The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: March 3, 1927
FAREWELL RECEPTION: On the eve of their departure from Stronghurst about 40 of the lady friends of Mrs. Grace and Mrs. A. F. Kaiser assembled unannounced at their home last Thursday evening to assure them that the high esteem in which they have been held through so many years is still entertained and that the friendships which have grown up here will accompany them to their new homes…Saturday night was spent with friends in town and on Sunday afternoon Mrs. Kaiser left for Chicago for an indefinite stay at the home of her daughter, Erma, and Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Kaiser went to Monmouth where they will be with relatives until future business connections are established.
CIRCUIT COURT CONVENES: The regular spring term of the Henderson County Circuit Court will open at Oquawka next Monday, Marth 7th. Judge W. F. Graham of Monmouth will preside. (List of Grand Jurors, Petit Jurors by township and criminal and common law cases noted.)
FARM BUREAS PLAN DRIVE AGAINST HOG CHOLERA IN 1927: A concerted drive by Illinois county farm bureaus to stop losses from hog cholera will be made in the coming year. It was announced at a recent meeting of farm advisers, directors and members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Serum Association held recently in the Illinois Agricultural Association office in Chicago. The Henderson County Farm Bureau will render its service in hog cholera prevention according to Farm Advisor Walker.,,Costs will vary as in past years according to the quantity ordered and whether or not the manufacturer is assured of a definite amount of business…
CELEBRATES 80TH BIRTHDAY: “Uncle Billie” Stevenson celebrated his 80th birthday on last Monday with a dinner party at which over 50 guests were present. Pink and white was the color scheme of the decorations which was carried out in the flowers, ice cream and cake. Three large birthday cakes were among the crowning delicacies of the two-course dinner. One cake was decorated with 80 candles and the others with flags and the name “Father.” Mr. Stevenson received special gifts of flowers and greeting cards. Frank Stevenson, a grandson living in California sent a box of oranges and lemons for the happy occasion. Eight children, twenty-one grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren were present besides a host of friends.
FIRE CALL: The village fire department was called out about 5:30 o’clock Monday afternoon to the Mrs. Rose Peterson home in the east part of the village. In a very few minutes after the fire was discovered, the firemen and a large crowd of spectators were on hand. A small patch of shingles had caught on fire, but the blaze was soon extinguished with a few buckets of water. The place that caught on fire was some twenty feet from the chimney and appears was from a spark on the outside.
COUNTY MAN GETS LARGER PENSION: Sterling Morelock of Rozetta, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor in the World War, has been successful in his long battle for adjusted compensation according to a letter received last Friday from Congressman John C. Allen who succeeded in paving the way for more compensation for the Henderson County veteran. Mr. Morelock recently was examined by the examining board of the Veterans Bureau at Cincinnati and the examination resulted in a recommendation that he be allowed 79% of total disability pay. This will amount to approximately $79 monthly ($1,424+ in today’s values). Until recently Mr. Morelock received only $10 a month compensation and his many friends in this county who know his physical condition will be pleased to hear that his pension has been increased. Another veteran, Casa Bennett was allowed $45 through the intersession of Congressman Allen.
