"So Suddenly Did the Twister Come": The Sedgwick Tornado of May 25, 1917

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

Earlier this week, on Monday, May 20, we again witnessed the tremendous power of wind and how, in a instant, the landscape of a community can be changed forever by a tornado as it did in Moore, OK and surrounding areas.  Harvey County residents well know the challenges ahead for the people affected by this most recent storm.  If you would like to help the people of Oklahoma during this time, please contact the Red Cross, Mennonite Disaster Service or relief organization of your choice.

May 25, 1917

In the late afternoon of May 25, 1917 one of the deadliest tornadoes in US history tore through Harvey County.  At 4:20 in the afternoon, the Kansan received an Associated Press bulletin "stating that a tornado had struck Andale, 19 miles northwest of Wichita where six people were reported dead. . . . The wires were all down but a special train was made up at Wichita and started to the scene." Power was out in Newton, and the editor pointed out that "the Kansan is handicapped on that account as the linotype machines were helpless." The tornado "ground its way across this county" traveling in a northeasterly direction destroying homes and farms. Initial reports indicated damage and at least two fatalities. Obtaining accurate information was difficult.  The Kansan noted; "there are rumors that it had continued on up as far as Peabody, but definite news of damage done could not be learned."

The May 25, 1917 Newton Evening Kansan Republican:

Newton Evening Kansan Republican, 25 May 1917, p.1

The tornado  was followed by a "terrific downpour of rain, even here in Newton. . . trash  and debris fell in large quantities in the streets."  The Kansan also reported that several automobile loads of men left Newton almost immediately for Sedgwick to help with rescue efforts.

Devastation at Sedgwick, Ks
www3.gendisasters.com/kansas

 The next day, the full tragedy was reported in the Newton Evening Kansan Republican.  At about 3:00 in the afternoon "a terrific tornado struck the southeast part of the town of Sedgwick . . . sweeping away more than a mile of telephone and telegraph lines and the A.V.I. power lines and the Kansas Gas & Electric high line."  

Official tornado warnings were non-existent before 1948 and the residents of Andale and Sedgwick had no warning. "The twister rose in the southwest, roared down upon Andale with a suddenness that prevented any organized escape. . . it swept through what is known as one of the richest farming districts in the state, leveling standing grain and powdering farm houses and outbuildings."

Many rural families were caught in the open. The Norris family saw the storm coming and Mrs. Norris, along with the children were able to make it to a hedge row for shelter. William Norris, the husband and father, was "caught and thrown to the north where he was found with his body crushed" killed instantly. Several members of the Coble family were able to make it into a cellar.  A nephew, Dewey Faw, however, did not make it and was killed. Even those that made it to safety suffered broken bones and bruising.

Coble Farm
HCHM Photo Archives

The L. E. Fife Farm was "one of the finest country homes in the county" and was "equipped in the most modern and up-to-date manner" with heat and a "water plant."  Mr. Fife and a hired hand took shelter in a small shed, which was not touched.  Mr. Fife described his experience for the Kansan.

"So suddenly did the twister come that he first saw debris flying and heard the roar and crash of the buildings as the mighty whirl wrenched them from their foundations and crushed them into kindling wood, hurling them with spiteful viciousness in every direction . . . he saw his beautiful home lifted, first the roof, then the entire structure hurled from it foundation and crushed like a house of cards. Imagine his impotent grief  when he saw Mrs Fife lifted and hurled  through the air then picked up again and thrown against the fence." 

Mrs. Fife was caught in the house.  When she heard the roar of the storm, she went to the door, but could not open it.  She turned back to the room;

 "and the next she knew was when she found herself hung across the front fence.  One of her shoes had been torn off and her ankle severely wrenched and a bad gash had been cut across her right temple.  the house and all buildings . . . a complete wreck. Seven of Mr. Fife's purebred horses . . . killed."

Fife Farm
HCHM Photo Archives

Mrs. Fife, although badly injured, survived the tornado.

