The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1919
Stronghurst Graphic, May 1, 1919
TAX THE LUXURIES: Beginning today, May 1st, the cost of luxurious living is to be increased by the imposition of a government tax upon many articles of a quality and price above certain standards. The "Lux" tax is 10% of the amount paid to the dealer by purchases on excess of certain allowance. For instance, if Mr. And Mrs. Newly Wed in making selection of a carpet or rug for the home they are furnishing, decide on one costing over $5.00 per square yardk(this would cost $64.85 per yard today), they will have to pay the dealer 10% of the excess per yard as a penalty for their extravagant tastes. That is to say, the carpet or rug costs $6.00 per square yard, the tax will be 10% of $1.00 or 10 cents per square yard.
The man who taste in neckties carries him above the $2.00 mark or who is not satisfied with a $3.00 shirt, a $1.00 pair of silk stockings, a $5,00 pair of pajamas, a $5.00 hat or a $10.00 pair of shoes must pay a tax of 10% on the price he pays in excess of the above mentioned sums for these articles. $15 is the limit set on women's hats, $2.00 on their silk stockings, $15 on their waists (blouses), kimonos and petticoats, $10 on their shoes, $4 on their parasols and $1 on their fans.
Other articles affected by the luxury tax are picture frames, trunks, valises, toilet cases, purses, and had bags, lamps and portable lighting fixture, umbrellas, housecoats and men's waistcoats sold separately from suits.
Another tax going into effect is the stamp tax of one cent on each 25 cents or fraction thereof of the amount paid for perfumes, essences, extracts, toilet waters, cosmetics, petroleum jellies, hair oils, pomades, hair dressings and restoratives, hair dyes, tooth and mouth washes, dentifrices, tooth pastes, toilet powders and similar substances, pills, tablets, powders, tinctures, trochees, sirups, cordial or bitters, tonics, plasters, liniments, salves, ointments, pastes, drops, spirits, oils, proprietary medicinal preparations, etc. The law requires that stamps must be placed on articles upon which tax is due when same are sold or are on display for sale.
(This article goes on to explain the tax of soft drinks and ice cream, etc-the government needed money to pay for the past war.)
NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS: The Burlington Hawkeye says that considerable land in the vicinity of Niota in Hancock County has been leased by oil prospectors. Fishermen claim that the fish supply in the upper Mississippi has been practically destroyed by the big Keokuk dam and an appeal is being made to the government for help. The plan proposed is the building of a fish way through the dam and every organization along the river is asked to cooperate in the movement. The city of Carthage is agitating the question of employing a community nurse at a salary of $1,800 per year. Sam Fisher, a prominent business man of Monmouth who has been manager of the Schloss Brother Clothing Store for the past eight years, died after a short illness. Mr. and Mrs. James Keithly of Blandinsville neighborhood celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Miss Collete Belle Isle, a former Dallas City girl and Albert H. Kirby, a recently returned soldier who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kirby of Dallas City, were married at Clinton, Ill. The bride has been employed as bookkeeper by the Monroe Motor Co. of Carthage Ill and the groom is now a traveling salesman for the Leggett-Myer Tobacco Co. Mrs. Nell Conrardy has been elected principal of the LaHarpe High School at a salary of $100 per month.
Robert Bumster, the Quincy detective who was shot through the head by a desperado on a Burlington train whoa attempted to the rescue of a prisoner being taken to Quincy by Bunster and the Adams County sheriff on April 19th, died as a result of his injuries. The sheriff who wa shot three times during the duel, is now said to be out of danger. (Bumster/Bunster spelling-both appear in the article.)
HOME ON SHORT FURLOUGH: Clarence Harquist rejoiced the hearts of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hartquist and of his other relatives here by a short visit during the past week. He belongs to the U.S.Navy and recently landed in New York on a ship which brought over a lot soldiers who had been members of the Army of Occupation in Germany. He was granted a short furlough and arrived in Stronghurst last Friday remaining until Sunday-a time all too short to permit his meeting and greeting all of his friends. Clarence expects to be engaged in service for some time to come on the vessel he came over in and which will be used for transportating U.S. soldiers home during the summer.
RECIPROCITY: Two of the Nauvoo young bloods went to Keokuk on Easter Sunday and after loading two of Keokuk's speedy damsels in their Ford put on a performance which landed them in the police court and cost them a $25 fine. Two of Keokuk's young sports who had been members of a quartet which had put on a disgusting exhibition in Nauvoo last week and returned later in the evening with a couple of young girls, were nabbed by the Illinois city official and hauled before a magistrate who fined them $9.95 each. This leaves the financial balance of $5.10 in Keokuk's favor.
