Tom Sharp - Retiring After 30 1/2 Years of Service

TOM SHARP, RURAL ROUTE MAIL CARRIER, IS RETIRING AFTER 30 1/2 YEARS OF SERVICE beginning with St. Francis Route 3 then adding Route 1 out of Haigler 4 years later. He has worked under 6 postmasters in St. Francis and 3 at Haigler, beginning (in Haigler) with Violet Trembly/Relph. Rita Stute assumed the position when Violet retired. Betty Sargent is the current Postmistress.

In the earlier years, Tom's Haigler route took him through the Horse Thief Canyon brakes into Kansas and continued on west to the Devil's Gap canyon road past Rex Daniels. Many times, he said, his track was the only one made through the canyons since the previous day. Each day he drives 122 miles with 150 boxes along the route. Not many of his original patrons are remaining.

Tom grew up in the area and is well acquainted with the people on his route. He has enjoyed serving them and says he is going to miss them.

June 30 will be the last day Tom will be delivering mail. His mailing address is RR 3, Box 150A in case anyone would like to send him a card or note of appreciation.

-- Local News