Although not natives of Barber County and having lived more years away
     than here, we still regard Medicine Lodge as HOME.
       My parents, Clyde and Mattie (Angell) Binning, in their early marriage,
     lived in western Oklahoma. Dad worked in cotton gins and did photography
     in the day, and worked a chautauqua circuit in the evenings. He sang, 
     played banjo and violin and operated a steroptican lantern (a double-image
     projector); Grandfather Binning performed magic and Mother took tickets.
     It was in Elk City, OKlahoma, on May 15, 1907 that I (Juanita Wanna) was
     born "on the road."
       As a young girl, I recall attending the Hardtner Fair with Grandfather,
     camping in his wagon for the week, and visiting with Scott Cummins, the
     Pilgrim Bard. I would sit on his lap, combing his hair - never allowed to
     touch his moustache!
       We returned to Medicine Lodge where my sister, Mina (Mrs. John Daxon),
     was born November 17, 1912. She made her home in Oklahoma City until her
     death June 6, 1974.
       Making our own entertainment, we young people often enjoyed Sunday after-
     noon "Kodaking"{ and picnicking, even better were our girls' rollar skating
     parties. We'd skate every sidewalk in town, then gather for refreshments at
     someone's house.
       I graduated from MLHS in 1925; Wichita Business College, in 1927. My father
     advised me to attend business college and I've always been grateful for the
     training.
       Harland Hendricks and I were married for five years. Our son, Clyde Don,
     was born December 14, 1927. My parents adopted Clyde Don when he was 5. He
     had a twenty year career (1946-66) in the U.S. Navy.
       I married Ben Bailey Thomas September 17, 1938 in Wichita. Oldest of 3
     children of David and Sada Bailey Thomas, he was born December 5, 1904 in
     Junction, Texas. Ben came to Barber County, working as a driller in the 
     oilfields, much of it on Barber Oil Lease in Eagle Township.
       My career in foodservice began early, selling home made candy Saturday
     mornings at Rysers' Grocery. Mina and I became co-owners of coffee shops in
     the new Cornelson Hotel in Fairview, Oklahoma - 1934-36, and Roberts Hotel
     in Pratt - 1936-38, for a year after Ben and I married.
       By 1938, while Mina was attending Friends University, she and I worked
     together in the Allis Hotel in Wichita. After Mina's marriage, Ben's work
     took us to Hutchinson. I was manager of Montgomery War Catalogue Order
     Department until WWII. I returned to Pratt where I was finance clerk at
     the post office.
       We moved to Dodge City in 1947 and operated "Park and Eat" restaurant 6
     years, moving to Farmington, New Mexico in 1953, we opened one of the city's
     first drive-in restaurants. Within a year, we were 1 of 21.
       Combining our given names, we christened the venture "Ben-Nita's Drive-In.
     This has become our business signature, and our eldest granddaughter's name.
     Leasing the restaurant in 1959, Ben was building engineer for the Petroleum
     Club until retiring in 1969. I worked 3 years as food service supervisor
     for Farmington High School. The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
     appointed me assistant food service director 1962-66.
       Our son Clyde lives in Farmington, and our grandchildren: Benita Granger,
     Seattle; Donald Alan Benning, Maple Falls, Washington; Anthony Thomas
     Benning, Bellingham, Washington.
       Keeping active, managing and maintaining our real estate enterprises, we 
     do look forward to full retirement and returning to Medicine Lodge. Ben
     died August 3, 1980.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 454 
     Submitted by: Juanita Binning Thomas