The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, May 25, 1922
TO HONOR SOLDIERS: at a meeting held at the First National Bank Friday evening plans were adopted and committees appointed to arrange for the observance of memorial and Decoration days in Stronghurst. The Memorial Day services will be held in a union meeting at the United Presbyterian church Sunday morning, May 28th with the sermon delivered by Rev. W.H. Cross of the Stronghurst Christian Church. Special music will be under the direction of Douglas Prescott. The Decoration Day exercises will be held at the Lyric Theatre at 2 p.m. on May 30th. Those contributing flowers for decorating the theatre and the graves of soldiers can aid the committee by bringing them to the Lyric Theatre that morning.
NEW PASTOR IN TOWN: The members of the Stronghurst Christian congregation together with a large number of invited guests gave a reception at the church to welcome Rev. W. H. Cross and family, who recently moved here from Monmouth, Ill...
ROBBERY SUSPECTS BEFORE JUDGE: William and Alvah Piercefield, who were arrested in Burlington May 9th as suspects in connection with the attempted robbery of the First National Bank of Biggsville the week before, were given a hearing before Judge J.W. Gordon of the county court here Saturday and were discharged for lack of evidence.
William Piercefield is held on another charge, however, that of breaking a parole in the Indiana state prison at Michigan City where he was sentenced several years ago on a charge of larceny. An officer from Michigan City arrived here Saturday night to take the man back with him. Piercefield had also served time in the prison at Chester, Ill.
STRONGHURST WINS AT BIG TRACK MEET: The high school track team won the track and field meet staged at La Harpe by the Tri-County Fair Assn. This is the first time such a meet has been held and it was somewhat of an experiment with the members of the Fair Assn. Putney took first place in each of the three dashes. Sanderson took 3rd in the board jump and tied for 2nd in the high jump and hurdles. Stronghurst also won the relay ran by Putney, Kemp, Dixson and Sanderson. Fifteen schools participated with the first five places as follows: Stronghurst 33; Terre Haute 20; La Harpe 17; Elvaston 12; and Media 11.
OBITUARY: MRS. CATHERINE JOHNSON: Mrs. Catherine Johnson was born on July 16, 1849 in New Jersey and was the daughter of John S. and Martha A. (Brokaw) Nevins. Mrs. Johnson came with her parents to Henderson County in 1857 when she was 8 years of age. In young girlhood she became a member of the Reformed Church at Raritan. When moving to Stronghurst, she united with the United Presbyterian Church.
On March 4, 1873 she united in marriage to Peter D. Johnson, whose death preceded her 30 years. To this union four children were born, all of whom survive her: Mrs. Bert Collins of Athens, Michigan; Aaron and Simon Peter Johnson of Stronghurst and Mrs. R. M. Steele of Abingdon, Ill. Besides the children she leaves to mourn two sisters, two brothers and three grandchildren: Simon Wevins of Galesburg, Ill.; A. B. Wevins of Moorwood, Okla.; Mrs. T. V. Gilmore of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Mrs. R. S. Humprey of Anson, Kansas. Funeral services were held at the U. P. Church with interment in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Pallbearers were J.F. Mains, H. D. Lovitt, John Simonson, Ed Fort, A. E. Jones and W. C. Ivins.
DRILLING FOR OIL: Drilling for oil on the Van Brokaw place south of town started about 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and was witnessed by quite a few spectators who were on hand to see the big drill make its first lick.
The drill has attracted quite a lot of sightseers, being somewhat of a novelty around this part of the country. They are boring a ten inch hole and so far have made rapid progress. Two crews keep the plant in operation day and night, working under electric lights furnished from a motor that is run by the same motive power that operates the drill.
FIREMAN SCALDED: E.H. Kunsenan of Chicago, fireman on local passenger train No. 24, was scalded about the neck and shoulders while the train was at Dallas City this morning. After pulling out of the station there the injury which he thought was of a minor nature became so painful that he stopped here and his injury was dressed by Dr. Emerson. While not very serious, it will probably be several days in healing.
OBITUARY: EDWARD THOMPSON: Prof. Edward Thompson, died at his home at Riverside, Calif. on May 19th after an illness of five days of pneumonia. The deceased was a son of the Rev. and Mrs. Findley Thompson and was born near Ross Grove, DeKalb County, Ill. on May 4, 1858. After some years residence there and at Rock Island, the family removed to Tennessee. Entering Monmouth College, he was graduated in 1879 and was employed as a teacher at the David Rankin School, five mile northeast of Stronghurst. The next year he went to Beaver Falls, Pa. where he held a professorship in a college for ten years.
On June 23, 1881 he married Miss Mary Eleanor Rankin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rankin. Six children were born to them, one of whom died in childhood. He is survived by the wife, three daughters and two sons. Mr. Thompson had devoted his life to education. After leaving Beaver Falls, he spent two years at Westminster College at New Wilmington, Pa. and later several years at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio.
Some years ago Prof. Thompson's health began to fail and he removed his family to Riverside, Calif. where he was obliged to give up teaching and engaged in fruit raising. In addition to his own family he is also survived by his brother Joseph, president of Tarkio College; his brother John who is a minister in California; his brother Charles, an attorney at Kansas City and a sister whose present residence is unknown. He was a nephew of the late Joseph Thompson of Stronghurst.
