The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
STRONGHURST NEW HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETED: After some 18 months of preparation and actual construction, the new Stronghurst Community High and Grade School building has been completed. The building is one worthy of the pride of the entire community and especially deserved the appreciation of those of school age in Stronghurst and the vicinity. The building itself is a handsome one…There are four entrances, two in the front and one each on the east and west sides. Nice wide concrete walks lead to all the entrances and connect the school with the walks on the opposite side of the street.
The building is absolutely fireproof. The walls are constructed of brick and tile, some of the walls being as much as seventeen inches thick where heavy supports are needed. The brick used is Hy-Tex full range Rustico and the trimmings are in cement stone. All floors, ceilings and roofs are of steel, tile and concrete construction. The auditorium roof proper is carried by two giant six-ton trusses. The heating and ventilation plant is installed in accordance with the state department regulations regarding school building of this type. Heating is provided for the installation of two Kewanee smokeless boilers of high smoke consuming efficiency, one of which will furnish sufficient heat except in extremely cold weather. Ventilation is provided by fans of the most modern type. The ventilation system is arranged for cooling the building in warm weather as well as for distributing warm air during the cooler seasons. The artificial lighting system is controlled by the main switches in the corridors and on the stage. Each of the class room have a generous share of windows, and the auditorium has four huge sky lights.
The building is two stories in height, 120 feet long and 118 feet wide. There are accommodations for 300 to 350 pupils. There are 17 class and study rooms. The class rooms are provided for commercial and domestic sciences, if needed in the future, or as these branches are added to the course. Fresh drinking well water is provided from numerous fountains in the halls in the rear of the building on both floors; toilet rooms are provided as well as showers for both boys and girls.
There are three main division of the building. The structure faces the north. On the east, on both first and second floors is the grade school department. On the north and west sides are located rooms for the high school. On the second floor there are study hall, library, principal’s room and various class room. On the lower floor are situated a laboratory, the agricultural department and recitation rooms. The auditorium, is located between the high and the grade school departments.
CHAUTAUQUA, A BIG SUCCESS: Chautauqua opened big at Stronghurst last Sunday evening. Rev, J. A. Mahaffey, the local Chautauqua president, gave a short welcome to the people and expressed his appreciation of the opportunity of having this year’s program in the new school auditorium. The opening program was attended by some 450 people who enjoyed the high-class entertainment of the DeWillo Concert party. Crowds have grown steadily larger and a record attendance is expected Thursday evening for the play “New Brooms.”
From the first the Chautauqua programs have been of the highest quality. Upon Monday afternoon and evening the Charles Mitchell Mixer Company rendered a most artistic concert. Dr. Frank Elwood Grod’s lecture on “Shooting the Goal,” was also one of the big features that evening. Tuesday was a big day with the Ferguson Light Opera Singers and No Young Park, lecturer. Lucille Elmore and Company made a big hit on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Miss Elmore was assisted by Paul Marsh and Virgil Davis, both experts on the banjo… (To learn about all the programs, read the microfilm at the library.)
SUCCESSFUL OLENA HOMECOMING: The Olena Home Coming Picnic, an annual event was held last Saturday, August 21st. The day was ideal for a picnic and Olena was blessed with a large attendance. The Stronghurst merchants came in a body, employing a truck for transportation and there were many other people present from the surrounding community. In the late forenoon, a pleasant program was staged under the auspices of the ladies of the Olena church. The refreshment stand did considerable business. The Primary Department of the Sunday School had a small evergreen tree beautifully decorated; the ladies of the Bible Class had a prettily decorated one too-both laden with surprise packages which sold at a reasonable sum and afforded amusement to many patrons. Mrs. Lant offered a prize for the most beautiful booth and it was won by the ladies.
Starting shortly before noon, a sumptuous chicken dinner was served by the church ladies. The chicken was cooked to perfection and was juicy and tender as all good chicken should be. Potatoes and gravy, beans of all kinds, peas, tomatoes, buns, corn, a variety of pie and so many other good things were offered. Two hundred and twenty-five persons partook of this royal feast and went away praising the culinary art of the ladies of Olena.
