansas Board of Regents in January. Jess & Jessie's held a grand opening
in the new building, 1518 E. River. The enlarged stock featured a
complete line of sporting goods and Western wear. eureka High School was
presented a certificate denoting 50 years of membership in the North
Central Association. One of the largest land sales in the history of
Greenwood County was consummated in March when 11,451 acres of Flint
Hills pasture land was sold for $1,496,000. The land, owned by 53 State
Street Corp., Boston, Mass., was all top bluestem pasture located in
Greenwood, Lyon, Chase and Morris counties. The corporation was founded
by Roger W. Babson.
Three prominent firms quit business after a
combine 88 years on Main street - Burton Furniture, 35 years; Griggs
Shoe Store, 31 years; and Robe Hardware, 22 years. The Harry Jackson
family is hosting a young Japanese trainee, Yoichi Inouc, for one year
on their farm. Barkman Jewelers purchased the building across the street
east from the former location and moved in June, after completely
remodeling and redecorating. The Oklahoma Tire & Supply enlarged its
quarters by leasing the building adjoining on the north. A complete
program of redecorating has been completed.
Eureka's National Guard
was ordered to active duty May 13 and is stationed at Fort Carson,
Colorado. L.T. McCue retired from Kansas Power and Light in June after
45 years of service. Hibbard Abstract building, 406 North Main, has
undergone an attractive face-lifting job. Phillips Petroleum Co.
presented the recreation area and Phillips Cabin to the city of Eureka
in May. Bess Carper retired from the Herald staff in May.
Eureka will
again feature a gigantic "Parade America" on July 4. Kenneth Griggs
joined Zenishek's on June 10 as manager of the men's and boy's
department. Senator Robert Kennedy died June 6, as a result of an
assassin's bullet. High winds buffeted Madison on June 10, with
considerable damage to mobile homes, windows, antenna, small buildings
and trees.
Pastor Robert L. Albin, formerly of Princeton, Ind., began
his pastorate duties on June 23 at Christ Lutheran Church. The Rev. E.J.
Erlandson of Lindsborg has severed the church as interim- pastor since
the first of the year. The Rev. S. Lee Weems accepted a call to the
Methodist church at Marysville and the Rev. Wendell R. Johnson of Kansas
City came to the Eureka church.
Greenwood County was named in honor of Alfred B. Greenwood, United States land commissioner under Pierce and Buchanan. It was first laid off by the bogus legislature of 1855-56, but was for a number of years thereafter under unorganized territory. As at first laid out, the county was nearly a square tract of uniform size with its neighbors but when, in 1867, Madison county was abolished and its northern part given to Breckenridge (now Lyon) county, the lower portion, to a point three miles above Madison, was added to Greenwood.
While the rest of the country was feeding its soul on fourth of July oratory in 1861, Eureka settlers were busy on a project of more practical nature. There had been some feeling on the slavery question and Indians were always breathing down their necks, so they built a fort! It must have been a very crude affair from the descriptions of several historians but it would, in time of need, be a stronghold against Indians and the Confederate Army!
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