The beginning of the Knights of Columbus in Kansas was the institution of Topeka Council 534 on September 9, 1900.  It was the first council west of the Missouri River.  The first officers elected were: Grand Knight, E. L. Mooney; Deputy Grand Knight, James Gibbons; Financial Secretary, T. J. Coughlin; Recording Secretary, John Gannon; Treasurer, Thomas Delahoyde; Warden, M. Fitzgerald; Advocate, F. C. Downey; Chancellor, R. H. Hayden; Chaplain, Rev. Michael F. Harrigan; Inside Guard, Thos. Durkin; Outside Guard, J. Devitt; Trustees, P. J. McAloon, Wm. Monaghan, John Morrisey; Lecturer, J. J. Lannan.

The charter members were:

This first class in Kansas was initiated by a degree team made up of men from Kansas City and St. Louis.  One little sidelight from this initiation has been preserved for us in a clipping in Charter Member P. J. McAloon's scrapbook:

When the Knights of Columbus organized a lodge in Topeka a few Sundays ago a Topeka dyer was chosen as the candidate to be initiated.  This man was something of a joker.  Many of those who were to have a part in administering the degrees had been subjects of his jokes and they decided to select the dyer as the man to ride the goat.  He rode.  The goat was perhaps a little livelier that day than usual.  The candidate received all that was due him.  The others had a good laugh.  The dyer decided to turn the joke and laugh last.  A large number of the members of the Kansas City lodge had carried on the initiation.  The dyer sent the following telegram to the master of the Kansas City lodge and signed it with the name of the master of the Topeka lodge: "Bad effects of yesterday's doings.  Brother..... dyed today.  Funeral tomorrow.  Kansas City lodge please attend in a body." The answer from Kansas City was returned in an hour: "Sorry to learn the sad news.  Ten members leave on first train.  Rest will come tomorrow." Then the dyer had to keep the wires hot to prevent the Kansas City people from coming to Topeka on a useless trip.  He sent back the following telegram: "You misunderstand.  The brother who took the work is a dyer by trade.  He is still at the business."

Topeka Council at first rented the Knights and Ladies of Security Hall at 117 West Seventh Street for meeting nights.  As early as 1902 the Council began to invest its surplus funds in preparation for the day when it could possess its own council home.  In May 1908 it bought the Blower house at the corner of Quincy and Eighth Avenue for fifteen thousand dollars.  About 1917 the Council decided that it had outgrown these quarters, rented the building, and moved to the upper floor of the Aetna Building at 114 West Seventh Street.  In 1921 the Council moved to float thirty-five thousand dollars worth of bonds for a new clubhouse.  In the next few years various proposals were considered and rejected by the Council.  In 1930, convinced by the depression that the construction of a building in the near future was impossible, the money that had been received was returned to the subscribers.  The Council moved to the second floor of the Woolworth Building at 627 Kansas Avenue on January 1, 1934.  Finally, in 1949, the trustees leased Kellam Hall at 529 Jackson Street.

Topeka Council was very busy during the first years of Knighthood in Kansas helping to institute new councils and sending large delegations to these events.  John Kelly even served as a traveling warden in 1901 to take paraphernalia to the institution of councils in Denver and Pueblo.  Leo Mooney was elected to membership in that same year and was dispensed from the payment of dues in return for his services as an organist.  In 1944 he was still fulfilling that duty.  The election of officers in those days was held at the first meeting in December.  Debates, usually on topics of the day such as the Russo-Jap War, were regularly used to stimulate interest at meetings.

St. Aloysius Circle 40 of the Columbian Squires was instituted with forty-four candidates on February 28, 1929.  During the depression the Council tried to help its members by setting up an Unemployment Committee.  The Topeka Knight was an experimental Council publication in 1942 that survived only twelve issues.  Edited by William J. Zeidler the vigorous little journal was rather outspoken in the manner of the Brooklyn Tablet and seems to have run into heavy opposition.

The social program of Topeka Council in the early years of its history undoubtedly centered around initiations but the Thanksgiving Ball was the highlight of the season.  The members staged a good old-fashioned minstrel in 1924.  The Council had a very successful baseball team back in 1917 and was represented in the city league in 1925 and 1947.  Of late years it has had an eight team bowling league for men and an eight team mixed league.

The inspiring practice of corporate Communion is first recorded in the annals of Topeka Council in 1903.  At that time the Knights received on Trinity Sunday, in 1925 they decided that Mothers' Day would be ideal for the event.  In 1904 during the month dedicated to the poor souls they held memorial services for their deceased members.  They formed a Catholic Round Table in 1926.  Later they were active in petitioning radio stations to schedule the Catholic Hour and the Sacred Heart Hour.

Any council with fifty years of history behind it has a long and varied string of acts of charity to its credit.  At the time of the big flood of 1903, besides the aid sponsored by the National Council, Topeka Council had gifts of a hundred dollars from the Knights of St. Joseph, Missouri, and a similar sum from those in Wichita to add to its own relief fund.  P. J. Monaghan, R. F. Hayden, and J. J. Kinney were appointed a committee for the relief of sufferers.  Then there was a sum for the parish library, a window for the new Assumption Church, medals and a Catholic Encyclopedia for the Catholic High School, presents of clothing for poor children.  It sponsored a boy to the Sunflower State, marble tournaments and free dental examinations for the parochial school children.  During the twenties particularly it gave scholarships and substantial support to the athletic program of the Catholic High School.  During the last war it supplied furniture for a sun room at the Topeka Army Air Base.  It donated to the new St. Vincent's Home, and members have pledged ten thousand dollars to the St. Francis Hospital Building Fund.  During the first World War it excused the members in service from the payment of dues and sent them Christmas presents.  The Council's activities at Camp Funston and in the Trade School after the first World War will be found in the chapter on the Knights' activities in both wars.

Topeka Council celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1925.  At the same time it honored Father Hayden, its chaplain of many years, who was celebrating the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.  The Council's thirty-fifth anniversary was marked with special honor to the surviving charter members: John H. Colvin, William Connors, John J. Gannon, Hugh Lawlor, P. J, McAloon, and John T. Morrisey.  There was a commemorative radio address on Columbus Day, and on Sunday, the following day, a special Mass and Communion.  The celebration concluded with a big anniversary banquet.  Honorary degrees were presented to twenty members in 1946.  Topeka was the scene of the first meetings of the State Council in 1902 and 1903, and since then has been the host Council in 1928, 1933, 1943, 1946, and now for its jubilee in 1950.

The past Grand Knights of Topeka Council are: Edward L. Mooney, 1900-02, deceased; John J. Kinney, 1902-04, deceased; M. M. Monaghan, 1904-05, deceased; J. J. Lannan, 1905-06, 1910-11, deceased; T. J. Coughlin, 1906-07, deceased; Dr. W. C. McDonough, 1907-10, 1911-12, deceased; Frank Durein, 1912-13; B. J. Long, 1913-14, deceased; Leo T. Mooney, 1914-16; P. J. McAloon, 1916-18, deceased; James W. Gibbons, 1918-19, deceased; Geo. W. Monaghan, 1919-21, deceased; John E. Foley, 1921-22; Hugh Lawlor, 1922-23, deceased; Arthur Murray, 1923-25; O. B. Gufler, 1925-26, deceased; E. J. Strecker, 1926-28; Hugh Flynn, 1928-29; R. B. Ingenthrone, 1929-30; John Mulloy, 1930-32, deceased; W. J. Cunningham, 1932-34; Herb Gannon, 1934-36; Maurice Leonard, 1936-38; Clarence Malone, 1938-40; L. J. McGlinchy, 1940-42; John Towle, 1942-44; Earl I. May, 1944-46; J. M. Heit, 1946-48.

