The annual meeting for 2006 of the Elk County Historical Society has been announced. It is scheduled for November 5 at 2:00 p.m. Location will be Fellowship Hall in the basement of the United Methodist Church in Moline. Annual dues are only $1.00 per individual. Contact person for additional info is David A. Brace, Chairman, Box 307 Moline, Ks. 67353 dabrace@ksok.biz Why not plan to attend to learn what the group is all about and how you might like to be involved.
Thanks for posting that useful information. I am interested in that, as I have quite a few questions. I've marked my calendar, now......I'm hoping nothing comes up to conflict with that day and time.
I'm glad you are planning on going. I'm going to e-mail David Brace and tell him to sign me up. I simply have to much going on that weekend to make the trip down for the meeting. Perhaps we can get enough people to have an active group or at least a quarterly newsletter of some kind. Although with this great site, perhaps we don't need a newsletter. I'll look forward to your report.
Thanks ddurbin.. nice to see a "new face" amongst the crowd.
Ms. T,
ddurbin has been a member since June. ddurbin just hasn't been talking until now.
I realize that Miss Know It All... But I was referring to the fact that she is starting to post...
Jeese....Like I don't know who is a new member or not??~~??~~ ::)
Teresa, You're being a little presumptuous to think that all your new members are of the female gender. Think back to your high school days and see if you remember going to the Saturday dances at the fair barn and spending some time on the dance floor with one of those Moline boys--Dan Durbin. That would be me. I've lived over here in Winfield since 1977, but still try and keep in touch with Elk County. This site is proving to be an excellent way to do that. One of my main interests is genealogy and local history so I'll be contributing more in the future. Like Lois and Roma, I've done a lot of research in old Moline papers and have a lot of obits, wedding announcements, 50th wedding anniv. stories and the like. I've lurked long enough, and will try to submit more regularly.
Bring'em on, Dan! I am anxous to read them. :) I get tired of "hearin' myself talk" on the genealogy board. I'd like to read someone else's material for a change. :) By the way, do you have a sister named Becky?
We used to live in Winfield. We were there over 25 years, until we moved away in 1997.
Oh, yes. Dan Durbin. I remember you. I'm sure that Ms. T does too if her old mind can remember that far back.
Dan Durbin? I am so sorry. I thought actually that the D might stand for Diana..
and yes, I remember you..
Ahhhhh the old high school days... and the dances at the fair barn..
((Glad that old place can't talk))
whoooeeee would all of us be in trouble.. LOL LOL ;)
Well, welcome Dan and I am glad that your Lurking days are over..
NOW... don't you feel better after coming out of the closet? Hee hee hee hee
I was able to rearrange some things next weekend, so will be attending the Historical Society
Meeting in Moline. Bev Leffingwell is coming down from Wichita. I look forward to meeting some of you there.
I am glad to read that you've changed your plans for next weekend.
I am wondering what the feasibility would be of having the Historical Society expand to include a Genealogical Society, and if enough people would be willing to donate countless hours in reading all the cemeteries in Elk County. I see a great need for both of those, along with other projects as well.
Does anyone else out there have ideas they would like to share?
Millie Martin did an extensive survey of the cemeteries and all her findings are now either at the library or at the courthouse. Someone else could tell you where it is. It needs to be put on line so that it is accessible to everyone. I know there was lots and lots of notebooks as they were still here in the house when we looked at it. She had shelves on one wall of the bedroom and mostly filled with her cemetery work. Her daughter was considering where they books should go and I think she decided on the library. Neva Walters at the courthouse could tell you.
I would be interested in reading an account of the meeting if any of you would like to report on it.
Yes, the Millie Martin collection is in the library, sitting on the shelf, UNIDEXED. I tried to find something in it, but it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. That is one project that needs to be done (indexing the collection). That is a huge collection. Yes, Millie read some of the cemeteries, and I may be wrong, but I don't believe all of the cemeteries were read. And that was over 20 years ago. Lots of people have died since then.
Originally, I had the same thoughts as you about putting all the cemetery transcriptions online, but that would be a gigantic undertaking. In the Register of Deeds office, the Howard Grace Lawn cemetery transcriptions alone, (up to 1985) consists of 150-200 pages. In transcribing all that, a person is bound to make several mistakes, unless a person could somehow get all that scanned onto the website. So, at this point, that sounds unlikely.
Putting the cemetery readings into a book and making it available to area libraries, individual researchers, etc. would be one way for a genealogy society to raise necessary funds. I have noticed on other genealogy websites, where many people inquire wanting cemetery information, transcriptions, obituaries, etc. from Elk County. And there are no "researchers for hire" in Elk County. So I believe there is a real need for this sort of thing.
It is true that Neva Walter, Register of Deeds, has been a valuable asset, but all that is available to her, is what is in the courthouse, but not all genealogy data is in the courthouse. (Neva also tells me that she only researches wills/probates that are less than 40 years old, and there are many people who are wanting information on wills/probate that are older than that.)
