The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: August 27, 1925
NO VOTE ON COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL: The people of Henderson County will not be asked to go on record this year on the question of the removal of the county seat from its present location in Oquawka. The authority for this statement is none other than Mr. Wm. T. Love, who was the prime mover in the circulation of a petition asking for an election this fall on the question of moving the seat of county government to the proposed city of Nuhope on the hard highway south of Gladstone. Although the names of nearly 2,000 voters in the county were obtained on this petition, which was duly filed in the County Clerk's office on July 29th, Mr. Love stated that after careful deliberation on the part of the promoters of the Nuhope proposition, it has been decided not to press the matter of a vote on county seat removal at this time. The petition will no doubt be withdrawn.
Mr. Love states that the first plat of the new city of Nuhope has been put on record and he indicates that all of the efforts of the promoters will be concentrated during the coming year on making the city of Nuhope a reality. If these efforts succeed, he feels confident that the people of the county will enthusiastically support the proposition of making it the county seat. The fact that a large number of voters signed the petition for a vote this fall is taken by the promoters as what will occur when the city becomes a reality.
128 AT FAMILY DOWELL REUNION: (If you are doing family history, you definitely want to look up this article at the Henderson County Library as it lists the names of all the attendees.) The annual Dowell reunion was held Sunday, Aug. 16th at the Arthur Dowell home west of Olena with 128 present. The day was spent in visiting and enjoying a basket dinner at the noon hour…The next reunion will be held at the Mr. and Mrs. John Dowell home at Lomax on Aug. 17 1926.
KILLED NEAR BLANDINSVILLE: Marion Bright, aged 63 of Fountain Green, was killed Friday night of last week on the road three miles southwest of Blandinsville when the buggy in which he was riding was struck from behind by an auto driven by Eddie Hayes of Blandinsville. Bright had stopped in the road to talk to Charles Foster who was in an auto headed in the direction from which the Hayes car was coming. The bright lights of his car blinded the latter and in turning out to pass the Foster car, he crashed into the buggy occupied by Bright. The victim of the accident was pitched out of the buggy and landed on his head in the road sustaining injuries from which he died in the LaHarpe Hospital about two hours later. A coroner's inquest was held the same night and a verdict of accidental death rendered.
NEW FIRE TRUCK HERE: The new village fire truck recently purchased by the Stronghurst Village Board at an expense of $4,650 ($69,982.50 in today's values) arrived Monday and is quartered for the present in the Knutstrom garage where it has been examined by practically the entire populace of the village. Besides being the last word in the way of fire fighting apparatus of its kind so far as equipment is concerned, it presents a decidedly handsome appearance with its bright red and gold finish and burnished brass tanks, pumps and other equipment.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: At the invitation of Estel Mudd's class of the U.P. Sabbath School a company of 25 or 30 young people from the First Evangelical Church of Burlington motored to Stronghurst and enjoyed a social in the village park with members of the class and invited guests. The members of the Stronghurst Christian Church held their annual basket dinner picnic at Crapo Park in Burlington. Dean Burrell and wife of Chicago and Miss Leone Burrell of Galesburg left after a vacation of several days spent here with their mother, Mrs. Helen Burrell. Mrs. Bell's class of girls from the U.P. Church Sabbath School held a social at the Frank Smith home south of town. Nice refreshments were served by Mrs. Smith and a fine time was enjoyed by the girls. Miss Esther Lind returned home after a two weeks' vacation in Wisconsin. Roy Millen of the neighborhood north of Biggsville visited his cousin Paul Bell. Prof. Nicholas returned home from auto tour of the West. Mrs. Fred Ackerman and Mrs. W. F. Salter and family of Kirkwood visited at the John Mc Keown, Sr. home south of town. The South Country Birthday Club held a lawn fete and cafeteria lunch at the home of Judd Wetterling Monday evening. A happy time was enjoyed by 100 or more guests, seven of which were guests of honor. A pleasant family reunion was held at the O. J. Sanderson home in honor of his daughter, Mrs. Veva Harmes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who with her husband and family are visiting.
A card was received from Rev. W. H. Cross from London, England. It says "Was in Westminster Abbey yesterday, St. Paul's Cathedral last Sunday. Going to the Tower of London and the British Museum next." Miss Marjorie Thompson, who recently returned from a summer vacation in Oregon and Washington has accepted a teaching position in the Tacoma, Washington schools. Robert Dodds, formerly of this vicinity and now living at Grand Junction, Colorado accompanied by his wife, visited friends here. They were on their way home from Flint, Michigan where they bought a fine new Buick car from the factory there. Joseph Dixson, Jr. who has been vacationing on a Colorado ranch this summer arrived home. His intention had been to "hike" the greater part of the distance, but he found so many friendly autoists who were ready to assist him with a "lift" on the way, that he got only about 5 miles walking exercise during the entire journey which was made in practically the same time it would have taken to travel by rail.