Brother August J. Johns served the Council as an extraordinarily able and hard-working financial secretary for twenty years.  During the depression years he did yeoman service in keeping new members flowing into the Council.  On one occasion he single-handedly raised five hundred dollars for the high school fund.  When he resigned his office in 1943 the Council expressed its appreciation with a party and the presentation of a gold watch.

Numerous members of Topeka Council have held state and national offices in the Knights of Columbus.  P. J. Monaghan was the first State Deputy in 1902, R. F. Hayden was Territorial Deputy before the organization of the State Council and was State Deputy in 1903.  T. J. Coughlin was State Secretary in 1902-03, State Deputy in 1904-05, and then a National Director.  M. M. Monaghan was State Secretary in 1904-05.  James W. Gibbons was State Deputy in 1906-08 and a National Director.  L. J. DeGarmo was State Secretary from 1914-17.  James Malone was State Deputy in 1922-24.  William Butler was State Secretary in 1924-26.  A J. Farrell was State Treasurer in 1925-27.  Michael Healy Was State Advocate in 1924-26, State Deputy in 1928-30, and a Supreme Director.  R. B. Ingenthrone was State Treasurer in 1935-37.  Clarence Malone was State Advocate in 1940-42, State Deputy in 1946-48, and at present is Supreme Warden.  Those who have served as District Deputies are: Thomas J. Flynn, Hugh Lawlor, W. J. Cunningham, Herbert Gannon, L. J. McGlinchy, R. B. Ingenthrone.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Donald W. Mock; Deputy Grand Knight, Paul A. Shinn; Chancellor, James S. O'Rourke; Recorder, Robert T. DeRose; Financial Secretary, Albert L. Ice; Treasurer, William J. Hefner; Lecturer, Mike Firneno; Advocate, Anthony Pokorney; Warden, James M. O'Reagan; Inside Guard, Marvin Heit; Outside Guard, William M. Stolte; Trustees, James S. Moth, John J. Laris, Edward A. Haney; Chaplain, Msgr.  Eugene Vallely.

The Council has 530 members at present, 257 insurance and 273 associate.

Salina Council 601 was chartered September 15, 1901.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, W. R. Kaffer; Deputy Grand Knight, Mike Shanahan; Financial Secretary, L. J, Supple; Recording Secretary, F. F. Hinnenkamp; Treasurer, E. J. Kaffer; Warden, Lew Johannes; Advocate, John C. Lill; Chancellor, T. A. Williams; Chaplain, Rev. J. F. Leary; Inside Guard, J, R, Geis; Outside Guard, Thomas Quinn; Trustees, A. T. Wolsieffer, D. D. McAuliff, William Wessling, Anthony Madden, John O'Shea.

The charter members were:

As the second council instituted in the state it has a long history of religious, charitable, and fraternal activity.  It was twice host to the annual convention of the State Council, in 1909 and 1939.  When the Knights of Columbus sponsored a special edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia it contributed sets to the Public Library, to Kansas Wesleyan University, and to four sons of the parish newly ordained to the priesthood.

During the last war the Council remitted the dues of all servicemen, operated street booths for the sale of bonds, and took an active part in all war activities and the USO.  It has sponsored a carnival to raise funds for the new Cathedral and has continued it annually to help support the parochial school.  The Council also helped pay for the redecoration of Sacred Heart High School.  It supports a midget baseball team of boys from the Cathedral school.  The most unusual spiritual contribution of the Council was as sponsor of the Nocturnal Adoration Society which has been active since 1942.

The Grand Knights of Salina Council have been: W. R. Kaffer, 1901-03; T. A. Williams, 1903-04, deceased; P. H. Dolan, 1904-06, deceased; L. J. Supple, 1906-08, deceased; J. R. Geis, 1908-09; Harry Cunningham, 1909-11; Adolph Gehr, 1911-13; Henry Sherrin, 1913-14; J. J. Curry, 1914-15; Paul Jackson, 1916-17; P. A. Tobin, 1917-19, deceased; J. J. Sullivan, 1919-24, 1935-37; J. H. Wallerius, 1924-26; H. A. Bachofer, 1926-28; T. A. Kelley, 1928-30; T. P. Quinn, 1930-32; A. J. Gorman, 1932-34, 1944-45; T. A. Finan, 1934, deceased; A. H. Mentgen, 1937-39; Frank Wary, 1939-40; W. J. Dearing, 1940-41; Charles J. Serreault, 1941-42; A. J. Norton, 1942-44; Joseph A. Duncan, 1945-46; E. R. Dandurand, 1946-47; C. S. Mulvenon, Jr., 1947-49.

L. J. Supple was State Treasurer in 1902 and from 1904 to 1906; W. R. Kaffer, State Advocate 1903-04; J. R. Geis, State Treasurer 1909-12; George Beatty, State Advocate 1913-14.  J. J. Sullivan was elected State Secretary 1928-30 and State Deputy for the terms of 1930 and 1931.  Carl Wieck, H. A. Bachofer, Adolph Mentgen and Joseph Crawford have served as District Deputies.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, John F. Bertles; Deputy Grand Knight, Adolph Mentgen; Chancellor, Erick Erickson; Recorder, Darrel Kelsey; Financial Secretary, Leo A. Rheault; Treasurer, Chas S. Mulvenon, Jr.; Lecturer, James Crowford; Advocate, Al Gagnon; Warden, Manuel Eckhart; Inside Guard, Paul Crimmins; Outside Guard, John Ochs; Trustees, John Kramer, Charles Serrault, Edward Jilka; Chaplain, Rt.  Rev. Msgr. John A. Duskie.

The Council now has 341 members, 169 insurance and 172 associate.

Hutchinson Council 612 was chartered November 27, 1901.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, John W. Parker; Financial Secretary, Wm.  R. Guth; Treasurer, George W. Maloney.

The charter members were:

Hutchinson Council was host to the convention of the State Council in 1906.  The Council has given particularly active support to St. Theresa's parochial school.  Besides the usual Christmas party for the children, the Knights have furnished typewriters and extensive playground equipment for the school.  It also sponsors a Boy Scout Troop.  In 1926-27 the Council contributed very materially to the support of Our Lady of Guadelupe, the Mexican parish in Hutchinson.

