Histories

1904 Standard Atlas of Rooks County

1911 Train Wreck
between Damar and Bogue

If you can translate the message for us, please let us know.

Submitted by Brenda Reeder

High Hill School 1933
Left to Right: __ BITTLE, Delaine TURNBULL about 5th grade, and Eldon ANDREWS, 3rd grade.
Submitted by Gaylyn Andrews

2004 June
Bob Rader at Elm Creek Schoolhouse, the land for the school was donated by J. G. Coldiron

2004 June
Elm Creek running through Harriet Applegate Reeder Farrier land

History of Rooks County

Rooks County, in the northwestern section of the state, is in the second tier south of the Nebraska line, and the fifth county east from Colorado. It is bounded on the north by Phillips county; on the east by Osborne; on the south by Ellis, and on the west by Graham. The legislature defined the boundaries in 1867 as follows: "Commencing where the east line of range 16 west intersects the 1st standard parallel; thence south to the 2nd standard parallel; thence west to the east line of range 21 west; thence north to the 1st standard parallel; thence east to the place of beginning."

It was named in honor of John C. Rooks of the Eleventh Kansas cavalry. Settlers did not begin coming into the county till 1871. By the fall of the next year there was sufficient population for county organization, which took place on Nov. 26, 1872. Gov. Harvey in his proclamation named Stockton as the temporary county seat, and appointed as commissioners, Lyman Randall and Lewis Stults. The commissioners chose George W. Beebe as clerk. The first election was held Dec. 31, 1872, when the following officers were elected: Probate judge, M. Drake; sheriff, John Russell; county clerk, L. C. Smith; treasurer, Joseph Brossard; surveyor, Albert Cooper; clerk of the district court, Thomas Boylan; superintendent of public instruction, John M. Park; attorney; D. K. Dibble; register of deeds, L. C. Smith; coroner, D. W. Gaun; commissioners, Lyman Randall, D. O. Adams and Lewis M. Stults; representative, Joseph McNulty. For county seat Stockton received 95 votes and Lowell 52. The whole number of votes cast in the election was 147.

Among the early events was the killing of two young men named Roberts by a desperado by the name of Johnson. In 1873 a cattle dealer from Kentucky was murdered and robbed, his body being hidden in the sand 12 miles east of Stockton, where it was found by some children. In June, 1875, two men with 35 head of Texas ponies came to the south fork of the Solomon river not far from Stockton, where they camped and gave notice that their stock was for sale. One of the strangers went to town to make some purchases and the people gathered to inspect the ponies. While they were doing so sheriff Ramsey of Ellis county, accompanied by sheriff Joseph McNtilty of Rooks county, rode up heavily armed and announced that the ponies had been stolen. Ramsey ordered the thief to throw up his hands. Instead of doing so, the man jumped behind a pony and prepared to shoot. Both Ramsey and the thief were armed with needle guns. They both fired and simultaneously dropped dead. The other stranger was hunted up and wounded in the jaw by a shot but he managed to escape.

The first newspaper was established in Jan., 1876, by J. W. Newell. It was a Greenback labor paper and was called the Stockton News. The county agricultural society was formed in 1879. Until 1881 the county offices occupied rented quarters. A $5,000 court-house was built that year, the city of Stockton contributing $3,000 of this amount. A strong jail of cottonwood logs, strengthened by tons of iron, was built near the court-house. A number of flour mills were built in the '70s.

The county is divided into 22 townships, viz.: Alcona, Ash Rock, Belmont, Bow Creek, Corning, Farmington, Greenfield, Hobart, Iowa, Lanark, Logan, Lowell, Medicine, Northampton, Paradise, Plainville, Richland, Rush, Stockton, Sugar Loaf, Twin Mound and Walton. The postoffices are: Alcona, Codell, Damar, Palco, Plainville, Stockton, Webster, Woodson and Zurich. A line of the Union Pacific R. R. enters in the southeast and crosses northwest into Graham county. A branch of the Missouri Pacific enters in the northeast and terminates at Stockton.

