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.

The Swing Into Summer Festival was set to begin Friday, May 25, with a free picnic in the Upper City Park, courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce, followed by a Dance, featuring the Mark Kee Band. And this was just the start of a weekend packed full of fun. Activities on Saturday included a Lions Club Breakfast Fundraiser at the American Legion building. City-wide garage sales were going on throughout the day at various locations. Volleyball, kids games, a fire truck and ambulance display, tours of the Rooks County Historical Museum and a Picnic in the Park Fundraiser by LINK with music provided by the Stockton School of Rock. Sidewalk Chalk Art, tours of the Waller-Coolbaugh Mansion and antique car displays filled the afternoon hours of Saturday, and a free concert in the evening in the park with a performance by Aaron Patton, guitarist and keyboardist, ended the day. Sunday afternoon included an Open House of the Stockton Area Train Club, the dedication of the new Tennis Courts, and the Alumni Banquet in the evening.

* And So They Say: Irma Renner: “I feel like I need a cane and a crutch after going to commencement and seeing those kids graduate, whose parents were graduating only a few years ago, it seems.” Paul Marshall: “The preachers tell us not to lie, then one of them brags about catching a 7 ½ pound fish.” Mrs. Ruth Marshall: “It has stormed four years straight when I have camped out with the Girl Scouts.” Jo Carmicheal: “Another Kansas landmark, which is going to be destroyed, is the Indian writings on the cliffs at the site of the Wilson reservoir, and it seems a pity.

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.

Diplomas were to be given to 31 members of the Stockton High School Class of 2007 on Saturday, May 19, as principal Keith Hall would present the graduating class of 20 boys and 11 girls. Commencement exercises for members of the eighth-grade class of Stockton Grade School were scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.

MEMBERS OF THE SHS CLASS OF 1954 had held their 40th reunion in June of 1994 and took a picture in front of the old high school, which was to be torn down during the summer. They are from left: Alan Roelfs, Ed Winters, Treva (Miller) Ruckelsausen, Reta M. (Van Duvall) Goins, Karlen (Webster) Hrabe, Caryl (Hus) McClaren, Mary Ellen (Brown) Weisman, Bruce Smith, Marilyn (Hunter) Dunning, Merwyn Bice, Kermit Schindler, Sally (Riley) Edwards, Marvin Jackson and Robert McMichael. Paul Sprinkle had attended the reunion but is not pictured.

* And So They Say: Leta Bouchey: “Marsha went all through high school with a perfect attendance record and then came down with the three-day measles Commencement Week.” Coke Gouldman: “I was in charge of the convoy which moved Herbert Hoover’s household goods back to Palo Alto after he left the White House.” Lionel Carter; “The only thing anyone every gives you is trouble or advice.” Irvin Turnbull: “Well we’ve run out of kids to graduate from high school.” Jack Berkley: “I’m afraid to say when we will get into our new bank building. Every time I express an opinion the time gets farther away.”

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.

THE 1997 SHS GIRLS TRACK MEMBERS included (front row, from left): Tara Towns, Betsy Lewis, Jenny McDonald, Jada Krob; (second row) Amber Glover, Sara McReynolds, Misty Bice, Stacey Steeples, (third row) Alicia McBride, Jenny Poore, Melanie Haines, Melanie Romey; (back row) Heather Jackson, Korina Kriley and Melodie Hollern.

* And So They Say: Mrs. Ruth Marshall: “When my family asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day, I told them I just wanted a day when I did not have to do anything—and that’s I what I got.” Norman Griebel: “They say everyone is good for something, but I don’t know.” Dan Stewart: “Every time I put on my summer clothes, it turns cold.” George Riffel: “According to the rain gauge out at my farm, we’ve had more rain in that area so far this year than we had all last year.”