CORPORAL JOE BAXTER IN U.S.: Mrs. Susie Baxter received word announcing the safe arrival in New York of her son Joe from overseas. He is a member of the 168th U.S.Inf., one of the famous units of the famous Rainbow Division which participated in some of the most strenuous fighting in France during the war. Joe will no doubt have some thrilling tales to relate to his old friends.
***OBITUARY***MRS. LESLIE E. MARSHALL: Rosa Lou Reynolds, daughter of Jefferson and Lacy Reynolds, was born in Stronghurst, Ill., June 27, 1893 and passed away at her home in Olena April 24, 1919 after a lingering illness. She was untied in marriage to Leslie E. Marshall August 17, 1910. To this union two children were born: Adalade, aged 7 years, and Ruby, aged 3 years, who are left to mourn a mother's loss. Deceased is survived by her husband, her father, two brothers and five sisters,; namely-Osia, Curry and Goldie of Olena, Mrs. Sylvia Burr of Gladstone, Ill., Mrs. Mary Loggerstadtt of Reed Point, Mont., Mrs. Oma Hayes of Burnside, Conn., Mrs. Edith Watson of Burlington, Iowa. Her mother, one sister and one brother preceded her in death. Funeral services were held in the Olena church with interment in the Olena Cemetery.
***CHARLES ROSLING*** Charles Rosling died at his home in Gladstone Monday, aged 85 years. He was a long time citizen of this place. Funeral services were held at the U.P. church with burial in the South Henderson Cemetery. He leaves a wife and two sons, Oscar of Alberta, Canada and Edward of Napier, Mo.(His tombstone lists the name as "Carl J. Rosling.)
***WILLIS LAW*** Mr. Willis Law was killed Wednesday morning between Gladstone and Biggsville. He was foreman of the section gang here and they were riding on a small motor car when the car jumped the track, threw the men into the ditch with the car on top of them. Mr. Law lived only long enough to get to the Monmouth hospital where he passed away. Three other men were severely hurt and the hospital gave hope that they would get well. Mr. Law's funeral was held at the M.E. Church Friday morning with interment in the Oquawka Cemetery. He leaves a wife and 3 daughters, Edna, Rhoda and Thelma and two sons, Roy and Linn to mourn his loss. Mr. Law was 45 year old and had been a faithful worker for the railroad company for 18 years in this place.
COMMUNITY BONFIRES: The week commencing May 11 and ending May 17 is to be observed as Health Promotion Week in Illinois and the program outlined by the general committee provides for the consuming of rubbish and refuse which will burn by means of community bonfires which are to be lighted simultaneously throughout the state at 8 o'clock on the evening of May 13th.
Every city, town and village will have a clean-up campaign; and it is suggested that they be parceled out in blocks with a captain for each block to look after the details preparatory to the big bonfires. In some localities the boy scout organizations will superintend the burning of the bonfires while the local authorities will designate the location of the same. Many communities have already begun planning their clean-up week and the indications are that there will a lot of home fires burning on the evening of May 13th.
1894: An order to have the Santa Fe train No.5 stop at this station for the benefit of local business men and shippers had been rescinded by the company on the grounds that they could not discriminate against other towns asking the same favor. Dr. M.S.Hooper had returned to Stronghurst and opened an office on Mary Street. Pres. Edwards had moved from Raritan to Stronghurst and leased the Gilbert blacksmith shop on Mary St. Ed Harden sold his residence in the west part of Stronghurst to Chas. Curry for $1200. A bad storm in which hail stones as large as hen's eggs fell passed to the south of the village on the afternoon of April 30th. J.J.Mathers had decided to resume business at Decorra and was preparing to move his stock of merchandise back to that village from Stronghurst. He had just received the appointment of Post Master of Decorra, which was the main reason for his decision to change localities.
WHAT A SURPRISE! Will Ogden was out looking after chores about his place 6 miles south of town when one of his neighbors, W.H.Summers, called to see about a saw he had left with Will to have filed. While the two men were talking, E.R. Grandey, B.L.Mudd and W.F. Johnson drove up in the latter's auto and asked for some water for the radiator of the car.
