A contest for the purpose of securing historical material was planned at a meeting of the Meade county Council of Women's Clubs at Fowler on January 27, 1948. Cash prizes will be given for the best essays or manuscripts, and the material secured from the contest will be correlated and arranged into permanent historical records. Mrs. Theis Streiff of Plains, president of the council, appointed Mrs. W. S. Dingess of Meade, chairman of the project. Mrs. Dingess asked that each club represented in the county council appoint one member to form a historical council.

     The Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas assembled at the Jayhawk hotel in Topeka the evening of January 28, 1948, for their thirtieth annual meeting. Dr. Kenneth W. McFarland, superintendent of the Topeka Public Schools, was the guest speaker. James B. Tucker, Kansas State College student and winner of the Capper award for the best oration in a contest held earlier the same day, gave his speech at the meeting. Miss Brownie Bothinghouser of Osborne High School, winner of the essay contest, was also honored. Warren W. Shaw, retiring president of the Native Sons, and Mrs. C. I. Moyer, retiring president of the Native Daughters, presided at the meeting. After the addresses, an election was held. Will T. Beck of Holton was elected president of the Native Sons and Mrs. Kenneth McFarland of Topeka was elected president of the Native Daughters. Other officers elected were: Native SonsWilliam Ljungdahl of Menlo and Topeka, vice-president; Guy Josserand of Dodge City, secretary, and Edwin R. Jones of Topeka, treasurer; Native Daughters-Mrs. Carl Friend of Lawrence, vicepresident; Mrs. Ella Reuhmann of Wamego, secretary, and Mrs. P. A. Petitt of Paola, treasurer.

     Mrs. Loyal Payne spoke to members of the Riley County Historical Society at a dinner meeting held in the Congregational church in Manhattan, January 28, 1948. Mrs. Payne discussed some of the historical places in the county. Another meeting was held February 12, at which the marking of historic spots and the securing of a suitable museum were discussed. Places recommended by Alvin Springer for marking, are: Rocky Ford, Juniata, an Indian village on the Johns farm, Whisky Point, certain homes in

the College Hill community and some points in the Deep Creek and McDowell neighborhoods. Dr. J. W. Evans made a report on promoting and financing an adequate museum. Mrs. Loyal Payne spoke on the early history of Riley county and Homer Socolofsky of the college history department read a paper on Abraham Lincoln. Clyde Rodkey, president of the society, read a letter from a former Manhattan resident, Prof. John V. Cortelyou, giving some high lights of early local history.

     The Finney County Historical Society was organized January 31, 1948, at a meeting in Garden City. Gus Norton of Kalvesta was elected president. Ralph T. Kersey, Frederick Finnup and Mrs. Josephine Cowgill were chosen vice-presidents. Other officers were elected as follows: Mrs. Ella Condra, secretary; Mrs. Eva Baker Sharer, treasurer; Mrs. R. E. Stotts, historian, and Mrs. Emma Weeks White, custodian of relics. Each township is represented by a director. They are: William H. Fant, Garden City township; Harry G. Carl, Garfield; Albert Drussel, Ivanhoe; S. B. Keller, Pierceville; J. E. Greathouse, Pleasant Valley; Tresmon Miller, Terry, and Mrs. Charles R. Brown, Sherlock. Directors from Garden City are: Mrs. P. A. Burtis, Judge William E. Hutchison, A. J. Keffer, Jean Norris Kampschroeder, Frank Schulman, Kate Hatcher Smith and Helen M. Stowell. The new society is sponsored by the Garden City Business and Professional Women's club.

     Girard members were in charge of a meeting of the Crawford County Historical Society held in Pittsburg, February 9t 1948. Ralph Shideler presided and George Beezley reviewed the history of the Osage Indians in Crawford county. Mr. Beezley said that the Osages were the "very best" among Indians. He pointed out that there were many skirmishes in the early days between the Osages and rival Indians in the vicinity of Pittsburg. At one time during the Civil war when the Confederates attempted to organize the Indians to fight against the Union, the Osages attacked several groups of rebel soldiers and destroyed them. Another highlight of the historical meeting was a quiz contest conducted by Mrs. Lena Martin Smith. The contest was won by Mrs. Shideler.

     A festival of Kansas arts and crafts was presented in Lawrence, February 18-22, 1948. An exhibition was held in the Community building and there were special programs featuring the work of

musicians, dramatists and dancers. A 119-page illustrated catalogue containing information about the exhibitors and their work was printed.

     The Wichita Historical Museum Association held its annual dinner meeting March 5, 1948. Dr. Jesse Clyde Fisher, first vicepresident, presided and gave a brief history of the early days of Wichita. The special feature of the evening was a talk by Miss Rea Woodman. Elected to the board of trustees for three-year terms were: Dr, G. G. Anderson, Dr, H. C. Holmes, Dick Long, H. D. Lester, Eldon Means, H. M. Quinius, Mrs. Don Tevis and Miss Eva Minnich. John Cauthorn was chosen to fill an unexpired term.