The Danner farm was hit especially hard. S.T. Danner had purchased his Harvey County homestead from the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1870s. Married to Anna Harryman, the Danners had three sons, William S., Albert E.S. and Samuel E. (who died at age nine). 

Danner Farm, ca 1910
HCHM Photo Archives

His wife, Anna Harryman Danner, worked along side him to create a beautiful home.    Active in public life as well, Danner served in the Kansas Senate in 1893 and 1895.

Danner Farm, ca. 1916
HCHM Photo Archives

That fateful day, the Danner  family was at home.  Son, Albert (A.E.S.) and his wife took shelter in the cellar, but for some reason his parents did not.  Anna Danner was "killed outright, her head being crushed and her arm twisted and broken in a frightful manner."  Mr. Danner was injured so badly many doubted that he would survive.

Samuel T. Danner Farm
HCHM Photo Archives 

He did survive, but friends noted that "he never fully recovered [from the death of Anna], and put his worldly affairs in order." Danner died two years later on March 20, 1919.

Although the Fuji scale had not yet been developed, it is estimated that the tornado that went through Sedgwick and rural Harvey County on May 25 was at an F5 strength.  There were 23 deaths and 118 buildings completely destroyed in the communities of Andale, Sedgwick, and Florence.  The tornado was over one mile wide at one point and traveled 65 miles

The same storm continued to wreak havoc across the United States.

Newton Kansan Evening Republican, May 28, 1917, p. 1

The May 25, 1917 tornado is listed as one of the top ten Weather Events of the 20th Century for South Central Kansas by the National Weather Service Forecast Office. The tornado that roared through Harvey County was part of a larger outbreak of storms across twelve Midwestern states.  Between May 25 and June 1, 1917 at least 382 people were killed in the eight day tornado outbreak sequence that made it the third deadliest tornado season since records were kept; a total of 551 people lost their lives to tornadoes.  For fatalities related to tornadoes 1925 season was the highest with 794 fatalities; followed by 1936 with 552 fatalities.  

May 25 was also the date of the 1955 tornado that devastated Udall, Kansas where over half of the population with either killed or severely injured.

Sources:

Newton Evening Kansan Republican, 25 May 1917, p.1
Newton Evening Kansan Republican,  26 May 1917, p. 1
Newton Kansan Evening Republican, 28 May 1917, p. 1

Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives Photograph Archives

Online Sources:

http://www3.gendisasters.com/kansas/5040/sedgwick%2C-ks-tornado%2C-may-1917

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May%E2%80%93June_1917_tornado_outbreak_sequence 

http://blogs.kansas.com/weather/2010/05/25/may-25-a-dark-day-for-kansas-in-the-tornado-annals/

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/climate/topten.php 

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"A Tool With All the Features Missing in Ordinary Screwdrivers: The Invention of the Screwball Driver

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

Many are familiar with the story of how Lloyd Smith "saved" the Old Mill building from the wrecking ball in 1974. (if not, it will be a story for another time). The Old Mill, however, was preserved to be used and as a result became a success story in rehabilitating historic structures for modern uses insuring preservation.

Before the Old Mill project, Lloyd Smith was a successful Harvey County inventor and businessman.  Recently, the family of Lloyd Smith donated a wonderful collection of artifacts, drawings and photographs related to Smith's work as an inventor.

In 1969, Smith and Dr. Harold Vogt bought Rains Manufacturing Co in Hutchinson, Ks.  Rains produced and sold specialized hand tools designed by Smith.  They renamed the company S/V Tool Co. and moved to a  property on 6th street in Newton. 

At first the business was a part time venture.  Smith still worked at Hesston Corp and Dr. Vogt was a clinical psychologist in Wichita. By mid-1971, Smith resigned from Hesston to devote full time to S/V Tools. He bought Dr. Vogts interest and developed a five year plan.  His first success was the "Ice Breaker", a line of plexi-glass ice scrapers that were virtually unbreakable.