The past Grand Knights are: John W. Parker, 1901, deceased; Robert C. Roach, 1902, deceased; Rev. Frank Connors, 1903; Wm.  T. Cross, 1904; B. C. Furstenberg, 1905, deceased; M. Guth, 1906, 1909, deceased; F. J. Murphy, 1907-08; John A. Dealy, 1910; Wm.  E. Madden, 1911; Rev. W. M. Farrell, 1912-14; Joseph P. O'Sullivan, 1915, 1919; E. C. Carhart, 1916; Charles T. Ferris, 1917-18, 1926-27, 1932-33; J. Clyde Rauh, 1920; Ed. F. Dooley, 1921; J. L. Strothman, 1922-23, deceased; Ed J. Whalen, 1924; Joe Rauh, 1925; John N. Blick, 1929-30; Stanley J. Rychlec, 1935; George C. Cole, 1936; Mike L. Leahey, 1937; Alfred J. Schwarz, 1938; Pete A. Gottschalk, 1939; A. J. Rueschhoff, 1940; Andrew Stremel, 1941, 1944-45; Joe G. McGuire, 1942; George F. Buzzell, 1943; James W. Gibbons, 1943; William O. Brooke, 1946; L. J. Bromert, 1947-48.

M. Guth has served the Council particularly well as its Financial Secretary.  He has held that office from 1914 to 1936 and from 1942 to the present.  John N. Blick was Dictrict Deputy in 1931-32 and James W. Gibbons held that office in 1944-45.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Carl L. Comes; Deputy Grand Knight, A. A. Heimerman; Chancellor, P. A. Gottschalk; Recorder, Walter Yetman; Financial Secretary, George C. Cole; Treasurer, Alfred Schwarz; Lecturer, Wm.  Nethercot; Advocate, John Hayes; Warden, W. O. Brooke; Inside Guard, Edgar Bean; Outside Guard, Louis Gerstenkorn; Trustees, Michael J. Mooney, John Blick, S. P. Wagoner; Chaplain, Msgr. D. M. Reidy.

The Council has 172 members at present, 98 insurance and 74 associate.

St. Patrick's Council 643 at Parsons was instituted April 20, 1902.  It was the fourth Council chartered in Kansas and the second in the diocese of Wichita.  The old Catholic Advance reported the event at great length for it was a big affair.  There were many railroad men involved and their friends came from Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Indian Territory and even Texas.  "Sunday morning Parsons was flooded with sunlight and visiting Knights." St. Patrick's church was a scene of solemnity and splendor enhanced by the refulgence of a hundred of the new electric lights strung about the altar.  Father Neusius, one of Kansas' pioneer priests, was the pastor and celebrated the Solemn Mass.  The initiation was followed by a banquet with a big old-fashioned menu.  William O'Herin, the toastmaster at the banquet, had been largely responsible for the organization of the Knights of Columbus in Parsons.  He was superintendent of motive power for the M. K. T. Railroad.  A generous donor and a dynamic leader, he was also an important cog in the building of St. Patrick's church.  He was one of the old-timers who helped to build a tradition of active Catholicity in Kansas.

The officers of the newly instituted Parsons Council were: Grand Knight, Charles W. Jaminet; Deputy Grand Knight, T. J. Byrnes; Financial Secretary, F. L. Carpenter; Recording Secretary, H. J. Tierney; Treasurer, Luke Aurentz; Chancellor, A. Buckley; Chaplain, Rev. N. Neusius.

The Council now meets in a rented hall.  In 1925 it purchased a home that was used for many years by the Council and other Catholic groups, but due to changing conditions it was deemed advisable to dispose of this property.  Some of the regular activities of the Council are sponsoring a Boy Scout Troop, sending a student to the annual Boys' State, providing Christmas treats for the parochial school children, supplying newspapers for the Sisters, and holding the impressive commemorative ceremony each year.

The past Grand Knights are: Chas. Jaminet, J. W. Foyle, W. R. Farris, Joe Everest, L. L. Willey, L. J. Raymond, G. A. Hayden, S. A. Hayden, M. E. Colopy, John O'Connor, Wm Reeves, J. T. McKittrick, E. E. Liner, F. E. Sayles, John Scaletty, A. G. Hoppe, O. McDowell, Hugh Dwyer, J. E. Forbes, J. J. Keck, C. W. Regan, F. J. Sternitzke, A. J. Murphy, Leo J. Deimeke.

John T. Tierney, now an Honorary Life member, was State Warden in 1905.  F. E. Sayles was District Deputy in 1930, S. A. Hayden in 1932-34, and Hugh Dwyer from 1937 to 1940 and 1944 to 1948.  Three members have long records of service as Council officers.  J. D. Dunlap has been Chancellor for over thirty years, J. T. McKittrick resigned as Financial Secretary in 1947 after twenty-one years, and O. McDowell, now a Trustee, has served in one office or another continuously since his initiation.  The Council's first Warden, Dr. P.J. Donnelly, is an Honorary member, now living in Iowa City.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, O. V. Albertson; Deputy Grand Knight, F. J. Morris; Chancellor, James Dunlap; Recorder, J. T. Patten; Financial Secretary, W. Hugh Dwyer; Treasurer, Frank Sternitzke; Lecturer, Leo Deimeke; Advocate, J. E. Newton; Warden, George Begey; Inside Guard, Bernard Leech; Outside Guard, Robert Shea; Trustees, Earl Snyder, T. W. Greenawalt, O. McDowell; Chaplain, Msgr. T. H. Maher.

The Council now has 177 members, 96 insurance and 81 associate.

St. Mary's Council 657 was chartered April 27, 1902.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Geo.  L. Dyer; Deputy Grand Knight, J. M. Conlan; Financial Secretary, O. Verschelden; Recording Secretary, Wm. Sipes; Treasurer, A. DeDonder; Warden, T. S. Byrnes; Advocate, M. Murphy; Chancellor, W. J. Moriarity; Chaplain, Rev. J. P. DeSmedt, S. J.; Inside Guard, Clarence Roberts; Outside Guard, James Cass; Trustees, W. H. True, A. Koppes, John Erbacher.

The charter members were:

St. Marys was host to the meeting of the State Council from 1914 through 1917 so that the Knights of Columbus Retreat could be held immediately after the convention.  The Council sponsors a track meet for the grade schools and a May Day parade to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin.

The Past Grand Knights are: George L. Dyer, 1903-04; W. J. Moriarity, 1905-06, 1911-12; W. E. Miller, 1907, deceased; Hugh Lawlor, 1908; John F. Ryan, 1909-10, deceased; Andrew Koppes, 1913-14; T. J. Ryan, 1915-17, deceased; Leo Erbacher, 1918-19; S. G. O'Rourke, 1920-21, deceased; H. E. Ryan, 1922-24; A. R. Ronsse, 1925-26; J. J. McCaffrey, 1927-30; J. P. Murray, 1931, 1936-37; J. Immenschuh, 1932-33; Leo Stenger, 1934-35; C. J. Schuler, 1938-39; Leo Ronsse, 1940-42; E. J. Verschelden, 1943; F. Ronsse, 1944-46; George Poppelreiter, 1947-48; John P. Smith, 1949.

Members who have held office in the State Council are: Reverend F. J. O'Hern, S. J., State Chaplain 1930; W. J. Moriarity, State Deputy 1911-13; and J. J. McCaffrey, State Secretary 1930-32.

