#Fort Leavenworth

[popculturelib]

Haunted States of America: Kansas

Ghost Stories of Fort Leavenworth (1988) by the Musettes Fort Leavenworth Museum, illustrated by Craig Streeter

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is an active army installation that was established in 1827. It protected the Santa Fe Trail and areas near the Missouri River as an important part of the westward expansion of the United States. Today, it is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi River.

Ghost Stories of Fort Leavenworth was written by the Musettes of the Fort Leavenworth Museum, a museum advocacy group, in an attempt to document stories of the many ghosts in and around Fort Leavenworth, which include:

A tea party held at 624 Scott Avenue

Faces seen in the fire and smoke of hearths

Ghosts of men who were executed at the US Disciplinary Barracks, a military prison

General George Armstrong Custer

Fort Leavenworth currently does ghost tours in and around the Fort if you live nearby and want to learn more. The museum is now called the Frontier Army Museum.

The Fort Leavenworth Historical Society also has a book titled The Haunted Houses of Fort Leavenworth (1995) by John Reichley. If you're interested in more stories about haunted Kansas, check out the aptly titled Haunted Kansas: Ghost Stories and Other Eerie Tales (1997) by Lisa Hefner Heitz in our collection.

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"TOBACCO IS UNDOING OF ESCAPED CONVICT," Wichita Eagle. November 17, 1929. Page 1. ---- Negro Fugitive from Fort Leavenworth Is Captured After Brief Freedom ---- FORT LEAVENWORTH, KAN., Nov. 16. - (P) - Freedom of Dean New, 35, former negro soldier who participated in the Houston, Tex., riots in 1917 and who escaped from the Fort Leavenworth guard today, was brief, the prisoner being captured just before dusk at Beverly, Mo.

Following his escape from a gang of prisoners working near the garrison on Green house the negro hurried across country to the Missouri river, which he swam.

His desire for a chew of tobacco apparently was his undoing. J. D. Cannon, postmaster and keeper of a general store at Beverly had been informed of the escape and when the negro entered his store his suspicion was aroused.

He made no effort to halt New, however, until after the fugitive left the store. Mr. Cannon then seized his shot gun, followed the negro outside and detained him. Being unarmed, the fugitive made no effort to escape.

Military authorities were notified immediately and returned the prisoner to the guard house.

New is alleged to have killed a man during the Houston riot. His sentence would have expired February 14, 1937, but he was declared eligible for parole June 9, 1927.

[whitepolaris]

):

[doniell-cushman]

Learn about the time I lived in a haunted house.

[dean-boese-universe]

We are back with another spooky season episode, this time, we go to nearby (to us) Weston, Missouri where we learn about the charming little town's history, we discuss a few haunted locations as well as a few of the more famous 'residents' of the town's Laurel Hill Cemetery.  We discuss the town's beginnings and it;s modern spookiness, the most delightful place to have a cup of hot cocoa or hot apple cider while discussing things that go bump in the night with friends.  We visit a rustic home and the spirits the family has encountered, a local business that is still frequented by a few long dead spirits and a local hotel that houses a few spooky spirits as well as some guests in this second spooky season 2024 episode of the Family Plot Podcast.

[abraxastes]

fort leavenworth kansas

[qqueenofhades]

Plus, it is absolutely fucking disgusting that Trump was up there being treated like a serious candidate while CNN simply did not moderate or fact check him at all, and not in fucking Florence ADX or Fort Leavenworth, but that is a WHOLE other problem.

[amundsenxcook]

reasons for crying today

(transcript of amundsens letter:)

december 29th 1926

dear dr cook,

thank you so much for your last article. i should have written you long ago, but have been rather busy.

i want to wish you a happy year and should i come in the vicinity of fort leavenworth on my lecturetour you may rest assured i will look you up.

kindest regards,

yours very sincerely

roald amundsen

[gatheringbones]

[“Chow was the activity around which the whole prison revolved. The sections took turns going first, with twenty minutes for each one to make it all the way through the line. The guards controlled the speed with which the units were called, and one day at lunch, shortly before a big inspection was set to take place, one of the guards decided to assert his power by slowing down the food line so that section three didn’t get fed. Everyone flipped out, holding their empty trays, yelling bloody murder. This guard did the same thing at dinner, and the next day, again, at both lunch and dinner, until it became crystal clear that this was deliberate, someone acting on orders.

