The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic,May 15, 2018
DEAD IN A WELL: James P. Sea, who has for the past eleven years been employed as pumper for the T.P. & W. Railroad at La Harpe, was found dead in the bottom of the well over which the pump house is located last Monday afternoon at about 1:30. The body of the unfortunate man is supposed to have been in the well about two hours and a half before it was discovered as a watch which Mr. Sea carried had stopped at 10:50 a.m.
It is supposed that Sea had gone down the two flights of stairs leading to the pumping machinery for the purpose of oiling the same and that while so engaged, he had either slipped and fallen into the well or had suffered an apoplectic stroke and toppled over into the well.
The failure of Mr. Sea to come home for the noontime meal was the first indication which his family had that something was wrong and an investigation was started which resulted in the finding of the body. The remains were removed to the undertaking rooms in the city where an inquest was held later in the evening and a verdict of death by drowning rendered.
A rather strange coincidence in the case was that Mr. Sea's death occurred on his 70th birthday. He had been employed in various capacities by the T.P. & W. Railroad for many years and was a trusted employee as well as a model citizen of the community. He is survived by his wife, two sons, four daughters, one brother and one sister. Funeral services were held May 14th at 2:30 p.m. at the Union Church in La Harpe and interment of the remains made in the La Harpe Cemetery.
NEW WOMEN'S COMMUNITY CLUB: Stronghurst's new Women's Community Club room was formally opened for public use Thursday afternoon. The hostesses for the occasion were Mrs. Metta Beardsley, Mrs. Ruth Steffey and Mrs. Ruth Gilliland of the Club's social committee and Mrs. Carrie Marshall and Mrs. Anna Ingerson of the house committee.
The sewing of carpet rags for ex-service men and the making and hemming of towels occupied the earlier part of the gathering of the ladies after which a program of readings and music was furnished by Misses Virgie Gilliland, Florence May Findley, Frances Mahaffey, Ilene Jones Winnibeth Rankin and Mrs. Martha Rehling. Delicious refreshments consisting of chicken sandwiches, pickles, coffee, orange sherbet and wafers were served.
Mrs. Beardsley, on behalf of the hostesses, thanked all who had contributed to the kitchen furnishings and in a few well chosen words extended the privilege of the use of the room to all as a rest room and for social purposes. Mrs. C. Mary Harter, acting president, spoke of the pleasure afforded the members in once more having a club home and of the effort which it had cost to secure the room and have it prepared and fitted up in such convenient shape. She also spoke in terms of commendation of the fine public spirit manifested by those who had pushed the work to completion.
The room was handsomely decorated with large bouquets of lilacs and pink crab apple blossoms and on a large table in the center of the room were assembled the various articles of kitchen furnishings donated by individuals.
Since the burning of the school building some 15 months ago when the old club room was given up for use as a school room, the most of the furniture and furnishings belonging to the club have been housed in the I.O.O.F. building in the village, the use of which for club purposes was also generously donated by the lodge. The School board also kindly cooperated in the proper preservation of some of the club property:The teachers of the grade and high schools were honorary guests of the club at this formal opening. Mrs. Harter announced some of the plans and designs which have been kept in mind in the fitting up and equipping of the new room.
Community service has been aimed at providing a rest room and library and a suitable place for social gatherings at any time with heat and light and water furnished by an inside cistern pump and an outside toilet conveniently located. Restrictions are placed upon card playing, dancing or other forms of amusement not approved of by the house committee. (In 1924 such activity was viewed as scandalous by some people; remember this is prohibition!) It is also decided to allow the use of the room to other social and business organizations for meeting purposes or for suppers, banquets, etc. with the use of the dining room and kitchen conveniences at normal charges.
The young people of the community are especially invited to enjoy the use of the room for social gatherings with music and games to suit their pleasure. One who has a large place in their heart for boys is contributing liberally toward the expense of the room in that the Boy Scouts organization my have a home here. The fact that convenience and appearance was considered by the planners of the building rather than cost of improvements is one much appreciated by the club women. The regular club library, in addition to the Springfield circulating library, will be in charge of Mrs. Martha Rehling and will for the present be open on Tuesday instead of Saturday afternoons. (Opening of the club room was a very big deal as women needed a place to stay while their husbands, brothers or attorneys conducted business. A restroom, even one outside, was a definite plus too. (Now the town had a meeting place open to many groups.)
