The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic June 7, 1923
BIG MEETING IN CHICAGO: Mrs. C.E. Peasley and Mrs. I.F. Harter, president and vice-president respectively of the Stronghurst Women's Community Club, brought back an interesting report of the State Federation of Women's Clubs at Chicago. They gave their report to the group last Saturday.
Mrs. Edward C. Bailey of Chicago presided during the meeting. Her successor will be Mrs. George Thomas Palmer of Springfield, who was selected to head the state organization in the coming year. Mrs. Palmer in her address advised the women to become builders if they desired to be happy and successful. She also said that usually every woman who was elected a club president had a hobby she expected to carry out and that hers would be first-Gardening, "digging in the dirt with her own hands; second-city planning; and third-Women's clubs, "radical movement and Americanization."
NO NEW TOY FACTORY FOR STRONGHURST: A few members of the Better Stronghurst League and one or two other citizens who are interested in the industrial and commercial development of Stronghurst met at the Simpson-Widney garage last Thursday evening to hear Mr. J. H. Cummings of Riverside, Ill. outline his plan for the establishment of a factory for the manufacture of toys and juvenile furniture in this place. The size of the gathering was a disappointment both to Mr. Cummings and to the League officers who had called the meeting as nearly all of those present already knew what the proposition was. Mr. Cummings did not consider it worth while to spend further time in explanation.
He stated that he was here in fillment of his promise not to locate the proposed factory elsewhere until Stronghurst had been given further time to consider the proposition. Since, however, the citizens here were showing so little interest in the movement, he said that he felt justified in dropping consideration of plans to locate here and would feel free to accept a proposition made to him by the city of Ottumwa, Ia. where a site and building suitable for his requirements had been offered him together with a pledge for the organization of a stock company of which he would be made president to carry on business. He said that the Ottumwa project would be pushed rapidly to completion and that Iowa City would soon have of the few large toy factories in this country located there...
I.O.O.F. LODGE MEETING: The first degrees in Odd Fellowship were conferred upon a class of 15 at the local I.O.O.F. hall last Thursday evening. The degree work was in the hands of a team from Monmouth lodge #577 and was witnessed by a large audience including members of the order from Monmouth, Kirkwood, Smithshire, Raritan, Terre Haute, Carman, Oquawka and possibly one or two other places. Following this a banquet was served to 140 plates.
JUNIOR-SENIOR BANQUET: The Junior and Senior classes of the local high school fraternized at a banquet given by the first mentioned class to the latter at the U.P. Church last Saturday evening. The menu, which was furnished by the popular cateress, Mrs. Johanna Wheeling, was served in four courses and consisted of chilled fruit, potatoes au Gratin, baked ham, Parker House rolls, creamed asparagus tips, pickles, olives, strawberry ice, Sunshine cherry preserves, Imperial salad, Saratoga flakes, Angel's delight, punch and mints. Professor Larson acted as toastmaster for the occasion and the program given after the banquet consisted of a welcome to the Seniors by Agnes Findley; responses by Joseph Dixson and Mary Lois Mahaffey; short speeches by Professors Dawson and Olin and Miss Freitag; music by Miss Landon and a toast to the class of '23 by Chalmers Gittings.
On Tuesday night the two classes again commingled, but this time as contenders for supremacy in position of class colors. The conflict raged with more or less fury throughout the night and well into the morning hours of the following day. Several successful kidnapping stunts were pulled off, one of the seniors being transported a distance of eight miles to the river bottoms and left to "hoof it" home. He is said to have established a school record for pedestrianism and to have shown up barefooted but smiling within the space of two hours after being deserted by his captors. There are said to have been a number of thrilling encounters between the defenders of the respective class colors in which, we understand, the Juniors claim to have scored the highest number of points. However, when the sun rose Wednesday morning both the White and Gold of the Seniors and the Green and Gold of the Juniors floated from conspicuous points in the village.
