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From the files of the June 27, 1957 Ellsworth Reporter.

DECLINE IN LIQUOR

SALES

Kansas liquor sales declined during the second quarter of April, May and June, with the Ellsworth county share being $1,440.78; the tax for the first quarter totaled $1708.78.

The state check for this quarter amounted to $221,499,92; this amount being collected from the two per cent liquor enforcement. This compares with $262,701.09 distributed on March 15; however, this quarter’s tax is larger than a year ago, when the state fund was $219,450.83.

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OPENING OF MUSEUM

SATURDAY A SUCCESS

Ellsworth’s temporary museum had a very successful grand opening last Saturday, when an estimated number of between five and six hundred persons visited the display from the time the doors opened at one o’clock until when they closed at ten-thirty in the evening.

The relics, all with Ellsworth county historical value, are owned by George Jelinek, who has offered to share his priceless collection with the people of this county, and area, who may be interested in the history of this county. A good many of Saturday’s visitors had seen collections in museums in large cities, and after viewing the Jelinek collection, expressed surprise and admiration of the great variety of items, and the many classifications on exhibit.

There are a great many “onlys” in Jelinek’s collection — such as the Grand Central Hotel original register, which carries countless signatures, of the cattlemen who brought their herds from Texas, Montana, Colorado, and other points, with herds numbering from a few hundred into the thousands, and while their herds were corralled at watering places awaiting shipment, or cattle buyers from other points, registered at this hotel. The handwriting in this huge ledger, alone is of interest to a sight-seer.

Then, there is the large collection of arrowheads, polished native Ellsworth county rocks, fossils; three buffalo skulls, one of which is a prize collectors’s piece in that it still has the teeth and a well defined jaw preserved; there are flat irons from way back when grandmother was a little girl; there are spittoons, coffee grinders; and a large collection of postcard portraits of frontiersmen who made Kansas famous, and passed through Ellsworth county.

However, the prize collection is the display of musical instruments which Jelinek has gone to a great trouble to assemble, and which is increasing daily in historical value.

This collection is being housed in the Wellington building on West 1st, and as soon as show cases and display space is available, the collection will be enlarged.

In commenting on the museum, Mayor Wm. Priesker has this to say: “I think the 90th Anniversary Celebration Museum as arranged by Mr. Jelinek is a definite asset to our City and will be a great help in making our Celebration a success.”

This Saturday, both afternoon and evening, it is planned to have a musical program, played on the various instruments on display.

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KANOPOLIS

AREA OFFERS MANY

SIDE TRIPS

By Will Brown

Lake Kanopolis had proven to be the most popular recreational area in Kansas in less than ten years, but the lake itself is only one of the attractions to be found in this part of the state.

The facilities at the lake include fishing and migratory waterfowl hunting, boating, swimming, camping and picnicking. This lake, which impounds the Smoky Hill River, is 12 miles long.

Horsethief Canyon and Red Rock Canyon are on the north edge of the lake and may be reached by boat. Horsethief Canyon, a onetime hangout for horse thieves, has been partially inundated by the lake.

Highway US 40 passes north of the Kanopolis reservoir, and on a line along this road are several spots of interest. Starting on the east, the Brookville Hotel at Brookville is nationally famous for its fried chicken, hot biscuits and old-fashioned hospitality. It was built in 1870 and is probably the oldest hotel in Kansas still operating in its original location without a change of service. This “cowtown” hotelry once played host to Buffalo Bill.

Nine miles west of Brookville, along US 40 is the small town of Carneiro. One mile south of Carneiro on the old Sam Johnson farm is a regular fairyland of grotesque rock formations known as the mushroom rocks. Cap rocks of dark hue have not weathered as completely as the strata of lighter colored stone below forming gigantic “mushrooms” which rise out of the green meadow.

Seven miles west on US 40 from Carneiro is the town of Kanopolis, one of the most extensive “paper” towns ever conceived. It was founded in 1886 on the site of old Fort Harker by town boomers who laid out the town to accommodate 150,000 inhabitants and lots sold for as much as $1,000 apiece.

Four blocks were reserved for the statehouse which, in 1893, the Populist Party tried to move here from Topeka.

Two blocks west of Ohio Street in Kanopolis is the old blockhouse of Fort Harker which has now been turned into a museum.

The Kanopolis area is a recreational section of the state which will grow in interest as more people discover the many attractions which it holds.

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MARRIAGE LICENSES

Probate Judge Haase issued one license this past week; it went to Keith W. Janne, and Vivian Lee Gamber, both of Wilson.

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LEFT FOR CAMP

SUNDAY

A group of sixth, seventh and eighth graders left Sunday for Junction City, where they will spend a week at Camp Wa-Shun-Ga, attending the Youth Fellowship Camp of the Presbyterian church. Among the group were: Russell Beverly, Diane Kempke, Mary Houdyshell, Barbara and Patti Durland, Roberta Gray, Jeannette Andrews, Mike Novak, Harold Holecek, David Duryee and Norman Kanak, all of Ellsworth and Geraldine Jandos, Sandra Davis, Mary Ann Miles and Joyce Hoffman of Kanopolis.

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FRIENDLY NEIGHBORS

HDU MET

The June meeting of the Friendly Neighbors HDU was held at the home of Mrs. Gilbert Smischny, where all members assisted Mrs. James Shanelec and Mrs. Bert Root in preparing and serving the noon meal for the last part of the lesson on Meal Planning. Following the dinner, the regular business meeting was held. Mrs. Gilbert Smischny won the mystery package. Recreation was held at the close of the meeting. The July meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. Tony Svaty at 1:30 o’clock.

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4 WHEAT VARIETIES

SHOW WELL

Wheat varieties showing up best at this year’s variety demonstration are Ponca, Pawnee, Bison and Kowa.

The demonstration, held last week Thursday on the farm near Bavaria of J. Owen Hartley, was attended by a small group of farmers.

Hartley planted a total of 12 varieties. He will harvest them separably to determine yields.

Bison, on test for the first time this year, showed up well.

It is a sister variety to Kiowa, these two having many ancestors and characteristics in common.

However, where Kiowa is a medium gluten wheat, Bison is a strong gluten grain. This characteristic should make it popular with the miller.

For the first time, Bison has been released to several farmers in this county for planting.

Other strong gluten wheats are Ponca, Commanche, Turkey, Cheyenne and Tenmarq.

Other variety characteristics shown were: Late maturing — Turkey, Cheyenne and Iowin. Early maturing — Triumph and Wichita. Most lodging — Iowin and Turkey with Commance showing some, also.

Characteristics shown in the demonstration are not necessarily final but are assessed on a long-term basis, Kermit Engle, county farm agent, stressed.

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SIX COUNTIANS ON

HONOR ROLL

Six Ellsworth County students are among the 385 at Fort Hays State College who made grades of straight B or above in the spring semester to be listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Of these, twenty-four made all A’s, and 108 made above a 2.5 on a threepoint system. The remaining 253 rated from 2 point to 2.49. Grades are valued at 3 points — A; 2 points —B; and 1 point — C.

Students from this area are: John Dlabal, Jr., Paul Whitmer, Wilson; and Richard Hoffman grade average 2.50 to 2.99; Norman Herrington, Kanopolis; Elaine Peterman and Elizabeth Sneath, Ellsworth, 2.00 to 2.49 grade average.

The historic items on this page appear as they did in the original publication.