It is one sure thing that Stockton will have some manner of celebration on July 4th. The committees were unable to complete their plans in time to make such an announcement last week. Still, this week advertising matter will be broadcasted that assures the people of the community and county to spend the Fourth in Stockton. Besides celebrating the 149th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the celebration is under the auspices of the golf and baseball clubs. The golfers will have charge of a tournament with the towns of Osborne, Smith Center, Phillipsburg, Woodston Plainville, Logan, and Downs to participate. The Stockton Municipal Band will give a concern at the City Park, and the day’s entertainment will close with a dance at the Harn Air Pavilion, music to be furnished by the Creole Syncopators.

The Maris Store is this week inaugurating a gigantic sale in order to reduce the stock of merchandise. This popular and resourceful store is one of the fixed business firms of Stockton, carrying standard brands of merchandise. The store has been put under the management of the Hosbourgh-Cannon Sales Company of Lincoln, Nebraska with the personal attention of George A. Kiffin, Mr. Kiffin came last week to make arrangements and prepare for the price-slashing sale. The county and adjacent trade territory has been thoroughly covered with advertising matter— the store sending out 2,500 page bills, besides the page advertisement appearing in the issue of the Review and Record. The concern is giving every possible chance to acquaint the people of this trade territory of the excellent bargains to be found at the Maris Store during this sale.

On June 17th, the special election to vote on whether or not we will have a one mil tax for band purposes instead of the present levy of one half mil will be held. The band is one of the best advertising mediums of Stockton as evidence by the great crowds that came from near and far to hear the weekly concerts last summer. During the past four years from $1,200.00 to $1,800.00 has been raised for band purposes among the business firms and professional men of Stockton, each individual paying from $15.00 to $30.00 for the six months’ season, and for the past three years about $600.00 has been raised by the one-half mil levy.

The electrical storm accompanying a heavy dash of rain Tuesday evening of last week did considerable damage to farmers southeast of Stockton. M. J. Schmitz lost a horse and a yearling colt, the two animals apparently standing side by side as the horse’s body fell across that of the colt. Wire cuts severely damaged two other colts in the field. Mr. Schmitz highly prized these two colts, and now injuries may prove defective. A cow belonging to Carl Liberty on the Fred Simons farm was also killed the same night by lightning.

G.W. Watkins of the Plainville country was in Stockton last Friday accompanied by his son, Oren Watkins, bringing him here for medical treatment. Oren had been working for the Graves Bridge Construction Company, A few days ago he with other workmen were driving piling. Oren was holding the piling while a companion was driving it into the earth. In some manner, the axe slipped towards Oren and struck him near the knee, inflicting a painful injury. He is now at the home of his parents until he is able to resume his work.

The election for a bond issue for the Webster consolidated school district carried with a nice majority, and the community is assured of an auditorium building. Considerable interest was shown throughout the day in polling votes, and at closing time, the records showed a total of 224 votes. Of this number, 130 voted for the bonds, 89 against the proposition, and five votes were thrown out for being illegal. The issue called for a $5,000.00 bond to erect an auditorium and community hall. Construction will commence after the bonds are approved and plans are worked out. It is expected to have the building completed in time for the school opening this fall.

Guilty of burglary and also of grand larceny was the verdicts of the jury in the case of the State vs. Verle Adams, charged with those crimes. A complaint had been filed against him in February for charging him with breaking into and stealing from a granary of A.G. Schneider’s, south of Webster of 68 bushels and ten pounds of wheat. At that time he had been placed under a $2,000.00 bond for his appearance in District Court.

Mrs. Henry C. Fleak, the wife of editor Fleak of the Plainville Times, passed away at her sister’s home in Iola, Kansas. Mrs. Fleak had been in poor health for several months. For a time, she was in the Hays Hospital, where she made some improvement. She was brought to her home later and then taken to her sister’s. The malady— Bright’s Disease and high blood pressure—had gained such inroads to her health that she could not overcome the effects. Mr. Fleak was at his wife’s bedside at the time of her death.

A chicken house on the Fred Wickland place east of town burned last Friday night. The loss was not so great to Fred as was the fact that nearly 100 little chickens perished in the fire. Fred knew nothing of the fire until sometime during the night when he answered a knock at the door and a passing motorist, who had discovered the building afire, reported the blaze. The fire was under too much headway to save the building or even attempt to rescue the chickens. The building caught fire, it is thought, from a brooder that was furnishing heat for the little chicks.

The patrons and friends of the Electric Shop noted the absence of Will Kielholtz from his accustomed place in his shop the first of the week, and in inquiry by the reported brought forth the fact that Mr. Keilholtz and wife had gone to Wichita for a short stay with their daughter, Miss Maud Keilhotz. Will is a stickler to business and one always finds him at the bench from early morn till late at evening—sometimes. He doesn’t find much time to break away for long trips and visits but he and Mrs. Keilhotz are the kind that get real pleasure from such trips.