Emmitt L. Schiff and Mary Huffaker, schoolmates of the Sharon High School, were united in marriage at Wichita, Kansas, November 3, 1933, while Mary was attending a State Teachers' Meeting. She continued teaching in the rural schools until 1936.

October 31, 1937, their first child, James Lewis (Jim) was born in the local hospital at Sharon, Kansas. The hospital was located at the former Duckworth residence with Dr. J.M. Gacusana as the attending physician. In two more years another child, Charlotte Gloria, was born at this hospital. By this time Dr. Gacusana was called to be an Army doctor in Minnesota. The hospital was discontinued; so when the next child was born, Mary Ann, Dr. Galloway's intern, J.T. Terry, M.D., at the Anthony hospital was the attending physician.

This family lived five miles west of Sharon on the Crawford farm, owned by W.C. Schiff. In 1944 another girl was welcomed into the family, and they named her Emma Lou.

Jim, Charlotte, and Mary Ann attended the country school Central View, one and one-half miles from their home. This was their dad's childhood school, where he graduated from the eighth grade, later attending Sharon High School.

In the spring of 1947 a tornado swept through this vicinity, demolishing the bedroom in which the three older children slept. Charlotte and Mary were blown out of their bed into the yard, but uninjured. Charlotte quickly grabbed Mary Ann's hand, and they both ran into the storm cellar nearby.

In October the family moved to Mary's birthplace, one-half mile south of Sharon. The children attended Sharon Grade School, all graduating from the high school.

In the meantime, on September 22, 1950, another girl, Kathleen Diane (Kathy), was added to the happy family. She, too, attended the grade and high school, later completing nurses' training at St. Joseph's Hospital at Wichita in 1971. She earned the Sister M. Mel Bride C.S.J. award.

In 1952 an epidemic of polio broke out in the Sharon community, striking over 30 children. They were rushed to hospitals in Wichita for treatment, where all but two survived. James (Jim), Charlotte, Mary Ann, and Kathy suffered from this disease. Kathy and Jim were in the Wesley Hospital at Wichita for several weeks, while Mary Ann and Charlotte were treated at home by the local Nashville doctor, T.L. Waylan.

All of these children are grown and married, living with their families within one hundred sixty miles from their home town. Emmitt and Mary reside on the homestead. Emmitt has participated in all of the Peace Treaty Pageants since its beginning in 1927.

---

Articles on this site about the

Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treaty

Signing of Indian Treaty to be Celebrated in 1927, The Western Star, June 25, 1926.

Ten Bears, Comanche Chief, Made an Eloquent Address At The Medicine Lodge Peace Council
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

"The Medicine Lodge Peace Council", New York Daily Tribune Report
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

"The Medicine Lodge Peace Council": A Graphic Description of Famous Peace Council By An Eye Witness, Gov. A. A. Taylor of Tenn.
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

The Medicine Lodge Peace Council Location:
Sworn Statement of I-See-O
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

"The Medicine Lodge Peace Council" by George Bent
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

"The Medicine Lodge Peace Council": Some More Interesting Articles Telling About Famous Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Council
Barber County Index, September 29, 1927.

Governor Paulen's Address Regarding the Medicine Lodge Peace Council
Barber County Index, October 20, 1927.

It Went Over!
Barber County Index, October 20, 1927.

---

Also see:

Maxine Phyllis (Martin) Schiff

Kenneth Lawrence Schiff, husband of Maxine Phyllis Martin.

Mary (Huffaker) Schiff

William C. and Mary (Reinke) Schiff

---

The following RootsWeb Visitors Counter began counting on 14 June 2008.

---

This RootsWeb website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was created 6 September 2006 and was last updated 14 June 2008.