I read the Great Bend Tribune news report: “Pain at the Pump” (May 5th issue). My comments here are not intended to be political by any means. This is not the time for fault-finding or finger-pointing. However, our current energy supply-chain snags were easy to spot. Any 9th-grade school student in Kansas who ever took a geography class in school knows that the Strait of Hormuz is the functional equivalent of “threading a needle.” Although at its narrowest-point it may be about 21 miles wide, the only viable area where merchant-ships, tankers, and carriers can pass in only a mere 2 miles wide.
Not only do cars and trucks need gasoline and diesel to run, a good chunk of nearly all merchandise has some sort of petroleum composition in either its composition or transport. Medicines, cosmetics, clothing, electronics, foodstuffs, even vitamins.
I remember the Oil Crisis of the early 1970s. It was pretty ugly. Prices spikes, long-lines of cars waiting to refuel at the pumps. Tempers flared, and politicians moaned, and the average citizen had their billfolds squeezed hard.
I can remember when my parents stopped for gasoline (at a gas-station no longer in existence) right before the energy-crisis hit for an amazing 29-cents per gallon at Kanorado, Kansas. Just days later, the price didn’t just “jump a few pennies,” it leaped by dimes at a time !!!
Within weeks from now, Kansas farmers will be entering wheat-harvests; trucks will be hauling grain to elevators. Yet, the vacationing “travel-season” with the family car isn’t even here yet. What will the Summer of 2026 be like? Normally, solemn Memorial Day observances, Independence Day parades and cookouts on the 4th of July. All of those endeavors require “money,” but this year, it will require money and added fuel expense, which ripples into HIGHER OVERALL COSTS (for everyone).
Years ago, I enjoyed watching patriotic parades of marching bands, floats, and entries such as the Shriners with various “Units” such as their Patrol, Tin-Lizzies, tiny cars, and even bagpipers. While this is all done voluntarily free-gratis by members; the higher the travel cost to any given town whether Great Bend or Atchison or Wellington: FUEL PRICES going higher and higher naturally makes members rethink about traveling. I should know, my late dad belonged to the Shriners at Wichita for 50 years, I formerly belonged to the Shriners at Salina, but recently, I have transferred my membership to another city.
The originator of the Shriners Uniformed Units was a Civil War veteran: Captain Alfred Mayhew Shuey (1848-1930). During the bulk of his life, Shriners traveled between town-parades chiefly by steam engine railroad train. “Cap” Shuey was a railroad clerk by occupation, so he knew his stuff. Those were the days when “Coal was King.”
In a related-vein, another man: George Nelson Moses (1844-1911). He was profiled in the Great Bend Tribune in the article: “Historic revolver could anchor future courthouse display” (March 26, 2026 issue), since G.N. Moses was the first Sheriff of Great Bend.
Mr. Moses was similar to Mr. Shuey: Both were Civil War veterans and both were Freemasons and fraternal men who loved the community. Mr. Moses was a little bit of everything in Great Bend: He was a Master Mason (past presiding officer) a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar; a member of Great Bend Odd Fellows lodge; a Knight of Pythias; a member of the Elks Lodge; and a member of the GAR (Civil War society). He was a well-rounded man.
As for “Energy,” we need to be like our forefathers. They had kerosene lamps, believed in self-reliance, and persevered.
James A. Marples
Ebson, Kansas
