January 4, 2007
Donna and Allan Hill spent December 24th in McCracken with her mother Betty Greenway. Bill, Paula, William, Michael and Stephanie were also there. On the afternoon of the 24th we motored to Great Bend to Allan's parent’s house, Dennis and Millie Hill. We were joined there by his Grandparents, Glenn and Lois Hill as well as his sister Jennifer Waddell of Victoria and her friend Allen Major of Dodge City. His brothers, Brian Hill of Overland Park and Matthew Hill and his wife Jeanette of Edgerton were also there. While there on Christmas Day we also celebrated his grandfather Glenn's 84th birthday. He is a Christmas baby. How neat. 
 
Bill Moran is now in Central Kansas Medical Center taking rehabilitation.  He is doing well.
 
Saturday the 24th Francis and Julia Zeller, John and Melanie Zeller, Rachel Urban, Lance Legleiter and Sarah Urban attended the movie “A Wonderful Life” at the Fox Theatre in Hays.
 
Christmas Eve guests at the home of Frank and Elaine Littler were Melvin & Mildred Littler: Pat & Terry Miller, LaCrosse; Leanne Miller, Wichita; Seth, Deanna, and Jacee Stevens, Great Bend; Tom, Brenda, Kristy, & Cody Prosser & Scott Littler, McCracken.
 
John and Melanie Zeller, Rachel Urban, Lance Legleiter and Sarah Urban were guests of Ruth Axman in Hoisington on Sunday.
 
Christmas Day - Guests of Terry & Pat Miller were Melvin & Mildred Littler, Frank Littler - LaCrosse and Scott Littler, McCracken.  Elaine spent the day with her mother Icis Eisenhour at the Rush County Nursing Home.
 
 Francis and Julia Zeller, Ruth Axman, Lance Legleiter, Rachel Urban, Jonathan Strauss, Sarah Urban, Celia Gilbert, Bill Zeller, Sheila Brown, Will and Dan Zeller were Christmas Day guests of John and Melanie Zeller.
 
Icis Eisenhour had a busy Christmas day at the LaCrosse Nursing Home.  Guests were Elaine & Frank Littler, Scott Littler, Brenda, Tom, Kristy & Cody Prosser, Stacey Prosser, Trevor Steinert & Brennen,  Ted, Shawna, Clay & Dalton North,  Heath, Paula, Brandon, Logan, and Carson North, and Mitch, Dee, Jennifer, Andy & Jacob Eisenhour from Newport News, Va.  She enjoyed all the visitors.
 
Frances Janke, Jay, Maureen, Justin, and Raymond Georg, and Buddy loaded up the truck and headed to Jason and Amber Schwanke’s home in Garden City for Christmas Day. 
 
Mitchell Jacobs, Terri Lasater, Nicole Ryan, Sandra Jacobs, Sean Peters enjoyed a Christmas Saturday celebration at the home of Neal and Amy Jacobs, Jaden and Tessa in Wichita.  Jaden and Priscella were guests of Mitch and Terri Christmas night.
 
Thursday, December 21, Larry & Joyce Eisenhour, Dwight & Sherry Eisenhour, Jan & Arlyn North, and Frank & Elaine Littler celebrated Christmas with their mom, Icis Eisenhour at the Rush County Nursing Home.  J-D's chicken dinners were enjoyed by all followed by a gift exchange.
 
Bruce & Ellen Kershner and family hosted Christmas Day dinner for Frank & Dorothy Kershner, Cheryl Summers, Shane Summers and Bob House.  In the afternoon, Ellen and Bob went to the Long Term Care to visit Gwen Sell, Grace Thompson, Addie Mills and other friends.  They also visited Lucille & Spike Pivonka at Locust Grove, then friends at the Rush County Nursing home which included Bob’s aunt Wynona Drake. 
 
