The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, Dec. 2, 1920
LARSON FAMILY CELEBRATION from the Galesburg Mail: "Thanksgiving Day was the occasion of a four-fold celebration at "Home Acres," the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman F. Larson. In addition to observing the anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, the thirty members of the Larson family present celebrated the 66th birthday of Mrs. N.J. Larson, mother of the family, who formally welcomed 2 grandchildren into the family circle and heard the announcement of the engagement of Mr. and Mrs. N.J. Larson's daughter, Maree, to George Clausen. The new grandchildren are Thomas Parker Larson and Jane Anne Larson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman F. Larson. Of the 32 children and grandchildren of Mrs. Larson, about 30 were present to help her celebrate her birthday.
A sumptuous turkey dinner was served, a special feature of which was an enormous birthday cake on which were 66 pink and white candles and around which were a number of gorgeous pink chrysanthemums.
During the afternoon Edward Munday brought in what appeared to be a special delivery letter, but when opened, it was discovered to be a clever poem announcing the engagement of Maree Larson and George Clausen. A relative from away was Mrs. Larson's sister, Mrs. Amanda Bond of Boston."
VAN TASSELL-SIMPSON WEDDING from The Newark American Tribune, Newark, Ohio: "Mr. Harold Van Tassell , the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Van Tassell of this city and Miss Mabel Simpson, formerly of Stronghurst, Ill. were married on Nov. 18, 1920 in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Van Tassell is the private confidential secretary to Mr. William A. Bennett, who is Vice President of the Equitable Life Insurance Co. of the District of Columbia and Simpson has rendered valuable service to the government for the past three years.
Mr. Van Tassell is auditor and bookkeeper for the District National Bank and a local theatre.
GOSPEL TEAM AT M. E. CHURCH: A gospel team from Monmouth was present at the M.E. church last Sabbath evening and conducted the services. Prof. Haldeman of Monmouth College; A. L. Chase, Y.M.C.A Secretary; and Mr. Toney, Mr. Ward and Prof. Grove of Kirkwood composed the team. The young people's society of the church furnished appropriate music. The subject discussed by the team was "The Manhood of the Master." The team composed of professional and business men is endeavoring to create new interest in the work of the church and their meetings are inspiring and helpful.
MARRIED 40 YEARS: At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Simonson on West Penn Avenue in Roseville the celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary of Mrs. Simonson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward O. Barnes of Raritan took place. Mr. Barnes and Miss Emma Stansberry were married in Raritan on Nov. 24, 1880, which, like this year, was on Wednesday and the day preceding Thanksgiving. The new home of the Simonsons was handsomely decorated and the guests were relatives of the 40 year bride and groom. It has been a honeymoon period for this couple as Mr. Barnes has been the chief of the happy lot of an editor of the Raritan Reporter for 37 years. The guests included, Editor and Mrs. J. C. Coulson; Dr. and Mrs. George Coulson; Charles Coulson of LaHarpe; Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Simonson of Jackson Corners; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reed and son Ralph of Prairie City; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Kritzer of Monmouth; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Hamilton, Mrs. Arthur O'Neal of Roseville-Roseville Times Citizen
RECORD ESTABLISHED: A new record in farm land prices in Henderson County was probably established the past week when the west 80 acres of the northwest quarter of section 26 in Media Township was sold by Murphy Ross to Mr. Lewis Cavins for $425 per acre. ($4, 530 in today's values) The tract is what was formerly known as the Delano farm and is situated 4 miles east of Stronghurst. Every foot of it is the richest of Illinois black soil. Mr. Cavins was already the owner of 160 acres adjoining this tract on the north and he will now have one of the choicest farmsteads to be found in this section of the state. A fine 80 acres which Cavins owned in Section 27 of Media Township was also purchased during the week by Jas. Mathers at $375 per acre. ($3997 today)
WEDDING BELLS-HOLLLINGSWORTH-WILHOLT: Chauncey Hollingsworth sprung a surprise on his many Stronghurst friends when he arrived here for a Thanksgiving season accompanied by a young lady whom he introduced as his wife. The young lady was previously Miss Nina Wilholt of Westfield, Ill. and the ceremony which united the destinies of the pair was performed at the home of her parents in Westfield Nov. 24th. The happy couple are guests at the groom's mother, Mrs. Nellie Hollingsworth, for a couple of day before departing for Chicago. They will be home later at Mattoon, Ill. Chauncey has recently been promoted in the position of Chief Clerk of the Electrical Engineering Dept. of the Central Illinois Public Service Co.
