The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic July 12, 1923
THE GAS GOT HIM: Last Friday, Mr. Culver Nyberger, a service man for the Brown-Scott-Lynch Co. of Monmouth, was overcome by gas while engaged in installing a Delco lighting system in the Dean Cortleyou residence near Raritan. It seems that he had neglected to attach the exhaust pipe to the engine and that the gas fumes soon filled the basement in which he was working. Mr. Cortleyou, who was assisting Nyberger noticed that the latter was becoming affected by the gas and assisted him to the clear outside where he fell to the ground unconscious. A Raritan physician was summoned, who rendered first aid to the sufferer.
Relatives of the man at Monmouth were notified of his condition and sent Dr. Kempen down to look after him. Under the physician's directions, Mr. Nyberger was removed to the Monmouth Hospital on Saturday where he is now rapidly recovering.
LOWER THAT TOLL! According to an article appearing in the Burlington Gazette, the movement for lower toll rates for crossing the Burlington wagon bridge has taken definite form in the shape of several petitions, identical in their headings, which have been presented to the Burlington city council and the Citizens Bridge Co. One petition, originating in Oquawka, is said to bear 81 names, another from Biggsville contains 40 names while 109 signatures are attached to a petition originating in Burlington...
INVADED BY "MORMON FLIES:" For, perhaps, the first time in the history of the village, an invasion of "Mormon flies" or "Willow bugs" was experienced here last Saturday night. Usually these winged pests do not find their way so far from the river where they breed every summer by the billions, but some favoring wind must have blown them so far eastward last Saturday evening that they were attracted by the glow of our "white way" and decided to pay us a visit. While our boulevard lights were installed with the idea of making the village more attractive at night, there was probably no thought of offering attractions to this particular kind of visitors. It may be, however, that visitations of this kind will be one of the results of our efforts along the line of modern improvements.
Every street light was the center of a swarm of the flies as thick in some cases as to partially obscure the light. The fronts of business houses, especially the windows, were literally covered with the pests which the screen doors prevented from getting inside. A number of people resorted to the expedient of soaking rags in kerosene and making torches with which to burn up the insects which clung to the store fronts; but while millions were probably destroyed in this way, their places were soon taken by millions more and there did not seem to be any diminution of the huge swarm which literally enveloped the village.
The band boys who were giving their regular Saturday evening concert from the band stand on Broadway, bravely stuck to their posts while the insects, attracted by the lights in the stand, buzzed in swarms about their heads. They hurried through with their program, however, and when it was over, quickly fled and left the enemy in possession of the stand. On Sunday morning there were none of the living insects in evidence; but the dead ones lay in drifts along the streets where they had come in contact with scorching fire.
While the plague was certainly bad enough here, we seem to have been lucky in comparison with some of the river towns which suffered from invasions of flies the same night. The lights on the river bridge at Burlington, it is said, attracted them in such numbers that automobiles became mire in heaps of the insects and had to be towed in by wrecking cars from the garages. Wagon loads of dead flies were shoveled off the bridge into the river on Sunday and floating to the Iowa shore, formed a drift ranging from a few inches to several feet in depth. After passing through an experience of this kind one can probably get a little idea of what the plague of flies meant to the Egyptians in the days of old king Pharaoh.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Ed Stine has been confined at his home since last week suffering from neuralgia of the stomach, but he is able to be up and around again now. A. L. Hartquist and family of Mt.Pleasant, Ia., were visitors at the home of his brother, Wm. Hartquist before departing for Jamestown, NY. and other Eastern points. Miss Ethel Hartquist will spend the summer in the East. The party is traveling by auto. James Dobbs, who has employment at Edlestein, came down to see his wife who is in the hospital at Burlington. He reports her getting along nicely and she soon will be home.
825 acres of Warren county land is to be sold at Master in Chancery sale at the court house in Monmouth. There are four farms to be disposed of and in each case the sale is to satisfy court decrees in favor of banking institutions. The following tracts will be sold: Phoebe Stice stock farm of 160 acres in Point Pleasant Township; R.R. Smiley farm of 240 acres in Point Pleasant Township; R.R. Smiley farm of 185 acres in Hale Township; R. R. Smiley farm of 240 acres in Hale Township. (After W.W.I farmers experienced low prices and mortgages were due.) Joe Huff, Lloyd Rankin and W. B. Gregory were in attendance at a rural mail carrier convention held at Monmouth. Old resident and former liveryman in the village and now of Stamford, Conn., Dave Ragen is in town renewing old acquaintanceships.
