ROSALEA REMEMBERS

As May l, 2008 approaches, I (Rosalea) become more and more nostalgic, thinking of the years that passed when Rosalea's Hotel opened in 1968, and how for more than a decade, I kept it open (during the summer for ten years while married). Then in the mid 80s the natives turned so ugly once again, and I could endure no more. I moved away.Tis a shame that they allowed that first week in 1968 to ruin a wonderful business that would have improved downtown Harper and restored an historic 1883 building...that first week the ole Police Chief Hatfield turned on me and I could not figure out why. Only in later years have the pieces come together--he thought I was running drugs in his territory. It wasn't me. It was Bill Earl, so he had him killed and covered the evidence by setting the jail on fire. Then he left the state and was later imprisoned for running guns and drugs...and then he, too, was murdered.
In 1994 I returned but nothing has changed. The poor locals addled on booze, meth, tranquilizers and fanatical religions still don't get it that an evil man ruined Rosalea's life forever in their town, ruined the town, ruined a viable business, ruined honesty and integrity, and allowed the Mennonites to disown and shun one of their own for the rest of her life. They still gossip and shun, just as they did 40 years ago...different faces, same family names. But there's still hope and despite the local apathy and oppression, there's still time to restore this amazing icon of the 70s....send your tax deductible donation today to The Balmer Fund, 121 West Main, Harper, KS. Or simply request to be on the irregular e-zine mail out: iread@priarieconnect.com And plan to Come celebrate the 40th with us in May 2008!