Prescott Public Library

A Story About the City of Parker

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:43:00 +0000

The Blooming Apple Tree
Written by Mrs. Otto Alexander in 1975
“November 12, 1888, the city of Parker was laid out in an apple orchard and named for J.W. Parker who owned the vast orchard. The Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad ran its first train through January 1, 1889.
Many of the businesses were destroyed in the 1893 tornado that struck Parker on April 12. The miracle of the devastating storm was that no one was killed. Again on June 15, 1912, Parker vicinity was hard hit by another tornado. This time it was mostly in the rural area southwest of town. Hailstones measured ten inches in circumference. It was a close call for the people of Parker as many remembered the storm of 1893.
In 1906 the Parker Hardware could boast of having the John Deere Agency.
A high School was built in 1922 and a new grade school was finished in 1952.
Through the years the population has varied some. In 1940 it was 312; in 1971, 255; and June 1975, 209.From deep mud roads to blacktop surface streets; from water being carried in buckets from wells to a modern water system with a lake south of town; from a bucket brigade to an up-to-date fire truck; ambulance service that will go anywhere it is needed; from an old switch-board party line to a dial system telephone are some of the changes in Parker. Plans in the near future are for a modern sewage-disposal system. All this makes Parker a place to live, work, worship and retire.”

The Era of Prescott's Bands

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:51:00 +0000

“The Silver Cornet Band of July 4, 1885, is the first musical organization on record.
In the early years of 1900, Prescott supported a very well known band. Though it played under the banner of the I.O.O.F., all talented musicians were welcome. Prescott had great 4th of July Celebrations and of course the band always lead the parade. They also played at he Old Settlers Picnic each year and at all the surrounding fairs. Mostly, they probably plyed because they enjoyed it! In May 1908 a trip was made to Kansas City to purchase band instruments, whether paid for by civic or private funds was not recorded.
The band generally rode on a highly decorated hayrack pulled by a fine team of horses driven by James Faber. He played on instrument-his talent lay in managing the two or four horse team that drew the Band Wagon.
This was written in memory of James Faber 1873-1964.
For this was his town
We were his people
And in turn, he belonged to us all.
He was Santa Clause at Christmas time
Abraham Lincoln on Decoration Day
Uncle Sam on the Fourth of July.
He brought milk to our babies
Food to the poor
Help to the aged.
Perhaps, Death has come to no other community as many times,
and found each time the same man sanding the death watch.
He opened his heart to us as easily as he opened the gates of his Park.
He carries our mail with the same license he carried us to Ft. Scott on
Thursday in his car.
He tended our gardens with the same tenderness the Great Shepherd
Might have tended His flocks.
With the same reverence we would have spoken to our own fathers
We called him “Jim”.
And this was his town.”This was an article in the “From Pioneering to the Present Volume II”.

Article from 1925 Newspaper: Prescott Bank Held Up in Daytime

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:50:00 +0000

“Two unmasked youths held up the Prescott State Bank at ten o’clock Friday morning, going into the already opened vault and escaping with loot to the amount of $540.00.
Forcing Mrs. Mamie Moore Ham, assistant cashier of the bank and Frank Black of Pleasanton to lie on the floor, the bandits entered the vault, took the money, and fled in a blue Piontiac coach or sedan. They drove south on 73E and were reported seen later a considerable distance west and south. Their car bore a Missouri license, NO. 94-304.
Mrs. Ham stated that both the men were young and well dressed. Upon entering the bank they asked for Mrs. Ham’s husband, cashier at the bank, and upon being told he was out, asked if he sold insurance. Following these questions they both drew revolvers. No shots were fired during the holdup.
Charles and Elmer Ford, brothers witnessed the car drive into town. They said the car stopped some distance from the bank. One of the men climbed out and shook hands. The driver headed the car to the end of Main Street and turned toward the bank. Here he was joined by the second bandit and they went into the bank together. After taking the money from the vault the taller bandit came out of the bank and walked toward the car.
Frank Miller and Herbert McIntyre, sitting nearby had noticed the proceedings and were walking toward the bank when they were haltered by the bandit in the car.
“You fellows stay where you are and you won’t get hurt” he warned.
The smaller bandit had in the meantime ordered Mrs. Ham to arise from the floor and to give him the money out of the vault. She complied with his request and laid the money on the counter. As the bandit picked it up he accidentally set off the burglar alarm, which is connected with the telephone office. The phone operator called the bank to see what was wrong. The bandit, sensing that something was wrong, ordered Mrs. Ham to answer and say everything was all right. After gathering up the money the second bandit joined his companion and they drove to the pavement and turned south.
A hastily assembled posse was able to trace the car for a while, but lost track of it in the vicinity of Barnsville. Officers are still without trace of the bandits.

