Stronghurst Graphic

The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The 1921 Graphic

Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross

Stronghurst Graphic, March 24, 1921

PROMINENT FARMER DISAPPEARS: The Chicago Tribune contained a sensational article concerning Mr. C. W. Walker, the well known farmer and stockman who operates a farm five miles southwest of Stronghurst. The Tribune story which was accompanied by pictures of both Mr. and Mrs. Walker ran as the follows:

"Detectives yesterday began a search for C. W. Walker, a cattleman of Stronghurst, Ill., who disappeared after coming to Chicago with a load of cattle on March 15th. He sold the cattle to John Patterson & Sons, receiving $200 ($2,377 in today's values) and told the commission men he was going home.

Mrs. Walker waited several days then made inquiries. "I fear he has fallen a victim to thieves," she told the police yesterday.

Mr. Walker was 45 years old and a leader in agricultural affairs in the vicinity of Stronghurst."

The fact of Mr. Walker's disappearance seems to have been known to but few people here until the story came out in the Tribune. Through inquiry, the Graphic has ascertained that the Tribune articles is substantially correct with the exception that the cattle were sold to the commission firm of G.B. VanNorman & Co. instead of Patterson & Sons. We also learn that Mr. C. E. Peasley, who is a neighbor of Mr. Walker, has been in Chicago for the past day or two assisting in the search for the missing man.

Many of Bert's friends are inclined to the opinion that after selling his cattle, he decided to take a trip somewhere and that his wife some way failed to receive word of his decision. It is hoped that something of this kind has occurred and that the fear that he has met with foul play may prove to be unfounded.

THREE WEDDINGS: THRUSH-MESECHER: Miss Icel Mesecher and Mr. Lloyd Thrush, both of Raritan Township, were united in marriage at Burlington on March 19th. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Anetta Mesecher and has spent her entire life in this vicinity. She is an accomplished young lady and a graduate of the Media Academy; she has been one of Henderson County's successful teachers. She is principal of the Raritan public school and is also an earnest worker in the Raritan Reformed Church where she has held the position of S.S. Superintendent.

Mr. Thrush is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thrush and is a successful young farmer. At the close of the present school year he and his bride will reside on a farm.

THORELL-LOVITT: Vernon Thorell of Media Township and Miss Lara Lovitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lovitt of Terre Haute Township, were married in Burlington on March 12th. The bride is an attractive and talented young lady and fitted to make a capable helpmate to the groom. The latter is the senior member of the firm of Thorell Brothers who operate the George Foote farm south of Stronghurst. He was a soldier in the late war and saw service overseas.

VOORHEES-THURSH: Raymond Voorhees, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Voorhees, and Miss Goldie Thrush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thrush, both of Raritan Township, were united in marriage at Burlington on March 19th.

INVENTION MAY MAKE HIM RICH: According to the La Harpe Quill, Mr. Stanley Sights of that city is in line to become a millionaire and famous through his invention of a non-blowout, puncture proof automobile tire. Mr. Sights has obtained a patent for his tire and is said to be now receiving so many letters from automobile manufacturers and others interested in the automobile business, inquiring about the tire, that he has to employ extra help in answering his mail. One auto firm has persisted in having him set a price on his invention and he finally made them a proposition to take $200,000 ($2,378,000 in today's values) and a royalty on each tire manufactured. The Quill says that correspondence following this offer indicated that the firm referred to is about ready to close a deal at Mr. Sight's figure.

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: A nine pound daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Guy Little of the west country on March 19th. S. H. Peasley of Fort Collins, Colo. has been a visitor amongst relatives. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Beal March 16th at the home of Mrs. Beal's mother in Media. Mr. and Mrs. Del Huston of the country west of Stronghurst are the parents of an 11 lb. son born on March 21st. Mrs. G. has and daughter, Miss Clara, are said to be contemplating the disposal of their residence in Stronghurst and returning to their farm. Vern Reed, a Macomb lad, was shot through the head and killed last Sunday afternoon while he and six playmates were practicing target rifle shooting. Members of the Doug Steffey family enjoyed a reunion and family dinner at the Steffey home in the village; Harry Winter and family of Maysville, Mo. were among the guests. In addition to those mentioned last week, the following young ladies took the teachers' examination at Oquawka: Audrey Rezner, Hazel Long; Lois Anderson and Maxine Lovitt.

Clarence Bly, who was formerly in the employ of the Western Illinois Utilities Co. here, has purchased a laundry business in Macomb and will move there from Roseville. Ray Rankin and family accompanied by Ray's brother John left for Rochester, Minn. where physicians at the Mayo Bros. hospital will again be consulted regarding Ray's physical condition before the family returns to their home in Canada. Three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Keith, who live east of town, was made violently ill from eating laxative tablets which she mistook for candy; the timely arrival of a physician prevented what might have been a fatality. The Sunday school classmates of little Junior Jacobson together with their teacher, Miss Ethel Hartquist, joined in celebrating his 4th birthday at an Easter party held at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jacobson.