OFFERING SOYBEANS: To encourage the growing of Soy Beans in Henderson County, the E. G. Lewis Seed Co. of Media offer to furnish any farmer who will plant 20 acres in Soy Beans his seed and permit him to pay for seed after his crop of beans are harvested. The growers must sign an agreement to pay for seed when his crop of beans is sold.
***OBITUARY***JOSEPH MURPHY: Joseph T. Murphy, a brother of our fellow townsman, Frank J. Murphy, died very suddenly at his home in North Platte, Nebr. May 3rd at the age of 67 years. Although the deceased never lived in this vicinity, he was known to a few people in the community who had met him on the occasions of his visits at his brother's home here.
The following account of Mr. Murphy's death is taken from a North Platte newspaper: "North Platte people were shocked when they heard of the sudden death of Joseph T. Murphy at his home at 403 S. Willow Saturday evening. Mr. Murphy had been at his work as usual during the day and after the evening meal he was in the home with other members of the family when the end came.
He came to North Platte over 33 years ago and a few years later began working for the Union Pacific. He was a carpenter and became foreman of the bridge and building department on the division. This position he had held for many years. He was a member of a number of local organizations among them being the Methodist Church, the Odd Fellows lodge and the labor craft. He was a member of the city council during the past two years and was just entering on his second term. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist Church."
LAWN SOCIAL: The Ladies Missionary Society of the Stronghurst Lutheran Church will hold a social on the church lawn on Saturday evening, May 17th, which the general public is cordially invited to attend. During the course of the evening the following menu will be served cafeteria style: sandwiches, rolls, pickles, fruit salad with whipped cream, cake and coffee. In case of inclement weather the social will be held in the basement rooms of the church.
A GREAT PHOTOPLAY: The greatest photoplay, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, ever presented in Southeastern Iowa will be shown in Burlington for one week. This picturization of Victor Hugo's immortal classic is a reassurance that the motion picture is an art. It cost a million and a half dollars and was months in the making. Harold D. Barnes, manager of the Rialto Theater was here acquainting the public with the merits of this mammoth production.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Fleming McMillan are the happy parents of a bouncing baby boy tipping the beam at 8 lbs. 10 oz. born at the Burlington Hospital on May 1st. R.R. Davidson and wife have moved to the property vacated by A. A. Cavins in the north part of the village. Miss Ethel Brokaw of St. Ansgar, Iowa and her friend, Mrs. Olson, visited at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Brokaw. A large crowd attended services Sunday to hear Rev. Olson's farewell sermon at the Lutheran Church. He left by auto on Monday for his new charge at Denver, Colo. Miss Evelyn Hartquist was elected as delegate from the Phi Omega Pi society at Northwestern University to represent it at Depauw University, Greencastle, Ind., where a new chapter is being installed. Frank Johnson shipped one car of hogs for the Shipping Association. Miss Edith Simmons who has been confined in the Burlington Hospital the past five weeks by injuries received in an automobile accident and return home. Mrs. Susie Baxter, who has been in the home of her son Glenn and wife at Gilson, Ill. since last fall returned here and packed her household goods and sent them by truck to Gilson where she expects to keep house for her son Eugene, who is engaged in the lumber business there. Men are engaged this week in leveling up the streets of the village and preparing them for an application of road oil in the near future. Twelve carloads of cattle were shipped from the local station to the Chicago market by the following: C. G. Richey-4 loads, Frank Pearson and O. A. Rankin-four loads, Joe Peasley-two loads, Edgar Hartquist and Harold Allison-two loads. C. E. Peasley, C. G. Richey, Edgar Hartquist, Frank Pearson and O. A. Rankin accompanied the shipment. Contractor A. E. Moore and men are engaged in reshingling and putting in hard wood floors in the W. H. Bainter home south of town.
The Chant home in the village was the scene of a happy family reunion on Mother's Day, all of the sons and daughters of the family being home excepting Lloyd, who is in New Mexico. Lee Wilson, who came down with his wife from Argo, Ill. returned to his work, but Mrs. Wilson remained for a week's visit with her parents. Lee recently entered the employ of the Ford Motor Co. at Argo at a salary of $50 per week and soon obtained a raise of $10 which he says beats railroading.
