Buried in Elk City’s Oak Hill Cemetery is the grave of a woman whose past is centered around the deaths of 53 Union soldiers during the Civil War.

Her name was Martha Ferguson, and she died in Elk City in 1901. However, some 35 years before death, she lived in Kentucky with her husband, Champ Ferguson. It was Mr. Ferguson who had a deep hatred toward the Union cause — so much so that he became a cold-blooded serial killer. He was arrested and convicted of killing 53 Unionists, and he eventually was hanged for his murderous deeds.

Professor Brian McKnight of Angelo State University wrote a story about the life of Martha Ferguson. You’ll enjoy reading it on page A5 of the July 17th Montgomery County Chronicle.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CANEY — Enrollment in Caney Valley schools will be open to out-district students until Sept. 22, USD 436 Board of Education members determined Monday.

The board voted 5-1 to accept Superintendent Danny Fulton’s recommendation to continue the district’s policy for open enrollment. Enrollment in local schools will remain open to out-districts until Sept. 22, which is the day when schools in Kansas certify their enrollments with the Kansas State Department of Education.

Voting in favor of the measure were board members David Deal, Tim Rigdon, Suellen Holtzman, Debbie Morrison and Sherry Rackliff. Opposing the measure was board member David Young. Board member Jack Kopfman was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Out-district students must reapply for admission to USD 436 each year and must sign a contract with USD 436 saying that the student will adhere to all district policies. The student must also meet all academic criteria and not have a history of poor behavior or discipline at other school districts.
Should the acceptance of out-district students create a financial burden on USD 436, then the board at that time will

In other business transacted at Monday’s meeting, the school board voted 6-0 to grant 3 percent pay hikes to school faculty, thereby bringing the base salary to $32,445.  Additional money was also granted to a faculty member’s single insurance plan.

More details about the school board meeting are printed on page A1 and A4 of the July 17th Montgomery County Chronicle

INDEPENDENCE — The 87th Annual Montgomery County 4-H Fair got underway Tuesday, July 15, with the presentation of 4-H youths dressed in their Sunday best.

The annual fashion fair was held in the Independence Civic Center. Several dozen 4-H youths donned hand-made or store-purchased garments and modeled them for judges.

Those students will model their clothing at a style revue set for 7 p.m., next Tuesday, July 22, at the Independence Memorial Hall.

Prior to the style revue, the fair king and queen will be announced. King and queen candidates from each of the Montgomery County’s nine 4-H clubs will be represented.

Fair activities will continue next Wednesday, July 23, with the set-up of livestock buildings at Riverside Park. Livestock entries will be accepted on Thursday, July 24.

Also on July 24, the livestock judging will begin with the rabbit show at 7 p.m.

Events on Friday, July 25, include the entry of indoor exhibits at 8 a.m., the conference judging of all food exhibits from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the judging of all indoor exhibits and poultry at 1 p.m., and the presentation of indoor awards at 5:45 p.m.

The annual 4-H fair food auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the swine show at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 25, events include the dairy goat show at 8 a.m., the bucket calf exhibitor interviews and dairy cattle judging at 9 a.m., the judging of arts and craft exhibits from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the bucket calf showmanship contest at 6 p.m. The beef show will begin at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, July 27, an inspirational celebration will be held for 4-H exhibitors at 9 a.m., followed by a photo judging competition at 3 p.m.

The Montgomery County Young Farmers and Ranchers will sponsor a Kiddie Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. The meat goat show will be held at 6 p.m., followed by the sheep show.

The presentation of livestock awards will be held at 6:45 p.m., Monday, July 28, followed by the start of the annual livestock premium sale at 7 p.m.

To learn the names of the 4-H Fair  King and Queen, log on to www.taylornews.org next Tuesday night.  The Chronicle will provide daily updates from the Montgomery County 4-H Fair.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — The president and vice president of the USD 447 Board of Education will serve in the positions for the 2008-09 year without the full support of the board.

At Monday’s monthly meeting of the school board, board president Lance Carter was re-elected to his position as board chief on a 4-3 vote. Board member Sharon Wadman was chosen to serve as vice president on a same vote.

Board members Lance Carter, Sharon Wadman, Cody Smith and Gina Booe voted in favor of both measures while board members Tina Cunningham, Michelle Loganbill and Bruce Thornton voted against the measures.

The board typically selects the board president and vice president on unanimous votes (although only a majority vote is needed). Board members, including the three dissenters, did not say anything regarding their votes.

Prior to Monday’s school board meeting, the Montgomery County Chronicle received a copy of an e-mail sent to all board members from board president Lance Carter.  In the e-mail, Carter openly asks the board to reappoint him to the position of president and to name Wadman as vice president.

The Montgomery County Chronicle checked into the legality of a governmental official to use e-mail to solicit votes prior to that vote being made public.

A story in the July 17th edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle details the Chronicle’s search into the legality of the e-mail and what governmental trade groups say is permissible.  The story appears on page A1.