In 1941 Dave and Alta Blackwell moved from Kinsley, Kansas, to Medicine Lodge,
  Kansas. They had two daughters, Betty and Virginia Lee.
     Dave had leased the Standard Oil Station. In 1943 he bought the tank wagon.
  Alta enjoyed caring for her children and delighted in fishing and working in her
  flower garden.
     Betty and Virginia finished high school at Medicine Lodge. Betty continued her
  education at Halstead School of Nursing, and Virginia attended Kansas School of
  Cosmetology in Wichita.
     In 1956 Dave, who was fascinated by Shetland ponies, started buying several.
  In a few years his herd had expanded to 55. He also engaged in custom plowing for
  several farmers around Medicine Lodge.
     His interest in politics led him to the position of County Commissioner for
  eight years tenure.
     Alta was deceased December 29, 1964. Dave was married to Gladys Merkel, August 
  15, 1971. He's glad to have been a part of Medicine Lodge for so long. He spends
  time in Great Bend, but calls Medicine Lodge home.
     Betty married Lavern Gardner, from Sharon, Kansas. They still reside in Medicine
  Lodge, where she works for Dr. Hoffer and Lavern works for the National Gypsum 
  Company.
     Virginia and her two daughters live in Wichita. Nancy Geile has one daughter,
  Michelle. Cathy Swart has two boys, David and Steven. The two boys, their father,
  Bob, and their mother are a "close knit" family and enjoy reading, church, sports
  and various forms of activities that the bustling city of Wichita provides. The
  youngest, Steve, has his roots firmly tied to his great grandfather in Medicine
  Lodge.
     
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 107 
     Submitted by: C.L. Swart