***OBITUARY***MRS. LOUISE HARBISON: Mrs. Harbinson suddenly Saturday morning passed away at the home of her brother-in-law, Denton Harbison. The funeral was held at Smithshire Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Harbison is survived by her mother, two daughters, Mesdames Roy Shook and Ed Bigger of this vicinity and a brother in California. Her death came as a shock to her relatives and friends as she was in her usual health until a few minutes before her death. She was stricken with apoplexy. She was about 55 years of age.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The Senior play, "And Home Came Ted," given at the Academy was a great success. Proceeds were over $50. The grade school closed Thursday with a basket dinner at the school house at noon. Graduating exercises for the 7th and 8th grades will be in the evening. Miss Faree Mathers is home from Maquon having closed a successful term of school near there. H. O. White is serving as a member of the Federal Grand Jury in Peoria. Charles Pogue shipped a fine bunch of cattle and hogs. Russell Mathers was laid up last week from a badly infected thumb on his right hand caused by a scratch from a rusty nail. He is able to be at work again. The city is having a well drilled west of the Sullivan blacksmith shop. They are better than 100 feet down and still drilling. Parties from Dallas City are doing the work. A baseball team is being organized for Saturday afternoon games. Chas. Pogue is manager and Earl Campbell, captain. A tract of ground just west of town has been leased from Stoots Mathers and is being put in condition for all kinds of athletic sports.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Several cases of severe colds with coughs and sore throats are in the area due to the cool weather. Mr. Gus Rehling will never be too old to enjoy a good ball game. He was at Burlington attending the opening game of the season. Mr. Frederick Crane, who attends college at Carthage, was an over Sunday guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Crane. Mr. Doren Tharp is attending Normal School at Macomb this summer. Mr. George Dixson's helpers of Stronghurst installed a new pump at the Fred Clover home this week. Mrs. Minnie Wiegand closed her school in the Kirby district with a potluck dinner served cafeteria style. After the meal, the teacher treated the group to ice cream. She has been re-employed for the coming year. The directors of the Carman school have re-employed Miss Ethel Irene Hoots for teacher in the primary room and Mr. Emmet Barr of Dallas City for principal for the coming year. John Clover left for his summer visit at the Waldo Johnson home near Stronghurst where he has employment. Mr. William Babcook, who has been on the sick list the past week with the summer flu, is very much improved. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Marsden and son Max will make their home in Burlington this summer as Earl is going to attend college. Dannenberg Bros. unloaded a steam engine Tuesday, shipped to them by the J. I. Case Co. from Peoria. There must be a wheat crop in the surrounding country. Mrs. U. L. Marsden is having some dental work done at Dallas City by Dr. Walters. Mrs. V. I Jones, who has been so poorly with the flu for the past two weeks, was taken to her daughter's home near Lomax. Her daughter, Mrs. Victor Logan will care for her. Mrs. Fred Clover is having some papering done by Mr. Roy Moore of Lomax. Mr. Wm. Pendry, Sr. is very poorly at his home northeast of town. It is understood that cancer is bothering him again.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mrs. Wm. Lorimer and daughter, Lucille Frances and William attended the school picnic at Dutch Row where the teacher is Miss Margaret Barry. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gilfillan have retuned from near St. Louis where they accompanied Dr. H. L. Kampen of Monmouth with the remains of Mrs. Kampen which were buried near her old home. Mrs. Edgar Bergren was the hostess for members of the Eldeen Book club. The afternoon was spent in sewing and visiting with books being exchanged. Dr. Babcock is driving a new Ford coupe. The Misses Edna Jamison of South Henderson and Alice Childs of Monmouth have been engaged by the school board as two of the teachers for high school for another year. Miss Jessie Claybaugh was on duty at the telephone office all day Tuesday. The Harvest Home picnic is set for August 28 and 29th. Mrs. W. M. Lorimer and daughter Miss Lucille returned from Mayo Bros where Miss Lucile went to be examined after an operation for goiter; she is doing fine.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Evelyn Fort will give her graduating recital from the Monmouth College Conservatory of Music on May 16th. Dr. G. C.Widney and family of Lexington, Nebr. were visitors at the home of R. Butler home in the village. Fred Reynolds and family motored to Galesburg Saturday. Alta Maree who is employed in the Peacock Beauty Shop returned home with them. Joseph Sheets, 56 years of age and a resident of Carthage, Ill. who had suffered a nervous breakdown as a result of physical ailments, ended this life by shooting himself in the head last Monday afternoon. Miss Erma Kaiser has accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Hyde Park State Bank in Chicago. The Stronghurst churches and the community in general were well represented at the district Sunday School Convention at Olena last Sabbath afternoon. The Y.P.C.U. Society of the U. P. Church will hold a bake sale at the Farmers Co-operative store in Stronghurst on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Maude Dodds, who spent several weeks with her daughter, Mrs. Farley at Wichita, Kan. returned to Stronghurst accompanied by Mrs. Farley and Dale Dodds. The trip from Wichita was made in the Farley car and the distance covered in two days. Dale Dodds left by train for Kansas City. Mrs. Farley will remain for a more extended visit. Erman Dodds, who has been at Wichita for the past year, left last week for a prospecting trip through Mexico. Shore Hollingsworth is enjoying a vacation from his duties as assistant agent at the local Santa Fe station. He left for Newton, Kans. where he attended a Santa Fe O.R.T. convention and from there to Cleveland, Ohio where he attended the National O.R.T. convention. Delegates then traveled to Niagara Falls and other places of interest in the East. Mrs. I. F. Harter and Mrs. A. A. Worthington went to Moline to attend the annual meeting of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs. In error last week, a boy was reported when it should have been a girl. Mrs. McMillan and Mary Lou arrived home last Monday and are both doing fine.