The hot weather of the past week ripened the small grain very rapidly and the greater part of the wheat and early oats is in the shock. This is certainly a strenuous time for farmers and an unfortunate circumstance in connection therewith is the scarcity of farm laborers.
***OBITUARY***MRS. AMANDA BELL: Death came as a blessed relief from suffering to Mrs. Amanda Bell July 9th at 2:30 o'clock at the home of her sisters, Mrs. White and Miss Jennie Galbraith. Mrs. Bell, who home was in Henderson, Ia, had made her home with her sisters since last December during practically all of which time she has been a sufferer from an illness which medical skill was unable to cope with. Mrs. Bell was 73 years of age and was an excellent and highly respected woman. Funeral services were at the Stronghurst Christian Church with interment in the Olena Cemetery.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The congregation of the M.E. Church has planned a Home-Coming for Sabbath afternoon; everyone is invited. Archie Heap had the misfortune to lose a good work horse in the harvest field; this is the fourth horse and one mule the Heaps have had the ill luck to lose this year. Paul Erickson departed for Milwaukee, Wis. to enter Hoffman's Business College for the business course. Little Calvin Keith stepped on a nail one day while at play and the wound was so severe that Mrs. Keith took him to Stronghurst to have Dr. Marshall dress it. Mrs. Ed Barry and son Simon and Mrs. David Gilliland and son Dan drove to Weir's fruit farm and bought home some splendid dew berries, currants and apples. Gail Heap went to Bushnell to get repairs for his threshing outfit and drove over to Prairie City to spend a couple of hours with his Grandfather Heap. Mrs. M. B. Drain received word that her sons, John and Clyde, were now in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Almira Bacon will soon be 93 years old. Harvest is in full blast and threshing machines owned by Norman Grossman, Raymond Mathers and Gail Heap will start next week.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mrs. Maggie Whiteman received word of the serious illness of a niece, Mrs. Earl Kilgore of Griswold, Iowa and is planning on leaving for that place. Mrs. Kilgore has cancer of the throat. A good company attended the cemetery tea and a neat sum was added to the association. Funeral services were held at the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Anderson for their little two year old Arline who has suffered from the effects of the flu.
***OBITIUARY***MRS. JOHN BOYD: Funeral services were held at the U. P. Church for Mrs. John Boyd who had only been confined to the bed this past week. She is mourned by two daughters, Lizzie and Ella and one son Robert of the home: two daughters living in Burlington, Mrs. Evan Thomas and Mrs. Kate Tadlock; three sisters, Mrs. Bell McKeown of Stronghurst, Mrs. Mary Gibb and Mrs. Ellen Gibb and two brothers, William and John-all of this place plus a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were present at the funeral.. Interment was in the Biggsville Cemetery.
CULTURE COMING TO TOWN-CHAUTAUQUA: Six inspiring, instructive and entertaining lecture by keen and brainy speakers; eight musical program sufficiently varied in their character to meet the popular fancy as well as the demands of the musical critic; and a comedy-drama, a Broadway success, presented by a company of talented artists are the good things in store for the people of the community during the five day period of August 13-17. It seems almost incredible that this enjoyment of such a feast of good things could be made possible to the community at an expense of but 20 cents for each of the ten programs, but that is all it will cost the season ticket purchaser since the price for these tickets has been placed at $2.00 each.
The farming element will be particularly interested in knowing that one of lecturers who will appear is Congressman J.N. Tincher, the man who forced the passage of the Capper-Tincher bill to prevent the manipulation of the grain market by speculators Hon. H. Minor Wallace, who has also exercised a potent force in molding the public opinion in the United States and who is a brilliant lawyer and orator will be another lecturer. Also, there will be Fred Gates, known as the community doctor, who will deal with the problems which are met with in the development of the social, educational, religious and business life of a community. One of unique and no doubt instructive numbers on the program will be a lecture by Paul Fung, an eminent Chinese journalist who has been prominent in international affairs and an advisor of the representative of China in the recent World's Disarmament Conference. He will discuss "The Chins of Today."
