Born in Barber County in 1879, L.L. "Doc" Osborn grew up on the family
     homestead a few miles to the west of Medicine Lodge. He graduated from
     Medicine Lodge High School which was located in the building that was to
     house the Grade School for many, many years. He obtained his training in
     denistry at Western Dental College in Kansas City during which time, in
     order to alleviate expenses, one ofhis jobs was delivering papers for the 
     Kansas City Star & Times. Later, when he was established in his profession
     in Medicine Lodge, he subscribed to the Star and Times for some number of
     years.
        Doc's first dental experience was in riding circuit, much as the ministers
     did when there was a territory to be served and no one church could support
     a full time minister. His practive was of necessity at this time limited for
     what dental performed had to be accomplished with instruments that could be
     carried and wherever space was available - such as a barber shop.
        Deciding to settle in Medicine Lodge, he purchased Dr. McAllister's
     practive and equipment. Among items of this initial purchase was a foot
     operated drill which stood him good stead on occasions when the electric 
     power failed, and this was not an uncommon occurance in those early days.
     For 45 years his office was on the second floor of the First National Bank
     building, at the main intersection of town, along with the other tenants
     Samuel Griffin, Lawyer, and Judge McKaig.
        Dentistry then was not confined to specializing but rather had to cover
     all phases. For many years Doc made the dentures required by his patients,
     doing the extractions, impression taking, and the actual plate making himself.
     He took great pride in making a nice appearing as well as good fitting "set
     of teeth" for the patient involved. Later when transportation and travel became 
     more practical, he limited himself to the extractions and impressions, having 
     Pierce Dental Labs in Wichita make the actual dentures.
        The straightening of teeth, too, was taken care of when necessary. The
     removeable devices used now ere not perfected, and wires which could be
     tightened were installed and remained in the child's mouth until the
     straightening process was completed. Doc worried about the children not
     brushing their teeth thoroughly enought to avoid cavities, for the necessary
     installations wer ideal spots for food to collect; consequently he was always
     admonishing the children on the care of their teeth. Eventually when specialist
     became available in this procedure and travel was not prohibitive, he elected
     to cease this phase of his dental practice.
        When he straightened teeth, he always took a "before" and an "after"
     impression, and in a glass cabinet on the wall beside his chair were the
     plaster of Paris casts of these as proof of what could be accomplished. 
     This display facinated many of his patients.
        As Saturday was the big day for business with the local farmes coming
     to town to sell their produce and replenish needed supplies, this was also
     a busy day for Doc. Saturday evenings would find him in his office usually
     until 9 o'clock so that he would be available for any patient who might
     need him and who had been unable to come to town during the week.
        In all his years of practive, over 50, he was always available for
     emergency treatment, and many a Sunday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving Day 
     dinner was interrupted or postponed until Doc would accommodate some
     suffering individual.
        During the years of the Depression, because of lack of money, much of
     Doc's work was paid for through the barter system. His family didn't lack
     for eggs, chickens, or milk as there were the main items the farmes could
     spare to apply toward payment. Other bartering prevailed, and somehow 
     everyone seemed to survive.
        For many years Doc was a member of the local School Board and also was
     on the Board of County Commissioners. He also was active in the initial 
     organization of the Indian Peace Treaty Pageant. In conjunction with the 
     celebration the Old Times would wear their badges indicating the years of 
     residency in Barber County, and when they would see the figure on Docs
     with more years than theirs, they would be inclined to think there must be
     an error on "the young squirts" badge. Of course his having been born in
     the county, gave him somewhat of a head start. Doc had a few chuckles over
     that.
        He was a great believer in using psychology and any physical means to
     divert the patient's thoughts from the actual dental work and possible pain.
     One favorite diversion of his had to do with extractions. He would palm the
     instrument away form the patients vision and explain that he would have to
     adjust the tooth before extracting it. Somehow the actual extraction would
     be completed before the patient realized he had one less tooth. Another
     diversion which he used on children was the placing of a couple of pieces
     of cotton a few inches apart on the cord of the drill which rotated when
     he was drilling. This gave his "dog chasing a rabbit" for the children to
     watch. Later when he had a dog of his own, he would regale the children
     with stories of "my dog Red."
        He was a pioneer in the use of water for reducing the heat of the burr
     when drilling was necessary for fillings or inlays. He even won an essay
     contest with the American Dental magazine writing relative to this procedure.
        At one time some Mexican laborers who spoke no English were brought to
     him for dental work. Knowing no Spanish, he found it almost impossible to
     communicate with them to alleviate their fears. This prompted him to buy
     a book on Spanish and assimilate a few words so that a little communication
     would be held.
        When the First National Bank elected to rebuild, Doc after 45 years had
     to find another office. He decided to build and so spent the final years of
     his practice in his own building, just to the north of the school block on
     Main Street.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 350