Wm. W. and Edna E. Willms and daughter, Mildred, moved to Medicine Lodge
     from Hutchinson, Kansas, in the spring of 1909. They farmed in Reno County
     before coming to Barber County. Mr. Willms bought the Henry Reutlinger Farm
     two and one half miles west of town.
        In 1910 twin boys were born to this union, Wallace and Walter. They lived
     on this farm for three years, selling it to Dan Stone. Mr. Willms bought 240
     acres just east of their home. The place didn't have any improvements on it.
     They built a nice farmstead. It is now the home of Hugh Wheelock and family.
     For eight years they farmed here and raised registered Hereford cattle. He 
     was one of the first breeders of Polled Herefords in Barber County. In 1920
     he sold this farm to Alfred Luther of Wisconsin.
        In 1921 they bought a farm two miles south of Medicine Lodge. This was 
     their home until the death of Mr. Willms in 1946. Mrs. Willms lived on the
     farm a short time. She moved to town and lived until her death in 1974. During
     their stay on the farm, several things took place, the cyclone of 1927 and
     lots of floods. The farmstead was almost wiped out. In a few months it was
     back to normal. In the fall of 1927 Wallace and his father started the dairy
     business, the cheapest milk was sold for 1 cent a quart. The highest price
     was 17 cents a quart. in 1954. I also sold weaning pigs for 10 cents a head,
     week old calves were 25 cents. Good milk cows were $25. This was in the
     Depression of the 30's.
        Besides the dairy work, Billie, as Dad was known, liked to raise water-
     melons. He always planted 8 to 10 acres. One of the nice memories of raising
     watermelons was the night Beverly Horney (McCollom) and Imogene Harper paid
     a visit to the watermelon patch with a group of friends.
        After selling the dairy herd, I took a job with National Gypsum Company.
     After spending 21 1/2 years with this firm, I had to retire in 1975.
        In 1960 we rented the farm house and moved to town. Gertie took the
     management of the Gyp Hills Motel. Two years later she was the first
     manager of the Copa Motel. At present Gertie is employed at the Nixon's
     Dress Shop.
        It has been a pleasure to be a resident of Medicine Lodge and Barber
     County all my life. I hope to be able to live here a lot more years and
     enjoy Medicine Lodge.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 490 
     Submitted by: Wallace H. Willms