What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
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.
It was with much regret when the report reached Stockton of the death of Guy Estes. Guy had been taken to the Concordia hospital on May 10th with the hopes that something could be done to bring health back but his weakened condition would not respond to medical summons. Guy came to Stockton seven years ago, taking the position as foreman and linotype operater in the Review/ Record Office. He was untiring in his efforts to keep this office to standard lines, devoting his life and energy to h is work. James Guy Estes was born in Adair County, Kentucky on April 19th, 1887 and passed into the spirit land on May 19th, 1923 at the age of 36 years and one month, after several months of bad health and several weeks of critical illness. He had married Lula Christina Jenkins at Mounds, Oklahoma on February 22nd, 1914, with three children born from the union.
A report is current on the street Wednesday that Downs had a cloudburst Tuesday night, putting the Solomon out of its banks and flooding the Main Street with two feet of water. Several feet of the Missouri Pacific track was washed out, thus giving Stockton no mail service on Wednesday. L. E. Keeton received word that the waters washed out a large gasoline taken at his filling station, bursting the tank, which contained 800 gallons of gasoline. It is also reported that Portis is flooded, seven inches of raining falling there in a short space of time. Hoxie received a heavy rain, washing away several feet of Union Pacific tracks.
A change took place in business circles last week when F. E. Clayton and Fred Colson sold their store to Glen Hancock and E. A. Courtney, a couple of gentlemen from WaKeeney. The sale went into effect on Friday and the new owners had expected to arrive the first of the week to open the store, but weather conditions did not permit it. These gentlemen are connected with a store company but their newly acquired proposition is individually their property and as this paper has the report, they will make several changes in the make-up of the store and add a heavy stock of merchandise to the present stock. Mr. Hancock will move to Stockton later and assume managership of the store. Messrs. Clayton and Colson have been owners of the store for over two years and have always maintained a nice, clean, up-to-date establishment. They together with Mrs. Clayton and Mrs. Colson, who assisted in the store, will be missed in the business circles. The sale of the store was made through A. J. Ives.
Several fellows from Stockton are at Topeka this week serving as witnesses in the federal court on the case of Red Walters, who as many of our readers will remember, was implicated in the sale of stolen motorcars in this section of the State. Those from here who are interested in the case: Harry Eades, Miles Hindman, C. N. White, Lawrence Ochampaugh, Earl Bartholomew, and Dr. H. C. Brown of Webster.
The Fourth of July committee us making preparations for a day of real enjoyment in the Stockton Park. While the program is not completed, the people of Rooks and adjoining counties may rest assured there will be a genuine old-fashioned 4th of July picnic and good time. Some of the events being lined up are a golf tournament, baseball, music, shows, races, a dance, a pageant and concessions. The Chamber committee consists of George Beckley, T. E. Rea, L. E. Keeton, J. O. Coolbaugh and Dr. J. W. McMillen.
Mrs. Mattie Griffin is having a dwelling built on her farm south of Webster, to replace the one recently destroyed by fire. The house will be a onestory 24x26. E. C. Kewley is doing the carpentry work.
Bert Felible has traded his section of land in Wallace County to Dan Hamilton for Dan’s place near Webster, formerly the George Irwin place. Dan will remain on the farm, having leased it for three years.
A few singers from the Baptist Church rendered two songs at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon, which were well received and greatly appreciated. The singers were Effie Fuller, Phoebe Allen, Edith Fox, Lewis Allen, Orlo Allen, D. J. Green and Miss Josephine Allen on the piano. Professor L. D. Fuller played an Italian harp solo, “Sweet By and By” with variations.
Down at Delphos last week a man by the name of Smith died. His doctor was named Smith, the undertaker’s name was Smith, the preacher who preached his funeral was named Smith and the editor who wrote up the obituary was named Smith and none of the Smiths were related.