The general surface of the county is rolling, with high bluffs along the south fork of the Solomon river and Paradise creek. One-fifth of the surface is almost level, and about three-fifths are undulating prairie. The bottom lands along the Solomon are about one and one-half miles in width, and those of other streams from one-half to one mile in width. The streams are lined with thin belts of native timber, and some artificial plantings have been made. The south fork of the Solomon river enters on the west and flows eastward through the county. Slate and Sand creeks are tributaries from the northwest and Spring Lost, Box-Elder, Elm and Medicine from the south. Other creeks are Paradise, Wolf, West and East Eagle and Bow. Magnesian limestone of a superior quality underlies the entire county, with quarries at Iago and on Elm and Medicine creeks. Sandstone, gypsum and potter's clay are also found.

In 1878 the number of acres under cultivation was 5,211. In 1882 the value of farm products was $634,077. In 1910 the total value of farm products was $3,403,171. Wheat was worth $1,463,950; corn, $399,543; oats, $142,038; Kafir corn, $110,075; tame grass, $220,671; wild grasses, $113,694.

The population in 1875 was 567; in 1880 it was 8,112. In the next decade there was a decrease of 94, the population in 1890 being 8,018. In the next ten years there was a decrease of about 60. In 1910 the population was 11,282, showing an increase of 3,322, or nearly 50 per cent. The assessed valuation of property in 1910 was $16,351,545.

Contributed 2002 by Carolyn Ward, transcribed from Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago: 1912. 3 v. in 4.: front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar, Volume II, Pages 604-606.

1878 Our Overland Route to Kansas

From Warrenton, Warren County, Missouri
by Addie Cynthia Reeder

Sept 30, 1878 Monday

Started for Kansas this morning between 10 and 11 o'clock, several friends with whom we hated to part came to see us off, perhaps we will never never meet again.

We dined at Jonesburg after which we traveled on without incident, except that while passing through High Hill a man handed us a map (guess the object of which was to advertise the Rockport Ferry), we also met three covered wagons going east, and tonite we are camped at the western edge of Danville having traveled about 23 miles. A party having 3 wagons a plenty of crying children (but I cannot blame the children) are camped just across the road they are bound for southern Kansas, and so ends our first days experience as one of the many homeless wanderers who are wending their way westward to seek a home.

Oct 1 Tuesday

We left Danville about sunup after having spent an almost sleepless night. Our situation was so novel and our beds so uncomfortable, we made 14 miles before dinnertime and stopped 2 miles west of Williamsburg where we had our dinner.

The most of the road between Danville and Williamsburg was very rocky and hilly, met several wagons coming from Kansas, said they didn't like the country AT ALL, not very encouraging, camped tonight 10.5 miles west of Williamsburg, 22-1/2 miles for the day, we are now 45 miles from the place that was our home for 13 years. Encamped in a lovely place by a large country church where we get excellent water from a well in the church yard. I don't think I would like to live in Calloway Co.

Oct 2 Wednesday

Started this morning just a little after sunup, it was a most lively morning just cool enough for wraps, traveled 12 miles and stopped for dinner 7 miles west of McCreedie. A gentleman and little boy that live near came to camp and stayed until we left, he was a great talker, traveled 9 miles after dinner, and we are now camped in Boon County 5 miles east of Columbia.

During all the day we have been passing through beautiful country that has redeemed Calloway County in my estimation and I think if I was only the happy possessor of one of the beautiful homes we passed today, I should be content to live and die in Calloway Co., but this evening we are camped in a gloomy and desolate place and we have hears since camping that the neighborhood does not have a good reputation. I don't think any of us will sleep much tonight, one of the family besides our selves are camped here and we fear him as much as the reported horse thieves.

Oct 3 Thursday

I passed the night very well but the boys slept very little, got quite an early start this morning, one mile east of Columbia we struck the gravel road where we had to pay .80 cents to ride in our two wagons over the roughest road I ever traveled, we stopped for dinner 7 miles west of Columbia, after dinner we traveled on to Rockport on the Missouri River bottoms of Cooper County, where we have plenty of wood and water traveled 24 miles today.

