Looking Back
What Was Going On 14 Years Ago
Two fugitives from justice seriously altered an otherwise peaceful Saturday morning in Rooks County as they led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase. Heading north on 183, they proceeded through Stockton at a high rate of speed, turned around and headed back south. As they were pursued, they sped through the parking lot at Webster’s Supermarket and crashed the stolen car they had been driving. They entered the residence at 316 S. Second and took keys to the 1971 Chevy pickup owned by Lyle “Shorty” Emery, and headed south out of town. The Plainville Police Department and the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department had put out spikes on the highway in hopes of stopping the thieves, but the driver swerved and missed them, lost control of the pickup and side-swiped an oncoming car, a Ford Taurus driven by Janette Leroy of Wichita. After the crash the suspects were apprehended. They, along with Leroy, were taken to Rooks County Health Center to be checked over.
The Stockton Tiger basketball teams competed in a Pre-Season Round Robin Basketball Tournament against Logan, Phillipsburg and the host Cardinals. The Stockton boys finished the tourney with an 0-3 record, while the Lady Tigers went 1-2. The Phillipsburg girls and Plainville boys each were undefeated in the tournament.
A two-vehicle collision sent fire and police personnel scrambling to the corner of North Sixth and Highway 183. Andrew Niblock, 14, Stockton was traveling east on North Sixth, and Rodney L. Innes, 60, Phillipsburg, was northbound on Highway 183 when Niblock failed to yield at the intersection and the vehicles collided. Surprisingly, neither driver was injured. Fire personnel were called as one of the vehicles was smoking following the incident.
Jon and Nila Den-ton of Stockton joyfully announced the arrival of their grandson, Carson James McShea, born on Dec. 9, 2005, to parents Matthew and Jen McShea, Westminster, Colo.
Showing at the Nova Theatre was “Yours, Mine & Ours,” starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo.
And So They Say — George Colburn (Wednesday): “On days like this, I’m just like your newspaper machine out front—out of order.”
Obituaries were published for Juanita “Nita” Basgall (1950-2005), Angela May Goddard (1984-2005), and Hazel Ina Pfortmiller (1921-2005.)
Looking Back 14 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1991 — A number of local women were giving demonstrations for the upcoming event, “Country Christmas Creations.” The annual Christmas Gala was attended by 112 people. “Country Christmas” was the theme and the meal was prepared by Pam Muir and Linda Yohon.
56 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1949 — Nearly 100 friends and patrons gathered on Dec. 9 for a potluck supper and program honoring Chester Grimes, Woodston, who had recently retired as mail carrier on the route out of Woodston after nearly forty years of service.
What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago, Spotlighting the Year... 1907 — Dr. Ewing had a lively fire in the laboratory of his dental office on Sunday morning about 10 o’clock. He had gone there with his baby, whom he left in the operating room and started a gasoline stove in the laboratory over the stairway. Then he went out the back way to empty a slop pail. He was gone only a few moments, but when he reached the hall from the back stairway, he saw the blaze through the transom. His first act was to rescue the baby. Immediately, help arrived from across the street, and the alarm turned in, but the fire was extinguished before the men with the hose could get in their work. The laboratory is a total wreck. Dr. Ewing estimates his loss at $200, which is partially insured.