One of the longest records of service in Kansas is that of A. P. DeDonder who has been Treasurer of St. Marys Council since its institution in 1902.  Besides his service on the State Council and as Grand Knight, J. J. McCaffrey was District Deputy for a number of years and has been Financial Secretary of his Council since 1932.  While State Secretary he published the available data concerning the first meetings of the Kansas State Council, thus preserving what would otherwise have inevitably been lost to posterity.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, John P. Smith; Deputy Grand Knight, Paul J. Lenherr; Chancellor, Phil Meyer; Recorder, R. F. Reicherter; Financial Secretary, J. J. McCaffrey; Treasurer, A. DeDonder; Lecturer, Frank Ronsse; Advocate, E. F. Ronsse; Warden, John A. Powell; Inside Guard, Frank Ronneau; Outside Guard, L. N. Schumaker; Trustees, John L. Pearl, Leon Ronsse, J. P. Murray; Chaplain, Rev.  John A. Berens, S. J.

The Council now has 369 members, 233 insurance and 136 associate.

Severance Council 675 was chartered July 20, 1902.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Ed Heeney; Deputy Grand Knight, Thomas J. Lyons; Financial Secretary, Dennis J. Ward; Recording Secretary, Roger W. Morley; Treasurer, John M. Morley; Warden, Frank J. Libel; Advocate, P. O'Shea; Chancellor, Hugh Corcoran; Chaplain, Rev. M. Bradley; Inside Guard, John F. Libel; Outside Guard, John O'Shea; Trustees, Guy Ebner, T. J. Francis, T. E. Horner.

The charter members were:

Severance Council was the sixth organized in the state and the first in northeastern Kansas.  Its team exemplified the first degree and assisted with the second in the institution of almost every council in this part of the state.  As a small council in a rural community it has fulfilled its purpose of providing a fuller social life for its members.  The honorary members of the Council are Thomas Moser, Frank J. Libel, James H. Curtis, and Patrick O'Shea -- all charter members.

The past Grand Knights are: Ed Heeney, 1902-04, 1913-15, deceased; Thomas J. Lyons, 1904-06, 1917-18, 1922-24, deceased; John M. Morley, 1906-07, 1915-17, deceased; T. J. Francis, 1907-08, deceased; T. E. Horner, 1908-10, deceased; Hugh Corcoran, 1910-11, 1920-22; C. J. Ryan, 1911-13, deceased; John L. Devereux, 1918-20; John H. Gallagher, 1924-26, deceased; C. L. Burke, 1926-28; P. A. Kirwin, 1928-31; T. A. Alfers, 1931-33; T. J. Ebner, 1933-39, deceased; R. W. Morley, 1937-40, deceased; Thomas H. Lyons, 1940-42; J. P. Gray, 1942-43; F. J. Libel, 1943-44; Clarence Boos, 1944-45; Chas. Libel, 1945-46; Harold Halling, 1946-47, 1948-49; Nicholas Theis, 1947-48; Robert Gray, 1949-.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Robert Gray; Deputy Grand Knight, Sylvester Foley; Chancellor, Nicholas Theis; Recorder, Albert Gray; Financial Secretary, John Foley; Treasurer, Thomas Young; Lecturer, George Foley; Advocate, Junior Huss; Warden, Andrew Franken; Inside Guard, John Halling; Outside Guard, Leo McIntyre; Trustees, Robert Howard, Albert Fuhrmann, C. L. Burke; Chaplain, Rev. Alfred Koestner, O.S.B.

The Council has 53 members at present, 38 insurance and 15 associate.

Wichita Council 691

Wichita Council 691 of the Knights of Columbus received its charter August 24, 1902.  The ceremonies for the institution of the Council began with a Solemn Mass celebrated by the Council chaplain, Reverend J. Henry Tihen, at St. Aloysius Pro-Cathedral.  The three degrees of the Order were exemplified in the afternoon in the Odd Fellows Hall.

The charter members were:

Brother John E. Ceurvorst, Sr., is one of two surviving charter members of the Council.  He is eighty-three years old and remains active in the organization, attending the regular meeting and participating in most of the activities sponsored by the Council.  He served as warden for several years following the organization of the Council.  The other charter member is Charles E. Weirick.  He moved to California many years ago but has continued his membership in the Council.

The first officers were: Grand Knight, James A. Conly; Deputy Grand Knight, A. H. Foppe; Chancellor, T. Y. Strohecker; Treasurer, Anthony M. Weinschenk; Financial Secretary, John K. Siebrandt; Recording Secretary, W. T. McDonald; Warden, Joseph T. Christman; Inside Guard
E. E. Fitzpatrick; Outside Guard, F. J. Higgins.

The Most Reverend J. Henry Tihen, then Father Tihen, served as the first Council Chaplain.  It was through his influence that the Catholic men were invited to organize a council in the city.  He later served as bishop of the dioceses of Lincoln, Nebraska and Denver, Colorado.

An outstanding event in the history of the diocese of Wichita and of the Council was the dedication of Immaculate Conception Cathedral in 1912.  Five hundred Knights marched in procession preceding the Pontifical High Mass.  The Fourth Degree Assembly provided a guard of honor.  A float prepared by the Council depicting Columbus meeting the Indians remains one of the vivid recollections of the great parade.  A memorial of the Council is the marble pulpit that was erected in the Cathedral on the occasion of its dedication.

Wichita Council has been strong and active and through the years has been influential in the religious and civic affairs of the city.  Too much praise and commendation cannot be given to the men, many of whom are now of happy memory, who guided the destiny of the Council in its infancy and the years that followed until the clubhouse was erected.  They encountered many difficulties, not the least of which were financial.  However, their frugality and wise investments accumulated a considerable sum and they saw their dreams come true in a home for the Council.

Until 1936 the Council headquarters were located in various rented buildings in the city.  The first location was at 126 North Main and successive moves were to First and Main, First and Market, 414 East Douglas, 118 1/2 South Broadway, and finally to the present location at 626 North Broadway.  The present home was built and is owned by the Council.  It provides comfortable quarters and recreational facilities for the members.  The building committee consisted of Emmet A. Blaes, James A. Cady, N. Joseph Gessler, William J. Schiffler, and Joseph B. Hesse, Sr., These men were granted a charter as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Kansas.  The first board of directors consisted of Emmet A. Blaes, James A. Cady, Elmer Garitson, William J. Schiffler, and Joseph B. Hesse, Sr.  The building and its furnishings are assets of the corporation and responsibility for the maintenance and operation rests with the corporation, known as, the Columbian Home Association.  The present directors are Getto McDonald, Elmer Garitson, Bernard J. (Bud) Weldon, Joseph B. Hesse, Sr., and Forrest D. (Woody) Jensen.

It was a great day when the Council home was dedicated. That spring in 1936 also marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bishop Tihen's elevation to the episcopacy, the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of his birth.  Wichita Council celebrated Bishop Tihen's three anniversaries and the dedication of the Council home with the exemplification of the three degrees of the Order in his honor and a colorful banquet in the new building.  The Honorable Francis P. Matthews, Deputy Supreme Knight, delivered the address.  Many state and city officials were present for the banquet.  Emmet A. Blaes served as toastmaster and Grand Knight N. Joseph Gessler extended greetings of welcome on behalf of the Council.  The clubhouse was built to accommodate three hundred and fifty members and the membership is now over eleven hundred.  The facilities are overtaxed and plans are being made to build an addition to the present building.

