October 26, 2006 News
Vara Hall LaFoy has donated a framed drawing of two horses and cottonwood trees (horses at Tony Harp's, trees on Stremel's) to McCracken Public Library.  Vara has previously donated other historical family paintings to the library.  She recently published a book about her foster brother, Wayne Sieling.  Wayne and his twin Wendell were born to Cannie Veda Davidson and Roy Sieling.  Veda died the day after their birth. After six years his father and grandparents couldn't take care of them, so they came from Chicago on the train to Great Bend and moved to a farm near Albert, Kansas to be raised by his mother's sister, Blanche (Davidson) and her husband, Lott Hall.  The Halls had three children Vara, Jean and Melba.  Wayne joined the service and was sent to the Philippines prior to the war. The Japanese hit the Philippines after bombing Pearl Harbor.  He was assigned to Bataan and was captured by the Japanese and sent on the Bataan Death March. When they reach the end of the march, most of the men who hadn't died, had malaria.  Wayne died at the makeshift hospital of malaria on May 28, 1942 (Pfc 3l Inf Reg).  He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in Manila - his grave marked with a white cross.  Vara visited the gravesite on November 7, 1969.  The book "Remember Me Wayne Seiling", a tribute by Vara, is at the McCracken library.  Everyone should read this book --- it is a true example of man's inhumanity to man and the spirit of one man.  Please remember Wayne Sieling and all our war dead.  Please honor all servicemen and women on November 11, Veterans Day. 
 
Francis and Julia Zeller went to Kansas City and spent four days with Paula and Gino Corte. They rode all over town (sometimes in the rain).  They also visited Mary Ann and Martin Higgins and Andrea and Bryan Ring. There was a four day event at the Convention Center at Johnson County Community College with 300 exhibitors showing their business items, crafts, food etc. The Zellers attended three of the four days. Bryan and Andrea had a booth of crafts.  They returned home and on Monday morning they had company - Rita Issinghoff of Wichita - she had come to Hays on Sunday, to help in organizing a German event to be held in Hays. Rita spent last night with Rosann and Louis Felder in WaKeeney.
 
Josh Moran, son of John and Ellen Moran, will be in the championship game for 4th grade football at Lewis Field Stadium on Sunday, October 29 at 1:00 P.M.  He plays for the Great Bend Panther team.   Logan Renz son of Troy and Lisa (Storer) Renz plays for the Hays Outlaws.
 
Bev and Vida Irvin, Hays, were in town on Monday to visit friends at Charlies and check out the wheat crop.
 
It was a heartwarming to see St. Mary's filled to capacity for the joyous nuptials of Aaron and Leslie.
 
Allan and Joyce Thompson, Plainville, were here for the weekend.
 
Donna Engel, Hill City, was a Wednesday guest of her brother, Jim Schafer.
 
A memorial has been received in memory of Joe Jennings from Dr. Sam and Dorothy Graham of Kingman to the Jail/Museum.
 
Clayton, Orlena and Witt Moyer of Ogallala, Nebraska, were Sunday afternoon visitors of Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith and Carolyn Thompson. 
 
 McCracken History Notes
 
October 1906
Owing to absence from town two days last week we overlooked a few important items, among them the sale of the half section of Frank Start through John Lovitt to a gentleman from Waverly, Kansas, the consideration being $20 per acre.
 
October 1936
Louise Marvin is a member of the women's glee club at Ft. Hays.
 
Orvis Nowles, who recently married in Washington was honored with a shower at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Pedigo.
 
October 1946
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Janke of McCracken on the birth of a daughter Sunday, October 27, at St. Anthony's hospital in Hays.
 
Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Temple are leaving the farm this week and will occupy their residence property in LaCrosse.
 
Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hinman are planning on leaving the latter part of the week for their new home in Albuquerque, N.M.  Their sons, Gerald and Donald, are attending college there.
 
Johnnie McCormick is building a basement house in the lots he recently purchased for J. W. Edwards in the east part of town.
 
October 1956
McCracken women who attended the County Council of Women's clubs at Bison last week were Anna Stephens, Carrie Darkes, Grace Barnes, Grace Metz, Anna Scheideman, Mildred Anderson, Marie House, Arlene Rues, Lorraine Norlin, Elma Yost and Ursula Wilson.
 
October 1966
McCracken Mustangs won their first football game as they defeated Damar 32-7.  Running the scoring for the Mustangs was Doug Whitis, Kirby Wendler and Richard Higgins.
 
October 1976
Lance Morgan received his Swine flu shot at the Rush County Health department.
 
Drewie McGaughey, Lucille Lamer and Marjorie Irvin attended the 7th District convention of General Federation of Women's Clubs Wednesday and Thursday in Great Bend.
 
October 1986
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rogers visited over the weekend with their daughter, Terri Rogers at Raytown, Mo., and attended the wedding of Darla Keener Friday at Kanas City.
 
Helen Showalter, Inez Manos, Rachel Fletcher and Minnie Jacobs met at the Rose Showalter home Tuesday for coffee and cake in honor of Helen Showalter's birthday.
 
October 1996
Jessie Justice left for the winter to stay with Dee and Willard Justice in Tyron, Okla.
 
Rich Showalter has graduated from the Central Vocational  Tech school at Drumright, Okla., in truck driving.  He left for Kansas City to work for J. B. Hunt.
 
Sharon Irvin is working as a paraprofessional at LaCrosse High School.
 
32 spooksters participated in the Halloween parade on Sunday.