The ladies of the Maple Grove Church are arranging to hold a bake sale in Stronghurst soon. Orders for anything in the bake line left with Mrs. Harry Ross will receive attention. Mrs. Mahaffey, Mrs. Upton, Mrs. Allan Annegars, Mrs. D. R. Gibb, Mrs. Dickerson, Miss Ruth Brooks and Miss Jean McElhinney, all ladies of the Stronghurst U. P. Church announce they will hold their next afternoon tea on May 29th. A large audience greeted the anniversary play given by the Epworth League at the Methodist Church.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The baccalaureate sermon for the graduating class of the high school will be delivered by Rev. Mahaffey, pastor of the Stronghurst U.P. Church, on May 25th. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard White are the proud parents of a sweet baby daughter who came to brighten their home on May 17th. Miss Vinnie Colly of Gladstone is the nurse in charge. Edwin Erickson is confined to his rooms by a severe attack of bronchitis. His brother Paul is looking after the post office during his illness. Mrs. Scott White entertained the Home Missionary Society of the M. E. Church at her home. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Grossman of Monmouth have moved into the James A. Callow house. Mrs. E. G. Lewis is home from the sanitarium at Jacksonville where she has been a patient for some time on account of a nervous breakdown. She is greatly improved. The Saturday evening rain was greatly needed and a boon to gardens and strawberries. Some of our farmers are through planting corn, other still planting, the cool weather having put a stop to some. Need more rain badly. Miss Eva Monroe of Raritan was operated upon for appendicitis. Lormer Runner closed his chool near media with a picnic. C.W.Gaddis of Lomax purchased a Frod Coupe from Anguish & Wifenberger at Dallas City.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Farmers are very anxious to see the weather warm up as most have corn planting done and do not care to replant. Mrs. Fred Crane and Mrs. Eliza Brown attended the W. Club at Lomax at the home of Mrs. John Dowell; an excellent time was had by all. Miss Dorothy Dowell of Stronghurst vicinity, who has been at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Clara Coffman, returned to her home. Mrs. Liza Parry is the victim of sore throat. The Carman Sunday School will give an ice cream social next Saturday night to help pay expenses for Sabbath School supplies. Mr. John Fordyce of Roseville is enjoying a week's outing hunting and fishing on the Mississippi. People of the community are very sorry to hear of Dr. LaVerne Emerson of LaHarpe who underwent an operation for appendicitis in in serious condition. Club members of Blandinsville gave a fish fry here at the club house. Phillip Graham has returned from California; his mother east of the village still remains quite poorly.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Miss Opal Carlson who has been in the Burlington Hospital for the past two weeks, returned home. She is in a weakened condition. Mrs. Jessie Lyons is recovering from her recent accident which resulted in a broken limb. A card was received from Miss Anna Watson of Galesburg stating that she just returned from spending six weeks in a hospital where she was a victim of pneumonia.
A Mr. Peterson, wife and babe of Macomb were trying to beat the rain from that place to Burlington to attend the show, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," when on the hill west of Olena, their car skidded into the ditch. They were entertained at the John Lant home for several hours until the rain abated and chains were attached to their car after which they continued their journey. However, they were too late for the show and spent the night in Burlington with relatives. The Burrell School closed with a splendid dinner on the school grounds.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Rev. Ramsdale, who just finished at the St. Louis Seminary, preached at the U.P. Church last Sabbath morning and evening. He is a nephew of Mrs. D. A. Gibb and will take charge of the Keota congregation. Mr. J. M. Millen came from California and expected to spend an indefinite time at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Will Whiteman. A food sale at the Ericson store by the intermediate Society of the U. P. Church cleared seven dollars.