Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1921-05-05
RECALLED the EARLY DAYS
Mrs. A. Weishsar Celebrated
Years on the Homestead


The home Of Mrs. Anthony Weis-
haar northeast Of Elmo, was the
scene of an old fashioned picnic
May /, 1921. 1t was surprise on
Mrs. Weishaar, who fifty years ago
came here, bride Of six weeks, and
has lived on the old homestead ever
since. There were over two hun
dred relatives and friends present.
Everyone brought well filed bas-
kets and a bountiful dinner was
served, cafeteria style. Such a
wonderful variety Of food is seldom
seen and dinner was grand sue
cess.
After dinner DIR. Klingberg gave
q short address just suiting the &C.
casiOn, also read letter from Chas.
Hodge Of Abilene, who was unable
to be present. Mr.. Hodge came here
in May. 1870, so he as well as the
other old settlers have watched the
development of this country. Mr..
Hodge writes Of the time when Sec
ton line roads were unknown.
How they followed the creek past
Nortoff's, Gantenbine's, HOffman's,
Rubin's, Runners, Miller's and Weis-
HAIRS. He also wrote Of the war,
settlers had when the herd law was
first voted. How he shipped In hedge
plants by the thousands from law
renee, Kan, for settlers to plant, as
posts were hard to get and barbed
wire was unknown. Also Mr.. Hodges
father shipped the first load OF
wheat from Abilene to Topeka as
there was no market in Kansas City
at that time. The river was forded
at John Humbarger's then as there
were no bridges. Everyone enjoy
ed the letter and among the old set
tiers there was one man who re-
members seeing buffalo along Tur-
key creek. He also can tell where
the Indian huts once stood. Mrs
Weishaar herself tells Of feeding the
Indians from her door.
There were few present who had
been here fifty Years but also there
were some who came here as early
as 1865. In those early days wheT
settlers lived miles apart they wen,
visiting In wagons, horseback or on
foot, but there was not wagon OF
buggy or even hOrseman to tht
picnic, but over forty autos.
Mrs. Weishaar Is the mother OF
thirteen children, seven living. Five
sons who were all present and two
daughters. Genevieve Schmitz Of
Thomas. Okla, and Clara Larson OF
Wichita. who were unable to Dt
there. When Mr. and Mrs. Weis
,haar first came to the homestead
they had one room house. Now thu
farm is one Of the best improved o.
the locality. Mrs. Weishaar has
been a widow twenty-six years, bu
with all Of the care Of raising he
family, as well as other trials ant
troubles, such as drOuths, grasshop
pers, hard times, money panics. etc.
she does not show her age and Is IL
fairly good health and enjoys point
ing out old land marks and spot
where early settlers built their frs
homes. She also tells of how the!
came to the homestead with a null
team and covered wagon and how
Mr.. Weishaar hauled wheat to juno
ton City and White City. Also hov
they freighted out loads of provis
ions from Leavenworth, also juno
ton City. Wells were also yer,
scarce those days and Mrs. Weishaa
carried water half mile from
spring. And when they dug a we
some years later their well was tn
watering place for the people fror
south Dickinson when they went
Abilene. Deer and antelope wer
quite numerous also in those day
and Mrs. Weishaar well remember
how she used to trap prairie chick
ems in coops in the corn field an
carry them to the house In gum
sack.
The Dayton band. one of the old
est bands in the country. was pres
ent and entertained the crowd wit
some fine selections The band wa
what made the picnic a grand sue
cess and Mrs. Weishaar felt greatl
honored to have them there an
said. 81 would rather hear the ban
than any other music have eve
heard"
Mr.. and Mrs. Maloney fron
Hutchinson were here for the picnic
Mrs. Maloney is Mrs. Weishaar
sister. Mrs. Weishaar received
bouquet of lovely cut fiowesr. Al
enjoyed a good time and after
good VISIT wished Mrs. Weishaa
many more happy years on the oil
farm as they departed for home.