April 8, 1927, Frank Nason arrived in Kiowa. We were moving from Western
     Kansas. While at the Hudson-Essex dealership in Hutchinson, he met Roe
     and Myrtle King from Kiowa. They suggested he come to Kiowa. It was a busy
     little town without a Hudson-Essex dealership, so the choice was made.
       My mother, Ethel Nason, and I were visiting relatives in Elkhart, Kansas,
     until a house could be rented. Dad stayed at the Kiowa Hotel, 5th and Main.
     On April 21, the hotel was raided by Marshall J.R. Fuquay, and a large amount
     of liquor was found.
       Mother's Day, May 7th, a terrible tornado struck north of Kiowa. Among
     the damages was the big steel wagon bridge over the Medicine River south of
     Medicine Lodge on the Kiowa road. Even wheat straws were blown into the 
     trees.
       When Mother and I arrived, we started our travels over Barber County. The
     more I saw of it, the more I loved it; the flat and the rolling lands; the
     many trees over the country and throughout the towns; the well kept farms
     within neighboring distance, each with cows, pigs, chickens, horses and
     cattle; flower gardens and garden plots. Such busy people. No television
     antennas, but the welcome mat was always out.
       Saturday nights were special. Everyone came to town and visited on Main
     Street. Farmers brought eggs and cream to the Glen Curran Creamery, bought
     their groceries, but left them at the store. It would be very late when the
     stores closed.
       Slumber and line parties to the Kansas Theater were entertainment for the
     young ladies, with refreshments at Meixner's Confectionery. They had a
     Victrola, and the boys would wind it up and play the record "Ain't She
     Sweet?" when the girls came inn, which always started giggles. Dainty
     Goforth played the piano at our silent movie picture show, and occasionaly
     I substituted for her.
       Several summers the town had carnivals and dances on Main Street. Sure
     was fun, but what sore feet from the asphalt dance floor. Kiowa became
     famous for its outstanding rodeos, including a famous lady bulldogger one
     year.
       My first job was at Mrs. Mike Curran's Dress Shop. She also sold beautiful
     hats by Gage. One day I was alone when Mrs. Curran phoned and excitedly said,
     "Lock the doors, a band of gypsies are entering town." They often visited
     town.
       Later I worked at Purnell's Dry Goods. No air conditioners in the hot  
     summer. One day a womean came in to try on dresses, and when she took hers
     off, she was completely nude! My salary was $15 a week.
       My father was a Mason and received his thirty-second degree in 1909. He
     was always a part of his town's activities. Mother bacame a member of the
     Eastern Star and PEO while living in Elkhart.
       In 1929 I became Mrs. Lute Stranathan. That fall my parents returned to
     Elkhart, Kansas. My father died in 1934, and Mother returned to Kiowa. She
     was a member of Delphi and was a housemother for 16 years at the Alpha
     Sigma Tau Sorority in Emporia. She died in 1973, and both parents are buried
     in the Kiowa Cemetery.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 342 
     Submitted by: Helen Nason Stranathan