Pete and Terri Cox enjoyed Christmas with their whole family at the home of Debi Rogers this year.    It was very good to have everyone around.   Had a house full too - Brenda and William, Debi, Valerie, Kevin and the kids, Jenni and Scott, Emily and Scott, Walter and Janey, Pete and Terri.  Had a very nice visit with everyone but as usual time is too short. 
On Christmas Saturday Bryan, Treva, Anna & Audra had Christmas with Don & DeAnna Bergquist in McCracken.  Joining them were Dana, Patrick, & Bryce.  We ate a great meal, went to church in McCracken, then opened gifts.  Shannon Keith shared some of the day with the girls.  The girls, Anna, Audra, and Bryce spent the night with Grandpa & Grandma Bergquist.  On Sunday, the Bergquists stopped in and visited Bob & Marlene Funk.  Don & DeAnna came up with Anna & Audra and they all enjoyed supper.  They went to church here in WaKeeney for Christmas even.  Bryan and Don stood up with the Knights of Columbus. Monday, Christmas Day, we drove down to McCracken again to have breakfast and open gifts with Verlene Wilson.  Clayton, Kizmin, & Gunner were there too, even though Clayton had a touch of the flu.  After that, we stopped by Kevin & Brenda Schoenberger's to share a little time with the Schoenberger clan....to many names to mention!
Dennis Peters spent Christmas with his daughter Sherrina and Mario Sabatini, his grandsons Lorenzo age 7 and Christian 5 in Livorno, Italy.  Sherrina has taken a job at the Italian Navy Academy teaching English to the recruits.  Mario has left the Naval Academy and is now a Captain on a ship. 
A Christmas ornament was sent to box 142 in McCracken that had the name of Vic Higgins engraved on the back with the date of his death.  There wasn’t an address or name included.  We would like to thank whoever sent this ornament to us, but we need a name.  Thanks.
December 16, Allen, Diana and Iulliana of Eugene, Oregon were guests of Sylvester Conrad.  They made a quick trip as they only had a few days to spend in Kansas but made a point to stop by and visit Sylvester.  They joined Sylvester at the home of Phyllis & Roy Conrad for supper.  After watching the weather they decided to head back to the airport to beat the snow storm this last week.  They called and said they just made it on time.
 
The Peach Family spent Saturday in Wichita with the Prather Family.  Jon and Julie Prather hosted the Christmas get-together.  Those attending besides Mike, Mary Beth, Zach and Brendon were:  Bruce and Lenora Kinzie of Topeka, Kevin and Rachel Brown of St. Louis, Wayne, Carol, Mallory, Janel, and Keaton Prather of Sterling, and Ervin, Janet, Lauren, Kayla, and Jillian Prather of Ottawa. 
 
Our sympathy to the family of Eunice Oller Harding, 93, who died December 24, 2006 in Ellsworth.  She was born January 25, 1913 in Pratt County.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Sam Oller in 1981.  Survivors include two sons, Albert and Gary Sam, two daughters, Lola Rixon and Carolyn Oller.  Funeral services were held in Wilson with burial in the Sylvan Grove Cemetery.
 
Priscella Jacobs, Shirley and Jerry Higgins and Babe Gilbert attended funeral services for Eunice Oller Wednesday in Wilson.
 
Dan and Kim Townsend, Megan and Jacob arrived in McCracken on the 23rd and headed towards Abilene on the 26th.  Dan's mom is in Abilene.  We will head home on the 30th.  Jacob is a wrestler and they only had three days off.  Jacob will miss practice and two meets while we are in Kansas.  The kids start back to school on the 8th of January.  Sure enjoy reading the news every week.  Thanks for keeping me informed. 
 
Neil, Rhonda, Chandler and Ashleigh Allen came and spent Christmas weekend with Grandpa Roy and Grandma Phyllis Conrad for Christmas.  Other guests were Randy and Karen from Liebenthal who came by in the evening.
 
Saturday, the 23rd, Dolores Petz, hosted Christmas at her farm.  Those that attended were:  Kirby and Joy Petz, Danny and Patricia Petz of Mc Cracken, Sherry Petz and Hal Witthun of Ellis, Kelly, Melanie, Nathan, Nicholas, Kallynn,& Kameron Petz of Hays, Terri, Jim, Clayton, Josh, & Megan Everhart of McPherson, Chris, Cindy, Chansler, Chelsea Petz & friend Curt of Wichita.
 
Roger and Norma McNair returned home Tuesday after spending a week in Denver visiting relatives.  They were guests of Tammy, Jeremy and family and also visited his son Bryan McNair.  They spent a couple of nights with Barbara DeJean.  “Arky” and Diana McNair also returned home Tuesday after visiting their families in Denver. 

Christmas Eve, Danny and Pat Petz hosted Christmas with their children. Those in attendance were: Kelly, Melanie, Nathan, Nicholas, Kallynn, & Kameron Petz of
Hays, and Angie Huggard and Trent Timson of McPherson.  Christmas Day was spent in La Crosse with DeWayne and Vicky Foos hosting the "Foos" family Christmas.  Those in attendance were:  Leland and Mary Steitz of LaCrosse, Danny and Patricia Petz of Mc Cracken, Bob, Jendee, and Gratton Dalton of Bison, Kelly, Melanie, Nathan, Nicholas, Kallynn, & Kameron Petz of Hays, and Angie Huggard & Trent Timson of McPherson.
 
December 22, Francis and Roberta Wierman went to Marilyn and George Sommers, Silver Lake.  Saturday they went to Garnett to visit Dean and Bernice Kittle and family.

Patricia Petz and mother Mary Steitz enjoyed shopping for bargains the day after Christmas in Hays.  While they were browsing in J.C. Penney's a reporter from
the Hays Daily News stopped them and asked if she could interview them.  Tuesday evening they were in the Hays Daily News! 
 
