The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
OBITUARY-ELSIE WILSON CRANE: Elsie Wilson Crane, wife of A. B. Crane passed away June 4, 1926 at her home one and one-half miles north of Stronghurst after a lingering illness of several months. She was the eldest child of Ge. H. and Sarah Durham Wilson. She was born Sept. 19, 1882 on the old Wilson homestead three and on-half miles south of Stronghurst. When but six months old, she with her parents, moved to Emerson, Iowa. There she grew to young womanhood. After the death of her father in 1901, she returned to Stronghurst with her widowed mother, three brothers and two sisters and has spent the remainder of her life in this community. She united with the Christian Church in Stronghurst under the pastorate of Elder Nicholas at the age of 18 and has lived an exemplar Christian life ever since.
Elsie has been a patient sufferer never complaining, but always thoughtful of others about her. This was very noticeable during her long illness. She was united in marriage with Mr. A. B. Crane on June 23, 1910. She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, her mother, two brothers, Robert and Fred of Stronghurst and two sisters, Mrs. Lulu Riggs of Macomb and Mrs. Vesta Gerveier of Ft. Madison, Iowa. Her father, one brother and two sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services were held at the Christian Church with burial in the local cemetery. (List of attendees from a distance included in the article.)
TOWNSHIP ASSESSMENT: Assessor J. W. Decker noted some interesting figures relative to the number of horses, cattle, mules, sheep, hogs, and automobiles in Stronghurst Township and the cash value of these various kinds of personal property. It will be noted that there are less than 530 horses and almost 200 automobiles in the township. It will also be noted that while the value of the horses is $17,720 the gas wagons are worth $30, 950. Although the present price of hogs is around $14.00 per hundred, the total value of all hogs in the township is $13,210. These figures disclose the fact that the present value of automobiles in the township is just about the same as the combine value of all the hogs and horses. Cattle represent the largest investment. The number is 1745 and the total value of $58,408. There are 69 mules valued at $2,818, 354 sheep valued at $13,210.
FARM BUREAU BASEBALL BEATS LITTLE YORK: The Henderson County Farm Bureau baseball team scored its first triumph Saturday June 5th when Little York was defeated 11 to 0. The Farm Bureau players liked the offerings of Young and Armstrong pitching for Little York as they gathered 16 hits, several of which were for extra bases. This hitting accounted for most of the scores although fielding errors added several. Pence, while in trouble at time, was able to tighten with runners on bases and keep them away from home plate.
HUNTING AND FISHING CLUB MEET: The Stronghurst Hunting and Fishing Club held their annual business meeting in the law office of Chas. E. Fort, Jr. on June 7th. At this time officers were elected for the coming year: Chas. E. Fort, Jr. was re-elected president; Ezra D. Beers of Bushnell was elected vice-president; and Edgar Logan of Stronghurst was re-elected as secretary-treasurer. A board of five directors was elected: J. G. W. Dopp of Galesburg; Bert D. Gunter of Kirkwood and E. R. Grandey, T.C. Knutstrom and Hollis Links, all of Stronghurst.
MISSIONARY SPEAKS: At the U.P. Church last Friday afternoon Miss Ethel Lois Weed of Alexandria, Egypt, who is now home on a furlough, gave an interesting talk on her work among the people of Egypt. She first appeared dressed in the costume of the native Egyptian woman and explained the importance of some of these outer garments worn by the native women. Miss Weed feel there is a great work being done among these people and was much encouraged by the success of the work of the missionaries. She exhibited a number of pictures of the school buildings, home, pupils and teachers also some pieces of embroidery and needle work done by the native women.
Music was furnished by Miss Florence Mae Findley at the piano, Miss Eileen Jones at the saxophone and Miss hazel Denum playing the violin. Light refreshments were served by the executive committee and assisted by the “Circle Girls.” A silver offering was taken to defray the expenses of the speaker. About 75 were present to enjoy the meeting and listening to a very interesting talk.
BIG FARM FIRE NEAR OQUAWKA: “Fire of unknown origin destroyed eleven farm buildings last Monday afternoon between 2 to 3 o’clock on the Burgett place about seven miles northeast of Oquawka causing a loss which will amount to thousands of dollars. The farm is operated by E. B. Delebar & Son who rented the land and their personal loss will be about $5,000 ($79,650 in today’s values). The eleven buildings burned will cause a much greater loss.
The blaze had gained a good start when it was discovered and while an effort was made to check the flames, the high wind soon put the fire beyond the control of the fire fighters. Two barns were burned, one being 50 by 100 feet and the other 32 by 40 feet. Two implement sheds, a scale house, garage, two tool sheds and a blacksmith shop were also razed by the flames. Three small outbuildings were leveled before the fire finally burned itself out.