Oct 4 Friday

Arrived at Boonville about 12 m. stopped there long enough to have a horse shod and where I was for the first time amused since we have been on the road. The town is very picturesque and seems to be a lively business place, I noticed the handsome monuments in the cemetery, also two extensive earthenware factories. WE traveled 19 miles and camped just after crossing the Lamine Bridge.

The first rain we have had since we started began, while we are getting supper with a prospect for an all night rain, but one good thing our wagons are perfectly waterproof.

Oct 5 Saturday

A wet damp morning did not get away from our camp on the Lamine River until quite late, just before starting a family by name Higgins came to our camp to get acquainted, they were going to nearly the same place in Kansas as ourselves. Was not very much prepossessed with their appearance. We passed through Arrow Rock a little after dinner, owing to the many bad hills we have traveled only about 20 miles today. We are now camped 8 miles east of Marshall and 7 miles from Arrow Rock in a very pretty country. Saline is a very different from Cooper County, this is a very beautiful moonlight night.

Oct 6 Sunday

A beautiful Lord's Day but not a day of rest for us, for owing to the heavy expense we are on for feed and the lateness of the season we have concluded that we cannot afford to stop, we have today been traveling through the most beautiful country I have ever seen I would never wish to see a lovelier country than that between Marshall and Malta Bend. We have traveled today 27 miles if not more, the roads were splendid and we made a better time then we have since leaving. We camped tonight 2 miles west of Malta Bend on the road side.

To the north of us is a large swamp where we have the benefit of a spring, there has been a bad drouth here this spring but never the less the crops are splendid.

Oct 7 Monday

Another damp foggy muddy morning rained most of the night, left our camp about an hour by sun, after going 9 miles passed Waverely and 11 miles farther on we passed thru the small town of Dover. Today we are traveling over the roughest and most hilly we have had as yet, the road runs on the edge of a bluff country being at all times within 2 miles of the river so of course we cannot judge Lafayette Co. by the part we have seen, not withstanding the mud and the hills we have traveled today 23 1/2 miles and have camped tonight on the banks of a large creek 7 1/2 east of Lexington, the county seat of Lafayette Co.

Oct 8 Tuesday

We had a terrible storm of wind hail and rain last night and with all that thieves were prowling around, so all in all we passed a very uncomfortable night. We got a very late start this morning passed thru Wellington and are now camped 4 or 5 miles from Jackson Co. line, there have been several depradations committed of late by horse thieves and emigrants are considerably frightened and very cautious tonight. We are camped tonight with three other families and will keep watch all night. Only traveled about 20 miles today. Are traveling along the Kansas City and Eastern RR. This eve is very windy and would not be surprised if we had another storm tonite. The folks we are camped with tonight are by name Cunningham and Drake.

Oct 9 Wednesday

We started very early this morning and soon after passed thru the small town of Napoleon and also several small RR stations of which I didn't get the name of, had very good roads most of the time and during this day our wagon wheels have revolved over a distance of 25 miles and have camped tonite in the suberbs of Independence Jackson Co. Mo. This is a large camping ground and a great many emigrants have camped here tonite. I have written 2 letters on to Nora and one to Morris will mail them at Kansas City in the a.m. One of the mules is sick tonight.

Oct 10 Thursday

About ten thirty a.m. we arrived in K.C. where I mailed my letters, this seems to be a great place for business and a good market, the streets were so blocked we were w/ a long time getting through, crossed the Kansas River on a bridge, the Kansas is a very narrow stream, but the water looks as clear as crystal where it mingles with that of the Missouri, where we crossed the line and stopped at Wyandotte Kans for dinner our first repast on Kansas soil and a terrible wind arose to greet us as we entered the state where our future home will be, this afternoon we had a hard road to travel among the hills of Wyandotte Co. as soon we reached the summit of we go down the other side and then up on the other and they are really tremendous. We have traveled today between 25 and 30 miles and have camped tonight south of the main road in a grove where there is a spring, I think we are about 2 miles east of White Church. As soon as we reached camp the rain that has been threatening for some time commenced falling and we could not get our supper until very late.

