The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
PEARL HARBOR
Greetings to ever one in western Illinois and all readers of the Quill. Pearl Harbor remembrance day is Friday, December 7. It's a â"day of infamy".
CIVIL WAR
On December 8, 1863 Lincoln made his proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Winston Churchill once dubbed the American Civil War "the last war between gentlemen".
Fraternization was ever-present in the Civil War. This was not remarkable. Johnny Rebs and Billy Yanks spoke the same language, had the same backgrounds and cultures, and possessed the same likes and dislikes.
While it was easy to hate the enemy in abstract, sometimes individual feelings overcome sectional animosity. A regular reason for fraternization was the Federals wish for tobacco and the confederates desire for coffee. This swapping of hard-to-get items betwixt two enemy soldiers took place December 25, 1862 in the Rappahannock River, Virginia.
They had declared a truce by long-distance shouting. They then stood in no-man's land and silently enjoyed luxuries of tobacco and coffee for a few moments. There is a very good draw'n of the event entitled "My friend, the Enemy", drawn by Mort Kunstler '08.
Mort Kunstler is a premier historical artist who now focuses mainly on the American Civil War. Probably no other artist in our nation's history has recorded so many events in American history with such extraordinary authenticity and drama.
HOSTESS
You all has probably read or heard that Hostess Bakery plant shut down due to a strike by workers. But ya may not have heard how it was split up.
The State Department hired all the Twinkies, the Secret Service hired all the HoHo's the generals are sleep'n with the Cupcakes, and the voters sent all the Ding Dongs to Congress.
LEVITICUS 20:13
Buster Jigs sez it makes sense to him now, gay marriage and marijuana being legalized on the same day. Fer he ran across in the "Good Book" the scripture Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lays with another man he should be stoned". Buster Sez he "has been interpret'in it wrong all these years".
FARMER'S
PERCEPTION
It's all in perception and how it is influenced by your background, experiences, and culture. Fer example, a recent story, as told by Jasper Jenks, let's ya know how country folk might look at things a little different at times.
It seems a farmer up in the northern end of Hancock County, around La Harpe, drove in his pick-up to a neighbor's farm, and knocked firmly and resolutely on the door. A boy, about 6 years old, opened the door. The follow'n conversation developed: "Is your dad home?"
"No, sir he isn't , he went to town"
"Well, is your mother here?"
"No, sir, she went to town with dad."
"How about your older brother, Howard? Is he here?" No, sir, he went with mom and dad."
The farmer stood there fer a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other, mumbling to himself in an indignant manner.
The boy asked; "Is there anything I can do fer ya? I knows where all the tools are, if'n ya wants to borrow one, or I can give dad a message".
"Well," said the farmer uncomfortably," I really wanted to talk to your dad. It's about your brother Howard gett'n my daughter, Suzie, pregnant."
The young lad thought deeply and sincerely fer a moment. Then he replied, "You would have to talk to dad about that. I know he charges $500 fer the bull and $50 fer the boar, but I don't know how much he charges for Howard."
SALARIES
As ya opens your pocketbook fer the next natural disaster, or the Christmas season, ya might want to keep the follow'n facts in mind:
Meanwhile....
No further comment is necessary.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'in BE A GOOD ONE!
Enjoy family, friends and the season.
Hope to see you'ns in church this week.
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
BARNYARD BRUKE