The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, Sep 7, 1922
KILLED AT MEDIA: William Atwell, who had been employed as a guard on the Media bridge since the railroad strike, was struck and instantly killed by the westbound small train No.7 early yesterday morning while on duty. Previous to being killed he was conversing with M. D. Drain and a man named Leftwich also employed as guards. On finishing the conversation the two latter named, left Atwell at the west end of the bridge and they crossed to the east side. They were on the east side a short time until No.7 came through. They then immediately crossed the bridge after the train passed and were horrified when nearing the west end of the bridge to see the lifeless body of the man who they were talking with only a short time before. The body was lying on the intersection of where the bridge and land joins. The supposition is that he had sat down at this place and had fallen asleep and that some protruding mechanism on the locomotive or step had struck him, fracturing his skull and causing the fatal death. There was no evidence that the body was moved any distance after being struck.
Coroner Emerson was called and an inquest held. The coroner's jury reached a verdict that the death was caused by being struck by the west bound small train No.7. The body was then brought to W. C. Regan's undertaking parlors where it was prepared for burial. The deceased leaves a wife and five children to mourn his untimely end. After a short service in Media today, the body will be taken to his former home in Bucklin, Mo., for burial
SHE DROWNED: Another victim was claimed by the old quarry pit in the southwest part of Biggsville early Tuesday morning when the body of Miss Mattie McDill, a well known resident, was found floating in a shallow part of the water at one end of the pit. For several months Miss McDill had been suffering from a nervous breakdown and her mind had been affected by her poor health.
Early Tuesday morning about three o'clock she got up and went into the dining room of her home. Her sister heard her up and asked her what she wanted and she said she wished to know what time it was. Miss McDill went back to bed and was soon sleeping soundly. In the morning when the other members of the family arose about 6 o'clock, she was missing. The doors of the home were all locked from the inside but one window in Miss McDill's room was unlocked and it is thought that she must have left the house by this means.
A searching party was organized immediately and her tracks were followed to the quarry pit. Her body was found floating at one end of the pit about 6:45. It is not known how long she had been there. One of the Biggsville residents living near the quarry pit stated that she had seen Miss McDill walking across the bridge twice yesterday and it is thought that she must have been brooding then about ending her life. Coroner Emerson of Lomax was called to Biggsville and held an inquest that day.
Miss McDill was a member of one of the old and prominent families of Biggsville and had spent all of her life in that community. Her parents were early settlers in Biggsville. Miss McDill had been an active member of the United Presbyterian Church as long as her health had permitted. She made her home in the west part of town with her brother Will and sister Rachel. Besides these she is survived by two other brother, Robert McDill, the county sheriff, and James McDill, cashier at a bank in Bushnell.
BID THEM FARWELL: About 30 friends gathered at the park for a farewell party for Dean Burrell and his bride, who returned to their home in Chicago last Friday. Luncheon was served and a rousing time was given the newlyweds that they will no doubt long remember. The families represented were Mr. Nat Curry, G. W. Worley, John McMillan, H. Haben, Mrs. John Salter, Helen Burrell, Mrs. Ida Wood, Miss Odessa Buren,(Odessa Brewer??? This was an Olena crowd.) Mrs. Grace Lant, Mrs. Ingerson, John McGovern and L. Higgs.
DISSOLVED PARTNERSHIP: Drs. Marshall and Emerson have dissolved partnership, the dissolution being effective Sept. 10th. Dr. Emerson will leave here, but as yet has not decided where he will locate. In all probability he will enter some institution where surgical work is required, he having specialized in this line while in medical college.
HE WAS SHOT: Clyde Zimmerman, age 28, of Blandinsville, was shot and probably fatally wounded shortly before noon yesterday on the streets of Blandinsville by Milton Knox, age 40, of Colchester as the result of an argument over the cutting of coal prices. Both men are coal haulers and it is said that the shooting was the direct result of the cutting of prices by Zimmerman.