Will directed them to the pump which was near the house and they were gone so long that he went to investigate and found that they had gone into the house. About that time other autos arrived bearing Leslie Lovitt, Ed and Al Links, Freeman Doak, Axel Johnson and Dave Stewart, all neighbors. It then began to dawn on Will that some organized conspiracy was being carried out and that his better half was a party to if not the prime mover. This was confirmed when he found that Mrs. Ogden had prepared an elaborate spread with covers laid for 10 guests. It was explained to Will by his wife that she had arranged this surprise as a reminder of his 50th birthday. Ample justice was done by the guest to the sumptuous feast and the whole evening was spent in a most enjoyable manner. Will is to be congratulated on passing the half century mark of his life under such pleasant circumstances.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Lieutenant Micky, an American aviator on the Italian front gave an able description of his activities while serving in the world war and also spoke on the victory loan. The band music and the singing by the male quartet of Stronghurst was greatly enjoyed. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hunt of Burlington visited the lady's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Bevans. The carpenters from Lomax are putting in a foundation under Mrs. Robt. Gillis' house. Mrs. Charlie Kirby and Mrs. John Huppert and sister, Miss Mame Hayes of Burlington and Mrs. Geo. Marsden and son Paul motored to Keithsburg and spent the day with the latter's daughter, Mrs. Willard Crose and family.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Ed Stott of Biggsville was in town demonstrating a fine new automobile and to attend Mr. Law's funeral. White Anderson is moving down to the Green Bay bottoms where he will farm this summer. John Knutstrom, who has been in France the last six months and who has been honorably discharged, came home. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Knutstrom. Mrs. R.B.Day of Cheyenne, Wyo. Is visiting her mother, Mrs. Rose Stephenson. John and George Duvall moved to the Green Bay bottoms in Iowa where they expect to plant a big crop of corn this coming season. Some of the high school students gave a Victory play in Bryan's hall to a large crowd.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: W.H.Wyatt and Mrs. Dr. Emerson were taken to the Burlington Hospital for treatment. LaVerne who is at school in Chicago was home. Considerable road grading is being done in the south district with LeRoy Pence's new tractor. The Liberty loan drive was not as great a success as was liked, but all told $1450 was subscribed at the school building. Several new Chevrolet cars have been bought in the village.
LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: Mrs. Ed Davis of Rock Island is helping to care for her sister, Mrs. Lem Logan who recently returned from the Galesburg hospital. Malcolm Smith is alleged to have broken the local high school 7th and 8th grade record for the 50 yd. dash by doing the distance in five and a fifth seconds. J.B. Huppert, who has been conducting his harness shop in the Chant Building since coming to Stronghurst has purchased the frame building on the east side of Mary St., opposite the Hughes Hotel from Mr. Richard Marshall and moved his stock and tools there in. He contemplates making some alterations in the building in order to secure more light for his work room on the south. (Building housing Stronghurst Implement today). Mr. O.G. Christgau, editor of the Illinois Issue, will speak briefly for the Anti-Saloon League in the morning in both the M.E. and U. P. Churches. In the evening a union service is to be held in the U.P. church (Prohibition movement is gaining strength). Dr. and Mrs. Harter are home after a sojourn of several months in California; they report having spent one of the most enjoyable winters of their lives in the semi-tropical Southern California country. Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Rankin received a collection of war relics and souvenirs from their son, Corporal Lloyd Rankin. In the collection is a pair of German field glasses, a machine gun cartridge belt with shells, a saw tooth and a knife bayonet, pistol holster and belt and a collection of German coins. Lloyd was a corporal in a machine gun battalion and recently landed in New York being transferred from there to Camp Bliss, Texas. Lieut. Lorenzo Foote arrived here from New York to spend a short time with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H.Foote. He left for Champaign expecting to go from there to Camp Grant for his discharge from the army. Miss Blanche Drew of Chamberlain, S. Dak. accompanied her father, Mr. Frank Drew, here to attend the funeral of Mrs. Harriet Drew on April 21st.
Women of the M.E. church will have a tea in the church May 8th. Mrs. Schierbaum, Mrs. Ida Wood, Mrs. Nat Curry, Mrs. Bond, Mrs. Lazear and Miss Grace Slater will serve and all women of the community are invited. Mrs. Mae Hunter Morgan has returned from the Burlington hospital permanently benefitted her friends hope by the operation she underwent while there. Mrs. E.J. Martin received a telegram from Corporal Martin stating he had arrived from Ober Zissen, Germany; he had been overseas since 1917. This ought to be a good year for a revival of Fourth of July celebrations and we suggest that Stronghurst citizens get together on a proposition to fittingly observe the day.
The little village of Brimfield in Peoria County recently erected a community building at the cost of $20,000, all stock being taken by the people of the community. Brimfield has a population of about 600. There is a suggestion for thought in this item concerning the failure thus far of the effort to provide Stronghurst with a decent hotel.