John Hazelbaker, manager of the Midland Trail between St. Louis and Denver was in Stockton a short time last Thursday in the interest of the trail and his business was getting things in shape for the race which is scheduled for August 15th. Mr. Hazelbaker will use a Buick stock car and will endeavor to show that the train is in such condition that a car can leave Kansas City and beat the Rock Island train into Denver. Practically all the towns along the route have pledged Mr. Hazelbaker their support in having the roads in readiness across their respective counties. City officials have promised to cooperate to the extent of keeping the streets clear of cars until he passes through their city. Roads will be patrolled the entire distance. Hazelbaker will leave Kansas City at 2:00 o’clock in the morning and expects to reach Denver at 9:00 in the evening. According to his schedule he will pass through Stockton at 11:36 that morning. People along the trail between Kansas City and Denver are showing great interest and it is believed that this will be one of the best advertisements that the Midland Trail can possible get.

A tense situation and much excitement prevailed in Phillipsburg on Saturday night when 100 armed I.W.W. men attempted to liberate three of their comrades from the county jail. The invading I.W.W.s had barely reached the jail when several score of citizen deputies under Sheriff McKenzie sprang up and demanded their surrender at the point of guns. The leader of the mob commanded his men to surrender and give up their weapons. Eighteen of them were put into jail and the balance were marched by pairs in different directions into the country and ordered never to return.

Ralph Griffin with his son, Harry and Elwyn Hawk, returned last Sunday from a visit with Ralph’s mother, Mrs. H. H. Griffin and sister, Mrs. F. V. Ison at Pleasanton, Kansas. Ralph also visited the Kansas City markets while away and bought piles of new merchandise.

Another change in business firms—this time Fred (Swede) Colson buying a half interest in C. A. Wilson’s suitatorium. The deal was made the later part of last week. Swede is an old hand at his business serving eleven years and during that time he got the business down pat. Since disposing of his interest in the store some weeks ago, he has been itching to get back into business and he returned to his old love. Mr. Wilson’s business has grown to the point of either employing a workman or taking a partner and the latter was more acceptable with him. Both are splendid fellows and they will profit in the change. Their firm name will read Colson & Wilson.

A business transaction that created some little surprise in Stockton business circles this weekend happened when George G. Hamilton sold his drug store to O. S. Ellvin, the contract being signed Saturday evening. Mr. Hamilton came here a little over nine years ago and bought the store. During those years he has prospered— continually adding in equipment and stock until he now has one of the best stores in this section of the state. Mr. Hamilton is a live businessman, alert in drug ideas and very agreeable. The sale was so unexpected with him that he has not formulated any future plans. He states that he expects to rest up a few weeks and later will re-enter the business in some other location. Mr. Ellvin needs no introduction. He has lived here for the past five years, and for three years owned the store, now owned by Roy C. Snyder. He is very pleasant and a good mixer. Mr. Ellvin is one of the oldest registered pharmacists in Kansas—not in years, but in registration numbers. He will retrain Mrs. Drumm as his assistant and she is very efficient. Good luck to Mr. Ellvin and we say goodbye to Mr. Hamilton.

Jack Glynn of the Glynn Detective Agency of Leavenworth with one of his assistants, county attorney Farrish and county sheriff Gilbert held an investigation in Plainville in which sixteen parties were questioned concerning the death of George Bedard. The Glynn Detective Agency has had several of its best detectives working on this case for over three weeks, and the investigation held last week brought out a chain of events which brought considerable light upon what so far has been a deep mystery. The Glynn Detective Agency will continue working on the case as it develops. During the investigation there were several new parties who were withholding information relative to the whereabouts of George Bedard on the afternoon and evening of the day he was killed.

The forty-sixth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Perrine Kincaid was celebrated by a good number of friends and neighbors coming to their home bringing well-filled baskets. Dinner was served under the old apple trees in the front of their home.

The Standard Filling Station was robbed sometime during Saturday night. The thieves gained entrance through a window in one of the side rooms giving access to the safe in the office proper. The combination of the safe was worked and the thieves helped themselves to $23.00, leaving enough change for the next day’s business. The shades on the three windows had been pulled down TO prevent any observation from outsiders. It is the general supposition that the work was done by someone around here who had knowledge of the combination on the safe.

Last Friday night the Arch Harvey home, just east of town across the railroad track, was totally destroyed by fire with all its contents. The house was unoccupied that night, Mr. Harvey staying at the home of his stepson, Albert Thayer. He had prepared supper at the home and it is presumed that the fire started from a defective flue. The fire was discovered about 12:00 o’clock and at the time the house was enveloped in flames and the fire department was unable to cope with the situation as the house was beyond water connection. However, a small shed adjoining the house was saved by the usual bucket brigade formed by the numbers volunteers. It is reported that Mr. Harvey carried $1,300.00 insurance.

The oldest resident of this vicinity, Mrs. Ann Van Duesen, 96 years, one month and 19 days, passed away at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. C. A. Hazen. When Ann was born the United States had less than 13,000,000 population, and only twenty-four states in the union. John Quincy Adams was president and Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson were among the political leaders.