The wounded man was sitting on a curbing holding his two year old baby when Knox drove up and accosted him. An argument started and Knox began shooting with a 22 caliber rifle. Zimmerman fell with a bullet in the lower part of his left lung. He was immediately taken to the Macomb hospital where it was said that his condition was critical. Knox was immediately arrested and was taken to the Macomb jail.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Salter will preach to the Olena congregation for the last time this conference year on the next Sabbath morning. The Thursday evening Bible class will close with refreshments of watermelon and ice cream for a nominal price. Some two weeks ago, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Davis received word that their son, Wilbur, was in a hospital in Aberdeen, S.D. quite sick with diphtheria. Later word reported the patient better and would be sent home in the near future. Mrs. Allen, the general storekeeper has traded her store and Olena property to Galesburg people who will conduct the business. Mrs. Allen will locate in South Bend, Ind.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hicks drove to Ft. Madison where they placed their son Roy in the business college. Mr. Daryl Dowell, Mr. Keith Hicks and Miss Hazel Hicks accompanied them. Mr. Dowell and Orville Fox have also registered for a full course. Mr. Lee Davis, who has almost finished a full course, will return there in the near future.
Most schools opened for business on Monday. Mr. McCartney of Oquawka has charge of the Olena School; Miss Burrell, the Burrell School; Miss Grace Marshall, the Marshall School; Miss Thelma Peterson the Heisler School; H. S. Lant, the Gladstone School and Miss Headley, the Hopper School. (Lengthy recounting of the trip by Mr. and Mrs. John Lant and son H.S. and wife to Iowa and Nebraska visiting relatives and old Illinois friends in this issue.)
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mrs. Harry Plummer and son returned from a visit at the Preston Plummer home at Casper, Wyo. Clyde Pearson returned to Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Graham and son returned home from a visit with relatives at Fairfield and New Virginia, Iowa. The reunion of the George Kilgore family was held at Crapo Park (list of attendees included in article). Miss Jennie Pearson left for Springfield where she will teach music and mathematics in the junior high school.
RARITAN REPORTS: Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brokaw are the owners of a new Ford roadster. Rev. Blunt preached his farewell sermon at the Baptist Church Sunday morning. The Community Club held a fried chicken supper on the Baptist lawn Saturday evening, but owing to the shower which came up later, it was held in the club room. The gross receipts were $38 ($514 in today's values). Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mesecher are mourning the loss of their two year old daughter who died of cholera infantum; the little one was sick only a few hours. Miss Annabeth Barry left for Ottumwa, Iowa where she will attend school. School opened Monday with Miss Audrey Rezner, teacher of the lower room, and Miss Myrtle Gustafson, teacher of the upper room. Dean Cortelyou is the owner of a new Ford sedan. Mr. Hardesty of the south country has been suffering with an attack of appendicitis.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Uncle Tom's Cabin was shown to a crowded tent. Quite a crowd attended the Biggsville Picnic. Mr. and Mrs. Glen Zerber and children visited relatives at Baport, Ind. The trip was made by auto.
CARMAN CONCERNS: School resumed on Monday with Earl Marsden and Mrs. Rozetta Bradway as teachers. Joseph Clover, Glenn Gillis and Ruby Tharp registered in Dallas City and Richard and Joe Howell at Stronghurst. Miss Margaret Vaughn and Frank Farquar have gone to Hot Springs, Ark., to visit Troy Vaughn.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Herman Fitz who recently had an operation for appendicitis at the Burlington Hospital returned home. Joe Beckett brought the office some fine Alberta peaches grown on his own place. They were larger than a baseball and free from blemish. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ross, Mr. and Mrs. John Marshall and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Sanderson motored to Des Moines, Iowa, to attend the State Fair. Miss Carrie Williams is expected to recover from a serious attack of peritonitis at her home south of town. Joe Peasley is filling his silos. On account of the LaHarpe Fair going on, it was impossible to get a crew so he has imported four strikers from the West Burlington shops. Miss Marjorie Thompson has been employed to teach in the public school at Blue Island, Ill. Mr. Charles Lind, Miss Frances and Miss Esther and Rev. Nels Olson and son drove to Rock Island visiting the arsenal and points of interests. Miss Esther remained to enter Augustana College.
The threshing season was brought to a close with the exception of quite an amount of clover hulling. The crop yield has been good, wheat averaging from 30-35 in many places. Oats was a big surprise as the appearances up to the time of threshing were not good. Perhaps, the largest yield in this locality was at Herman Calvin's on the Foote land, a small field yielding 72 bushels per acre. Miss Sarah McElhinney has accepted a position to teach Drawing in the public school of Sioux Falls, S.D. Mr. and Mrs. George Brokaw are the proud parents of a fine baby boy who arrives on Sept. 4th and has been named Daryn George.