OPENING DAY AT GLADSTONE QUARRY: The officials of the Monmouth Stone Co. have announced that the big plant at Gladstone is to be put in operation on Dec. 15th. The formal opening and starting of the monster crusher which has been installed will be heralded to the whole surrounding country by the explosion of five tons of dynamite, which is expected to loosen up somewhere from 75,000 to 100,000 tons of limestone from the big ledge where drilling has been in progress for many weeks. With the crushing plant ready to start work on this loosened rock, the company expects to have plenty of road material, limestone fertilizer and limestone marble on hand to meet the demand which is sure to come early next spring.
Several thousand dollars worth of fine molding sand which is only a sort of by-product of the quarry, has already been sold and delivered and when the entire plant is once in operation, the output will no doubt be such as to bring in handsome returns to those who are financially interested in the enterprise.
1895 GRAPHIC: Jesse Wimp, a prominent farmer and stock shipper of Dallas City was killed on Nov. 28th by a Burlington passenger train at a railway crossing near Colusa. John H. Baker of Stronghurst and Miss Tutwiler were married in Burlington on Dec. 4th. Hon. J. O. Anderson of Decorra was figuring on a plan to connect all the towns in Henderson County by a telephone system. The ice bridge over the river at Burlington was sufficiently strong to allow of teams and vehicles crossing it in safety. Farmers were depressed over the price of their products. Corn was selling on the Chicago market at 20-27 cents; wheat at 56-57 cents; oats at 17-19 cents. Cattle were selling from $3.50 to $5.60 per hundred and hogs at $3.00-$3.75.
HENDERSON COUNTY MAN ARRESTED: Arlo Griffin, who is said to hail from Henderson County, was arrested at Good Hope by Sheriff Sapp on the charge of adultery. Griffin came to Good Hope some time ago with a young woman from Henderson County and stayed at the home of his sister, Mrs. B.L. Monger. Later he went to husk corn for Bud James, the woman remaining in Good Hope.
While he was working, Griffin was arrest on complaint of the woman's parents and was taken to Macomb where he remained to custody of the McDonough County authorities until the arrival of police officials from Henderson County. The woman is remaining in Good Hope for the present-Monmouth Atlas
*WEDDING BELLS*GABRIELSON-STRAND: Mrs. Huldah Strand and August Gabrielson were united in marriage at the Presbyterian parsonage in Oquawka on Nov. 15th. Both are well known in the south country where they will make their home of the farm which the bride owns seven and one half miles southeast of Stronghurst.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: A yield of 95 bushels of corn per acre is reported from a field on the Dale Davis farm near Decorra. Miss Marjorie Gibb is home from the hospital where she was receiving treatment from an abscess on her tooth. Henry Simmons is able to be around again after being confined to his home for about 10 days by injuries received from falling from the hayloft in his barn and alighting on his head and shoulders. The E. G. Lewis Seed Co. is said to have between 10,000-11,000 bushels of seed corn of fine quality in their drying rooms at Media, all of which was raised in the neighborhood of Media. The Young People's Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian Church at Biggsville will hold a County Fair and Oyster supper at the parsonage Dec. 3rd beginning at 6 p.m..
Rex Wray, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Wray of Monmouth, has been selected as quarterback on the All Eastern Second Football Team. Rex has been playing on the University of Pennsylvania team for the past two years and his work has attracted the attention of football experts throughout the country. The Graphic has received a handsomely printed little brochure being the title, "The Thoughtful Thinkers Library," edited and printed by Lines Groo at Long Island City, N.Y. Among the contributed articles is one from the pen of Miss Lena C. Ahlers of this vicinity under the caption "How I Overcame Melancholy." This article contains thoughts and suggestions in regard to the attainment of true happiness well worth the consideration of anyone. Miss Erma Kaiser has been taking harp lessons at the Lyceum Arts Conservatory, Chicago, Ill. Tobe Butler and his son Howard were quite ill from what was believed to be a case of ptomaine poisoning due to the eating of some fresh oysters.
Mrs. Ellis Roberts, who has been at Augustana Hospital for several weeks recovering from a surgical operation, was able to return to Stronghurst and is staying with her mother, Mrs. Veech. W. F. Allison is here from Butler, Mo. looking after farming interests. He says that a wet and backward season has made wheat sowing in Western Missouri impossible.
Mrs. Addie Cortleyou received word of the death of Mrs. Garrett Cortleyou of Troy, Mo. On Nov. 21st. The death was caused by her being thrown from a buggy and striking her head upon a rock; she was formerly a resident of this county. Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Kaiser and Miss Erma gave a Thanksgiving card party and luncheon. Their guests included Mr. and Mrs. Earl Beardsley, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Highfield, Miss Ruth Mains, Mr. Grover Rehling and Mr. Kenneth Yoakam. Prize winners were Miss Mains and Dr. Highfield.