Meals were the only good thing we got every day, and the prison was fucking with them. It messed with our heads, created hostility between the sections, and generally tempted us to engage in behavior that would land us in the SHU. Prison is about control and dominance. On the second day of the crisis, the military police investigative unit (MPI) arrived. They’re the guards who cultivate confidential informants. They sat back and watched the panic, waiting for someone to misbehave in an actionable way.

Fort Leavenworth had a prison inmate council, something like a student council for prisoners. After three days of this deliberate baiting, I went to the council with a plan. Following chow time, prisoners had the option of either going directly to their own housing unit or heading to the medical window to pick up medications. There was a rule that prisoners could always get Tylenol, no questions asked. I suggested that every single prisoner go to the window and ask for a dose, which would overload the line dramatically and slow down the whole cycle of the day. We would be fighting back, while still following the letter of the law. It would only work, though, if all eighteen housing units got on board.

By lunch the next day, everyone was in. Every twenty minutes, more people stood up and moved from the dining hall to the pill line, in unison. The line wrapped all the way around the prison. My unit was the last one, so I got to see the reaction in the dining hall. The guards were panicked. They called for reinforcements. Riot cops came in with their kneepads and shields, arrayed like storm troopers all around the line.

As the investigators walked toward me, I grabbed my forehead. “I have the worst headache of my life!” I said.

I was shocked. Both that it had worked and at the extremity of the response. The commander of the prison was there, as were what looked like civilian cops from the outside. I started to worry they’d crack down on me. I worried they had seen me organizing. I was sweating. I actually did then get the worst headache of my life. Finally, at 4:00 p.m., the last people in the line, including me, took their Tylenol.

That night, the prison called a lockdown. For dinner, we were served sack lunches in our cells. Some people were thrilled at the success of what we’d done, how we’d stood up to our captors, but a lot of other people were pissed. Yes, we’d avoided the SHU, but instead of solitary confinement, we’d gotten stuck with group confinement, which could be its own version of hell, too.

The next morning, they released the lockdown. At chow, the commandant of the facility stood watching us, flanked by his deputy and a large group of investigators. I was ready for the deliberate baiting of inmates to begin again, but instead, something wondrous happened. Chow proceeded exactly as it was supposed to.”]

chelsea manning, from readme.txt

[prettyinlimegreenboots]

Taking Comfort (In Your Arms) - Epilogue

October 6, 1951, 1130 Hours, Southern Pines, NC

Pulling to a stop at the air base, he threw the car into park, relaxing in his seat. His eyes swept the area, watching the activity around the airfield, enjoying a moment of quiet after the busy morning. Several men moved around, caulking planes as they rolled to a stop. 

“Daddy, what are we doing here?” His daughter’s sweet, quiet voice pulled him from his thoughts as he looked over his shoulder. She was standing in the backseat, eyes watching the activity of the field. 

Adjusting in his seat, John threw his arm over the back of the seat. “Momma’s working for a bit longer then we’ll pick her up.” 

“Momma flyin’?” His son’s voice piped up, as he clambered to stand next to his older sister. 

Margaret ‘Maisie’ Egan was born January 1946, much to the surprise of her parents. She was the present they didn’t intend on bringing back from England.  About a month after they had gotten settled in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Addie was sick, tired, and wouldn’t get better. After a trip to the doctor’s, it was discovered she was pregnant, John being over the moon at the news.

From the moment she was born, Maisie had her parents wrapped around her tiny fingers, John especially. Addie had to be the stern parent from time to time, due to John not being able to say no to her. Maisie was inquisitive and wasn’t shy about asking questions or wondering why something worked the way it did. She loved to hear stories and be read to. She kept them on their toes, Addie admitting she was just like their younger daughter when she was her age. 

Addie’s flying career was put on pause with the announcement; yet she still taught the men on the ground while pregnant. It didn’t take long for the men to come to respect her, despite her being a female and pregnant.  She made sure the men knew she wouldn’t take any of their crap and it earned her their respect fairly quickly. 

The last few years have been great for the Egan family. Addie and John learned how to navigate their new lives with an infant. There were a lot of trials and errors as they figured out how to balance their work schedules with family time. Weekends were reserved for exploring their town and enjoying their time with Maisie. 