The Council has been awarded the Star Council Award in the years 1938, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1948, and 1949; Honor Roll Award in 1937, 1940 to 1949; the 50 Club Award in 1949; Insurance Honor Roll Award 1945 to 1949; Century Club Award in 1937, 1943, 1945 to 1949.  In the year 1945 during the term of Virgil R. Linot as Grand Knight and Ernest W. Tajchman serving as Membership Chairman, the Council attained Double Century Club rating, and in 1949 during the term of Ernest W. Tajchman as Grand Knight and Raymond L. Quackenbush serving as Membership Chairman, the Council again attained Double Century Club rating.

The Council has always been a heavy contributor to the various charitable organizations and parishes in the city.  In the early days most of the contributions were made to the Cathedral parish, but with the establishment of many new parishes in the city this practice was discontinued and the contributions have been made directly to the bishop.  In the last ten years a sum of ten thousand five hundred dollars was given to the bishop of the diocese.  Of this sum, two thousand five hundred dollars was distributed to the various needy parishes and charitable societies by the late Most Reverend Christian H. Winkelman, but he earmarked the later contributions for a seminary burse.  Upon the arrival of the Most Reverend Mark K. Carroll the matter was discussed with him and it was his desire that the seminary burse of ten thousand dollars be completed by the Council and that the burse be known as the Bishop Winkelman Knights of Columbus Seminary Burse.  As of August 1, 1949, the amount in the burse is eight thousand dollars.

A project in which the Council participated and which influenced the fraternal feeling between the various groups in the city was the annual Median Shrine - Knights of Columbus Goodwill Baseball Game staged each spring during the years 1939 to 1944.  Sylvester A. Long, master of ceremonies and a Shriner, described the character and purpose of the affair in these words: "Only in America could a Catholic team meet a non-Catholic team on the athletic field and play for a trophy donated by a Jew." Many fine friendships developed from this annual game and a demonstration of fraternity and patriotism was given to the people of Wichita.  Such outstanding special attractions as the Boys Town Band, Monty Stratton, Dizzy Dean, Lefty Gomez, and the late Walter Johnson were featured at the ball games.

Wichita Council has furnished a number of officers for the State Council.  There have been four State Deputies: Judge W. D. Jochems, 1913-15; Vincent A. Smith, 1932-34; Emmet A. Blaes, 1942-44, and Dr. Harry M. Klenda, 1944-46.  Joseph T. Christman was State Warden in 1903-04, John M. Hurley was elected State Advocate for the terms 1930-32 and Emmet A. Blaes held the same office in 1932-34.  John C. Lappin and Elmer Garitson each served as State Master of the Fourth Degree for several years.

Members of the Council who have been District Deputies are: J. T. McDonald 1904, W. A. Busch 1905, John R. Siebrandt 1906-10, W. D. Jochems 1911-13, J. Arch Lewis 1920-24, John C. Lappin 1924-26, O. L. Jacques 1926-27, James B. Nash 1927-29, Vincent A. Smith 1930-32, Emmet A. Blaes 1934-36, Dr. Harry M. Klenda 1939-40, 1943-44, and Virgil Linot since 1946.

Wichita Knights have also been prominent in civic service.  Judge W. D. Jochems served as Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court in 1930-31.  Harold E. Malone served in the state legislature for several years and followed that with a successful term as county attorney.  Emmet A. Blaes was elected to his second term as president of the National Council of Catholic Men in 1949.

The men who have served the Council as its Grand Knights are: James A. Conly, 1902; John T. McDonald, 1903, 1906; William A. Busch, 1904; Joseph T. Christman, 1905, 1911; James T. Higgins, 1907; James E. Higgins, 1908; John R. Siebrandt, 1909; James R. McCormick, 1910; John M. Shea, 1912-13; Dr. John Hagon, 1914; Harry I. Ellis, 1915; J. Arch Lewis, 1915-17; Dr. Joseph F. Fallot, 1917-20; Peter P. Stein, 1920-21; Theodore J. McDonald, 1921-24; James B. Nash, 1924-26; Thomas E. Kennedy, 1926-28; Henry J. Roetzel, 1928-29; John E. Hurley, 1929-31, 1933-34; Thomas C. Alexander, 1931-33; Vincent A. Smith, 1934-35; N. Joseph Gessler, Jr., 1935-36; Dr. Harry M. Klenda, 1936-38; Bernard J. Weldon, 1938-39; Joseph B. Hesse, 1939-40; L. Connie Fox, 1940-41; Emmet A. Blaes, 1941-42; W. Getto McDonald, 1942-44; Virgil R. Linot, 1944-46; Forrest D. Jensen, 1946-47; Ernest W. Tajchman, 1947-49; Harry H. Becker, 1949; John V. Joy, 1949-50.

Wichita Council has developed outstanding ceremonial men.  They include Thomas Kennedy, Daniel Dwyer, Sr., J. Arch Lewis, Paul Lewis, John E. Hurley, Clem Simmons, William Ryan, John Ansboro, Edwin H. Markel, William Dwyer, Judge W. D. Jochems, Vincent A. Smith, Thomas E. Alexander, Thomas Winberly, Dr. Harry M. Klenda, Emmet A. Blaes, Virgil R. Linot, Leonard Fraipont, Clyste T. Hatcher, John R. Dobrott, Dr. Bernard R. Quinn, Joseph F. Carney, Jr., Forrest D. (Woody) Jensen, Leo Zimmerman, Samuel F. Wagle, Leon Rucker, and John Peters.

The Council has an unusually detailed and highly organized program.  Responsibility for the success of each activity is delegated to a committee.  There are twenty-seven of these standing committees; the work of some of them must suffice to give an idea of the smooth-working whole.  The Catholic Activities Committee has as its aim the promotion of programs that will influence the people of Wichita to follow Christian ideals and to promote spirituality among the members.  It has procured important speakers and recently brought the statue of Our Lady of Fatima to Wichita for veneration.  Outstanding men on this committee have been Joseph M. Fern, Bernard J. (Bud) Weldon, Vincent A. Smith, O. L. Sanders, and Emmet A. Blaes.  The Pamphlet Committee arranges to set up pamphlet racks in public places and keep them supplied with good spiritual reading.  The Reverend Gregory Diebold, O. F. M., originated this activity and Fritz Jehle and Edward Sanders have carried it on.  Father Gregory also introduced the study club program in the Council.  The Quarterly Communion Committee arranges for Knights' corporate reception of Holy Communion on each fifth Sunday of the month at one of the parishes of the city, each in turn.  A fine breakfast is served by the ladies of the host parish and this is followed by a short program which features a spiritual conference.  Chester E. Shellenberger has for years promoted this activity and recently Robert W. Watson has continued his fine work.  The Retreat Committee promotes attendance at the annual retreat and the two days of recollection sponsored by the Council.  Dr. Bernard R. Quinn was the organizer and principal promoter of the movement until his death in 1949.  Bernard J. Weldon, Arnold Mader, Thomas Hammond, and George Kroeger are also active on the committee.  The Rosary Committee arranges for the recitation of the rosary for a deceased brother.