"Ice Breaker"
Lloyd Smith Collection
HCHM

Promotional Flyer
Lloyd Smith Collection
HCHM

Due to the successful introduction on a nationwide scale, Smith was in a position to consider expanding. While looking for a place to expand, he became aware of the vacant Warkentin Flour Mill in Newton.  He felt the structure should be saved and had possibilities if remodeled correctly.   

Promotional Flyer
Lloyd Smith Collection
HCHM

Smith was able to save the structure and it became the corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant for the S/V Tools Co..

One of Smith's most successful inventions was the Screwball Driver.  With the success of the ice breaker, Smith began to look around for a new challenge.  He noticed the screwdriver. There were several things he did not like about the design of the screwdriver; "the handle that cut into your hand; the one-size, one-type-of-screw blade; the lack of a ratchet; plus a non-magnetized tip that failed to hold screws in tight places," Smith went to work.  The result was the brightly colored Screwball, "a tool with all the features Mr. Smith found missing in ordinary screwdrivers." 

First Screwball Driver
1974

The Screwball was made in Newton and became widely popular.  

Promotional Flyer, 1980
Lloyd Smith Collection
HCHM

Product lists, 1974
Lloyd Smith Collection
HCHM

Lloyd Smith with a Screwball
Newspaper clipping, Lloyd Smith Collection
n.d.

Screwball was later purchased by Sears for its Craftsman line of tools.

Smith continued to develop new products throughout the 1980s.

S/V Tool Co./Economy Screwdrivers
Richard Ten Evek Assoc. ltd, Wichita, KS
23 July 1980

SV 904 Economized Ratcheting Screwdriver Concepts/GE

7 July 1983

In the early 1980s, Smith sold S/V Tools Co. to Fiskars Manufacturing Corp., Wausau.  The purchase of S/V Tools allowed Fiskars, known for their orange handled scissors, to expand into the hand tool market.  All 40 of S/V Tools employees kept their positions and the screwdrivers continued to be produced in Newton. Smith served as a consultant to Fiskars on the development of additional hand tools for several years.

Lloyd Smith, "Newton entrepreneur and philanthropist"  died December 29, 2009 at the age of 86.

Sources:

• Fisher, James, "Human Angle is Figured In", unidentified newspaper source, Jan. 23, 1984, Lloyd Smith Collection, HCHM Archives.
• "Fiskars buys S/V Tool Co.", newspaper clipping, n.d., S & V Tool Co Publicity & Promotion, Lloyd Smith Collection, HCHM Archives.
• S&V Tool Hardware Products, Patents, Etc. Lloyd Smith Collection, HCHM Archives.
• "'Gem' of community Lloyd Smith dies", Newton Kansan, December 31, 2009.
• "Lloyd Thomas Smith" Obituary,  Newton Kansan, 13 January 2010.

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"A Trail of Sorrow"

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

"People with good memories will recall that the small tornado which struck southeast of Newton Thursday, May 1, came on the thirty-fifth anniversary of the devastating tornado which swept thru Harvey County west of Halstead May 1, 1895." 
(Evening Kansan Republican, May 2, 1930) 

Clippings from Newton Kansan, May 2, 1895;

 Evening Kansan Republican, May 2, 1930

Two of the deadliest tornadoes to hit Harvey County struck during the month of May.  This blog post will describe the Halstead Tornado of  May 1, 1895.

May 1, 1895

The forecast in the Newton Kansan for the first week of May in 1895 was sunny, pleasant, and dry.  It had been six months since the county had experienced measurable rainfall and the crops were suffering. Nothing indicated that lives were to be changed in an instant the afternoon of May 1. 

At 4:30 in the afternoon a storm formed over Lake Township in section 22.  As the storm traveled eighteen miles north - north east across the county, "dealing death and destruction," it was at times as much as a half mile wide.

