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 Elk Country Paper, January 31, 1991     

"Elk Falls Bridge To Be Nominated As Historic Site"

  "The Elk Falls Bridge is going to be nominated by the Kansas State Historical Society for selection to the National Register, according to Barry McGuire, coordinator of the Friends of Elk Falls Association."

  'McGuire said that the Kansas State Historical Society had informed him of this decision by letter."

  "McGuire further outlines characteristics of the bridge which merits its consideration for National Register selection."

  "The bridge was constructed by the George E. King Bridge Company of Des Moines, Iowa, which was awarded the contract by the Elk County Commissioners on Nov. 15, 1892, as a result of its low bid.  This contract stipulated a completion date of July 1, 1893, with a construction cost of $2,000," McGuire said."

  "Known as a "Pratt Truss Bridge,' this design was patented in 1844 by Thomas and Caleb Pratt.  In this design diagonals were placed in tension and vertical members in compression with the exception of the hip verticals. "It is reported that the bridge may be unique for its type since its expansion joints are roller rather than wheels," McGuire said."

  "Although the bridge has been closed to vehicles, it has been open to pedestrian traffic for several years."
 
  "The beauty of the site enhances the preservation value of the bridge since it crosses high over the scenic Elk River gorge and also provides a tremendous view of the waterfall for which the city of Elk Falls was named."

  "A historic nineteenth century gristmill was located here.  A full color photograph of the falls appears in the Kansas Attraction Guide published by the (State) Department of Tourism," McGuire said."

  "McGuire added that both the falls and brdige are becoming increasingly popular tourist attractions which had a dramatic rise of visitors in 1990."

  "This trend is expected to continue as promotional efforts for other Elk Falls attractions proceed.  The bridge is one of only five bridges listed in the index of the new book, "Kansas Weeked Guide", which is fast becoming a popular best seller throughout the state," McGuire said."

  "Nomination of the bridge to the National Register is a high honor and if approved, the Friends of Elk Falls Association hopes to raise funds to acquire replicas of the ornate name and date plates which were originally at each end of the bridge. "Natives of Elk County feel a special affinity for this venerable bridge since it was part of the lives of their parents and grandparents." McGuire said.
"Newcomers to the area are quick to adopt it as their own.  The first-time visitor is apt to exclaim , "I had no idea this beautiful place existed."

  "McGuire added that John Collins, brother of Rebeka Eck of Elk Falls, who is a machinist in Colorado has volunteered to contribute enough brass to make the replica plates."

  "The state publication, Kansas Preservation, notes that, "It is of value to preserve a cross section of the bridge types built in the state both for the benefit of future researchers but also to maintain that link with the past for ouselves."

I hope I get there before you do.  I can almost taste it. 

Elk County Paper

"Ladonia Chapter 243 OES"

  "On January 10, 1990 Ladonia Chapter No. 243 Order of the Eastern Star opened their meeting with a special purpose in mind.  Paul Cain was delegated to present two Certificates of Years of Faithful Service."

  "One was presented to Nora Womacks whose certificate stated she was recognized for 74 years of faithful service.  Nora was initiated at Ivy Leaf Chapter No. 75, January 16, 1916.  She transferred to Moline, January 19, 1960.  There she received her 50 year pin and life membership on November 6, 1979.  Sue Adamson was present to accept the award for Nora.  Nora is presently a resident of Elk Manor Nursing Home."

  "The second certificate was presented to Louise Campbell for 63 years of faithful service.  Louise is still an active member of Ladonia Chapter, having been initiated in Longton Chapter No. 28 on March 16, 1927.  Louise transferred to Moline where she served Neptune Chapter, holding several offices and was installled Worthy Matron in 1943."

  "Twenty members were present to pay honor to Louise and Nora, and to enjoy the social hour that followed."

 (Wichita Eagle, Tuesday, June 12, 2007)

"Moliine - Sheel, Barbara J. (Dexter) homemaker, died Friday, June 1, 2007.  Graveside memorial services will he held at 10:30 a. m. on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at the Moline Cemetery.  Arrangements are being made with the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard."
...

(Taken from the Independence Daily Reporter, Tuesday, June 12, 2007, page 2)

Barbara Jean Sheel, 71, of Conroe, Texas, and formerly of Moline, died Friday at Conroe, Texas.

Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Moline Cemetery with Pastor Dave Sanchez of Christian Community Church in Longton officiating.  Cremation has taken place.

Memorials are suggested to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation.  Contributions may be left with Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard, which is handling the arrangements.

Mrs. Sheel was born Feb. 24, 1936 at Fredonia, the daugher of John M. and Edna Grace (Murphy) Dexter.

She married Eldon L. Sheel on Feb. 19, 1955 at Longton United Methodist Church.  Mr. Sheel died in 1988.

The family made their home in Moline most of their lives.  Mrs. Sheel was a member of Moline United Methodist Church and Ladonia Chapter #243 Order of the Eastern Star.

Mrs. Sheel is survived by a son, Carl Sheel, Wichita; a daughter, Patti Chappuie, Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Marilyn Marquis, Pittsburgh,  Pa.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mason is a cutey!  Enjoy every minute- grandchildren are so much fun!

