What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
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.
Simon Lorenzo Tarbell died on May 30, 1923 at Stockton. His boyhood days were spent where he was born at east Freetown, Courtland County, New York, until he enlisted in Co. D. 76 regiment New York volunteers. He served through the Civil War and was captured in the Battle of the Wilderness and held prisoner by the South for nine months and twenty-one days in the Andersonville prison. During his life he married Ellen J. Martin of Freetown, New York with the two moving to and homesteading in Alcona Township, Rooks County. On May 11th, 1885, he lost his life companion, but married again in 1892 to Mrs. Sarah Chandler of Woodston.
During the storm last Monday night a bolt of lightning struck a tree near the Ace Hammond place and another shattered a tree on the Frank Tarbell farm. A lot of Stockton folks rolled out of bed by the force and sound of the shocks. Ed. Barr did not give us authority to say it but he said he was asleep on the porch and that it certainly must have struck all around his bed.
Lester Smith of Lawrence has taken a position in the Snyder Drug Store as pharmacist and all ‘round clerk. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the pharmacy course of the Kansas University and is a real pleasant fellow. It is certain that he will like Stockton.
Ralph H. Griffin was at Montrose over in Jewell County last week and made a deal for a store there. This is the only store in the town and has good trade territory. Mr. Griffin will continue the store in its location with a brother-in-law, Mr. Kelly, in charge.
A little Stockton chap was asked to give a description of water and this is what he wrote, “Water is a white liquid which turns completely black the moment you put your hands in it.”
George Thrasher arrived Friday night from Rochester, Minn. He had been under treatment for four weeks, but is not much improved.
W. D. Pierce arrived at Concordia two weeks ago from Honolulu, having spent eighteen months in the U. S. Army. He visited from Thursday till Monday at the Probasco home, leaving for Ponca city, Oklahoma, where he has a good position. Mr. Pierce served overseas in the Rainbow Division during the Big War, and with the service given in Hawaii, he says he has had all the Army life he wants.
L. D. Fuller & Company put on their musical acts at the Princess Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights. Mr. and Mrs. L. D Fuller are a band themselves, he plays a guitar, snare, bass, drums, bells and several other instruments at the same time. Some of them are his own make, such as the tambourine, bass and snare drums operated by electricity. He makes the harp almost talk, but also sings, whistles and plays other instruments. The audience was there with an encore at each rest of the musicians. A good moving picture was an added attraction. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been playing the larger towns, but played the Lincoln branch towns on their way home to Stockton were they expect to take a vacation and will probably entertain the Stocktonites on July 4th.—Lincoln Kansas Sentinel
J. T. Morton shipped a couple of his fine Poland China hogs to parties at Downs last Tuesday.
Mr. A. J. Ives was out to Oakley last week making a trade in property. George Beckley was in Kansas City last week and drove out an Oldsmobile coupe for Dr. Stivers.
About forty of the friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. John Wildrix surprised them last Friday on the occasion being their eleventh wedding anniversary and birthday of Mrs. Wildrix. The guests brought baskets of good things and a very delightful evening was set. The following were present: Tony Kincaid and family, S.E. Lambert and family, Andrew Muir and wife, Mrs. A. G. Muir, C. A. Martin and family, John Brummitt and family, Orrin Gaines, Fred Streeter and family, and Frank Hubble and family.
Whereas it appears that George Bedard was murdered on or about the 16th day of April, 1923 near Plainville by some unknown person or persons; therefore, it be ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Rooks County that a reward of $300.00 be and same hereby is offered for the arrest of the person or persons who murdered said George Bedard. This offer to be in force and effect for a period of one year from the date.
Andrew Muir has bought Frank Barb’s property on east Main. That means that Andy is leaving the farm and coming to town. Frank has gone to Colorado, but our guess is he will want to come back to Stockton now. Ashley Ives made the sale of the property.
J. Q. Adams is away from the post office this week trying to forget the trials and tribulations of that of a postmaster—in other words taking a little vacation and spending his time around home.
Several years ago John Maddy began to divide his money with his children, and this week made the last round of $200.00, making $3,800.00 to each of his eight children. John has his 240 acres wheat farm and his nice residence on Main Street, and he doesn’t owe a penny to any man or firm. He and his wife have spent five winters in California and visited over twenty times in Missouri. John has not been able to do a day’s work between the sun and moon for over 38 years and has paid as high as $7.00 a day for labor that he could once do himself. He thinks that he and his wife have done pretty well, as all of his money was made in Kansas, where there are so many drawbacks and many people thinking that Kansas is the worst state in the Union to make a living.