Six months after Maisie had made her appearance, the small family made the move from Kansas to Washington, DC so John could finish his degree. Addie had flourished in her career, continuing to train men at each base they had settled at. As Addie had said with each move, she was “just along for the ride.” 

While they were in Washington, they found out Addie was pregnant once more. Robert John Egan was born March 1948, just over two years after they had welcomed Maisie. Robbie, as he was known, was quieter than his sister. He was observant and loved his momma and Meatball over anyone else. As he had gotten older, he had broken out of his shell, taking more after his father, his enthusiasm and singing abilities shining through. Though the older he got, the more he was becoming thick as thieves with his older sister.  John and Addie joked they were in a world of trouble with those two. 

“No, momma’s teaching the boys today.” John grinned, reaching behind him to ruffle Robbie’s hair. “Should we go wait for her to finish up?” 

“Uh huh, let’s go daddy!” Maisie cheered, as he opened his door, stepping out. He slid his aviators on before opening the backseat, scooping Robbie into his arms, holding out his hand for Maisie to grab a hold of to hop out of the car. 

“We need to stay in this area so we’re out of the way while we wait, okay?” He looked at his two small children, both who grinned back at him. 

“Can I go pick the flowers?” Maisie asked, looking up at him with her wide eyes. Nodding, he motioned to the little patch of flowers to the left of them. 

He watched her attempt to skip over to the wildflowers that were randomly planted on the base, delicately touching their petals before pulling a few. He couldn’t believe she was 5 already, growing up so fast. 

“Daddy, planes!” Robbie’s eyes went wide when he saw a C-47 touchdown gracefully before pulling to a stop on a hardstand. 

“That’s a C-47, buddy. That’s a bigger plane than the ones momma and I flew.” John mentioned to him as Robbie watched the activity in front of him.

“Daddy, go up soon?” Robbie’s arm tightened around John’s shoulder, the plea in his voice. John smiled at his question. 

Maisie nor her younger siblings weren’t unfamiliar with planes. Both John and Addie had taken the children up in various planes, getting them used to flying. The children had been up in planes since they were all very young, sometimes finding it was the only thing that soothed them when they were inconsolable.

“We’ll talk to mom about going up soon, alright?” John asked, watching another plane come to a stop on the hardstand, men moving around there caulking the tires. 

Nodding, Robbie laid his head on John’s shoulder, a yawn escaping his mouth. Smiling, John adjusted him in his arms, rubbing a hand on Robbie’s back. 

“John, surprised to see you here on your day off.” A voice called as John looked over his shoulder at the man making his way towards him. 

“Major Winters, you know I can’t stay away very long.” John reached over and shook his hand. “Besides, we’re here to meet Addie for lunch.” 

Major Adam Winters was the first person that made Addie and John feel welcomed on base. He personally showed them around the town and helped them get settled with their small children. He was there with any advice or questions the two had in their first few months. 

“Addie should be landing soon - her crew was radioing into the tower when I stepped out. You didn’t hear it from me but she had some trouble with the training.” Adam grinned, shaking his head. 

John’s eyes went wide; not from worry, Addie could hold her own with the students. But from what the boys did to piss his wife off. “Do I dare ask?” 

“Your wife will tell you. Well, if she doesn’t then someone on the base will. She was yelling through the radio - she’s got a colorful vocabulary and I’m sure you have your hands full.” Adam chuckled, shaking his head. 

John snorted. “You don’t know the half of it, sir.”

“You tell Addie that she has the rest of the week off. She shouldn’t have even been up in that plane, but she weaseled her way into flying today.” Adam gave him a look. “She doesn’t like hearing no, does she?” 

Shaking his head, John smirked. “No, no she doesn’t. I didn’t think she was supposed to go today anyway. Why did she go up?” 

“She was supposed to be teaching in the classroom but one of the men said something that pushed her over the edge, and she wanted to prove a point.” Adam scoffed. “Before we could stop her, she was saying something about barrel rolling a B-17 and that it could be done.” 

Throwing his head back, John laughed at his wife and her antics. “That’s from her ATA days and I’ve read the report after she did it. I’m sure whatever the man did, he had it coming for him. You know her, she doesn’t get angry too easily.” 