The committee for visiting the sick visits all Catholics confined in hospitals once a week.  This corporal work of mercy has been practiced with particular devotion by Harry H. Becker, Chester E. Shellenberger, Ambrose Busch, George Kroeger, Norbert Lanzrath, Thomas Hammond, Arnold A. Mader, and Fritz Jehle.  The Blood Donor Committee was organized in 1942 and has since contributed over four hundred pints of blood.  Thomas Wimberly has headed this committee for years.  The Employment Placement Committee keeps an up to date list of positions that are open and places members of the Council who are looking for work.  Francis P. (Doc) Dunn organized this committee and is its chairman.

The Publicity Committee writes and submits news stories to the religious and secular press.  The Committe even has its own photographer.  The Council Publication Committee has charge of editing the Crusader, official organ of the Council.  The first issue was published in February, 1937, and it has continued uninterrupted to the present.  The first editor was the late Edward McIntyre.  Ernest W. Tajchman, editor of the paper for four years, did much to develop its style and editorial policy.  John J. Kinderknecht is its printer and deserves much credit for the high quality of the publication.  The Telephone Committee is an ingenious solution to the problem of communications.  It notifies members by telephone of rosary and funeral arrangements for a deceased member and other events occurring on short notice.

The Athletic Committee conducts golf and snooker tournaments and promotes basketball and softball teams in the city leagues.  The Bowling Committee operates two Knights of Columbus Leagues and arranges for a bowling team in the civic traveling league.  William J. Schiffler has done great work in compiling the scores and has acquired the title of "High Commissioner of Bowling."  Joseph F. Carney, Jr., who serves on the state athletic committee, and the late John Black, Sr., also contributed much time and effort to this activity.  The Diocesan Basketball Officiating Committee provides officials and awards at the annual diocesan basketball tournament.  Everett Massey originated this activity and has been greatly assisted by John Olmstead and Meuli Curry.

The Entertainment Committee plans parties and dances for the enjoyment of the members.  Outstanding events each year are the Halloween Party, the New Year's Eve Party, and the Pre-Lenten Dance.  Marion Malone started this fine program and Elven Driskel has continued it in recent years.  The Music Committee provides the singing at meetings, initiations, and special functions of the Council.  Joseph B. Hesse, Sr., has headed this committee for years and has developed an octette with a wide reputation.  Reverend Firmin Oldegeering, O. F. M., is director and accompanist.  The Pinochle and Bridge Committee arranges for card playing at the Council every other Sunday during the winter months.  Joseph B. Matz, Sr., a fine pinochle player, has promoted this activity in recent years.  The Dutch Lunch Committee is charged with providing the lunch after each meeting and following major degree exemplifications.  Thomas E. Jones has headed this committee for many years and with such success that the announcement of a Tom Jones' Famous Dutch Lunch practically guarantees big attendance.

Harry H. Becker served Wichita Council as Financial Secretary for many years and helped it to grow from a membership of three hundred and fifty to over a thousand.  The Council honored him with election to the post of Grand Knight in 1949.  He had hardly begun his term of office, when to the great sorrow of his Brother Knights, he died on July 14, 1949.

In this short sketch it is impossible to recognize the contribution of the many men whose work was essential to the success of Wichita Council.  Inadequate as a history, this account does at least make. the point that the record of Wichita Council was made by men unselfishly devoted to the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity.  Proud of its past, Wichita Council looks confidently to the future, eager to continue its service to God, Country and its fellowmen.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, John V. Joy; Deputy Grand Knight, Arnold A. Mader; Chancellor, John R. Dobrott; Recorder, Lawrence A. Jacobs; Financial Secretary, Edwin H. Markel; Treasurer, Frank G. Uhrich; Lecturer, T. Terry Brady; Advocate, James J. Noone; Warden, Meuli A. Curry; Inside Guard, Thomas Flynn; Outside Guard, Robert L. Aaron; Trustees, Forrest D. Jensen, Joseph F. Carney, Jr., Ernest W. Tajehman; Chaplain, Rev. Crispin Edward Pfirman.

The Council has 1,163 members at present, 488 insurance and 675 associate.

On October 26, 1902 at Argentine, now Kansas City, Kansas, St. John's Council 709 was organized and the major degrees exemplified by the degree team from Topeka.  The first officers of the Council were: Grand Knight, John Carney; Deputy Grand Knight, Peter Spborer; Financial Secretary, Thomas Carney; Recording Secretary, John Hanahan; Treasurer, A. A. McCambridge; Warden, Thomas F. McGlynn; Advocate, Charles McCauley; Chancellor, John Lynch; Chaplain, Rev. Louis J. Beck; Inside Guard, J. B. Lonegan; Outside Guard, Louis Speaker; Trustees, John J. Russell, Michael McCambridge, Bernard McDonald.

There were forty-three charter members:

Since that beginning the membership has slowly but steadily increased to 120 members.  Proudly we report four of the original officers and charter members are still on our rolls.  Twenty-three members have received their Twenty-Five Year Pins.

During its forty-seven years of existence the Council has had twenty-two Grand Knights: John Carney, Peter Sphorer, Charles McCauley, Charles Kain, George Deffner, Jesse Yearsley, William Regan, Andy Murray, Elliott Camberlin, Walter J. Memdon, Fred Evans, John J. Mullins, William Ryan, Richard Martin, William Camberlin, Thomas F. McGlynn, Edward Musil, Phillip A. Harman, John A. Markiewitz, Calvin H. Tafft, Virgil Flack and Bernard J. Roth.  Brothers Carney, Sphorer, Yearsley, Murray, Mullins and Ryan are deceased.

Some of the things undertaken, in the past years were: a window purchased for St. John the Evangelist Church, and donations given to finance the building of St. John's school, Ward High School, Providence Hospital, St. Mary's Seminary and furnishings for the Sisters' residence.  The Council helped at the annual bazaar, the Leavenworth orphanage picnic, and similar charitable works.  It sponsored Boy Scouts, a baseball team, a basketball team and a bowling team.  In 1948 St. John's bowling team won the state tournament.  Through the efforts of the Council, Delphine Circle 159, Daughters of Isabella was organized in 1921 and were our guests at a banquet and entertainment in St. John's school hall.

On April 29, 1928 the Council celebrated its Silver Jubilee.  All members received Communion in a body at Mass.  In the afternoon an initiation was held and twenty-four candidates were given the major degrees, followed by a banquet.  The principal speakers were the Rev. Louis J. Beek, Chaplain, Hon. Charles Harbord, Hon.  Joseph Taggart, Hon. Edwin S. McAnany and Dr. T. E. Purcell.  J. J. Mullins was Grand Knight at that time.

In January, 1930, our beloved Pastor and Chaplain, Rev. Louis J. Beck was called to his eternal reward after 35 years of service in St. John's parish.  We now have the Rev. Francis T. Fitzgerald as our regular chaplain.  We have been represented at every State Convention.  One of our Past Grand Knights, Thomas F. McGlynn served as State Advocate and District Deputy, and was representative from the Ninth District in the Kansas State Legislature.  Another Past Grand Knight, Virgil Flack, is now serving as District Deputy.

