The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, Nov. 18, 1921
LAID TO REST: For the second time within recent months, the shots of three rifle volleys fired across an open grave have proclaimed to the people of this community the fact that the body of one of its members who made the "supreme sacrifice" in the great war had found its final resting place.
The remains of Private Harry J. Clarke, who was killed in action in France, March 22, 1918, arrived in Stronghurst from Hoboken, N.J. early last Friday morning accompanied by Sergeant Albert Picou of the 8th Tank Co. of U.S. Regulars stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill. Sergeant Picou remained here until after the funeral and acted as special escort to the Clarke family during the ceremonies.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the village park, the unusually mild weather and beautiful day making outdoor services possible. A large concourse of people was present and no auditorium in the village would have been anywhere near large enough to accommodate the crowd which had gathered to pay homage to the memory of the deceased. The flag draped casket was guarded by a military escort and followed to its final resting place by a large number of Legionaries and ex-service men from Roseville, Kirkwood, Burlington, Monmouth and Stronghurst, the band from the Babbitt Post of Roseville heading the procession. The pall bearers were all members of former Co. I, Iowa State Militia in which Harry first enlisted. The eloquent funeral was delivered by Rev. Hughes of Cameron, Ill...Rev. Charles Holmes of Rozetta, Ill. also assisted in the ceremonies. The music was in charge of a quartette composed of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Ivins, Mrs. L. McAndrews and Mr. Chas. Fort. A special number which was sung by them was "Sleeping Silently Sleeping," both words and music composed by Mrs. Ivins. The services at the cemetery consisted of a short prayer by Rev. Hughes, the firing of three volleys by a squad from the Kirkwood legion post and the sounding of "taps" buglers from the Roseville post.
Harry J. Clark, Stronghurst Township's first soldier boy to give up his life in the conflict with Germany, was born in Stronghurst Nov. 3, 1896, his parents being James W. and Clara Clark. His father died several years ago. He is survived by his mother, one brother, Floyd Clark of this place, and one sister, Mrs. Arthur Mesecher of Media Township. His whole life previous to 1917 was spent here. In April 1917 he went to Burlington, Iowa, and enlisted with a number of other boys from this vicinity in Company I, Iowa State Militia. This company was sent to Fort Dodge and after months of training was transferred to the regular army and became part of the 168th U.S. Infantry, known as the "Rainbow Division. This division left Camp Mills, Long Island for France in Nov. 1917. Early in May 1918, the news of Harry's death was received here through letters from his comrades. No official report of his death had, however, been received by his relatives and an investigation was started through Congressman Graham of this district...
Word was afterward received by Mrs. Clark in a letter written by a Red Cross official that the body of her son had been interred in a French church yard cemetery where it would be carefully looked after by a grateful people. After reposing there for three years, it is now resting in the Clark family lot in the local cemetery.
WEDDING BELLS: Dr. E. LaVerne Emerson of this place and Miss Bessie Bernice DeHaven of Dallas City, Ill. were united in marriage at the 2nd U.P. Church parsonage in Monmouth by Rev. A. A. Graham on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 5th. The bride has been one of Dallas City most popular young ladies, a graduate of Gem City Business College and possessed of many accomplishments and graces of character. The groom is a recent graduate in medicine and surgery from Northwestern College. He came here a few weeks ago and engaged in the practice of his profession in partnership with Dr. H. L. Marshall. He is the son of Dr. W. J. Emerson of Lomax.
SCHOOL NEWS: The pupils and teacher of the Allison school district of which Miss Marguerite Wheeling is teacher, will hold a food sale and also serve a lunch of sandwiches, coffee and pie at the Wallin Garage in Stronghurst on Nov. 12th. Come and eat your lunch while attending the Johnson-Wallin sale.
A box social with program will be given at the Cox School house, 3 miles south and 1 -½ miles east of Stronghurst on Friday night, Nov. 18th-Susie Voorhees, teacher
A box supper with a pie and sandwich lunch will be held at the South Prairie School house east of Stronghurst on the evening of Nov. 22nd. A Thanksgiving program has been arranged.-Thelma Peterson, Teacher.