Adam chuckled, shaking his hand before heading to where he was originally going. Peeking at Robbie, he saw that he had fallen asleep during the exchange. Rubbing a hand on his back, John smiled, seeing Maisie with a fistful of wildflowers. “Mais, who are you picking flowers for?” 

“Momma needs flowers, daddy.” She came to stand beside him, as he carefully crouched down, admiring her flowers. 

“Those are pretty, Mais.” He commented, a protective hand on Robbie’s back, keeping him safe. “Momma’s going to love those.” 

Hearing the familiar rumble of a plane, he looked to the west, seeing a B-17 nearing the landing strip. “Maisie, look.” 

John watched her, watching the plane, her mouth dropping open as she watched it smoothly touch down. “Woah.”

Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he gave her a look. “You think that’s momma’s plane?” 

Maisie’s eyes swept the area around the plane, looking for the very familiar woman. John’s eyes were training on the yolk, looking for Addie. “Mais, look.” 

Pointing towards the plane, the two watched Addie drop down from the plane and land steadily on her feet. Reaching up, she grabbed her bag before looking over her shoulder at the men congregating around her.  John grinned watching her speak to the men, giving them a stern look. He pushed to his full height, reaching down to grab Maisie’s hand in his. 

Before long, Addie dismissed the men, making her way towards where her family stood. Grinning, she bent down, greeting Maisie as she came running towards her. “Well, this is a nice surprise. Hi, my girl.” 

“Momma! You flew the plane in.” Maisie cheered, hugging Addie with a giggle. “Got you these.” 

Thrusting the flowers forward, Addie oo-ed at them, appreciatively, before smelling them, pressing a kiss to her daughter's head. “They’re so pretty and they smell really good, Maisie. Thank you so much.” 

Pushing herself up, she linked hands with Maisie before they made their way back to where John and Robbie were standing. “This was a nice surprise, seeing you all here.” 

John leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips with a grin. “Always good to see you work. Heard you had a rough flight.”

“Who told you?” Addie grinned, chuckling, running her hand through Robbie’s curls as he slept on John’s shoulder. 

“Adam stopped by just before you landed and said that you were yelling on the radio at your student.” John laughed. “He also slipped that you weren’t supposed to be up in the air today.” 

Addie rolled her eyes with a giggle and a shrug of her shoulders. “He’s right about that - I wasn’t supposed to be up in the air but managed it anyway. I had a cocky jerk in my class today who had a mouth on him - he was challenging me every step of the way so I told him to put his skills where his mouth was and up we went.”

“So what was with the yelling?” John asked, pulling her into his free arm. 

Addie grinned. “I wanted him to do a steep dive, and he was refusing so I bullied him into it. I wanted to see how he’d react with mayhem around him. Let’s just say he’s got some work to do but he’s learned that a female can be a better pilot than a cocky man.” 

“Kicking ass and taking names, Addie.” John laughed, leaning over and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “All in a day’s work.” 

Shrugging, Addie stepped to the side before throwing her bag over her shoulder. “Damn right. Uh . . . John, aren’t you missing something?” 

“What do you mean?” John looked around, seeing Maisie skipping beside them as they walked back to the car. 

Raising an eyebrow, Addie threw her bag in the trunk of the car before crossing her arms. “Our third child - where is she?” 

“Back home - Mrs. Jones offered to watch her.” John shook his head. “I was trying to wrangle all three out the door when Cora decided to throw a temper tantrum.” 

Cordelia “Cora” Elizabeth was the youngest child, just 9 months old. She was born just two months after they moved to North Carolina. She was by far their busiest baby - always had to be in the thick of things and didn’t like to be left behind. John and Addie were already predicting she would be walking before her first birthday, simply needing to keep up with her older sister and brother. 

“You couldn’t handle all three?” Addie smirked, raising an eyebrow at her husband. 

A yawn escaped his mouth as he shook his head. “When they’re perfectly well behaved, yes but Cora decided she wanted to scream and didn’t want to be contained.” 

“The high pitch screaming or just whining?” Addie asked, opening the back seat for Maisie to climb into. 

Digging into his pocket, he handed over the keys before walking around the car to climb into the passenger’s seat, with a nod. “The high pitch scream - her specialty.” 

