The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
MILL RUNNING AGAIN: The Stronghurst Feed Mill which has been standing idle for several months pending its sale under execution of judgement is again in operation. The mill and machinery were purchased at the sale by Mr. John W. Opie of Trivoi, Ill. for the sum of $3,770. The new owner came last Monday and took possession of the property announcing his intention of resuming the custom grinding business formerly carried on by Mr. R. C. Haben.
COLMA COMMUNITY MEETING: A large and appreciative crowd gathered on Wednesday evening, Aug.5th at the Columa school yard to enjoy the splendid program sponsored by several public-spirited citizens of that neighborhood and assisted by E. D. Walker, Farm Adviser of Stronghurst. The program consisted of several snappy numbers from an orchestra composed of the following: Mesdames Mary Whiteman and Fern Ervin and Messrs. James Kilgore, Jr., Marion Davenport, Dale Whiteman, Roy Millen and Page Randall with Mrs. Beth Glenn accompanying on the piano. A group of songs by male quarter consisting of Messrs. Walker, Randall, D. Whiteman and R. Glenn and a violin quarter was another pleasing number. Farm Adviser Walker introduced the speaker of the evening, Mr. C. W. Bond, Secretary of the Greater Burlington Association. Mr. Bond, having been raised on a farm, knew his topic, "Community Cooperation." He discussed the evolution of farming and stressed the idea of keeping your money in your home town rather than spending it in the mail order house. He emphasized the importance of making the farm profitable and attractive in order to keep our young men on the farm instead of letting them go to the already congested city.
Mr. Walker then discussed briefly the development of farm bureau work stating that the first farm advisers worked largely with individuals…He expressed hope that out of the meeting which was being held might grew permanent community organization. He also told of the projects which the farm bureau is now working on among which were the soil testing, growing of more alfalfa and sweet clover, tuberculosis eradication, swine sanitation, hog cholera control, poultry culling and boys' and girls' club work.
A motion pictures was shown, one reel showing how by the use of terraces and dams the great loss of soil from sloping fields can be prevented. The other two reels had to do with poultry management…At the close of the meeting, a number of people expressed their satisfaction and stated that they hoped such meetings could be made a permanent part of community life.
CHAUTAUQUA COMING TO TOWN: Advertising for a 5-day Chautauqua program to be given in Stronghurst includes the attractions billed being three theatrical productions; one light farce and musical comedy; one Harp Ensemble number; two popular musical numbers and three lectures. The plays presented will be "The Gorilla," "The First Year," and "Odds and Ends from the Stage." The lectures will be by G. Whitfield Ray, E. R. Richardson and Raymond B. Tolbert. The musical numbers will be given by Zaptatas Novelty Troubadours and the Mabelle Wagner-Shank Co.
THE SIGN CONTROVERSY: The Better Stronghurst League at an expense of more than $75 ($1,129 in today's money), recently procured and placed at certain road intersections and other points on public highways leading in this direction, neat, medal signs indicating to travelers the direction and number of miles to Stronghurst. Permission was obtained from the Illinois Light and Power Co. to place one of these signs on one of their poles at a corner in the outskirts of one of our neighboring cities. Before the sign had been up a week, one evidently maliciously inclined individual or individuals had so battered and mutilated it as to practically destroy its usefulness for the purpose intended. Our people are loathe to believe that this act was perpetrated or inspired by any person or persons representing the business element or the better class of the citizens of the community referred to. However, since that community has an organization designed to promote the best interest of its people to every way possible and since that organization proclaims the "Golden Rule" as its motto, we might be pardoned from suggesting that a little investigation be started to discover, if possible, who was responsible for the rather scurvy trick mentioned.
We are sure that the people as a whole of the community referred to above have no objection to roadside signs giving information to travelers respecting the distance to other community centers. We are also sure that the same sentiment prevails here in regard to the signs, one of which at least, is within our village limits pointing the way to the city mentioned.
(In this issue is a long list of all those who received diplomas or certificates for the school year, 1924-1925. Look at this list at the Henderson County Public Library on microfilm to discover who were your great grandfather and great grandmother's friends.)
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Wesley Trimmer, who had been receiving treatment at the Santa Fe Hospital at Fort Madison is better and it is hoped that he may be able to return home soon. Miss Mary Kempher, former Blandinsville young lady, who chose professional nursing as her vocation in life and who is well known here where she has been employed in cases of sickness in the past, now holds a permanent position in the U.S. Hospital at Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis. Salaries range from $1,500 per annum for beginners to $3,800 at the maximum. Because of her experience, Miss Kempher starts at a salary much above the minimum (a very good salary for this period). Mrs. Roy Shook recently received word that her cousin, Mrs. Ethel Booten Brown, formerly of the Olena neighborhood and now residing near Cushing, Okla. was seriously injured when the Chevrolet touring car in which she was riding skidded over a 20 ft. embankment and was demolished. Mrs. Brown's injuries consisted of several loosened teeth, a punctured chin and severe injuries to her neck and back. Hugh O. Smith is off to visit his old home near Salisbury, N.C. where his aged mother still resides. As this will be his first visit to his native state in 14 years, Hugh will probably find that time has wrought some changes in the once familiar surroundings.