"The storm was plainly visible to people for miles around and it seemed to waiver  first in one direction, then in another.  an eyewitness said traveled not much faster than a man could run." (Halstead Independent, 3 May 1895, p. 2)

"As it traveled it created a great noise and those in its track, as far as possible sought shelter in cellars or tried to get out of reach of the storm."  (Newton Kansan, May 2, 1895)

Most of the damage occurred in Lakin Township starting at the Wear farm six miles southwest of Halstead,  where  "it totally destroyed the fine new home of Joseph Wear, and wrought such dreadful havoc with his family." The Wear family consisting of Joseph, Fredricka and 3 year old George arrived in Harvey County in 1878 and established a farm in section 7 of Lakin Township. They had at least five more children. On the afternoon of May 1, 1895, without warning, tragedy struck the Wear family. 

When the dark clouds formed;

 "Two children went into the cellar; Mrs Wear and babe were in the house and Mr. Wear was out doors,  he laid down on the ground and clasped his arms around a tree, and it was the whipping of the ground by his body, or the tree striking him as it swayed in the wind, or from being hit by debris from the house that wounded him, his head, arms and body being one mass of bruises and one rib being broken.  The bodies of Mrs. Wear and her babe were found about fifty yards southeast of where the house had stood."         (Newton Kansan, May 2, 1895)

 In addition to Mrs. Fredricka Wear and one month old Mathilda, 11 year old Grace and 5 year old Herman were killed in the storm.  Joseph and daughter Alice were severely injured.  The "trail of sorrow" continued to the nearby Armstrong farm where Civil War veteran and homesteader, William C. Armstrong, along with his elderly mother-in-law, Ellen Chapin, were found dead in a cornfield a quarter of a mile away to the northeast.

A few miles down the road, Mrs. Lou Coats and her 18 year old daughter, Daisy E. Neff, tried to outrun the storm.

"The storm overtook them on way and they sought shelter in the poultry house [on the J.A. Commons Farm]; the daughter was killed and the mother so badly injured that she may die.  All of Mr. Commons' buildings were destroyed."

May 1, 1895, Halstead, Ks "Scenes of Devastation" photos taken by John D. Von Riesen.

Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

One family that was able to escape the storms fury was the Menno S. Hege family.  Menno "gathered a number of children returning from school, in his wagon with his wife [Katherine] and drove rapidly away from the storm, leaving his property to its fate."

Although the Menno and Katherine escaped with their lives all that remained of their farm was a book. The Hege family suffered the largest financial losses.  A new ten room home with a value of $3,000, a barn, and 12 valuable horses, forty-five head of hogs, all household goods and implements were destroyed in the storm.  The Halstead Independent noted that a low estimate of the total loss would be $8,000.  Hege was insured for $3,500.  

Book that survived the 1895 Halstead Tornado

In a letter written May 5, 1895, Daniel Baer in Summerfield Ill. wrote his daughter Katie Hege to express his sorrow over the events of May 1.

"I received you letter yesterday and with a heavy heart I read of the terrible affliction you had to bear.  When I think about it, I  am depressed by the thought of knowing that a home can be lost in such a short time . . . thank the Lord that you have been so fortunately saved by His mercy, and no one was injured . . . My daughter, I must close, I can't write anymore."

 In all, seven people lost their lived in the May 1, 1895 storm; nine were severely injured and twenty farms were leveled to the ground. The Halstead Independent noted;

"In every instance, where the people went to their cellars, they saved their lives, deaths having occurred to those who were above ground at the time of the fearful violence." (Halstead Independent, 3 May 1895, p. 2)

According to the Newton Kansan, May 2, 1895; "Farm stock suffered terribly all along the route of the storm, and the money loss is estimated at full $200,000." 

Along with the tragedy, there was some hope. The Newton Kansan noted below the account of "Winds Wild Fury!" that "for the first time in six months Harvey county received a thorough soaking from a six hours' rain . . . It was grand and glorious and everybody is happy."