Addie chuckled climbing into the car, starting the engine with a roar. Looking in the backseat, she saw Maisie flipping through a book. Before backing up, she stole a glimpse of John with Robbie sleeping in his arms - nothing sexier in her mind than her husband cradling their babies while they slept. 

“What are you doing this afternoon?” John asked, looking over at her with a raised eyebrow. 

Sighing, Addie eased the car out onto the road, driving back towards the house. “Laundry and probably should re-read my lessons for tomorrow, just so I know what I’m going to be teaching. You?” 

“Should probably read my lessons for tomorrow too but all I want to do is take a nap.” John admitted, rubbing a hand across Robbie’s back. 

Taking a hand off the steering wheel, she reached over and patted his leg. “The kids will be down for a nap so you can take one too - maybe I’ll even join you.” 

Raising an eyebrow, John looked at her, eyes filled with want. His voice dropped so their daughter wouldn’t hear them in the backseat. “A sexy nap?” 

“Perhaps.” She grinned, turning onto their street. “We’ll see how the next little bit goes.” 

John chuckled, shaking his head. Six years of marriage and three kids didn’t slow them down. She was still the sexiest woman he ever laid eyes on and there was no one that could convince him otherwise.

His eyes scanned the street as Addie drove slowly down it. His eyes narrowed and widened when he saw two people sitting on their front porch. “Were you expecting anyone?” 

Easing the car into the driveway, Addie threw it to a stop as she squinted, trying to make out who was sitting on the porch. She felt Maisie twirl her fingers in her hair as she stood behind them. “Uncle Buck!” 

Addie chuckled hearing Maisie call out before pushing open the car door and running off to the porch. Addie giggled watching her daughter throw herself at her uncle, hugging him tightly. “Shall we go greet our guests?” 

John chuckled, opening his door as Addie opened her, pushing herself out of the car with a groan. John held out his hand as she slipped her into his, giving it a squeeze, as they made their way to their porch. “Look who it is, stone in my shoe!” Buck called, pushing to a stand with a big grin on his face. 

“Oh, you know it.” John called back, stepping up to the porch, hand already outstretched. “What brings you here?” 

“I told you we were heading this way.” Buck grinned, shaking his hand enthusiastically.  

John shook his head. “Yes, you mentioned you were coming this way but you failed to mention when. You know, details are important, Gale.” 

“We didn’t know when we were going to be able to come. Thought we’d just surprise you. Besides, apparently, we have a new niece that we’ve yet to meet.” Buck grinned as Addie nodded, pulling back from her hug with Marge. 

“Of course. Let me go grab her.” Addie smiled. “It’s good to see you both and we’re so happy you’re here.” 

Addie excused herself, walking into the carport before opening the garage door. Stepping inside, she frowned at the quiet house, not used to it. Meatball came up to her as she bent down to give him rubs. “Hi Meatball. Oh, you’re such a good boy, uh huh.” 

Walking deeper into the house, she sighed. “Mrs. Jones?” 

“In here, dear.” The older woman called back from the living room. Making her way that way, Addie smiled at the woman. 

“You didn’t have to keep her, but we appreciate it.” Addie smiled, digging into her pocket for the cash she tucked in there earlier in the day. Offering the cash to the woman, Mrs. Jones waved her way. 

“There’s no need for that. The Lieutenant Colonel looked like he was struggling a bit - just offered to help him out.” Mrs. Jones smiled, pushing Addie’s hand away. “Besides, Cora is just an angel.” 

In April, John was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in a secret ceremony. Addie had gotten word just hours before the ceremony and with proud tears in her eyes, got to pin the silver oak leaf on him, in front of all their colleagues. 

Addie smiled, looking over at her daughter on the ground, surrounded by toys, grinning toothless. “Figures the man can navigate a B-17 but 3 children is what gives the man a hard time. I feel bad not paying you to watch her.” 

“I’ll take a loaf of your cinnamon raisin bread as a thank you.” Mrs. Jones grinned, as Addie quickly nodded. 

“I was planning on making some in the morning so I will have Maisie run it over to you as soon as it cools.” She grinned, walking over to where Cora was and picking her up. “Hi, my sweet girl. Your aunt and uncle are here to meet you.” 

