The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, April 7, 1921
WEDDING BELLS-BOWEN & HOHSTADT: Mr.? Bowen and Miss Eva May Hohstadt were united in marriage at Oquawka April 4th. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Hohstadt and the groom is a son of the late James H. and Mrs. Mary A. Bowen. He spent a number of months in the military service in training camps in the country during the war and is at present taking a course of instructions in auto repair work at Aledo, Ill. The couple will make their home in Aledo.
IT WAS GRANDPA'S MOVE: A precocious 5 year old Stronghurst urchin is said to have recently challenged his grandpa to a game of cards. As there were none of the kind of pasteboards at hand such as is usually employed in games of chance, the little fellow gathered up some bright colored cards which he had obtained at Sunday school. These he proceeded to distribute equally between his opponent and himself and then, after gravely studying his "hand" for a few moments, said, "Grandpa, Jesus is trumps and it's your play."
BIG REDUCTION IN PROPERTY VALUES: The township assessors of Henderson County met at Oquawka and decided upon a uniform basis for assessing personal property this year. The valuations of last year were reduced as much as 70% in some classes of property while reductions of 50% were common.
The value placed on grain, of course, showed the biggest slump. (Example: corn went from $1.00 to 30 cents) Some reductions were made in the value of livestock (example: horses went from $75 to $60, feeders and fat cattle went from $7 to $5 per hundred pounds; Sheep went from $4 to $2 per head and hogs went from 8 cents to 6 cents per pound-(the farming segment of society was in a recession/depression).
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: MR. AND MRS. EARL BEARDSLEY: Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Kaiser and Miss Erma Kaiser entertained a number of guests at the Kaiser home at a three course dinner and card party in honor of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Beardsley whose wedding anniversary occurred on that date. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear; Miss Opal Stine; Miss Ruth Mains; Hollis Links; K.E. Yoakam; and G. C. Rehling. The table was artistically decorated in pink and white.
An elaborate centerpiece of sweet peas was one of the features. At each guest's place was a card announcing the marriage of Ada Lee Lovitt to Earl Beardsley on April 4, 1907. At the place assigned to the guests of honor were two small Kewpies dressed in bridal array. In the card game which followed the dinner, the prize was won by Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear.
COUNTY WOODMEN CONVENTION: Delegates from W.M.A. camps within the county met in Stronghurst and selected a delegate and alternate to the state quadrennial convention to be held at Galesburg May 6th. Of the seven camps in the county only Stronghurst, Oquawka, Raritan and Carman were represented. Mr. Ed Brewer of Stronghurst camp was selected as delegate and J.G. Murphy as alternate. Raritan was chosen as the place for holding the county convention four years hence.
THEY ROBBED THE DEPOT: John Nolan, the ticket agent at the Santa Fe station at Galesburg was held up by two bandits Thursday morning at about 4:30 o'clock and compelled to hand over the contents of the office money drawer. Mr. Nolan was seated at his desk with his back to the ticket window, making out some reports when his attention was attracted by someone tapping on the ticket window ledge. On turning around he found himself looking into the muzzle of a big black revolver held by a tall man wearing an overcoat and a slouch hat, pulled down over his face. Behind this man stood a shorter man also holding a gun. They ordered Mr. Nolan to hand over the contents of the money drawer. He began to gather up some bills which were in the drawer when the robbers ordered him to bring the drawer and place it on the window ledge before them. The agent obeyed the orders and the two men quickly gathered up the bills and packages of coin in the drawer and stuffed them in their pockets. They then ordered Nolan to lie down behind the desk, which stands about eight feet from the ticket window. This demand was also complied with and the bandits than made their exit from the depot and disappeared.
The ticket window before which the bandits stood is in the passage way between the men's and women's waiting rooms and while the robbery was taking place a man from Fort Madison was asleep on one of the benches in the men's waiting room only a few feet away.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: H. F. McAllister has returned from California and will spend the summer in Oquawka. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lovitt have returned to their Terre Haute home from California where they spent the past winter. What is known as the W. A. M. Crouch farm near Rozetta was sold at conservator's sale at $120 per acre ($1,426.80 in today's values). This price is so low that it is considered doubtful the court will approve the sale.
Mrs. Ed Simpson is reported to be quite ill at her home in the village. Mrs. M. J. Connor of Albia, Ia. is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Reed Salter and family. Mr. Will Whiteman who was taken suddenly ill at his home near Coloma is improving. A large delegation of citizens of Stronghurst and vicinity saw the motion picture play, "Down East" at Burlington.
Mrs. Gertrude Howard, who has been at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson, left for her Eastern home. Mr. Frank Hamel, piano tuner, will be in Stronghurst; leave your offers with Mrs. Ivins(local piano teacher) or Dr. Harter's store. Miss Erma Kaiser returned from Chicago for the Easter vacation and will not for the present resume her musical studies in that city. Lots 6 & 7 and part of Lot 8 in block 48 were sold by P.W. Wallin and wife to Mrs. Carrie Marshall.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Victor Links, the 10 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Links of the Old Bedford neighborhood swallowed a steel ball from a ball bearing gearing on March 17th. An X-ray examination located the object; but no operation for its removal has been performed as yet.
