2006 Orphan Train Celebration

The 2006 National Orphan Train Celebration, held at the National Orphan
Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas, was a 2-day event dedicated to
celebrating the five orphan train riders present and the history of the Orphan
Train Movement.

Friday included a welcome from OTHSA President Becky
Higgins, NOTC President Susan Sutton, and Concordia May
Pro Tem Phil Gilliland. This was followed by living history
presentations by Mikki Nelson, Sherrie Radcliffe and Judy Hill.
Descendant Norma Poling also tells her mother's story, using
the toys she brought with her on the train.

Saturdays events began with the new Morgan-Dowell Research Center
exterior dedication, which was made possible by a donation of $100,000
from Bobby and Wanda Morgan (descendant & wife of an orphan train rider)
from Texas, made at last years Celebration.

State Rep. Joann Freeborn, the keynote speaker, said "There are so many
people who need to be thanked for this new building. This is a wonderful
community, and it's an honor to represent these kind of people. This is very
important to Concordia, and very significant to North central Kansas to have
this destination".

Following the dedication, the five orphan train riders present shared their
stories with the crowd. Included in the group were John Jacobus from
California, who rode a train to Ottawa, Kansas in 1915; Lois Gillett and her
sister Merle Lebsock who rode in 1923 to Nebraska and now live in Nebraska
and Colorado respectively; Anne Harrison from Nebraska who was taken to
Colorado; and Lela Newcombe who was taken to Nebraska and still resides
there.

The traditional James Hill Memorial Cream Can Lunch was served in
honor of James Hill, who was an orphan train rider to Kansas.

The afternoon activities included the annual fundraising auction and a
presentation by author Robert Collins on Kansas Railroad History.

Orphan Train Riders from L to R: Merle Lebsock,
John Jacobus, Lois Gillett (sitting); Lela Newcombe
& Anne Harrison (standing)

After the old fashioned box lunch, Charlotte Endorf and her family performed
a short presentation on her new book "Plains bound: Fragile Cargo". The
day was capped off by an authentic chuckwagon supper and a performance
by the Rhinestone Ropers at the Brown Grand Theater.

The Celebration was concluded with the President's Award Banquet,
which honored the many wonderful volunteers that have worked hard all
year to keep the orphan train history alive. They included Charles &
Sandra Cutris (Charles Loring Brace Award), Marie Hays (Sister Irene
Fitzgibbons Award), Jessica LeDuc & Wonda Phillips (Darrell & Ledona
Dowell Volunteer of the Year Award), and Joan Fraser & Wonda Phillips
(Special Recognition Awards).