Mrs. Jones smiled. “I will head home. Anytime you need me to watch her, happy to do so. She’s a sweetheart.”

“She has her moments, that’s for sure.” Addie kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Thank you again. We appreciate it, more than you’ll know.”

Following the woman out of the house, she said her goodbyes again before making her way to the front of the house where everyone was. Addie smiled seeing Robbie sound asleep on John’s shoulder as him, Marge, and Buck quietly talked. Maisie was riding her bike in the driveway, carefully avoiding the parked car. 

“There she is.” John smiled seeing her walk up. 

Smoothing Cora’s hair, Addie smiled, looking at Buck and Marge. “Buck, Marge, this is Cordelia or Cora as we affectionately call her. Cora, this is your Uncle Buck and Aunt Marge.” 

“Oh, she’s precious.” Marge smiled, looking at the baby in Addie’s arms. “And I love her name.” 

Addie and John both laughed at that. “We had the hardest time trying to figure out her name. Maisie and Robbie’s names were easy to come up with. We had our lists from before but couldn't figure out what name fit her. John threw out Cordelia and at first, I said it was a mouthful. Then I figured out Cora would be a cute nickname for it and that’s what we settled on. Though, I haven’t had to full name her yet so we’ll see when that happens.” 

Marge stepped forward, holding out her hands. “May I?” 

Addie transitioned the baby to her arms as Cora’s eyes went wide as she looked at her arms. Addie stepped up to Buck, pulling him into a hug. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you both. How long are you staying?” 

“A few days. I have a meeting up in Washington on the 11th so we’ll take off that morning.” Buck squeezed her tight, stepping out of the hug. 

Addie’s eyes went wide. “Hobnobbing it with the brass, Buck?” 

“It’s just a meeting. You go where the Air Force wants you to go, Addie. You should know this by now.” He teased, knocking his shoulder into her with a laugh. 

Nodding, Addie tucked her hands into her coat. “It starts off as just a meeting and the next thing you know, you’re moving halfway across the country to set up a new home with a new job. Know it a bit too well, Buck. We’ve been here almost a year and I’m waiting for the announcement we’re moving out. Just hope they don’t send us to cold weather.” 

“They know you wouldn’t make it in cold weather, Addie.” Buck threw back. “They know they’d hear about it if they sent you back to Michigan. Speaking of, how’s your family?” 

Addie grinned thinking about her family. “They’re all doing well - coming to visit next week so it’s good you’re getting out of town before they all descend here.” 

Charlie and Anna got married six months after they returned back to the States. A year after their wedding, they welcomed their first child, Benjamin Charles, who was the absolute apple in their eyes. Two years after that, they welcomed their daughter, Mollie Adelaide, who was just as feisty as her aunt. They were still in Michigan, though they visited several times throughout the year, much to John and Addie’s delight. 

Elizabeth and Brady took their time and didn’t get married until 2 years after returning to the States. Brady was part of the mission that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. After that mission, he went back to Elizabeth, who was finishing up her own duty at the base. They were both sent back to the States in November of 1945, they settled in Philadelphia and started making themselves a home. They welcomed James Oliver in 1948 and Hazel Olivia in 1950. Elizabeth had retired from being a nurse, content to be a stay-at-home mom. 

Her father, Charles, settled back in Michigan, enjoying his time as a grandfather. After the war, he retired as a full Colonel, opting to live out the rest of his days in peace. He volunteered at the local nursing home, reading to elderly and assisting in any way he could. But he was happiest when he had his seven grandchildren and his six children around him. 

“There’s nothing like a Baker family reunion.” Marge chuckled, shaking her head. She would know as she had been invited to a few of them throughout the years. 

John laughed loudly, startling Robbie, who whined at the sudden noise. “Southern Pines won’t know what hit them after next week.” 

“I wish I could disagree but you’re speaking the truth.” Addie chuckled, excited to see her family again. 

Robbie picked his head up from John’s shoulder, looking around. Addie smiled, watching his eyes widened at the sight of his aunt and uncle. “Uncle Buck!” 

“Hey buddy. Good nap?” Buck asked, reaching over to ruffle his hair as Robbie nodded, stretching. 

Reaching for Buck, John easily handed him over before pulling Addie into his arms, rocking her back and forth gently. “Happy?” 