Oct 11 Friday

The rain last night was of short duration, we got an earlier start then usual, but oh, such roads regular mountains. We all had to get out of the wagons and walk up hills. We traveled 25 miles today passed by White Church and thru Tonganoxie and we are now camped about one mile west of the last name place by a school house where the road turns north toward Diamon City. This evening we bought hay at .20 ct a cwt and corn for .20 ct. bu. We have been paying .30 and .50. What I have seen of Kansas I like splendid, it is a beautiful country and this is a lovely night.

Oct 12 Saturday

After a 12 mile drive this a.m. we arrived at the small town of Dimon, where we were told we had taken the wrong road that if we had taken the river road we would have escaped all those terrible hills. We thought never too late to do better and are now on our way to the river road. If we have good luck will pass Topeka tomorrow. Fell in with a family by name Skank who live at Silver Lake 11 miles west of Topeka, they came to Kansas last spring from Ind. Are camped about 20 miles east of Topeka on an open prairie, have traveled 25 miles today.

Oct 13 Sunday

Another Sunday passed on the road traveled all day arrived at the river long before noon ferried across the Kansas at Grantville, passed thru Topeka the capital of the state about an hour by sun, crossed the Kansas again on a bridge where I was very much pleased with the scenery liked the appearance of the city and populace very much except that are too many niggers.

One mile west of Topeka we camped for the night, heard today that the Indians are playing hobb in the west, but heard later that the trouble didn't amount to much, hope not.

Oct 14 Monday

Left our camp near Topeka this a.m. and made a drive of 15 or 16 miles before dinner passing thru Silver Lake and Kingsville. The Kaw Valley is a beautiful country and such corn field I have never seen in my life before. I think they will average 75 bu to the acre.

This afternoon we passed thru Rossville and St. Mary's Mission, the latter a Catholic town the convent is a very nice building, I saw no churches in the place but what were Catholic. I saw one Indian there, the Indian reservation is not far from there. We camped tonight 3 miles west of St. Mary's near the K.P.R.R. a little school house is upon the hill to the west of us. Lost our wash pan this eve, think we have traveled about 26 miles today do not feel very well satisfied with our camping place, do not feel very safe will try to reach Manhattan tomorrow evening.

Oct 15 Tuesday

The wind blew so terrible that we had to take our canvas off in order to travel at all, we are all quite sick of Kansas. The clay hills of little Warren Co. are preferable to this, traveled about 26 miles thru Pottowatomie Co. and I hope the lost souls may not be more punished than we were by wind and sand. Oh, how tired I am of this life. Have camped tonite on the outskirts of Manhattan in a draw about 50 ft from the Big Blue River. Sixteen other wagons besides ourselves are camped here. Passed thru the towns of St. George and Louisville. Have a good prospect of a hard storm of wind ad rain tonight.

Oct 16 Wednesday

Began our days journey by crossing the Big Blue. We had a hard hard storm of wind and rain last night and the roads this morning were very slippery making the traveling very hard on the horses, traveled about 20 mi today which is about half way to Clay Center. Manhattan is built mostly of stone and is a very nice looking town. Have camped tonite one mile west of Riley Centre on Wild Cat Creek, today has been very cold and windy, the first cold day we have had.

Oct 17 Thursday

Oh, how cold, we had to be wrapped in bed quilts all day, got somewhat out of our way today and traveled a mile or so to no purpose. Arrived at Clay Center (which I renamed Shanty town) about 3:30 p.m. had a shoe put on one of the mules and drove about 5 miles this side of Clay Center. Passed where Republican City was, all that is left of the town is an old store and a church. We crossed the Republican River on a bridge at Clay Center, we have been traveling thru a country destitute of fences, since noon, traveled 25 miles today.

