The patrons of the Central Branch of the Missouri Pacific can now ride on one of the new gas trains. Wednesday forenoon, without previous announcement, the new motor train pulled into Stockton. There is no certain knowledge as to the plans of the passenger department of the Missouri Pacific as to the type of service to be given to the towns of the Central Branch. However, it is generally believed that this type of train will supply the regular service, with steam trains used when weather conditions make that kind of train necessary. The new train is a greatly improved model over the little old panting motorcar that stirred up so much ridicule and general disgust when it appeared on the Branch last fall. The new motorcar is 74 feet long and has sufficient power to pull two extra cars. It will seat 40 passengers and has enough mail and express capacity for ordinary times. While there is no local enthusiasm for motor transportation, the communities along the Central Branch cannot complain if they are generally given the same type of service offered by the railroads to similarly situated communities. We should extend thanks to passenger officials who visited Stockton some months ago for considering our objection to the panting jitney. It would just as well to withhold comment until some official announcement about permanent service has been received. Anyhow, the communities along the Central Branch will be better satisfied with the new service than they would have been with the old motor.

Word has just been received from Congressman Charles Sparks that the Veterans Bureau has allowed Mrs. Catherine Livingston of Stockton the adjusted service benefits for the death of her son, George C. Livingston, while he was in the service of his country during the World War. George Livingston was one of the Rooks County boys who sailed away to the battlefields of France and did not return. His mother had failed to comply with the technical requirements, but it took Congressman Sparks only a short time to secure action after he learned of the situation. George was the son of Oscar Livingston, who died some time ago. He was a brother to Carl, Sarel, Guy, Roy, and Orville Livingston.

The Efficiency Stores Company, with headquarters in Fairbury, Nebraska, is starting a closeout of its entire chain of stores. The company has many stores in Kansas and Nebraska. The sale of the stock and fixtures of the local institution began last week, and the reduced prices are causing the stock to move out rapidly. James Whitaker of Lexington, Nebraska arrived last Thursday to help the local manager, Mr. Carpenter, with the sale. Mr. Whitaker has only been with this organization for a few weeks, and his duties have been conducting the closeout sales.

Last week, the Review-Record celebrated its Golden Jubilee, marking the close of a half-century of service to the people of the Stockton community. The paper has been in continuous publication since December 1879 and has been published under the ownership of but two individuals. W. L. Chambers is its founder and present publisher, Harry L. Covert. Half a century seems like a long time. Yet, there are a few of the original subscribers still on the list, though in some cases transferred to the name of a son or daughter of the old pioneer, who chose fifty years ago to have his part in building a publishing institution in Stockton. In a way, the Review-Record can never become the sole possession of any individual, for in a real sense, it belongs to all the people of the Stockton community. From the time a new baby comes to live in a Stockton home until the final close of its life chapter, the home paper takes joy in recording the story of the happy events of its life. If occasionally an unpleasant incident is intentionally left unrecorded, the Review/ Record makes no apology. It was not founded as a scandal-monger. Its purpose of existence has been to help make Rooks County a better place in which to live. Its publishers have felt that could best be brought about by calling attention to the beautiful things of life and giving only the least possible attention to those sordid hours that creep into the lives of every community.

Rev. J. M. Mason, pastor of the Webster M. E. Church, is making a marked improvement from his injuries received in a car accident some weeks ago. He is in the Asbury Hospital in Salina. The accident occurred near Toronto, Kansas. The car struck an ice spot on the highway and skidded to the roadside, throwing Rev. Mason through the door. In some manner, he received a badly wrenched side and other injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Osage City, and then he was transferred to a cot in the baggage car and taken to Salina. Mrs. Mason was immediately notified of her husband’s accident and met him in Salina. She remained with him until a few days ago and then returned to their home at Webster.

There are no Rooks County Record newspapers for the last few weeks of 1925, so there will not be a “98 Years Ago” column for the remainder of the year. We hope to start up again in January..

Tom McCue had a little experience with a misbehaving car last Friday that gave him a thrill, with plenty of fright. Mr. McCue, who had other passengers in the car, his wife and three grandchildren, were returning home from Stockton, and at the Ustel Hubbel corner, the car skidded due to the snowy conditions of the road, and it overturned in a ditch. Oscar and Albert Albright, who were nearby, assisted in rescuing the passengers from the car and getting the machine back to the roadway. Neither the McCues nor their grandchildren were injured save being badly shocked. The windshield suffered destruction, as did the car top.

Superintendent L. H. Brewster of the Plainville schools and his entire faculty of teachers were in Stockton last Saturday attending the county teachers meeting. Mr. Brewster is a strong educator, a likeable gentleman and is giving his school pleasing satisfaction.

Mrs. Noah Myers of this city recently received a clipping from the Colorado Springs newspaper, giving a description and photo of a large boa constrictor in which her son, Harry Laird, had a part in the story. Harry is the head baker in the Federal Baker, and on October 1st the janitor of the building went into the basement and discovered the constrictor had taken charge of the room. He immediately called for assistance from the owner and employees and, in time, had the snake in their control. The monster was six inches in diameter and escaped from a show company, which had quartered in the building during the winter.

Another of the old historical spots of the town is going when the county disposes of the old courthouse buildings and tract of ground. The county commissioners discussed the advisability of disposing of this property and decided to sell it at private bids. As outlined, a bidder can place his offer on the entire property, buildings, and ground, or individually. Bids for the buildings will be opened on December 9th in the morning. Offers for the lots will be opened in the afternoon. This tract of land or sections of it is very desirable for residences. The Review and Record holds it as a most desirable choice location for a county hospital. The surroundings are good for such an institution, and this paper believes Rooks County should have its own hospital. The old building might be remodeled to fit the needs of the hospital or torn away and replaced by a fair-sized modern building. This is a suggestion offered by the Review and Record, which is not so bad.