A Century of Greenwood County, KS History

A Century of Greenwood County, KS History - Eureka Herald, 1968

1967

C.W. Stone had purchased the Jackson Super Service, 111 E. 4th, from John Jackson, who had completed 30 years service at this location. The Reverend Joseph Morgan had resigned from the pastorate of the eureka Congregational Church. The Morgans planned to make their future home in eureka. Trooper Lowell Parker replaced Sgt. Charles Williams as highway patrolman. The Greenwood County Board of Realtors was organized in January. The Rev. Laverne Leigh was installed as minister of the First Christian Church and the Rev. C. Gunnels returned to Eureka as pastor of the first Baptist church.

A flash fire killed the entire three-man crew of the Saturn Apollo 1. The city of eureka issued revenue bonds for the improvement, enlargement and extension of the waterworks system, not to exceed $318,000. The Greenwood county Mental Health Assoc. affiliated with the Mental Health Center at Emporia. Open house was held at the new fire and police station in March, one of the most modern in the state.

Roger Babson, founder of Midwest Institute, died at his Florida home in March. The Federal Land Bank celebrated its 50th anniversary in April. eureka community was included in Roger Babson's public bequest. Three Eureka students, Christine Erickson, Brent Brown and Larry Hayward, swept honors at the regional science fair in Emporia. Instrumentalists and vocalists from Eureka High School received top honors at the Emporia Music Festival.

Dr. John Sagartz opened the Eureka Animal Clinic in May on East Seventh street. Ward McGinnis, a charter member of the Kansas Roughnecks' Club, was among those honored at a meeting in Wichita. A disastrous fire destroyed the M & S Ford and Sears buildings on North Main on May 12. R.E. Sears was honored in June at a Federal Land Bank dinner in Eureka for 30 years service with the bank. Eureka BPW observed its 40th anniversary.

Thousands lined Main street on July 4th for Eureka's "Parade America" followed by a program in Memorial Hall. The Rev. Norman Kirsch began his pastorate at the Congregational Church to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the Reverend Morgan.

The Reece post office was closed on July 14. Jim Cannon was appointed manager of the Federal Land Bank to replace R.E. Sears, who retired July 1. Bill Hodgson was the new owner of the former Todd Barber Shop.

A severe wind storm lashed at central and eastern Kansas, with considerable damage to power lines, trees and buildings. Dr. C.E. Slade retired after 46 years as a dentist in eureka. Eureka Unified PTA was organized. The Sutton Bar-S Ranch, Southeast of Eureka, was sold in October to O & B Holdings, Inc. for $2.5 million. The new recreation center was started on East River.

Virgil Boatwright was named acting president of Midwest Institute, following the resignation of O. Dale Baker. Robin Marshall was selected to fill the vacancy created at the Home National Bank by the resignation of Don Grove, who had accepted a position in Oklahoma city. The E.C. Small Alfalfa Products had been sold to the O & B Holdings, Inc. in November.

The Kiwanis Club presented a shelter house in the park to the city. Mrs. Mammie Holmes, Eureka's oldest resident, died in December at the age of 101 years. W.I. Boone and Elwood Marshall were elected to Midwest Institute Board of Trustees. Jim Yost was appointed assistant postmaster at the Eureka office.

1968

The Rev. Eugene Smith of the Christ Lutheran Church resigned in January to accept a pastorate in Hutchinson. New mail rates went into effect January 7 with first class mail increased to six cents, air mail to 10 cents and post cards to five cents. Gene Francis, who had been with Francis & Co. in Eureka, accepted an accounting position in Dodge City. Hugh S. Dennis was elected to the highest position of the Midian Temple when he was elevated to the office of Potentate. Bob Zenishck was appointed to the position of Outer Guard on the Divan of Midian Temple. For the first time in the history of the 58-year old Temple, a non-resident of Wichita had received the honor bestowed on Dennis.

Dr. James Basham of fort Scott, formerly of Eureka, was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents in January. Jess & Jessie's held a grand opening in the new building, 1518 E. River. The enlarged stock featured a complete line of sporting goods and Western wear. eureka High School was presented a certificate denoting 50 years of membership in the North Central Association. One of the largest land sales in the history of Greenwood County was consummated in March when 11,451 acres of Flint Hills pasture land was sold for $1,496,000. The land, owned by 53 State Street Corp., Boston, Mass., was all top bluestem pasture located in Greenwood, Lyon, Chase and Morris counties. The corporation was founded by Roger W. Babson.

Three prominent firms quit business after a combine 88 years on Main street - Burton Furniture, 35 years; Griggs Shoe Store, 31 years; and Robe Hardware, 22 years. The Harry Jackson family is hosting a young Japanese trainee, Yoichi Inouc, for one year on their farm. Barkman Jewelers purchased the building across the street east from the former location and moved in June, after completely remodeling and redecorating. The Oklahoma Tire & Supply enlarged its quarters by leasing the building adjoining on the north. A complete program of redecorating has been completed.

Eureka's National Guard was ordered to active duty May 13 and is stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. L.T. McCue retired from Kansas Power and Light in June after 45 years of service. Hibbard Abstract building, 406 North Main, has undergone an attractive face-lifting job. Phillips Petroleum Co. presented the recreation area and Phillips Cabin to the city of Eureka in May. Bess Carper retired from the Herald staff in May.

Eureka will again feature a gigantic "Parade America" on July 4. Kenneth Griggs joined Zenishek's on June 10 as manager of the men's and boy's department. Senator Robert Kennedy died June 6, as a result of an assassin's bullet. High winds buffeted Madison on June 10, with considerable damage to mobile homes, windows, antenna, small buildings and trees.

Pastor Robert L. Albin, formerly of Princeton, Ind., began his pastorate duties on June 23 at Christ Lutheran Church. The Rev. E.J. Erlandson of Lindsborg has severed the church as interim- pastor since the first of the year. The Rev. S. Lee Weems accepted a call to the Methodist church at Marysville and the Rev. Wendell R. Johnson of Kansas City came to the Eureka church.

HOW GREENWOOD COUNTY GOT ITS NAME

Greenwood County was named in honor of Alfred B. Greenwood, United States land commissioner under Pierce and Buchanan. It was first laid off by the bogus legislature of 1855-56, but was for a number of years thereafter under unorganized territory. As at first laid out, the county was nearly a square tract of uniform size with its neighbors but when, in 1867, Madison county was abolished and its northern part given to Breckenridge (now Lyon) county, the lower portion, to a point three miles above Madison, was added to Greenwood.

FORT MONTGOMERY

While the rest of the country was feeding its soul on fourth of July oratory in 1861, Eureka settlers were busy on a project of more practical nature. There had been some feeling on the slavery question and Indians were always breathing down their necks, so they built a fort! It must have been a very crude affair from the descriptions of several historians but it would, in time of need, be a stronghold against Indians and the Confederate Army!

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