The musical and popular entertainment numbers will include recitals and concerts by Waldemar Geltch and assistant artists. Mr. Geltch is described as one of the greatest concert violinists on the stage today and will be ably assisted by Mrs. Geltch at the Piano as well as Miss Louise Lee Bren, a well known, charming soprano. Lot P. Fernandez and his Hawaiian Serenaders will give both an afternoon and evening concert introducing banjo, mandolin, guitar, violin and ukulele music with Hawaiian folk songs and dances. Another afternoon and evening performance will feature the Jane Hollyman entertainers composed of Jane Hollyman, Hester Hackly and Clayton Cramer; they promise a peppy program.
One of the unique musical organizations to appear will be "The Marine Maids," who bring the fun of a sea voyage without the sea sickness. In the afternoon their program is entitled "A Trip on the Ship of Melody" and in the evening "Sailing the Ocean Blue" will be offered. A good Broadway success, The Bubble" is said to be one especially adapted the Chautauqua stage by the Sprague Players.
The advantage of buying a session ticket is, therefore, apparent since cost of individual programs varies. A season ticket selling campaign will soon be inaugurated and are sure to be financial success.
PRIM-HICKS WEDDING: It was only within the last few days that the paper learned of the marriage more than two weeks ago of one of Stronghurst's well known and popular young ladies, Miss Ruby L. Hicks, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. J. W. Hicks. She was marrIed on July 2nd at St. Louis to Mr. Hal Prim, a landscape architect with offices in the Central Nat'l. Bank building at Peoria, Ill.
The bride who has always been a resident of Stronghurst, was graduated from our local high school six year ago and afterwards completed a course in a Peoria business college. For the past two years she had been successfully engaged in teaching in this county. The former home of the groom was Charles City, Ia. where he graduated several years ago from the high school. He then took a course at Ames College, Ia., after which he went to New Jersey and graduated from a school for landscape architects. The happy couple expects to be at home in Peoria, Ill. after Sept. 1st.
YEGGS (BANK ROBBERS) BLOW RARITAN BANK: While a number of the citizens of the village looked on and trembled in their shoes or more probably their bare feet, a band of yeggs forced the front door of the Raritan State Bank last Saturday morning at about 1 o'clock, entered the building and proceeded to crack the safe by the use of nitro-glycerin or some other high explosive. Five charges were necessary to give the yeggs access to the inner chamber of the safe where the cash and securities were kept. Over an hour's time was spent in the work. The explosion which blew off the outer doors of the safe was so terrific that it hurled one of these big doors through the wooden partition separating the banking room from the lobby and against the west wall of the building with such force as to almost wreck the wall. A detached section of the door was driven into the wall far enough to loosen the outside course of brick. The windows of the bank were nearly all blown out or badly shattered and a lot of the bank furniture wrecked.
Notwithstanding the fact that the noise of the explosions could be heard for blocks, the robbers coolly proceeded after the final blast to gather up the coins and currency and securities into sacks with which they were provided and then with the remark made by one of them, "Well, let's go; we've got it all," they proceeded to their car which had been left at the edge of the village and made their escape.
Mr. A. Morris and family, who live directly across the street from the bank were awakened by the first explosion and watched the subsequent proceedings of the men from the upstairs windows of their home. They stated that there were two guards with guns in their hands patrolling the street across from the bank while two other members of the gang were at work on the safe and that a running fire of conversation was kept up between the guards and the men in the bank. There is a restaurant adjoining the bank on the east and the family of the proprietor who lives on the second floor also was awake during the whole time the yeggs were at work and heard much of the conversation carried on by them. Mrs. Adair, who runs the Raritan hotel, situated on the west side of the bank, was another who heard most of what transpired during the hour the robbers were busy.
The fact that none of these citizens mentioned had any fire arms about their places and that the guards on the street were watching to see that they did not leave their homes was evidently considered by them as sufficient excuse for remaining quiet.
The loot secured by the robbers consisted of $1,500 in coin and currency which the bank had received from Galesburg the evening before, a Des Moines County, Ia. county bond for $1,000, three registered bonds of the denomination of $50 and between $200 and $300 in travelers' checks.
