Time Capsule Opened After 50 Years

By Mike Scott

One of the significant events of the Kahoka Sesquicentennial celebration took place outside the Sever Library on Friday morning, as the time capsule buried during Kahoka’s Centennial in 1957 was opened and its contents revealed.  “We’re so glad to see so many people here for this special event,” Sesquicentennial chairperson Bev Laffoon said.
City crews had actually removed the time capsule earlier in the week because its heavy gauge steel construction required it to be cut open.  The crews then placed the capsule and its contents back in the ground for the ceremony.
Laffoon recognized city official attending, before the capsule was hauled out of the ground and its contents placed on display.
Former Mayor Gene Daniel, who was 29 years old when the the capsule was buried, joked that he never expected to be around when it was opened.
Among the times found in side were a number of letter and photos, a hat, a dress, a Kahoka Centennial plate, a bottle of scotch whiskey, a car cigarette lighter, a copy of the Centennial Gazette-Herald, and a KAHOKARAMA poster.
The items are currently displayed at Arnold Accounting on the south side of the square, and will be put back inside the time capsule along with mementos from the Sesquicentennial celebration.  Sometime in the next month or so, the time capsule will be buried again.
“I’ll see you again in 50 years,” joked Daniel.

Pictured: Back After 50 Years–Several of those attending the opening of the time capsule were on hand when it was buried or had a special connection to the event. (left to right) Richard Durham worked for Moore Business Forms for 39 years, Ann Bourn is the daughter of Ralph Hill, 1957 Centennial Chairman, Connie Lancaster is Hill’s granddaughter.  Shirley Hamner Mitchell’s family had Hamner 66 Service Station in Kahoka.  Bill Hurst was a student in Kahoka in 1957, and Ted Mohr also worked at Moore Business Forms.