The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic Feb. 7, 1924
OBITUARY: LYLE MCKEOWN-The pall of sadness which rested on the community earlier was deepened on Monday night when word came from the Burlington Hospital that Lyle McKeown had passed away at 8:30 o'clock that evening. Lyle had been a sufferer from appendicitis for about a week and on Monday morning it was decided that his only chance for recovery lay in an operation. He was accordingly taken by auto to the Burlington Hospital where he arrived in a very weakened condition owing to the long time occupied in making the journey over the almost impossible roads. The operation, which was performed after his arrival, proved unavailing and he passed away.
Lyle was the eldest of the three sons of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. McKeown, having been born April 26, 1906. He was a junior in the Stronghurst High School and a member of the athletic team of that institution. He was a young man of fine character, popular with his school mates and the younger generation of the village. He was held in esteem by the whole community. He was a member of the local U. P. Church and took an active interest in the young people's work of that organization. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts and held a certificate of merit for work performed as a Scout. His cutting off in the early spring time of what promised to be a useful life comes as a sad blow to the sorrowing parents and other relatives who have the sympathy of the entire community. The remains arrived by train on Tuesday afternoon and were born to the parental home in the south part of town by his high school classmates who served in relays. The remains were taken from the home on Thursday afternoon to the U. P. Church where funeral services were conducted. Following services the remains were entombed in the Stronghurst Mausoleum.
A STORMY BLAST! The worst storm period of the season was experienced in this section last Monday and Tuesday, an ice and sleet storm being followed by a heavy snowfall accompanied by a rather stiff wind. While many parts of the west were harder hit by the storm than this section, the damage done locally was quite extensive. The Stronghurst Telephone Co. was quite a heavy looser, many of the poles on its lines being broken or carried down by the accumulation of ice on the wires and the wires broken in many places. Manager Rehling has had a force of workmen busy since Monday repairing the damages and the service at this time is practically back to normal
A complete suspension of electric service by the Western Illinois Utilities Co. from Monday noon until Wednesday noon occurred because of line damage. The streets of the village were in total darkness during both Monday and Tuesday nights and primitive methods of lighting were resorted to in stores and residences. A great deal of inconvenience was experienced by those who depend upon "juice" from Keokuk for power and cooking purposes. While the storm was not accompanied by usually severe temperature, clearing weather has brought a lowering of the mercury and real winter weather prevails.
WEDDING BELLS-DUNCAN & DODDS: In addition to the cigars being in evidence, reliable authority tells us that Mr. Lawrence Duncan and Miss Hazel Dodds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Dodds, both of Stronghurst were quietly married in Galesburg on Feb. 6th. It is understood that Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are now enjoying a brief honey moon trip. The bride and groom are both popular amongst a large circle of friends in this community and elsewhere.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. McDermott is visiting in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Stine. Miss Holstein, the well known nurse, is now in the E.G.Lewis home taking care of Mrs. Lewis. A. S. McElhinney, the licensed real estate dealer, reports the sale of the W. B. VanDoren property to Dr. John L. Mudd (he was the veterinarian). Word has been received of the death of Gramdma Dodds at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. L. Neglery in Kewanee. There is an auto or motor truck in our country for approximately one in every seven people. The latest check shows there were 17, 281,285 passenger cars and motor trucks in the U.S. at the beginning of 1924, a gain of nearly a fourth a year. Mrs. George Wax of Media has been taking chiropractic adjustments in Stronghurst for some time. Ed Stine sold his interest in the cash and carry meat market to Wax and Painter. Elder W.H. Cross has accepted a call from the Christian Church for another year; this will be his third year with the church. T. C. Knutstrom was taken suddenly ill and was hurried to the Burlington Hospital where he underwent an operation for appendicitis. Latest reports are that he is well on the road towards recovery. Deputy Collector, C. E. Pendarvis of the Peoria Div. office will be at area banks to give instructions and assist tax payers in filling their 1023 income tax returns.
Quite a bit of excitement was created in the village Tuesday evening by the ringing of the fire bell, the occasion for which was the burning out of a flue of the Jones store building. While it was quite a spectacular display of fireworks, no damage was done to the building. A car load of stamped post cards was received by the Burlington Post Office made up of a shipment of 60,000,000 cards packed in 600 cartons of 10,000 each and the value is $60,000. The Burlington Post Office is a sub-agency for the government and this shipment will not only supply the trade in that city but will be used to fill orders coming from post offices over that part of Iowa. Mr. R. N. Marshall and his son Howard went to Chicago accompanied by Dr. H. L. Marshall where specialists will be consulted with in regard to Mr. R. N. Marshall's eyes, which have been giving him trouble for some time and also in regard to Howard's condition, the latter having been obliged to give up his studies at Monmouth College recently on account of some nervous disorder. Both Rev. R. C. Myers and Rev. J. A. Mahaffey left for Chicago to attend the Anti-Saloon League Convention. New farm advisor, E. D.Walker, has arrived and will be followed by his wife and three sons as soon as a residence is secured.