The Halstead Independent also pointed out the bizarre twists of a tornado when it reported that "Mr. Frizzell's buggy was found near Moundridge, about fifteen miles away." In a humorous story, the same paper reported on the misfortunes of  "a gay old bachelor who lives near Halstead."

"He is about 42 years old, good looking, . . . and well fixed financially. . . . Not less than twenty times has be been at the marrying point but always avoided the yoke by some hook or crook.  It is said that his chief failing was love letter writing and no man in the state had more young lady correspondents.  That gay old bird was in the cyclone belt last week.  He escaped himself but the cyclone picked up his trunk . . . the result is that all the people along the line of the cyclone for thirty miles are reading his love letters and the old boy is in a terrible stew over it.  Up in McPherson county the letters have caused a craze among the girls and they are writing to him by the dozen." (Halstead Independent, 10 May 1895, p.2)

May 1, 1930

In a strange twist, thirty-five years later on the same date another tornado "swept nearby Newton." The storm formed three miles south of Newton near Old 81 and "moved rapidly northeast , taking almost the same path that the cyclone of 1917 took in its devastating course."**** Although there was property damage, no lives were lost with this storm.  In fact, the Evening Kansan Republican noted that "hundreds of Newton people watched the storm cloud from the time it first appeared almost directly south of the city until it disappeared almost east of town."

This photo was taken by Walter Beverforden from his home at 315 S. Pine, Newton.

Southeast of Newton, May 1, 1930

Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

****The 1917 tornado that went through Harvey County was part of a series of storms that made 1917 the third deadliest tornado season in Kansas on record and will be featured in a blog post May 23, 2013.

Sources:

• Newton Kansan, May 2, 1895, p. 1
• Halstead Independent, 3 May 1895, p. 2
• Halstead Independent, 10 May 1895, p.2
• Halstead Independent, 17 May 1895, p. 2
• Evening Kansan Republican, May 2, 1930 
• M.S. Hege Obituary, newspaper clipping, n.d. HCHM Archives File
• Daniel Baer, Summerfield Ill to Katherine E. Baer Hege, Halstead, Ks letter dated May 5, 1895; copy in the possession of HCHM Curator Files. The Hege farm was located at N. Halstead Rd and 48th St. West in Harvey County, Ks.  A descendant of Menno & Katie Hege still owns the farm.
• HCHM Photo Archives

Newton's Ruthabel Rickman Shares the Page With Bogart and Bacall

by Jane Jones, HCHM Archivist

Today's post is by guest blogger and HCHM Archivist, Jane Jones.  Thank you Jane for researching and writing about a Newtonian who "made it" in New York as an opera singer.  

  The 1945 New York City newspaper headline reads " Bogart and Bacall are free to wed."  Bogart's wife is giving him a divorce.  On the same page is a reference to Newton's Ruthabel Rickman, "Concert Is Given by Altrusa Opera."  One of the aims of the opera company was to  encourage "Negro" musicians and composers.  Rickman is listed as a soprano for the event probably singing Verdi in New York City's Town Hall. 
      Founded in 1921 by Suffragists, Town Hall is now a National Historic Site in the Theatre District near Times Square.  Seating 1500 in red, cushy seats the Hall currently is the location for Garrison Keillor's radio broadcasts from New York and other concerts (Kevin Bacon and his brother will be appearing May 2, 2013), theatre and dance.
      Ruthabel Rickman was talented enough to survive the New York scene. She was a graduate of Newton High School (1938) and Bethel College (1941). While at Bethel, Rickman was a member of the a cappella choir and studied voice, piano and organ.

Ruthabel with 1938 NHS classmates

     She was the daughter of Lloyd Rickman and Hazel Rickman and while going to school lived at 304 W. 12th.  Her father took over a Newton "colored band" in 1920 and made it  quite famous throughout the state of Kansas.

