The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: October. 8, 1925
CLUB CALF SHOW: The annual Henderson County Boys’ and Girls’ Calf Club Show is being held in Stronghurst under very favorable weather conditions. The attendance is somewhat disappointing to the promoters although there are good delegations of visitors present from every township in the county. The judging of calves took place this forenoon at the village park and a finer bunch of “baby beeves” was perhaps never assembled before within the confines of the county.
The judging was done by Mr. C. E. Gates, specialist from the University of Illinois, who spoke in very complimentary terms concerning good judgment and understanding which the farm boys and girls who had entered the contest had shown in selecting and feeding their respective entries. The entries were divided into three classes, namely, Angus, Shorthorn, and Hereford. An open class was included. first place prize of $5.00 ($79 in today’s values) in the Angus class was won by Russell Darrah of Bald Bluff whose entry was also awarded first in the open event and the sweepstakes prize for the show. In addition, he will receive the gold watch offered by Angus Breeders Association and the gold medal awarded by the Chicago Producers’ Commission to the contestant ranking highest in interest shown, winnings and record book work and story…In the Hereford class Wendell Wetterling won first prize and winner of the Shorthorn class was Lilliam Malmburg.
Following the judging, the Stronghurst fire department gave an exhibition of their new fire fighting equipment by extinguishing a fierce blaze caused by the igniting of a large pile of boxes and rubbish near the park. Adjournment for dinner followed this event with the afternoon program consisted of music, speaking and vaudeville stunts at the park followed be the presentation of the Comedy-Drama, “The Poor Married Man,” in the evening by local talent company. (Read the entire article at the Henderson County Library on microfilm for winners of other prizes.)
OBITUARY: DANIEL STRAND-Daniel Strand, a well-known farmer who lived on the old Wassom farm 6 ½ miles southeast of Stronghurst, passed away at the Holmes Hospital in Macomb on Oct. 5th, his death being due to a ruptured appendix. Mr. Strand was in his 40th year. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Strand. He was married on March 12, 1913 to Esther Gabrielson, who survives him with two children: Charlie and Dean. Another son, Clifton, preceded his father in death. A brother, David Strand, died a few years ago, but the following sisters survive: Mrs. Mary Olson, Mrs. Phenia Gittings and Mrs. Hattie Johnson. Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church in Terre Haute with interment in the Terre Haute Cemetery.
(Classes for the upcoming Farmers’ Institute are listed in this edition. This affair was much like the county fair showing 10 ears of corn, sunshine cake, bread, popcorn, dressed doll, etc.)
CIRCUIT COURT IN PROGRESS: The regular fall term of the Henderson County Circuit Court was convened at Oquawka with Judge George C. Hillier presiding. The Grand Jury received the usual instructions and retired for deliberation after electing Mr. Chas. Whiteman as foreman. They found four true bills of indictment and then were discharged. The Petit Jury did not report until Tuesday morning and after roll call a number were excused from service for one excuse or another; the regular panel of 24 was retained for the term. The first trial case called was that of Clarence J. Dixon and wife against Henderson County Drainage Dist. No. 2, this being a suit brought to recover damage for loss of crops caused by the flooding of the lands of the plaintiffs and claimed to have resulted from a break in the drainage district levee last summer…
OBITUARY: HENRY REYNOLDS-Henry Reynolds, one of Stronghurst’s long time and well-known citizens, passed away suddenly at his home on Mary Street, just south of the Santa Fe R.R. crossing, last Friday night at about 11 o’clock following a paralytic stroke with which he was attacked that morning. William Henry Reynolds, son of Lewis and Polly Reynold, was born at Paris, Mo. on May 27, 1852 and passed away at his home in Stronghurst on Oct. 2, 1925, aged 73 years, 4 months and 2 days. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Celia Logerstat in 1883 and to this union 8 children were born, three of whom preceded their father in death. The surviving children are Mrs. Pearl Sullivan of Stronghurst; Mrs. Erma Curtis and Mrs. Lucy Smith of Decatur, Mich.; Ralph and Glenn Reynolds of Stronghurst. There are also two surviving step-children: Walter Logerstat of Idaho and Mrs. Angie Riggins of Peoria, Ill. The surviving brother and sisters of the deceased are Jethro Reynolds of Carman, Ill.; Mrs. Delia Grimes of Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Ella Carman of Paris, Mo.; Mrs. Jennie Melvin of LaHarpe, Ill.; Mrs. Dorcas Kincade, James A. and John L. Reynolds preceded their brother in death. In addition to the relatives mentioned, there are 17 grandchildren left to mourn Mr. Reynold’s departure.