WEDDING BELLS-WILSON-DeLUCAS: Robert Eugene Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Wilson of this place and Miss Carolyne D. DeLucas, daughter of Mrs. Christine DeLucas of 423 Olive St., Galesburg, Ill., were quietly married in that city on the morning of June 6th. The bride is a young lady who received her education in the Galesburg schools and who has been employed for some time in the Kresage store there.
The groom is a Stronghurst young man who is highly respected and has many friends. He graduated from the local high school with the class of 1918 and afterward attended the Knox College soldiers' training school, being a student here when the Armistices was signed. Since that time he has been in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad and has been located at Williamsfield during the past year.
Immediately following the wedding, the couple left on a honeymoon trip to Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo. They will be at home after June 15th at Williamsfield, Ill. in a home already prepared and furnished by the groom.
INJURED IN AUTO ACCIDENT: While Mrs. Walter Leibengood and her three small children were returning from Biggsville to their home on the H. O. Whiteman farm in Gladstone Township Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Leibengood lost control of the Ford car which she was driving and the machine skidded to the side of the road and crashed into a couple of trees standing in front of the W. E. Sanderson home. The force of the shock threw all of the occupants of the car out and they were all more or less injured. One of the children, a little boy, had an ear partly torn off and Mrs. Leibengood and her young daughter suffered a number of severe cuts and bruises while a small babe in the party escaped with slight injuries. The accident happened near the Sanderson home into which the victims were taken. A telephone message brought a physician from Gladstone to the scene and prompt medical attention was given to the sufferers. Mrs. Leibengood was unable to state just how the accident occurred, but said that she was endeavoring to reach home before a rainstorm which was coming overtook them. The car was going pretty fast when it skidded to the side of the road and crashed into the trees. Several people from here who happened along just after the accident occurred say that it is a wonder that the results were not more serious as the car was badly smashed and was headed, when it came to a stop, in the opposite direction from which it had been traveling.
CHARGED WITH RIOTING: Sheriff Davenport came down from Oquawka last Thursday afternoon with warrants for 15 men and boys of this vicinity- mostly high school students who had been charged with engaging in a riot. The complaint was signed by a farmer from the country north of Stronghurst who because of his alleged slanderous and defamatory utterance regarding the student body and school officials had aroused such a degree of public indignation against him that he was hurried out of town by a shower of eggs on the morning of May 30th.
Bonds in the aggregate sum of $1,500 ($20,580 in today's values) for the appearance in County Court at Oquawka on June 18th of the young men charged with "rioting" were signed by J. W. Stine and George Dixson.
PLAY IN OLENA: On Tuesday evening, June 12th, at the Olena M.E. Church, the graduating class of the Gladstone high school will put on the play, "The Dear Boy Graduate." This play gave Gladstone a $60 house with many turned away. The public is cordially invited to see the play re-produced in Olena.
CHICKEN PIE SUPPER: The ladies of the Stronghurst M.E. church will serve a chicken pie supper in the church dining room on the evening of June 9th. The price of the supper will be 35 cents and serving will begin at 5:30.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Edgar Churchill will open the summer season of Raritan movie night with "Over the Hill" with Mary Car; admission is 10 cents and 30 cents.(list of all pictures for the season listed in article) Manager Beardsley of the Lyric Theater in town treated the younger pupils of the grade schools to a free show; the picture shown featured Jackie Coogan. During the thunder storm last week, lightning struck the large barn on the Henry Annegers farm eight miles southeast of Stronghurst occupied by Press Walker. The barn was completely destroyed and Mr. Walker, who was in the barn when the bolt came, was quite severely affected by the shock. Mrs. Marion Forbes and babe who have been visiting for several weeks past at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson, were called home to South Bend, Ind.. A telegram stated that Marion had been injured in an automobile accident. Later it was learned that Mr. Forbes' injuries were not serious although he was rendered unconscious for an hour or two when his auto was overturned in the street and he was thrown violently out upon the pavement. Miss Dorothea McMillan is home for the summer from the Columbia School of Expression at Chicago where she has been a student for the past year. Miss Audrey Rezner is now employed as a clerk in the local post office taking the place of Miss Maxine Mains, who has accepted a position in the John Boesch store in Burlington. Dale Stine of Creston, Iowa visited at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stine.
