The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, April 28, 1921
PTA ORGANIZED: On account of the heavy rain, the meeting called at the Stronghurst Community Club room to give an opportunity to hear Mrs. J. S. Adams of Galesburg explain the Parent-Teachers Association work as it has been organized in the nation and various states was not largely attended. Mrs. B. G. Widney, president of the local women's club acted as chairman and after a few remarks introduced Mrs. Adams, who explained the movement.
Following this presentation, the chairman called for expressions of opinion on the advisability of organizing an association here. Responses were made by Prof. Larson, Rev. K. R. Anderson, Rev. Crumbaker, R. W. Upton, A.H. Kershaw, Mrs. F. M. Bane and others. After discussion both for and against, the organization of the Association proceeded with the election of R. W. Upton as president; Mrs. F. M. Bane, vice-president; A. H. Kershaw, secretary and Mrs. J.F. McMillan, treasurer. Mrs. Adams explained the advantage of allying with the state and national organization and on motion it was resolved to take the necessary steps to do so.
KING'S DAUGHTERS MEET: The King's Daughters circle of Maple Grove met with Miss Lucretia Bruen at her Stronghurst home. A good attendance enjoyed an interesting program and a two course luncheon provided by the hostess.
FIRST SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET: A crowd of about 300 met at La Harpe to watch teams from Bushnell, Stronghurst, Terre Haute, Hamilton, Ferris, Blandinsville and La Harpe compete. The meet soon became a triangular contest for first place with Stronghurst, La Harpe and Terre Haute in the lead. La Harpe won the most points on the track, but fell down in the field events. When the last event came-the running broad jump-the score stood La Harpe 30, Stronghurst 27, and Terre Haute 24. If Stronghurst took first and La Harpe only third, the meet would go to Stronghurst by one point and it seems as if that would happen. Then, in accordance with the rules, Kilgore of La Harpe and Leroy of Hamilton called for a "final series" of three jumps each. Kilgore followed suit by beating Stronghurst's mark at 20 feet, 4 _ inches, crowding the latter down to third and giving La Harpe the meet with 33 points.
Perhaps, the most spectacular event was the high jump which went at 5 feet 9 inches, Nelson of La Harpe and W. Painter of Terre Haute tying. The javelin record for La Harpe was broken by J. Painter of Terre Haute at 132 _ feet. (other results of events given in this article).
FINED FOR BREAKING INTO SCHOOL BUILDING: At various times during the past the Stronghurst public school building has been broken into at night by parties wishing to use it for objectionable and in some cases, illegal and improper purposes. While the identity of these unlawful intruders has in a number of instances been known to the school officials, a reluctance to give publicity to the cases has caused them to show leniency toward the offenders. A very flagrant offense, however, which occurred one night recently, stirred the school board to action, and they determined to take drastic measures in dealing with the offenders.
Upon going to the school building Sunday morning, the janitor of the building found that an entrance had been gained to the building through a rear basement window during the night and he also found evidence that the building had been used as a rendezvous by a number of persons during the night. Prof. Larson was notified and he in turn took the matter up with the school board.
After a close investigation during which evidence was secured which practically determined the identity of some of the intruders at least, it was decided to bring the matter to the attention of the state's attorney. Representatives of the board went to Oquawka and filed complaints which led to the issuing of warrants for the arrest of three young men of this vicinity and naming three young girls as being their companions.
Before the warrants were served, however, the young men forestalled such action by appearing before States Attorney Nolan at Oquawka confessing guilt and asking that their case be disposed of at once. They were accordingly taken before county Judge Gordon who imposed a fine of $25 each and thus ended the case.
Every right minded citizen of the community must agree that such conduct is a public nuisance and should be dealt with according to due process of the law. Stronghurst needs to develop a community spirit which will condemn such actions.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: A declamatory contest for prizes offered by the High School Board of Education will be held at the Media High School Friday evening. First prize is a ten dollar gold piece, second a five dollar gold piece and third a two and a half dollar gold piece. Shoppers in Burlington included Mrs. Florence Mathers and daughter Gladys and Mrs. James Heap and son, Gail, Mrs. Leonard Steele and Miss Anna LaVelle. The Co-operative Store received a new shipment of Victorolas. Many are absent from high school suffering from the measles. The grade school under the direction of Mrs. B. A. Hoffman will give a program May 10th.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Chicago are at the Jno. Pogue home, having been called here by the serious illness of James Pogue. A goodly number of the telephones in town are again entirely out of commission. The old hitch racks in town have been torn down and a few new ones are being built. (cars haven't pushed out horse power yet.)