As yet, it has not been exactly ascertained how much has been realized from the efforts of the ladies; however, it is thought that the total profits of the day will amount to close to $100 (almost $1,600). The money will go to the M.E. Church of Olena. Rev. John R. Hubbs of Gladstone, a man of high character and an active worker, is engaged as pastor of the church. The Christian people of Olena are trying hard to keep up their church, and the ladies of the congregation are to be congratulated upon of the success of their recent efforts.
STEVENSON FAMILY REUNION: About 200 members of the Stevenson family gathered in Crapo Park, Burington, Iowa last Thursday for their annual picnic, enjoying every minute of it. A cafeteria style dinner was served and a program followed with Hugh Smith offering accordion music and Miss Mary McKeown reading a history of the Stevenson Family. Other readings were given by Marjorie Vaughn, Theda Drain, Virgie Gilliland, Mrs. Claude Vaughn, Mrs. James Stevenson, Mrs. W. J. Gibb and Dale Adair. Miss Adelline Stevenson gave a violin solo. Hugh Smith with his fife was accompanied by Dave Gibb. The next reunion will be August 19, 1927 at Monmouth, Ill. Officers for the next year’s event are as follows: Mrs. Pearl Drain, president; Mrs. George Marsden, secretary; Miss Mary Stevenson, treasurer; and Mrs. John Gibb of Kirkwood as chairman of table committee.
Summary of the Family History: August 1, 1831 in County Antrim, Ireland occurred the marriage of John Stevenson, oldest son of William and Mattie (Montgomery) Stevenson and Elizabeth Gibb, daughter of William and Jennie (Wylie) Gibb. They started housekeeping on a farm near Donegore where they lived for about 20 years and where all but two of their ten children were born. They then moved to the City of Belfast in order to find employment for their older children.
Early in 1871, although they were both over 60 years of age, they decided to leave their old home in Ireland and immigrate to America where several of their daughtesr had preceded them. On the morning of Feb. 19, 1871, they with their children, Ellen, Isabella and John A. who were still at home, Mr. and Mrs. William Stevenson and daughter Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. William Adair and children, Jane and Henry, John McKeown and David Gilliland started for America. Going by train to Derry, they set sail on the steamship European of the Anchor line on the morning of Feb. 20. The voyage that started so brightly came near ending in disaster as they encountered a storm at sea during which the lookout bridge was torn off and the captain and first and third mate drowned. They finally landed at Castle Gardens, March 16 and boarded a train, going by way of Detroit to Chicago where they spent Saturday night and Sabbath. Leaving Sabbath evening for Biggsville, Ill. They arrived early Monday morning, March 20th, 1871. Here they were met by William Gilliland and William John Gibb with a wagon and four horse team in which they were taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Gibb, who has the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stevenson. Also welcoming them were their three daughters and their families who lived in the neighborhood-Mrs. Paul D. Gibb, Mrs. John Boyd and Mrs. William Gilliland.
Of the fourteen that arrived that part over 55 years ago, six are still living, namely: Mrs. Ellen Gibb, Mrs. Robert Bigger, William and John A. Stevenson of Biggsville, Ill., and John McKeown and Henry Adair of Stronghurst. Of the 23 relatives that were in the welcoming party twelve are still living, namely, Mrs. P. D. Gibb Mrs. James Wilson, Lizzie Boyd, Anna, David A. and James Gibb of Biggsville; John Gilliland of Stronghurst; William John Gibb of Kirkwood; Mrs. Robert Watt of New York City; Mrs. Rose Carr, Grant Park, Ill and Mrs. Kate Tadlock and Mrs. Evan Thomas of Burlington.
