What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
Pursuant to the time-honored custom, Stockton’s oldest ladies study club gave its annual banquet to which the husbands and friends of members were bidden. These occasions have been so attractive as feasts for the mind as well as the body that from the start they have always been important events in the social life of the community. The dinner was served in the basement of the Christian Church and pronounced perfect in every respect. Roast turkey and customary trimmings followed the consumme, with apple pie and frozen cream as the finale. The intellectual spread and music were equally enjoyable. Mrs. J. M. Wells, the president of the 20 Century Club made the introductions with original witticisms of laughter-provoking quality. H. C. Sweet gave a brief history of early Stockton. Mrs. May White spoke about “Our Ideals,” saying that Stockton was always a progressive town as she knew it years ago while living in Kirwin. Mrs. Florence Wallace sang “Why April Weeps,’’ her clear, well-modulated tones producing a fine effect. She responded to an encore with a musical gem, “Morning Glories.” Mrs. O. S. Ellvin gave an artistic rendition of Marguerite’s “Flower Song” from Faust in Swedish, which was enthusiastically received. Mrs. Vern Bloom accompanied both ladies on the piano. During the evening classic selections were rendered on the Victrola.
The town of Stockton let a contract for the building of a new schoolhouse last week. The new building is to cost in the neighborhood of $90,000.00 and there will be something like $10,000.00 worth of equipment in the building. With a new courthouse and the new schoolhouse, a few summer resorts, the electric light poles being removed from the center of the street and several other new buildings under construction, it looks as though Stockton would soon be in line to make a pretty good showing as an up-to-date little city.
Mrs. E.R. Allen returned Sunday from Lawrence, accompanied by her daughter Edith who had to quit her university studies because of eye trouble.
John Cooper, a former resident of the Woodston neighborhood was killed in the yards of the Northern Pacific at Auburn, Washington being struck by a string of boxcars. Mr. Cooper was 69 years old, and had railroaded 45 years of which 25 were spent in the service of the Missouri Pacific.
One of Stockton’s enterprising young businessmen—we won’t tell who— had the occasion to use the phone one evening last week from a downtown establishment. Instead of giving him the number called for, the operator gave him his wife who had simultaneously called for him. We are sure he was deluded on account of the huge smile that adorned his countenance and the graceful pose he assumed at the phone. He awoke from his reverie as she reminded him to cut kindling when he came home.
Mrs. George Purdy and son Ben Willis and wife are living in the house they built on Bow Creek. They are putting in a cottonwood grove there.
Monday’s storm brought us a half-inch of rain. It was furious while it lasted, giving promise of an old-fashioned blizzard.
Esther Scott, the twelveyear-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Scott, narrowly escaped burning to death Tuesday morning while preparing the family breakfast at the Scott home in Lanark. She had leaned against an oil stove and her dress caught fire in the back, breaking into flames that quickly would have enveloped her had not her brother-in-law, Gerald Hulse, been standing near. He tore off most of her clothing in an effort to save her. As it was she received a deep burn on her back the size of one’s hand.
B. W. Newbrey and J. L. Stevens have rented the stone store corner and will use it jointly. Mr. Newbrey will handle produce and Mr. Stevens will conduct his real estate business therein.
Mr. and Mrs. William Chambers will leave for Arizona on Saturday. The burden of getting out our weekly edition of the Record has been very noticeably lifted from dad’s shoulders during Williams’ stay with us, making the past winter the easiest in many years. We had expected that he would continue with us until the return of Robert Chambers from KU in June, but “Opportunity Knocks,” and the call of Arizona is strong for both Mr. and Mrs. Williams.
