Portis Pride

Pride Star

2009-12-11T14:44:00.010-06:00

Portis PRIDE

recieves Pride Star

Portis was one of twenty Kansas communities to earn a Kansas Pride Program award for their work in community development and civic improvement. Portis PRIDE was a recipient of the PRIDE Star award for the construction of a much needed shelter house in the City Park.

Cristie Haug, Portis Pride president attended the PRIDE Day Conference held September 10, 2009 at the Courtyard by Marriout Hotel, JunctionCity, Kan.

Haug accepted the award trophy and $350 cash award.

(as reported in the Osborne County Farmer, 12-10-2009, pictures added)

If Buildings Could Talk

2008-04-13T14:52:00.008-05:00

This is really cool article which appeared in The Osborne County Farmer (4-10-08).

Portis Bank

Today when one approaches the old native limestone bank building in downtown Portis one gets an immediate sense of history. Very little had changed throughout the years by the time of its final closing in 1979. Those who had business in the bank at one time or another can remember the 1924 calendar hanging on the wall and the ticking of the grandfather clock. The backroom was a storeroom and office with a bathroom added on. The teller windows and bank vault were both original and the first heating system was still in use.

Before the stone building was built the Portis Bank opened in 1885 in a wooden store building at the same site. In November 1886 the bank became a State Bank and was distinctly a home institution because not a share of stock was owned by a non-resident of Portis.

The stone bank building was built in 1887. On June 2, 1887 the Osborne County Farmer (OCF) stated that the old skating rink was being torn down and its flooring was being placed in the new bank building. The OCF issued on June 23, noted that the outside work of the new building was finished and the decorators were completing the interior.

Around 1890 the bank failed and in May 1893 the building was sold to the German American Bank of St. Joseph, Missouri. In May 1904 J. W. Burrows bought the bank and then sold it to the First State Bank Corporation. Joseph Thomas took over the management and continued in that position until his death. His son, Carl Thomas, managed the business until the bank was sold in 1979 and moved out of town.

If buildings could talk, the First State Bank of Portis could tell many interesting and exciting stories. Foremost of these are the five burglaries and robberies attempted over the years. The first was June 1889 when an attempt to blow open the safe failed. In October 1921 the vault was entered and deposit boxes looted. The loss was estimated from $30,000 to $60,000.

A bold daytime robbery occurred shortly after noon, July 2, 1942. Joseph Thomas was pushed into the vault, but he had an emergency escape plan and quickly exited. Grabbing a gun he chased the burglars firing several shots at the fleeing car, injuring one of them. A posse later found the bandits' car abandoned in a granary at the Turner farm west of town.

An early morning attempted burglary was thwarted on September 21, 1966, when the torch being used on the heavy vault door tripped off the alarm.

Another robbery attempt in the 1970s occurred during the daytime when Faye Thomas was alone in the bank. She also was shut in the vault and the robbers fled. Seeing their flight the men at the Co-op service station ran to the bank, released Mrs. Thomas, and turned in the alarm. The burglars were then captured in a few hours.

The information for this story came from writings by Nellie McDaneld and newspaper articles from the Osborne County Farmer and Portis Independent newspapers.

The above article and photo was copied from the Osborne County Genealogical and Historical Society web site.

http://ocghs.org/

Portis Winter, Then and Now

2007-12-17T17:43:00.000-06:00

Many thanks for the pictures Darrel.

Community Outreach

2007-12-13T21:05:00.000-06:00

Portis/Harlan Community Outreach

The communities of Portis and Harlan are again planning an event organized by the Community Outreach Project.

This will be a soup and chili supper at the Wolters Auction Building in Portis on December 29th. Food will be served from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, with fellowship and gospel singing to follow. The main courses are being furnished by the churches; attendees are asked to bring a small dessert or relish tray, if able.

Our Portis/Harlan Community Outreach is a combined project sponsored by three local churches: Portis United Methodist Church, Grace Brethren Church in Portis, and the Harlan Church in Harlan.

The goal of the project is to “reach-out” to the communities and bring everyone closer together.

Please join us for an evening of good food, singing, and fellowship on 29 December.

GREETINGS TO FORMER SERVICEMEN

2007-12-08T20:25:00.000-06:00

PORTIS SENDS GREETINGS
TO FORMER SERVICEMEN

Citizens of Portis, KS are saying a big “Thank You!” to former Portis residents who have recently served their country overseas in harm’s way. And a big “thank you” it is: gigantic homemade greeting cards, signed by almost everyone in Portis and the surrounding area.

Next week, these huge cards will be sent to Aaron Todd, who served in the Marines in Iraq, and Ray Baker, who served in Afghanistan. Both gentlemen are now safely back home, but the community wanted to thank these brave men for their patriotism and love for the United States of America.

The project was the brainchild of Portis Postmaster Bernita Smith. “This is the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Smith observed. “It’s a great time for us to express our thanks to the troops, both those currently deployed and those who have already served honorably and are now safely reunited with their families.”

Local residents and veterans applaud the effort. In a small community like Portis, everyone feels like family. Even though Aaron and Ray no longer live here, we are so grateful for their service to our country. In Portis, we take a lot of pride in our community. And we are especially proud of the dedicated troops who make great sacrifices to defend our freedom.

Postmaster Smith reports that the huge cards will be sent by Priority Mail, speeding on their way to both heroic veterans and bearing heartfelt thanks from their former hometown.

As reported in the local papers.

Santa Arrives Early in Portis

2007-12-08T19:32:00.000-06:00

Santa Arrives Early in Portis

Santa Claus arrived in Portis for a pre-Christmas visit on Sunday, 2 December.

The Portis City Office was decorated and ready for the Jolly Man when he arrived in town.

Many local children had the opportunity to sit on his lap and tell Santa exactly what they wanted for Christmas. And, of course, they were asked if they had been good boys and girls. Special bags of candy, which were prepared by the Portis Pride Committee, were distributed to all.
A fun afternoon with Santa Claus on his early visit to the area was enjoyed by both kids and parents.

Santa At Portis

2007-12-08T13:21:00.000-06:00

We were joyed when Santa Clause took time out to make an early visit to Portis as recorded by the local newspaper.

Santa Claus Coming to Portis!

2007-11-28T13:46:00.000-06:00

Yes, it is true!

We are all honored that at this busy time of the season he would devote special attention to our community.

Bring you kids so that he can personally accept wish lists.

He will be at the City Office at 3:00 p.m.

Sunday December 2nd

2007-11-02T00:24:00.000-05:00

In memory of Melvin Tubby Millar, animator for Looney Tunes Porky Pig cartoons and assistant to Friz Freleng, creator of Porky Pig.