Play-Party Games and Pie Suppers By Eunice Ungeheuer

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:02:00 +0000

American folk dances fall into four main categories: play-party games, round dances, group and square dances. In reality, play-party games are simple folk dances stemming from those times and places in America where both dance and musical instruments used for accompaniment were thought of as evil inventions of the devil. Thus the ingenious pioneers evolved the play-party “game” to evade the use of the word “dance” and instead of instruments used for accompaniment, they sang words to the “games”. These play-party games were a disguised form of dance tolerated in homes and social gatherings where dancing as such was not permitted.
Regardless of their source, play-party games constitute a popular form of American folk dance today. Since they are rather simple, large groups of unskilled dancers of all ages and both sexes participated. Many of the play-party games are excellent “mixers” because those participating move from place to place and from partner to partner, thus affording a chance to become better acquainted with the opposite sex. Some of the better known “games” included “Paw Paw Patch”, “Shoo Fly”, Skip to My Lou”, and “Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines”.
Since rather large crowds of young people attended these play-parties, they were held in the summertime on the lawns or in a barn loft before the hay was stored. Invitations were passed by word of mouth. The host occasionally furnished a tub of iced lemonade for refreshment. A rare treat was iced watermelon. These were truly family affairs and were enjoyed to the fullest by everyone.Pie and Box Suppers were social events as well as a means of raising extra money for an organization, such as a rural school, PTA, or church. A program of skits, recitations and musical numbers would be presented by the sponsoring organization. Then the auctioneer-free gratis-would auction off the boxes that contained a pie and/or other goodies prepared by the girls and ladies. These boxes were lavishly decorated and the lads were supposed to know what girl or young lady was the creator. Every young male was able to acquire the box and contents brought by the lady of his choice. More often than not, he paid dearly to eat with his girl, but then the money went for a good cause.

The Produce House By Esther Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:00:00 +0000

The produce house is now only a memory. In the late 1920’s, 1930’s and 40’s, every town had at least one produce house. At one time there were three in Prescott.
Cream, eggs and poultry were brought from the farmers.
Eggs were always candled. Good eggs were sorted from bad or stale eggs by holding the egg before a bright light.
When poultry was brought to market, the chickens were placed in batteries and fed and watered until the big truck came and bought them.
In the late 40’s and 50’s commercial feeds became popular. As we built up our feed business, we bought in carload lots shipped out of Kansas City. By this time many farmers had big milking herds and we quit buying cream. Commercial feed was mixed to produce more milk, better animals, and faster growing animals.
Chickens were raised in large numbers by fewer and fewer people. Eggs had to be refrigerated according to the new food and drug laws. Many produce houses closed because of the cost of getting refrigerators installed along with smaller numbers of eggs to buy locally.
We moved to Prescott in 1935. We had four children and times were hard for everyone. Laurence had worked in the produce business for several years before we moved here and we were on our own.We reared and educated our family here and had a good life. It was hard work and very long hours part of the time. Our children all helped as they grew up and as the family grew older I did most of the bookwork. We had time to have a good family life, time to do church work, be on the school board and city council, and time to meet our neighbors and become acquainted with the people around us. For us, the Curry family, the move to Prescott was a grand success

Prescott Rural High School

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:42:00 +0000

The Building of Prescott Rural High School
By Edna Mae Dille Coon (written in 1976)