NEW MEAT MARKET: I have opened up a new meat market in Stronghurst in the Chant Building and will have on hand at all times a supply of fresh and salted meats at reasonable prices. Our fresh meats will all be home killed, and will be our endeavor at all times to render satisfactory service. R. N. Clifton
FOR SALE OR RENT: I offer either for sale or rent the carpenter shop situated on the north side of Mary St., just south of the Santa Fe right of way in Stronghurst-Mrs. T. D. Steffey.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Work is progressing quickly on the new M.E. Parsonage with hopes to get it finished before very cold weather comes. Rural carrier, F. M. Porter has been staying in Burlington for several days with his wife, who is very ill in the Burlington Hospital with but little hopes of becoming much better. Miss Josephine Graham, post mistress is carrying the mail on the rural route while Mr. Porter is there.
WILL SPEAK AT OQUAWKA: Henry R. Rathbone of Chicago will speak at the opera house in Oquawka on the evening of Nov. 18th and his topic will probably be the Armament Conference. Mr. Rathbone is a son of Major Rathbone, who occupied a box in Ford's theatre in Washington with President Lincoln at the time of the latter's assassination. He has spoken in Stronghurst on a previous occasion and will be remembered by many as a fine orator and very pleasing gentleman.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: The Mercer County Fair Association reports a deficit of $15.000 ($178,350 in today's values) this year due to limited attendance during fair time on account of continuous rains. The Women's Club and the Parent-Teachers Association of Monmouth have made arrangements to provide a daily 10:15 lunch for all of the children in the city schools who are reported underweight and undernourished. Edgar Churchill has been appointed highway commissioner of Raritan Township to succeed A. D. Atkins, who recently resigned on account of ill health. Sergeant Albert Picou, who accompanied the body of Harry Clark here from Chicago, spent several years on sentry duty on the Mexican border and related some very interesting stories of the army. Dr. I. F. Harter accompanied Mr. Richard Marshall to the Galesburg Hospital where he will receive treatment for his fractured elbow. An X-ray revealed that there were no less than four fractures of the bones surrounding the elbow joint.
The appearance of the Lutheran Church is being improved by a fresh coat of paint. John Tracy has purchased an 11 acre chicken farm at West Burlington, Iowa, and is moving there from Stronghurst this week. Chas. Cann of Raritan neighborhood, who has been seriously ill from influenza for several weeks, has entered the Monmouth Hospital for treatment for after effects of the disease. R. N. Clifton of Dallas City opened up a new meat market in Stronghurst in the room in the Chant Building formerly occupied by the Henderson County Farm Bureau. A number of people hereabouts, who had purchased apples from a dealer at Biggsville, were somewhat disappointed recently on learning that the car of apples from which he had expected to supply them, had been rejected by him on account of the fruit being of an inferior quality.
Lawrence Williams of the south country has returned to his home from the Monmouth Hospital considerably benefited. W.F. Allison is in a hospital at Rich Hill, Mo. recovering from an operation for appendicitis.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The Ladies Missionary Society of the U. P. Church will serve supper in the church dining room Friday evening, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.. The menu will be as follows: fried chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, escalloped oysters, pickles, jelly, preserves, light rolls, butter, fruit salad, cake and coffee. A free patriotic program will be given in the church auditorium later. The books for the circulating library from Springfield which the Community Club ordered have arrived and anyone desiring to read them can do so by calling on Mrs. George Sutton, who has charge of them. Members from Henderson County who were present at the organization of the Warren-Henderson County Historical Society at the court house in Monmouth were C. R. Pendarvis and Charles Pendavis from here and Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Whiteman, Mrs. Dr. Henderson and Miss Emma Folmer of Biggsville. The Grand Union Tea Company man from Burlington was delivering goods in town.
