With the end of 1978 Alma Jarnagin Haynes ended over 38 years as City
     Clerk of Medicine Lodge.
       Alma was born in Comanche County, Kansas, to James J. and Maude Jarnagin.
     Maude was the third of ten children of James W. and Matilda L. (Hayden)
     Springer, who immigrated to their 800 acre ranch-farm in Barbar County in
     1877.
       Mrs. Jarnagin, with her children Alma and Glenn, returned to Medicine
     Lodge in 1922. Alma graduated salutatorian of Medicine Lodge High School's
     class of 1928. Two years at Emporia Teacher's College qualified her
     Elementary Teacher Certificate, and she taught five terms in rural Barber
     County schools, and one in Sharon Grade School. On her physician's advice
     she forfeited that profession and entered Throckmorton and Rankin's
     Business College in Wichita. She returned to Medicine Lodge to work for a
     former employer, Lyman Russell; within two weeks J.B. Rutan purchased the
     Confectionery, retaining Alma as an employee.
       Invited by the City Council, Alma applied for the vacated City Clerk
     office. Mayor Samuel Griffin, with unanimous Council approval, appointed
     Alma its first femal City Clerk, August 7, 1940. She served longer than
     any predecessor and observed many changes in the city.
       In 1940 the city payroll varied from four to six employees; 1978 payroll
     averaged 19 to 21. Alma's monthly salary was $50; city crew wages ranged
     from two to three dollars per diem. The 1940 city budget totaled $33,640.52;
     the 1978 budget, $405,270.00. The 1940 tangible valuation was $1,051,428;
     in 1978, $4,068,654. The 1940 mill levy was 13.10 and the 1978 was 14.07.
     The 1927 sewage plant was replaced in the 1950's. In February , 1968, the
     city office was moved from 213 North Main to a new $70,000 building, with
     Alma and Delores Crownover for two days pushing Parker's grocery carts
     loaded with city records. Trash service, originally franchised, is now
     a city enterprise. In 1940 the city had 417 water meters; today more than
     1,000. City limits have expanded; new construction is almost continuous;
     streets have been extended and surfaced; the fire department has added a
     second truck.
       Although Alma's attention has focused on city hall, she has been local
     president (twice), district secretary, and a state officer of Business
     and Professional Women's Club. She is a member of the Christian Church
     and its Fellowship Guild.
       Alma and Harvey H. Haynes were married in 1948. Harvey was the youngest
     son of Joseph H. and Mahala (Chappell) Haynes, farmers in Kingman County
     since 1882. Christened "Harvey Talmadge Haynes," he later changed to
     Harvey Harlow Haynes. Harvey's political involvements may have been
     inherited from his grandfather, Honorable Thomas Haynes, a member of the
     North Carolina State Assembly.
       Harvey was Mayor of Medicine Lodge almost 14 years between 1941 and
     1961. He served on the World War II Barber County Selective Service Board.
     He was a 32nd degree Mason, had received a 50 year pin, a member of the
     Shrine, the Christian Church, and a past member of the Lions Club.
       Harvey began work for the Santa Fe Railroad at the age of sixteen,
     continuing in its employ 59 years, until his death. Schooled as a tele-
     grapher, he advanced to the office of agen, serving in several locations.
     After three assignments in Medicine Lodge, he remained here from 1947
     until his death in 1967.
       Following their marriage, the Haynes lived in a new stucco home at 107
     East Stolp, where Alma continues to reside.
       Alma's brother, Glenn, and his wife, Esther, nee Smith, reside in
     Hutchinson. Glenn has been a Kansas civil service enployee since 1955,
     working in several cities. From 1968 until retirement in 1978, he worked
     for the Kansas State Fair Commission.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 222 
     Submitted by: Regina Allen