By Ferrell Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club Secretary/Programs Chairperson
Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club members present and those on Zoom heard John York share information about “Growing Up In Junction City” at their April 26th meeting at the Hampton Inn.
John’s parents were Tom York and Ethel White. He stated that “the White’s built the Municipal Auditorium and owned the Opera House in Junction City. The White’s eventually sold the Opera House, which became the Colonial Theater and is now the C.L. Hoover Opera House.”
John also told members that he “attended Franklin Elementary School up to fifth grade. Sixth graders were taught at Departmental School, which is now the Geary County Historical Society’s Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets. Junior and Senior High school years were attended at the building at 9th and Adams Streets, which is now the Karns Building. There were 115 graduates in our class.
In 1951, I got my first job delivering newspapers earning $3.00 per week and then in 1954 took a job delivering groceries house to house.” He told the story about wanting to purchase a gift for his mother at the Wuetherich Book Store in downtown Junction City. That was where he met Nettie Weutherich. When he told her he thought the set of Fiestaware China dishes, bowls, etc. would be a nice gift, Nettie asked him how much he had to spend. John told her he had $3.00. Nettie wrapped up the chinaware and sent John on his way. His mother was quite surprised!!!
Later in both Nettie and John’s life, John got to repay Nettie. John owned a print shop and Nettie asked him to prepare booklets for a class reunion. He did a job that “probably would have cost more than a thousand dollars.” When he contacted Nettie to tell her that the print job was completed, she asked him how much she owed, and John told her $3.00. “That was one of the highlights of my life to be able to repay her for her kindness,” he said.
In 1956 he worked at the Lashelle Shoe Store at 712 N. Washington Street. Dehner Boots were first manufactured and sold in Junction City at LaShelle’s Shoe Store. All West Point graduates and high-ranking officers wore Dehner Boots. Such distinguished soldiers as then Captain George Patton, and Major Dwight D. Eisenhower purchased the boots.
While attending classes at Kansas State University between 1958 and 1963, John worked for the Union Pacific Railroad from 4:00 p.m. until midnight. After a career working with the Caspar Engineering Firm (which is now the KAW Valley Engineers) John became self-employed in 1975 as a professional land surveyor.
Mr. York purchased the house at Fifth and Adams Streets in 2000. He told club members that “when it rained, it came into the kitchen and the garage roof was on the floor. The house was built in 1913 and was owned by Dr. Smiley. The house was intended to be the first hospital in Junction City. The house is now owned by Joe and Sheila Markley.
John’s philosophy of life is a descriptor of what happiness is. “Happiness is something to remember, something to do and something to look forward to each day."