Ben Gunn - 1890 - Arcadia, Kansas

---

"When I realized that my ancestor,
Ben Gunn, had published a newspaper in our town over 100 years ago, I became fascinated and started going to the library to look up the old newspapers. Imagine my astonishment when I discovered that Ben Gunn's newspaper office had been located upstairs in my building! Then one day, as I read Ben Gunn's book, I began to hear melodies."

Holly Reed has studied music and written songs since childhood. For the past few years, she has focused on bringing to life the writings of her great-great-great uncle, Ben Gunn. Holly is currently performing locally and working on a tour of Kansas that will include every county.

---

"I thought it would be fun to follow in the footsteps of Ben Gunn
who gained the distinction of visiting every county. My tour is going to include all the counties of Kansas, but Ben Gunn actually visited every county in every state."
Ben Gunn was written up in Ripley's Believe it or Not for having visited every county in the 48 states in 1938. He could also recite from memory each place that he stayed the night.