In the fall of 192, the State Boar of Education ruled that a two-year, one teacher high school could no longer give credits acceptable at state colleges.
The leaders of the Prescott Community planned a rural high school, as it was impossible for Prescott to support a city high school. Mr. Ray Dille was selected to carry the petition over the east side of the so-planned district and Mr. Will Lomax carried the petition over the west half. I remember my father went on horseback to contact every eligible voter in late February 1924.
The election to establish a Rural High School District No 2 was held in late April. The election had all the heated tempers and excitement of a usual election back in that era. The school carried by a small margin. There was a court contest afterwards as to weather the election was legal or not. Mr. John Hall was the attorney for the school board and Mr. Harry Fisher represented the opposing side. The judge ruled in favor of the school board.
By mid-summer the contractors started building the school house. Three very hard working teachers were hired.
As the new building was not completed by the fall of 1924, the Oddfellow Hall, which is now made into apartments over the new addition to the bank, was converted into three classrooms by the use of cloth curtains. There were armchairs for each of the over 60 pupils. We found it necessary to carry our books, pencils and notebooks and move our chairs from class to class. We left our lunch buckets in the hall and loafed during the noon hour on the street corner or in a store operated by a patient man, Mr. Will Cummings. Sometimes we played ball in the street. Most of us will say that the school was conducted in an orderly fashion and was very successful under the circumstances.
After Christmas vacation the new school house was completed enough for us to start in it, a fact for which we were thankful. The first class of seven graduated in 1925. The building and grounds were obtained at the low figure of $35,000.00.

Thank A Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:47:00 +0000

This is a story written by Wayne Miller about M. Ellen Dingus who was born in 1879 on a farm near Mound City and passed away in 1966 at the Sugar Valley Rest Home in Mound City.
“The good work of man lives on long after he is called to his just reward. The work of many Linn Countians remains with us and will continue to remain with us many many years to come. It is only fitting and proper for us today to express our gratitude and place honor upon those who have gone before us for the contribution they have made in laying the frame work upon which our society enjoys today. It is impossible to measure the influence many of these people have had upon us. We know it to be great.
This is a true expression in the life of M. Ellen Dingus. Success in an individual is measured by how well one serves his God and his fellowman. It is not for us to judge one another, but those who know M. Ellen will believe she passed the requirements with flying colors. The record shows that her first teaching was Blue Mound and than alternated between Prescott and Blue Mound. She was elected to serve as the county superintendent from 1919 to 1925. After her tenure of office as county superintendent she again was employed to teach in the Prescott Rural High system. She taught there until her health failed, making it necessary to retire from her many years as a teacher in public schools.
It is often said a good example made of one’s life is the best sermon one can make; also if you want a child to go in the right direction one should go in that direction himself. Certainly M. Ellen lived a life that glorified these directives. Not only did she install in the hearts and minds of these she taught the desire to reach the peak of his ability scholastically, she also did everything she could to cause each student to realize the importance of adjusting his life to high moral standards.
She used many quotations in her teaching over fifty years ago (this article was written in 1976) to promote good character and good citizenship. Examples of some of the quotations she taught are as follows:
“Politeness is to do and say the kindest thing in the kindest way.”
“Tis better to fail in doing something than to succeed in doing nothing.”
It is difficult to express in words how M. Ellen’s life had such a strong influence upon the lives of so many people. It can be assumed her many students may be found in all corners of the earth pursuing every type of occupation. It can be assured all students as they look back upon their school years will look upon M. Ellen’s influence as an important part of their lives.”
I never knew M. Ellen Dingus but after reading this story about her I wish she had touched my life too. I hope some of you who read this did know her and I am sure if you did she made a difference in your life.

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:25:00 +0000

Written by Florine Thompson Norbury 1976

“For some reason, while James B. Sutherland was mayor in 1925, the light poles were moved from the corners and placed down the middle of the street. Why? (Maybe to slow down all those Model T. hot-rodders!) By 1926 plans were in operation to build an all-weather highway through town. It was made from brick and nicknamed The Short Line—it officially became first U.S. 73 E and later changed to U.S. 69. The coming of the 40’s brought the usual wartime prosperity. Many live yet today who can remember the old stockyards where untold numbers of cattle, hogs, sheep and horses were penned to be shipped to as far away as France; the bandstand that stood in the middle of Main and Second Street crossroads and later moved up in the street by the churches—finally ending it’s days as a cornerib at Ham Farms: the hitching racks on the side street off Main; the stores staying open at night and on Sunday morning; the outdoor movies that were shown in the street every Thursday night; the Old Mill that forced the Short Line into a curve around it (burned and rebuilt at least three times); the guilty ones that had to sneak up the stairs for a hand with the Lion Tamers; the big shade trees lining Main street while the cars were parked in the middle of the street—may your own memories take over!”

