As of the Census of 2010, there were 1,124 people, 482 households, and 269 families residing in the city. Sedan is best known as the birthplace of Emmett Kelly. A museum in his honor can be found there on Main Street.
During our stay, tempatures were 3 digits. We discovered that many of the Residents visit the local eatery: Ranch Restaurant. I have never tried Mountain Oysters and of course had to have the experience. Turned out to be not so bad ...and a bit creamy.
Jimmy Lou found classmates and friends. She basically "held court". As most who meet her, she is mesmerizing and charimatic. It is very hard to believe she is 86 years old.
We found the best bed and no breakfast I have ever stayed in, Grandma's House. The house is owned by Jack and Mary Warren. The beds are amazingly comfortable the home is clean. The cost was reasonable and affordable. http://www.grandmas-house.biz/
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For a really long time now I have been threatening Joann. I told her that someday I would catch her pouty face when she wanted me to make creamed eggs on toast. She has told people that this face is a fabrication on my part...WELLLLLLLLL!!! Ha I caught it!
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I have never really been to Kansas, just passed through. There is so much History there. The land itself is a mixture of colors and textures unlike any place I have ever seen.
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However since this trip was mainly about Jimmie Lou's memories, the stories and pictures are all visual aids to her tale. Jimmie was married for 61 years to Donald Reid. They met in the town of Winfield, Kansas where Jimmie was attending Nursing School. Donald was stationed at Strother Field as a Pilot for the U.S. Army. Jimmy got a bit emotional as we drove the drive up to the Air strip. We were all amazed to find some of the original barracks were still standing. Can you imagine not seeing a place in over 50 years?
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The most astounding discoveries were found on these backroads. Jimmie still remembered the way clearly. Elgin, Kansas was one such place. The old decaying buildings say it all. The stoic brick road, says it all. People still live there in this small town, though all the commerce is gone.
These buildings were made to last.
Clothes still own their hangers seen through the broken glass.
The old bank gutted stands as a past reminder of wealthier times. I had heard that these small town banks were the victims of the Dalton Gang and Bonnie and Clyde.
Bricks made in the nearby Brick Factory pave the once busy streets. Most of the towns have abnormally wide streets to accommodate the herding of Cattle for trade and trains.
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Other day trips took us to amazing bridges. Most in this style were built in the late 1930's.
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
We visited the town of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Jimmie's Aunt Madelyn was full blooded Osage. Pawhuska is the Capital City of the Osage Indian Nation. The History and Culture of the Osage is felt as much as seen.
The name of the city is after Chief Pawhuska of the Osage he was the first to carry the name "White Hair" there were others named after him. Pronounced Paw-Hiu-Skah, Pahuska, or Pawhuska, was born about 1763 and died about 1809.He was the chief of the Thorny-Valley People, a division of the Osage people In 1791, Pawhuska is reputed to have fought against American troops in Ohio under Arthur St. Claire. During the battle, the worst defeat ever suffered by U.S. forces against Indians, Pawhuska attempted to scalp a fallen officer but the man's powdered wig came off in Pawhuska’s hand. In the ensuing confusion, the officer escaped. The chief was impressed by how the wig protected its original wearer, so he kept it for the rest of his life and became known as White Hair.
The Osage are as most American Indians, Artisans and Artists. Everywhere your eye looks you see Art. Along the streets, murals were painted above shop windows.
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A Visit to the Cemetary was interesting to say the least. Indian names apparently don't translate well. We found the Baconrind Family. I had to get Jimmie Lou to take pictures of the tombstones.
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Jimmie Lou paid her respects to her Family. Her Father Ora and Mother Alice rest Sedan, Kansas.
