The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
MINISTRIAL ASSOCIATION FORMED: : The four resident ministers of the Stronghurst churches met at the Methodist parsonage and formed a Ministerial Association. Rev. Elmer J. Holt, paster of the Swedish Lutheran Church was elected president; Rev. J. A. Mahaffey, vice president and Rev. C. S McClure as secretary-treasurer. They will meet once a month to consider their mutual problems in the moral and religious life of the community.
OBITUARY: C. R. KAISER:-Mr. C. R. Kaiser, a prominent business man and well-respected citizen of this community, passed away at the St. Mary’s Hospital, Galesburg, at 11:30 pm on Oct. 18, 1926, death being due to cerebral hemorrhage. Several weeks ago, Mr. Kaiser suffered a stroke of paralysis and was under the care of a trained nurse at his home until his recent removal to the hospital. From the first attack his condition became more serious until death finally resulted.
Charles R. Kaiser was born in Kirkwood, Warren County, Illinois on March 26, 1863, a son of Nicodemus and Antonie Kaiser. He was educated in the public schools and after a two years clerkship in a dry goods store in Kirkwood, he learned banking in the First National Bank there. Later he was connected for a year with a bank at Glencoe, Minn., until 1889 when he came to Stronghurst and with W. C. Tubbs and Paul D. Salter organized the Stronghurst State Bank. He became casher of this bank and held that position for 35 years.
In 1892 he united in marriage to Miss Grace Sanders of Stronghurst, a daughter of Rolla and Nettie Sanders, and to this union two children were born, Albert F. and Erma J. His wife and two children survive: A. G. Kaiser at home and Mrs. Ernest Smelter of Chicago; one sister-Mrs. Sophia Kell of Monmouth and two brothers- W. B. Kaiser of LaHarpe and Capt. L. A. Kaiser, retired U.S.N. of Jamestown, R.I. and numerous other relatives.
Mr. Kaiser has been president of the Stronghurst village board and has taken an active interest in the welfare of his community. He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner and also a member of the I.O.O.F. and Easter Star lodges. Funeral services were held Oct. 21st in the United Presbyterian Church of Stronghurst conducted by Rev. Mr. Lindsey of Clinton, Mo. Interment was in the Kirkwood Cemetery.
ALL DAY SOCIAL: : Last Friday the ladies of the U.P. congregation enjoyed an all day social at the church. A covered dish luncheon was served at the noon hour to some 70 guests. In the afternoon a program was given and games and stunts enjoyed. Each lady was asked to bring a dollar she had earned with its story. The money was placed in a glass jar and guessing the amount, furnished much amusement. When counted, the amount was found to be $85.50. The ladies were well pleased with the day’s success.
WORKING ON THE HARD ROAD: : A gang of men were busy the first part of the week constructing a five or six-foot bank on the south side of the hard road near the road turning off to Gladstone, The bank is expected to prevent further undermining of the pavement by heavy rains.
(Long article about Evangelist “Red” Pecaut sermon at the U.P. Church)
OBITUARY: ROBERT GRIER:-Robert J. Grier, circuit judge of the 9th circuit for 18 years until 1921, passed away early last Friday morning at this home in Monmouth following a long illness. Judge Grier was born on his father’s farm in Westmoreland County, Pa. on Oct. 26, 1850 and had he lived until Oct. 26th, he would have been 76 years old.
Judge Grier was graduated from Monmouth College in 1874 and was the oldest member of the Warren County Bar. He continued his practice after retiring from the bench as the head of the law firm of Gier, Safford and Soule. Funeral services were held on Oct. 18 at Monmouth and burial in the cemetery there.
REPUBLICAN ROAD TRIP AROUND COUNTY: : To visit every town in Henderson County in two days to discuss campaign issues and to tell the people why they should vote the Republican ticket is the task set for the Republican County Central Committee and Women’s Republican Auxiliary Committee. The drive for votes will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 25 at Gladstone and will end at Stronghurst Tuesday night, Oct. 26. With the Stronghurst band leading the caravan and furnishing music at every meeting, this promise to be the biggest political round-up ever attempted in the county. A capable list of speakers has been secured (only county politician in the group from Henderson County was the Hon. J.W. Gordon of Oquawka)
700 HEARD SUNDAY’S TALK HERE:: An estimated crowd of some six or seven hundred people gathered in the high school auditorium last Tuesday morning to hear the famous “Billy” Sunday who had been induced to come down from Monmouth and speak to the people of the community. . It is reported that a story of Stronghurst being infected with numerous cases of scarlet fever has been circulating about the surrounding community and to this fact is laid to keeping away of many who would other wise have been present. This, indeed, unfortunate the more so, for there is absolutely no more danger of catching scarlet fever in a crowd at Stronghurst than in any other town. Only one case of the disease is in town and that home is under quarantine…(Long article about the service.)