The first summer after coming to this country was spent on the farm now owned by William Stevenson, Jr. where they lived their son William and wife. The following fall they bought a home in the east part of Biggsville where they lived the remainder of their lives. Now there are over 300 descendants of this worthy couple, besides about 100 that have married into the family and a large majority of whom are living in Henderson County, Ill. (list of those attending the 1926 reunion-read on microfilm).
A SOCIAL EVENT: The W. J. McElhinney home was the scene of a charming social event last Thursday afternoon when about 50 of Miss Marjorie Thompson’s friends gathered to honor her with a miscellaneous shower to anticipation of her coming marriage to Mr. George P. Goldt of Portland, Oregon. The home was tastefully decorated with summer flowers arranged in baskets. In the dining room was a huge three-tiered wedding cake, improvised from orange, yellow and white crepe paper and topped by a miniature bride and groom; this formed a beautiful center piece for the table.
The early part of the afternoon was spent by the guests in embroidering squares for a sateen bed spread to be given to the bride-elect. Dainty refreshments, in which the color scheme of varying shades and tints of yellow and white predominated, were served by Miss Sara May McElhinney and her assisting hostess, Mrs. Allen Annegers. For a second course Miss Thompson was asked to cut the wedding cake, which she found to be filled with gifts from her numerous friends. Among the presents were many pieces of sterling silver from her chosen silver pattern as well as other useful and attractive gifts.
Many of the guests had been widely separated during the past year so that the occasion proved especially delightful to them. All joined in wishing the bride a most happy future in their new home which they only regret will be so far distant from her many friends in Stronghurst.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mr. A. J. Steffey has sold is residence property in the east part of town to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Simpson who are now redecorating the interior preparatory to moving there as soon as possible. Mrs. H. F. Kamber and daughter, Rosebelle, visited at the home of the former’s daughter, Mrs. Verna Gibson of Roseville, and also attended the Macomb fair and shopped in Monmouth on dollar day. Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Ross left by way of Chicago, Detroit and the Great Lakes for an Eastern trip. They expect to visit Lou Folmer and family in New York state, Horace Linton’s in Philadelphia and other relatives in Ohio. Mr. M. B. Whitcomb, missionary from the American Mission of Assuit, Egypt, was a guest at the home of Rev. J. A. Mahffey and family. Word comes from Chicago that Mrs. M. B. Foote who was taken there some time ago for treatment, is gradually improving and her physician says there is no reason that she should not recover sufficiently to walk.
Work on the tabernacle for the Sunday meetings to be held in Monmouth during September and October will be started as soon as the rubbish is removed from the lot on West Broadway, which has been secured for the erection of the building. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Gerber, Miss Clidean and Perry Simpson returned from their trip to Rhineland Lake, Wis. They report that on account of so much rain, they were forced to detour a good deal on their homeward journey. Martin Bruhl of Burlington, Ia. expressed great enthusiasm over the ability of the Stronghurst band. Mr. Bruhl said he heard the band several weeks ago and that it was a WOW!
Mrs. Charles Lukens accompanied her son William to the Burlington Hospital where he underwent a tonsil operation. Grandpa Brown has been suffering from blood poison in his hand caused by running a nail into it while pulling weeds from around a wire fence. Mr. W. H. Evans, head of the January and Wood Advertising Co. of Maysville, Ky. was a house guest at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Helen Burrell. Mr. Evans was accompanied by his wife, son and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. C. R. A. Marshall, Miss Lois and Miss Edith Brook are attending the State Fair at Springfield, Ill. where the two girls, representatives of the Girls 4-H Sewing Club of Stronghurst and Henderson County Farm Bureau, will give shoe demonstrations. Richard Peasley, who has been visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Peasley of Decorra neighborhood for the past several days, left the latter part of last week for Tampa, Fla., where he will assist his brother George in the service station business there. Mr. Harry Gilliland who has been in the employ of the Stronghurst Telephone Co. for several years has accepted a position with the Western Union Telegraph Co. in Chicago; he and his wife have gone to that city. This is the first time he has had employment away from his home town. Elmer Coleman, son of Mrs. Joe Long has enlisted and left for the Great Lakes Naval Training School. Mrs. Tom White and daughter Lela of West Point, Miss. visited old friends in the village. They made the trip by auto, visiting relatives and friends along the way. News recently received by Richard Billups of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Liby of VanNuys, Calif. The young Miss has been named Shirley Jean. Mirs. Bernard was formerly Miss Opal Billups and is a daughter of Richard Billups of this place.
