The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, January 5, 1922
NEW PASTOR IS HERE: Rev. J.H. Mahaffey and family arrived here with their household goods last Friday from Winfield, Ia, and are now comfortable settled in the U.P. church parsonage. Rev. Mahaffey preached his first sermon as pastor last Sabbath morning and was greeted by an audience which completely filled the edifice. In the evening, services at the M. E. Church were dismissed and that congregation joined in worshipping with the U.P. congregation making another large audience to listen to an excellent discourse on "The Up-To-Date Church"...
PRESENTED A COLLECTIBLE RELIC: Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Hurd of Galesburg entertained a number of guests at Christmas dinner Sunday night. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Hall and family; Mr. and Mrs. A. Hoots; Mrs. Ethel Lind and daughter, Alice Louise; Mr. Edward Adams; Miss Marion Hall; Mr. Harley Blender; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hurd of Stronghurst; Mr. F. M. Schwartz of Knoxville, Ill.
A beautiful old platter was presented to Mrs. F. E. Hurd by Mr. Schwartz. The patter was first presented Elizabeth Burner Gulihur at New Salem, Ill. Aug. 23, 1831 on her wedding day by Abraham Lincoln who was afterwards President of the United States. About 1895 the platter was given to Ella E. Gulihur Schwartz in whose home it remained until Dec. 25, 1921, when it was presented to Norma Hull Hurd. Mrs. Hurd is the great grand-daughter of Elizabeth Burner Gulihur. The platter was 90 years old and a gift from our beloved Lincoln to her great-grandmother.
***OBITURARY***C. C. BUTLER: After a prolonged struggle against the ravages of that insidious disease tuberculosis, Mr. Charles C. Butler passed away quietly at this home in Stronghurst Jan. 4th at about 1:30 p.m.. Mr. Butler had been confined to his home for several months previous to his death and it was known amongst his friends and acquaintances that the tide of life was slowly ebbing. The news of his passing, however, came as something of a shock to this community with which he has been prominently identified for many years. Mr. Butler was in the 81st year of his age at the time of his death. Funeral services will be conducted at the Stronghurst Christian Church with interment of the remains at the cemetery at Terre Haute, Ill.
NEW AUCTIONEER IN TOWN: Mr. Fred M. Gray and Mr. Walter B. Gregory ask us to announce that they have formed a partnership in the auctioneering business and will conduct the business under the firm name of Gray & Gregory. Parties contemplating holding farm or stock sales or auction sales of any kind will do well to see them before making arrangements. Mr. Gray has built up a very extensive business in the auctioneering line since taking up the profession several years ago and he now finds it impossible to take care of all the work alone. While Mr. Gregory has devoted the most of his time since coming to Stronghurst to the garage business, he is an experienced auctioneer and thoroughly competent to conduct sales of all kinds.
1897 GRAPHIC: the stock in the Rankin Prospecting and Development Co., organized for the purpose of testing the oil and gas resources of this section and drilling, was about to be started. New Years Day was described as being almost as balmy as a May day in this locality. On the 2nd of Jan. a rain set in which lasted for 48 hours and created a veritable flood. The downpour was stopped on the 4th by a drop of 50 degrees in temperature and on the next day a blizzard was raging.
The Henderson County Telephone Co. had just arranged for 24 hour service with Charles Dobbs as night operator. A. E. Jones left for Colfax, Iowa for a week's stay at a health resort. James Clark became proprietor of the city hotel in Stronghurst, having purchased it from D.H. Ragan. E. G. Chapman opened up a grocery in the Foote Building on Broadway. John Salter and wife moved to Stronghurst from Kirkwood. Dr. Weifert, a German Aeronaut, had made the first successful flight with an airship which could be controlled in its movement by means of a rudder, the invention being the forerunner of the modern "Zeppelin."
THEY WANDER IN DARKNESS: For the past 12 years a dual system of a street light has been in vogue to our neighboring city of La Harpe. During time period when fair Luna(the moon) has been gracious and bathed the city with her effulgent rays, the citizens have gracefully walked in the light which she has shed upon their pathway, but when her shining face has been turned away, they have resigned themselves to the tender mercies of the electric light company.
Recently the citizens decided that they needed all night electric service and the city authorities notified the Western Illinois Utilities Co. that they would no longer pay for street lighting under a "moon light" schedule, but would agree to pay for an all night service at a rate to be fixed by the Illinois Commerce Commission.
The Utilities Co. replied that they would gladly furnish all night services, but that it must be at the same rate which was being charged other cities and villages served by them, subject to such adjustment as might be ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission after a hearing had been given the case by them.