BILLY SUNDAY MEETING: A large number from here attended the Sunday meetings in Monmouth last Sunday afternoon and evening. The seats were all filled by one o’clock; therefore, not many Stronghurst citizens were able to even get standing room. In the evening by 5:30 the tabernacle was filled and also the doors and windows. It was reported to be the largest crowd that had ever attended any of the meetings.
RARITAN REPORTS: Ed Lantz has been on the sick list. Henry Hedley and Harlan Monroe were operated upon for appendicitis last week. The ladies of the Baptist Church had a fried chicken supper and a bazaar in the church basement Saturday evening. A good number for the vicinity attended Sunday’s meetings Sunday.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mrs. Gail Edwards returned to her home at Iowa City Friday after spending the week here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Y. Whiteman. The regular meeting of the Eldeen Book Club was held on Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Robert Foster with most all the members present. A pleasant social afternoon was spent and refreshments of bread-and-butter sandwiches, creamed chicken, pickles, fruit, salad, two kinds of cake and coffee were served. A reception will be given Rev. and Mrs. Whitmyer Wednesday at the South Henderson Church with the homecoming of all members that can be present at that time. Relatives received word here of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. James Alexander of Swift Current, Sak., Canada. The newly born is the fourth child and third girl. Mrs. Alexander was former Miss Alma Pearson. Mrs. Glen Rankin returned home from Des Moines, Ia., where she went to see Mrs. H.O Garrity who is very low, blood poison having set in a fractured limb. Miss Margorie Weigand, who teaches at Onedia, spent the weekend with home folks.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Mr. Jesse Smith has been suffering with rheumatism for the past weeks. Ralph Vant shipped some cattle to Chicago Thursday. Mrs. Hubbs was quite ill Sunday evening and Dr. Eads of Oquawka attended. Mrs. W. D. Colly has been suffering recently with blood poison in her lower limb. Mr. John Lox is very bad at this time. Mrs. John Fryer recently twisted her ankle and has been quite lame for the past few days.
OQUAWKA NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Dillon are mourning their 10-day old son Willard Dean, who passed away at their home north of town Friday afternoon with acute indigestion. Brief services were held Saturday and interment made in the Oquawka Cemetery. Mrs. Wayne Sandstrom and two daughters, Helen and Frances, left Saturday for Chicago where they will make their home. Eli Baldwin had the misfortune to cut his foot quite badly while working on the road; he will be laid up for some time. The Petit Jury has been dismissed for this term of Circuit Court after finding the defendant not guilty in the case of The People vs Henry O. White, confidence game and other cases also The People, etc. vs Richard McGraw, larceny, case called for trial, but the defendant granted a continuance to next term. The People vs Walter Melvin, larceny, defendant plead guilty and adjudged guilty of stealing a car, was admitted to probation for one year and must pay costs and cost of car, together with $20 repairs within six months; he is only 19 years of age.
CURIOUS NEWS: The cornerstone of the first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River was laid in 1854; the structure connected Rock Island and Davenport. Wild Bill Hickok, Civil War hero and one of the most expert pistol shots of his day was a native of La Salle County, claiming Troy Grove has his birthplace.
(List of subscribers to the Graphic on page 4 in this issue.)
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: An eight-pound baby girls was born to Mr. and Mrs. Allan Harvmyer of Media late Saturday. The young Miss has been named Betty. Miss Lillie Clark, an inmate of the Bartonville Sanitarium passed away Oct. 15. The remains arrived and were taken to Raritan for interment. Miss Clark was a sister of Mrs. Jessie Nordstrom. Mrs. Hurd, who is caretaker at the Apt home, was taken suddenly ill with an attack of asthma. The chicken supper given last evening by the Dorcas Society of the Lutheran Church was a great success and the ladies are very grateful for the splendid patronage. The proceeds amounted to nearly $130 ($2,264+ in today’s values). Joe Peasley left for the South to buy cattle. Joe Baxter is in the employment of the Pioneer Lumber Co. at Yates City. Mr. Chester Trimmer is employed by the Santa Fe as signal service maintainer at Fort Madison, Iowa. Friends have received word of the death of Mr. Henry Haben at his home in Des Moines, Ia. which occurred Tuesday morning. Mr. Haben was a former Stronghurst business man, operating the grinding mill. Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Bennington are now residents of the city, located in rooms in the Chant Building over Grandey’s store. Mr. Bennington has opened a jewelry store located in the rooms vacated by K. E. Yoakam. Farm adviser Walker is in Galesburg attending the annual fall conference for advisers in the Galesburg district. At this time plans are made for the work of the coming year and dates are made with the specialists from the College of Agriculture. Mr. L. B, Jenkins of this vicinity celebrated his 86th birthday last Friday by going to Monmouth and taking a ride in an airplane which he says he enjoyed very much.
BABE RUTH HITS A HOMER: Babe Ruth not only won everlasting baseball renown with a trio of home run swats in the fourth game of the World Series played in St. Louis, but he also won a Chevrolet. One of the circuit clouts crashed through the plate glass window of an automobile salesroom near the Cardinal Park and bounded off the side of a Chevrolet coupe on display inside. In acknowledgment of his feat, the Babino was presented with the coupe. The picture shows him beside the car holding the home run baseball. “Times have changed,” said Babe Ruth with a broad grin. “Some years ago, it would have been a serious offense for any of us to break the window with a baseball. Now it brings a new automobile.”
