Did You Know This About Geary County History?”By Dr. Ferrell MillerGeary County Historical Society“Remembering Mona Kessinger – 1965 Kansas Journalist of the Year”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583431317184.jpeg" alt="The JC Republic" />
 <figcaption>The JC Republic</figcaption>
 </figure>Many of us remember the lady who was involved in the Junction City Little Theater for numerous years by the name of Mona Kessinger. However, many people may not know that she was a recognized newspaper woman and in April of 1965 was named the “Kansas Journalist of the Year.” She was given the award by the Kansas State University chapter of Theta Sigma Phi. The presentation of the award was made at the annual Matrix Table Banquet held in the K-State Union. Over a period of 12 straight years, Mrs. Kessinger had placed in the top 3 in column writing in the Kansas Women’s writing contest and she had won 39 regional and national awards for her writing in the period from 1951 to 1965. Excerpts from her columns appeared in books and even magazines. Some of those magazines included the Ladies Home Journal, Women’s Day and The New Yorker. 	Mona was a music major in college, but began working in the newspaper business in November of 1948, when her husband purchased The Craig Leader in Craig, Missouri. Although she had never been in a newspaper office before and although the day of the purchase coincided with the birth of their third child, Mrs. Kessinger soon was working at the linotype with her infant in her lap. In 1950, the Kessinger’s purchased the Junction City Republic newspaper. When her husband served in the Legislature from 1960-1964, Mrs. Kessinger found herself in full charge of the newspaper. Mona was a founder and charter member of the Junction City Knife and Fork Club; the first woman named to the Salvation Army Advisory Board and was among a small group of women working in a drama study group that was the beginning of the Junction City Little Theater. She appeared in many shows and assisted with productions at the Junction City Little Theater. Mona retired from the newspaper business in 1984 with the sale of the Republic newspaper. Mona Kessinger died on January 21, 2008 and was buried at the Ida Cemetery near Munden, Kansas. Larry Divel, Mona’s son-in-law, officiated the graveside service. “The Train That Ran Through Fifth Street and Coronado Parks”Many of us have seen the recent development and improvements to the playground equipment at the Fifth Street Park in Junction City.&nbsp; Children and their parents are regularly seen using the equipment and enjoying their time together. Did you know that at one time there was a train that ran through the Fifth Street and Coronado Parks?Today’s story was written by Darren Gunderson and published in The Daily Union newspaper in July of 2000. The article was titled “Junction City’s Forgotten Railroad Empire”.Darren wrote: “Anyone who has had to sit at the railroad crossing on Chestnut, Ash or Eighth Street is very familiar with the fact that the Union Pacific Railroad line goes through Junction City. We were also served by the Missouri, Kansas, Texas railway or MKT line before it ceased service November 12, 1957. Junction City also had a third short-lived railroad empire in the early 1950s – The Junction City Flyer” or the #1069. The train (which was the size of those found at some amusement parks) was purchased by Bert McKinsey and brought from Wichita. Bert owned McKinsey and Phillips Barber Shop in the 600 block of Washington Street. The train came with “some assembly required”. It was said the train, tracks and all could be set up in one day. Raymond Eller, who lost the use of his legs because of polio and was attending Kansas State University, was hired to operate the train in Fifth Street Park during the summer months. There were promotions for young people to get free rides if they brought three wrappers from Marvel Bread. The Junction City Flyer had a short life of only a couple of years at Fifth Street Park and one or two years in Coronado Park. The “Flyer” was purchased and taken from the area – last seen in Indiana.” If anyone has stories they are willing to share about the “Junction City Flyer” #1069, please contact the Museum at 238-1666.

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