“Uh huh, the happiest.” She murmured back, stepping on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Sorry you’re not going to get your nap in today.” 

John scoffed, returning her kiss. “It’s alright - I get to catch up with my best friend. I’m sure you and Marge have some catching up to do.” 

9:30pm

Buck and Marge had stayed through dinner before making their way back to their hotel for the night. Promises of breakfast in the morning before plans were made of showing the two the quaint town of Southern Pines. Many hugs were given, John and Addie excited to have their best friends in town for a few short days. 

Taking the washrag to the counter, she wiped off the last crumbs from dessert before tossing it back into the sink. She could hear John down the hall, saying prayers with Maisie before wishing her goodnight. Leaning against the counter, she yawned, shaking her head trying to figure out what still needed to be done before she went to bed herself. 

Smiling, she watched John make his way towards the kitchen with a grin. Coming closer, his hand was already extended, pulling her into him. “All three kids are passed out and in sweet dream land.” 

“Daddy of the year right there.” She murmured, her hand snaked up to run her fingers through the baby curls on the nape of his neck. Her other arm was around his shoulders. 

His arms tugged her closer as he guided them around the kitchen. “John Egan, are you willingly dancing with me?”

“We haven’t gone out dancing in a while and I know I owe you a date night or three.” He murmured, arms tightening around her waist. 

She hummed, knowing he was right. They hadn’t had a date in a few months, busy with work and the kids. “We’ll plan one and get a babysitter, then you can take me out for dinner and a night of dancing.” 

He leaned down, stealing a kiss from her. “Sounds like a plan, Major Egan.” 

A groan passed her lips as she lightly tugged on his curls. “You know what that does to me.” 

“Might have been why I said it, Addie.” He whispered, stealing a few more kisses from her as a low moan escaped. “Love you, Addie.”

“Love you too, John.” She smiled up at him, moving her hand to cup his jaw, thumb rubbing the stubble on his cheeks. “We’ve made a pretty spectacular life together.” 

John’s mouth widened, taking in her lips. “And to think I only wanted to seek comfort in your arms and get to know you. Never imagined falling in love with you and you turning my entire world upside down, but here we are.” 

“Seriously?” She fought the laugh that threatened to escape. “Only wanted to take comfort in my arms?”

John held up a hand laughing. “That was just until I got to know your feisty spirit, Bluebird. I was in awe of how you commanded the respect of everyone around you, yet you were an absolute sweetheart. You did things and asked for forgiveness later. I honestly can’t believe I didn’t goof up around you more. You captured me under your spell and haven’t let go yet, thankfully.”

Giggling, she reached up to run her thumb across his jaw, sighing softly. “And here we are - eight years later, six years married, and three kids.” She grinned at him, standing on her tiptoes kissing him.  “Would you change anything?” 

Pausing their dance, John thought back on the last eight years. Though the time in the Stalag was difficult, especially not knowing how she was doing and worrying about her not knowing he was safe, John shook his head. “I don’t think I would. Yes, I wish I would’ve left things between us better when I went down, in the end, I got to come home to you, marry you and start our lives together. Would you change anything?” 

“Same as you - wish we would’ve left things differently when you went up to Munster but other than that, we’ve built a pretty fantastic life together and I wouldn’t change anything else.” She murmured, as he kissed her passionately. “Love you, John. You’re everything I wished for during those days you were in the Stalag. We’ve built a perfect life - you and our kids, that’s all I ever needed.”

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, John sighed. Through all the bad days, Addie had been there by his side. But they had made it through and only bright days ahead for the Egan family. 

That's it! My story has come to an end and "Taking Comfort (In Your Arms)" is a wrap! Now there's a few "extras" that I'm working on and should be posted in the next few weeks, but the main story is a wrap.

Thank you all for coming along the ride. All the comments and likes have been much appreciated. Not sure if I'll continue writing - outside of the extras, I don't have anything up my sleeve. But my tumblr is open if you want to come say hi!

Outtake 1 - Bike Races

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Praises Warden's Bravery," Wichita Beacon. December 12, 1931. Page 1. ---- LEAVENWORTH, KAN., Dec. 12. - (UP) - The bravery of Warden T. B. White "saved my life from the three convicts who kidnaped me," Elizabeth Phillips, 18, married daughter of Joseph Gates, farmer, said today in an exclusive interview with United Press.

