My grandparents, Arlington and Eva (Matella Evaline Epler) Watkins, moved
     from Woodson County to Barber County, Kansas, in 1908. The family lived on
     what was then the Houchin Ranch near Eldred School. At that time their
     family of five sons, Willard (1884), Ivan (1885), David (1886), Harry Homer
     (1893), and Arley (1897), and one daughter Carrie (1888(, were about grown.
     The two youngest sons, Homer and Arley, attended Eldred School.
       Their life on the ranch was shortened by Grandfather's death in 1912. My
     father, Willard, was married prior to Grandfather's death, and Ivan and 
     David, the next two older sons, married soon afterwards. Grandmother bought
     a house at 707 North Main in Medicine Lodge. It was to be her home for the
     next thirty-five years.
       Carrie had attended high schohol at Yates Center, Kansas before moving
     to Barber County. She later taught at the Amber School and Dry Creek School.
       Homer worked in and around Medicine Lodge, and Arley attended high school
     at Medicine Lodge until United States entered the First Wold War. Homer was
     one of the first to join the Air Force. Before going to France he was stationed
     near Omaha, Nebraska. Arley had to lie about his age to get into the military.
     He also joined the Air Force; however, his career was a short one. His troop
     ship had been out to sea for only one day when the Armistice was signed. The
     soldiers were happy to be on their way to France, but their joy was short
     lived because the ship was called back to port, and they didn't get their
     trip to Paris.
       After the war, Arley went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to live. Carrie and Homer
     soon joined him and they, too, made their homes in Tulsa. Carried married
     George Mosser. For awhile he and Arley had a car paint shop in Tulsa.
       Grandma Watkins had worked as a mid-wife in Woodson County, and she 
     continued to do this for several years after moving to Medicine Lodge. She
     then turned her attention and talents to other interests; her flowers,
     family, and grandchildren.
       She showed her love for us by sharing her beautiful flowers. During the
     spring and summer months, there was always a bouquet of her flowers to
     brighten our table. On Sunday morning, how proud we grandchildren were to 
     carry a bouquet of her flowers to the front of the church to brighten the
     sanctuary. Grandmother was one of the early members of the Christian Church
     and of the Willing workers Sunday School Class.
       During the 1930's and early 1940's, there were always grandchildren coming
     to and from Grandmother's house. Several of us stayed with her and attended
     high school. Others came for lunch frequently. However, the most fun of all
     were teh stormy nights, when all the high school grandchildren had to stay
     in town.
       Grandmother passed away in 1946 after a long, happy, and useful life.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 474 
     Submitted by: Marjorie Watkins McGuire