Jay Rutan brought his family to Medicine Lodge in the spring of 1940 from Pratt, where he had run a confectionery for 19 years. In the winter of 1939 Jay bought Lyman Russell’s business, and he had been rooming with Mae and Marvin Parsons at 206 West Kansas Avenue until school was out, and he could bring his wife, two daughters, and his son to Medicine Lodge.

Jay Bartlett Rutan was born in Carrollton, Missouri, in 1896, the son of Oliver and Tempi Mason Rutan. On May 29, 1919, he married Clara Mae Bunting, the daughter of Harry and Lola Bowers Bunting, in St. John, Kansas. Their children were Margaret (Vaughn), Betty (Frisbie), and Bob.

The family came to Medicine Lodge, first to live at 310 West Kansas Avenue and finally at 210 West Second Avenue. Jay also bought the Hittle farm, which he rented to Earnest Riggins. Later, daughter Betty and her family lived on the farm.

Medicine Lodge was growing in those days, and Jay became friends with fellow business owners, such as Gladys Spencer (Youngers), who with her sister was starting a dry goods store; Thelma and Ed Dye, who had the wonderful café at 103 North Main; and Charlie Hall, who owned the Street Car Café up the street near the Standard Oil station. (Charlie had the best hot beef sandwich in town – for 25 cents!)

With his employees – who included Alma Jarnigan (Haynes), later City Clerk – Jay ran a thriving business, serving sandwiches, chili, soft drinks, and ice cream. During World War II, Rutan’s was the only place in Medicine Lodge where one could eat out at night. Saturday nights were always busy because the farmers and their families came to town to sell produce and to buy groceries and other necessities for the week, and guys from the Pratt Air Base came to town to the dances at the Legion Hall. And, of course, when I was in Junior High, Rutan’s was the place to spend Saturday night – especially when we could dance there in the back room. For some reason the government decided to put a cabaret tax on dancing, so we could listen to music, but not dance to it. My Mother did rent Rutan’s back room for my 16th birthday party – and we danced then!

In 1946 because of failing health, Jay sold the confectionery to Herman Snyder and Skeet Smith, who later sold it to Hank Hart and Charlie Bain.

Jay continued to be active, working at the grocery store at 201 North Main, where the library is now, and for Nick Baker at his corner grocery at 413 North Main (later Mayfield’s). Jay and Clara were also active in the Christian Church.

The Rutans’ son, Bob, was 14-years-old when the family moved to Medicine Lodge. He graduated from Medicine Lodge High School with the Class of 1944 – and soon after joined the Navy until World War II was over.

After the war, Bob worked for a while as a substitute mail carrier, then decided to be a self-employed carpenter. Bob and his Dad had built a rental apartment house at 303 North Oak when they lived on West Second.

In 1953 Bob and Lester Shaw began to work in the carpentry business together, forming Shaw and Rutan Construction Company. They worked together until 1976, when Lester retired and Bob bought his partnership. The business became Rutan Construction Company, and Bob’s son, Mike, eventually joined him.

In 1956 Bob Rutan married Margaret Colborn, the daughter of William H. and Madge Bayliffe Colborn. They began married life in a new home at 500 North Oak.

Now they live in the imposing brick home at 315 El Dorado Avenue. They are the parents of two daughters, Teresa (Farrar) and Michele, and one son, Michael Jay, who lives with wife, Christi, and their family at 200 South Walnut.

Margaret Rutan’s mother, Madge Bayliffe, had come to Barber County in 1910 with her parents, Robinson and Ida (Martindale) Bayliffe, her sister, Alice (Tharp), and brother, Martindale, from Crosby Garrett, Westmoreland, England. Mr. Bayliffe’s cousin was Tom Balmer, who lived here. The Bayliffe’s had three more children – Sarah (Vincent), Isaac, and Ena (Smith). Mr. Bayliffe worked at the Gyp Mill for a while, then when Mr. Balmer moved to town, the Bayliffes moved to the farm. Madge’s father, Robinson, was also a Wesley Methodist minister, and at times would conduct the services at the Methodist Church in Medicine Lodge.

More next week . . . .