OBITUARY-MRS. MAGGIE RANKIN: Mrs. Maggie Rankin passed away at her country home in Raritan Township on August 20th after an illness of several days’ duration. She was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jospeh and Julia King and was born in Raritan Township, Illinois, February 16, 1859. On February 14, 1883 she united in marriage to Mr. Robert Rankin of Media Township. To this union seven children were born, two of whom, Mrs. Anna Mae Hickman and Mrs. Florence Sweasy, preceded her in death. Her husband passed away Mary 25, 1925. Those left to mourn her loss are Chas. A., Roy and Elmer Rankin, Mrs. Lois Wetterling and Mrs. Grace Hulet. She is also survived by two brothers, Drewis King of Media and Joy King of Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services were held at the Raritan Reformed Church on Sunday, August 22nd and burial was in the Raritan Cemetery.
OBITUARY-MISS GRETTA VOORHEES- Miss Gretta Voorhees, daughter of John Z. and Ellen Voorhees, passed away at the Holmes Hospital, Macomb Ill. the evening of August 23rd, aged 53 years, 10 months and 25 days. For the past year she has made her home in Monmouth, Ill., and had just started the construction of a beautiful bungalow at Raritan, Ill., intending to return to her old home town. About a month ago she become indisposed and was taken to the Macomb Hospital where all was done that medical skill could do, but she passed away at three o’clock. Funeral services are being held today from the old home in which she was born and where her brother Gilbert Voorhees still resides. One other brother, Mr. Berg Voorhees of Raritan and numerous other relatives are left to mourn her departure. Burial was in the Raritan Cemetery.
LOCAL AND AREA NEW: Mr. W. J. McElhinney received word that hi sister, Mrs. Anna Simpson of St. Paul, Minn. is very serious ill at her home there. Mr. and Mrs. John Norwood and sons of Chicago are visiting at the home of her aunt, Mrs. John Salter. The Loyal Women of the Christian Church are serving dinner to eight threshing crews today at the Community Room. Miss Louise Rankin, who has been assisting at the post office here, has returned home to make preparations for beginning her school work at Olena. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marshall and son and daughter of Red Oak, Iowa were guests of Miss Emma Marshall and Mrs. Richard Marshall. The Luther Leaguers of the local Lutheran church enjoyed a fine picnic in the Monmouth Park; the tables were well filled with tasty food of which all partook at about six o’clock.
Mrs. James Strickland and daughter, Miss Genevieve, called on Miss Ruth Lant, who was a patent in the Monmouth Hospital. Miss Ruth has made rapid recovery from her appendicitis operation and has been taken to the home of her aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Whiteman, who lives in that city. She expects to be able to return to her home at South Henderson the coming Sabbath. Mrs. Robert Shafer entertained a number of little folks Friday afternoon in honor of her little daughter, Louise, it being her fourth birthday. The table was decorated in pink and white crepe paper with a birthday cake adorned with four pink candles. Those present were Kenneth and Doris Jean Johnson, Adaline and Opal Corley, Alice Staley and Roxella Wanders and Billie Corley. The children played games and a delicious lunch was served. Vern Wood and family and Chas. Jacobs and wife and two children returned home from a week’s motor trip to northern Wisconsin. In talking with one of the Chautauqua talents of Wednesday’s entertainment, Mr. W. L. Spiker found that Mr. Virgil Davis of the Lucille Elmore Co. was a cousin and a very enjoyable evening was spent at the Spiker home. Mrs. Ruby Crenshaw Bell who returned home from visiting Europe is visiting her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crenshaw.