A BIG PARTY: The seniors, junior and sophomore classes of the Media High School entertained at a "kid party" in the Academy Friday evening in honor of the freshman class. Everyone, including the teachers, appeared in "kid" costumes. Pop corn and taffy were served and "kid" games were played during the evening. The hosts and hostesses under the direction of Miss Culberson pulled off a very pleasing stunt in the form of a wedding of "Mr. High School' to "Miss Class of '25." Preceding the wedding ceremony, Misses Edythe Sutton and Evelyn Garrett sang very sweetly, "I Love You Truly." Immediately afterwards the wedding party entered the room to the strains of Mendelssohn's wedding march played by Mrs. Hoffman. The ushers led the way to the altar followed by the maid of honor, then the bridesmaids, the flower girl and the bride leaning upon the arm of her father. All took their place before the minister and were joined by the groom attended by his best man. (What followed was the traditional wedding ceremony in fun.) The bride was charming in a lovely gown of white silk with veil of the same material and carried white chrysanthemums. The groom wore the conventional black. The maid of honor wore a charming dress of green silk voile while the pretty bridesmaids wore dainty gowns of blue organdie and carried purple chrysanthemums. Cast: the groom-Clifford Adair; the bride-Mary Sullivan; the flower girl-Ruth Howell; maid of honor-Violet Lant; bridesmaids-Waneta Howell and Eleanor Wragg; Father of the bride-Loren Ross; best man-Bennie Heap; minister-Ben Howell and ushers-Carl Leftwich and Roy Anders.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: All roads are leading to the corn field these frosty mornings; corn is making a fair average but more or less damaged. Regular preaching services in the village Sabbath P.M. and the church was decorated with the stars and stripes in memory of our soldiers dead and also to commemorate the Armistice Day, Nov. 11th. The health of the community is fairly good. Plenty of rain in making wheat and rye field show up in fine shape and pastures are exceptionally good for so late in the season. Some are enjoying new garden produce-onions, lettuce and radishes. A literary society was organized in the village church with a quite interesting program. Mrs. Allen, the village storekeeper, has purchased a car and she and Mr. Allen went to Galesburg while Miss Tona Hult looked after the store. Mr. and Mrs. John McCartney welcomed a new son to their home. A young son is also reported at the Art Hedges home west of the village. Mrs. Ruth Browning is nursing both the mother and son.
The church people had quite a busy day last Thursday, the men excavating the basement preparatory to moving the furnace, and the ladies preparing them a good warm dinner. Friends are planning to go to Frank Hicks' to help with corn husking.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The Standard Oil Company is soon to establish an oil station near the Q track, east of the elevator. Mrs. J.H. Millen and daughter, Mary and Mrs. Carrie Graham drove to Kirkwood where they attended the funeral of Otis Glover, son of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Glover of Parsons, Kans. Joe Mitchener is reported to be quite ill at his home with heart trouble. Luther Graham and family returned to their home at Morning Sun, Iowa, after several days visit with relatives here. The debate on the gymnasium question given by Prof. Hubbard and Miss Howell on the affirmative and Rev. Lorimer and Mrs. Stewart on the negative was well given by both sides and was won by the affirmative. The Parent-Teacher Association by vote endorsed the action of the town board on the cigarette question and pledges assistance in any way possible.
An oyster supper will be held Thursday evening in the basement of the U. P. Church for the men and boys of the congregation. A speaker from Burlington will give the talk. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Foster mover their household goods to the home of her father, J.H. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Musser, who had been employed on the Howard Jamison farm, moved their goods to the J. A. Foster house where they will work during the coming year. Mrs. Branson Kelly, who underwent an operation at the Burlington Hospital for the removal of a fibrous tumor, is improving nicely. A committee from the cemetery association met with Mr. Smith, a representative of the Bock greenhouse in Burlington to plan for the planting of ornamental shrubbery in the cemetery. The Eldine Book Club met at the home of Mrs. Glenn and spent the afternoon in sewing and visiting followed by a social hour of refreshments.
