Harry (Had) and Elva White were a couple, known and loved by most people -
     young and old - of Medicine Lodge. They had no children of their own, but
     reached out and loved nieces, nephews and children of friends.
       Had was born in 1882 and grew up in Medicine Lodge. Life as a lad was
     not easy for him, but he made the best of his opportunities. He had a
     sister Gertrude, who was a nurse.
       Elva was born August 30, 1893 in Sumner County. She came to Barber County
     in 1902 with her parents, Dora (Good) and Jim Wise and a brother Charles.
     She attended Amber School until 8th grade graduation. The family moved south
     of Medicine Lodge and she attended high school, grew to womanhood and in
     1913, married Harry (Had) White.
       'Had' worked at Chase Hardware - later Bucher Hardware (now the Pastime
     Theater location). The telephone office switchboard and operator's chair
     were in the corner of the hardware store.
       The hardware closed about 1918 and Southwestern Bell Telephone office was
     moved one soor south. 'Had' opened a second hand and plumbing shop at 201
     South Main, which they operated until 1940. The old fiddle was very much
     a part of 'Had's' life. Often times he'd take down his fiddle and strike
     up a tune for customers with like interests.
       The Whites built a house at 301 West Kansas. Many teachers and high school
     students from the country would board and room with them for $1 a day. They
     received three meals daily, clean linens and a private sleeping room. Helen
     (Wheat) Gordon was one who claimed this as her second home. Bessie Sheldon
     and Emma Magnison - (Aunt Em) also kept teachers and encouraged Elva in the
     endeavor.
       In the early day of 'Hitch hiking,' as 'Had' was returning from Wichita
     in his stripped down work car, he stopped to pick up two lads. He asked
     where they were headed, they answered, "Oh, anywhere. We don't know,"
     Had's answer was - "if you don't know where you're going - just as well be
     here as anywhere." He drove on, leaving them alongside the road. This was
     'Had's' philosophy - you should know where you're headed in life!
       After closing the plumbing shop in 1940 the Whites purchased the small
     Brittain farm west of town near the gyp mill. Farm life was familiar to Elva,
     she joined into the routine and bushels of corn and tomatoes were grown and
     sold. After 'Had's' death in 1955, Elva moved back to town. She did sewing
     and alterations, desiginnig many from pictures.
       'Had" and Elva were faithful members of the Christian Church since 1909.
     Elva was active in Sunday School and church and CWF. She was service chairman
     several years. She was a member of Community Club, Harmony Unit and Rural
     Dames.
       She enjoyed her home at Indian Hills Lodge up to the time of her death
     February 12, 1975.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 484