The result of this disagreement as to the method of establishing lighting rates is told by the La Harpe Quill, which says: "La Harpe has been in utter darkness as far as street lighting is concerned since Sunday. Mayor Adams and the Western Illinois Utilities Co. seem to have conflicting ideas as to the plans and charges for this services in the future and the light have not shed forth their usual brilliancy since the New Year was ushered in. To walk down Main Street after sundown now reminds one of prehistoric days and who knows but what every dark corner contains some lurking blood thirsty dinosaur ready to spring upon and devour the unsuspecting pedestrian. Even our fine cluster lights, the pride of the city, are darkened and the only lights showing are feeble gleams from the store windows. It is not only very inconvenient but dangerous as well and we sincerely hope the powers that be will get together soon and adjust their differences. (Too often we all take simple things for granted.)
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Staley on Jan. 5th. Maurice Lee will hold a sale of Big Type Poland-China swine on his farm southeast of Stronghurst on Jan. 18th; 35-40 sows bred to farrow in March and about 20 head of open gilts and a few male pigs, all immense, will be offered. The 43rd wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Simonson was celebrated by a family gathering and dinner at their home southwest of Smithshire. J. H. Foote and wife returned from Burlington where the latter has been taking chiropractic treatments; her condition is considerably improved. The Wm. R. VanDoren home in Raritan was partially destroyed by fire. The damage to the building and contents being estimated at about $1,000 was not a total loss which was prevented by the prompt and energetic action of the volunteer fire department of the village. Mrs. Ida Miller who was employed here for several months looking after the Crooks Bros. Millinery Store, has returned to her home in Kirksville, Mo.
During the holidays some remodeling work was done on the school building in the Cox district southeast of Stronghurst in order to bring it up to the standard school requirements. County Superintendent Beal is taking the matter up with other districts in the country and hopes soon to have all made standard. Peter Voorhees and his sister Sue returned from a visit with relatives at Halstead, Kansas. Mrs. Cyba Akers Stewart, who has been in poor health for some time, is being cared for at the Wm. Ogden home in this village. Mr. and Mrs. Sol Kessinger have moved from Stronghurst to the former Strodtman farm near Decorra, where they have employed as caretakers by Mrs. C.M. Harter, the present owner. James Butler, who has made his home in Oklahoma for the past 20 years and who is engaged in farming near Tulsa, was called here by the serious condition of his brother, C. C. Butler. C. E. Wright, who is an expert bank accountant in Chicago, visited at the C. R. Kaiser home. Miss Marie Mudd, who is engaged in teaching in Vermillion county, Ill, visited home folks.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: Gail Heaps is having dental work done in Stronghurst. Mr. Charles Pendarvis returned to Peoria after spending the week working in the different towns in this territory. Mr. Robert McKeown, Jr., Mr. Clifford McKeown and Miss Margorie McKeown of Stronghurst and Mr. Charles E. Pendarvis motored to Monmouth Monday evening where the two latter took the train to Peoria. Miss Margorie went on to Champaign where she will resume her studies at the University. The many friends were sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. David Gibson which occurred at the home of her son in Ft. Madison; the body will be brought her for burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Gear Peterson's house burned to the ground; he did not save any of the household goods or clothing. Mrs. Peterson and children were alone at the time of the fire. Mrs. F. M. Porter returned home from the Burlington Hospital but still retains her nurse. Rev. Cottingham of Osceola, Iowa, had his car turn turtle(upside down) Saturday evening. The car was badly damaged but no one was hurt.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Miss Gertrude Dowell of Carman is at Stronghurst helping care for her grandmother Hudson who is quite poorly. The regular congregational dinner of the M. E. Church was held in the village on last Friday and at this time the drawing of the quilt and comforter which the ladies had prepared took place. John McGovern of Stronghurst held the lucky number for the quilt and Mrs. James Brewer drew the comforter. Only a fair sized crowd was in attendance but a good social time reported. Mrs. S. C. Lant is taking treatment in Burlington, Iowa, for cancer of the breast. H. S. Lant and Lee Davis were in Fort Madison, Iowa to take a course in the business college. They were accompanied by Wilbur Davis on this overland trip by car. A utility shower was given for Mrs. Carner at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Deitrick; about 42 were present. Mrs. Carner will be home near Biggsville, Ill. in the very near future. The annual New Year dinner of the Marshall families was held at the Alex Marshall home in Stronghurst. Chalmer Perdue has been sawing wood for a number of villagers.