Prescott's First Telephone Service

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:19:00 +0000

Some history of Prescott’s first telephone service:
Written by Irma Campbell in September, 1905.
“ I will endeavor to give you a brief account of what is known as he Prescott Telephone Exchange of Prescott, Ks. In the early part of 1903 Wm. H. Holmes, a prosperous farmer of Sheridan Twp., connected the farms of his five sons by telephone and later ran the line into Prescott. Oct. 2, 1903, sixteen of the farmers between the towns of Prescott, Ks. and Hume, Mo. held a meeting and agreed to build a line between the two towns. By Nov. 1 of that year the line was completed and now has 18 phones.”
This story shows how a man wanting to keep in touch with his 5 sons began something that improved the whole town and when this article was written in 1905 it says “We now have about 200 phones in our system,”There is much more to this story if you would like to read it. The story is in the From Pioneering to the Present book Volume II.

Interesting Events Around the Prescott Area

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:17:00 +0000

“Some interesting events taken from old Prescott newspapers and not elsewhere recorded:” from Pioneering to the Present Volume II

1883 Mcntyre Bridge built east of town
1884 Presbyterian Church built
1884-1885 Mantey Church built: also Fairmont Church
1885 Voted for new Linn County Courthouse
1886 School yard fenced
1886 new belfry put on Baptist Church (the old one-room schoolhouse)
1889 Shade Trees set out along Main Street and schoolyard
1889 Hedge Law in effect-No higher than five (5) feet unless used for windbreak and not over forty (40) rods long
1889 Fulton Catholic Church is built
1895 Hume builds new brick schoolhouse
1900 Train wreck between Prescott and Fulton
1901 Changed railroad’s name to “Frisco”
1901 First horseless carriage in township-whose?
1910 Sidewalk laid on two sides of schoolyard

Early Entertainment in Prescott: Silent Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:15:00 +0000

Early Entertainment in Prescott Silent Movies
“Seventy years ago, (this was written in 1978 by Lucille McQuitty in 1978)
when Prescott was thriving with many businesses including groceries, drugstore, hardware, harness and shoe shop, and a bakery, there were three places on Main Street where people could gather for “socials” or dances, but they lacked space. It was about this time, the early 20’s when a new mode of entertainment came into being. Mr. Byron Bradley became interested in this, and being sensitive to the needs of the community, he invested in the construction of a new building, which was named after the Victor Theatre. It was located on the old Highway 69 between the present Commercial Pipeline Company and the Grigsby Café. This theatre would be the home of the new silent movies when they came to town. The building was equipped with a stage at the west end and a projectionist’s cubicle overhead at the east end. There were rows of shiny, brown wooden chairs fastened together at the base. Across the front of the stage was a huge curtain with an outdoor scene painted on it. This curtain was on a heavy roller that moved up or down by pulling hard or relaxing hold of a rope. As the equipment aged, one could expect noise from both the chairs and the curtain if manipulated by an amateur. “……to be continued.Taken from “From Pioneering to the Present Volume II”.

Early Entertainment Continued....

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:13:00 +0000

This is continuation of the article on the Victor Theatre built in Prescott in the early 20’s…“ A few vaudeville acts and shows by medicine men who sold remedies for just about everything were held here. Before the high school was built, school plays were held here and seats were removed for basketball practice. Soon after the building was completed, the Merry Matrons presented plays at the Victor. During this time Mr. And Mrs. Harry Charlie Smith, who lived in Fulton, were busy booking movies for Prescott on Saturday nights, for the Ball Hall in Mapleton on Wednesday night, and for Fulton on Thursday nights. Mrs. Smith sold tickets at the window. The projectionists were Mr. Smith, Carl Sutherland, and Leonard VanMeter of Fulton. Silent movies were great at the time, but they were greatly enhanced by the “mood music” provided by a good pianist. An “old pro” at the piano was Rowe Grigsby. Music was in his family-his Uncle Roy played at the Fox and the Empress theatres in Fort Scott at the same time period. People usually came early to the movies so they could visit with neighbors, and they did not want to miss the announcements at the beginning. Anyone who had a quarter in his pocket could attend. Children were admitted for a dime.
The great silent movies of the 1920’s knew no language barrier. There was plenty of action, even though it was stilted and jerky. Another group that added enjoyment to the silent movies was second musical group that played while the “reels” were being changed. The group was composed of Rowe Grigsby at the piano; Perrin Torey and Charlie Smith, violins; James Wallace, saxophone; Gene Crawford, trombone; Eldon Bowers, trumpet; and Claude Locke, drums. Thelma Lowe also played at the theatre.
These people and others like them worked hard to provide music, but they enjoyed doing it and they knew their friends enjoyed it.”Taken from “From Pioneering to the Present Volume II”.

