BEATTIE BETTER BUILDERS F.C.E.
The Beattie Better Builders were organized by Ethel Taylor in 1955 with 21 members. At one time there were 32 members.
The unit organized and sponsored the Senior Citizens Club. Among the many volunteer activities of the unit over the years: helping at the information desk at the Marysville Hospital and making tray favors; contributions to city projects such as Christmas decorations; having a container in a public place of business to receive memorial contributions for deceased members of the community; donations to the After Prom Party; volunteering at the Beattie Public Library; donating cookies for the Bloodmobile and conducting bingo at the Mary Marshall Manor every month.
The Beattie Better Builders F.C.E. disbanded at the close of the 1994 year with two charter members, Caroline Mulhern and Viola Tegethoff, among the ten members who continue to do volunteer work in the community.
THE BEATTIE COMMERCIAL/COMMUNITY CLUB
The Beattie Commercial Club was formed in the late 1940s simply to promote projects and activities that would make the town a pleasant place to live, work and play. Dues were all of $3 per year; memberships numbered about 60 families throughout the life of the club. Meetings were held monthly and included, in addition to the business at hand, local entertainment and refreshments.
The hand-written minutes from long-time secretaries Mildred Carleen, Reginna Cannon, Elizabeth Heeney, Viola Tegethoff and Liz Glick reveal the countless projects the group either sponsored, began, funded, etc. Among the continuous programs were free Saturday night movies, dances and cash drawings; Christmas decorations and treats for the kids; the annual pancake day; young people's baseball and softball programs; the Senior Citizens group; and many others.
Major funding projects included purchase of the basketball time clock; purchasing the land, landscaping and equipping our city park; constructing bleachers, rest rooms, tennis courts and the lighting system at the Recreation Center.
Two interesting projects were the sponsorship of the Sonny Myers wrestling matches in 1958 and an attempt to publish a new Beattie Journal newspaper in 1962.
In 1962, with Howard Seaman as president, it was suggested that a name change be made; hence, the Community Club began.
The annual Beattie Milo Festival was conceived at Community Club in 1970, as was the Guittard Estates project in 1976.
Membership numbers continued high but by the late '70s attendance at meetings was dwindling. The new Lions Club was assuming many of the projects of the old club so in January of 1979 it was decided to disband. From secretary Mildred Carleen's notes, "The Community Club has served its purpose and somewhat sadly we turned over its duties and funds to the Beattie Lions Club."
Look around you, good Beattie people! Many of the facilities you enjoy using today were established, constructed and funded not by grants or tax dollars but by willing volunteers who put their "Shoulders to the wheel" and made that "wheel" turn for 50 years.
BEATTIE CUB SCOUTS
At one time there were two Cub Scout den groups in Beattie in the late '50s and early '60s. Mothers of the scouts were leaders. They had weekly meetings and a monthly scout pack meeting and all met together to receive the awards they had received.
THE BEATTIE FOOT-WARMERS
Long before TV and radio existed, Beattie citizens did not want for entertainment. Pianos and musical instruments had made their way across the prairie to many homes but the only musical and social contact for many was the neighborhood dance! Any surface would do, be it a barn floor or a dirt street, and no special reason was needed, just get together a few fun-loving people and a little music.
Early in the century, many old-timers in this community will remember a little dance band known as the Beattie Foot-Warmers. In the original group were Joe Schneider on the violin, his wife Gold on the piano, Jack Nettleton on the saxophone, and Benny Hill on the drums. In later years, the latter pair were replaced by Charles Rueger on the sax and Oscar Schwarz on the drums.
Later, the Saturday night dance would become a tradition; nearly every little town had a dance hall of some sort. The second floor of the Newton Building (now the Beattie Locker) was a popular spot. The walls still bear many a local autograph.
The good folks who danced to the rhythm of good music would despise today's ear-splitting sounds of jazz, rock and rap. Boom boxes and amplifiers, WHO NEEDED THEM?
BEATTIE MUSKETEERS 4-H CLUB
The Beattie Musketeers 4-H Club was organized on May 19, 1955, with the help of Kenneth Visser, county agent, and the Axtell Busy Bees. The meetings were held in the Beattie Methodist Church basement. There were 22 members from 12 families the first year under the leadership of Mrs. Glen Wuester and Dale Hadorn.