Edgar Churchill has leased the Raritan Opera House and expects to install a moving picture machine and give shows two evenings a week. Mrs. Calvin Thompson of the south neighborhood was operated upon for appendicitis at the Monmouth Hospital; she is reported as getting along nicely. Mr. A.C. Housh and Mrs. Carrie Jones, twin sisters living at Maquon, Ill, celebrated their 86th birthday on Feb. 28th; they are said to be the oldest living twins in the state of Illinois. The Rev. D. K. Sailor of Biggsville is assisting in the installation of a gasoline lighting plant in the M.E. church there. Dr. Sensibaugh, the Chicago evangelist who recently conducted meetings at Biggsville and Gladstone, ahs been secured for a four evenings series of meeting to be held in the Olena M. E. Church March 29th through April 1st.

At an annual recital of the advanced students in the Conservatory of Music of Monmouth College, Miss Evelyn Fort had a prominent place on the program appearing in the Organ Introduced Choral and two piano selections. Warren County donations of corn to the European and Near Relief work have not been as liberal as was anticipated and have not reached the mark set by little Henderson County. Indications are that three car loads will be the limit of the Warren County contribution. At a meeting of the county board of supervisors held at Oquawka the question of appropriating money for the employment of a county nurse was discussed but no action taken. The consensus of opinion was that no appropriations for such objects should be made until financial conditions became normal again. A runaway in which two four mule teams attached to two discs and two drivers were involved, was staged in a field on the Roy Park farm east of town. The driver of one of the teams, who was an ammunition wagon driver in France during the war, says that for a time the situation seemed more critical than any he had to cope with in his overseas experience. Fortunately, however, both he and the other driver escaped without any serious injuries and of the eight mules only one received any bad cuts in the mix-up from the dangerous disc blades.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Brown, who had gone to Oklahoma some three years ago, have returned to Stronghurst to make their home. Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Kemp of Decorra are the happy parents of twin babies, a boy and girl, born on March 13th. Mrs. J. W. Anderson was called to Chicago by the serious illness of her sister in a sanatorium (TB victims went to sanatoriums). Robert Vaughn returned home from the Burlington Hospital where he had been an appendicitis patient; he is getting along finely and will soon be completely recovered. Stronghurst friends have received with sorrow the news of the critical illness of Mrs. Dee Headen at the home of her son in Bakersfield, Calif. An abscess near the brain is reported as the cause of her illness. John Wilson, who has made his home with his brother Len during the past winter, left for Oklahoma where he will look after some business and then go to Washington State for a visit with his brother Silas. Miss Dorothy Moore, who was a stenographer at the local farm bureau office for a time, spent the weekend with her friend, Mrs. Lillie Mahnesmith, before returning to Denver, Colo. where she is employed with her uncle in a bank.

HIGH SCHOOL CARNIVAL: The carnival held at the high school Thursday night for the benefit of the athletic association was a big success. After the usual gayety of a carnival, the people were treated to three unusual plays given by the advanced Expression class. The talent displayed was very unusual, being the second dramatic success shared by several of the cast who were also in the successful senior play.

"The Shadowed Star," a true story of the immigration question so popular now coupled with the problem of the conditions of the crowded cities, was a pathetic scene in the tenement district with Evelyn Hartquist and Esther Lind as old Swedish women who had the spirit of joyful Xmas and always kept plenty of tea for their neighbors: Marie Rankin and Audrey Marsden as Irish neighbors who had been embittered toward life in general; Dorothea McMillan as the little messenger boy, depicting the thoughtfulness of the American people. The two daughters come home to a cold room, a sleeping grandmother to find their mother in the other land with Michael.

Luis Hollingsworth successfully presented "Cherry Blossoms," a beautiful oriental presentation of the wonderful love of a little Japanese girl, who chose death to show her loyalty to her lover whom she thought untrue. As the cherry blossoms fall, the girl's soul departs just as her lover, who was only teasing, appears too late. "The Rider of Dreams" added amusement and life to the evening. The main character, the worthless dreamy husband who lives in a world of imagination and answers to the pleading of Lucy "to trust in God" with "ah done trust God once and he done give me the go-by-I've goin to depend on myself."

HUGE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: One of the most delightful social affairs of the season was the party given at the home of Mrs. Florence Mathers Thursday afternoon when a large number of neighbors and friends gathered to remind her mother, Mrs. Almira Jenette Bacon, that she had reached her 90th milestone and also to extend congratulations and best wishes. Mrs. Bacon was born at Ginard, Pa. March 17 1831. She came to Illinois in a covered wagon when but eight years of age and despite her years is quite spry and enjoying the best of health and is as happy as could be for she is being very tenderly cared for by her daughter and granddaughter, Mrs. Florence Mathers and Miss Gladys.