There is a Flag at the Library

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:23:00 +0000

We have an old flagpole outside our library that has been empty and sad for the last few years, so at one Prescott City Council meeting I asked if it could be used again and if they would put a rope and hardware on it. So they did! The library board bought a new flag! Now there is a flag flying whenever the library is open. It looks so great and it made me think of all the children who spent time in this old school building. We are so fortunate to still have it here to enjoy today. This is possible because of some residents and former residents who put a huge amount of time, energy and sweat into saving this wonderful building. I have seen some pictures of how it looked before the Prescott Heritage Preservation Society became involved with this “Prescott School Restoration Project” and you would not believe the difference and would wonder if it could really be done.
This history of this old school building could be never ending; I bet there are tons of stories of things that happened here over the past 127 years since it was built. For 89 years it was used as a school and the last 38 it has been the city public library. Think of all the children that stood outside on the steps for a group picture.
I found an interesting fact in one of the “From Pioneering to the Present” books: “1883 Report of Prescott Grade School, Cost of New 2 Story, 4 room brick building $3,235.00 Teachers: Wm. Erheart-$45.31 ¼ per month; M.A. Wilt (Female)- $28.00 per month Board: J.T. Holmes and L.H. Lane” In another “Pioneering to the Present” it says “The school population for 1895 is 124.” That is a bunch of children in this 4-room building!
Can you imagine how many dads did some kind of work on our building trying to keep it in good repair and safe for their children? How many different teachers taught in these classrooms? All the games that were played in the yard out front. All the times our bell in the still present bell tower was pulled by a rope to let everyone know they need to be here to begin the day?
Some of the patrons that come in now tell me stories of when they went to school here, I love to hear them, if you have any stories of the days when you were here please share them with us too!

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday is on (Tuesday) March 2nd. So we are going to have a party for him at the Prescott Library. Please stop by and have a “Dr. Seuss cupcake” and a “Dr. Seuss cookie”. This is not just for children, many of us grew up with reading the good doctor or you may have read his books over and over again to your children. Our hours are 3:00 to 6:30 on Tuesdays.
Here are some facts about our dear friend Dr. Seuss.
He was born in 1904.
His real name is Theodore Seuss Geisel, (so you may find him in the library under Geisel).
Seuss was his mother’s maiden name.
He was born on Howard Street in Springfield Massachusetts.
His mother “Henrietta” would sooth her children to sleep by chanting rhymes remembered from her youth.
His first book “And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street” was rejected 27 times before being published.
“ The Cat in the Hat” was written as a primer using only 225 “new-reader” vocabulary words.
His honors included two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award and the Pulitzer Prize.
When he died in September of 1991 he written and illustrated 44 children’s books.

Here are a few of his quotes:
“Don’t give up. I believe in you all. A person’s a person no matter how small.”
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is Yourer than You.”
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, It’s not.”
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
See you on March 2nd!!!

Library Building History

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:09:00 +0000

Here is an interesting fact about our library building.
"1883 Report of Prescott Grade School
Cost of New 2 Story, 4 room brick building $3,235.00
Teachers: Wm. Erheart-$45.31 1/4 per month; M.A. Wilt (Female) $28.00 per month
Board: J.T. Holmes and L.H. Lane"

Articles in the Linn County News

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:18:00 +0000

Be sure to look at our article each week in the Linn County News.

Library Hours

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Monday thru Thursday 3:00pm to 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Welcome to our site!

noreply@blogger.com (Prescott City Library) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Welcome to the Prescott City Library web site. Check back often for updates and information on library activities.