     After graduation from college Ruthabel taught public school for three years and then moved to New York City.  She studied with several prominent teachers in the United States and Europe. Ruthabel participated in oratorio, church and opera performances, as well as teaching in her own studio.  One of her teachers was Tony Amato who with his wife started an opera company in Greenwich Village in NYC. After each performance Tony's wife would cook an Italian dinner for the cast.  Amato offered a venue where talented opera singers could get experience.  The Amato Opera House was an intimate setting downstairs in a old building where you might find yourself sitting on folding chairs! 

       Rickman married Frank Rollins in Chicago.  They moved to Houston where she served on the faculty of Texas Southern University teaching voice until her death in 1982.  In 1979, Ruthabel received Bethel's Distinguished Achievement Award.  At her death there was a memorial service at Bethel College where her choir from TSU sang.  Ruthabel's daughter Hazella Rollins Epps sang at the service.   A home-grown talent, Ruthable Rickman made her mark on the world's stage through a very remarkable career. 

Ruthabel Rickman Rollins

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Trained!

By Kristine Schmucker

You are on your way across town, sitting at the stop light at 5th and Main, and you notice the railroad crossing lights start to flash, the arms come down and you hear the sound of a train whistle. If you have spent any time trying to get from one end of Newton to the other on Main Street, you are familiar with this situation.  You have been "trained!"  Trains are a fact of life in Newton, Kansas.  They are the reason for a town at this location, and throughout Harvey County history, a major employer.

Despite the importance of the railroad to the town and county, when you are stopped by a train at the west 1st Street, Main, and/or Broadway crossing, it can get frustrating.  The train crossings and what to do about them is not a new problem. 

Newton, Main Street Crossing, ca. 1910
Clark Hotel in the background
Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

In May 1904, Newton city councilmen, members of the Commercial Club, and officials from the Santa Fe Railroad recognized "the importance of having one place at which a sure and safe crossing of the Santa Fe right-of-way at any and all times could be depended upon."

The dangers of the crossing situation in Newton were well known.  Santa Fe officials regarded the crossings at Broadway and Main in Newton "as the most dangerous on their line between Chicago and San Francisco."

In 1904, the city leaders and railroad officials discussed the idea of "a subway under the Santa Fe tracks between the alley back of the Santa Fe offices and some point back of Nicholson's coal office, and the directing of all Main street traffic into this tunnel."  The majority of the businessmen involved in the discussions "were strongly opposed to any solution of the problem that carried with it the closing of the Main street crossing."

Discussions continued and a committee was formed consisting of D.W. Wilcox, C.M. Glover and John C. Nicholson.  They were to work with H.U. Mudge, general manager of the Santa Fe Railroad, to find a solution to this "old question."

Evening Kansan Republican,  3 June 1904

But, a subway was never constructed.

Newton, Main Street Crossing, 1950
Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

The train crossings at Broadway, Main, and West First continue to block traffic regularly, 

as they have since the early 1900s.

Newton, Main Street Crossing, 1988
Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

Sources:
Thanks to Linda Koppes, who discovered the June 3, 1904 clipping.
Evening Kansan Republican, 24 May 1904.
Evening Kansan Republican,  3 June 1904.

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"Hot Rods to Roll at Jayhawk Tonight" - Racing in Harvey County

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

"Theron Kinzie of Hutchinson, whose No. 101 turned a complete flip-flop as he was negotiating the east turn at the start of the race . . . It was feared at first that Kinzie was pinned under the car, but he crawled out and was unhurt."

(Evening Kansan Republican,  Friday, September 17, 1948, p. 6)

 

Kinzie accident at Jayhawk Amusement Park, Newton, 16 Sept. 1948 
Photo courtesy http://winfield.50megs.com/Cowley/Roadsters.html

During the summer of 1948, hot rod racing became a popular sport in Harvey County. Each Thursday night, spectators could watch thrilling races at the Jayhawk Amusement Park located at southwest 14th and Elm in Newton, Ks.

