What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
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.
The little town of Bogue, over in Graham County, suffered another disastrous fire, this one occurring Sunday afternoon at about 1:00 p.m. The fire was discovered in the McChesney Store, but the citizens could not combat the flames and the entire building was soon enveloped. The fire spread to an adjoining building occupied by the Chas. Reed Restaurant. Both buildings were destroyed, including stocks and fixtures. The McChesney Store carried a stock of general merchandise valued at about $3,000.00 with something like $2,500.00 insurance. Mr. Reed, the restaurant owner, was at Penokee playing ball and knew nothing of this loss until his return. He lost all of his clothing except for the baseball suit which he had worn that day. His loss is about $400.00. When the citizens could not save the two buildings, their attention was directed to the Henderson Store north of the burning buildings. The post office is located in the Henderson store. This property was saved. Bogue has been very unfortunate in fire losses, this being the third fire in six weeks in the business section.
The two dental offices in Stockton were “touched” last Tuesday night, and the only thing the owners found missing was their stock of gold. The thieves took about $15.00 worth of gold from Dr. Swigart’s office. Going to the safe, they took out the safety box. Being unable to gain access to the box, it showed evidence of being smashed open. The doctor did not have any valuables in the box outside of some papers. No signs or marks could distinguish how the thieves got into the offices. Dr. Litton could not find a thing molested outside of his supply of gold taken.
Everette Crane, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Crane, received a nasty injury as Friday. Everette, with other companions, were pole vaulting at the Frank Munn home when he fell, and striking his right arm, broke his arm in two places above the wrist, fracturing the two bones at both places. This is a severe injury for the young man. Stanley Probasco, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Probasco, fell Tuesday last week while pole vaulting and suffered a dislocated right wrist.
A new business firm to make advent in Stockton soon will be that of G. A. Probasco and Joe Van-Doren, who are forming a partnership in auto repair work. Alex will handle the battery and electrical work while Joe will have charge of general auto and machine work. Their location will be in the Tanzey building on West Main. They have gone to considerable expense in additional machinery, including a large lathe, and promise a first-class shop. These gentlemen are expecting to be ready for business about June 1st.
Arthur Adams was over from Downs the first of the week visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Adams. He states that his wife is recovering from her illness and, at times, can be up and around the home.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Johnson of the country south of Zurich were in Stockton last Thursday. Mr. Johnson applied through District Clerk Crane for a passport to England, expecting to leave on the trip about June 1st.
Mrs. Olmer Adams has been taking care of the work in the county treasurer’s office during the week. Mr. Elliott was called out of the office by the death of his father.
Joe Dryden returned Monday morning from Omaha, Nebraska. Joe had been there nearly three months building a fine, modern home of ten rooms for his son, Ray. Joe says it is a fine house, and there was plenty of more work for him to do, but he just had to get back home for a rest. He is expecting to return to Omaha later in the summer.
From The Woodston Argus…..Several business changes have taken place in Woodston the past week, among them being the sale of the stock of the G. H. Wilson Produce Company to the Reeder Produce Company. Ira and Clyde Gager have purchased the lots where the Wilson Produce House was located and will start to erect a filling station there shortly, in fact, they have already begun to haul in the sand….. The Sinclair Oil Company has been remodeling and improving their tank station at this place during the past week…..Last Thursday evening, a group of Downs High School students on their way to Hays were stranded in Woodston for about an hour while their car was being repaired. They broke an axel about two miles east of town.