Oct 18 Friday

We traveled from sunup till sun down in all about 30 miles, and from the time we started till we camped we did not so much as see a tree we asked what they used for fuel and they replied CORN, such is Cloud Co. Most of the habitations are dugouts and sod houses we are camped tonight 5 1/2 miles from Meridth in company wit five other wagons got off of the right road again today which is getting to be an almost daily occurrence, very hard traveling here especially for broad tired wagons, the roads are like the country very much contracted, the fither I go in Kansas the less I like it.

Oct 19 Saturday

Commenced our daily journey today but soon parted company with our comrads of last night some stopping to visit acquaintances others taking a more southerly route ourselves taking the course to Beloit stopping to dine on a creek where we found a few trees, not far east of the Solomon River, the country we passed through today in Cloud County is far superior to that of yesterday, the improvements are of a better class and more thickly settled, we passed this morning through the small town of Meridth and this eve through Glascoe and have camped this eve in Mitchell Co. on the Solomon River, twelve miles from here is Beloit. Traveled today 25 miles.

Oct 20 Sunday

Another Sunday and we are still traveling have been traveling all day in Mitchell Co., like the looks of the country very much have seen several people today from Rooks Co., they say it is a fine county. Arrived at Beloit about noon it is a very thriving lively business place. I was very much impressed with the place have had splendid roads all day, traveled about 25 miles and have camped for the night about 7 miles east of Waconda Springs where we will cross the north fork of the Solomon River, the wind has been blowing very strong all day and is still blowing.

Oct 21 Monday

Left our camp this morning near Glen Elder arrived at Waconda Springs at noon where we stopped for dinner, the roads were splendid all day the wind has been blowing very cold and piercing all day and tonight is freezing cold we are camped one mile west of Osborn City which is a very handsome little town, it has a beautiful site and the buildings are all neat and nice looking. We expect to arrive at our destination day after tomorrow before noon, traveled 29 miles today.

Oct 22 Tuesday

Left camp very early this morning passed through the small town of Tilden and Bull City at which place we took dinner and camped tonight 6 miles east of Stockton at the Reno crossing of the South Fork traveled 31 miles.

Oct 23 Wednesday

Arrived at Stockton at nine o'clock, after making some purchases and viewing the town which we liked very well we took the Elm Creek Road and arrived at Tom's at 11 o'clock in good time for dinner, found all well and felt ourselves as though we were weary and would like to rest, so ends the terrible trip.

Addie C. Reeder

First Postmasters

Alcona Township 1879

Post Office 1878 - 1930 First postmaster - Royal W. Barett
Minety PO 1882-1885 First postmaster - Charles Newth

Ash Rock Township 1878

Post Office 1876 - 1885 First postmaster - Mr. Olds
Mount Pleasant PO 1878
Liberty PO 1878
Spring Branch PO 1878

Belmont Township 1879 (from Stockton)

Webster PO 1979 First postmaster - John Stephenson
Bradford PO 1879 First postmaster - M. J. Coolbaugh

Bow Creek Township 1873

Adamson PO 1875 - 1891 First postmaster - Daniel White
Slate PO 1880 - 1903 First postmaster - Lewis K. Meyers
Portage PO 1880 - 1892 First postmaster - Clark P. Riley

Corning Township 1879

Eagle Creek PO1878 - 1884 First postmaster - Samuel N. Prichard
Laton (aka Eagle Creek) PO 1884 - 1904 First postmaster - Chris C. Hall
Hoskins PO 1880 - 1888 First postmaster - J. L. Hoskins
Motor PO 1888 -
Natoma PO 1904 - First postmaster - Charles McFadden

Fairview Township 1924 (from Walton Township.)

Amboy PO 1882 - 1894 First postmaster - William P. Baker
Palco PO 1894 - (aka Cresson) (See Northampton Township Below for links)

Farmington Township 1878 (from Bow Creek Township.)

