After 'joining the Navy and seeing the world,' Medicine Lodge still looks good, and 
  is, because of the good childhood memories recorded there.
     I was born December 14, 1927, at Kiowa, Kansas, only child of Harland L. and Juanita
  Benning Hendricks. My grandparents, Clyde and Mattie Binning, adopted me at age five 
  after my parents' divorce.
     Living with my grandparents was an interesting and exciting life. They operated a
  photography studio at 211 North Main, and Grandfather was Justice of the Peace. To help
  with family finances, they also rented the family home at 704 North Main, and Grandmother
  rented rooms over the studio.
     Our home was in the basement of this large, two story white building. Binning Studios
  occupied the main floor, with a large room at the rear reserved for Grandfather's office.
  When I could maintain a quiet nature, Grandfather would permit me to 'sit in' on various
  procedures.
     Grandmother was a member of the large Angell and Bell families of Lasswell and Union 
  Chapel vicinity. I looked forward to their frequent visits to the Studio, enjoying the
  talking and laughter. Traffic created by the many family members, combined with customers
  of the Studio and Rooms and Court clients provided me with many memories and a wealth of
  education.
     I attended Medicine Lodge Public Schools with the exception of two years I spent living 
  with my aunt and uncle, Mina and John Daxon. One year was at Houston, Texas, and one at
  Ponca City, Oklahoma. My junior year I attended St. Joseph's Military Academy, Hays, 
  Kansas. I graduated from Pratt High School in 1946. At that time I was living with my
  mother and her husband, Juanita and Ben Thomas.
     August, 1946, I enlisted in the United States Navy. November 9, 1948, I was married to
  Jeanne Crain of Roosevelt, Oklahoma. We were married in Dodge City, Kansas.
     My tours of duty included Guam; Washington, D.C., where I assisted in setting up the
  North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Fort Meade, Maryland, with the National Security
  Commission; Hawaii; Skaggs Island, California, French Morocco; Alaska; and Mariatte Island
  in Puget Sound at Bellingham, Washington.
     I was very fortunate in being able to have my family with me during my entire Naval
  Career. Our children received a world knowledge and education they could never have gotton
  any other way.
     Benita Ann was born August 27, 1950; Donald Alan, July 13, 1952; both in the Naval
  Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland; Anthony Thomas, February 5, 1954, in Army Hospital, Honolulu,
  Hawaii. All three children now live in Washington state. There are three grandchildren.
     I retired in 1966, Chief Technician Communications. I worked for a time as an insurance
  adjuster, and also entered management training with Mac Donald's Food Service in Seattle,
  Washington.
     In 1972 I moved to Farmington, New Mexico, near the home of my parents. We plan to 
  relocate in Medicine Lodge for our retirement years, to once again enjoy beautiful Gyp
  Hills and Flower Pot Mound with all their legends.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 106 
     Submitted by: Clyde Don Binning