DEFENSE OF THE CANNON: Gentlemen of the town board, I come to you tonight with a petition signed by 585 of your fellow townsmen, a majority, I believe of the population. We understand that on account of modernness, the old cannon in the northwest corner of the village park was under question and a motion was to come before the board to remove the cannon and place a modern piece of artillery in its place. For this reason the petition was made and I was designated to bring it before the board.
Many of us have pleasant memories of the old cannon. A few of you present, I have seen sit and spoon with your girls on the broad barrel of the gun. At every celebration, it is the favorite spot for boys and girls. Who is there that can’t show a picture of himself sitting proudly on it? A few of you gentlemen, who were in my class will remember back when we took some slow-motion pictures of a few of us boys jumping off the cannon.
These, however, are only pleasant memories. We should not forget the history and significance of the old gun. If we destroyed the cannon, we would commit an injustice to the men of ’61 (Civil War), the men who saved our nation. Picture to yourself those men as they stood firing this great gun, half stripped, oozing in sweat, blackened by powder, some with wounds where blood and grime are mixed, giving their very lives to make this a better nation to live in. Should we destroy the monument of such a spirit? (not signed)
AULD LAND SYNE (Narratives taken from the files of the Stronghurst Graphic, recalling persons, facts and events of by-gone days.) Oct. 17, 1901-H. A. Epping keeps a variety of meats (meat market). James Sandy and Miss Alice Grade of Gladstone were married Oct. 3rd. O. J. Sanderson of the southwest neighborhood has sold his farm of 120 acre to W. C. Tubbs of Kirkwood for $72.50 per acre.
Stronghurst’s brass band was reorganized. Edward Fort, Jr., was chosen manager and Fred McKinley was chosen secretary-treasurer. Claim Agent Kline of the Santa Fe was here and settled with Frank Barney for the injuries which he received a few weeks ago while at work cleaning the water tank for the company. He received $400. While handling a heavy plug, Frank got his fingers so badly crushed that two of them had to be amputated. Farmers generally think the number of cattle fed here will be smaller than in previous year for a long time. Those who raised much corn will prefer to put in on the market at the present high prices and those who have been accustomed to buying corn in large quantities hesitate to buy at present prices. H. W. Jones, editor of the Ipava Independent, has been appointed assistant state printer, a job that pays $3 a day. Mr. Jones will now commence carrying a check book and possibly try to forget that he was ever a poor man. W. C. Tubbs purchased 40 acres farm just west of Monmouth at $170 per acres. Charles Marshall received a couple of fine Poland Cina gilts from his brother John D. of Walton, Kansas. While riding a bicycle south of town, Ray Kline was made the object of a vicious attack by a dog belonging to Jas. Woodward and was thrown from his wheel. Two ugly gashes were made in the calf of his leg. Del Dixon is attending school at Quincy. S. H. McMillan of South Henderson returned from a trip to the Pan American Exposition. The Chicago post office was robbed of nearly $75,000 worth of postage stamps. Access to the vault was gained by cutting through the foundation walls and drilling through a half -inch steel floor. It was one of the biggest robberies the post office has ever had.
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: Everybody is invited to attend the big evening’s entertainment being planned for the Halloween Carnival to take place Oct. 26 in the Media gymnasium. A splendid program will begin at 8:00 o’clock, one feature of which is a debate by four prominent local men on a popular argument. The ladies have made plans for a doughnut fry and other refreshments such as pie with whipped cream, sandwiches, coffee and home-made candy will be sold. A noted palm reader will enlighten you on the mystery of your future for a small charge. The admission charge at the door will be taken by specters from the spirit world according to the size hose you wear; hence, size 10 and you pay 10 cents…The affair is for the benefit of the Media Moving Picture Association under the auspices of the Community Club.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Mike LaVelle and family of Streator were guests over Sunday in the John LaVelle home. Ed Sullivan returned to his home in Streator after visiting relatives here for ten days. Mrs. Alice Schroeder is helping in the home of Noble Moon since Mrs. Moon’s return from the Macomb Hospital. Dale Moon and wife have moved to Raritan where they will be proprietors in the restaurant and grocery formerly owned by Garold Gipe. The first class for the Bible study given especially for the Sunday School teachers was held Wednesday night at the United Church. The high school students enjoyed the short program given by Rhodeheaver and Kinney of the Wm. Sunday evangelistic party now conducting services in Monmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bell and family recently moved to Media, occupying the house west of town owned by E. G. Lewis.
KNOW ILLINOIS: East St. Louis started telegraphic communication with the Eastern seaboard in Dec. 1847 when the first wire was completed and dedicated. Elgin claims the distinction of having the first electric light and power plant in Illinois, an establishment built in the early eighties by Christian C. Wustenfeld.