 

Earlier in 1948, three Newton men had an idea for a race track.  The July 28, 1948 Evening Kansan Republican noted; "Starting from scratch early this year, Earl Mills, Lum Spangler and Bill Spradlin have made the local track one of the best in the state." 

Aerial photo of Jayhawk Amusement Park, SW 14th, Newton, 1949
Looking East
Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

 

 

Racers from across the Midwest would race on the 1/3 mile dirt track at the Jayhawk Amusement Park, in Newton on Thursday nights, and then race at the Hutchinson track and the two Wichita tracks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Ad in Evening Kansan Republican, 9 September 1948, p.12.

On Thursday, July 29, 1948 the Jayhawk held memorial races for a popular hot-rod driver, Dorrell D. Wilkinson, who was killed at the Cejay Track in Wichita on July 25, 1948.  A percent of the gate was given to Wilkinson's widow.  Nearly 30 cars from four states came to race.  Local racers included Jim Roper of Halstead, Shorty Jones and Charlie Ludkie, Wichita, and Bob Thorne, Dallas, TX.

The Evening Kansan Republican  reported the next day:

"Shorty Jones, driving car 312, literally hogged the show as he won the time trials, the consolation, the trophy dash and the 'A' feature."

Despite several close calls,

 "the luck of the Newton track held as spills and crashes left drivers almost miraculously unhurt. . . . The most exciting crash of the evening came in the 'A' on the north side of the track when Will Forrest, Wichita, in 355 Jr., was literally pushed through the air by two or three cars tangled up.  A cloud of dust veiled most of the tie up, but cars and men jammed together in a bad one ending up in the pit with no one hurt."

(Evening Kansan Republican, Friday, July 30, 1948, p. 3.)

 

Jayhawk Amusement Park Track, Newton, Ks, 1949
Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives

 

Throughout the summer of 1948, the crowds flocked to the Jayhawk to watch the races.

 

Jayhawk Amusement Park, Newton, 1948
Photo courtesy http://winfield.50megs.com/Cowley/Roadsters.html

 

Local Halstead man, Jim Roper, was a frequent driver.  He is best known as the winner of the first NASCAR stock car race held in 1949.

 

The Jayhawk Amusement Park was in operation for about a decade starting in the summer  of 1948.

 

Do you have a story or photos of the Jayhawk Amusement Park?  We would love to hear from you!

 

Share in the comments section of this blog or on our Facebook page, if you cannot get to the museum in person. 

 



To learn more about racing in Kansas join us on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:00 at the museum for "Kansas Takes the Checkered Flag in American Racing"  presented by Sara Jane Richter. This free program is a Kansas Humanities Council Program.

Sources:

• Special thanks to Joe Smiley.
• Evening Kansan Republican, Friday, July 30, 1948, p. 3.
• Evening Kansan Republican, Friday, September 17, 1948, p. 6
•  Evening Kansan Republican, Thursday, 9 September 1948, p. 12.
• http://winfield.50megs.com/Cowley/Roadsters.html - Excellent photographs of racing at the Jayhawk, Newton, and Cejay's, Wichita.

 

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Tools from Our Collection: The Link and Pin Coupler

By Kristine Schmucker, Curator

Today, the object is a curiosity;  two pieces of heavy iron on a museum shelf, the use all but forgotten except by railroad enthusiasts.  Couplers, in one form or another, have been in continuous use since the invention of travel by rail.  The purpose is basic, couplers hold the cars together. They must be made of strong material to hold the cars together as the train travels over hills, around curves and over rough track.  The very first couplers were quite simple and known as the "link-and-pin" (Lincoln pin).  An iron loop was fitted into an opening at the end of each car's drawbar.  The loop was anchored in place by an iron pin dropped through a socket in the top of the drawbar.  The pin passed through the link and through another socket in the bottom of the drawbar.