The three convicts, who held Warden White captive, entered the Gates home seeking to escape pursuing possemen. They captured the girl and her brothers to use as shields.

Mrs. Phillips said the men told her they were revenue men and that they wanted her to go to a neighbor's house with them.

"I thought the warden was one of the 'revenue officers," she said.

"When we started to leave an army airplane (from Ft. Leavenworth) flew low over the house. The men were frightened and it was then that I was sure they were not federal officers.

"The men took an automobile from four Leavenworth boys and decided to take Warden White, my- self, and my brother along as shields.

"I know you're going to kill me,'" Mrs. Phillips quoted the warden as telling the convicts. "But don't kill these two. They aren't in it at all."

"I jumped out of the car and started to run. Warden White grappled with the men. I heard a shot and turned - Warden White fell.

"The men must have thought they had killed him, because they left.

"I am sure they intended to kill all of us, and only Warden White's bravery saved us."

[anza-redstar]

Cook was transferred from Fort Worth jail to Leavenworth penitentiary on April 6, 1925. He was by all accounts a model prisoner—aside from his irksome habit of washing just once a week, based on the medically dubious notion that bathing opened the pores up to disease. He took up embroidery as a hobby and, like so many things he set his mind to, mastered it. “The result of this needle work I prize today quite as much as the best of my literary efforts,” he wrote. (The warden once submitted Cook’s floral designs anonymously to a statewide contest, in which he won first place, beating out the housewives of Kansas.)

[soupdwelling]

what the fuck do you mean jon matteson worked at fort leavenworth and got peppersprayed once and had his headshots taken by a random guy he worked with and some other guy he worked with made sausages in his basement what is going on

[abraxastes]

fort leavenworth ks

[railwayhistorical]

San Pedro River This is where Charleston Road crosses over the San Pedro River. (The historical site of Charleston is nearby.) Adjacent to the old bridge is a historical marker for the Mormon Battalion. Here they had a "battle of the bulls" (1846) on their march between Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and San Diego. The battle was with actual bulls, not people. Two images by Richard Koenig; taken May 4th 2024. Land acknowledgement: O’odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O’odham (Upper Pima), Tohono O’odham, Hohokam.

[myhauntedsalem]

Elizabeth Polly’s Grave

A cholera epidemic hit Fort Hays in Central Kansas in 1867. Elizabeth Polly lived at Fort Hayes with her husband, Ephraim Polly.

Elizabeth worked in the Fort Hays hospital with her husband who was an Army Hospital Steward.

A legend states that Elizabeth was a trained nurse. But other stories state she was just a Good Samaritan. Regardless, many believed she was God sent for she nursed and comforted the sick and dying during this epidemic.

Working day and night, Elizabeth’s only respite was an occasional stroll atop nearby Sentinel Hill.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth fell ill with this disease herself in the fall of 1867. Her dying wish was to be buried on top of Sentinel Hill. At her funeral she was given full military honors to recognize her courageous efforts.

But her dying wish was not to be for Sentinel Hill is made of solid bedrock so she was buried at the base of this hill instead.

In 1905, Fort Hayes was closed. All the soldiers’ bodies were moved to Fort Leavenworth. The civilians were placed in Hays City Cemetery. But Elizabeth’s body remains.

Starting in 1917, there have been many sightings of Elizabeth’s ghost.

A farmer, John Schmidt reported seeing a woman dressed in blue walking across his back pasture. He followed her as she headed toward Sentinel Hill. He watched as she entered one of his sheds.

When he arrived and inspected the area no one was there.

In the 1950s a highway patrolman stated he hit a woman wearing a blue dress and white bonnet with his patrol car near Sentinel Hill. When he got out to look around the woman he hit was gone and his car was not damaged.

Elizabeth was buried in a blue dress and white bonnet.

Many witness accounts state that when Elizabeth is seen she emits a glowing blue light. Because of this her ghost has been nicknamed Blue Light Lady.

Her ghost is frequently seen wandering atop Sentinel Hill–the place she loved best.

In the 1960s Elizabeth finally got her dying wish. Her body was reburied at Sentinel Hill’s summit. A marker placed on her grave reads “The Lonely Grave.”