The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, Sept. 14, 1922
EVILS OF LIQUOR: The people of the community who believe in the enforcement of laws concerning the manufacture of and traffic in "hootch" have determined to see if something cannot be done toward freeing the village from the stigma of being known as a place where violation of the liquor laws are of an especially flagrant character and carried on in almost open defiance of law and of the sentiment of the decent and law and order loyal element of the population. (Who knew, Stronghurst was so evil!)
The determination has resulted largely from the visit here last Sunday of C.E. Dowdell, who is one of the field workers of the Illinois Anti-Saloon League and who gave special attention to the law enforcement department of the league's work. Mr. Dowdell spoke before a large audience at the U. P. Church Sabbath morning and in the evening addressed a union meeting of all the congregations of the village at the M.E. Church. The address was illustrated with lantern slides showing workhouses and other penal institutions which have been closed since prohibition went into effect, breweries and distilleries which have been converted into plants for the manufacture of food and other useful products and other views of various character which went to prove that prohibition instead of being the failure its enemies would have the public believe is proving a grand success.
Mr. Dowdell is an ex-saloon keeper and prize fighter and he knows from experience what the evils resulting from the traffic in liquor are. He hit the outlawed traffic straight from the shoulder and says that he enjoys nothing better than helping to raid joints where liquor is manufactured or dispensed in violation of the law. He read and explained several sections of the anti-liquor laws and gave suggestions as to how they could be made effective in Stronghurst.
The most important thing, he said, was to have the better class of citizens get behind the movements for law enforcement as a unit and to present a solid front against the organized rum forces. Toward the end of Sunday's meeting a call was made for those willing to stand together in an effort to clean up the village and practically the entire audience arose to their feet.
One of the practical results of this arousing of public sentiment against local hootch joints was a raid made last Tuesday night by Marshal Putney and some assistants on a place in the east part of village which has long been notorious as a hootch joint. A keg containing a quantity of mash and a small amount of liquor was obtained together with some other evidence to show that the place was a rendezvous for a certain element of the population who are often seen on the streets in a more or less intoxicated condition. While the raiding party was surrounding the place, several men made a quick getaway and are supposed to have carried away a good share of the evidence with them. However, the evidence obtained was considered sufficient to warrant the arrest of the man who lives on the premises and on Wednesday afternoon he was turned over to states Attorney Nolan and a deputy from Oquawka. In default of a $500 bail, he will be sent to the county jail to await the action of the county court in November.
In the arrest of this man, the surface has only been touched and it is hoped that all violators will be brought to justice and no partiality shown by those who are vested with the power of enforcing the law. If it is to be a clean-up campaign make it a fair one. There is no argument in favor of hootch and the sooner it is done away with, the better. (This was a time when liquor was blamed for everything. Prohibition was the result of one man's work that proved so powerful that he could threaten Congressmen and even Presidents. For more information, read The Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent)
SURPRISED:Mrs. R.A. Ingerson is enjoying a visit from her brother, W. A. Hilbert of Oklahoma city whom she has not seen in 20 years. Mr. Hilbert is an engineer on the Santa Fe system, a position he has held for 35 years.
HOME FROM ABROAD: Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brook arrived home from their honeymoon trip in Europe. While away they visited France, England, Germany, Holland, Italy and Belgium.
LIVE STOCK COOP DOING WELL: Units of the Live Stock Producers Commission Association, a co-operative marketing organization sponsored and developed by the American Farm Bureau Federation operating at the terminal markets in East St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and Peoria, have recorded excellent receipts for the month of August despite railroad difficulties.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: County Supt. A. L. Beall had the misfortune to slip and fall upon a door step at his home a week ago and suffered a couple of broken ribs and severe bruises. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lant and family of Olena moved to the village for the winter so that their children might attend grade and high school. Cecil Sutton has gone to Hammond, Ind. where he has employment. W.A. Spear unloaded three loads of cattle which he received from Kansas City. The high school had a display of work done by the Manual Training and Domestic science Classes at the La Harpe Fair and brought home blue ribbons. C. G. Richey is in Canada on business.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The following young people entered Monmouth College: The Misses Lucile and Jean Lormier, Pauline Whiteman and Ruth Lant; James Sterret, Keith Stratton. Miss Edith Lormier will also attend high school in Monmouth. Mrs. Alma Taylor returned to her home in Buffalo, N.Y. accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Erickson. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Cleek of South Henderson are the parents of a 12 ½ lb. boy born at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Graham. The Rankin brothers have taken charge of the garage recently purchased from Walter Hazen.
RARITAN REPORTS: Eli Gibb was operated upon for appendicitis in the Monmouth Hospital. A goodly number of people from here attended the fair at La Harpe. Sherman Hall of the east country was operated upon for appendicitis in the Macomb Hospital (is it an epidemic???? No, but must have been a fairly new surgical operation so complain of a hurting stomach and chances were good this would be scheduled.)
LOMAX LINGERINGS: Two sons of Chas. Bowlyou and wife are afflicted with Infantile paralysis and in very precarious condition. A trained nurse is in attendance. The Lloyd Sparrow canning company is doing a very fine business in canning this year as there seems to be an enormous crop of tomatoes. Last week over 600 bushels of tomatoes were left in the storage shed after a very large day s work. Fred Parker and wife have commenced housekeeping in the R.J. Jorter residence vacated by L. C. Leach. Ernest Staley and family have moved to the village. G. W. Shanks, Geo. Reams, R. E. Wyatt and T. A. Howard have made good substantial improvement to their homes. Mrs. Wyatt dwelling is receiving a finish coat of plastering. John Klassings barn is also near completion. Mrs. Nellie Loness, pastor of the Nazarene Church, gave up her pastorate her and departed for points in Missouri, thence to her home at Piedmont where her husband will join her.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: A new dressmaking parlor opened at Wax's store under the management of Mrs. George Wax, a graduate of dressmaking and tailoring. Henderson Count teachers who met recently for their annual institute passed a resolution endorsing the Near East Relief. Many volunteered to aid in spreading the message of the orphans and the work now being accomplished by the Near East relief in an effort to save this oldest Christian race from extermination.