The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, July 14, 1921
DECLAMATION CONTEST: The silver medal declamation contest held by the local Women's Christian Temperance Union at the Lyric theatre was won by John Stine whose selection "Wounded" was rendered very effectively. Harold Lukens who recited "Young Fellow, My Lad" was a close second in the judge's scoring and Fort Hicks was awarded third place on his recitation of "Pro Patria." The other contestants, Manly Staley, Dixson Jones and Joseph Dixson were all commended by the judge for the excellent manner in which they rendered their selections. Solos by Miss Sara McElhinney, Mrs. George Widney and Mr. Chas. Fort added much to the enjoyment of the evening's program by the audience, which on account of the oppressive heat, was rather limited in size. The judging of the contest was done by Miss Gebhart, a professional reader and musician from Galesburg.
THEY BROKE HIS NOSE: G.W.Williams, an itinerate peddler upwards of 70 years of age and who applied for and received a license from the village clerk to sell "unbreakable" combs on the streets is at the Shook Hotel in the village suffering from a broken nose, a badly injured jaw and a number of severe contusions and bruises received at the hands of Allie Bruce in an altercation in which the two men engaged in front of the Bruce's restaurant Wednesday evening. It appears from the evidence of bystanders that the trouble between the two men arose during an argument in regard to a comb which Bruce had bought and which he had broken by putting it to some severe test. He is alleged to have called Williams a vile name after which the two mixed with the result as stated above. The extent of Bruce's injuries was confined to a contusion on the forehead which he claims is the result of a blow from a hammer wielded by his antagonist during the fray. Williams is an old man of rather frail physique and was no match in size or strength for his opponent. The physician who attended him expressed the fear that the injuries and nervous shock which he received might result seriously, but we understand that he is resting quite comfortably at present at the hotel where he is being cared for by the village authorities. State's Attorney Nolan has been notified of the occurrence and a legal investigation of the affair is likely to follow.
FETE CHAMPETRE: The ladies of the Stronghurst Community Club will hold a moonlight Fete Champetre or Summer Festival in the village park and vacant lots adjoining on the west side of Broadway on July 22th. Plans are being made to make this an event of unusual interest. Committees have been appointed to have charge of the various features, which will include a program of games, contests and sports, such as horseshoe pitching, fat men's, boys and girls, and obstacle races, etc. with prizes for the winners contributed by the Stronghurst business men. There will be side shows and other features usually connected with outdoor festivals; but nothing of an objectionable character. ( Obviously, no dancing girls or burlesque shows.) Refreshment booths will offer hot wiennies and buns, ice cream, lemonade and other cold drinks, candy, pop corn, etc. Reserved seats will be provided from which the games and contests may be witnessed under comfortable conditions.
FAMOUS MAN SPEAKS AT DALLAS CITY: On July 18th will be "Bryan Day" at Dallas City Chautauqua. That evening the great "commoner" will give his famous lecture on the topic "Back to God." Mr. Bryran is one of very few men who have aspired to national leadership in the past and who is prominent in national affairs today. He places fidelity to the teachings of the Bible first in dealing with the great problems which face our nation and the world.
He has been willing in the past to sacrifice political ambitions for the sake of loyalty to his moral and religious convictions and the cause of true righteousness in all human affairs never had a truer advocate or more eloquent champion. All are urged to hear this noted man at Dallas City.
William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 - July 26, 1925) was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States (1896, 1900 and 1908). He served in the United States Congress briefly as a Representative from Nebraska and was the 41st United States Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson, 1913-1915. Bryan was a devout Presbyterian, a supporter of popular democracy, an enemy of the Gold Standard as well as banks and railroads. He was a leader of the silverite movement in the 1890s, a peace advocate, a prohibitionist, and an opponent of Darwinism on religious grounds. With his deep, commanding voice and wide travels, he was one of the best known orators and lecturers of the era. Because of his faith in the goodness and rightness of the common people, he was called "The Great Commoner."
In the intensely fought 1896 and 1900 elections, he was defeated by William McKinley but retained control of the Democratic Party. With over 500 speeches in 1896, Bryan invented the national stumping tour, in an era when other presidential candidates stayed home. In his three presidential bids, he promoted Free Silver in 1896, anti-imperialism in 1900, and trust-busting in 1908, calling on Democrats to fight the trusts (big corporations) and big banks, and embrace anti-elitist ideals of republicanism. President Wilson appointed him Secretary of State in 1913, but Wilson's strong demands on Germany after the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915 caused Bryan to resign in protest. After 1920 he was a strong supporter of Prohibition and energetically attacked Darwinism and evolution, most famously at the Scopes Trial in 1925. Five days after Bryan had won the case, he died in his sleep.[2]) article from Wikipedia