Yes, you will probably read something about the Historical society meeting, afterwards.
Thanx, Wilma, for giving me a chance to get on my soapbox, again. ;D
Speaking of cemetaries. I want to find the Turner graves at the Howard Cemetary. I found my great great grandfather Henry DeWhitt's grave and little white headstone for Laura DeWhitt (a child) was propped up against his. My great great grandmother Elizabeth Kelly Palmore DeWhitt should have been buried right there as well, I would think. The area where is grave is looks like that perhaps some stones are missing. Anyway, I was to tired that day to try to find the Turner's. Who has the index? for that cemetary. I would think someone would have a list of the
graves and the grave numbers.
I can certainly type things from here and put info on the Internet if that helps. I look forwarding to discussing some of these things with you. I'll be glad when I can afford to spend less time making money and more time doing geneology. Ha, ha.
I found when looking for graves at Olpe, that some of our graves had no markers. There are records indicating that they are buried there, but no markers. We have put a stone on the most recent ancestor that had no marker and are working on another whose stone is a slab of cement with the information scratched in. It is deteriorating so that it is hard to read the information. Two others that would logically be with a parent have no markers in that area. The Lyons County Historical Society has been very helpful with information on these ancestors. Volunteers do the work but do ask for a donation to the Society.
There is an alphabetical index of the Howard Grace Lawn cemetery graves and their mapped location contained in a notebook in the covered area at the entrance to the cemetery. I guess that covered area is for services during inclement weather.
At least the notebook was there was two months ago. There is a sign that says do not take from cemetery so hopefully it is still there.
That notebook is still there as far as I know. The covered area is indeed for inclement weather or for graveside services where you don't necessarily want your relatives and friends sinking their high heels into the ground or everyone one seeing your loved one off is as old as dirt.
The American Legion Carter-Rader Post #149 built the building. It is really nice to have it.
The "shelter house" is really a nice one. The last time we were there, we noticed how beautifully landscaped it was, and with a side walk , we thought we were "walking in tall cotton!" Having the shelter house makes it so nice to be able to get out of the blistering hot sun in the summer time, when there are graveside services, and to get out of the blustery north winds during the winter.
Speaking of The American Legion Carter-Rader Post #149 ...
If you have not heard Janet play Taps on her trumpet at funerals..then you have indeed missed something.
She does a marvelous job and every time I have heard her do it.. I have to swallow and blink a whole bunch of times to keep the flood of tears under control.
That is such a haunting tune.................and she does it justice.
Oh my gosh, that is one of the sweetest things you have ever said to me. And just think, I told Micheal Glenn how mean you could be sometimes. I might have to eat my words, but not today. No sir, not today.
Quote from: Janet Harrington on November 03, 2006, 10:05:43 PM
Oh my gosh, that is one of the sweetest things you have ever said to me. And just think, I told Micheal Glenn how mean you could be sometimes.
I might have to eat my words, but not today. No sir, not today.
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/22.gif) Just a feeewwwww words??
Can't be all that hard.. chew.. swallow... choke choke choke..
That's all there is to it.
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/conive.gif)
I hope some of you are still planning to attend the meeting of the Historical Society tomorrow. It should be interesting and I am looking forward to an account of how it goes and what you find out.
While you are in Moline, why not see what might be left of the cheese plant? I never get down that way now that it is so easy to get to Wichita on 400. Since we lived south of Haysville, it was as easy to come over here on 160 as it was to get to 96 to come east. The drive on 160 almost always netted us some sightings of deer and other wildlife, something you don't see on 400.
Yes, ..........Momma Wilma...........we'll give you a report on the happenings. If you're wanting to see some deer, just come east on Hi-way 160 over towards the Elk City Lake, we've got plenty to share, and then some!
Seems the last time I went to Independence I did see some turkeys south of the Elk City lake. We used to take 160 to go to Missouri and would cut off at Elk City to catch 75 north of Independence, then east from Sycamore to Parsons. I always enjoyed that drive. Now it's faster to just take 400. Kind of miss going through Parsons, too. Always had to make a pit stop at McDonalds. Especially if Janet was with us.
Upon attending the annual Historical Society this afternoon, I will give a brief summary of the meeting.
David Brace presided over the meeting. They elected new officers, etc. this year as they couldn't remember who was elected last year, and Mr. Brace couldn't find his notes, etc. To be on the board of directors, one must live within Elk County. There were 14 people who attended this meeting, with four of them being members of the Howard Forum. The largest majority of the people present were elderly people. So if the younger folks would like to see a continuation of the Elk County Historical Society, they need to take an interest in it now.
Reports were given for each museum in regards to projects, events, that took place within the past year.
The only focus of the ECHS happens to be that of the 5 museums that are located in the county. Any research questions that come their way are referred to someone else.