The Henderson and Warren County sheriffs and some finger print experts were at the scene of the robbery Saturday forenoon but did not succeed in obtaining any clues which they believed to be of much value. There have been several theories advanced in regard to possible aid which the robbers may have received in the way of a tip concerning the shipment of the currency the evening before and also regarding the possession of fire arms by the citizens of the village.
***OBITUARY***MRS AMANDA BELL: Amanda Galbraith, eldest daughter of Samuel and Sarah Galbraith, was born near Gladstone, Ill., April 20, 1850 and died July 10, 1923, being 73 years, 2 months and 20 days of age. She grew to womanhood there and on Dec. 3, 1868 was united in marriage to L. M. Guy. To this union was born three children: Dora, who died in infancy; Clayton at the age of nine years and Ada, wife of A. J. Snodgrass living in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Guy died in 1882. In March 1888 she was united in marriage to the late J. A. Bell. to this union was born one daughter who died at the age of 8 years.
She leaves to mourn her loss one daughter, one grandson, one great granddaughter, four brothers and four sisters and many friends. She came to Stronghurst on Dec. 20th and expected to remain through the winter visiting two brothers at Gladstone, one brother at Bowen, Ill., and the two sisters at Stronghurst. However, her failing health did not permit her to leave the sisters' home. Her last sickness lasted more than five months. All the sisters were with her in her last sickness and her daughter came soon after she was taken sick and never left her. Her funeral was held in the Christian Church with burial in the Olena Cemetery where her husband and three children are laid to rest. The pall bearers were four brothers and two cousins. (Long list of out of town attendees included in the article; read it in entirety on microfilm at the Henderson County Library.)
***MRS. IANTHA J. DETRICK***Iantha J. Detrick was born at Jackson, Mich. Sept. 2, 1848 and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Johnson on July 16, 1923 at the age of 74 years, 10 months and 14 days. She was married to George W. Detrick on Feb. 10, 1871 and to this union eight children were born. Most of their life after marriage was spent in Olena and Donnellson, Iowa, with Olena being their home since 1906. Her husband, one daughter, Ida, and a son, Harry preceded her in death.
Mrs. Detrick was a devoted wife and a kind and loving mother. In early life she gave her heart to God and was a member of the Olena M. E. Church. The last few months of her life were spent at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Johnson in Stronghurst where all was done that kind and loving hands could to relieve her suffering.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Ed Walker and wife, James Dobbs and Mrs. C. M. Bell went to Burlington in the Walker car and brought Mrs. Dobbs home from the hospital where she had been a patient the past three weeks following a surgical operation. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Huff returned from Roseville on Sunday by way of Raritan and viewed the wrecked interior of the bank which was robbed by yeggmen. Perc Veech and wife drove over to Plymouth to visit her brother, Ed Leinbach. Max and Kenneth Veech who had been visiting relatives the past week in Rushville met their parents there and rode home with them. Mrs. Wm. Bainter and son Harold of the south neighborhood attended a lawn social and entertainment given by the Biggsville Country Club at the A. W. Martin home. Harold was one of the entertainers for the occasion giving a reading entitled, " If I Were King." State Auto Inspector J. L. Forslund is reported to have fired three shots at a fleeing car on the streets of Oquawka last Thursday evening after the party of four men who were in the car had resisted his attempt to stop them from driving without lights. It is claimed that the men are known and that arrests will follow.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Dr. Bronson, wife and two children of El Paso, Tex., visited at the home of Mrs. John Salter. Phil Chant has gone to Dallas City to work in the Crystal Springs pop factory of which his brother-in-law, Harry Doty, is proprietor. Frank Crenshaw returned home after spending a week on his farm near Fall Creek, south of Quincy. He reports bumper crops of both wheat and corn in that neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brooks help celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Fred Ochsner, Sr. at her Dallas City home. William Kettleman, a resident of La Harpe, Ill. for the past 26 years, died July 10th from the effects of a sun stroke which he suffered that day while working in a field on the farm of Marion Eckles west of La Harpe. Mr. Kettleman was 47 years of age and was a native of Germany.
