The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, Oct. 5, 1922
MAKING THE SAND PRODUCTIVE: The sandy land of Henderson and adjoining counties is not usually considered good corn land when compared with the black land of the prairies, but the facts are that this blow sand can be made to produce corn almost equal to the average black prairie land. On the Oquawka Experiment Field on blow and treated with limestone and sweet clover turned under as green manure, the corn in 1921 yielded 56 bu. per acre. On the Carthage Experiment Field located on good black prairie soil which received the lime-sweet clover treatment, the corn yield for 1921 was 54 bu. per acres. The soil treatment on the Oquawka field was begun in 1914 and during the past years has shown some remarkable gains for corn, rye, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa and sweet clover.
On Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m. a farmers meeting on the Oquawka Experiment Field will feature a talk by Dr. Bauer of the University who will discuss the general subject of soil improvement. Various exhibits will be on display showing the influence of limestone, sweet clover and rock phosphate when applied to farm lands.
BREWER BARN LOSS PAID: On Sept. 21st I lost my barn and contents by fire. Today (Oct. 2nd) the Aetna fire Insurance Co. by its agent, A. F. Kaiser, handed me a draft for the full amount of insurance without discount. I cheerfully recommend the Aetna to those who wish reliable insurance and courteous treatment.-James Brewer
ANOTHER BLAZE: Shortly after 11 o'clock Sunday night, a large barn and implement shed on the Tobe Butler farm south of town burned to the ground and practically all the contents were consumed. Valiant work on the part of neighbors saved another large barn close by from being destroyed by the flames, which had already eaten its way up the side of the building and to the roof and left damage beyond repair. The barn destroyed was one that was used chiefly for storing and no stock was kept there. It contained about four tons of hay and some grain and other miscellaneous articles. The implement shed contained a mower and many parts for other machinery, all of which were destroyed. The fire of unknown origin seemed to have started in the top of the barn as that is where the blaze first burst forth. Mr. Butler, in taking out a new wagon, was severely burned on the head and neck; the burns, while not of a serious nature, were very painful. Insurance was carried on the buildings which will practically cover the loss.
WEDDING BELLS-REHING& DAVIS: Grover C. Rehling and Miss Martha Davis were the principals in a quiet wedding which was solemnized Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Norris at Monmouth, Ill. The ceremony was performed by Dr. W. H. Crane of the First M. E. Church and the couple was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Otto Steffey, Mrs. Steffey being a sister of the bride. A delicious two course wedding dinner was served by Mrs. Norris following the ceremony. The couple returned to Stronghurst Wednesday evening and left by auto for Springfield, Peoria and other points on their honeymoon.
The bride was attractively attired in a blue traveling suit with hat and shoes to match. She is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis. She graduated from Stronghurst High School with the class of 1919 and later attended Hedding College. She also attended the Normal at Bloomington and since than has been teaching.
The groom is highly respected and one of our best young men in Stronghurst. He is manager of the Inter City Telephone Co., a position he has held for several years. He is a member of the town board and is always active in any movement towards the growth and betterment of the community.
APPLES AND PEARS FOR SALE: We have a very large crop of fine apples and pears this season and allow customers to pick their own fruit at $1.00 per bushel ($13.54 in today's values) for the best grade of either, or both any variety except Grimes Golden and Jonathan which we pick and sell at higher prices. Have all the varieties grown in this section.-W. T. Weir, Gladstone, Rural Route
HARVEST HOME AND RALLY DAY SERVICES: Sunday, Oct. 1 was observed as Rally Day at the U.P. Sabbath School and at the same time the incoming of the harvest was displayed by the arrangement of the various fruits of the orchard, field and garden.
The regular Sabbath school session was held and opened with singing, followed by prayer by Mr. A.H. Kershaw in which the gratitude of the people of the land for the bounteous harvest of grain and fruits was expressed. As the close of the lessons study, the Primary Dept. marched in from their rooms and occupied seats on the west side of the church. Mrs. Agnes Findley presiding at the piano and Miss Emma Marshall, Superintendent, having charge of the service, announced the opening song. Rev. J.A. Mahaffey delivered the invocation. After the singing of a song by the school, the Misses Frances Worley, Doris Dixson, Frances Anderson and Gertrude Gibb sang a song. Miss Sarah Shaw read the scripture lesson. Seven children of the beginner class gave an exercise, "Growing." The Primary class sang and Hugh Yaley, Everett Upton and Wilbur McKeown of the Primary Dept. impersonated the Sower and Tiller and the Reaper in "Life's Garden." Blanche Bearsley and Dorothy Knutstrom sang a duet and Helen Hollingsworth, Dorothy Knutstrom, Edith Brook, Eva Shafer and Eilene Jones, Junior girls gave the lesson of the harvest...(much longer article).
WATERMELON THIEVES: Mat Hulet informed us that one day last week, thieves entered his watermelon patch and hauled away several loads of his best melons. He has a pretty good idea who the miscreants are and says if they do not settle with him in a short time, he will have them placed under arrest. Any one that would steal from a man that is trying to eke out an honest living down on the sand bottom should be tarred and feathered and run out of the country. This is about the only source of revenue he has and it is all hard work under adverse condition. (A call for frontier justice locally.)