The tenants of the farm lost a new McCormick-Deering 15-30 tractor, a new Ford truck, corn picking machine, twenty tons of hay in addition harness and other small farming implements. Ivan Marsh of Monmouth who was at the farm soon after the fire occurred said that unlike many farmers, Delabar & Son kept their implements under cover instead of scattering them about the farmyard and because of this, they lost all their farming tools which were not being used at the time.”-Monmouth Review Atlas
CLUB CALF TOUR: “The calf which tops the Calf Club Show at Stronghurst next October first will be a real animal.” This was the unanimous opinion of those who made the tour of inspection of the calf club calves staged last week by the Henderson County Farm Bureau. That the tour was a success is evident by the fact that in spite of the busy season, 75 people were in attendance on June 3rd and twice that number on the next day when the drive was completed. Each one of the 50 members was visited during the two days and their calves inspected.
At Willard Kern’s in Terre Haute Township where six calves are on feed the club members were given some cattle judging experience when they asked to write down their placing on the six calves. A committee of judges then gave their placing as a matter of comparison, a number of club members making a good showing. Afterward a lunch was served.
While the trip was over, one man said, “When I started out, I thought I could pick the four calves that will be in the running for grand champion next fall, but I had to stretch that list to ten. There are too many good ones.”
NEW OUTING CLUB: Last Monday evening a meeting was held at the State Bank of Stronghurst to affect a permanent organization of the Stronghurst Outing Club. They organized with 50 members. The club has leased two acres of U.L. Marsden, facing directly on the Mississippi River one-half mile south of Shokokon. At the meeting by-laws were adopted, officers elected and the necessary committees appointed to complete the organization and make arrangements for the construction of a club house.
The officers elected are as follows: President, G. C. Rehling; 1st vice-president, Albert Nicholas; 2nd vice-president, J. R. Mudd; Secretary-treasurer, H. E. Painter and the board of directors: H. P. Rankin, Joe Huff, A. F. Kaiser, F. G. Reynolds, C. R. A. Marshall. Supervising committee includes John Mudd, C. D. Wax and Lester R. Gerber.
FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! At about 1:00 o’clock last Friday morning the fire siren emitting its shrieking warning, challenged the people with the appeal of Fire! Fire! Fire! Some four or five score of village folk answered the call. The office of Dr. H. L. Marshall proved to be the scene of the excitement. Dense clouds of smoke issued from the building, but no blaze was in sight. The firemen forced their way into the building and after some difficulty, due to smoke, located the fire in the “darkroom” of the X-ray department of the building. With the use of water, the blaze was soon extinguished.
The fire originated from an exposed wire in the “dark room” or developing room used in connection with the X-ray. Everything was destroyed in this room and it was here that most the damage was done. Dr. Marshall informs us that the insurance company with which he had the building and equipment insured for fire has settled with him for $1,400 in damage. The putting out of the fire was, indeed, through the east partition of the “dark room” and was starting in the motor room and transformer. The X-ray machine in the room was not damaged. Dr. Marshall wishes to hereby express his appreciation of the work done by the firemen.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Margaret McElhinney left for Burlington where she has entered business college. Miss Evelyn Fort who has been teaching music at Penn Hall, Chambersburg, Pa., this past year is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fort, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Wm. LeCroy and daughters spent a week’s visit at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. LeCroy of Fairfield, Iowa. They accompanied the family here. Misses Clidean Simpson and Lucile Butler left for Macomb where they will attend Normal School. Home from University Illinois are Faye and Dorothea McMillan. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Painter are the proud parents of an 8 ½ pound baby boy born on June 10th. Mrs. DeAtley, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. S.S. Slater, and other relatives from some time, return home to Kansas City, Mo. Mr. C. R. A. Marshall drove to Bloomington and was accompanied home by his daughter, Miss Stella Marshall, and Miss Mable Rankin who have been attending school there. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hayden and daughter Marjory and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Odell and baby and Mrs. Odell’s mother, all of Keokuk, Ia., were Sunday visitors at the Cliff Shafer home south of town. Mrs. Hayden and Mrs. Odell are sisters of Mrs. Shafer. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Steffey and daughter of Knoxville, Ia. are here for a visit with relatives. Arthur is superintendent of schools at Knoxville and he and his family expect to leave for Chicago next week where he will attend the Chicago University this summer.