Mrs. Belle Wilson, Miss Jennie Galbraith and Mrs. Snodgrass, who is staying at the Galbraith home helping care for her mother, Mrs. Amada Bell, were shopping in Galesburg. Mr. Edgar Rankin left for Yuma, Arizona to visit with his son Walter and family before going to Los Angeles, Calif. to make his home. W. B. Gregory received a card from Dr. Gent stating that he and his traveling companion, K.E. Yoakam, had safely arrived in Washington, D.C. after a very interest trip. The journey was made in a new Chevrolet coupe in which functioned in an entirely satisfactory manner. The C. E. Lant home in Gladstone Township was the scene of a pleasant gathering when Miss Ruth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lant who is a freshman in Monmouth College, was hostess to a party of her college friends. An auto party, a pleasant social afternoon, a delicious fried chicken supper and a moon light drive back to Monmouth by way of Oquawka made the day a pleasant one.
Ernest Putney and family have moved to the country southeast of Raritan where he will be employed on the farm operated by Mr. Emi Rankin. Miss Ethel Brokaw same home from Northwestern University for a short visit with home folks before returning to Chicago where she expects to engage in Bible teaching. W.W. Copeland who was postmaster of Burlington, Iowa, under President Taft's administration is slated to succeed John H. Pettibone when his term expires after 8 years. Although over 65 years of age, which is the maximum age limit for eligibility, Mr. Copeland was permitted to take the Civil Service examination under a special order signed by President Harding.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: Miss Eleanor Kyle has finished her work as teacher at Versailles, Ill. and came home for summer vacation. Prof. Hoffman entertained the Murtland family and Robert Beal at a fishing party and picnic supper at the creek east of town. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Mathers are home from Warren County where he has been oiling the streets. Miss Virginia Randolph returned from her home near Chicago and plans to teach here again. Miss Julie DuPay left for her home in New York City where she will teach next year. The school board employed Mr. Auster of Camp Point as principal for another year, but Prof. Hoffman could not be persuaded to accept again as he has better positions in view. The Academy board returned Prof. Murtland. C. G. Richey is in Canada on a business trip. Rev. R.J. Kyle and W.S. Mathers attended the Presbytery of Monmouth this week. Bernice Atwell is at the home of his uncle, Ben West for an indefinite stay. Mr. Jno. Suydam played the snare drum for the 39th time on Decoration Day at Kirkwood; He is an old soldier and gets many calls to "drum" but always goes to Kirkwood Decoration Day.
Mrs. J.P. Riggs is having the roof of her residence painted plus necessary repairs made around the home. The oil from the township roads is being applies this week by Commissioner Fred Palmer and his helpers. Media Township has the best roads in Henderson County and Mr. Palmer deserves much of the credit. A farewell reception will be given Prof. and Mrs. Hoffman at the Academy Thursday evening with the entire community invited.
DECORATION DAY IN BIGGSVILLE: Services were held at the cemetery last Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock. A large attendance was present. After singing "America," Rev. W.M. Lorimer led in prayer followed by the children forming a line and marching around to the soldiers' graves placing flags and flowers. At two o'clock in the afternoon the dedication of the tablet in honor of the men of this township who were in service during the World War took place on the high school campus where the tablet was erected. The girls of the grade school sang two songs, Rev. Lorimer led in prayer and the high school girls sang. Then Rev. Thompson of Kirkwood was introduced by Mrs. Geo. Kelly, president of the Community Club. He spoke of "The Home, the School, the Church and the Nation" as four corner posts of American civilization from which our citizens received instruction. The tablet contained 52 names, two gold stars: Arthur Glover whose home was in Washington but enlisted here and was killed in service and also Clark Holmes whose death occurred here last winter from wounds received in France.