Article from the Elk County Paper-Whatever it was in 1990.

"Howard- Columbia Chapter #142 OES met in stated session Tuesday, January 9, with Agnes Miller, Worthly Matron, and Elwood Miller, Worthy Patron, presiding."

  "After the formal opening, the main item of business was the installation of three officers who had been unable to attend the previous meeting at which all other officers had been installed.  Agnes Miller served as Installing Officer; Jo McDonald was Installing Marshall: Carol Brinegar, Installing Chaplain; and Bessie Miller, Installing Organist.  Sherri Blackard was installed as Associate Matron; Mike Mills, Associate Patron; and Betty Russel, Sentinel."

   "After some discussion, the members voted to hold an informal joint Eastern Star-Masonic Family night on each fifth Tuesday of the year.  This action revives a tradition of a number of years ago.  Since January has five Tuesdays, the first get-together will be Tuesday, January 30, in the Masonic Lodge Room under the direction of Columbia Chapter.  All Masons and Eastern Stars and their families are invited to attend.  The families are invited whether or not they belong to the organizations."

  "Columbia Chapter's next meeting will be January 23."

A Picture of Kyle Gregory Thomas

Kyle Gregory Thomas, 23, Louisville, KY (formerly of Topeka, KS), was killed in action in Iraq.  He was born November 27, 1979, in Olathe, KS, the son of Raymond L. and Deborah Thomas.  Kyle was a 1998 graduate of Topeka West High School.  While in high school, Kyle was involved in Football, Wrestling, Theater, Yell Leading, Stage Craft, Woodworking and Photography.  Kyle danced for Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka and earned scholarships to The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet,  He danced with Boca Ballet Theater, Florida, The Dayton Ballet Company, Ohio , and Evansville Dance Theater, Indiana.  He enlisted in the United States Army January 22 , 2002, in Topeka, KS.  Kyle was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry Regiment, 173 Airborne Brigade, Able Company based in Ford Ederle, Italy.  He married his longtime friend Carissa Marie Dyke July 6, 2002, in Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clara Hohner Thomas, St. John, KS, Ira L. and Shirley J. Thomas, Moline, KS, and his uncle Gregory Kent Thomas, Salina, KS.  Survivors include his wife Carrissa Thomas, Louisville, KY; father Raymond Thomas, Topeka, KS; mother Deborah Thomas, Goshen, IN; brother Craig Thomas, Topeka, KS;  and grandmother Sadie  Buster, Colton, CA. 

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday October 10 at St. Matthews Church, 2700 SE Virginia, Topeka, KS.  Burial with full military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka, KS.  Kyle will lie in state 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.  Memorail contributions may be given to the Kansas Children's Service League, 3616 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS, 66611, in support of abused and negected children. " (Arr. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 78535 4-8558)

(Published in the Kansas City Star on 10/5/03)
...
This is an article from the Topeka Capital-Journal 9-29-03 by Cait Purinton

"A matter of when"

"Teachers recall Kyle Thomas was a renaissance man."

"Kyle Thomas once comm(ented to his brother that he wanted to write a book about his many facets of life, and each chapter would begin w (ith a description of a pair of his shoes -- ballet slippers, work boots, athletic cleats, sandals and sneakers."

"The last chapter in his book would be the story of combat boots."

"Spc.  Kyle G. Thomas, 23, a 1998 graduate of Topeka West High School, was killed in an explosion Thursday inTikrit while he was on a patrol, according to the Department of Defense.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry Regiment, 173 Airborn Brigade based in Ford Ederle, Italy."

Another article by Matt Stamy/The Capital Journal

"A collection of memorabilia from Kyle Thomas' liife includes roses given to him after ballet performances, a fencing mask, nutcrackers, a black and white photograph that he took, developed and printed, and picture of his wife."

"In my heart, I've been prepared for this for a number of months."  Deborah Thomas, his mother, said.  "For me, it was just a matter of when."

"She said her son felt a calling from God to join the U.S. Army after the Sept. 11 terriost attacks and after a kayaking incident in which he nearly drowned.  He told his father, Raymond Thomas, that joining the Army wasn't about oil or terrorism, but that God needed Christian man fighting for Him."

"Kyle and I talked very openly about this from the beginning,"  his mother said.  " Kyle knew he wasn't coming home, and so did I.  We knew we'd meet each other again in eternity."

"Deborah thomas last heard from her son two weeks ago.  He said things were slowing down and it was less tense in Iraq, where he had been since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom."

"He was all about what he was doing," she said.  "He was very happy, glad to be a part of freeing people and releasing them from the oppression."

Well-like performer

"Kyle Thomas' room in his father's home is decorated with artifacts of his many talents -- each rose he received following a ballet performance with the Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka, handmade nutcrackers, photographs and athletic shoes."

"June Landrith, MBT artistic director, said if he had any faults, it was that he was too good at so many things."

"I think that the people who associated with him in dance respected him and liked him genuinely."  Landrith said.  "I think that can be said about him from all the people he has danced with, from all the people he was in sports with, from all the people he was in theater design with and from all the people in his life."