In his early manhood, Mr. Reynolds moved from his home in Missouri to LaHarpe, Ill. and from there to Stronghurst which continued to he his home up to the time of his death, a period of 25 years. The deceased lived a quiet, unostentatious life and enjoyed the love of his relatives and the respect of neighbors and acquaintances. Funeral services were held at the Stronghurst Christian Church with interment in the local cemetery.
ENGAGEMENT PARTY: Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fort, Jr. entertained at a six o’clock dinner last Saturday evening at their home in honor of Miss Pearl Clark of Keithsburg, Ill. and Mr. J. B. Fort, brother of the host for the announcement of the coming wedding that evening. In addition to the host and hostess the following guests were present: Miss Pearl Clark of Keithsburg, Miss Cecil Anderson and Mrs. Edna Dewein of Burlington and Messrs. J. B. Fort, Clarence Hartquist and Eugene Baxter.
ARMY PLANE OVERHEAD: An airplane, the pilot of which was evidently seeking a landing place, circled over the village in close proximity to the house and tree tops last Saturday evening just as darkness was coming on. The loud roar of the machine attracted the attention of everybody and there was much speculation as to the cause of the aviator’s tempting fate as he seemed to be doing. Although it was getting too dark to follow the course of the plane with the eye, the sound indicated that failing to find a safe landing place here, the pilot had taken an eastward course paralleling the Santa Fe tracks.
The plane was evidently the same one which the Monmouth Review Atlas reported as having landed near Ponemah the same evening. This was a DeHaviland Army plane which had left Fort Leavenworth, Kans. Saturday in company with three others bound for Monmouth. Bad weather and poor visibility had forced one plane down at Kirksville, Mo., and two others at Fort Madison. The fourth, which was piloted by Lieut. Hickey, was no doubt the one which passed over here and landed at Ponemah.
SOUTH COUNTRY BIRTHDAY CLUB: A pleasant social evening was spent by the members of the South Country Birthday Club and their families at the J. J. Ross home on Thursday evening. The younger members of the party spent the time with outdoor sports on the lawn which was illuminated for the occasion while the older ones enjoyed a round of parlor games. The birthday table was decorated in yellow and white; a great birthday cake built up into a pyramid had yellow candles and was large enough to not only serve the birthday guests but all of the company. Mrs. Ella Roberts had the arrangement and serving of the birthday table and was assisted in serving the refreshments of sandwiches, pumpkin pie, doughnuts and coffee by Mrs. Ernest Negley and Mrs. Ross.
SHE BUILT IT HERSELF: Want a house and short of funds? Then build it yourself. Mrs. Lucille Lovely of Galesburg, Illinois proves that it can be done, even by a woman. She has just moved into the structure, the entire construction of which with the exception of some concrete work and what assistance could be given by her husband during his spare time, is credited to Mrs. Lovely. Garbed in overalls and wielding a saw and hammer, she competed the task in one year. (Picture in this edition)
HOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTIED IN 1925: The Sophomore class entertained the Freshmen at a party given at the Community Club rooms last Friday evening. The purpose of party was to introduce the Freshmen into the social life of the school. During the first of the evening games of “Animals,” “Making Obeisance,” “Musical Medley,,” “Spinning the Lid,” “Buz” and of course the time honored game of “Skip-to-Lou” served to break the ice and to make the bashful Freshies feel at home. Dainty refreshments of sandwiches, pickles, Freshmen’s Delight and lemonade were served. After disposing of the lunch, another game of “Skip” was enjoyed before the guests departed in a way which somewhat resembled the manner in which the animals came from the ark…
HENDERSON COUNTY AT CHICAGO EXPOSITION: Henderson County is doing far better exhibiting her products at Chicago than the most optimistic person expected…We have enough stone if it was crushed to make every road in the county a hard road. In 1872 McDonough County got stone from Henderson County to build their courthouse. This summer around $40,000 worth of mussel shells to make buttons was taken from the Mississippi. Out of Henderson County has come the wood that has made thousands of axe and hammer handles. Five or six carloads of canned tomatoes, pumpkin, kraut and strawberries are produced and sold. Cigars are made, brooms are made and pickles produced. Two orchards in the county raise several thousand bushels of apples each year. Along the Mississippi the fish industries and melon production run in large figures. Seeds are produced and not less than $250,000 are sold each year. Sorghum is also made in Henderson County…
It has been suggested that we name our county organization “Henderson County Chamber of Commerce” of the people, for the people and by the people. Plans are to meet at least once a year somewhere in the county and eat together, laugh together and work together. The following have subscribed from $32-50 to help start this organization: Grover Rehling, Lloyd Sparrow, E. R. Grandy, Clifford Thompson, Ed Jones, Ernest Walker, Cliff Regan, Joe Ross, Wm. McKeown, Allie Bruce, Ed Crapnell, Chas. Fort, Dr. Highfield, Dr. Harter, Chas. Wax, Lyman Ross, Wm. Frye, L. Strickler, M. M. Vaughn, James Wolfe, Wm. Hartquist, Fred Ross, Emery Cavins, Geo. Sandy, E. G. Lewis, Paul Erickson, J. K. Barry, C. E. Perrine, John E. Callow, St. Ledger Gros. D. A. King, D. R. Gibb, Edgar Churchill, Conrad Rynell, Aaron Erickson, and A. H. Kershaw…
Why not Henderson County farmers, business men and bankers and their wives meet somewhere in the county the last of November and get their feet under the same table? Have the best speaker to be found and then perfect an organization to help everybody in the county.—E. G. Lewis
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Dr. and Mrs. Harter went to Chicago the first of the week where Mrs. Harter attended the state meeting of the order of Eastern Star as a delegate from the Stronghurst chapter. Wm. Graham suffered another light paralytic stroke and has been confined to his home. He is reportedly to be slowly recovering. On a tip received from Chicago detectives, an umbrella mender was picked up at Adair, Ill. last Friday by McDonough County officials and another one at Macomb suspected of being “scouts” for a gang of bank robbers who were planning raids on banks at Blandinsville, Colchester and Prairie City. The men are being held in jail awaiting the result of investigation. Mr. C. E. Moore and wife of Cherryvale, Kans. arrived for an extended visit at the home of Wm. Moore of the Terre Haute neighborhood where they will assist in caring for Mr. Moore, who has been seriously ill for some time. His condition is reported to be improving and under careful nursing and attention, his complete recovery is hoped.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mr. Carl Johnson was operated on at the Burlington Hospital for appendicitis and he is recovering nicely. Samuel Upton of Winslow, Wash. has been visiting his brother, R.W. Upton and family. Kermit Stratton , who has been visiting relatives, left by auto for his home at Walton, Kan. He was accompanied by Glen Marshall and the route taken would be by way of Omaha where Glenn expected to take in the annual meeting of the American Legion. Mrs. G.W.Worley entertained a company of eight ladies in honor of Mrs. Charles Ray of Lamar, Colo. J. F. McMillan took his wife and little daughter to Burlington from which they left by train for Maxwell, Iowa where Mrs. McMillan will spend several weeks taking care of her mother, who sustained a broken hip last summer and was recently removed to her home from the hospital. Mr. Carl Lindgren was operated on at the Burlington Hospital. Shore Hollingsworth and wife left for a four- or five-week vacation to Colorado. He is being replaced as the Santa Fe agent by W.A. Hann while he is gone. Mr. and Mrs. George Dixson and Mrs. Mary Miller left for their new home at Rochelle, Illinois carrying with them the best wishes of the community. W.H.White went to Chicago to visit his son Russell and wife. Mrs. White received word that their son’s wife, who had been ill for some time had suddenly become worse so she left for Chicago too. A. E. Foote, former Stronghurst boy who is now in charge of the Motor Division of the Treasury Department at Washington, D.C. arrived to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Foote. Mr. Foote was accompanied by Mrs. John Keener of Biggsville, who had been visiting at the Foote home. Mr. Foote expects to leave for Tunnel Hill, Ill. on Monday for a visit with his brother Lorenzo before returning to Washington.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Hubbs, the new pastor sent to the Gladstone and Olena charges was with the Olena congregation on Sabbath pm. He was accompanied by his wife and two sons and a young niece who is making her home with the family. Miss Sophia Johnson met with a painful accident and is being cared for by a trained nurse. Russell, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hicks, has been quite a sufferer by cutting his foot quite badly while hewing piling for the Olena bridge. Mr. Bert Johnson returned from the Kansas City stockyards where he purchased an exceptionally fine lot of young feeders for himself and H. S. Lant. Mr. and Mrs. William Marshall left on an auto trip to various Iowa towns to spend time with relatives as well as attending the American Legion national convention in Omaha. The drawing card for the convention is the presence of President Coolidge and wife and Col. Mitchell (he began the army air corps).
