What Stocktonites Were Doing 98 Years Ago
Dr. W. E. Thomson, who purchased the Stockton hospital from Dr. R B. Osborn some weeks ago, turned the property back to Dr. Osborn, the latter now in charge of the institution. Dr. Osborn informs a reporter for the Review and Record that he is here to stay. Dr. Osborn felt the call to new fields, but a short stay away from Stockton gave him reason to believe that this was the best location in the state, and Osborn returned, relieving Dr. Thomson of ownership. During Dr. Thomson’s short stay here, he made many warm friends who regret his leaving this city. The doctor goes to Clay Center, where he will devote his time only to surgery. Dr. Osborn’s many friends and patients all over the county will be pleased to learn that he has returned to Stockton and plans to locate here permanently.
Starting next Tuesday, Rooks County will have a new treasurer. When you step up to the wicket to pay your taxes, Walter E. Fleming—who will handle the county money for the next two years—and possibly more, will greet you. The treasurer takes office at the end of the county’s fiscal year, while the remaining officers, except for the county superintendent, go into office on the first of the year. Walter has been “sticking” around in the office for the past few weeks, gathering knowledge of the varied duties, and the County can feel assured of a clean and efficient official. Ralph C. Elliot, the present treasurer, expects to remain in the office until Mr. Fleming becomes adept with the workings.
A small group of Stockton businessmen met before the city commissioners last Monday night to thresh out the plan for the continuance of the night watchman. One or two of the commissioners have heard from taxpayers that they want to do away a night watchman. Consequently, these commissioners think it is time to heed the call of those taxpayers, dispense with the night watchman, and take the chances of the business section of Stockton being free of fires and bold robbery during the night when all are asleep. The commissioners expressed themselves as willing to pay one-half of the cost of a night watchman, which is $50.00 a month, providing the merchants would raise a similar fund. This was met with some opposition as the businessman is approached almost daily to contribute to the various drives, civic improvements, religious and other funds lacking. Another thing of the nearly 60 business firms in Stockton is that only 50 percent would likely contribute their share to a night watchman’s salary, leaving the other 50 percent with the same protection as those that paid, which would be unfair to those paying. The city commissioners could hardly call that good business. A night watchman during the fall and winter months is almost a necessity. Robbery and theft are secondary matters; the primary and greatest reason for night patrols is a precaution against fires. A disastrous fire could wipe out many business houses before being detected. Surely, the commissioners have the City more at heart than pass the buck to the businessman to foot the bill. The resident taxpayer pays his money, but the amount he pays in taxes to support a night watchman would be so few dollars that it could hardly be noticeable. It’s the small payer that makes the biggest howl. What do you say, business man?
W. F. Hughes, O. O. Osborn, H. C. Sweet, and A. C. Hammond were in Hays last Saturday as guests to the reception tendered to the Board of Regents. The Board was making its first official visit to the Kansas State Teachers College, and the Hays business people favored the several members and out-of-town guests with a banquet in the college dining hall. Citizens from several counties in western Kansas attended the affair.
A Ford car failed to break and crashed into the Citizens State Bank last Saturday evening. Lawrence Mason, the driver, was preparing to park his car at the curb and, in applying the break, mistook the foot feed pedal, and as a consequence, the vehicle mounted the sidewalk and straightway to the bank building it went. Lawrence became too excited to stop the vehicle before any damage could be prevented.
R. E. Southard and C. W. Coolbaugh left Sunday for Omaha, where they will attend the national convention of the American Legion. Mr. Coolbaugh was named as a delegate from this sixth district.
W. F. Hughes and Ralph Burlin have been summoned as jurors in Judge Pollock’s court at Leavenworth. They must report to the court the following Monday.
Louis Hebrew and Alice Slansky slipped away to Hays last Saturday and were married, the probate judge officiating. The young couple will make their home with the bride’s parents. Their many friends extend congratulations.
From The Woodston Argus…..Mrs. Olmer Adams has been assisting in the post office for the past few days…..Fred Lambert and wife of Stockton and Omer Atkisson and wife of this place made a trip to the Fairport Oil Fields last Sunday…..Chas. McNutt took a truckload of furniture to Phillipsburg for W. M. Stehley last Sunday. He was accompanied by his wife and baby, who went along for a short visit with the Stehley family….. The Woodston Rebekah Lodge No. 710 have been practicing their drill team lately. They have some new paraphernalia and expect to have a crack team before the winter is over.
