What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
Arthur Vanderlip of the Bow Creek country had a streak of bad luck last Monday. A large straw stack in the feed lot tumbled over burying three nice heifers. When the animals were dug out, Arthur found his best heifer dead, the one that “copped” the prize at the Rooks County Free Fair.
Some fifty of the friends and neighbors worked a complete surprise on Rev. Paul Vielguth Monday evening. Everyone brought in well-filled baskets and all partook of a real supper of everything good to eat. The birthday cake was brought in with 24 lighted candles. Mrs. James Beckley having the honor of baking the splendid angel food. The evening was spent in playing games, singing hymns and a general good time. At the close of the event’s social hour Brother Paul called everyone together to sing, “God be with you till we meet again.” After which he gave a little speech, thanking everyone for their kindness. He then closed with a wonderful, touching prayer. He and his good wife will leave us in the spring. He will go out into the ministry. We sure regret to lose him but hope and pray for him as he goes into the work that he may be a great soul winner and always be loved as he is at Mt. Pleasant.
Jim Burton has turned his restaurant at Webster over to his son, Clarence who will conduct the business. Jim enjoyed a good business at Webster but wanted to be home during the winter.
C. W. Totten went over to Hays last Monday to deliver a nice monument order to a party there. The Stockton Marble Works is one of the progressive institutions of its kind in this part of Kansas. Its business reaches to the Colorado line and to the north way up into Nebraska and from100 to 125 miles both east and south.
Pat Fimple, a Phillipsburg man, has been arrested by the officers on the charge of blackmail against his father, P. R. Fimple, It seems that some time ago Mr. Fimple received a letter accusing him of two murders and stating that the writers knew of it and would prosecute him unless he paid them as hush money, $5,000.00. The matter was placed in the hands of Sheriff McKenzie of Phillips County and he at once began making preparations to land the persons responsible. At the appointed hour, the sheriff and his deputies were stationed at points which commanded a veiw of the place where Mr. Fimple was instructed to deposit the money, the alley behind the local store in Long Island, Kansas, a neighboring town. He was instructed to place a dummy package in the hiding place and leave, while the officers awaited the appearance of the party in search of the blackmail money. Soon, Mr. Fimple’s son, Pat, appeared on the scene, apparently looking for something. He was immediately challenged by one of the officers who commanded him to put up his hands, but he turned and ran. The officer immediately shot at the fleeing man. After a third shot was fired, Fimple gave up. He was taken to Phillipsburg and placed in the county jail and postal authorities notified. He was bound over to the district court at the January term.
Frank Patterson of Glad was over to Albert B. Muir’s Midvale Stockton Farm last Monday and purchased a fine saddle mare. Mr. Patterson was accompanied by a Mr. Bailey of Idaho, who was a stock buyer on the Solomon River some years ago. He is a former friend of Mr. Muir and they had not met for twenty-five years.
Forrest Van Horn has purchased interest of his partner, Clarence Klein, in the Stockton Produce Company and is now chief advisor. Evald Rea, who has had an interest in the Midland Café, has quit that and is helping Forrest.
N. F. Hill, the new furniture man, is getting some very attractive window displays This week he has his window transformed into a bedroom and is displaying a very beautiful suite, one that is a source of envy to every woman who stops by to see it. Frank Ballard has again
Frank Ballard has again taken a position with the Coolbaugh Motor Company. Frank is a good office and stock man and the patrons of this firm will be pleased to see him back again.
October 19th, being the birthday of Eugene Jerby, turned into a very successful surprise party by the entire family at their home near Speed. About the noon hour everyone gathered with well-filled baskets and exactly fifty partook of the bountiful spread.
Leon McNulty, John Young and “Torb” Langdon, who went out to Oregon some weeks ago to grow up with the country returned to good old Stockton the latter part of the week and will finish seeking their fortunes here.
The sophomore class had a hike Monday night. They met at the garage immediately after school and went to the bluffs south of town. There were about twenty-five in the bunch and they played games until about 6:30 p.m. They then ate supper, which consisted of weenies, buns, pickles, bananas and marshmallows Miss Northstrom was the sponsor.
A deputy sheriff of Hutchinson was here Sunday and arrested Curt Sage, going under the assumed name of Thompson, a woman whom he had been living with, and a fellow by the name of Warner. Warner had stolen a car from a former employee and with Sage and the woman were going west. Near the Dunning home located west of town, the car broke down was pulled to the Dunning home where it was recovered and Warner was found. Sage was picked up at Plainville and the two men were lodged in jail until Monday when they, with the woman, were taken to Hutchinson.
All the high school classes entered into a contest to see which class could sell the most football tickets. It was opened to all students beginning October 9 and closing October 12th with the freshmen as the winners, sophomores second, juniors third, and seniors fourth. They collected a nice sum of $91.25. The two losing classes are to entertain the two winning classes.
