Oscar Taylor and Margaret Anna Thom, with their five children, Bessie,
     Robert, Gertrude, J.C. (Criss), and William, left Lamar, Indiana to make
     a new home in Caldwell, Kansas. They arrived there by train May 7, 1903.
     Their youngest son, Roger Gerald, was born June 16, 1907 at Caldwell.
       Mr. Thom's first job was with the Rock Island Railroad. Later he was
     railway mail clerk, and was transferred to Newton, Kansas, for a year, 
     then sent back to Caldwell.
       Mr. Thom and a good friend, C.C. Sibbits, decided to buy the picture
     show in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. The two families moved to Medicine Lodge
     October 10, 1910. A short time later Mr. Sibbits decided to return to
     Caldwell and sold his interest to Mr. Thom. The new business was named
     the Pastime Theatre, and still retains that name.
       The show was a family affair; Mrs. Thom sold tickets, Bessie played the
     piano, Gertrude took tickets, Bill, Criss, and Bob helped run the hand
     cranked projectors. This was the time of silent movies. Mr. Thom, who also
     owned and operated the theatre at Conway Springs for a time, in conjunction
     with the Pastime later sold the Pastime to Mr. Culley.
       Mr. Thom was the first Village Mail Carrier in Medicine Lodge. He also
     was owner of the Post Office Book Store. He served as Barber County Clerk
     in 1918. He also had an active part in the first Indian Peace Treaty Pageant
     in 1927. Due to ill health, he retired from active business in 1940. He
     passed away July 2, 1953. Mrs. Thom passed away October 7, 1972, at the
     age of 100 years.
       The six children graduated from BCHS (Barber County High School) now
     MLHS. The children led active lives in the community; the boys participating
     in athletics, the town band and orchestra, working in local businesses; the
     girls teaching in the county schools. Bess taught at the Binning School near
     Flower Pot Mound west of town. Gertrude taught at McAdoo near Coats, Kansas;
     Canema, fifteen miles west of town, and the Howard School, north of Kiowa.
       Bess Lumly lives in Cushing, Oklahoma, and her son, Robert F. Read, also
     lives in Cushing. Gertrude McCracken lives in Wewoka, Oklahoma, and her son,
     Roger, lives in Midland, Texas. Robert Thom, verteran of World War I, and
     long time banker, lives in Gruver, Texas, now retired from the Gruver State
     Bank. He is the only living charter member of Pierce Johnson American Legion
     Post of Perryton, Texas.
       J.C. (Criss) Thom lives in Buffalo, Missouri, retired from the Shell Oil
     Company. W.W. (Bill) Thom lives in Hardtner, Kansas, retired from Barbara
     Oil Company. Roger Gerald Thom passed away in September 1930. He was chairman
     of the newly formed Merchant's Credit Association. In 1929, Roger, with
     Harry Crouse, brought in the first airplane to be based at Medicine Lodge.
       The Thom family was active in community affairs, at Masonic function,
     sports, musical organizations, commerce, civic endeavors, and in the life
     of the First Christian Church.
       Mr. and Mrs. Thom bought the property at 109 East First in 1924 for the
     permanent family home. The children, and their families, with perennial
     and permanent Barber County roots, frequently return to Medicine Lodge to
     enjoy meeting in the little house for family reunions, and to visit with
     their many friends.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 453