"Did You Know This About Geary County History?”By Dr. Ferrell MillerGeary County Historical Society Board Member“Konrad and Rosetta Altwegg: Emigrants From Switzerland”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605198934630.jpeg" alt="Konrad and Rosetta Altwegg" />
 <figcaption>Konrad and Rosetta Altwegg</figcaption>
 </figure>	 The late Josephine and Bernice Munson wrote an article titled “The Altwegg Family” in Set In Stone. This is some of what they wrote. 	 “The Konrad and Rosetta Altwegg arrived in Junction City in 1874. They had come from Switzerland where they had married four years earlier, when both were eighteen years old. 	Under the Homestead Act of 1862, any head of a family, on condition of his agreement to occupy and cultivate a claim continuously for at least five years, could be granted 160 acres of land. The first home of Konrad and Rosetta Altwegg was a dugout – typical of most early settlers’ homes in this area. Baby Konrad was not a strong child and died soon after their arrival in America. The baby was buried on the homestead. 	The Altweggs found many problems as they set up their homestead. However, they stayed and worked the land and added to and raised their family. Four children were born between 1875 and 1880. Records show that a land patent was granted to Konrad Altwegg in 1881 for 160 acres in the Smoky Hill Township of Davis (Geary) County one and a half miles north of present highway K-18. 	Five more children joined the family after the Altweggs moved to the “home place” as it was called. Additions at the back and front were made to the house to make room for the enlarged family. 	During the early years in America, Konrad cultivated the soil and planted crops. He also worked making cheese at P.H. Gfeller’s store. Konrad took another position where he walked twenty miles to work in a mill located in Industry, Kansas. His pay was 50 cents a day, but he could have his own grain ground into flour and meal there.	The Altwegg’s had cows, pigs and chickens. They took eggs and other produce to trade at Glick’s Grocery in Junction City where they bought their staples. The store was a meeting place for many of the Swiss and German people in the area to socialize. 	Konrad and Rosetta saw ten of their eleven children grow up, marry and have children within 35 miles of the “home place”. Rosetta died in 1922 and Konrad lived until 1933. 				“Some Traditions Around Thanksgiving” 	There are traditions renewed each Thanksgiving Day or the days immediately following. Often the focus is on attending church, the main meal of the day, watching football on television, playing games and perhaps even taking a nap. 	In 1932, a traditional football game between Chapman and the Junction City football teams was played on Thanksgiving Day. The local newspaper reported that the Junction City football team was victorious over Chapman by a score of 14-13. One thousand two hundred fans attended the game. The Thanksgiving Day football game was played each year from 1932 until 1935, when the two schools joined different leagues. 	In the mid-1960s a “not so traditional touch football” game called the “Turkey Bowl” began at the 404 N. Adams residence of Gary and Mary Devin. The Devin and Anderson families and friends engaged in a friendly, but competitive and creative game of football on Thanksgiving Day. Dr. Mary Devin described it as “a way to not only get them out of the house and have some fun, but also allow for the preparation of the special meal. A neighbor, commenting on the sight and the state of the front lawn observed that you can always grow grass after you grow kids!”	When the players grew and the game outgrew the front yard with the addition of spouses, more cousins of all ages and close friends, the game was transferred to Fegan Field at 10th and Madison near what is now the Karns Building. There were as many as four teams involved in a mini-tournament competition on Thanksgiving Day. 	Mary Devin remembered further that “the “Turkey Bowl” was not about playing at the top of skill level; it was making sure there was a way for everyone from the youngest to not so young to have a good time. However, an MVP was chosen each year and the winner took home the game ball. In later years the youngest ones received special recognition for just being brave enough to get into the action. 	The “Turkey Bowl” faded in the early 2000s. Memories of generations together for over 30 years are still enjoyed by those who participated, watched or have heard accounts of those days. An off-shoot of the “Turkey Bowl” might be observed in the front yard at the Andy Devin house in Lawrence, Kansas. This is where family members from pre-school to grandads have renewed the tradition in football fun on Thanksgiving Day.” 	Some people will not be able to join with family this year because of the pandemic. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and the days beyond. Please remember there are many reasons to be thankful even during this challenging time. Whatever your family stories, this is a great time to share them with each other and perhaps you would even be willing to share them with the staff at the Geary County Historical Society by calling 238-1666.

Our Past is Present