"Kyle Thomas became involved in ballet when Landrith requested that members of the Topeka Fencing Club assist with a performance of "Romeo and Juliet."  After the production, he continued to attend classes--and flirt with the girls."

"Kyle was know to do that,"  Landrith said.  One of those girls, Cari Dyke, also of Topeka, would later become his wife.  The couple married in July 2002 while Kyle was on a 20-day leave before shipping out to Italy.  Cari was performing with a dance company in Louisville, KY, when she received word of her husband's death and remains in that city."

"He couldn't think of anybody else to be his life partner," said Craig Thomas, Kyle's younger brother."

"Kyle Thomas was entering his junior year at Topeka West when he chose dancing over football and wrestling.  He eventually earned a full scholarship to the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet in 1997-98.  He also danced in the Boca Ballet Theatre in Florida, The Dayton Ballet Company in Ohio and the Evansville Dance Theatre in Indiana."

"He had nice feet and he worked very hard."  Landrith said."

"She said Kyle Thomas "wasn't cowardly" in his steps.  In fact, a pole in the middle of her studio will no longer be an innocuous object to her anymore."

"It is the thing Kyle was always hitting,"  she said.  "He would fling himself into the air and hit it."

A 'renaissance man'

"Dance wasn't the only thing that captivated his interest.  He also enjoyed horseback riding, woodworking and auto mechanics.  He spent many nights in the garage with his brother and friends making set pieces for productions at Topeka West."

"Mike Callaway, theater technical designer at Topeka West, recalls how Kyle Thomas taught him to weld to help build sturdy sets for the school's productions."

"He began in industrial art, and evenually applied his woodworking skills to set construction.  As a freshman and sophomore, he was a theater technician, the his junior and senior years "he really took off as an all-around renaissance man,"  Callaway said."

"Kyle was one of those people wo kind of stood out because he had a different aura about him,"  he said.  "He had a real good karma to him." 

"Doug Goheen, Theater teacher at Topeka West, remembers Kyle Thomas' vibrant energy and his diverse field of interests."

"I remember him as being a fine young man, well-respected, very polite, good natured."  he said.  "The overwhelming memory I have of him is his complete embracement of life." 

"Funeral arrangements are pending."

Kyle's name is still on Legacy.com.  I searched for Kyle Thomas of Topeka tonight and found many articles about Kyle.  Sounds like he was truly a Thomas like his dad and grandfather.

Ira and Shir;ey were tremendous people.  Alex Thomas, Ira's dad, was a jewel.  I have an article from the Topeka Capital Journal about Kyle Thomas, Ira's grandson, (Raymond's son) about his life and death.  If this appropriate for the Elk County Forum, I would put it on.  Kyle's grandparents and parents were from Moline.  Kyle was raised in the Topeka area. 

                                        In Loving Memory of Ira L. Thomas

 Ira Lee Thomas passed away Sunday, November 15, 1998 at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  He was 72 years of age.  Ira was born October 6, 1926 at Wellington, Kansas to Alex and Ada (Hines) Thomas.  He attended Pink rural school near Wellington as well as Wellington schools, before moving with his family to the Moline community where he graduated from Moline High School in 1944.
  On September 20, 1944 Ira enlisted in the United States Air Force at Shepard Field, Texas and sevrved as a papachute rigger while stationed at Santa Anna, California.  He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1945.
  On December 19, 1946, Ira married Shirley Jean Porter at their current home in Moline.  Ira was employed at Concrete Materials in Sedan, Kansas until serving as parts manager at Ames Chevrolet in Moline for 17 years.  In 1964, he became associated with O & B Oil Company in Elk Falls, Kansas and continued in that business until he retired in 1985.
  Ira enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.  He was also interested in automobiles and caring for his favorite dogs, "Sam", "Red", "Fifi" and "T-John".  He was a board member of the Moline Community Rural Health Clinic and was instrumental in constructing the clinic building.  Ira was also active in the Shalom Workshop and Residence at Moline.  He was former mayor and councilman of Moline, former president of the board of Southeast Kansas Economic Development and was a former member of the Moline School Board.  He was a long time member of Fergueson-Spease American Legion Post #388, Hope Lodge #155 A. F. & A.M., Ladonia Chapter #243 O.E.S. and the Moline United Methodist Church.
  He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Raymond Thomas and his wife Deborah, of Topeka and Tyson Porter of Round Rock, Texas; a daughter, Teressa Kirkpatrick and her husband, Rodney, of Longton; and 3 grandchildren, Kyle and Craig Thomas and Crystal Kirkpatrick.
  Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 1998 at the Moline United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Boyer officiating.  Shae Watkins was the organist with congregational singing of "Because He Lives" and "When We All Get To Heaven".  The casket bearers were Clarence Carter, Gene Corle, Chris Clyde, Merle Hey, Dennis Hogan, Fred Osborn, Rob Shore, Gene Williams and Mike Wilson.  Interment was held in the Moline Cemetery.  Memorials have been established with the Moline United Methodist Church and the New Beginnings Workshop of Moline.  Contributions may be left with the funeral home.  The funeral arrangements were made with the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard.