RCNews 3/25

Memories:  We were visiting with Phil White, Little River, at the Juco Tournament this past week. He brought a 1974 basketball program from Hays during the 1A- 2A state tournament to share.  It featured the Ransom cheerleaders from 1973, Susan Sargent, Korene Cromwell, Rhonda Oliver, Elaine Pfannenstiel and Beverly Turner.  The 1A teams entered in 1974 were Alma, Garden Plain, Bucklin, Grinnell, Highland, Little River, Madison and McCracken.  The winners were Little River defeating Madison for 1st, McCracken defeating Grinnell for 2nd. Phil was a senior in 1974.
 
On Saturday, March 13th a surprise party was held for Dolores Petz.  Her children hosted her 80th birthday, which was celebrated by many family members and friends.  Her children in attendance were:  Danny and Patricia Petz, and Kirby and Joy Petz of Mc Cracken, Maddy Petz of Buhler, Darrell and Cindy Petz of Andover, Chris and Cindy Petz of Goddard, and Sherry Petz and partner Hal Witthuhn of Ellis. Grandchildren in attendance were: Kelly and Melanie Petz, Nathan, Kallynn, and Kameron Petz of Hays, Trent and Angie Timson and Tyler of McPherson, Jim and Terri Everhart and Clayton, Megan, and Josh of McPherson, Kenny and Melissa Adelhart and Brianna of Pratt, Shelly Petz and Shaylin of Goodland, Shane and Shanda Preston and Aubrey of Russell, Chansler Petz and friend Kaylyn Schippers, Kurt and Chelsea Wells of Cheney. After the reception the family went to the Golden Corral in Hays for an evening meal.  The children would like to express their thanks to all that attended the reception and for the many nice birthday greetings that were sent to Dolores.  She was truly surprised!

Chelsea (Petz) Wells, cousin to Angie (Petz) Timson, held a baby shower for Angie
on Sunday at
La Crosse.  Many family members and friends attended.  Those in attendance were: Patricia Petz, Dolores Petz, Mary Steitz, Joy Petz, Cindy Petz, Kaylyn Schippers, Sherry Petz Maddy Petz, Terri and Megan Everhart, Vicky Foos, Lisa and Morgan Foos, Jendee Dalton, Rita Liggett, Debbie Haas, Karen Krier, Christi and Alyssa Schneider, Connie Conner, Pam Leiker, Amber and Audrey Irvin, Susan Penka, Sara and Cora Merritt, Marcia Dreiling, Stacy Scheetz, Arlene Gilbert, and Kathy Satomi. Angie received many wonderful gifts for the new baby boy.  Watch for the arrival date at the end of May! 
 
An email from Debbie Rogers Smith tells us her husband is now home in Lenora, the first time since he fell January 3rd.  He was in the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, NE for a month and will be going back for knee surgery on the 26th.  Following his surgery, he will remain there for intensive physical therapy for several weeks.  We all wish him well.
 
Mary Dunn, Topeka, was a guest of Rose Diehl this weekend.  She got in on the painting project for Austin McGaughey.
 
Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith and Carolyn Thompson returned Sunday from a trip to Florida.  Enroute they visited Mike’s cousin, Lisa and Chris Reitz, Brogan and Mallory in Jackson, Mississippi.  They spent a day at Disney World and two days at Cardinal Spring Training games in Jupiter, Florida.  Carolyn visited with Cardinal friends from St.Louis, John and Regina Smith.  They endured the snow storm in Arkansas and Oklahoma on Sunday. They stopped in Wellington to visit Mike’s dad, Kenneth Keith, who has now returned to his apartment after his by-pass surgery.  Mike, Susan and Shannon insist that the next time they fly!
 
A matching grant has been received from IBM Corporation in the amount of $500 to the McCracken Historical Museum.  This grant is possible due to a donation of $1,000 gift from former IBM employee Gary Turner.  We are grateful that Gary and Elaine Turner continue to support the museum. 
 
A check has been received from the United Fund of Rush County for the McCracken Historical Museum in the amount of $320.00.  Our sincere thanks to the United Fund and the people of Rush County for supporting our museum. 
 
Gerald Crotinger's grandson, Benjamin, who was injured in the wreck near Hoisington is now in Chilldren's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.  Recently "Baby Jay", KU Mascot, came to visit him.
Here is a follow-up on the article about the man who said he was marshal in McCracken researched by Gerald Crotinger:
Clarence Lincoln Younkin, born 25 Jul 1865 in White Co, Indiana. Died 30 Apr 1941 in Dade Co. Florida.His parents were John Dietz Younkin and Marietta Victoria King who lived in Alexander Twp, Rush Co, 1885 Census. His parents moved from there to Topeka about 1895 and then to Great Bend, Barton Co, KS, about 1900. J.D and most of his family are buried in the GB Cemetery. Clarence married Emma A. Parr 28 Jul 1886 in LaCrosse, Kansas. She was born Dec 1870 in Iowa and lived in Lyons, Rice Co, Ks, before her marriage. They had 9 children 2 of which died while they were living in the McCracken area bet. 1886 and 1895 when they moved to Topeka. They were John Elbert Younkin, d. 28 Oct 1892  andGeorge Arthur Younkin, d. 15 Aug 1893. Only 2 of their children lived past 1900, Orlata, dau. B. 1896 and Vivian, dau b. 1898. Also a girl Jessie, b. 1900 lived past 10 years. Clarence also did carpentry work and he and one of his brothers were  stone masons. From Topeka they moved to Dade Co, Florida sometime bet 1910 and 1915. He died in Florida in 1941.  In our Hampton book he owned a sorghum mill at Hampton and made sorghum molasses. Gerald hasn't found any information that he was ever Sheriff or town marshal so far. 

McCracken History Notes:

March 1910
The junior teams of McCracken and Alexander played ball here Saturday afternoon.  The score stood 10 to 12 in favor of McCracken.  The following was the line up for McCracken:  James Start, Elva Burch, Paul Lovitt, George Hicks, Harry Grumbein, Jack Stephens, Len Lovitt, Glenn Stock, Warren Wade; batteries Hicks and Lovitt.  The line up for Alexander was:  P. Crandall, H. Newcomer, C. Reece, A. Schryack, Chet Waddell, Chas. Waddell, C. Bryant, R. Kueffer, W. Unrein; batteries Crandall and Waddell.
 
School was dismissed Wednesday afternoon on account of the high wind.  If the building is unsafe in a breeze like that it looks like there ought to be some move made to erect a new building.
 
March 1920
Mariam Darkes and Henry Martin were married Saturday, March 13 at Great Bend.
 
Joe Zeller won second prize on his yearling bull Black Pride at the Wichita Angus stock show.
 
March 1940
McCracken grade school music students took part in the Rush County music festival in LaCrosse last week.  Miss Margaret Hilliard, local music teacher, directed the county band, composed of musicians from Bison, Otis, McCracken and LaCrosse.  A total of 63 musicians from McCracken took part.
 
March 1960
The population of Rush County, according to the federal census since 1880, was over 9,000 residents in 1930.  In 1950 there were 7,231 recorded.
 
Mrs. Lee (Gladys) Fear is shown in the RC News as a makeup assistant.  She is shown adding makeup to LuAnn Doerr in preparation for the one-act play contest at the speech and drama festival at Fort Hays State College last weekend.
 
March 1980
The following articles have been purchased in memory of Al Rues in the St. Bernard Church in Belpre:  Advent Wreath on stand with candles, wedding candelabra with candles and memorial plaque.