Other community leaders during the years have been Mrs. John McCoy, Mrs. Lee Miller, Mrs. Francis Chase, Forrest Tegethoff, Mrs. Don Jones, Mrs. Ralph Studer, Don Jones, Mrs. Darrel Boyd, Lyle Polson, Mrs. Murvin Samuelson, Mrs. Lyle Polson, Raymond O'Neil, Helen Polson, Joyce Feldhausen, Margaret O'Neil, Judy Nickelson, Jane Keating, and Joyce Koch. Present leaders are Kathy Kopp, Donna Haverkamp, and Sharen Reinhardt.
During the past 40 years the club has received many purple seals and the members have done very well on both the county and state level. The membership has varied from 50 down to 17 with the average membership of 30.
Throughout the years the club has served the community in many ways. Members have furnished painted trash barrels, helped paint the bleachers and concession stand at the ball park. They have donated money for many projects at the city park, ball park and city library. Every year they have sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the community. Every two years the club runs the concession stand at the ball park. Recently the club has helped with the recycling project, put up window displays and had a Farm Safety Family Night for the community.
The Beattie Musketeers 4-H Club is an active club striving to make the beat better for the youth of the Beattie community.
BEATTIE CHAPTER NO. 253
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR
Long before May 1903, Mrs. Jennie D. Brooks of Home City interviewed several persons and secured sufficient interest and backing as members to form the nucleus of an Eastern Star Chapter.
Mrs. Brooks was elected as the first worthy matron. Serving with her as the first worthy patron was Charles Totten.
In May of 1903, officers of Hilda Chapter, Marysville, Kansas, instituted the Beattie order. Problems that beset the pioneer founders was the horse and buggy transportation and mileage, being eight to ten miles or more. Not only was it difficult to secure members in the foundling chapter, but to secure officers to continue the work. At the golden anniversary celebration held in June of 1953, Joe Chase was noted as being worthy patron for 19 years of which 16 years were consecutive. Marion Hawk had the second record at that time for 13 years being served as worthy patron.
Another record was set in family membership by the Asa Thomas family in which five generations are on the membership rolls. Both Mr. and Mrs. Asa Thomas were members, also their daughter, the late Mrs. Oscar Goin, and Mrs. Belle Craine, a charter member of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma.
Third generation membership is represented by Mrs. Peter (Georgia) Wanklyn, Frankfort, a daughter of Mrs. Goin and now a great-granddaughter, Mrs. Marvin (Ruth Mae) Richardson, Winifred is a fourth generation member. Mrs. Peter Wanklyn's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kenneth (Dolores) Wanklyn, is also a member. Great-great-granddaughters making up the fifth generation are Linda Richardson Johnson, Topeka, Kansas, and Cynthia Wanklyn Koch, Beattie. Mrs. Goin, Mrs. Peter Wanklyn, Mrs. Richard and Mrs. Kenneth Wanklyn have all served as worthy matrons.
Three times the meeting place of the Beattie chapter has been moved. First meeting place was in the E. C. Potter building, later the Bachoritch hardware store and now the location of the Sedlacek Furniture store.
After a few years, the meeting place was moved to the second floor of the McCoy building which housed the Johnson Market and the Beattie Locker.
During the depression years, the Beattie A. F. & A. M. Blue Lodge purchased the Christian Church edifice, which was closed, and converted the building into the Masonic Hall, now the Eastern Star chapter home, also.
Oftentimes worthy matrons served more than one year as well as other officers who circulated among various offices.
In the past, the Beattie chapter long sponsored a social event each fall for new teachers, had charge of Memorial Day services and participated in many community activities.
Today, 91 years later, the Beattie Chapter No. 253, Order of the Eastern Star, is still active and in existence.
THE BEATTIE YOUNG WOMEN'S BRIDGE CLUB
This club was organized in 1974 by Rosalie Olmsted, Jean (Koch)(Runnebaum) Warders, Annette Burton, Sharon Cameron, Pat O'Neil, Ginny Zidek, Jan Studer, and Susie (Foley) (Zimmerling) Stitt. The club plays twice a month and in the summer just once a month so all the mothers could keep up with ball games and the farming season. The club is still active today with five of the original members still enjoying the game. The members who have left us are Jean Warders, replaced by Irene (Volle) Cain, Ginny Zidek, replaced by Marge Mitchell from Summerfield, and Liz Studer took the place of her daugher-in- law, Jan Studer. We are not so young anymore but really enjoy each other's company and cards.
ROBIDOUX MUZZLE LOADERS
The Robidoux Muzzle Loader Black Powder Club was formed in 1974. The first shooting range was located north of Beattie on the banks of the Robidoux River on the Kenneth Jones farm. There were many fun days of camping and shooting. At times several Indian-style teepees were set up as campers spent the weekend. Most campers dressed in the 1860 era.