Miss Ruth McMillan, who has been teaching school in Canton, Ill., returned home and will spend a week or two here with her parents, Mr. .and Mrs. J. S. McMillan before going to Ann Arbor, Mich. where she will attend the university for the summer and receive her degree. W. A. Keener returned from a trip to Florida. He reports a fine time and was very much taken with Florida. He has purchased a home at Anthony, Fla. and is looking forward to the time when he can relocate. Mr. Keener reports the climate fine and everything grown there has a ready sale at good prices. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hicks and daughter Ardis attended a Parent Teachers meeting at Ponemah Wednesday evening in which there were 75 present. They all enjoyed a pot luck supper and afterwards a most interesting meeting. Miss Ardis has been a teacher of this school for three years and has been re-employed for the coming year at a raise in salary. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hicks and son Phillip and daughter Ardis and Mrs. Mary Stewart and son Jimmie and Grandpa Fort drove to near Memphis, Mo. to visit the cemetery in which Mrs. Hicks’ mother is buried. Dr. and Mrs. Harter entertained Mrs. J. W. Hicks and daughter Ardis and Mrs. Zula Allison at dinner at the Hotel Burlington last Friday night and afterwards attend the meeting of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Mr. Herbert Fitz, who has been teaching at Downs, Ill. returned home for the summer vacation. He has the position of high school coach at Chenoa, Ill. for the coming year. Some 50 students are attending the Bible and pedagogy school here; they will find this time well spent and become more efficient teachers. The Stronghurst Women’s Club met at the club room with Mrs. J. W. Hicks, Mrs. M. E. Beardsley, Mrs. Harry Ross and Mrs. Ralph Butler in charge of the program. Several splendid papers on Home Life were read by a number of ladies. During the business session plans for the annual picnic to be held in July were made.
Last Sabbath morning the Children’s Day Exercises of the United Presbyterian Church were conducted during the regular church hour. The church was beautified by many handsome bouquets. The program consisted of recitations, readings, dialogues, songs, vocal solos by the children and a vocal duet by two young ladies and music by the congregation. This program was under the direction of the teachers of the primary and junior departments and was enjoyed by a large audience. (List of county jurors included in this issue.)
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Doyle Wheetly, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wheetly, returned home from Monmouth where he went to have a growth removed from his nose. Mr. and Mrs. Perley Dixon and daughter Mar Ruth left for Van Huys, Calif. where they will make their home. Word was received of the birth of a baby boy to Mr. and Mrs. George Waite at their home at Sarasota, Florida. Mrs. Waite was formerly Ruth Wilson. Funeral services for the late J.M. McIntosh were held last Friday at 3 o’clock at the home with a large attendance of friends and neighbors. Rev. F. M. Caughey, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of which Mr. McIntosh was a member, had charge of the services. Robert Foster spoke for the high school board of which he has been a member for 21 years.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The Girls’ Clothing Club met last Thursday afternoon at the grade school building to organize. About 20 were present and officers elected were the following: President, Margaret Martin; Vice-president, Francis Smith; Secretary-treasurer, Adeline Stevenson. At the next meeting practical work of making garments will be taken up. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Pat Dalton of Ellisville, Wis. Mrs. Dalton was formerly Miss Margaret Berry. Miss Pauline Whiteman has been in Monmouth taking care of her nephews, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wendel Whiteman. Dr. Benson of Chicago, in instructor at the Moody Bible Institute, preached at the United Presbyterian Church last Sabbath. Dr. and Mrs. A.C. Douglass of Sterling, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Douglass and little daughter of Long Beach, Calif. attended services at the U.P. Church. They were here to attend the graduation exercises held at Monmouth College. Ireoni Douglass was a graduate. The Mutual Improvement Club of Bushnell of which Mrs. T. W. Everett is a member, gave her a very agreeable surprise by coming and spending the day with her. Twenty-six ladies were present. John Gibson has resumed his mail route. A large number of C.B.& Q. employees and their families went to Ottumwa last Saturday to attend the picnic and barbeque given by the company for their employees. Going for here were Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kilgore and daughter Jane, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Anderson, Henry Wheetley and family, Ralph Hickenbationer and family, Everett Davis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Seouash, Mr. Nelson and family, Tom Blemns, Walter McVey and family, Frank McVey and family, John Gibb and family and Mrs. Allie Kennedy and son Carl. Mrs. Walter McClain was dismissed from the Burlington Hospital but remains quite ill. Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Shun were called to Villisca, Iowa by the illness of Mrs. Shrunk’s sister who had suffered a stroke of paralysis. (Last name spelled two ways.)
CARMAN CONCERNS: James Wolf, John Ewing and Howard Weddington of Stronghurst have been painting the Harry Coffman home this week. Mrs. Carrie Rehling organized the Girls’ Sewing Club. Miss Minnie Rehling spent the weekend at the home of her parents. She graduated from the Burlington High School and now has employment at the Schramm & Smeigh wholesale dry goods company.