***OBITUARY***MRS. A.G. OSTROM: The body arrived in Smithshire at the home of her sister, Mrs. Carol Cooper last Wednesday from Dwight, Kansas. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church here on Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Ostrom death was caused when undergoing an operation for gall stones. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Jamison and leaves to mourn her death her husband and three daughters, all being present at the funeral. Remaining also are three sisters, Mrs. McKee of Flint, Mich., Mrs. Nat Burrus, Pleasant Hill, Mo., and Mrs. Cooper of Smithshire and two brother, Joe of Flint, Mich. and Elmer of Gladstone. Rev. McHenry, a former pastor, preached and burial was made in the Biggsville Cemetery.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Thompson went to visit their daughters and son John in Minnesota. The Misses Effie and Alice. who have attended school there the past year, will return with them. The grade school closed last Friday with a picnic dinner at noon. Prof. Anderson was called to Reddick by the critical illness of his wife. Word was received of the marriage of Leland Nesbit, a former Biggsville boy but now is employed on the C.B.&Q. railroad as an operator at Joslin, Ill. The wedding took place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wells of Bowen. Commencement exercises held here Friday night were well attended. Those graduating were the following: Mildred Kilgore, Evelyn Dixon, Dema Stevenson, Bernadine Mickey, Helen Foster, James Clark, Harold Renwich, Erwin Whiteman and Harry Gilmore.
A big time was enjoyed last Saturday at the park at the Homecoming of the Township High School. More than 300 registered and it is thought that as many as 400 were present. Mrs. Doale and daughter Florence and son Russell moved their goods back to Galesburg where they will again make their home.
RARITAN REPORTS: Memorial service was held at the Opera House on Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Wingers, who occupied the Reformed pulpit several summers ago, was married last Saturday. Mrs. Riddington was at Stronghurst having some teeth extracted. Dr. M. A. Brothers is the new veterinarian that has located in town recently. Rev. Caldwell expects to leave this week to undergo an operation.
ILLINOIS BRIEFS: Bureau County's onion acreage near Sheffield has been almost doubled this year. Because of a split between the mayor and city council of East Moline, four city employees, Chief of Police James Cuttright and three city firemen have been refused their salaries because the appointment of the men had not been confirmed. Confirmation of these has been twice defeated by the council. There were 9,000 cases of measles in Chicago during the first four months of the year. In Macon County there are 553 known cases of tuberculosis.
If a man receives a bottle of liquor from another for the purpose of taking a drink, he is guilty of violating the law. This decision was rendered by the Supreme Court of Alabama. (Prohibition was in full swing.)
WOOL POOL SHIPMENTS: Because of the very satisfactory returns received by the farmers who pooled their wool last year, the Henderson County Farm Bureau has made arrangements to ship to the pool from two points this year instead of one. Shipment will be made from Little York on Tuesday and from Stronghurst on Wednesday. Any farmer who has wool to sell is invited to bring it to either of the above points on the dates mentioned...
CHANCE AT NAVAL ACADEMY: Congressman Graham says that there are at present four vacancies at the Naval Academy at Annapolis which may be filled by young men from this Congressional district. He explained that three vacancies exist because of the failure of those previously appointed to pass the entrance examination. He also stated that if appointments are not made before July 1st, his quota will drop from five to three and that two of the vacancies now existing cannot thereafter be filled. It would seem that there ought to be four young men in the 14th Congressional district capable of passing the entrance examination at Annapolis and to whom a naval career appeals. There ought to be at least one or two in Henderson County.