To nourish the spiritual life, members receive Communion in a body each quarter, and in November a Mass is offered for the deceased members.  In previous years and again this year, we have been qualified as an All Star Council.  As we review the years, we find that our work and training in the Knights of Columbus has fitted us as leaders, with the ability to serve both our God and our Country.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Bernard J. Roth; Deputy Grand Knight, Louis M. Feldkamp; Chancellor, William Maloney; Recorder, John Flanagan; Financial Secretary, Phil A. Harman; Treasurer, Robert McCambridge; Lecturer, Edward Rafferty; Advocate, Kenneth Dickinson; Warden, Joseph Yoker; Inside Guard, Lawrence Dulle; Outside Guards, Charles Fay, Bernard Theno; Trustees, Frank R. Dramshek, Robert A. Glavin, Erving G. Miller; Chaplain, Rev. F. T. Fitzgerald.

The Council now has 119 members, 57 insurance and 62 associate.

The ninth council instituted in Kansas was Sacred Heart Council 723 of Atchison, chartered January 18, 1903.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, P. B. Costello; Deputy Grand Knight, T. V. Byrne; Financial Secretary, C. F. Kaffer; Recording Secretary, A. P. Leacy; Treasurer, P. I. Costello; Warden, J. L. Bogy; Advocate, C. J. Conlon; Chancellor, G. E. Monaghan; Chaplain, Rev. Raphael Weiffenbach, O.S.B.; Inside Guard, L. C. Arensberg; Outside Guard, A. F. Heinz; Trustees, C. E. Bradley, P. H. Kelly, E. S. Clark.

The charter members were:

The Council grew and flourished from the beginning.  M. A. Quigley, a vital driving force in the early days of Columbianism in Kansas, furnished the spark for much of the spirit and progress made by the Council.  During his terms of office as District Deputy and as State Deputy in 1910 Brother Quigley, with the able support of William B. Hayes and his degree team, instituted councils throughout the state and conferred the major degrees in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.  After Brother Quigley retired from active duty, Brother Hayes and his famed cohorts carried on for many years and "Bill" still comes out of retirement occasionally to put on degree work.  Four members of the Council have served as District Deputies; M. A. Quigley, 1912; J. J. Bird, 1930; W. B. Hayes, 1932; C. E. Smith, 1939.  William T. Jochems has been Financial Secretary since 1911.

The Council was fortunate in having Father Odilo of Sacred Heart parish for its chaplain during the first stormy and uncertain years.  Father Odilo was untiring in his support of the Knights of Columbus.  As a token of appreciation the Council financed a trip to Rome for him in 1920.

A Circle of Columbian Squires was instituted in 1934 and continued until 1939.  During this time national honors were won for the effective work done by the Circle.  The Circle was dissolved in favor of local parish and diocesan organizations.

Sacred Heart Council entertained the State Convention in 1905, and again in 1938.  On October 12, 1947, the Council awarded Twenty-Five Year buttons to seventy-seven members.  The address was delivered by the former State Chaplain, Reverend Matthew Hall, 0. S. B. Reminiscences by some of the pioneer members were the feature of the program.

The Council has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth.  From time to time membership has been withdrawn when new Councils were formed in the territory surrounding Atchison, but the local Council has maintained a steady growth.  The Grand Knights who have led the Council were: Peter B. Costello, 1903, deceased; Henry J. Linn, 1903-05, deceased; Patrick I. Costello, 1905-07, deceased; George E. Monaghan, 1907-08, deceased; William T. Jochems, 1908; Charles E. Bradley, 1908-09, deceased; Michael A. Quigley, 1909-10, deceased; Charles Lyman, 1910-12; John M. McGrath, 1912-14, deceased; William B. Hayes, 1914-16; George E. Delaney, 1916-17, deceased; Thomas V. Byrne, 1917-19; Charles H. Smith, 1919-21; Herman B. Krings, 1921-23, deceased; Maurice P. O'Keefe, 1923-24; Roy C. Wilson, 1924-25; Clarence H. Jacobs, 1925-26; Clarence E. Smith, 1926-28, 1936-38, 1945-46; Joseph C. Hayes, 1928-29; Joseph J. Bird, 1929-30; Dr. George A. Linck, 1930; Hugh J. Cavanaugh, 1930-32; Patrick H. Hansen, 1932-33; Joseph C. Amrein, 1933-35; Joseph F. Clark, 1935-36; Patrick J. Byrne, 1938-40; Burns L. Costello, 1940-42; Eugene E. Coyle, 1942-43; Edward L. Trompeter, 1943-45; Edmund C. Bilimek, 1946-47, 1948-49; Robert A. Vogt, 1947-48.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, J. T. Murray; Deputy Grand Knight, Edward M. Kelly; Chancellor, William R. Davis; Recorder, Francis C. Miller; Financial Secretary, Wm. T. Jochems; Treasurer, Clement Klein; Lecturer, Leo A. Ruhlman; Advocate, Gerald W. Foley; Warden, Vincent Vogt; Inside Guard, Tom Clark; Outside Guard, Don Tabor; Trustees, John R. Wasko, Robert A. Vogt, E. L. Trompeter; Chaplain, Rev. Matthew Hall, O. S. B.

The Council now has 254 members, 164 insurance and 90 associate.

The first meeting of Leo Council 727 was held in Pyramid Hall at Emporia on February 15, 1903.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, W. N. Breen; Deputy Grand Knight, Thomas O'Connor; Financial Secretary, J. D. Burke; Recorder, E. C. Ryan; Treasurer, A. C. Hines; Warden, P. Kepple; Advocate, Frank Madden; Chancellor, M. J. Grosz; Lecturer, Charles Eccleston; Trustees, W. A. Lawler, F. J. Conway, H. A. Altman.  The Rev. Angelus Rom was pastor and acted as Chaplain.

The charter members of the Council were:

The Council has always been active in civic and charitable works.  It has furnished rooms for local hospitals and donated generously towards the building of Sacred Heart Church, parish house and school.  It has sponsored lectures by Peter Collins and others to counteract bigotry and communism.  It has assisted in the institution of councils in other towns and contributes regularly toward support of the Catholic Hour and the National Council of Catholic Men.  A minstrel show was successfully produced and well received in Emporia and other towns in 1922.  The Council was host to the State Convention in 1924 and again in 1945.  A joint Saint Patrick's Day broadcast with the Berthold Circle of the Daughters of Isabella was sponsored in 1925 and was enjoyably presented by the master of ceremonies, the late Brother E. C. Ballweg, PGK.  In 1931 the Council reconstructed a cairn near Council Grove, dedicated to the memory of Father Juan Padilla, Franciscan missionary, as the first American martyr priest.  The Council sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts from 1931 to 1936, various missions, and Sunday broadcasts of the High Mass from Emporia.  The Council has maintained club rooms for its members and has taken an active part in bond drives and other civic activities.  It sponsors annual Father-Son and Mother-Daughter dinners, Christmas treats for children of Sacred Heart and St. Catherine's Schools, Columbus Day radio broadcasts from Emporia, a day of recollection, and monthly Holy-Hour and Communion.  It has an active blood donor unit of over forty members.