The Mississippi River is certainly taking its full toll of victims by drowning this season. The nearby river town newspapers contain accounts of one or two such accidents every week. A large percentage of these drownings seem to occur on Sunday and in most cases the victims are reported as good swimmers who ventured out into deep water. Mrs. Wadsworth, who was manager of the hospital here and went to the state of Maine after the hospital s closing, returned for her baby which she left in care of the Scott family. She left for New York and it is understood she has a job as a nurse in a hospital. Miss Nellie Bowen, who is the assistant cashier of the Mercer County Bank at Aledo, Ill., has gone to Cheyenne, Wyo. to visit her sister, Mrs. Bakewell and will take in the Frontier Days celebration. The Willing Workers of the Stronghurst U.P. Church will hold their next tea in the church parlor on Thursday afternoon. Serving will be the following ladies: Misses Grace Marshall, Bessie Bailey, Sara McElhinney, Ruth Heisler, Ruth Brokaw, Hortense Harbinson and Mrs. W.E. Marshall. All ladies of the community are invited. W.C. Ivins, B. G. Widney, Geo. Chant and Roy Park drove to West Point, Ill. to look after their farming interests. They report chinch bugs as doing some damage and also that the yield of wheat on some farms was very good while on others it was rather light.
While carrying in an armful of clothes from the clothes line into the house, Mrs. Abe Magee was over come by the heat and dropped unconscious on the floor of the home in the east part of town. She was found here by her little daughter a short time afterward and medical aid was summoned. She was soon revived and is now fully recovered.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: July 22 is the date for the Home-Coming at the M.E. Church. Dr. W. H. Crain of Monmouth will deliver the sermon at 10:30 am followed by a basket dinner at noon. At 2 p.m. Mr. John Lugg of Monmouth will be the speaker and Dr. M.L. O Harra, Dist. Supt. will present the evening address. The children of the U.P. Church gave a social on the parsonage lawn; lemonade and cookies were served. The stork flew over early Wednesday morning and left a sweet baby girl to gladden the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Gail Heap. This little Miss has the honor of being one of four generations all living in one home: Mrs. Almira J. Bacon, the 1st; Mrs. Florence Mathers, 2nd; Mrs. Gladys Mathers Heap, the 3rd; and baby Heap the 4th. She is also possessor of a great grandfather, Mr. J.B. Heap's father who lives at Prairie City.
While oiling the township roads, the oil wagon which was coupled on to an army truck broke loose on the road just south of town and overturned into the ditch and about 600 gal. of oil were lost. Mrs. Alice Schroeder of Media is helping care for the sick at the home of her brother, Charles Lyons of Olena who is quite ill from an attack of gall stones. Mrs. Geo. Wax underwent a very painful operation for the removal of her tonsils at a hospital in St. Joe, Mo. Miss Opal Wolfe entered the Monmouth Hospital and underwent a most serious operation. The Media State Bank has had some necessary repair work done and the building has been newly painted outside which gives it a spick and span look. Clyde Stansbary received the returns of the Willard-Firpo fight over his radio. Quite a crowd was present to hear the results of the fray.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Millen welcomed a fine 8 ½ lb. baby boy to their home last Saturday; the little boy will be known as Donald Graham. The regular monthly meeting of the Women s Missionary Society was held at the U.P. Church. Mrs. W. D. Henderson had charge of devotionals and a paper on Mormonism was read by Mrs. Chas. Riefshnieder and was followed by a discussion. Miss Mildred Kilgore has been engaged to teach in the Raritan neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Lee and Earl Trumble left over land in the Lee car for a visit at the Lee home at Spanish Fork , Utah.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Mother Asher, matron of the baby fold at Normal, Ill., gave quite an interesting talk to the Olena congregation Sabbath Day and solicited aid for that worthy institution. She said there are 74 children in the home, two more than they usually accept, but the call was so urgent for the last two that they were finally accepted. She explained that each nurse or mother, as they are called, took full charge of six children made up of all boys or all girls of uniform ages. They are given religious training and taught cleanliness and manners. The wheat is in the shock, oats and hay are now being cut and soon we will hear the hum of the threshing machine. Miss Golda Davis is now one of the hello girls in the Stronghurst telephone office. Mrs. Ruby Zang had quite a sick babe who climbed to the cupboard and took an overdose of iodine. In Lomax a number of families agreed to take children from Chicago for a two weeks vacation. The Lomax Lumber Co. received a carload of cedar shingles from Seattle.