I borrowed this recipe from the class of '60 website, with permission.  I'm putting it here because it may disappear from their website.  No, I'm not about to start exchanging recipes, but I have so many memories of T-bone John's place I'm thinking of whipping up a batch of his hot sauce.  And I don't even like hot stuff. 

Is it John T-bone?  I think we always called him T-bone John.  And what was the name of his place?  John's T-bone Steak House?  Did I just say I had a lot of memories of the place?  Evidently not very reliable ones. 

Here's Keith Swinehart's announcement on the '60 website.

Classmates,

This recipe was distributed at our 35th Reunion in 1995. I think Keef was the one who gave us all the recipe. I have made it on occasions, and love it. Problem I have is eating enough hamburgers to use up the four pints of sauce. My last batch included canned tomatoes since I didn't have enough fresh ripened, home-grown tomatoes. I might also add more tobasco, or using more jalapeo peppers next time to spice things up a bit more. It's great sauce no matter what you do to it. Thanks, Keef. Don't know how you got it, but it ought to be a franchise.

Keith Swinehart

Blend the first ingredients and pour into a large pot.

Add the remainder of ingredients and stir well. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally (2-4 hours).

I have made this sauce too, many moons ago. Halve or quarter the recipe unless you eat burgers all the time. I must say, although it was good, it did not taste as I remembered T-Bone John's sauce. Maybe that's true with all good things. His was just incredible. I wonder how he and the lady in the purple dress (his wife? his sister?) ever landed in McPherson. Anyone have their story?

I don't know the story but I'll ask my sister.  Back in our high school days my Dad owned a duplex right across the street from T-Bone Johns and my sister and husband lived in it when they were first married.  Therefore, they ate there a lot.  Do you remember the County Yards right on the corner across from T-Bones?  The duplex was just to the North of the county yards.  This land belonged to my Dad and he eventually sold it to Dillons where the store is now.

Rich Patton, '61, sent this to us yesterday.  Lane

Carol:
  I was looking through your website when I saw the comments about John.  I can't post to your site but here's my information on him as I remember him very well & dad always tried to help him. 
 
John Psaltis was born in Greece 16 Aug 1889 and died in McPherson in April 67.  I had an obituary but can't find it now though do have notes.  He 1st had a place downtown before moving to way south in that sandstone block building on the east side of about the 1200 block of south Main.  That was were Wayne Gray went in and asked for a T-bone steak, knowing full well he didn't have any.  That was the maddest I had ever seen John cause Wayne just kept on him. Can't remember what year he moved up north but maybe you remember the old Bluebird Cafe which was across the street up there but had closed down before John moved.  John was married to the purple woman, got divorced but still lived together.  John had a younger brother in Wichita that was still alive when John passed away.  He would take a bus down to Mexico every year or so and pick out all the hot peppers he needed.  I think that was his secret. I remember him also reading  a newspaper in the Greek language. He would carry with him a lot.  I know David remembers the time we saw him drop an onion on the floor, pick it up, look at it then throw it away.  We were shocked especially with all the cats that use to roam around there and kid each other about it not being the same cats ever ( he did get his meat at Dillons ).   I did see him rub his underarm at the grill once, couldn't watch him cook after that. Hamburgers were a quarter for a long time but remember when he up the price to 35 cents.  My dad had me go to John's apartment once to help move some furniture or something for him.  He lived above the shops in the 100 block of north Main, about the second or third store from the north on the east side. Wasn't much of a place.  We always had a jar of his hot sauce in the refrigerator.  My brothers no doubt remember a lot more..
 
  Some time I'll write you about Whittie's (how did he spell that?) and the Cozy Inn.
 
Rich