-by Greg Hoots- John Bowers was born in 1865 in Minnesota, the son of a farmer. In about 1879 John left Minnesota to move to Topeka, Kansas where he took residence with […]
The Curious Case of Postcard Photographer, John Bowers
The Peter Thoes Barn
-by Greg Hoots- Peter Thoes was born in 1821 in a small village on the river LaBelle Mosille on the western edge of Germany. After Peter’s birth, his parents, Johannes Thoes and […]
The William Horne Barn
Many of the most historically significant barns have disappeared from the Wabaunsee County landscape throughout the 20th century, leaving a remaining few relics of their heyday scattered at the sites of former […]
Fifteen Minutes Till Doomsday
-by Greg Hoots- In 1938 two German chemists, Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, announced their discovery of nuclear fission and presented their theory to the world academic community. The importance of the […]
Two Barns in Wabaunsee County
-by Greg Hoots- No single structure is more iconic and fundamental to ranching heritage than the hay barn. Many of the earliest barns in the Wabaunsee County were log structures, but by […]
Gas Station Bandits Strike Eskridge
-by Greg Hoots The year was 1931. The Great Depression had changed the face of America. Hardworking folks who had never experienced unemployment, hunger, homelessness, and the inability to feed their families […]
Profiles of Courage: John Dover Page and Ellen Forte Page
-by Greg Hoots- Editor’s note: I’ve had the great fortune to become acquainted with some of the descendants of John and Ellen Page, formerly of Topeka, Kansas, and I have to say […]
Bulldogging With Cleo Schultz
-by Greg Hoots- Cleo Schultz was born and raised in the Volland, Kansas community, and he spent his adult life ranching in Wabaunsee County. But there was a time when this dedicated […]
A Citizen-Soldier’s Story
-by Howard Johnstone- EDITOR’S NOTE by Greg Hoots: I am very pleased to present the digital version of this incredible World War II story, authored by an old friend of mine, Howard […]
The Greatest Backyard Find in History: 1956 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce Alleggerita
-by Greg Hoots- I’ve always loved cars. New ones, old ones, and everything in between, automobiles have always caught my eye. The first car which I drove to high school was a […]
Flint Hills Special 