Rockport PO 1873 - 1905 First postmaster - J. T. Stroup
Earnest PO 1882 - 1889 First postmaster - John L. Bearnes
Frankton (defunct)

Greenhill Township 1879

Hobart Township 1879

PO 1879 - 1884 First postmaster - Asa Bullock

Iowa Township 1879

Lanark Township 1879 (from Farmington Township)

Vertner PO 1879 - 1880 First postmaster - Vertner J. Megowan

Logan Township 1880

Chandler PO 1880 - 1892 First postmaster - Benjamin Hill
Zurich PO 1880 - First postmaster - Amanda Webb

Lowell Township 1879

Rooks Centre PO 1872 - 1886 First postmaster - John Shorthill
Raceburg PO 1875 - 1886 First postmaster - George Race

Medicine Township 1879

Igo PO 1877 - 1904 First postmaster - Frank Gager
Survey PO 1880 - 1890 First postmaster - Dave Sollenbarger
Letts PO 1904 - 1904 First postmaster - Daniel C. Worden

Northampton Township 1879

Cresson PO 1879 - ? First postmaster - William J McLaughlin
Palco PO 1888 - ? First postmaster - Elijah S. Beavers
Villisca PO 1880 - 1881 First postmaster - Dennis Eddy

Paradise Township

Codell PO 1889 - ? First postmaster - Jasper Parks
Florreyville PO 1875 - 1879 First postmaster - Andrew J. Florey
Motor PO 1879 - 1889 First postmaster - Jasper Parks

Plainville Township 1879 Incorporated 1888

Plainville PO 1878 First postmaster - W. I. Griffin
Plainville Public Library
Plainville Times 400 W. Mills, Plainville, KS 785-434-4519
McHale PO 1880 - 1891 First postmaster - James McDonald

Richland Township 1880

Enfield PO 1888 - 1894 First postmaster - Charles F. Budd
Damar (aka Enfield) PO 1894 - First postmaster - Fred Hamilton

Rush Township 1880

Webster (aka Belmont) PO 1882 - 1953 First postmaster - Hiram L. Oyer

Stockton Township 1878 (also known as Stock Town)

Stockton PO 1872 (first post office in county!) First postmaster - John O'Brien
Cedar PO 1874 - 1874 First postmaster - Abraham F. Surfus
Ash Grove PO 1876 - 1880 First postmaster - William B. Fulkerson

Sugar Loaf Township 1880

PO 1878 - 1904 First postmaster - Charles H. Dewey

Walton Township 1879

Woodston Township 1885 Incorporated 1902

Rooks Centre PO 1886 First postmaster - James Wilson
High Hill (defunct)
Nyra (defunct)

Womanless Wedding

"Womanless Wedding, Stockton, Kans 1925, Photo by White"

A womanless wedding is a traditional community "ritual of inversion" performance, popular in the United States in the early 20th century. In this comic ritual, the all male cast would act out all roles of a traditional wedding party – including those of bridesmaids, flower girls, and the mother of the bride – while dressed in gowns and dresses.[3] The event often raised money for charities, civic organizations, and churches. The performances were so popular that scripts were developed around the idea, and the do-it-yourself theatrical productions were passed along from city to city. --Wikipedia

Photo contributed by Gaylyn Andrews

Don Richmond, Sr. Remembers Iwo Jima

By Kim Schmidt, Nov 11 2006, kearneyhub.com, Nebraska
KEARNEY — Nearly 62 years after one of World War II’s bloodiest conflicts, images of the battle of Iwo Jima still play in Don Richmond Sr.’s head.
“It’s just as familiar to me as if it were yesterday. I might forget a lot of things, but not that,” said Richmond, 81, of Kearney, his eyes red and welling with tears. There was a bite in his voice as he said, “The first 150 years are the worst, they say. You don’t forget.”
U.S. Marine with the 5th Jasco, 26th Regiment, 5th Division, Richmond landed at Red Beach 2 at the southeastern edge of Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945, near Mount Suribachi. As a communications specialist, his unit was in charge of setting up radio transmissions for soldiers invading the Japanese-held Pacific island.
Richmond’s unit was supposed to be on Iwo Jima for only three days. The plan was to then move on to Okinawa to establish similar radio communications.
They never made it.
By the end of the third day at Iwo Jima, his unit still was being bombarded by Japanese soldiers dug in at the top of Mount Suribachi and in pillboxes (bunkers) scattered across the island.
The high number of casualties forced Richmond’s unit to disband. He then was attached “to whatever unit would take me,” going from the company command post to the front lines to keep communication lines open.
The battle of Iwo Jima was fought between the United States and Japan during February and March of 1945 as part of the war’s Pacific Campaign. In the end, the United States gained control of the island and two airfields.
By the fifth day of the battle, Richmond began marching up Mount Suribachi.
“I didn’t think I had a chance to get off that island alive,” he said. “I gave up on that when finally I decided that was the only way to think. I made up my mind I was not going to be captured and was going to fight my way, and I did.
“I must have been pretty good at it because I’m still here.”
The battle was made famous by an image captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal of American troops raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, a 560-foot high volcanic mountain.
It was the second flag raised on Feb. 23, 1945, and Richmond and other Marines were in charge of keeping an eye on photographers.
“The last time I saw Colonel (Harry) Liversedge (battalion commander), he said, ‘Rich, get up on that damn hill and try to see that the photographers don’t do something dumb and get themselves killed,’” Richmond recalled, laughing at the memory. “When he (Rosenthal) took the picture, I was probably within 20 feet of him.”
As he thumbed through a faded 1950-copyrighted book about the 5th Marines that he purchased after the war, Richmond recognized many faces and scenes, and recalled numerous stories.
There is a picture in the book that shows Richmond’s back as he stands on top of top of Mount Suribachi holding his Browning automatic rifle.
“A lot of those old boys I kind of remember,” he said, studying the book.
Richmond also is pictured in some original movie footage of the battle of Iwo Jima.
He escaped Iwo Jima with minor injuries to his back and left hand, damage to both eardrums, and shrapnel wounds in his buttocks and head.
Richmond returned home to Codell, Kan., in 1946. He later graduated from Fort Hays State University and became a schoolteacher and superintendent.
Although some Iwo Jima veterans have returned to the island, Richmond doesn’t care to. He’s unsure if he’ll see the newly released movie “Flags of Our Fathers,” that’s based on the battle.
Today (Saturday), Richmond will break his tradition of going hunting on Veterans Day and honor fellow vets as he rides in his son, Don Jr.’s, 1975 red Alpha Romeo convertible in the parade through Downtown Kearney: The Bricks.
The modest Richmond seems a little uncomfortable with all the attention. “I don’t know who did all this planning to get me in to the parade,” he said. “But I guess it’s all right.”

Plainville Pictures

Unidentified Farmhouse and Barn
about 1908

1912 Nov 15
Plainville High School Football Team
at Oberlin

This is a used postcard cancelled in Plainville Kans June 10, 1910, 1 PM. It is addressed to Miss Lilly McGuire, Quinter, Kans RR1. The message is short and sweet "I am well C. E. W." It was manufactured by M. L. Zercher Book and Sta. Co., Topeka, Kan. It is number 7236 Christian Church Plainville, Kans.

This is a used postcard. The postmark date is not very clear but Plainville. It is hand dated June 17, 1910, Plainville. It is addressed to Miss Lilly McGuire, Quinter Kas. The message is "June 17, 10 Plainville, Dear Cousin:-I am not very well. I hope you are well. How is Mina now. Mother went home this morning. It is dry here now and hot. Did you get my letter. Charlie is ready to go. Goodbye. Gussie." It is number 7237 Presbyterian Church, Plainville Kans. It was manufactured by M. L. Zercher Book and Sta. Co., Topeka, Kans.

This is a used postcard but not postmarked but dated by the sender June 27, presumably 1910 like the other two. It is addressed to Miss Lily McGuire, Quinter, Kas. The message is "Plainville, June 27, Dear Cousin:- Will send you this card-I expect you are busy getting ready to go up to Hoxie Wensday. I wish it was so I could be there but I don't want to scare them. I have been feeling pretty well for me the rheumatism is bothering me some today-C. E. is out 5 miles east of town harvesting. Well I will close hope to hear from you soon. Gussie." The postcard is manufactured by M. L. Zercher Book and Sta. Co. Topeka, Kan. They sold 2 for $.05. This is number 7225 Catholic Church Plainville, Kans.

Stockton Pictures

Rooks County Courthouse

Old Courthouse
located at about 608 North Second

John and Roma Smith's home is where the old courthouse once stood. John has passed away, but Roma, age 92, is still living there and owns the Smith's Furniture store on Main Street in Stockton. Gaylyn Andrews, who submitted the photos, has worked at the Smith's Furniture for 21 years.

New Courthouse being build in 1922
at its present location

Stockton Flood of 1908

Main Road Looking West of Stockton, Kans., June 18, 1909

Postmarked Stockton, Kans. Oct 30 1909.
Addressed to Miss Nellie Gravenhorst, Stockton, Kansas.
The message reads: Dear Nellie: I have been thinking of writing to you many times but I have not had the time I am helping mamma clean house before school this morning and then I stay at Hawkes after school. It is always late when I get home. I do not get to go very much but have a fine time at school and like it very much ans soon Love to all Grace F.
Best Regards Alice Meek
Submitted by Brenda Reeder

Main Street

"E Northside Main St. Stockton KS" Bank Building
As of 2004, this building was partially demolished.

Main Street 1922, submitted by Brenda Reeder

Main Street Stockton Kans. circa 1912 postcard by A. J. White Photographer

Stockton Main Street, looking east, about 1920. Postcard submitted by Brenda Reeder

Handwritten message on the front reads "of the way we have to go back 200 miles we don't like it here Hugo."

The back is postmarked "Stockton Kans. Jul 23 1908" and is addressed to "Miss Sena Kircher, 1811 - 5th Ave., Bay City, Mich."

"Christian Church Stockton, Kans. by A J White"

Located on Main Street

The message reads "Hello Mary how are you today Curt and Jane in Stockton today it is so dry and windy we have about quit work hoping to hear from you soon Russell."
It is addressed to Miss Mary Much, Glen Elder Kans.

Postcard postmarked from Stockton, May 19, 1911

Submitted by Brenda Reeder.

Assortment

"Stockton, Kansas 50 Years Ago" submitted by Brenda Reeder

Bucking snow east of Stockton, Kans "After She Stuck" Feb 27th, 1912, Jepson Photo, submitted by Brenda Reeder

"Bucking Snow Near Stockton, Kans Feb 29th 1912 Jepson Photo" submitted by Brenda Reeder

"High Water West of Stockton Kans June 3 1918" submitted by Brenda Reeder

Flooding, view on 24 West Stockton, submitted by Brenda Reeder

Stockton Kans. Looking North from Main St by Jepson, "J T Smith Hdwe & Furniture ..." on wagon, submitted by Brenda Reeder

"Birds Eye View of Stockton, Kans Photo by White"
Note the Beck Hotel in the upper left corner and the Courthouse in the center. Submitted by Brenda Reeder.

Beck Hotel and Coffee Shop, submitted by Brenda Reeder

Hicks Motel
possibly Stockton's first motel, located in the vicinity of South Sixth Street and Cypress, submitted by Eldon Andrews

Stockton's First Methodist Church on a ceramic tile, possibly sold as a fund raiser during the 1970s. Submitted by owner, Brenda Reeder.

Envelope postmarked in Stockton, Kan., May 24 1880, submitted by Brenda Reeder

Congregational Church

Postmarked Stockton, Kans. 10 Aug 1911.

Addressed to Mrs. J. B. Dillion, Highland, Kansas.

The message reads: Mama will you please copy the receipt for canning corn and send it out here to me Mrs. Brown said she would like so well to can some. Send it right away. We are all well. Went to a circus in Stockton yesterday. Got ___ and Glens letter the other day. From Carrie.

Submitted by Brenda Reeder

Woodston Pictures

Collection from Harry Holmes