What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
After two or three attempts to take his life, P.P. Grindstaff, an inmate at the county farm, was adjudged insane before a commission of Drs. E. E. Colby and R. B. Osborn at the courthouse. It is not a settled fact at this time which state institution Grindstaff will be placed. Last week he had slashed his throat with his knife, inflicting three bad gashes. Sunday he made another attempt. He butted his head against a stonewall until his head was badly bruised and finally finding that a hard way to end life, he waded into the river trying to find a place deep enough to drown himself. Frank Richmond succeeded in getting Grindstaff out of the river and he has been closely guarded since that time.
J. C. Pasley, trainmaster on this division of the Missouri Pacific and O. E. Blacketer, traveling freight agent, were in Stockton last Thursday on an inspection trip. The gentlemen were investigating our freight schedule and service, but did not submit any feasible proposition whereby Stockton might retain the resident employees.
Yesterday was Sales Day in Stockton and judging from the number of cars and other vehicles in town, many people from all over the county came to share of the excellent bargains our businessmen had offered. A visit to the stores showed the proprietor and clerks busy as bees. An interview with a number of the businessmen say they were well satisfied and enjoyed meeting old and new customers on this special day. The band boys were at their best and gave a concert in the morning and another in the afternoon. The merchants are planning to give a series of these sale days and the day will probably be the first Wednesday of each month.
Ira E. Welker, science and agriculture teacher in the Stockton High School, has contracted to superintend the Alton school next term. Mr. A. L. Graham moved his office the first of the week to the room in the rear of the Citizens State Bank and is ready to handle your business that comes under his various lines.
Ashley Ives continues to be quite sick. Three weeks ago he had a severe attack of neuritis in the left ear and when nearly recovered, suffered a backset and is now confined to his bed with a bad attack of the flu.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Riffel are rejoicing over the arrival of a future flag defender. Ed is mighty proud of his son and has arranged to teach him to look after the farm work.
Chester Knee of the Van Nuys, California public market and formerly of Stockton, was chosen with his plan to represent the City of Van Nuys in the aviation meeting near that City. Chester is the nephew to John and Fred Lawson of this place.
About thirty democrats of the county met at the courthouse late Saturday and selected delegates, namely Chas. Riseley, J. C. Edwards, H. J. Stamper and Dr. Catudal, to represent the county at the state convention, which was held at Hutchinson on April 2nd. So far as the right could learn, Mr. Riseley, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Stamper were the only ones who attended.
Rev. E. Bridwell returned the first of the week from Salina where he had been last week attending the Methodist Conference, and brings the cheering news that he will continue his good wok with the Stockton Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Winters returned Friday from a three-weeks stay at the ranch near Natoma. During those snowy days Bert had the big job of taking care of 440 head of lambs.
Ace Hammond sold 207 head of two-and-three-year-old steers the past week to Everly & Munson of Glen Elder. This firm will run the stock on grass along with 500 more head on their large ranch.
Miss Ruth McKinnis, who is attending college at Bethany, West Virginia, has been elected delegate to the national convention of the Young Women’s Christian Association, which will meet in New York City later this month. Miss Ruth graduates from Bethany this year.
Uel Bobbitt came in last Friday from his Los Angeles home to visit his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Clay Bobbitt. Uel’s wife and baby expect to arrive in a few days.
As a result of a contract entered into recently between the Hill City Oil and Gas Company and the Keys Petroleum Company, a new core-drilling outfit has arrived and a test for oil and gas will be made on a location to be selected on or near Section 23-8- 24, eight miles southwest of Hill City. The core drilling outfit is for the purpose of drilling to the Fort Hays limestone at several points to verify the surface findings or structure. When this is done, the deep test will be located and a drill started for the oil bearing sands. The contract provides that work shall proceed with all possible speed and that drilling shall continue to a depth of 3,500 feet unless oil or gas is found in commercial quantities above that level.
Mrs. Edgar Case was a very sick woman the latter part of last week. The attack of sickness was quite sudden and on Saturday she was removed to the Stockton hospital and Dr. Osborn, assisted by Dr. St. John of Concordia, performed an operation for peritonitis and bursted abscess. The operation was a successful one and Mrs. Case is getting along very nicely.
From the Woodston Argus…..Ernest Williams moved into the house he recently purchased last Wednesday and Max Kortman moved into the Ben Smither property in the north part of town….. Mrs. Harold Stull gave her thumb a bad cut on a piece of crockery the first of the week…..Fritz Borgeson moved their household goods into a part of Frank Shutt property last Saturday…..Dr. Teall has been making his calls by the aid of trains, bobsleds, saddle horses and high top boots…..Mrs. Chas. Gutzkie had 116 chickens hatch on St. Patrick’s Day. We hope she immediately taught them to sing “And I was Irish Too.”
