SPRAGUE, Warren - b. February 28, 1876 - d. February 17, 1960

[Marcia Moore]

     The Busby community lost one of its oldest residents Wednesday evening, February 17, 1960.
     Warren Sprague came to Busby with his parents, Perry and Flora Sprague, in 1885 at the age of 9, in a covered wagon.  He spent the early part of his life farming.  In 1936 he returned to Busby, where he took over the management of the store established by his father in 1885, and operated it until last September, 1959.  Warren's disposal of his stock marked the closing of the oldest general store in Kansas.
     Warren served his community in numerous ways, performing many acts of kindness and meeting the needs of all who came to him, to the best of his ability.  He never turned anyone away who asked him for help.
     He was born at Prairie City, now Baldwin City, Kansas on February 28, 1876.  He was the only son of a family of five.  At an early age he united with the Presbyterian Church.  His father, Perry Sprague; his mother, Flora Sprague; and one sister, Josie Davis, preceded him in death.  He had been in failing health for several years, but his death due to a heart attack, was unexpected.
     His memory will be cherished by three sisters, Jessie McDonald and Winifred VanBuskirk of the home, and Eunice Dame of Longton; three nephews, George H. Dame of Kansas City; Melvin Dame of Hollister, California, and Allan Davis of Winfield, Kansas; five nieces, Josephine King, Peoria, Illinois; Florence Anderson, Hughsville, Maryland; Darlene Bruner, Moline, Kansas; Eleanor McDonald, Kearney, Nebraska; Doris Barnaby of Howard; and many other relatives and friends.
     Services were held Friday February 19, at 2:00 p.m., at the Crumrine Funeral Home at Longton, with the Rev. Chester Eshbaugh officiating.  Music was furnished by Mrs. Gilbert O'Dell and Mrs. Earl Howland, with Mrs. H. Morgridge as accompanist.  The casket bearers were Ross Jontra, Kelsey Cody, Robert Thomas, Andrew Arnold, Ermine Gilbert and Harry Cannon.  Interment was in the Longton Cemetery.

[frawin]

Thanks Marcia, that brings back lots of memories. We used to skip school and go to Busby and get pop and a candy bar and visit with Mr Sprague. His sister, Winifred was my 5th Grade Teacher at Howard. She was tough and Strict but a good teacher. Warren was interesting to talk to and could tell lots of history.

[W. Gray]

Elk county bought the land where that store stood for a "road improvement" but it apparently never happened.

A couple times I have stood out there wondering what kind of improvement they were thinking of.

The only thing I could conclude was they might have wanted to cut the road straight through but that does not seem to make any sense.