C. W. Anderson of the Dutch Row neighborhood passed away at this home last Wednesday morning. His death was due to a stroke of paralysis. He is survived by four brothers, three sisters and his wife and one step son, Hugo of Chicago. The funeral services were held at the home with the remains laid to rest in the Biggsville Cemetery.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Miss Winnetta Knisely attended the telephone operators meeting held in Monmouth. G. C. Foster is having his house in town newly shingled. The tea held at the home of Mrs. Clyde Dixon was fairly well attended, the proceeds going to the flower show to be held in the fall by the Community Club.
Recently elected officers of the Cemetery Association are President, Mrs. John McKee; Vice-President, Mrs. Dr. Henderson; Secretary and Treasurer, Ella Lyons. The social committee was divided into four committees to appoint their own helpers.
SOMETHING IS LACKING: The article which appeared in the Graphic concerning the breaking into the Stronghurst school building is published by the request of the members of the board of education of the High School. The last paragraph concludes with the observation that Stronghurst needs to develop a community spirit which will condemn such actions.
This sentiment we doubt not will be heartily endorsed by all right thinking people. We are inclined, however, to go a step further and express the belief that the community needs a parenthood spirit which will show a greater solicitude concerning the associations and companionship of their children and a more jealous care in guarding them from the dangers which threaten them in these days of "liberalism," in which there has developed an obvious tendency in many quarters to throw the orthodox tenets and established forms which have governed human conduct in the past into discard. (This editorial from 1921 expresses ideas that apply today.)
NEW AT THE MOVIES: The Lyric Theatre was advertising Charlie Chaplin in "The Kid"-6 reels of joy. Mr. Jackie Coogian who plays with Charlie Chaplin in this feature is only five years old and he is a wonder.
He has made $64,000 ($760,096 is today's values) all ready and his contract for his next picture pays him $300,000 ($3,567,000 in today's values). The cost of the production of Chaplin in "The Kid" was $800,000 ($9,512,000 in today's values) so you can figure from the cost that it is real picture. Admission prices: Adult-35-50 cents and children 10-15 cents depending on the day of the week. Show starts at 8:30 p.m..
STRONGHURST WINS DEBATE: The two debating teams from Stronghurst High School representing Henderson County in contests with Hancock County Friday evening won the decisions at both places where the contests were held at Bowen and Stronghurst. The question debated was, "Resolved, that all foreign immigration to this country should be prohibited for a period of two years."
Stronghurst was represented at Bowen by Miss Ardis Hicks and William Griffin. They upheld the affirmative side of the argument and won the unanimous decision of the judges.
Miss Evelyn Hartquist and Fort Hicks represented the local school in the debate here, having for their opponents Miss Helen Lawless and E. L. Grosh from the Bowen school. Fort Hicks substituted for Miss Lois Shaw who had a sore throat. The team sustained the negative side in a splendid manner and won the two to one vote of the judges.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Ella Louise and Maxine Rankin of the south country spent the past week with their grandmother, Mrs. Agnes Adair. Chester A. Brook, who is a student at the University of Illinois, was one of a company of students chosen from the Agricultural Club of the University which gave an exchange program at Purdue University in Indiana. The part assigned to Mr. Brook was the showing of lantern slides of the Illinois University.
The American Legion post of Roseville have been advertising a boxing match for their benefit disability fund to held there on April 29th and in which sparring artists from Tulsa, Okla., Beardstown, Ill., Burlington, Ia., Springfield, Ill., Macomb and Roseville were to appear. The Warren County State's Attorney has, however, notified the promoters of the exhibition that is comes under the ban which the state laws places upon prize fighting and cannot be allowed.
