A pioneer as defined by Webster is "one who goes before, preparing the
     way for others." Forrest and Leontine Rodgers were "pioneers" in the Oil
     and Gas Industry that constitutes a large part of the economy of Barber
     County.
       "Short," as his friends knew him, started in the oil business during
     the El Dorado, Kansas, "Big Oil Rush" in 1915, working as a foreman.
     Barbara Oil Company brought him to Barber County in 1928 when drilling
     problems developed with the Carter Gas Well, which was one of the first
     big wells. This producer led to the development of the Barbara Oil Field.
       They made their home in the Union Chapel area, where they raised five
     children, Viiola, Warren, Stanley, Barbara,and Joan. Years of drilling
     and development, during which Sort worked as superintendent, resulted in
     the discovery of yet another major field, the Rhoads Pool. Diversification
     was a way of life for them. As superintendent, it called for him to be a
     landman, roustabout, first-aid teacher, mechanic, etc.; and their hobby
     of raising flowers and shrubs and sharing with others led them to build a
     home in Medicine Lodge in 1946, when Leontine became one of the city's
     businesspeople.
       She opened the city's first flower shop and expanded into the greenhouse
     and nursery operation, known as Rodgers Floral, servicing 10 or more outlying
     cities. Her talent in floral design gained national recognition from her
     peers when her design for a float was chosen to be used in the Rose Parade, 
     and she was awarded a trip to Pasadena, California. Numerous times her
     funeral designs and window decorations were published in the National Florist
     Magazine.
       Poor health forced Short to retire in 1956, and they sold their business
     and spent their summers at their home in Colorado and their winters in
     Medicine Lodge.
       In 1966 Short passed away, leaving one-half of this "dynamic-duo" with
     too much idle time. Choosing to share her love of beauty with others, she
     worked to help organize the Medicine Lodge Garden Club, in 1958, of which
     she is still a member, along wiht other civic and church organizations.
       Some artists paint, other sculpt. Leontine uses a needle to display the
     beauty of flowers and birds in pictures, pillows, etc., via needlepoint,
     crewel, tatting, and crocheting. One showing resulted in over 1500 people
     viewing her artistry in 3 hours and was sponsered by the Jane Phillips 
     Sorority, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Again she received national recognition
     when, during an art exhibition sponsored by the Stan Hywett Foundation,
     Akron, Ohio, founder of Goodyear Co., her needlepoint picture was selected
     for showing from a field of 600. This picture, along with Julie Nixon
     Eisenhower's (the one she gave her father on inaugural day) was displayed
     on national television from Cleveland, Ohio. Leontine has completed more
     than 350 pieces of art in needlepoint and crewel. Still "thinkin young,"
     this pioneer is proud to be a part of Barber County history.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 388 
     Submitted by: Barbara Conner and Joan Wheat