Mr. Guy Sowers and Mrs. Cora Slusher, both of Macomb, Ill. were united in marriage in that city on March 18th. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hardin of Raritan Township. Will Drain, who has had employment in the oil fields in Texas, arrived in Stronghurst. The reduction in price of crude oil has caused operations to shut down and many men are out of employment. Other Stronghurst boys who were employed at that place have gone on to the Western coast. Mr. James E. Voorhees, a former Henderson County man, who has been prominently identified with the business interests of Bushnell for many years and who has been active in Republican politics in the city, has applied for the position of postmaster to succeed Mr. J.E. Spiker, the present incumbent.
Miss Evelyn Carothers of this vicinity has gone to Alberta, Can. on a short business trip. Mrs. Lucy Smith of Chicago came for an extended visit at the C. E. Peasley home near Decorra. Mr. and Mrs. Will Fordyce are rejoicing over the arrival of a young daughter at their Terre Haute home.
Dr. Frank Evans of Springfield, Ill. and John Evans of Emerson, Ia. visited the J. M. Evans home at Fairview Farm near Decorra. A meeting of the executive board of the Illinois Federated Women's Clubs of the 14th dist. was held at Monmouth; Mrs. B. G. Widney and Mrs. C. E. Peasley of Stronghurst are members. Miss J. Lita Bane, State Director of Home Economics, visited the home of her brother, F. M. Bane and family enroute to Aledo, Ill. to attend a conference of the Mercer County Home Bureau. Mrs. F.A. Annegers entertained the King's Daughters Circle at her home near Decorra. With a full attendance an interest meeting was held.
While coming into Stronghurst with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rankin in their car, Mr. S. V. A. Simonson sustained a strain of the spine and severe nervous shock when the car struck a fill in the street and he was thrown against the top of the car.
He was taken to his home here where he is being cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Worthington. The Sunday school of the Stronghurst Christian Church was reorganized with a good attendance of members. A splendid talk was given by Elder Catlin of Old Bedford, who has promised to be present every Sunday afternoon during the summer when possible.
Everyone is cordially invited to attend these services held at 2:30 p.m.. Grandpa Brown, who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Wilson here, celebrated his 85th birthday on Easter Sunday, March 27th. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cowden, former Henderson County people living near Biggsville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Monmouth with a family dinner at which all of their nine children except two were present.
The citizens of Dallas City will vote April 16th on the question of a $20,000 bond issue to provide funds for a city water works system.
At present the pumping for the city is done by the electric light company; but the contract has expired and the citizens are offered the alternative of having their own water supply, including that necessary for fire protection purposes, or have their water shut off in case the bond issue is not voted.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Sensibaugh, the Jewish evangelist of Chicago, will give at least four of his wonderful soul searching sermons in the village church this week; Rev. Sailor predicts a large congregation so come early if you wish a back seat. On Sunday the gospel team form Monmouth will have charge of services. Mrs. Woodall did not move to Olena; she recently sold her sand farm, stored her household goods and is staying in Media. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hicks are located in Olena occupying the Albert Hult property. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Lefler have become the proud parents of a young son who will answer to the name of Kenneth Eugene; Mrs. Montroy of the village is caring for mother and son. Miss Esther Johnson was able to resume her studies in Stronghurst high school. Miss Hazel Hicks spent the latter part of the week with Media friends and attended the play given by home talent of Media Academy.
The M. E. Church is now lighted with gas instead of electricity as previously stated. They tried to secure the electricity, but as the price was $500, they changed their plans. Mr. Carl Johnson, Supt. of the Lutheran Sabbath School of Stronghurst accompanied by the Misses Tona Hult and Wilma Burrell of Olena S.S., made a canvass of the north part of District 4 in the interest of the church and S.S. work. Mrs. Arthur Dowell is quite sick with gall stone trouble. (Reading the paper is how you kept up with the neighbors in 1921.) Two gentlemen representing the Lomax broom factory were interviewing the people here in the interest of trade. Wilbur Davis did himself proud by killing a wolf in the timber near his home. A pair of twins was recently born to Mr. and Mrs. George Schroeder of near Danville, Iowa.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Miss Verna Rankin is the new bookkeeper at the Don Lee electric light plant. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Liby returned from California where they spent the winter. Earl Adair and family moved into the Dr. J. A. Bailey home. Mrs. George Holmes and sons, Max and baby, left for Denver, Colo. where they will join her husband and make their future home. William Whiteman who had a slight stroke is able to be up and outdoors again. Mr. and Mrs. David McDill left for Oklahoma where they hope his health will benefit. A play, "Patty Makes Things Hum" planned by members of the Presbyterian Church will be given at the high school. Mrs. Lena Kilgore left for Morning Sun, Iowa, where her brother Luther is very ill. Stronghurst Graphic