See Prof. Makernew and his youth restoring machine at the Lyric on April 29th (sounds like type of "medicine man" show popular during this time period and not different than today's quest for eternal youth).
Mrs. H. D. Lovitt is recovering from a badly sprained ankle, sustained through a fall. Center School has closed again and Miss Duffield has turned to her home at Belmont. Ralph Butler is installing a heating and plumbing system in the new home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Cavins of Media Township. Sterling Simpson is having the interior of his home decorated and the property otherwise improved preparatory to the return of the family from Macomb.
It is said that the freight on a car load of baled alfalfa hay shipped to a local feeder from Kansas City was $27 more than the bill received for the hay. (Post war farming economy was in the dumps.) Miss Mary Dixson and a girl friend of Knox College hiked to Abingdon an evening last week and called on their friends, the Misses Martha Davis and Ruth McMillan. The past week has been marked by many storms of a more or less violent nature in this vicinity and the amount of rainfall has been excessive.
The ground is thoroughly soaked and with a return of normal spring temperature, the quick germination of grain and seed planted should follow. Mrs. C.E. Peasley and Mrs. B. G. Widney were Galesburg visitors and attended a meeting of the White Shriners in the evening.
DRILLING FOR OIL: A test oil well is to be put down on the Thalus Huston farm one mile south of Sciota. The machine is on the ground and being put in place. The fact that a well which was sunk some distance northwest on the head waters of Spring Creek showed signs of oil seemed to justify further investigation.
The location of the proposed test well is at the southern point of the "550" dome which extends across the country to a point a short distance southwest of Stronghurst. This land was all leased a year ago and the results from this well will be closely observed by residents of the territory mentioned.
POINTS OF WISDOM FROM 1921: Charity is religion with its coat off. The successful man never believes in luck. Love is sort of soothing syrup for every ill of life.
There is a difference between living and being alive. Money talks-and it is usually in a hurry to say good-by. Experience is a good teacher, but is often a slow paymaster. Prejudice never recognizes itself when it looks in the mirror. Keep your eye on small opportunities; they sometime grow. Many a man thinks he is choosing a wife when the privilege is all hers.
OBITUARY-JOSEPH PORTER: Joseph, the fifth son of Lewis and Margaret Ann Porter, was born at the country home near Lomax, Ill. June 15, 1875 and passed away at Parkway Hospital, Hot Springs, Ark. April 21, 1921, aged 45 years, 1 month and 6 days. He leaves to mourn his departure the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Mina Porter McCannon and Ed Porter at home; William E., Robert J.; Lee and Mrs. Maud Anderson of Lomax; John F. of Dallas City; B. Frank of Pontoosuc; Lewis W. of Redlands, Calif., all of whom were present at the funeral with nieces, nephews and many other distant relatives and friends. His father, mother, one brother and sister preceded him to the other world.
Joe grew to manhood at the country home, living there all his life never living at any other place. He with Ed and Mina and husband formed the final home circle until death claimed him.
His health failed him February of last year and as a lurking stone beneath the waves the impairment health was never overcome and he with Ed and Mina and her husband, Henry McCannon, went to Hot Springs, Ark. Jan. 5th this year where he took treatment from the best known specialists, but gaining no relief, grew worse until death relieved him. All medical skill and loving hands could do did not stay the grim reaper and the spirit went back to the God who gave it.
His sufferings were severe and intense, his misery being almost unbearable, but he bore it without a murmur or complaint, his last hour being spent in conversation with those of the family present, not forgetting to give a farewell message to his friends at home. He was conscious to the last, walking to the operating room where an operation was performed hoping to prolong his life, but the shock was too great and the thread of life was snapped.
Joe was a single man, belonging to no lodges or societies and professed no Christianity, but God knows his heart and his friends will always remember that he gave a helping hand to whoever needed it. The funeral was conducted at the Christian Church in Lomax and interment was in the family lot at the Logan Cemetery, one mile south of his home. The pall bears were F.A. Strickler, J. V. Vaughn, J. P. Bradley, W. C. Freed , H. G. Crane and Robert Crane.