Ruth and Luther (Puss) Sowards opened the Soward's Produce in Sharon,
     March 15, 1932, buying cream, eggs and all kinds of poultry. They also
     had an interest in John Whelan's skating rink which was located upstairs
     in the old Opera House, where Parish Hall is now located. This recreation
     was as popular as the croquet court in the 1920's. This was located where
     Joe Rausch keeps his Allis Chalmers machinery display. The columns in the
     center of the skaing rink floor held up many skaters who were just learning
     to roller skate.
       In 1948 the produce station was sold to Freda Basinger. After extensive
     dental work, Ruth went to work for Mrs. Bashinger, and in 1952, Ruth bought
     the business back and continued as owner for twenty more years. She closed
     the doors of her produce station November 22, 1972, due to lack of trans-
     portation for cream and eggs. This ended forty years of the produce in Sharon.
       Ruth has two sons Junior and Bobby. Junior, his wife Mary and two daughters
     Karen and Cathy reside in St. Louis. Another daughter, Sandra (Sandy) married
     Russel Crow of Attica. They live in Anthony. Sandy lived with her grandmother
     during most of her school years.
       Ruth has one great granddaughter and a great grandson. She has worked the
     past four years helping care for Mrs. Tom Best at the Medicine Lodge Memorial
     Hospital.
       Ruth's son Bobby and wife Ann reside in Sharon. Ann's son Paul Totty 
     graduated from Sharon High School. Bob is Fire Chief of the volunteer fire
     department.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 431 
     Submitted by: Ruth Sowards