In 1978 the range was moved northeast of Beattie to the Walter Weeks Jr. farm. They held invitational shoots with around 100 shooters registered. Many set up tents and teepees and stayed for several days. They held paper shoots, novelty shoots, and had lots of fun.
In 1991 this club disbanded.
In 1994 a new black powder club was formed. They leased the shooting range northeast of Beattie. Since the range is on Wolf Creek, they took the name, Wolf Creek Frontiersman. The club shoots one weekend each month.
THE MODERN PONY EXPRESS RIDERS
This is a brief history of the National Pony Express Reride which crossed the area three miles north of Beattie, written by Darrel Boyd, a charter member.
The trail reached from Sacramento, California, to St. Joseph, Missouri. It operated from 1860 until 1861 - about 18 months. It crossed the Kansas- Nebraska line at Steele City, Nebraska, on to Hollenberg Station near Hanover, Kansas, then to Marysville and on to Guittard Station. Lyle and Margaret Polson now live at the former Guittard Station. The trail continued on to Seneca and down through the Kickapoo Reservation.
There were stations every 12-16 miles. Originally they issued a 50-caliber rifle and 44 Colt revolver. These were soon discarded - too heavy and the Indians might run them down for the guns. Very few riders were lost to Indians - one rider and one horse wasn't much of a prize.
For several years before the First National Reride in 1980, a group of California and Nevada reriders had been doing a reride in the western area.
Mac McFarland of California called Herb Hoeflicker to find someone to organize riders from the state line to Seneca. Herbie called me; Les Lauer of Hanover got reriders from the state line to Marysville. I called for riders from Marysville to Seneca. Jim Rueger, Darrel Roever, two of Al Rombeck's boys, Mike Pacha and Ed Nutt were among the charter members. We just followed Highway 36 from Marysville to Seneca.
From that humble beginning it has grown to a group of 36 reriders who carry the mail once a year, day or night, rain or shine, along a route one to one and one-half miles from the original trail. We now carry 1,100 commemorative letters in the four compartments of the Mochilla which fits over the saddle. We do the ride in nine days as was done originally. We only ride one to two miles before changing horses and riders.
It has helped restore pride and memory of our past history. My wife's grandmother used to cook at Guittard Station. Jim Rueger's grandfather used to care for the horses at the Guittard Station.
LION'S CLUB
The Lion's Club was chartered on February 23, 1977. Their sponsor was the Summerfield Lions. They had 31 members; first president was Timothy Olmstead and secretary was Don Jones.
Some of the things the Lions Club had helped with is reroofing the work shop at Beattie. In 1978 they planted trees in the city park and also around the tennis court and ball park. They painted the auditorium in 1978. They painted the loading zone at Beattie Grade School. In 1979 to 1988 they sponsored Santa Claus for the children. From 1978 to 1994 they repaired and painted the bleachers in the city ball park and city park picnic tables. In 1980 to 1987 they sponsored summer movies. From 1981 to 1984 they sponsored the annual wiener roast on George Washington's traditional birthday. In 1982 to 1994 they had a citizen's award for outstanding citizen. They also helped sponsor boys to Boys State. Again in 1988 they planted trees, this time for the library. They have always helped with the ball park lights and tennis courts. The city decided to buy new Christmas tree lights in 1985 and they helped pay for them.
Some of their fund raising projects were 1978 - basketball games with the money to be used for ball park upkeep and playground equipment; 1978 - box supper raised $91.00; 1979-1987 - sponsor basketball games; 1979-1994 - Pancake Day; 1980-1994 - pecan sales; 1985-1994 - annual Hunter Soup Day; 1985 - raffle on one-half beef.
The Lion's Club has been a real asset for Beattie and it still seems to be going strong. This year Beth Carleen was elected president and Ralph Harbert is the secretary.
JAYHAWKER CLUB
The Jayhawker Club was formed well over 50 years ago by the ladies of the rural neighborhood. They met once a month taking turns as the hostess and their motto was "never to talk about anyone" which they took very seriously and abided by. After the business meeting, the hostess supplied work to be done - embroidering tea towels or pillowcases, sewing carpet rags, picking out walnut meats or etc.
THE H E O CLUB
The Help-Each-Other Club, better known as the H E O, was started in 1956. The eight charter members were Marilyn Brooks, JoAnn Anderson, Ruth Ann Flin, Twyla Gaston, Mary Kramer, Lilly O'Neil, and Estella Weeks.
Since everyone had small children, we took our patching or sewing with us. At times the hostess had something to do such as snapping beans, taking hems out or such things.