RUM RUNNERS FINES: Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schachel and O. Fisher, all of Burlington, were arrested at Media last Thursday night and 3 ½ gallons of liquor were found in their possession. They were taken before Judge Gordon Monday for a hearing and pled guilty to a charge of transporting liquor. The judge fined the woman $200 and costs and the men were given a fine of $100 and costs and 90 days in jail.
SERIOUSLY INJURED IN FOOTBALL GAME: Clarence (Buck) Hartquist, playing with the Blandinsville football team at that place last Sunday in a game against Bushnell, was struck on the back of the head and seriously injured. On account of the injury affecting his nervous system, it was not deemed advisable to bring him home, and he was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Roberts. Last reports from there state that he is getting along nicely.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: The ladies of the Christian Church will hold a sale of homemade bread, pies, cakes, etc. at Logan s Meat Market Saturday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Steffey left by auto for Maysville, Mo. to attend a family reunion at the home of Mr. Steffey s sister, Mrs. Ada Winter. A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Highfield last Friday. The child was still born to the sorrow of parents and relatives and was taken to Dallas City for burial. Messrs and Mesdames English and Bill Kane and son of Chicago spent the latter part of last week and the fore part of this week in the Frank Kane home enroute to Iowa to visit another brother, John Kane. J. F. Farley, Opal Dodds, Dale Dodds and Elizabeth Ewing who have been motoring through the South and East for the past month returned home yesterday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Musser, Mr. and Mrs. Will Downer, Mr. W.B. Hunt and daughter and Mrs. Cora Hoffman of Muscatine, Iowa, spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peasley. The trip was made by auto, driving here on the Illinois side and returning in the evening via Burlington, Iowa.
RARITAN REPORTS: F. I. Wells had the misfortune to fall last Thursday evening and break his leg near the hip. He was painting the roof of the hotel and just as he was quitting for the evening about 6 p.m., the ladder slipped, causing him to fall from the higher part to the low part of the roof with the result as stated above. Dr. Hoyt was immediately summoned and Mr. Wells was taken to the Monmouth Hospital where he is getting along nicely. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher of New Jersey came for a two weeks visit in the home of G. H. Voorhees. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cameron are the proud parents of a baby girl born to them on Sept. 20th. The little one was named Eleanor Lucile. The mother was formerly Miss Mabel Cavins. Deris Cook, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Herb Cook, was operated upon in the Monmouth Hospital for appendicitis. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Cook on Oct. 1st.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The Poland China hog sale held last Wednesday by Will Wiegand and son was well attended and the hogs sold at a good price with the highest hog selling for $850. The committee in charge of the dinners served during the picnic at the U.P. Church report a balance of $171.66 which will go to the Cemetery Association. Eight car loads of stone were shipped from here last week. Andrew Steinson, Frank Stevenson and Sam Duncan accompanied the shipment to Chicago. Mrs. Oscar Nelson, who has been very low the past two days with Bright s disease, was removed to the Burlington Hospital; they think there is yet a fighting chance for her recovery. Mrs. August Wiegand has moved her household goods to Galesburg, her future home. At a meeting held last Friday evening a Teachers Extension Course offered by the Illinois Teachers College of Macomb presented a plan to organize the teachers of the county into an association. Prof. Van Cleve of Macomb college and County Supt. Beall were present to assist and outline the work. So few teachers were present that nothing definitely was arranged, but the group decided to call a meeting at Gladstone Oct. 13th.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The members of the sophomore class of the high school who are taking second year French and their teacher, Miss DePue, enjoyed a marshmallow roast in the Weaver timber west of town. The Farmers' Co-Operative Store is installing a Red Crown gasoline filling station. Mrs. Susan Atwell and brother, Mr. West, drove to Monmouth to see their sister, Miss Clara West, who is recovering from an appendicitis operation. Mrs. Russell Mathers is recovering from a recent severe attack of appendicitis. Mrs. Florence Mathers is at her home helping to care for her. (Don t think you wanted to have a stomach ache back in 1922 or you might be scheduled for an operation.) Jacob Ford who has been so seriously ill all summer at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Pogue, has recovered so as to be able to ride out in a wheel chair or automobile. He and Mrs. Ford expect to go to Chicago soon to spend the winter. Mrs. Florence Mathers is treating her residence to a new coat of paint. Mr. T.B. Palmer took Prof. and Mrs. Murtland and William over to Weir s fruit farm for their supply of winter apples. The apple orchards are a beautiful sight and are bearing the largest crop Mr. Weir has ever had. Mr. W.S. Mathers had a force of men at work gathering his large crop of Keifer pears. He estimates his crop at 600 bushels and is selling them at the low price of 50 cents per bushel. The pears are of good size and quality and Mr. Mathers tells us this low price will barely cover the expense of gathering them. He was hauling the fruit in from the orchard on his tractor. The men employed at the E.G. Lewis Seed Co. are busy sorting and hanging the picked seed corn which is brought daily from the surrounding farms and a finer lot of corn one would have to go a long ways to find