Miriam Kate Picking was born in Abilene, Kansas November 29, 1888. She graduated 
  from Abilene High School in 1908. She chose teaching as a career, beginning in the fall
  of 1908 at a school south of Abilene.
       During teh terms 1916-17 and 1917-18, she taught grades 4, 5, and 6 in Woodbine.
  One year she boarded in the Ed Volkman home, and one year she boarded in the home of 
  Louis and Lillie Shank. Mrs. Shank and Miss Picking's friendship grew and they continued
  to correspond through the years until Mrs. Shank's death.
       Altogether Miss Picking taught school 43 years, twenty-eight of those as first
  grade teacher at McKinley School in Abilene. In the fall of 1951 she retired from teaching 
  because of illness. Later, she went to work at the Abilene Public Library, working
  until retiring in 1975 at age 85.
       In 1982 Miriam published a small hard covered book about early Kansas designed
  especially for children. It is a short book with interesting history about early 
  Kansas, including Indians, buffalo, Wild Bill Hickok and animals. The book is entitled
  "Kansas, the Sunflower State."
       Miriam K. Picking died on October 14, 1982. She lived to almost 94 as did her sister,
  Myrtle C. Picking. Miriam was affectionarely called "Aunt Doll" by three generations
  of nieces and nephews.
               
  Source: Woodbine, Kansas Centennial, 1887 - 1987, 
          Woodbine through the years pg. 108
          Submitted byMrs. Wayne (Marilyn) Knopp, niece