I went to this meeting with no expectations and was not disapppointed.
As for putting news of this meeting into the paper, I was told they had lots of problems with putting anything into the Flint Hillls Express, then I suggested the Good News Community newspaper, and was told that Shirley Sweet from Grenola would be the one that should write up the column for that. They do not send out periodic newsletters.
This sounds like an organization that needs to be organized. I was afraid that it was made up of old people that have no interest in progress. The same could be said of Elk County. Seems if young people want to make a life here, they will need to become active in keeping it going.
Where are the young people? I know they have to earn a living and most of them have to work outside the county, but if they showed more interest maybe the old duffers would get off their duffs. History has to be preserved or there will be no history.
Kudos, and yes, Janet, kudos is a word, to those who have access to information and are willing to share it. I am willing to do whatever I can but I need someone to tell me what to do.
Have I become a preacher, too, Lois?
Momma Wilma...........That was very well said. I liked the way you worded it. And no, you didn't sound like you were preaching. I feel sorry for Don when I get to "romping and stomping, rip and snorting, ranting and raving" ........(now that, is real preaching!) It's no wonder he ducks and runs to the garage! :laugh: :laugh:
QuoteI was told they had lots of problems with putting anything into the Flint Hillls Express,
I don't work for the paper, but I take exception to that. >:( I've had NO problems getting meeting notices in the newspaper. The only time they goofed was with the Wilnerds anniversary announcement.
I've sent in stories about town events, school activities, church things and all of them have been printed in the paper. I think the biggest problem is getting the information to them.
That said, about the meeting today, and research in general. I AM interested, I just haven't started up again. I bought a computer program a couple of months ago, but haven't even installed it yet. :-[
As a curiosity -
what are the 5 museums in the county? Would someone list them, please.
What I had posted earlier, was merely reporting what information was given to me. I had no intention of "ruffling any feathers." Perhaps you would like to continue the conversation with Mrs. David Brace.
But that makes twice I have heard the same thing, and the statement came from two different people. I also know that Flint Hills Express requests that news articles be "short and to the point." The write up for the Elk County Historical Society is usually pretty lengthy, from what I remember seeing a few years ago, when it was in the Good News Community newspaper.
The 5 museums in Elk County are located at Longton, Elk Falls, Moline, Grenola and Howard.
Sorry - I didn't mean to sound snippy - my feathers weren't all that ruffled and it sounds harsher than I meant it. (Written words have a way of doing that! :-[)
Quote from: Mom70x7 on November 05, 2006, 11:55:45 PM
Sorry - I didn't mean to sound snippy - my feathers weren't all that ruffled and it sounds harsher than I meant it. (Written words have a way of doing that! :-[)
Yes, that is very true! I completely agree with that.
I thought maybe what you had expressed was a reflection of how you were feeling, as I remember in a different thread, you had said you were sick that day. Hope that you're feeling better today.
Thought for the day: Live one day at a time, enjoy life to the fullest, be forgiving and LOVE MUCH!
The write-up that was done for the paper after the ECHS met was done by Paul Boquin who was a writer by profession and yes it was lengthy. However; Paul has left this world for another and no one has stepped up to take over what he used to do.
Speaking of Paul Bocquin, when he died he left his two homes to the Elk County Historical Society, to be used as museums. Howard rejected the offer, but Elk Falls accepted his home in Elk Falls, so that house will be converted into another museum.
Why did Howard reject the offer?
That house if FULL of antiques.. and every single item is carded and documented.
I don't recall any explanation given on why the property in Howard was refused.
Does anyone know what happened with the property when Howard refused it?
It was not the Howard museum that turned it down. Paul left both houses to the Elk County Historical Society which is the group that just met. The Howard museums are taken care of by the money left by the Benson's, hence; the name Benson Museum. The Gragg museum is taken care of by Margaret Gragg's money. However; it belongs to the museum. Okay, now the reason why the Elk County Historical Society turned down the houses is because keeping both houses would take alot of work and money. The Elk County Historical Society is funded by our taxes. I don't think it has much money.
What happened to the house that the Elk County Historical Society turned down here in Howard? I think it is sitting in limbo because Paul's will was pretty specific. I really don't know what is going to happen, but I hope someone is looking out for it and making sure no one breaks into it.
Oh yeah. I probably shouldn't have said that it was just the Elk County Historical Society that turned it down. Maybe it was offered to the Benson Museum group, but I don't really know.
Is it possible to read the will to find out specifically what it said? Or do you know?
Are wills public records? How do you access them?
If the will was recorded at the district court, a person can have access to that file, I believe. Does anyone remember if anyone probated Paul Boquin's estate? I can't remember. There would have been a legal publication in the paper if someone probated the estate. However; since he had a will, the estate may not have been required to be probated. All one can do is ask the district court clerk and since I'm thinking about it, I'll just e-mail her and find out. I'll let the forum know.