The Grand Knights of the Council have been: William Breen, 1903-05, deceased; George Bordenkircher, 1905-06, deceased; Dennis Madden, 1907; Martin Grosz, 1908-09, deceased; Joseph Krueger, 1913-14; Charles McCarthy, 1914-15, deceased; Edward Tholen, 1915-16; Joseph J. Kowalski, 1916-17; Frank Totsche, 1917-19; Mike Krueger, 1920-21; Ernest Ballweg, 1922-23, deceased; John J. Tholen, 1924-25; Frank X. Schuh, 1926, deceased; Joseph Burenheide, 1927-29; John McCarthy, 1930-31; Fred Krueger, 1931-32, deceased; Leo J. Brinkman, 1934-36; John F. White, 1937-39; Andrew Toelle, 1940-41; Carl Didde, 1942-43; Lee L. Hensler, 1944-45, 1948; Vincent Eccleston, 1945-46; Sterling Tucker, 1947; Tom Mosier, 1949.

George Bordenkircher served as District Deputy for several years, and was elected State Secretary in 1908-09, and State Deputy in 1915.  Leo J. Brinkman served as State Secretary in 1922-23 and as District Deputy in 1936-37 and 1942-43.  Other District Deputies have been: Harry O'Reilly, 1925; John J. Tholen, 1930-31; John McCarthy, 1932; Lee L. Hensler, 1945-46, 1948, Robert H. Showalter, 1947; and William Wieland, 1949.  Lee L. Hensler was elected State Treasurer in 1949.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Thomas H. Mosier; Deputy Grand Knight, Tom Armstrong; Chancellor, Paul Kempker; Recorder, Alfred Stichnot; Financial Secretary, Anthony Novinski; Treasurer, Albert Blahut; Lecturer, Leo Brinkman; Advocate, Pedro M. Rodriguez; Warden, Louis Prchal; Inside Guard, Donald Blahut; Outside Guard, Arnold Blahut; Trustees, John M. Gorman, Sterling Tucker, Vincent Eccleston; Chaplain, Rev. Alexander Wilberding, O.F.M.

The Council now has 220 members, 111 insurance and 109 associate.

St. Paul Council 760 was instituted April 26, 1903.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, W. P. Mason; Deputy Grand Knight, E. M. Kraus; Financial Secretary, J. F. Gallet; Recording Secretary, J. T. Dowd; Treasurer, W. W. O'Bryan; Warden, B. B. Fitzsimons; Advocate, P. Miles; Chancellor, Frank Barnes; Chaplain, Rev.  Raymond O'Keefe, C. P; Inside Guard, T. H. Welch; Outside Guard, W. H. Scahill; Trustees, J. J. Owens, M. Devine, Jo Fager.

The charter members were:

St. Paul grew up on the site of the old Catholic Mission to the Osage.  The Council presented to the Kansas State Historical Society a painting of the Reverend Paul M. Ponziglione, S. J., the gentle old missionary whose name is most intimately connected with the early history of the town, and another of Osage Mission as it appeared in 1865 painted by Charles Beeehwood, the first white pupil to attend the school.

The past Grand Knights are: W. P. Mason, 1903, deceased; E. M. Kraus, 1904-06, deceased; John Dowd, 1906; Frank Barnes, 1907, deceased; J. A. Fowler, 1908, deceased; P. H. Dowd, 1909; L. A. Smith, 1910; Marion Fowler, 1911, deceased; W. F. O'Brien, 1913-19; Norb Brogan, 1919; Gene Fortune, 1920; P. J. Munding, 1922, deceased; Geo. Jennings, 1923; J. T. Lancaster, 1924, deceased; Emmet Gahagan, 1925; J. G. Owens, 1926; E. E. Smith, 1927-28, 1938-40, deceased; Charles Norris, 1929; John G. Dowd, 1930-32; Paul Munding, 1933; Martin Kelly, 1934; Ferd David, 1935; Ed Schoenhofer, 1936-38; Melvin Madl, 1940; J. M. Schoenhofer, 1941-43; Henry Vanleeuwen, 1943-47.

E. M. Kraus was State Warden in 1903, W. W. Graves was State Secretary in 1932-34, and John G. Dowd, the present State Deputy, was State Treasurer in 1937-39.  J. T. Dowd and John G. Dowd have served as District Deputies.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, George Van Leeuwen; Deputy Grand Knight, George Vitt; Chancellor, Jake Van Leeuwen; Recorder, Max Van Leeuwen; Financial Secretary, John Schoenhofer; Treasurer, L. J. Smith; Lecturer, George Schoenhofer; Advocate, Charles Norris; Warden, Francis Strasser; Inside Guard, Ray Hofer; Outside Guard, George Schoenhofer; Trustees, James O'Brien, Lee Burnett, Frank Geifer; Chaplain, Rev. Miles Bero.

The Council has 104 members at present, 66 insurance and 38 associate.

St. Bernard's Council 796 at Fort Scott was instituted July 5, 1903.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Hubert Lardner; Deputy Grand Knight, T. Stiles; Financial Secretary, Charles Nelson, Jr.; Treasurer, H. E. Conflans; Chaplain, Rev. B. J. McKernan; Recording Secretary, J. F. Catrell; Advocate, Joe End; Warden, Bruce Maguire; Trustees, Chas. Nelson, Sr., Thomas O'Brian, Thomas Fiest; Inside Guard, William Buckley; Outside Guard, James Sheppard; Lecturer, John Simmons.

The charter members were:

The Council meets monthly for the reception of Holy Communion followed quarterly by a friendly Communion breakfast.  One of the largest projects undertaken by the Council was the erection of a memorial cross in the parish cemetery.  It has sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and both baseball and basketball teams.

The Grand Knights of the Council were: Hubert Lardner, 1903-04; Joseph Maguire, 1904-05, 1906-07; Walter Gibbons, 1905-06; Hubert Lardner, 1907-10; Albert Schafer, 1910-11; J. B. Connolly, 1911-13; J. T. End, 1913-15; Jack Ryan, 1915-18; Engene Conflans, 1918-19; Chas.  Hamlin, 1919-20 Louis Schafer, 1920-21; D. Filizola, 1921-22; E. F. Bayless, 1922-23; Joe O'Conner, 1923-24; Chas. Blubaugh 1924-25; Roy Hayden, 1925-27; Joe Pettijohn, 1927-29; J. J. Landers, 1929-30, 1931-32; A. J. Hayden, 1930-31; Dan Lardner, 1932-33; Tim Mullane, 1933-34; F. J. Grabner, 1934-36; Joe Goelz, 1936-37; James Harris, 1937-39; Robert O'Brian, 1939-40; Joe Kepler, 1940-42; Paul Schafer, 1942-43; Roy Hayden, 1943-45; Bill Martins, 1945-47; Bernard Beeler, 1947-49.

Members of the Council who have served as District Deputies are Roy Hayden, James Harris, Joe Kepler, and at present Ed Gallagher.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Clifford McDonald; Deputy Grand Knight, James Landers; Chancellor, Louis Schafer; Recorder, Darrell Higley; Financial Secretary, J. Ed Gallagher; Treasurer, Paul Schafer; Lecturer, Harry Neff; Advocate, Dan Lardner; Warden, Michael B. McDonald; Inside Guard, George Rei; Outside Guard, John Wheaton; Trustees, D. Filizola, Bernard Beeler, Wm.  F. Martens, Sr.; Chaplain, Rev.  P. J. Nagle.

The Council now has 101 members, 61 insurance and 40 associate.