SEEING AMERICA FROM A HOUSE CAR: Mr. John Wilson and Mr. Wm Powell had arrived here on June 2nd in their house car in which they had been touring through the South and West. The territory covered by their trip all lies east of Norman, Oklahoma as their starting point. The car in which the men are traveling was built at Norman, Okla. under the supervision of Mr. Wilson and while not especially ornate in appearance, was built with the idea of comfort and convenience in view and contains all of the absolute requisites for a home a well as a conveyance. The two gentlemen left Norman Okla. on the 26th of December with Miami, Fla. as their objective point. (A long article details all the places visited.)
USE OF PARK INSTRUCTIONS: The Stronghurst Community Playground opened June 11th with Miss Dorothea McMillan in charge as instructor. The forenoon from 9-12 will be given to the smaller children, opening with calisthenics, followed by kindergarten work, croquet, folk dancing, singing games, and stories and dramatization of stories, which will conclude that program.
The afternoon from 2-5 will be devoted to older children. Volley ball, croquet, baseball, old country dancing, games of all kinds and tennis will be included in this program. An invitation is extended to children from the country at all times, but special effort will be made to entertain them Saturday afternoon when the parents are shopping.
Miss McMillan is planning to have an exhibition day later in the season that parents and friends may see what the children have accomplished during their play time.
GATHERING THE NEWS THE HARD WAY: While out looking for something of news interest in connection with a rumor that there had been an outbreak of prisoners at the Ft. Madison penitentiary, according to a story which appeared in the Burlington Evening Gazette , B. D. Glaha, editor of the Ft. Madison Democrat, was held up at the outskirts of that city by a stranger and forced to take the latter into his car and drive him to Burlington.
On the way the stranger "frisked" Glaha of $18 at the point of an automatic and when they arrived in Burlington, he ordered the newspaper man to slow down at the corner of Polk and Main Street where he jumped from the car and headed up the hill toward the river east of Main Street.
Glaha was considerably unnerved by the strain he had been under during the 19 mile drive, but he quickly notified the Burlington police of his experience and a hunt for the bold bandit is now on.
WEDDING BELLS: JOHNSON-SWANSON-Monmouth Review: "A pretty home wedding took place yesterday at high noon when Miss Edna E. Swanson was united in marriage to Bert M. Johnson of this city at the home of the bride's parent, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swanson at Stronghurst. Rev. Nels Olson, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Stronghurst, assisted by Rev. A. T. Lorimer of this city, performed the single ring ceremony in the presence of about 50 relatives and friends.
The home was beautifully decorated with large baskets of peonies, roses and ferns and the altar where the ceremony took place, was arch-shaped and was trimmed with ferns, roses and peonies.
The bride and groom, preceded by the bridesmaid, Ella Swanson, a sister of the bride, and the best man, Elmer Johnson, brother of the groom and the two pastors entered the room to the strains of the wedding march from Lohengrin, which was played by Mildred Johnson. The bride wore a gown of white Canton crepe, a veil and carried a bouquet of bride's roses. Following the congratulations, the wedding luncheon was served at individual tables beautifully decorated with bowls of roses.
Mrs. Johnson is a popular young lady of Stronghurst where she has lived practically all her life. She graduated from the Stronghurst High School and for a short time worked in this city. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson west of Monmouth. He graduated from the local high school and attended Augustana College at Rock Island for a short time. At the present time he is employed in the National Bank of Kirkwood. The happy couple will be at home on a farm west of Monmouth."
FULL LINE OF FEEDS IN STOCK: Tankage, Oil Meal, Dried Buttermilk, Four Middlings, Bran, Poultry Scratch and Baby Chick Feeds, Ground Alfalfa Meal and Ground Oats. Grinding every day-any kind of grain and any amount-Custom Feed Grinding Mill, H. C. Haben, Prop., Stronghurst, IL.
ILLINOIS FRUIT CROP: Calhoun County, known as the "Apple Kingdom" of Illinois shipped from its docks during 1922 nearly a half million barrels of apples. There were shipped also 7, 278 barrels of cider. Chris Ringhausen, who owns more orchard acreage in the county than any other person, sold his 1922 peach and apple crop on the trees for $52,000 ($713,440 in today's values).