OBITUARY***MRS. I.V.D. PERRINE: Mrs. I. V. D. Perrine passed away at the family residence 6 miles southeast of Stronghurst at 10 o'clock a.m. Nov. 12th at age 68 years, 5 months and 8 days. Susan Van Doren was born at Fairview, Ill. on April 29, 1853. In her early childhood she moved with her parents to the farm in Section 33 in Media Township, now owned by George S. VanDoren. Here she grew to young womanhood and on Jan. 29, 1871 was united in marriage to Isaac VanDoren Perrine of Raritan Township. The first two years of the married life were spent on the farm two miles west of Raritan, now owned by F. V. Brokaw. From here they moved to the present homestead where almost 50 years of their life together were spent and where seven children were born, reared and started in life.
Mr. and Mrs. Perrine prospered in a financial way and both have exerted an influence for good in the community, being especially active in the work of the Raritan Baptist Church. The couple spent much of their time in late years in travel and the enjoyment of social diversions. The present year will be a memorable one in the lives of the husband and of 6 surviving children from the fact that on Jan. 29th the homestead was the scene of a happy reunion in honor of the golden wedding anniversary of the couple and from the further fact that early this fall the father and mother, daughters, son and sons-in-law were privileged to make a tour of the West including Yellowstone Park together through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Perrine.
Some five years ago Mrs. Perrine underwent an operation for cancer, which up until within the past year was thought to have been successful. It was discovered, however, that the insidious disease still lurked in her system and she fell a victim to its ravages on the date mentioned when she passed away surrounded by the dear ones who had done all that loving care could do to alleviate her sufferings.
The six children who with the husband mourn her departure are Clarence Perrine of Raritan; Mrs. Mabel Spiker of Bushnell; Mrs. Carrie Halbert of Pella, Ia.; Mrs. Lettie VanArsdale of Point Pleasant Township, Warren County; Mrs. Mattie Grate of Blandinsville and Mrs. Beulah Gray of Raritan Township, a son Percy, died several years ago. Thirty-three grandchildren and one great grandchild survive her.
Funeral services were held at the Raritan Baptist Church with interment in the Raritan Cemetery. (Read about the funeral in depth on microfilm at the county library).
POULTRY SHOWER FOR COMMUNITY CLUB: All persons interested in the welfare of the Stronghurst Women's Club are invited to participate in a poultry donation which has been arranged for Nov. 22nd. On that date a committee of club members will be at the Community room to receive donations of live chicken, turkeys, ducks or geese, which will be dressed by them and offered for sale to meet the Thanksgiving demand. The donation of a sum equivalent to the price of any of these birds will be thankfully received from those who do not have a bird to give.
If those who will need dressed poultry for their Thanksgiving Day feast will notify either Mrs. J. W. Decker or Mrs. R.A. McKeown, these ladies will take your orders and endeavor to see that they are satisfactorily filled. (According to Mrs. Mary Hoffeditz, now deceased, the Community Rooms where in the building now owned by Delmar Jacob on Broadway.)
1896 Graphic: David Gillis, an old resident of the Olena neighborhood died at his home on Nov. 16th. The Burlington city council passed an ordinance granting the Henderson County telephone Co. the right to erect, maintain and operate a telephone line with in the city. At a meeting of the Stronghurst village council, it decided to have 1200 candle power arc lamps placed at five of the principal street intersections in the village. A brass band had been organized in Stronghurst with I.N. Jones as leader. Better times were coming for farmers with wheat selling for 77-78 cents on the Chicago market. Corn was priced at 24-25 cents; oats at 18-19 cents; potatoes at 20-30 cents per bushel. The top for cattle was $5.50 and for hogs, $3.75.
A CHILD DIES: After a fight of more than two weeks against a malady of mysterious nature which medical skill seemed powerless to cope with Little Jack Prescott, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglass Prescott of Stronghurst passed away at the home. The immediate cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia which developed a short time before the end came.