LOMAX SEARCHLIGHT DISCONTINUED: The Lomax Searchlight will again be discontinued and W. T. Frye, who has been conducting the paper, has accepted a position in the mechanical department of the Roseville Times-Citizen. The Searchlight was a clean, neat and newsy sheet but the town lacked enterprises that were capable of the support of such a paper.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Rev. Van Sullins entered the Galesburg Hospital were he will undergo an operation for appendicitis. Charles Kaiser left for an extended trip through the East and expects to visit the major cities. He will spend a long visit with his brother Capt. L.H. Kaiser, who is in charge of the shipyards at Philadelphia. W. H. Cross attended the stockholders meeting of the Monmouth Plow Co. One of the main issues of the meeting was the vote to change the name to The Brown-Lynch-Scott Co. Dewey Mudd has accepted a position with the Barton Motor Co. at Burlington, Iowa. Ross Lefler was taken to the Burlington Hospital by Dr. Emerson where he underwent an operation for hemorrhoids. Frederick Salter who has been working as a lineman at Effingham, Ill. visited home folks before going to Chicago where he has accepted a similar position with the Western Union Co.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: A play entitled "Son John" will be presented by the high school under the direction of Miss Culbertson on May 29th. That same evening one of the recitation rooms will exhibit work done by the Domestic Science and Manual Training Classes. Commencement exercises will be held in the auditorium the evening of May 31st. Mr. Thrasher of Springfield will give the address. At the Tri-County Fair track meet Bennie Heap won first in the mile race; Clifford Adair won third in the pole vault; Ben Horrel won first in the hurdle race.
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Ford of Sulphur Springs, Ark. are at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Pogue. Mr. Ford who is critically ill is being treated by Dr. Henderson of Stronghurst. Mrs. Graham Stewart and son Ford, Mrs. Arthur Smith and daughter Margaret Elenore of Oak Park, Ill were called here by the serious illness of their father, Mr Ford. Mr. and Mrs. David Gilliland and Mrs. Dan Campbell using B. Leftwick's auto motored to Roseville where Mr. Gilliland was treated by Dr. Connant. C.R. Pendarvis accompanied a shipment of cattle to Chicago.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: The stork made a call at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sebring Friday and left them a fine baby girl. Harold Stonebeck had the misfortune to fall and break this wrist while playing at school. A large crowd observed Patrons' Day at the school. Sam Duncan accompanied a shipment of stock to Chicago.
***OBITUARY***MRS. ELMER CARLSON: Ethel May, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Galbraith was born in Gladstone and has spent her entire life in this community. She passed away at the Mercy Hospital in Burlington, Iowa on May 19th. She was united in marriage to Elmer Carlson about a year and a half ago. She leaves to mourn her early departure her husband, parents and three brothers, Floyd, Edward and Ross. She was a member of the M. E. Church and the Eastern Star of Oquawka. Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church with interment in the Olena Cemetery.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Miss Margaret Barry of the senior class will teach the Dutch Row School next year. Mrs. Ivabell Stewart is the owner of a Ford Sedan recently purchased. Arrangements are being made for a tennis court, croquet ground, etc. on the lawn of the Presbyterian Church so that young people and children will have a place to play. The May fete that was given by the grade school was very well done with each child doing their part well. Dance by the fairies, processional march to the throne, crowing of the May Queen, dance of the flower girls, flower drills by larger girls, wreath drill by wreath bearers, drill and march by foresters, hoop drill by the singers and last the weaving of the poles was enjoyed by all. (My, they did know how to celebrate May!) Mrs. Nellie Davenport of Omaha came to help celebrate the birthday of her father, J. R. Johnson.
The Junior Class of the high school entertained the Senior Class and faculty with a banquet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman. The supper was served at seven o'clock by Mrs. Whiteman, Mrs. Lee Mekemson and Mrs. Clyde Dixon. Decorations were purple and gold which was used throughout the house. Yellow roses, the class flower, graced the senior table with yellow snapdragons used on the junior and faculty table. Place cards and almond cups carried on the decoration scheme and purple candles and purple and yellow shades over the electric bulbs were used. The supper was served by the Misses Marion Gibb, Dorothy Lant, Helen Lormier and Arline Dixon. The Victoria played soft music and program was given after the banquet.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Dr. Forest Warner and wife of St. Louis are spending their vacation at the A. C. Babcook home. Mrs. Virgie Mead has been quite sick with malaria. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell have moved to Wataga.
RARITAN RAMBLINGS: Preparations are being made for the Decoration Day program which is to be given at the dedication of the soldiers' monument on May 30th. Edwin Houston is going about with crutches due to stepping on a nail which penetrated his foot causing him to be laid up for a few days. George Cavins who has been seriously ill with pneumonia is improving rapidly. Jos. Voorhees had the misfortune to step on a nail. The B.Y.P.U. members held a social in the Joe Edwards home south of town. Henry Gearhardt took his tax books to Oquawka. Mr. Gooden and family are domiciled in the Boyd Building. C. M. Eldert is having some new tinning work done on his house. Rev. Ihrman of Holland, Michigan, occupied the Reform Church pulpit Sunday; he intends to preach throughout the summer. All members of the choir or those who want to help are urged to attend choir practice Friday evening. Word was received here from Burlington of the sudden death of Roy Tharpe due to leakage of the heart.