The crack of a bat in the ballpark or the tinkle of piano keys reminds
     us that life is for sharing our strength and our talents for the good and
     pleasure of those around us.
        Bill Houlton was born in Abilene, Kansas, September 17, 1900. He
     received his education at Farmington Rural School and Abilene High School,
     where he was pitcher on his school baseball team.
        While he was attending Lindsborg College, he met Lorena Rahe of near
     Hazelton, who was also a student there. Lorena, only child of John and Leila 
     Rahe, was born December 5, 1904, in Harper County and moved to Barber County 
     when she was two years of age. She attended Hillside Rural School, then
     graduated from Kiowa High School. In order to continue her music studies,
     she chose the Fine Arts College at Lindsborg. Bill played on the college
     baseball team and played on independent ball teams in various towns in
     Kansas, later going into Professional baseball with Salina and Topeka ball
     clubs.
        Bill and Lorena were married in Pratt, Kansas, October 11, 1923, and
     made their home in Topeka for a short time, moving to the Gerlane community
     where their son, Billy Rahe, was born September 23,  1924. They later moved
     to the Union Chapel community on the Henry Page place where they farmed, and
     Bill continued his baseball career, commuting from the ranch to the various
     towns where his team was playing.
        His professional baseball career was cut short as on June 27, 1927, Bill
     lost a leg in a combine accident on the ranch. Even though he had the
     difficult adjustment to make, adapting to an artificial limb, his enthusiasm
     for his much loved sport continued. He played one exhibition game at the
     Medicine Lodge City Park following the accident. His 'pitching arm' was not
     affected!
        The Houltons moved to the Rahe farm east of Gerlane where they lived
     until 1945, when they located in the present farm home, 3 miles west of
     Medicine Lodge.
        Wheat, alfalfa, and livestock were produced. They began irrigation of
     crops when it was new in this area. They became close friends during the
     23 year association with their custom wheat harvester and wife. They were
     both avid fishermen and the families enjoyed many fishing excursions together.
     It was on one of these that he and Lovey Baker lost their lives in a boating
     accident in Green Lake, Canada, on September 23, 1973. He was brought back
     to Highland Cemetery for interment, only a few miles from the country home.
        Lorena's faith gave her strength, and she continues to live on the farm.
     She shares her musical talent with friends and the community. She is a
     member of WSCS and various clubs, both were members of the United Methodist
     Church.
        Billey Rahe and Jean (Wise) Houlton, their son, Richard, and grand-
     daughters, JoAnne Chestnut, Emporia; and Jackie Lynn Byers, Garden City;
     and the great granddaughters, Stacy Chestnut, Shannon and Amanda Byers,
     are a real joy in Lorena's life and keep her active and involved.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 240