The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, March 15, 1923
KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT: The body of Rev. John McArthur whose death occurred Friday morning arrived in Newton this morning and was taken to the Sprinker-Carter Funeral home. It was accompanied by the son, C.R. McArthur of Kansas City who told of the tragedy which terminated the life of the well known pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Roosevelt, Okla. and brought sorrow to that whole community.
Rev. McArthur had been standing near a filling station at Roosevelt talking to an elder of his church when a lad of thirteen years driving a Ford headed toward the place where the two men were standing. The elder drew Rev. McArthur aside to what appeared to be a safe place, but it placed him directly in front of a post and the Ford car ran into the post and struck him in the abdomen casing internal injuries. He was accompanied to a hospital sixteen miles distant where it was thought that an operation might save his life, but it was ascertained that his heart would not permit the strain of an operation and he passed away Friday morning at 1:30.
A funeral service was held for him at Roosevelt where he had been pastor for three years and he was so well beloved as pastor that the people of the entire town were present at the funeral. The mother of the lad, who had been the cause of the accident, over come by emotion, arose during the funeral asking forgiveness for her son who was driving a car before he had learned how to operate it.
Rev. McArthur was graduated from Xenia, Ohio, in 1873. He was 73 years of age and had given service as a pastor of the United Presbyterian Church for over 50 years-every where he had been in the East, in Kansas, Colorado and in Oklahoma. His work was of so great a service that it merited the approval of his congregations. Because of his age, he had offered to resign his position at Roosevelt, but his congregation would not permit this so the veteran minister had gone on faithfully with his duties of love and service to God and mankind until the summons came which terminated the fifty or more years of a useful life in the ministry. His wife had passed away from earthly life about twenty-five years ago and after the services at the United Presbyterian Church at Walton, he will be laid to rest by his wife and child in the cemetery there. Rev. J. H. Gibson of Kansas City conducted the services.
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The above which appeared in the Newton Kansan-Republican, Newton, Kansas will be read with interest by many people in this community where Rev. McArthur served for several years as pastor of the Stronghurst United Presbyterian Church. The exact date of Mr. McArthur s death is not stated in the above, but seems to have been on March 2nd. His pastorate here extended over a period from Sept. 20, 1893 to April 5, 1897, and he is recalled as a man of superior ability in the pulpit. He was a son of Rev. and Mrs. James McArthur and was born in New York, coming with the family to Henderson County when a child. The father was pastor of the Walnut Grove United Presbyterian Church for many years (the cemetery lies southeast of the former church site in Media Township). The elder McArthur was a farmer as well as minister and owned and resided on a farm 3 ½ miles north of Stronghurst. The McArthur family is well remembered by the older residents of this section, both father and son having served well and ably in the ministry. Mr. McArthur is survived by his three children: Mrs. Ethel Aldridge of Mound Valley, Kan.; Mrs. Anna Alexander of Denver, Colo.; and Cecil McArthur of Kansas City, Kan.-also by his brothers Cecil of Walton and Samuel of Newton, Kan.; and his sisters, Miss Nettie and Mrs. H. A. Brush.
OBITUARY: ALMA HELENA POWELL-Alma Helena Powell was born March 8, 1876 in Henderson County, Illinois; she died March 7, 1923 at her home near Stronghurst Ill., aged 46 years, 11 months and 27 days.
She was united in marriage to Wm. A. Powell Feb. 10, 1904 and to this union were born three children, two girls and one boy: Alice, age 16; Ellen, 12; and Robert 9 who are still living. Besides these she leaves behind to mourn their loss the following: a loving husband, an aged mother, two sisters-Mrs. Ed Chandler and Clara Fitz. Mrs. Powell was converted and united with the Maple Grove Church in 1893 and remained a faithful member of this church until death. While she had health and strength, she was an active worker in the church and Sunday school, having taught a Sunday School class for some time. A good mother and loving companion has gone from us, but the wholesome influence left behind will linger long to per perpetuate her memory. Funeral services were conducted at the home with interment in the Stronghurst Cemetery.
DELCO LIGHT PLANT DEMONSTRATION AT SIMPSON BATTERY STATION:
To show you the size plant that will be shipped in the carload we will have one on exhibition with washing machine, power stand, vacuum sweeper, etc. under demonstration next Wednesday during the day. Don't fail to see this wonderful outfit and talk with me relative to the wonderful offer I have for you-W. H. Cross, Delco Dealer, for Brown-Lynch-Scott Co.(A chance to see all the newfangled gadgets)
WEDDING BELLS: Mr. Harry E. Painter and Miss Mary Alice Wax were married this afternoon at the home of Mr. A. E. McElhinney, Rev. J.A. Mahaffey, pastor of the U. P. Church officiating. The couple was attended by Mr. Clifford McKeown and Miss Gene McElhinney. After the ceremony they departed on train No.22 for Galesburg and thence to Tarkio, Mo. where they will spend their honeymoon.
JORDAN-WORLEY: Christa August Worley, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Worley, and George Jordan were married at Macomb last Wednesday. The contracting parties are residents of the Raritan community. The bride is a grand daughter of Mrs. Wm. Worthington of the south country.
HIGH SCHOOL INSTALLS RADIO: The students of the High School have been very busy in the last few days installing a radio in the temporary school quarters above the Farmers Co-operative Store. The set was purchased with the proceeds of the senior class play that was given during the holidays.