Marilyn and George Sommers had Christmas dinner, Sunday December 24th.  Those present were Francis and Roberta Wierman; Rita Brethour, Greensboro, NC; Shane, Jill, Ivan and  Tessa Brethour, Olathe, KS; Ray, Laura, Cindy & Jerod Wierman, Bennington; Jill and Joey Herschbach, Salina.

Christmas News:  Shane Anderson was home on leave for the Christmas holidays.  This is the first time since he enlisted.  His parents say he is such a joy and unlike when he was young and shy, he never shuts up now.  Olivia also joined Steve and Sharon Anderson on Saturday afternoon.  We cooked, ate, played games, laughed and just thanked God for each other.  Nathan Anderson came and visited with Steve on Christmas afternoon for about an hour and a half.  Shane and Olivia left Christmas night to go to Olivia's home in Claflin.
 
Christmas Eve and Day the Peach's went to Don and Helen Peach's in La Crosse.  Attendees were: Charles and Helen Petrik of Manhattan, Ryan Petrik of Mission, Amanda Petrik of Lawrence, Ron Peach of Kansas City, and Don, Susan, Clark, Elliott, and Nolan Peach of Elbert, CO.  The boys tried their new metal detectors out with Mom and you should see all their "treasures".  The Prather uncles would be proud!
 
Tony and Tomi Rues had all of Tomi's family out for Christmas. Thanks to Les and Rose Diehl, there was plenty of room for everyone. Tony and Tomi entertained everyone Friday evening with a holiday party and then a traditional dinner was served Saturday. A good time was had by all. Tony and Tomi and kids are headed to Topeka over New Years to celebrate with Tony's family. Everyone will be there including Tom from New Hampshire
 
December 23 guests at the Don and Dena Irvin’s farm--Donna and Galen Schmidt, Patrick, Amy, and Collin Schmidt, Clay and Megan Morse, Chet and Audrey Irvin.
December 24--Ruth's house in La Crosse--Don and Dena, Kellye, Sandy, Anna, Kayla, Scott, Galen and Jennis Irvin, Brandon Legleiter.
December 25 guests at the farm--Ruth Irvin, Kellye, Sandy, Anna, Kayla, Scott, Brandon Legleiter, Chris and Jana Irvin, Chad, Amber, Audrey and Chet Irvin.
 
Allen and Cheryl Werth  went to Bruce and Sue Davis home in Omaha, then Bruce, Allen and Cheryl went Alabama to visit Tom.  Allen and Cheryl went to Allen's mom's house for supper.
This is from a friend who came to St. Mary’s for mass on Saturday, December 23. We are so glad we got to see you guys at church and wish you a Merry Christmas. It was so very, very special not only going to mass at St. Mary's but to have the church decorated like old times truly brought tears to my eyes. I don't know how to word it or who to address it to, but could you let them know how much the "extra effort" of getting a mass  AND going beyond and putting up the decorations was so appreciated by everyone. It was like going back in time, except it wasn't midnight!!
Tuesday December 26th, George Sommers, Rita Brethour, Francis and Roberta Wierman went to Olathe to visit Shane, Jill, Tessa and Ivan Brethour.  The women went shopping and the men put a train set together for Ivan that he got for Christmas.  Francis and Roberta returned home Wednesday.
Barbara A. Tacha, 78, daughter of Hubert and Sylvia McMulkin Wetter, was born January 24, 1928 in Norton County and died at the Norton County Hospital on December 24, 2006.
She married Claude Tacha in Norton, November 27, 1950.  Her husband died in 2000.  Survivors include four sons, Patrick, Lynn, Jim and John; four daughters, Mary Jo Montgomery, Sharon Poage, Anita Covey and Marcia Tacha.  Funeral services were held in Norton on Thursday.
 
Shirley Higgins, Lonnie Irvin and Chuck Higgins attended funeral services for Barbara Tacha Thursday in Norton.  Tammy Irvin and Jerry Higgins couldn’t attend because of illness.
 
Katie and Tanner Elias were overnight guests of Ty Elias on Friday evening. Dave & Carolyn Davenport & Rosy joined them on Saturday. Everyone attended a beautiful service at St. Mary's.  Travis and Tina Elias joined everyone on Sunday. Everyone returned home on Sunday evening and Ty resumed his "normal life"...
 
Lyle, Dave, and Carolyn Davenport had Christmas dinner with Marjorie Davenport at the Mennonite Manor. Lyle spent the afternoon and Dave and Carolyn spent the afternoon at Shirley Bundy's and Lenora Stremel's. Lanette Mathews, Lawrence and Kathleen Stremel, Leawood were Christmas Day guests.
 
Christmas guests of Fred and Mary Anne Taylor were:  Randy, Denise Taylor and family; Kellye and Sandy Beisrsner and family, Freddie and Kim Taylor and family; Rodney, Bernie Taylor and family. 
 
