90 Years Ago

A new carpet was laid last week in the foyer and the aisles of the Nova Theatre. It is a beautiful, thickpile fabric and was laid over the old carpet, making it incredibly soft to the touch. The carpet lights for the project room will be installed soon, which will give a clearer, better picture.

Rain finally came to western Kansas after over six weeks of dry weather, during which thermometers never failed to register at least 90 degrees and only failed to reach the 100 mark on two or three occasions.

With striking oil on the Haller land, getting a good showing on the Shoemaker test, and the announcement that a pipeline will be built into Rooks County, all happening within the past week, much interest has been drawn to the oil activity in this county.

Insects are damaging many stands of legumes and perennial grasses seeded for payment under the 1936 agricultural conservation program.

How many soldiers did Wild Bill Hickok kill in Hays on one blood-stirring and blood-spilling night in October 1868? History has been somewhat muddied. The number has ranged from two to six.

Wheat cutting is in full swing in Rooks County, with average yields running from 10 to 15 bushels per acre. Although some poor wheat is reported to yield only four bushels, there is considerably more good grain than bad.

Drilling on the Shoemaker and Hess well on the Stebbins land has been resumed. They are drilling ahead about 1,500 feet.

Facing the best outlook for a wheat crop they have seen in several years, the farmers of Rooks County have turned their thoughts toward harvest, and this week will see several commence binding. Some headers are also expected to get in the fields within the next few days.

The most important news of the week was the strike made by the Jones Drilling Company on the Wm. Solomon Ranch, 15 miles southwest of Plainville, with a hit in the silicious lime at 3,629-32 and filling the hole to 2,600 feet in 24 hours.

Shoemaker and Hess, on the Stebbins land about six miles southeast of Stockton, have set the big pipe and are drilling below 500 feet. Rooks County now has eight active drilling tests at two locations, with one location having the rig up.