The bungalow which Perry Stamp is erecting on the lots east of the Christian Church is rapidly nearing completion. The Hancock County Grand Jury brought an indictment for murder against H. W. Crenshaw of Warsaw, who killed Bert Langford on the county fair grounds by striking him with his fist.
The flour millers have given recognition to the fact that the price of wheat has dropped to around $1.50 per bushel to the extent of making it possible for the consumer to buy a 50 lb. sack of fairly good flour for $3.00 ($30.66 in today's values).
An effort was made last week by unknown parties to destroy the two county blood hounds of Mark Yates at Monmouth by feeding them ground glass in meat. The dogs were put under the care of a veterinarian who succeeded in saving their lives. Mr. and Mrs. I.V.D. Perrine of the south country have received word of the birth of a son on Nov. 22nd to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Walton of Naperville, Ill; this event raises them to the dignity of great grandparents. Lyall Jolls, the mechanic who was killed in the automobile race in Los Angeles, Calif. in which Gaston Chevrolet and Eddie O'Donnell, two famous drivers were also killed, was a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Headen of La Harpe. Lee Heller, who was recently released from the state reformatory where he was sent about a year ago by the Henderson County Court is again being sought by officers of the law for forging a check on Lewis Cavins of Media Township and passing it in payment for a motorcycle.
J.R. Marshall writes that he is located on the M & M Ranch, situated on the east shore of Cur-off Lake in Pike County, Ill. where he has gone into winter quarters with his son, Norton, in a cabin which they have fitted up.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brokaw received word telling of the critical illness of their daughter, Mrs. Della Blanchard from diphtheria. They left at once for Washington, D.C., the home of Mrs. Blanchard; latest reports say the patient is showing improvement. Amongst the students spending Thanksgiving holidays with home folks in this vicinity were Miss Gladys Rankin, Genevieve and Robert Adair from Champaign and Richard Peasley from Knox. Ray Larmer and Earl Duke of the Kirkwood neighborhood each had a hand caught in a corn husking machine of the Duke farm Thanksgiving Day. Larmer's injuries were such as to make the amputation of two fingers necessary. Duke's hand was badly crushed but the fingers were all saved. Fred McKinley departed for his home at Lamar, Colo. after a pleasant visit of 10 days with relatives and old friends. The Annual State Poultry Show is to be held in Monmouth during the first week in January. This show is a big event in poultry circles and our local farmers and breeders should begin to get their birds in shape for exhibition. Russell Enwall, who has been working in the oil field of Texas for several months, came home for the Thanksgiving season but will return there for the winter. Messrs. Runge and Bradway will hold a sale of 65 head of cattle and 4 head of horses on the A. A. Runge farm 3 miles north of Carman on Dec. 15th.
Mr. Charles Barnes of Marston, Mo. has been visiting relatives in Stronghurst. He is the son of the late Seth Barnes, who was one of the well known early residents of this section. He is prominently identified with agricultural affairs in Missouri and he gave an interesting talk to the students of the local high school on the cotton growing industry, a subject which he has made a special study. State food inspector Alex Peterson of Knoxville was in the village and stated that some of the merchants and purveyors of food were rendering themselves liable to prosecution under the laws of the state by allowing refuse and filth to accumulate in the backyards and alleys adjoining their places of business. He also said that he expected to make a return visit soon to see whether the instructions he had left regarding this matter had been observed.
OBITUARY-FRED SIMPSON: Fred Simpson, former well known Henderson County man and editor for a time of the Henderson County Democrat, died at his home in Kamlopps, B.C. Nov. 22nd. Mr. Simpson was interested in a number newspaper enterprises in this country and in Canada. He was rated as a successful business man and was said to have accumulated considerable of the world's wealth. He was the son of Hon. John Simpson, who is remembered by the older generation as having been one of the leading lawyers of this part of the state in years past.
OBITUARY-CHARLES LINELL: Charles Linell, former deputy county clerk of Henderson County and of later years a resident of Oak Park, Ill., died at his home on Nov. 22nd. His remains were brought to Oquawka were services were held at the Presbyterian Church. Interment was in the Oquawka Cemetery. He is survived by his wife who was formerly Miss Margaret Cooper of Oquawka and by one son, Charles Schott Linell, Jr.
