The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: Oct. 16, 1924
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Sparks from a chimney dropping on the dry shingles of the roof on the Smith rooming house in the village started a blaze shortly before noon. Prompt action on the part of the firemen who responded to the alarm which was sounded, prevented any further damage than the burning of a large hole in the roof. Mr. James Best of Kansas City has been a guest of the Ella McQuown and Williams homes during the past week. Mr. Best is a veteran of the Civil War and came from Quincy, Ill. where he attended a reunion of his old regimental comrades last week. He has been endeavoring to interest the ladies of Stronghurst in the organization of a Women's Relief Corps here, but with no success.
His many friends will be glad to learn that Mr. H. M. Allison has returned from the Burlington Hospital and is well on the road to recovery from the effects of the accident when he was struck by an automobile in Burlington and fractured his wrist. The girls and boys of the Sabbath School classes of Mrs. C. M. Bell, Estel Mudd and Robt. McKeown of Stronghurst U. P. Church celebrated the birthday of Miss Edith Brook at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C.Brook last Thursday evening. Games of various kinds and delicious refreshments were features of the evening. H. C. Haben of the village was in Chicago representing the local lodge at the Masonic Grand Lodge meeting. Dr. and Mrs. Harter went to Chicago go where he will address the American Association of Railway Surgeons on "Treatment and Prognosis of Contused and Lacerated Wounds."
A patch of ground in the village south of the stockyards rented last spring by W.B.Gregory and planted to late potatoes is showing most remarkable yield. The potatoes not only run a large number to the hill but they are of fine size and quality. Mr. Gregory will have a limited quantity of those potatoes for sale at 65 cents per bushel at the patch. Mrs. Jane Naven came from Corning, Iowa to be with her mother, Mrs. P. C. Bainter who has been bedfast for a long time. The Monmouth Republican reports that a marriage license was recently granted at Rock island, Ill. to Mr. J. Ed Wells and Miss Olive M. Cox, both of Raritan. Miss Cheryl Steingraber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Steingraber of Dallas City and Mr. Everett F. Crane, son of Mr. and Mrs. Quig Crane of Lomax were untied in marriage at high noon Oct. 9th at the home of bride's parents. The Apt brothers and sisters will give a free musical entertainment Tuesday evening at the Christian Church. Afterwards, pop corn and candy will be for sale in the basement. Mr. Earl Stout who is principal of the Carman School is now riding in a new Ford runabout. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jess Tate Oct. 13th. A carload of exceptionally fine hogs was shipped by Mrs. Ella McQuown. Sam Dunham who has been staying at the Mrs. P. C. Bainter home for a long time is leaving for his home at Kirksville, Mo. Tom Cook of Raritan has been in Western Kansas visiting his son John, who is located on the J. C. Brook ranch; he returned home Friday. C. M. Bell and wife and son Paul and Mrs. Hettie McLain drove to Washington, Ia. to visit relatives for two days. This part of the county has enjoyed six days of the most beautiful fall weather. Elder and Mrs. C. I. Stauffer and two children of Beardstown drove over and were guest in the Ellis Roberts home. Elder Stauffer was a resident here 10-11 years ago and now preaches at Beardstown.. He preached at the Christian Church while here.
LETTER FROM MAX BARNETT FROM THE CANAL ZONE: "I have been here for seven months and like it fine. It is always warm here but seldom hot enough to be uncomfortable and when people up there are beginning to feel winter coming, we are enjoying weather fit for swimming, paying tennis, etc. Right at the present is the worst time on account of it being the end of the rainy season and it's certainly one grand finale, too. It has been raining every day in the past two weeks and will probably continue to do so every day for the next month or so; then it will be about four or five months of comparatively dry weather.
Cristobel, Canal Zone and Colon, Republic of Panama are the only two places of any importance on this side while on the Pacific side are Balboa and Ancon, C. Z. and Panama,, Republic of Panama. The Panamanian and Canal Zone cities are only separated by the width of the street, but the Canal Zone is dry while Panama is wet, and a heavy penalty is attached to transporting liquor into U.S. territories.
The Submarine Base here is a stopping place for nearly all Naval vessels for leaving supplies and men. A Naval Air station and an Army Flying Station are only a short distance away. This base is at the northern (or Atlantic) end of the Canal.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity of going through the Canal when I first came down here and it certainly is a sight worth seeing, especially the Gatun Locks. These locks are nearly a mile in length and elevate ships from the Atlantic sea level more than 80 ft. higher to the level of Gatun Lake. On the other side two more sets of locks lower them to the Pacific Ocean.
There are many things of interest that I might mention but will close with one thing that will not be found in any other part of the county. Ancon Hill, on which is to be found the famous Ancon Government Hospital, is the only place of the mainland of the Western Hemisphere from which the sun can be seen to rise from the Pacific Ocean. This is due to the fact that the Isthmus runs almost directly East and West, also when passing through the Canal one is farther east of the Pacific end than at the Atlantic end:"
(The Panama Canal was completed on Oct. 10, 1913 and at this time was a point of universal interest.)