The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



The 1923 Graphic

Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross

Stronghurst Graphic, Oct. 25, 1923

PUT OUT THEIR FIRES: A number of families in this village in which the meals are prepared on electric stoves were served a trick last Sunday which if repeated very often is likely to cause a slump in the demand on the public service company for current and a corresponding increase in the demand for other kinds of fuel.

At just about the time dinners in these homes were half cooked, the electric current was shut off without warning and kept off for several hours.  It was then a case of eating a half cooked meal or of hustling around to find some substitute method of finishing the cooking job.  In one case  the half cooked ingredients for the meal were taken to a neighbors and the job finished on their cook stove.  In another case some gasoline was borrowed from a neighbor and a gasoline stove which chanced to be in the house was brought into requisition.  In another case and one in which personal experience enable the writer to testify, the family was obliged to make out with an underdone roast and partially cooked vegetables because no substitute method of cooking was available.  It need hardly be added that the aggravation of the situation was not lessened by the fact that the family had “company” for dinner.

We would not wish to be accused of indulging in any harsh or unnecessary criticism of the service company which furnishes Stronghurst with her electric current, but we would respectfully suggest that if they find Sunday the one day in the week during which they can most advantageously do their line repair work, they at least try to keep in mind the fact that some of their patrons attend church and find it convenient to delay their mid-day meal an hour or so on that day.  It also does not seem unreasonable to suggest that they notify their patrons some time before hand of their intention to interrupt the service.

GENEROUS ACT OF THE KU KLUX KLAN:  The local organization of the Ku Klux Klan gave proof of the spirit of generosity toward the needy which they profess when the recently made a donation of $150 ($2,058 in today’s values) to Mrs. H. A. Shallenberger, whose husband was killed and young son so terribly injured in the railroad crossing accident here on Oct.6th.  Mrs. Shallenberger wishes to extend her appreciation.  She also thanks the Men’s Bible Class of the Christian Church for aide rendered and all who helped in any way in their time of affliction.

K.K.K. RECRUITING: Rev. Fred Finker, a United Brethren preacher from Indiana and lecturer for the Ku Klux Klan, and a Mr. Burke, an organizer for the Klan, have been here for a day or two in the interests of the organization.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Finkner addressed an assemblage of women at the Masonic Hall on the principles and aims of the order and on Wednesday evening he addressed a large company of men in the same place.  The visit of the two gentlemen has resulted, we understand, in a substantial increase in membership in the local order.

MEDIA MEANDERINGS: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Campbell are the parents of a 10 lb. daughter born Tuesday at noon.  Postmaster Edwin Erickson is quite ill with Grippe at the home of Mrs. Etta Thompson.  Emory Cavins has charge of the post office and Paul Gibson has taken the mail out on the R.F.D.  Quite a number of our people attended the K.K.K. meeting in Stronghurst. 

During the past week a club has been organized and named Nathan Wever Lake Club in honor of the founder of the Wever Media Academy.  Mr. Wever also had much to do with the founding and making of the town.  The club has leased about five acres of the southeast corner of the Academy farm, which adjoins the town on the north and will use it for a park which will be open to the public for picnic parties and tourist camps.  Within this park are two large lakes which are fed by several springs.  These have been named Wever Lakes and will be stocked with fish and used also for swimming, boating, skating and ice.  The whole park is to be electrically lighted.  The park will be open to the public, but the water privileges are private.  Anyone over 16 years of age may become a member of the club by paying the annual membership fee of $5.00 ($68.80 in today’s values).  The place is an ideal spot for a fine park and in time will be one of the beauty spots of the state.  Work was begun on the grounds on Monday.

C. E. Pendarvis bought the old South Prairie M. E. Church which was sold at public auction of $350 (4,802 in today’s values).   The building is to be moved into town, remodeled and fitted up for a gymnasium.  Heavy rains reduced the P.T.A. meeting at the Academy.  Prof. Neil Ausmus attended the Homecoming and football game at Knox College.  The Farmers’ Co-Operative store of which Mr. and Mrs. George Wax are managers, have added a new line of dry goods.  Paul Gibson is the new clerk at Logan’s meat market.  Mr. and Mrs. W. Keith and family and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Worrell and family have moved into the houses on the C. R. Pendarvis farm southeast of town and will run the farm for Mr. Pendarvis.  Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Frye and family and Mr. and Mrs. Dana Burkett who have been living at the farm for some time have gone to Virginia to make their home.  Mrs. Burkett was formerly Miss Helen Frye.  Mr. Homer Griffiths is the new helper at the Santa Fe station.  Mrs. J. E. Lawyer went to Dallas City for dental work.   Remember the chicken pie supper to be given by the ladies of the M. E. Church on Halloween night being held in the building recently vacated by James A. Callow Co.