Some vandal shied a rock through the window of Frank Vardaman’s Chili Parlor on Monday evening, barely missing his boy who was sitting there reading. Frank immediately rushed out, but could not find the miscreant whereupon he got as hot as anything in the chili line.

The Midland Café will serve a fine chicken dinner on Thanksgiving. If you can’t afford a turkey, and many there be who can’t, take life easy on that day and enjoy a real appetizing spread at a moderate price, prepared under the skillful direction of Mrs. Sherrill, the gracious hostess of the Midland. You’ll certainly enjoy it.

The Central Branch passenger train crashed into a Ford coupe at the crossing just west of the Woodston Depot. Mrs. Roy Tipton received injuries about the head from which she died three days later. Mr. and Mrs. Tipton were living at Hays where Mr. Tipton and his brother, Ralph, are conducting a bakery. Mr. and Mrs. Tipton had driven to Alton to attend to some business and were on their way to the home of Alex Low, father of Mrs. Tipton, where they had left their baby in Mrs. Low’s care. Something went wrong with the motor on the Rock Hill north of Woodston and Mr. T. said they would go back to Woodston and get it fixed before going any farther. In approaching the crossing next to the depot, he passed close to the elevator and by a long string of coal chutes. He could not see the train on the other side, which was slowing down to stop at the station, and he turned to cross directly in its path. Mrs. Tipton saw the incoming train, but too late. She evidently tried to get out just as the engine struck the coupe. She was thrown upon the cowcatcher and carried to the depot where she fell into a pile of boxes. The coupe was thrown over on its side with Mr. Tipton in it, and pushed along the track about 60 feet until the train finally stopped. The mail clerk and others rushed to the coupe and pulled Mr. Tipton out. No one had seen Mrs. Tipton and she was not known to have been hurt until Mr. T. asked for her. Then her limp form was found on the pile of debris. She never regained consciousness, though she lived for three days. Every possible human aid was rendered without avail. Bertha Nevada Tipton was born on November 3rd, 1889 and died in Woodston on November 12th at the age of 23 years and nine days.

The Stockton Mill, one of the oldest landmarks of this locality, burned down over the weekend after closing for the day, while the owners were uptown getting their supper. When the fire whistle sounded the flames were mountain high and the whole southern sky as seen from town was fiery red with the great conflagration. Many auto loads were quickly on the grounds, but the entire structure was then ablaze and the heat so great that no one could approach within many yards. A heavy rain had fallen some time before, which prevented the flames spreading to the trees near by, or there might have been something of a forest fire as well. The destruction to the building and contents was complete, the timbers of the race being destroyed up to the gate. Aside from the property loss all of the old times felt the keenest regret over the passing of his landmark, which has stood for over 44 years. During most of this time, it has been in operation by water, steam or gasoline power. In time the business grew and steam was utilized to fill up the period gaps when the water ceased to flow over the dam or through the race. The property destroyed is estimated to be from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 and might run higher. Jackson’s Mill has been a Stockton institution for 44 years, and has borne the name for 37 years. It was erected in the fall of 1877 by J. A. French and Tune Bulis. The late Joe Feleay worked on it. E. F. Randall took the Bulis interest in the early spring of 1878 and French & Randall built the first dam and tail race. The construction of the dam was performed by C. C. Foote. One of the workers was Judge Kent.

The startling news came from Plainville last week that Elmer Norris, ex-veteran of the World War, evidently by accident had taken a dose of sulphuric acid at his room in Plainville. His friend, C. W. Coolbaugh, happened to be in Plainville at the time and was quickly on the scene. Elmer had gone outside and was lying on the ground in great agony. He said to Mr. C. that he had taken the poison by accident mistaking the bottle for medicine he was using for his throat. He spoke in his usual jovial and cheery manner and apparently did not realize that his end was near. Dr. McCormick was called and gave emergency treatment at the Hays hospital. An operation showed the utter hopelessness of the case, the powerful acid having eaten into this bowels. He was pronounced dead at 5:00 o’clock in the morning. The sudden passing of this prince of good fellows is keenly felt by all his former associates in whose esteem he held a high place. Everybody liked him for his bighearted generous ways, his kindly sympathetic nature and his unfailing cheerfulness. He was industrious and honest and a worthy citizen of the country for which he had made many sacrifices. He had a fine war record in the World War. He served in Batter E. 130 Field Artillery, and was in training for a time at Camp Funston, then went to the 35 Division at Camp Doniphan. In May 1918 he went overseas and served in the Vosges sector, then at St. Michel through the Argonne, and was in the Verdun sector when the Armistice was signed.

J.R. Combs, one of the early settlers of Alcona Township, died of heart failure as the result of a long affiction from tuberculosis of the bone. Mr. Combs homesteaded in 1878 and has lived on the place for 43 years. He was very highly regarded by all his neighbors as a man of integrity and all that makes for good citizenship.

We visited the big Avery apple orchard some seven miles east of town Sunday afternoon. Notwithstanding, apple picking had been going on for about three weeks and many of the trees were stripped of the earlier varieties, it was a scene seldom if ever to be seen in central Kansas. Scores of large trees contained hundreds of bushels of big red apples, many of the limbs pressed to the ground with their burdens of lovely fruit. Every branch and twig carried all it could hold, not ordinary apples, but particularly all of them big, rosy and luscious, delighting the eye with a vision of abundance never surpassed in all this year. We found Mr. A. S. Avery showing an old friend, Mr. Chapel, the orchard, both being expert orchardists from their youth, and they had much to talk about. There are eight acres in the orchard and it has been estimated that no less than 2,500 bushels is the product this year. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Mor

Last Thursday night two stores were entered by home talent burglars, and a small amount of loot secured. Entrance to the Griffin Variety Store was made through the cellar. A screen to a rear window was first torn off and some of the putty dug from the glass. Then the party or parties found that the cellar door was easier. This was torn off its hinges, and there being no stairway the elevator was lowered and used to get on the main floor. About $12.00 to $15.00 in nickels and dimes were taken from the till of the cash register and two loaves of bread. Mr. Griffin says he hasn’t missed anything else. The thieves might have gotten away with much valuable merchandise but apparently did not improve their opportunity. The same night, entrance was made to the Gibbs Racket Store but so far as can be learned nothing was taken. Here they got in by a back door. If not apprehended, the thieves may try it again, and perhaps once too often.

Three telegrams received on Tuesday conveyed the sad intelligence that J. F. Dunn had died at the Worrel hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was being treated for a stomach disorder, with kidney complications. Much sorrow was felt by his numerous old time friends in this community, who for many years have been intimately acquainted with him and know his many admirable qualities.

A quiet wedding recently occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Maris when their daughter, Miss Rae became the bride of Mr. E. C. Hageman. The ceremony was performed by Reverend J. F. Dennis. After a bounteous wedding supper the couple went to Phillipsburg and from there to Aleman where they were spending the week with a sister of the groom. The bride has for a number of years had full charge of the dry goods, ready-to-wear and millinery departments of the big Maris Department Store, quickly developing into a very capable business woman and being the mainstay of her parents. Her acquaintance over the county is large and she is held in high esteem by many friends and admirers. The groom is a substantial businessman of large experience. For some months he has conducted with singular ability the grocery department of the establishment and on the eve of his union with the gracious daughter of the house, he becomes the owner of this department through purchase. After their short honeymoon, he will take possession of the grocery side, while Mrs. Hageman will continue as the manager of the other side, making a very happy arrangement. Everybody wishes for them a long and happy life under their new conjugal relationship.