Ralph and Bessie Sheldon came by train to Medicine Lodge from Fontana,
     Kansas in august 1908. They had been married Christmas Eve 1907. It was
     a return for Bessie. She had lived here briefly in the early nineties with
     her parents, the Robert Tyrells.
       The Sheldons moved into an upstairs apartment in the Cook Block, which
     is in the vicinity of the former Oddfellow, Rebecca, and Masonic Lodges.
     Bessie's father and brother Charles preceeded them to Barber County. Her
     mother and sister, Leona, came a short time later.
       Ralph went to work for B.F. Mitchell's harvesting and threshing crew.
     Soon Bessie began managing the cook shack, a little kitchen on wheels.
     She cooked and baked on a small wood stove. In the afternoon she had the
     use of Mitchell's horse and buggy to drive around the neighborhood where
     the crew was working.
       Following the threshing season, the Sheldons operated a cafe. It was
     located in a frame building where Strong's Appliance is now. Bessie is
     known as a 'good cook.' She baked forty pies a day, several days a week.
     Many were sold to regular customers outside the Cafe. A popular fruit pie
     was dried raspberry.
       Ray Merle, teh Sheldon's only child, was born July 15, 1910. That fall
     Ralph began working for Best Brothers' Keene's Cement. The family moved
     to Kling, a settlement of gypsum workers west of Sun City. Gypsum was
     quarried by hand and sent to the local plant by rail.
       Ralph, Bessie, and baby lived in three rooms of a duplex. Ralph's
     widowed mother and younger brother lived in the other half of the duplex.
       Ralph continued in employement of Best Brothers and National Gypsum for
     fifty years. He retired a Master Mechanic.
       In 1922 the Sheldons built their home on West Kansas Ave. The home was
     often shared with relatives, roomers, and BORDERs. Nephews, Elra (Doug)
     and Rex Noell, often lived with them.
       Ralpf and Bessie were devoted Methodists and served the church and
     Sunday School in many capacities. Ralph enjoyed the Masonic Lodge and
     belonged to the Wichita Consistory. Bessie belonged to Rebecca, OES, and
     Community Club. They also enjoyed a Birthday Club and Card Club.
       Bessie rarely sat down without handwork. She pieced many quilts,
     crocheted and embroidered many linens which her son's family treasure.
       Four grandchildren grew up next door to Ralph and Bessie. Jana, John,
     Miles and Mark are fortunate to have had the loving attention of their
     grandparents. When Ralph retired in 1960, he organized a summer work crew
     of his grandson, John, and some of John's friends. The boys were able to
     do many odd jobs under grandad's supervision.
       Ralph died of a heart attack in 1965. Bessie was in declining health, 
     but lived until 1971. Their lives were well lived. Through their hard
     work, love and devotion to their ideals, Barber County is still a promised
     land to their children.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 410