The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Information in this book was obtained from interviews from Dr. and Mrs. I. F. Harter and Joe Long who were among early settlers living in Stronghurst at the time. This book was written in 1936 by the 7th Grade at Stronghurst School District #30, as a CIVIC's PROJECT of Mrs. Marie Swedlund.
Although a very small town, hardly on the map, Stronghurst had and has a marvelous fire force. To prove this, here is an incident.
The first fire engine that this town ever possessed was bought in 1898. Of course, it was a small horse pulling affair with a horse cart but it served the purpose well.
To commemorate this occasion a Fourth of July celebration as held. As yet no trials of the new engine had been necessary. So the people built a small wood structure 16 by 20 feet. Every person in the village contributed an article to put in the building. Barrels and boxes were heaped in to it and coal oil poured over the whole.
At last, at a certain moment, a Mr. Campbell lit a match to it. It blazed up and he ran. As fast as he could he tore down the avenue, 4 blocks to the fire station, rang the bell and in a few minutes the horses were hitched and the engine went rumbling off to put out the fire in fifteen minutes.
It was wonderful success, but more was to come. The fire engine was driven to the grove where the horses could munch on grass and the people could feast on the two steers that had been roasted on an open fire.
We now (in 1936) have about fifteen men on the fire squad. T. C. Knutstrom is the fire chief.