A steady downpour of rain is delaying the work on the new road bridge here and the temporary bridge and the approaches leading to it are in a very bad condition. Rains swelled the creek until at times it is not safe to try to cross over it. Farm work is also greatly delayed. Mrs. Joel Marsden received word that her aunt, Mrs. Martha Houser of Henderson, Iowa, was quite ill of heart trouble and her sisters, Mrs. Dora Haislett of Zuma, Colo. and Mrs. Sadie Marston of Dexter, Iowa were called to her bedside. Mrs. Houser will be remembered as Mrs. McChesney and lived among us for many years. Mrs. Hamilton Evans, Mrs. Houser’s mother, has for many years made her home with the Housers and if she lives to Oct. 8th she will have reached the ripe old age of 92 years. Miss Goldie Davis, who has been in Chicago the past five months and has a very lucrative position in a telephone office there, visited relatives. She reports that her brother Lee is in the best of health and slowly climbing the ladder of success. Word has been received that Mr. David Dobbin had suffered a paralytic stroke.
CLASS FOR TEACHERS: Prof. E. F. Roberts of the Macomb Teachers College has organized an extension class at Gladstone for teachers of Henderson County. The following subjects were chosen for study: Psychology and American History. Twenty-one teachers have enrolled. This course is equivalent to 6 weeks in the Teachers’ College with a cost of $6.00 ($ 94.82 in today’s values).
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The Dime social which was held at the United Church was a success. An entertainer and instructor in social activities, Mr. Giffin of Quincy, Ill. had been invited and under his directions the group learned a number of new games. After refreshments of pumpkin pie and coffee, Mr. Giffin gave readings and songs. The affair was sponsored by the Young People’s Christian Association and hope many other will follow. J.H. Heap accompanied a shipment of cattle and hogs to Chicago. Mr. William Gearhart and a number of other Raritan farmers are making shipments of stock this week. Mr. John Staley of Stronghurst is doing carpenter work for his son-in-law, Emory Cavin. Paul Erickson was in charge of the Henderson County booth at the Illinois Products Exposition in Chicago.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: Dave Marsh and family loaded their household goods and moved back to their former home in Missouri. Kenneth Bowlin left for Chicago to attend a school of music. Rev. J. T. Ford of Silva, Mo. began a series of meetings at the Nazarene Church Saturday night. George Dowell left for Quincy, Ill. where he will take a short course at the Business College.
NEWS OF THE DAY: “Tulsa has more millionaires than any other city of its size in the country. Many of those suddenly made rich haven’t the faintest idea of what to do with their wealth. Indians or Negroes who are living in little hovels will have their land leased by some oil company and will find themselves millionaires without a notion of what to do about it. The story of the old Indian who bought a hearse to use as a pleasure vehicle is no exaggeration. There are lots like him in Oklahoma. The oil industry accounts for the growth of Tulsa. Fifteen years ago, the population of Tulsa was barely 15,000. It is now 100,000.”-W.E. Espy of Tulsa, chief experimental chemist for a large oil corporation. (Read David Grann’s book, Killers of the Flower Moon, which tells the story of how the Indians were victimized. The Henderson County Library has a copy and well worth your time.)