RCNews April 2

The book, “Those Who Save Us” by Jenna Blume has been donated to the McCracken Library.  It is worth your time to check it out.
 
Carolyn Oller and Shirley Higgins enjoyed lunch together in Great Bend on Tuesday.
 
Scott and Lora Faiman and Clay were guests of her parents Bill and Sharon Lovitt on Thursday.  They were returning from a ski trip to Colorado.
 
All of the investigative work (to this point) has been completed for the preparation of the cemetery directory .The plat map and directory have been printed and are ready to be installed in the display cases. This will be delayed until warmer weather.  We urge Memorial Day and Rodeo visitors to visit the display.
 
Dennis Peters returned home from Italy visiting his daughter Sherrina and husband Mario and his grandson’s Lorenzo (9) and Christian (7).  They celebrated Christian’s 7th birthday, well maybe he celebrated, but at Dennis’ age being in a confined area with 12 six and seven year old kids might not be his idea of celebrating.  Just kidding, He had a wonderful time and always enjoys anytime he gets to spend with his family, either in Italy or Kansas.  They didn’t do much on this trip, but he had a chance to see both of his grandsons playing and practicing Soccer. Dennis plans being ‘home’ this summer.
 
 Zach Higgins, junior at Hoisington high school was an honorable mention on the MCAA league team.
 
To those of you who would like to send a card/note to the family of Roberta Anderson Bullock, the address is in the McCracken post office.
 
MHS Trivia:  What do Dennis Peters, Robert Rein, Reggie Irvin, Furlen Irvin have in common that happened in 1958 – 1960?
 
Esther A. Spomer, 99, died February 28, 2009 at Hermiston, Ore.  She was born January 24, 1910 to Ludwig and Ankes Harms Kostbahn.  She married William Spomer July 12, 1930.  He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a son, William.  Survivors include, Dr. John L. Spomer, two grandchildren and two great-grandsons.  Burial was in the Larned Cemetery.  Her husband was the dentist in McCracken.  They lived at the former Oliver and Willetta Herdman home.  She was a charter member of the Athenian Club and officer when it was organized on September 13, 1937.
 
Doug, Staci and Maggie Elias who live in Tampa saw the Space Launch from Cape Kennedy (east coast of Florida) from their back yard.  It was clear as a bell.
 
The following books are available for sale by author and researcher, Mildred Stout:  Hicks book – John Hicks, Jr. 1799-1851 and Carolyn Fish 1800-1860, $25.00 postpaid.  There are 158 pages with index, photos, charts in a firm binder and Ryan book – More Ryan Roots, Descendants of William and D. Ryan of Virginia through their sons:  William, John, Philip, Joseph, Thomas who lived in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, $45 postpaid 544 pages with index, photos and charts, punched for a loose-leaf bind.  Make check to Mildred Stout and mail to her daughter, Diana Stout Yates, 7735 SE Nehalem St., Portland, OR 97202.  These two books contain genealogical information about many McCracken people, their ancestor and descendants.  There are copies in McCracken Public Library and the Jail/Museum, but they are for reference only and cannot be checked out.
 
Lillian McGaughey celebrated her first birthday at the home of her parents, Aaron and Lesley McGaughey with a dinner and birthday cake in LaCrosse.  Those attending were Terry and Helen Showalter, Holly Strommenger, Eric Wilhelm, LaCrosse; Rob and Helena McGaughey, Austin McGaughey, Richard Showalter, Johnny Mac Showalter, Carolyn Thompson, Arky and Diane McNair, Charlotte Ochs, McCracken; Chuck and Pat Heidrick, Beloit, Kelly and Regan Heidrick, Salina; Sr. Martina Stegman, Liebenthal.
 
The snow was most welcome, but it would have been nice if the wind didn’t blow it sideways.   It has melted except for the big drifts in the ditches.
 
Gary Anderson, Chickasha, Oklahoma, called on Saturday.  His infant son, Aiden, now has an electric wheelchair to give him mobility.  Son, Jeffrey, is a senior in high school and will graduate in May.  He plans to attend community college in computers.  Stephenie is a third grader. 
 
It is strange to drive 65 between here and LaCrosse.  I expect the “cheap gas” was the reason to increase the speed limit!
 
Evelyn Cosby accompanied Addie Mills to Hays on Saturday for the 41st annual Barbershop Quartet Performance at Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
 
Lorraine Ryan and Addie Mills enjoyed the joint service of the Rush County United Methodist Parish at LaCrosse on Sunday morning.  Following the service they stopped at 4-Corners for lunch where they found Roxene Fletcher Kaltenbaugh who was here to visit her father, LaVern Fletcher. 
 
McCracken History Notes
April 1889
 
Charlie Nosker is circulating a petition to have a mile strip cut off of Alexander Township and added to Hampton for convenience.
 
Elder D. W. Nay, of the Christian church, will preach at Hampton the third Lord’s day in April at 11:00 a.m. and evening.
 
 
 
 
 
April 1909
Sheriff Joe Schoenberg was in town yesterday on business.  He scribe of this paper asked him how the sheriff’s office was getting along, he replied might awful slow.  He said Rush County was so peaceable he hadn’t had a prisoner in his hands since he had been in office.
 
About a half dozen women voted at the City election of Monday.  Women, as a rule do not care to vote, unless there is something exciting going on. 
 
April 1919
Joe Hunt bought the R. E. Landon farm, Ralph Stephens purchased the C. J. Marak farm, E. L. Ryan bought the John Lovitt property.  Jobe Swisher purchased the John Swisher quarter of land and Scott Yawger is preparing to build a new modern house on his place east of town.
 
April 1939
Mrs. Cecil Brackney was hostess at a shower for Lorene Schutte Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. May Schutte.  Guests were Miss Bernita Marak, Mrs. Harry Haas, Mrs. Sam Krause, Mrs. Alfie Metz, Mrs. Earl Fletcher, Mrs. Eliza Brackney, Cynthia Hays, Mrs. Bill Foster, Mrs. Eunice Foster, Mrs. G. W. Klug, Mrs. Glenn Yawger, Mrs. Audice Thompson, Mrs. John Wilkins, Mrs. Mary Meehan, Mrs. Frank Start, Mrs. Earl McCaskey, Mrs. August Marak, Mrs. Caroline Ree and May Schutte.
 
April 1959
Brownell news:  Larry Stull returned home Friday from Lansing, Michigan where he has been attending Michigan State University.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Buxton and son left for Salt Lake City, Utah where Richard has a position with the Army auditing service.
 
April 1979
Confirmation was held at St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday.  The class included Sabrina Higgins, Rhonda Conrad, Janet Conner, Kayla Higgins, Brenda Barnes, Sandra Taylor, Neal Jacobs, Chris Petz, David Suppes, Daniel Casey, Gary Barnes, Kevin Casey, Paul Suppes and Doug Elias.  Bishop Eugene Gerber was the celebrant.  Father Rory O’Neill is the pastor.