Another of Stockton’s successful businessmen has taken the long journey. The end came to J. A. Maris at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ruby Sweet, where he had been taken a few days before. Mr. Maris was born at Tuscola, Illinois on August 20th, 1858 and passed away to his reward on May 19th, 1923 at the age of 64 years, eight months and 29 days. He was married to Miss Nancy Ann Bailey at Westerville, Iowa on September 8, 1880. In the year 1885 the family came to Osborne County where they resided eight years on the farm after which they moved to Plainville, living there eight years and in 1900 moved to Stockton which has since been his home. In 1905 he entered the mercantile business and has since been one of the permanent and substantial members of the business fraternity of our city. Always public spirited and willing to sacrifice for any worthy object and generous in his support of church and public enterprises. The public library was a special child of his love and attention and he took great pride in the library and its welfare, for both the grounds and building as well as the institution itself. Many of the books in its shelves were his individual gifts. His early life was one of hardships. Left an orphan in his youth, life had been a struggle for him and he never learned to spare himself or engage in recreational pursuits which would prolong his life and health. Our loss; his gain. Our sorrow; his joy. Our tears to flow; his to be eternally dried. Our pressing onward to the goal; his to wait out our coming. God keep us till we meet again.

Senator Capper spoke to a large audience at the school auditorium last week. It was more of a talk than a set speech. He had been out to Webster in the middle of the day and had addressed the Capper Pig and Poultry Clubs in the M. E. Church and had been the guest of honor at a big luncheon. After passing effusive compliments on the Stockton people and praising Rooks County for erecting so magnificent a courthouse, and lauding the community for providing so liberally for the education of its young people, he spoke briefly of the work of Congress in helping the farmer to obtain a larger share in the returns from his industry—by curtailing the operations of the grain speculator, making the security of credit and other ways endeavoring to stabilize his markets. During his visit he was the guest of the American Legion, the committee having him in charge all the time of his stay being Dr. Swigart and Lyman Flint.

Last Sunday evening a Ford touring car containing Ival Colburn, wife and three children, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Stewart and baby, skidded and overturned a short distance east of town resulting in a few minor injuries to the occupants, but demolishing the top and windshield. The Colburns and Stewarts were on their way to Stockton from Leavenworth for a visit with relatives. Near Osborne, they encountered a heavy rain and were making a safe journey until near the Joe Watts place, when the car skidded and struck the ditch. It was lucky that none were injured beyond a few cuts and scratches.

Elmer Odle, son of Chas. Odle, caught ten young wolves last Friday. Elmer discovered the den on the George Lancaster farm and proceeded to dig into it. He was greatly surprised to find ten little fellows, only a few days old. He brought them to town and had them on show at Eades’ store a short time before claiming his reward.

Had the rainy dedication of the courthouse been a day later, there would have been several thousand people present since the weather decided not to cooperate on the following day. As it was, some six hundred visitors thronged the building, looking over the spacious and elegant quarters provided for the transaction of the county business. J. R. Cuthbert, the contractor who was present at the dedication, said he was glad to be here. He had built eight courthouses in the state and there was not one to be compared with this. He had done his best with it in every part and congratulated the people of the county on having such a structure.

The dedication of the new courthouse and high school building was held on April 20th. Reverent J. Edward Kulp, one of the best orators in Kansas, delivered the dedicatory address with other speakers for the day being O. O. Osborn, Honorable Charles I. Sparks and S. R. Tucker. President W. A. Lewis gave the dedicatory address for the high school that evening. Dinner and supper were served by the ladies of both the Methodist and Christian churches in the basements of their respective buildings. The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion served coffee, sandwiches and pie. The weather was more propitious for crops than for dedications or outdoor gathers since a cold north wind, laden with rain drops blew all day, keeping at home many people who would otherwise have come from uttermost confines of the county to witness the impressive consecration of the great building that is to stand for generations as a worthy monument to the enterprise and the faith of this age.

With this issue our work as editor and publisher of the Record closes. Last week a contract was signed with Mr. Harry L. Covert for the sale of the Record and its consolidation with the Review. This paper, which has been published by us continuously for 43 years, five months and ten days without missing an issue in all that time, has passed to other hands. This sort of announcement may sound like an obituary, but in reality it is not, for the old home paper will continue its weekly appearances with the familiar name preserved in its hyphenated title of its successor. We merely step out, but the paper goes on forever, we are hoping. It is not without sadness that we terminate our long connection with the Record. How would it be otherwise? During practically all of our adult life we have recorded the doings of this community, eulogized the dead and passed out bouquets to the living when they got married or performed other creditable acts. We have a feeling of satisfaction that we have printed an infinitely greater amount of praise than criticism. Long ago we got into the habit of saying good things about people whether they liked us or not, and forgetting to record whatever unpleasant incidents may

Blue pencil your calendar for April 20th, when the magnificent Rooks County Courthouse will be dedicated. Reverend J. Edmond Kulp, one of the best orators of Kansas, will deliver the dedication address. The program will be rendered in front of the building at 2:00 p.m. Guides will be stationed throughout the building both in the forenoon and afternoon for the purpose of showing the people through the structure. Mrs. W. F. McNulty went to Osborne Friday evening to visit her mother in the hospital. After they had gone to bed somebody shouted, “Get out, the house is on fire!” There were very hasty exits and they found shelter at Mrs. Wooley’s where they got rooms. The hospital is on the third floor of the Nye home. The fire started in the attic and burned through the roof before it was extinguished. Two patients had major operations the day before. They were taken to a nearby house where there was a furnace and suitable accommodations. No one was injured.

Several people in Stockton listened in last Friday night for the Hardin College entertainment and heard very plainly Miss Ethel Smith’s fine recitation. Her father, F. M. Smith, received a letter Tuesday from Carl McNulty at Altus, Oklahoma, saying that he heard her and enjoyed her reading very much. Ethel told her mother she was terribly frightened when she stood before the broadcasting contraption—far more so than when speaking before an audience.

The Stockton Chamber of Commerce had an interesting meeting at the courthouse with subjects discussed being highways, dedication of courthouse and school building. The sum of $200.00 was authorized to be paid Mr. Hockaday of the National Highway on the pledge for marking this road through Rooks County. On completion of the highway from Miami, Florida to Yellowstone Park the balance will be paid. After some discussion the day for the courthouse dedication was fixed for April 20th providing Dr. Kulp and Judge Sparks can be secured for that day. It was also decided to dedicate the new high school building in the evening. Mr. Sweet said we could probably secure President Lewis of the Hays Normal for the evening meeting.