HEADLINER: "Miss Hettie Jane Dunaway is an entertainer not easily labeled. She doesn't give a miscellaneous program or the reading of a whole play. She selects one leading character from a play and builds around it. She culls from different stories and magazines material suitable for the character and combines the ideas into a whole evening's playlet. Her stories are not only beautiful and entertaining but have a personal touch which is clean and wholesome. She is a natural artist-Southern style-looks good-personality plus!" She will be at the Lyric Theater Monday night Dec. 6th in the second number of the season's Lyceum Course.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Frederick Crane was badly hurt while jumping off of an embankment west of town. Both of the bones above his ankle were broken and ankle badly sprained. He was taken to the Burlington Hospital immediately and everything is being done for him to save him from being a cripple, but this is a very serious case. Cecil Gillis was dismissed from quarantine having had a siege of scarlet fever; the remainder of the children have not contracted it so far and all hope they will soon be released
Two little boys about seven and eight years of age and a large black dog, a John boat and some kind of an old gun caused some excitement as they came down the river past old Shokokon landing. The boys had started west so they said but did not care to tell who they were for some time. Mrs. Anna Morris thinking they were quite young to be out in a boat this time of year alone called up clubhouses and finding out they were not from there, notified the Burlington police station. The police who answered the call were unwise enough to think they ought to be sent back, but Morris knowing they could never pull up the stream sent word to the police matron that she would come for the children until they could find out where they belonged.
A little girl from Dallas City wandered away from her home and was noticed by section foreman Gillis near Silver Lake. He took her into custody and as she refused to tell her name, they found a card in her pocket. Chester Gillis took her to Dallas City and left her in the custody of her people. What might have been the story of these little wanders if they had not fallen into these good Samaritan's hands.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Burrus were called to Pleasant Hill, Kansas by the illness of a brother of Mr. Burrus, Mr. Nat Burrus. Word was received Sabbath night that he passed away that evening. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kilgore and daughter Jane spent Thanksgiving with the lady's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graham. Mr. E. P. Babcook returned home to Clinton, Wis. after a week's visit with his son Dr. Babcook and wife. Al Stotts expects soon to move into the hotel and take charge.
AUTO ACCIDENT SERIOUS: Mrs. Alvin Thompson was seriously hurt in an auto accident where both of her legs were fracture, her chest injured and she had other internal injuries. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and family were returning from a dance at Keithsburg early Thanksgiving morning. At the home one mile south of Gladstone, Mrs. Thompson stepped from the car to open the gate. She passed in front of her husband's car and walked in front of an automobile driven by her brother-in-law, Ward Melvin of La Harpe, Ill. that was following the Thompson car.
She was caught under the car and dragged some distance before it could be stopped. The unfortunate woman was taken into her home and medical aid summoned. Later she was taken to the Burlington hospital in an ambulance. X-ray photographs were taken showing her hip fractured and her left leg fractured in two places below the knee.
Mrs. Thompson has a number of children and is 37 years old.
-OBITUARY-GEORGE W. MILLER: George Miller, a well known resident of Gladstone, passed away suddenly Sunday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Morris. He had been a life long resident of Gladstone and vicinity and was born here Nov. 19, 1845. He united in marriage with Mary L. Essex Jan. 30, 1883 and to this union six children were born: Charles of Minneapolis; Mrs. Charles Davenport of Biggsville; Mrs. Harry Morris of Gladstone; Fred, who died in infancy; Frank, who passed away in France and Eugene of Kirkwood. He was a retired farmer. His funeral was held at the U.P. church with interment in South Henderson Cemetery.
-C. EFFENBECK- Mr. Effenbeck, a life long resident of Lomax, died recently. He was 73 years of age and leaves a widow and six children who are all married and living elsewhere. He was a member of the Christian church where the funeral was conducted with internment in the Crane Cemetery.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Mrs. Wm. Daugherty returned from Lafayette, Ill. where she went to spend the week end with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Lauber. A masquerade ball was given Thursday evening at the hall with prizes given to the three best dancers. The stork visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cisna and left them a fine baby boy who will be master in the home.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: A good crowd attended the sale of household goods of Mrs. Wm. Black's Saturday afternoon. The two churches commenced practicing on a cantata which they will give about Christmas time.
Charles E. Pendarvis left for Eureka to attend to business matters. The bazaar held by the Community Club was quite a success with something like $190 taken in from the sale of fancy work and other things. Mr. Raymond Lefler spent Thanksgiving with his parents, Mr . and Mrs. Frank Lefler of Hamilton. Mr. W.P. Terry of Colorado was hurt recently in a runaway.