Link & Pin Coupler
HCHM Railroad Collection



Prior to 1887, workers manually connected two railroad cars together using the link and pin coupler.

An illustration depicting an early railroad worker performing
the dangerous task of connecting rolling stock with link & pin couplers.

 

Historically, the Brakeman held the most dangerous job on the train. They had to walk atop moving cars and manually apply the brakes.  The brakeman was also in charge of coupling the cars.  He stood between the cars while holding the link in position to slide into the receiver of the car being coupled as it was pushed by an engine. The brakeman held the link in one hand an a second pin in the other while the next car is pushed into position. At exactly the right moment, he must let go of the link and insert the second pin into the pocket of the oncoming car. Early cars had no means of cushioning the impact so if the brakeman's timing was off, he could loose fingers, a hand, or even be crushed completely between the two cars. Links were kept short to reduce slack.

 



Demonstrating Link & Pin Coupling
Photo: Hurley, p.7

This system resulted in many severe injuries including loss of limbs and even death.  In one reference to the link and pin coupler, it was noted that when transient brakemen and switchmen came to ask for work;

"the yardmaster asked them to hold up their hands in lieu of references.  If the applicants had several fingers missing, the yardmaster knew they were 'old timers' and would be able to go on the job as experienced workers."****



In 1887, many began to use the automatic general coupler. The manual link and pin coupler became illegal in the United States on mainline railroads with the passage of the Railway Safety Appliance Act in 1893.

 

AT&SF Engine 1863, ca. 1900
Conductor - R.H. Chandler;
Brakemen - A.W. Watson & G.W. McMurray;
Fireman - P.K. Richardson a & Hill.
Photo Courtesy HCHM Photo Archives



 

Patent diagram of the Jammey Coupler that replaced the link-and-pin coupler.



For more about Jammey and his invention see:
http://civilwarwashingtondc1861-1865.blogspot.com/2011/07/alexandria-confederate-veteran-invented.html



 

 

Despite improvements in couplers, working with rail cars continued to be a dangerous job as this remembrance from Santa Fe Railroad Conductor, Raymond Oursler, illustrates. 

 

Conductor Oursler was on the Newton - Dodge route on February 3, 1965; everything was proceeding normally.  Conductor Oursler communicated to the station at Wright, Ks, via radio, about the work that would need to be completed at the stop.  The station then passed on the information to the brakemen.  At the stop, Oursler

"walked from the caboose to where the railcars were, placed himself behind the railcars to operate the coupling device.  Unbeknownst to him, someone had changed the order of work. As Oursler had a hold of the rear car in a string, another string of cars slammed into the string of cars Oursler now had a hold of.  The force threw him down between the rails and the [rail]cars were now rolling over the top of him.  The force threw glasses, pencils, papers from pockets.  Oursler was now in a fight for his life . . . as railcar after railcar pass overhead he looked ahead at what was coming and realized that some of the equipment hanging down was to low for him to avoid.  So, grabbing a hold of some of the equipment he was drug along until the cars stopped.  Crawling out, he thanked God to be alive and fully intact." **

Oursler was very lucky.  The main injuries he sustained were bruising on his back.  He was off of work for ten days, after which he resumed his regular route until his retirement on November 26, 1977.  Oursler worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, and later Amtrack, for 38 years. 

 

Sources:

• **"Raymond Oursler's Railroad Career" as recorded by Terry W. Oursler; handwritten document, HCHM Archives.

• Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives Railroad Collection.
• **** Botkin, B.A. and Alvin F. Harlow.  A Treasury of Railroad Folklore: the Stories, Tall Tales, Traditions, Ballads and Songs of the American Railroad Man.  New York:  Bonanza Books, 1953; p. 313.
• Hurley, L.M. "Mike", Newton, Kansas #1 Santa Fe Rail Hub; 1871-1971. Newton, KS: Mennonite Press, 1985.

 

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