As time went on there were 13 members and 56 children! In the summer months the hostess had quite a job trying to guess how many ice cream cups or bars were needed for the kids.
New members joined as time went on. For the first ten years of the club's existence, there were very few months that at least one or two members weren't in "Hatch-Jackets!"
As some left the club, others joined. The club had three sets of twins.
Rain or mud didn't stop the club from being held. One member had a jeep and as many as could would get in the jeep and go to club! One month the hostess didn't expect anyone as the roads were muddy. Boy, was she surprised!
There were Halloween parties with costumes and all; there were also soup dinners and card parties. But the big fun was when two members would get together and make the rounds of the other members' homes about 9:00 a.m. and "Come-as-you-are" coffees were held. Members shut off their washing machines, left the garden and yes, even came in their housecoats to one of the planning member's homes for coffee and rolls! It was a lot of fun with much laughter!
The club disbanded in 1978, but many memories were made over the years.
FRANCIS J. RENNER AMERICAN LEGION POST 244
The American Legion has had two posts in Beattie. Earl Shirkey American Legion Post 155 was the first and then the present Francis J. Renner American Legion Post 244.
According to the "Charter" in the Legion Hall, Post 244 was activated on August 4, 1949, and was named the Francis J. Renner American Legion Post 244.
Francis was the first United States military serviceman to be killed from Marshall County in World War II. He was killed December 7, 1941, on Wake Island. Due to the circumstances of the war his remains were not shipped home. His body and those of several hundred other military and civilian personnel were moved from Wake Island in 1957 to the National Cemetery in Hawaii. All military personnel were given a full military burial service.
The United States flag, which was presented to the Renner family, and approximately 65 other United States flags are stored at the American Legion Post home and are part of the Avenue of Flags. The Avenue of Flags is displayed at both the Union and St. Patrick's cemeteries on Memorial Day.
THE BUSY CORNER CLUB
The friendly neighborhood just northeast of Beattie has experienced the birth and the demise of the Busy Corner Club. At its celebration of 40 years of friendship in 1963, only three of its first-year members were present. They were Vera Blanchette, Clara Weaver, and Verna Garrett.
The club was formed to promote the social life of the farm community. There were countless events such as bridal showers, mock weddings, stork showers, farewell parties, Halloween costume parties, and many a family picnic.
Just as important were helping hands that reached out on sad occasions. Bereaved families were remembered with flowers and food and an illness called for a message of cheer. During wartime, Christmas packages were sent to sons in the armed services.
When the club was formed in May of 1923 with its 12 charter members, the annual dues were set at 25¢, but special little contributions and fines augmented the treasury. Every year donations went to local charities and needy projects.
Normal club day activities involved around quilting, mending, an occasional cooking lesson or just plain visiting.
In the '70s the club went the way of many rural social clubs. The thinning farm population, the advent of the working wives, and the natural aging of its members forced the little group to disband.
Regular members present for the special 40th anniversary celebration were Verna Garrett, Clara Weaver, Vera Blanchette, Ruth Gurtler, Verne Gurtler, Maude Flin, Mrs. Felix Finnigin, Agnes Brooks, Helen Anderson, Grace Gurtler, Florence Finnigin, and Marie Thom. Of those 12 members, only Maude Flin remains.
BOY SCOUT TROOP #133
The first Boy Scout troop in Beattie was troop #133. It was sponsored by the Beattie United Methodist Church, Reverend Charles Harpe, minister. It was formed in 1957-1958.
James Childers was the first scoutmaster. Glenn Johnson was scoutmaster for the following years. The troop enjoyed camping at Camp Jayhawk near Ozakie, Kansas. They rode out one tornado at Jayhawk! At the time the troop was in a ravine, surrounded by clumps of saplings. All came out unmarked but wet!
All members received hunter's safety awards. Scoutmaster Johnson was an N.R.A. arms instructor at that time. Some received shooting awards.
Two scouts received the highest award in scouting: the Eagle Award. Larry Peterson with 33 merit badges and Gene Johnson with 36 merit badges and the expert rifleman award were the two Eagle Scouts. Peterson and Johnson attended the National Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs.
The following is a list of the scouts as well as can be recalled: Kerry Blumer, John Weismiller, Jerry Childers, Gene Johnson, Dean Montague, Larry Peterson, Alvin Krebs, Kevin Jones, Arthur Jones, Wendell Ubben, Nick Lewis, and Charles Graham.
It was found that nothing would bring a scout troop closer together at a campfire (especially at night) than the scream of a wildcat or a good ghost story!!