Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays

In October, Historic Fort Hays have two events, on consecutive days that will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Fort Hays in its present location.

The first event is “Graveside Conversations,” on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Historic Fort Hays. Through first-person portrayals, visitors will learn how some of the people of Fort Hays lived and died. Tours are available at 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m.

The second event is “Presenting Elizabeth Polly, The Blue Light Lady.” No one knows Elizabeth Pollyʼs story prior to 1867, when she appeared at Fort Hays. She helped to care for and nurse all of the sick and dying soldiers who had been stricken with cholera. The soldiers called her their “little angel of Mercy.”

After weeks of the most dedicated service, she too succumbed to the dreaded disease. She was buried in her blue dress and white bonnet on Sentinel Hill. Since that day, 150 years ago, there have been numerous sightings of a woman wearing a long blue dress and a white bonnet. Some say she has a blue light surrounding her. Some people think she is looking for “her boys” in the abandoned military graveyard.

This program will be presented by John Vincent, Ethel Taylor and Rob Wasinger who will examine the legend of Elizabeth Polly. The program is on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. in the Visitorʼs Center at Historic Fort Hays.

Both programs are free and open to the public.

Fort Hays State Historic Site is located four miles south of I-70 exit 157 at Hays.