Jack was born in Stronghurst on June 28, 1918 and was 3 years, 4 months and 17 days old. He was a bright loveable lad. Funeral services were conducted at the home and the remains were laid to rest in the village cemetery.
(Must have been box social time as four were advertised-Cox School, South Prairie School, Graham School and Rankin School)
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The homes of Jim Myers, Jas. Stevenson and Walter Libengood are all quarantined for diphtheria. Mrs. Libengood and Marie Stevenson having been victims of the disease but at this time are much improved; no other members of the families have taken the disease as they were vaccinated with the toxin. Mrs. Mary Jackson left for Denver, Colo. with the body of her uncle, John Schaeffer, who has made his home with her for several years and passed away last Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Walter McVeigh are the parents of a baby boy that arrived at their home Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Moore are the parents of a baby boy born last Thursday at the Monmouth Hospital; the little lad will be known by J. Wilbur Moore. The Father and Son Banquet held at the U. P. Church was not very well attended owing to the bad weather and roads. Supper was in the hands of Clarence McCormick and Bert Liby who acted as chefs and no feminine help was present. Carl Hector and Miss Lizzie Wiegand were married last Saturday evening at the U.P. Church and went at once to housekeeping in the house north of the big bridge.
BIGGSVILLE FLOWER SHOW: The annual flower show and bazaar is to be given next Tuesday by the Community Club with a chicken pie dinner and supper served at the Palace Theatre at 50 cents a plate. At two o'clock in the afternoon Mrs. T. H. McMichael of Monmouth will give a talk on her trip aboard, "Seeing Scotland through a Woman's Eyes." During the evening an entertainment will be given at the high school under the direction of the Misses Mildred Fagan and Lucille Zimmerman by the scholars of the grade school...
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Mr. G.Grant and Mr. L. Weiss of Chicago were visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Knudstrom hunting several days. Frank Jacob went to Chicago for treatment at a hospital. C. A. Artman of Chicago, one of the incorporators of the $150,000 sand and gravel company at Oquawka, has been here several days on business. John Markman will be foreman at Oquawka and hopes to get ready for business very soon. Mr. Geo. Green is in charge of Bryan's Garage. Earl Watson was operation on at the Monmouth Hospital and Walter Carothers was operated on at the Burlington Hospital. Mrs. J. L. Ellison entertained the sewing circle at her home and served an elegant luncheon. Mr. Clark of Kirkwood is plastering Mr. Geo. Christy's new building. Miss Ruth Forward is the new Rural Route mail carrier in Mr. Frank Porter's absence; the latter is staying in Burlington where his wife is in the hospital. George Christy, Ralph James, Wm. M. Morse and Charles Miller went to Burlington Sunday to see the sights. (What do you suppose they saw?)
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The second number of the Media Lecture Course will be given at the Academy on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. by Myra Casterline Smith. Mrs. Smith is an entertainer and impersonator of rare ability. She need no introduction has last year she presented the play "Happiness." This year she will give the comedy, "A Message from Mars." This is not only a very humorous play, but underneath all the humor is a splendid moral which will make you feel that you want to live a better life. Mr. and Mrs. W. Myrtland and son William attended the funeral of Mrs. Myrtland's brother-in-law in La Harpe Saturday. The pupils of the public school are practicing a play to be given on Nov. 22nd. They will also have a box social on that evening and all the ladies are asked to please bring a box. The basketball team went to Oquawka and returned with a winning score of 33 to 4. The E. G. Lewis Seed Co. has already received many orders for Hubam Clover. The latest order is from Henry Ford.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: As the furnace of the church which was undergoing repairs and located more to the north of the building and not completed in time for Sabbath use, the session room, the room used for preaching service, and Sunday school were nicely heated by stove. All should be in readiness for the next Sabbath and Rev. Sailor says that now the people will have the opportunity of being heated by both the furnace and the pulpit. On Friday evening the literary society will convene in the church parlors and at the close will have a box supper with the proceeds for the benefit of the church-all invited. Returning from Lincoln, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Lant moved into the David Lant property east of Olena. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Lant and son of Burlington are spending some time at the late Charles Lant home where Ross is gathering the corn crop and will look after the winter fuel. Mr. Alphonso Beal, brother of County Supt. Beal, is operating a saw mill on the timber land of Mr. Art Hedges west of Olena. Charles Hicks and Clifford Pendry are working there. Bert Burrell decided not to move to Burlington and is working for Charles Pogue near Media, Ill. The Floyd's Burrell are staying in Burlington where he has employment. Both Rudy Zang and Charles Hicks have purchased cars at the sale of cars in Stronghurst Saturday. Johnnie Long is sporting a roadster. Quite a number from here attended the Glad sale near Carman saying it was the best sale they ever attended.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Mabel Rankin who is teaching near Belmont visited home folks. A young daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Keane of Raritan Township at the Macomb Hospital on Nov. 10th. Mrs. Carrie Halbert of Pella, Iowa., who was here during the last illness of her mother, Mrs. Perrine, returned home. Mrs. Halbert's son, Walter, is taking a theological course in the East preparatory to entering the mission field in China. The Martha Society of the Stronghurst Lutheran Church met at the home of Miss Ida Swanson and made plans for the annual bazaar to be held on Nov. 19th. Nate Groom returned from Canada where he has been assisting in the threshing of the wheat crop. He reports that the yield was disappointing as rust caused damage to the crop. The low prices of the crop and high cost of harvesting have discouraged farmers.
The sale of garage stock and equipment at the Wallin Garage sale was well attended, but the prices realized from the disposal of property were in most case ruinously low. Dennis Simonson left for his home at Halstead, Kansas and his sister, Mrs. A. E. Hixson left for her home at Sheldon, North Dakota.
FOOTBALL FUROR: For several years past a football game between Alexis and Stronghurst has been considered an annual affair. It has been the custom to alternate these games between the two towns, playing in Alexis one year and in Stronghurst the next. This custom has been carried out until this year when the Alexis team refused to play in Stronghurst despite the fact that the game last year was staged at Alexis. Their reason for refusing to come here this year was based upon the fact that they felt they had been subjected to unsportsmanlike treatment when they played in Stronghurst two years ago. Most of the Stronghurst fans felt that their attitude was not well taken and that the game should be staged here. It was impossible to persuade the Alexis team to play here, however, so the local team agreed to play the game at Alexis again. As far as the treatment received was concerned, no one had any complaint to make and after the game contracts was signed up for a game for next year to be played at Stronghurst on Nov. 11th.
The weather was bad and the field contained a considerable amount of snow. This made it difficult to keep the ball and a great number of fumbles resulted. Neither team were able to score during the first quarter, but in the second Alexis advanced and Purlee went across. Algren kicked the goal and the half ended with the score, Alexis 7-Stronghurst 0.
In the third quarter Stronghurst scored when Gilliland punted to Azdell who couldn't hold on to the ball and Salter recovered it and went across. The ball was very wet by this time and Gilliland failed to make the goal kick good. This ended the scoring for the day and resulted in the final score in favorite of Alexis. The local team was outweighed considerably by the Alexis eleven and also had the disadvantage of a long cold trip which should be taken into consideration.
VERDICT UPHELD: A case in the Circuit Court at Oquawka which occupied several days and attracted considerable attention was that in which the question of the need of a conservator for John B. Harbinson, an aged and eccentric bachelor of Media Township who is the owner of considerable real estate, was at issue.
In the county court last spring, Mr. Harbinson was adjudged insane and John Simsonson was appointed conservator of his estate. The case was appealed to the circuit court and the trial last week followed. There was a large amount of testimony given with the result of the jury's deliberations to confirm the verdict of the county court. Mr. and Mrs. John Simonson and Miss Hortense Harbinson of the vicinity, Mrs. Henry Turner of Galesburg and Mrs. Randolph Higgason of Knoxville, Ill. were among the witnesses.