Smoky Valley Historical Association has information on the Hoglund Dugout. It was built by Mr. and Mrs. Gustaf Hoglund, they were among the earliest Swedish pioneers of the Smoky Valley. Their story is similar to other early pioneers. They endured such hardships, weather, sickness, and hunger. They have my respect. 

Looking at all these things in Rice County really makes you want to stop and take a breath. We let things go by too fast sometimes. Everyone enjoy your weekend and be safe !

Thanks to the Ladies at Young Historical Library in Little River, the bank robbery is solved. 

This was a field notes Friday trip.

Moses Baker was an early pioneer of Rice county. He came to Kansas in 1871 from Huron county Ohio. He underwent all the hardships of those pioneer days. His first wife, Alvira McCune,  was fourteen years old when they married on November 24, 1873. She died in 1877, leaving one living child behind. In 1878 Moses married Mary Ann Monroe, they had four boys and four girls. The Bakers experienced prairie fires, grasshoppers, floods, sickness and drought.

 His first home was of sod and logs near Saxman. He later built a frame house following his marriage. He lived on his farm until shortly before his death.

Mr. Baker was one of the early Saxman settlers who remembered seeing the stone erected as a monument to the young Spaniard who was supposedly murdered in the vicinity of Jarvis creek for the gold which he carried.

​The Sterling Cemetery has a website www.sterlingcemetery.com

This blog will be quite the adventure ! One goal is to follow the Santa Fe Trail from the east side of Rice county to the west. Another is to  look at the information available on the Petroglyphs and the archaeological sites. Rice county is rich in history and we hope everyone will join in to learn with us !