The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, June 5, 1924
HE DIED: E.A. Hail, for more than 40 years editor and publisher of the Henderson County Journal, which post he resigned about a year and a half ago because of his failing health, passed away at his home in Macomb., II. on June 3rd at 8:15 o'clock.
DECORATION DAY OBSERVED: The Decoration Day exercises at the U. P. Church were largely attended. At the appointed time the children of the grades in our public school draped in red, white and blue each carrying a flag marched from the public city park to the church which was beautifully decorated.
Rev. W. H. Cross was chairman for the day. The audience joined in singing "America." Rev. J. A. Mahaffey offered the memorial prayer and Mrs.G.C. Rehling sang a beautiful solo with pleasing effect. Attorney W. C. Ivins gave the address of the day emphasizing the passing of time and the great service of the soldier of the "60's. The services closed with a solo by Mr. Charles Fort. Four old soldier of the Civil War were present.
Mr. W. B. Gregory was in charge of the parade from the church to the cemetery and proved his efficiency in handling a large process of cars. At the cemetery the children of the grades gave flag and wreath drills and recitations that were beautiful and touching for which much credit must be given to Mrs. Boyd, Miss Hazel Kirby and Miss Mary Morgan. After the graves of soldiers were decorated, Rev. Myers closed the day's services with the benediction. From the large number attending and the spirit manifested, Memorial Day was judged a success and will never lessen but increase the reverence for those who gave their lives for this country.
AGED RARITAN CITIZEN DEAD: Aaron Johnson, one of Henderson County's oldest citizens and one of the pioneers of the Raritan settlement, passed away at his home in the village of Raritan on June 4th at the age of 90 year, 5 months and 10 days. Mr. Johnson was a Civil War veteran and one of Raritan's most highly esteemed citizens. Funeral services will e conducted at the Raritan M. E. Church.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: The operation at the A.T. &S.F. depot have resumed their regular hours now that Shore Hollingsworth has returned from vacation. Porter Duncan, a brother of Lawrence Duncan has been visiting here for the past three or four days. Miss Maxine Mains has entered the employ of the Cadmean Chautauqua Association and left for St. Louis to begin her duties. Friends received the announcement of the birth of a son, Ralph Randall, to Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Linney on May 27th at Topeka, Kansas. The mother will be remembered as Miss Georgia Huskey. The commencement exercises at Gladstone last Friday evening were in every respect a credit to the eight who graduated as well as to the entire community. Each graduate had a part in the exercise and as a fitting climax, W. H. Cross of Stronghurst delivered his lecture, "Work Your Own Garden," in a way that inspired all to greater things for the future.
Mr. Clarence Richey left on a business trip to Winnipeg, Canada. Mrs. Dale Davis has accepted a position at the Maple Grove School as teacher; she is leaving soon for Macomb for teachers' school. Clifton (Porky) Regan has returned for the summer vacation from the Illinois University and will start to work soon on C. E. Fort's ice wagon. The signal gang has completed its work here on the automobile train control and is leaving for East Fort Madison to put a submarine cable under the Mississippi River. The community was visited today with one of the heaviest down pours of rain experienced this year. Mr. Gillie Voorhees drove over from Raritan to have some dental work done and was accompanied by Mrs. P. Voorhees; they were dinner guests of Mrs. Addie Cortelyou. Maurice Lovitt from Spokane, Wash. is visiting in the home of his sister, mrs. George Mathews south of town. Mrs. Jas. H. Bowen who has been living at Aledo with her daughter, has moved back to Stronghurst and will make her home with her son Ed and family Word has been received by relatives that George Beckett, brother of Joe and Oscar Beckett, is in very poor health and has gone from his home at Carollton, Mo., to Colorado Springs, Colo., thinking a change of climate would be beneficial to his impaired health.
The first of the weekly Wednesday evening concerts for the season was given by the Stronghurst band on the bandstand located near the Broadway and Main Street intersection. The boys gave a fine program which was listened to by a large, appreciative audience. Mr. T. A. Nichols of Burlington, Iowa, has purchased a newspaper published at Camden, Ind., and secured the services of Gail Chase, son of R. B. Chase of Galesburg , to take chare of it as managing editor. He has gone there to take up the work about three weeks ago.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: High school commencement which were held at the Academy Friday evening noted that the stage was prettily decorated in the class colors, gold and white accompanied by ferns and other greenery. Prof. W. W. Murtland had an exhibit of the certificates and badges won by expert typists and specimens of work done by member of his typewriting class. The expert typists of the year were Clifford Adair, Carl Leftwich, Roy Anders and Zelma Campbell. The boulder erected to the memory of Bruce Rankin by his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Rankin, was dedicated Sunday by the American Legion who was in charge of the service. The boulder was veiled by a large American flag and Master Cameron Cavins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Cavins and a nephew of Mrs. Rankin, did the unveiling by pulling the cord fastened to the flag, causing it to rise to the top of the pole. "America" was sung by the audience led by a quartet from Roseville. Rev. Walter Rose gave the invocation. Miss Van Dusen of Roseville read "In Flanders Field" by Grey. Mr. C. R. Pendarvis in impressive and well chosen words introduced the speaker. Mr. Paul Gordon of Springfield, who gave a touching tribute to the memory of Bruce Rankin, who was a member of his regiment and also to the boys who are yet living whose names appeared on the second plate of the boulder; he placed a poppy upon the boulder in memory of the living and the dead. The Legion firing squad fired their salute and the bugle call was played by their bugler. A large crowd from all parts of the community was present.
YOU CAN BE SAVED: The Cantril Evangelistic Company will be in Stronghurst beginning the first part of July. By those who have heard Mr. Cantril he has been compared to Billy Sunday, Gypsy Smith and Chas. Reign Scoville (big time evangelists of that era). Wherever he goes his unique method of presenting the gospel has brought out capacity crowds. At LaHarpe and Dallas City where he recently held meeting the entire communities are enthusiastic in praise of his work.
At present he is in a meeting at Lomax and because of the large crowds, they have been compelled to move from the church to the opera house. He is not a denominational preacher, but a true follower of Christ with the message of Christ in his heart for both the lost and saved.