During the afternoon, Mrs. Mason of Smithshire, an old friend of the family, played several old time piano solos,"The Irish Washerwoman," etc., which delighted the dear old lady as well as the rest of the company, Mrs. B. A Hoffman played "When you and I were young, Maggie" with variations; Mrs. W.N. Myrtland read "The Model Church." Her pastor, Rev. Russell of the M.E.Church, made a very pleasing address and told some very amusing Irish stories. A number of old songs, one of which "Savior Lead Me," being her favorite, were sung by all and grandma's voice could be heard among the rest.

A large beautiful oak rocker was presented her as a token of love and esteem. She also received a number of other small gifts and flowers during the day. A large and beautiful birthday cake containing the word "Mother" and decorated with 90 pink candles was presented to her by Mrs. Jno. Lawyer and the beautiful scene that was presented by grandma as she sat in her new rocker and her dear old hands gracefully and delightfully flitted from candle to candle as she lighted them, will never be forgotten. Ice cream, Devil's food and angel food cake and tea were served.

Those present were Mesdames W.S.White, J.D.Mink, E.S. Mathers, Greer Mathers, Richard Gould, H. O.White, Coon, Dan Campbell, David Gilliland, A.L.Beal, David Gibson, Jno. Wever, B.Drain, J.B. Heap, Mason, B.T.Hoffman, E.G.Lewis, Cambral, Jon. Lawyer, Etta Thompson, S.A.Pendarvis, Barbara Bowering, Roy Park, W.W. Myrtland, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Russell. The guests on departing wished that Mrs. Bacon might be spared to have many more such enjoyable events.

MEDIA MEANDERINGS: George Strong returned from Monmouth and is now employed by the E.G.Lewis Seed Co. E.G.Lewis was on a business trip through McDonough, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike and Hancock Counties; he brought back lots of orders for seed which caused a lot of activity at the seed house. The force has been enlarged to meet this need as well as the mail order business. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Lyons of Olena visited with Mrs. Alice Schroeder. Edwin Ericson who has been attending Augustana College at Rock Island spent Easter with relatives and friends in town. A fairly good attendance was present at the St.Patrick social which was held at the Community Club room. The Media High School will give a comic operetta at the high school Friday evening; this operetta consists of three acts, all of which are replete with humorous and interesting incidents. Mrs. Bowering left for her home at Toronto, Canada after several weeks visit with Mrs. Richard Gould.

OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Mrs. Mary Kelly of Olena was so very unfortunate as to get a hard fall one evening last week that resulted in a broken hip. Dr. Marshall was called and he ordered her taken to the Burlington Hospital where she was later taken by Mr. James Brewer, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Chalmer Perdue and Mrs. John Lant. She stood the trip quite well and her many friends are hoping for the best results. Mr. Elmer Mark recently purchased the stone that was used for a cellar and foundation for the old store building in the village that burned a few years ago and has removed these to his farm south of Olena. Mrs. Chas. Carlson, west of the village, has been quite indisposed for several days. Several members of the Arthur Dowell family have been numbered with the sick since locating in their new home west of Olena.

"The Rider of Dreams" added amusement and life to the evening. The main character, the worthless dreamy husband who lives in a world of imagination and answers to the pleading of Lucy "to trust in God" with "ah done trust God once and he done give me the go-by-I've goin to depend on myself."

During the afternoon, Mrs. Mason of Smithshire, an old friend of the family, played several old time piano solos,"The Irish Washerwoman," etc., which delighted the dear old lady as well as the rest of the company, Mrs. B. A Hoffman played "When you and I were young, Maggie" with variations; Mrs. W.N. Myrtland read "The Model Church." Her pastor, Rev. Russell of the M. E. Church, made a very pleasing address and told some very amusing Irish stories. A number of old songs, one of which "Savior Lead Me," being her favorite, were sung by all and grandma's voice could be heard among the rest.

Those present were Mesdames W. S. White, J. D. Mink, E.S. Mathers, Greer Mathers, Richard Gould, H. O. White, Coon, Dan Campbell, David Gilliland, A. L. Beal, David Gibson, Jno. Wever, B. Drain, J.B. Heap, Mason, B. T. Hoffman, E. G. Lewis, Cambral, Jon. Lawyer, Etta Thompson, S. A. Pendarvis, Barbara Bowering, Roy Park, W.W. Myrtland, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Russell. The guests on departing wished that Mrs. Bacon might be spared to have many more such enjoyable events.

MEDIA MEANDERINGS: George Strong returned from Monmouth and is now employed by the E. G. Lewis Seed Co. E. G. Lewis was on a business trip through McDonough, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike and Hancock Counties; he brought back lots of orders for seed which caused a lot of activity at the seed house. The force has been enlarged to meet this need as well as the mail order business. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Lyons of Olena visited with Mrs. Alice Schroeder. Edwin Ericson who has been attending Augustana College at Rock Island spent Easter with relatives and friends in town. A fairly good attendance was present at the St.Patrick social which was held at the Community Club room. The Media High School will give a comic operetta at the high school Friday evening; this operetta consists of three acts, all of which are replete with humorous and interesting incidents. Mrs. Bowering left for her home at Toronto, Canada after several weeks visit with Mrs. Richard Gould.