The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: May 28, 1925
OLD LANDMARK TO BE RAISED: The old Hughes Hotel, a block north of the railroad station, which has been occupied for the past few years by Marion Smith and family, passed this week into the possession of W. R. Gregory, who, we understand, will tear the structure down. This is one of the oldest buildings in the village and in the earlier days of Stronghurst was a well patronized hostelry and the center of much of the activity connected with the development of the village. With the passing of the years and the changing of the business center of the place, it gradually lost its prestige as an inn and will now soon be only a memory. Mr. Gregory expects to hold a public sale of the fixtures and equipment of the hotel on Saturday afternoon. (Anyone have memorabilia from the hotel?)
MEMORIAL DAY PLANS: Believing that a proper sense of patriotism forbade the idea of neglecting the observance of Memorial Day in Stronghurst this year, members of the Better Stronghurst League met at the State Bank and arranged for memorial services to be held on Saturday afternoon, May 30th, at 2 pm at the Lyric Theatre. Committees on music, children’s drill, decorations, speaker and program were appointed and these various committees are now at work planning for the event which promises to be one worthy of the occasion
The service of Rev. E. E. Atherton of Joy, Ill. have been secured as orator of the day. C. E. Fort, Jr., chairman of the music committee, is arranging for some good vocal selections and Prof. Dawson has promised to enlist the services of his high school orchestra in helping out with this part of the program. Rev. Myers will also have his Boy Scout troop participate in the parade which will be a feature of the occasion and the school children under the direction of Mrs. Boyd, Miss Mary Morgan and Miss Hazel Kirby will perform their usual offices at the cemetery in the matter of placing flags and wreathes upon the graves of fallen heroes.
Mrs. J. F. Murphy, assisted by Mrs. J. S. McMillan, Mrs. W. C. Regan, Mrs. C. R. Kaiser, Mrs. J. W. Decker, Mrs. N. E.Curry and Mrs. E. Crapnell, will act as the flower and wreath committee. This committee requests that all those who can furnish flowers for the occasion report to some member of the committee as soon as possible. The business places of the village are all asked to close from 1:45 to 4 pm out of respect for the memory of those in whose honor the services are held.
JUNIOR-SENIOR BANQUEST: (This is a step back in time when special occasions were planned locally.) The annual Junior-Senior Banquet of the Stronghurst High School was held in the dining room of the U.P. Church last Saturday evening. In addition to the 18 Seniors and 24 Juniors there were present members of the faculty of the school and one or two invited guests. The menu which was prepared by Mrs. Johanna Wheeling and served by girls from the Sophomore class was as follows: Strawberry Entrée; Fruit Punch; Chicken Loaf; Creamed Potatoes; Pea Patties; S.H.S. Salad; Lime ice, Olives; Radishes, Parker Rolls, ’26 Special, Coffee, and Mints.
After full justice had been done to the menu, short addresses were given as follows: "Farewell, Seniors by Irene Kershaw; "Vale" by Doris Dixson; "Loyalty" by Supt. L.O. Dawson. Part II of the program was designated on the menu cards as a "Junior Vaudeville Circuit." It consisted of four numbers: "Just Kids"-Anderson, Brook, Findley and Marsden; "The Crystal Ball"-Junior Stock Co.; "Six Syncopators"-Burrell, Curry, Findley, Jones, Knutstrom and Moore: and Feb 24, 2021 "1926"-Junior Opera Troup. It is needless to say that there was more or less merriment connected with the latter part of the program and that the entire affair was one if which all present obtained much enjoyment.
$300 ASKED: In the Henderson County Salvation Army home service appeal which is now being made, the quota assigned is $1,500 and of this amount, Stronghurst is asked to raise the sum of $300 as her portion of the goal…All the secretaries of the lodges, clubs and societies are presenting the matter of a contribution to be voted by members from organization treasuries. Individual will be given the opportunity to contribute and school girls later will put on a tag day for the worthy cause…Checks for this appeal may be left with Mr. B. G. Widney at the First National Bank, who is treasurer for the campaign.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Everett Strawn and daughters, Wilda and Rosemary, of Ormonde, were callers at the home of Mrs. Juna Green. The ladies of the Stronghurst Christian Church will serve ice cream and cake at the Community club room the evening of July 13th. A representative of the Fuller Brush Co. from Burlington while making a call at the James Brewer home north of town was attacked by a vicious dog in the yard and severely bitten in two places on the leg. He came to town and had the wounds dressed by a physician. A huge bill board, consisting of three 11 by 25 ft. sections set at oblique angles and including a large space on the Regan lot on Broadway south of the Co-operative store building is being erected this week by a Fort Madison, Iowa bill posting company. (Doesn’t say what is on it.) Mr. and Mrs. I. E. Flanegin of Peoria drove over and took dinner with their son Hurif Flanegin and wife at the J.F.Mains home. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brooks are expected to arrive from Benson, Ill. where he has just concluded a term as superintendent of the city schools. He has been re-employed in the same capacity for next year with an increase in salary. (Local boy succeeds.) Class Day exercises will be held by the Senior Class at the Lyric Theatre at 9 o’clock following which the members of the two higher classes will make a trip to Crapo Park for a picnic given by the Seniors.