The Lutherans of Stronghurst had their annual picnic at the Anton Nelson place. A wonderful dinner was served free to all and cold refreshments sold at a stand. As part of the amusement program, a parade of chairs was held with occupants competing with one another in decorating with colored streamers, flowers, etc. Clarence Hartquist, Ruth Gustafson and Miss Hathaway won with a Ford coupe. Beside this, there was an old-time fire department run to a fire, a tug-of-war and horse shoe pitching.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Hubbs and family have returned from a two weeks’ vacation spent in portions of Iowa and Nebraska and report many of the crops there destroyed by drought and heat. Mrs. Dan Burrell of the Hopper neighborhood is quite serious ill with heart trouble. She is being cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Calvin Lant and other relatives. Her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.Jessie Kemp of Idaho have been recent guests in this home. The annual Dowell reunion was held at the John Dowell home with about 80 present.
OQUAWKA NEWS: Dr. and Mrs. Herman Knudson and children of Chicago were guests at the C. R. Stewart home. The foundation for the new town tank will be completed this week. Two of the large posts are finished and the other two will be filled with cement this week. The rains lately have nearly ruined the small grain that has not been threshed. It is growing and rotting in the shock, but the corn and pasture are looking fine. Plenty of good watermelons and muskmelons are on the market in Oquawka at this time. Mrs. John Haffner opened her new café Sunday to a large crowd of diners. She served a delicious chicken dinner and also short orders. The building has been all newly decorated on the interior in green and ivory with green curtains and all white counters. Large bunches of gladiolas were everywhere. The name of the new café has not been chosen yet.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Miss Mary Grafton of this community won second prize at the Gazette beauty contest on Sunday. The Ladies Aid Society will hold a bake sale and ice cream social at the hall next Saturday afternoon and evening. The proceeds will go to help pay the minister as his term will be up in a couple of weeks. Mr. Frank Wisby, who has been very poorly the past ten days, is reported somewhat better. Miss Viola Graham was seriously hurt last Saturday evening by auto wreck on the hard road toward Burlington. She was taken to the Burlington Hospital and returned home Monday evening. She received several bruises on the head and severe cuts on the face.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: A family dinner was enjoyed at the Mrs. Ella Galbraith home Saturday evening; it was a “Figg” family reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Ike Brewer returned from a visit with relatives in Missouri. The ladies of the M.E. Church had a booth and served meals at the Biggsville picnic.
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL NEWS FROM THE Media Broadcast in the Stronghurst Graphic: Miss Lillian Mink was pleasantly surprised by a number of Media friends who came to help celebrate her 18th birthday Saturday afternoon. Games were played and afterward, a delicious lunch of ice cream angel food cake and lemonade was served by Mrs. Mink. Those attending were Faree Mathers, Goldie, Arlene and Nina Heap, Grace White, Ruth Howell and Bessie Cannon. Mrs. Mary Gram fell from her porch and sprained her left ankle. Mrs. Minerva Riggs is helping care for her. Several Media people took advantage of the Santa Fe excursion Sunday morning and enjoyed a trip to Chicago where they took in the Wild West Rodeo which is taking place at the famous Soldiers Field. Among those going were Ben Heap, Garold Gilliland, J. E. Lawyer and daughters Mildred and Faye. Miss Francis Treharn of Peoria spent several days recently at the home of her aunt Mrs. Elbert Calhoun and husband. Mr. and Mrs. Scott White are enjoying a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Murr and son Claude and Joe Rush of Jonesboro, Tenn. Word received Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Erickson who are touring the West that they enjoyed the sights of Cheyenne, Wyo. Decatur was one of the first cities in the country to formulate the “zoning plans.” It is known as the “Decatur Plan” and provides for a city of 150,000 persons in 1960. (They didn’t make it; in 1960 Decatur population was 78,004).