Addie Mills was a Saturday overnight guest of Evelyn Cosby and her sister, Darlene Geyer in LaCrosse.
 
Tobias “Toby” Dietz, 92, died December 26, 2006 at the Ness City Long Term Care.  He was the father of Barbara Reinhart and her husband Larry.  Barbara was a music teacher in McCracken in the late 70’s.
 
Carol Weber spent Christmas with her family in Canon City, Colorado.  They played games, watched movies and ATE good food. She is enjoying her new job working for Happy Hollow crafts in Bison.
 
Jean Schutte was a Christmas dinner guest of Bet and Jeanette McCormick.
 
A family get together was held in Lindsborg on Thursday with Addie Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ledbetter, Houston, TX; Mr. and Mrs. Frosty Gray, Los Angeles, CA; Francis Klee and Mrs. Jim Klee, Wichita and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Klee, Council Grove.
 
Bart and Nicole Tarbell spent Christmas in Burleson, TX with her parents, Bob and Margaret Fear.
 
Christmas weekend guests of Kate Ryan were Pat Miles, Lynne, and Steve Sommers.  Joining them Christmas Day were Rob, Helena, Ashley and Austin McGaughey.
 
Those who attended funeral services in Great Bend for Inez Jane Royer on Tuesday the 26th were Joann Micheli, Pat Derr, Twila Higgins, Jean Schutte, Diz and Wilma Washaliski, Babe and Arlene Gilbert, Wendell and Gladys Hinman.  Mrs. Royer was the mother of Jeanette McCormick.
 
.Shirley and Carolyn wish you the happiest year in 2007.  It is such a privilege to be able to have the McCracken news in the Rush County News each week.  Our thanks to McCrackenites and former residents who provide us with their news.   We are also grateful to all those who thank us personally for continuing the column. 
 
We received many photo greeting cards this year for Christmas.  It is such fun to see the children grow and change. 
 
Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith hosted a Christmas dinner for Al and Judy Hugh, Ruth Yawger, Carolyn Thompson and Galen Allen at Ellsworth.  In the evening Galen and Carolyn attended a dinner at the home of Mary Ann Gabrielson and her cousin Janis Blakey in Great Bend.
 
McCracken History Notes
In July 2007 the City of McCracken will celebrate its 120th anniversary as an incorporated city. 
 Editor C. P. Dutton, of the McCracken Enterprise, attended a press meeting in Topeka in 1907 and collected the following data of the city of McCracken from the files of the State Historical Society.  He published the following information in the January 29, 1937 Enterprise.
 
On the third day of December, 1886, the town company of McCracken was organized with the following officers:  J. K. McCracken, Salina, President; J. B. Coughenour, Vice-President; E. S. Chenoweth, Secretary and E. C. Moderwell, Salina, Treasurer.  Three days after the organization the town plat of McCracken was finished, and on the same day G. A. Hovey, formerly of Republic county selected the first lot for a business house, and immediately commenced its construction.  This was just after the completion of the Missouri Pacific railroad to the west line of Rush county, and Mr. Hovey received the first car of lumber over the road.  Shortly after E. C. Tritt and H. J. Hunter moved here from Elm Valley, W. F. Grumbein from Roland, R. K. Armstrong from Alexander, M. Templeton and Keever and Darnell from Elm Valley.  By this time E. L. Williams of Rush Center and Ryan and Sons located with their lumber yards and the building boom was only interrupted by the failure of the construction company to forward lumber for some time.  Other firms began buying property and moving in from other points, making things lively.  On Friday 21, the railroad was turned over from the construction to the Missouri Pacific company, and regular trains have been running daily ever since.  As soon as this matter was settled unlimited confidence was imposed in the town matters assumed a brighter aspect, building after building was erected and the boom did not cease until cold weather retarded its progress in the fall.
 
McCracken is situated on the west line of Rush county at the present terminus of the Missouri Pacific, twenty miles from any trading point of consequence, LaCrosse being the nearest.  It lies in the Big Timber creek and has the finest town site of any town in Kansas.  The country surrounding a distance of twelve miles is thickly settled by prosperous farmers and many have lived here ten years.  All recognize the valley of the Big Timber as the garden spot of Rush, Ness and Ellis counties, and McCracken occupied the center of that spot.  The future of McCracken is illuminated by a light many times brighter than Edisons, as all things point toward its being a city of several thousand inhabitants.  First, the county will support it, second we must work together.
 
We are here to publish facts concerning our town and country and are not afraid of a rigid investigation.  The future of McCracken cannot be questioned as it has all the requisites wherewith to make a large and prosperous city.  While LaCrosse and Rush Center are warring over the vexing county seat question, McCracken is going ahead.  There is abundance of room and land is cheap. 
 
More of the article will appear next week.