CORN SHOOL SUCCESSFUL: The Corn school was well attended considering road conditions. Claire Golden, a farmer from Rock Island County and a graduate of Iowa Agricultural College at Ames, assisted Farm Adviser Walker in the presentation. The aim of the school was to acquaint a number of men in each section of the county with the symptoms of the five common corn diseases as shown on the germinator. By using the germination cabinet owned by Joe Ross and kindly loaned him to the Farm Bureau, excellent specimens of the disease molds were developed; in fact, they were the best that Mr. Golden has had to work with this year. All in attendance were interested and several indicated their intention either to build a germinator and germinate their own corn or to have it done at a commercial germinating plant. Yields secured from disease tested seed show this to be worth while practice.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. C.E. Peasley returned home from Tampa, Florida where she has been spending the winter with her sons, George and Richard. The Henry Adair family held their closing out sale and expect to go to their new farm home near Champaign, Ill.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Sunday evening was the last meeting of the revivals which revivals which Rev. Bowman has been conducting for the past three weeks at the M.E. Church. Mrs. Bowman and Mr. L. Fisher have had charge of the music. . Rev. Bowman has delivered some interesting sermons. The evangelistic party will take a week’s rest and then begin their work in Olena. Roy Green and family are moving to a farm near Kirkwood
WEDDING BELLS-WHITEMAN AND KEISTER: The announcement of the marriage of Robert Whiteman of Monmouth to Miss Sarah Keister of Clinton, Iowa came as a surprise to the people of his home town (Biggsville). Robert is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Whiteman and grew up in this vicinity, graduating from the township high school and later attending Monmouth College. He now holds a position in the Peoples National Bank in Monmouth where he and his bride will make their home.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: The girls of the seventh and eighth grades held a farewell party and handkerchief shower for May Dye, one of their classmates, at the home of Miss Mildred Beebe last Friday evening. Games were played and a poem, “To Our Classmate,” written by her teacher was read by Phyllis Rowley. Dainty refreshments were served. Those present were June Gibb, Phyllis Rowley, Lois Kilgore, Mary Blevins, Marguerite and Gertrude Gibb, Mildred Beebe and their teacher, Mr. Delabar. Vesti Churchill and family are moving into the house vacated by Mr. and Mrs. Ora Rezner and Miss Maggie Reynolds will move into her property which has been occupied by the Churchills. Mrs. Robert Glenn was hostess to the Eldeen Book Club Friday afternoon. The home was prettily decorated with flags and patriotic colors and a delicious Washington lunch was served by the hostess. One of their members, Mrs. Earl Trumbull, who is leaving soon for her new home in Burlington, Iowa, was presented with a silver meat fork as a token of remembrance from the club. A pleasant time was enjoyed and the usual exchange of books took place.
The food sale conducted by the Ladies Aid of the M.E. Church on Saturday afternoon netted $11 and the sale of home-made candy by the Kings Heralds brought something over $4. Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wiegand have moved to the Fuller property in the northwest part of town which was recently purchased by Mr. Will Stine. Mr. and Mrs. Ora Rezner have moved to the property vacated by Mr. and Mrs. Weigand. Mrs. Sarah McVey suffered a stroke of paralysis Sunday night from which her condition was slightly improved on Wednesday. Her son Harry from Reed and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Drebenstedt of Burlington, her daughter, were called to her bedside. At note to Biggsville subscribers: The ship Chaumont has reached China after passing through the typhoon off Manilla harbor recently. On board this war vessel was a former local youth, Mr. Clendon Welch, a member of a picked rifle squad of the USA marines.
FROM A CLEVELAND, OHIO PAPER: BIGGSVILLE BOY, NOW A JUDGE: Judge Clifford Bell, who was a graduate of our township high school and who is now municipal judge of Cleveland, Ohio ruled on a case where a 20-year-old man was fine $25 and a sentence of 30 days in the work house for speeding. “Judge Bell meant what he said Wednesday when he told the crowded court room that hereafter all speeders brought in traffic court would go to the work house and the fines would be heavier than before. He added, “This is my first and last warning. Hereafter the chap who was driving a Ford and didn’t know how fast he was going will have plenty of time in the work house to find out. This is the time of the year the sap starts running. I know it’s in your blood, but don’t let it run into your accelerator foot.” After citing drastic laws in regard to speeding and signal lights, he said, “Motorist have always been given the benefit of a doubt up to five miles an hour; now speeders will be given the benefit of the work house.”
LOMAX LINGERINGS: Willard Echardt who has been sick for several weeks was taken to the Burlington hospital. W. R. Gaddis, who has been housed for a few days, is able to be at the post office again. Harry Sutton and family are moving to the hotel and Leonard Waddel and family are moving to the farm north of town vacated by A. G. Smith and family. Mr. and Mrs. Chris Apt are mourning the death of an infant son born at the Burlington Hospital. The remains were shipped to Lomax for burial. Mr. Bundy, who was staying with Mr. and Mrs. C. Fortney, was stricken with paralysis and died before medical aid reached him. Dr. Emerson held an inquest. The body was taken to LaHarpe where the funeral was held with burial in the LaHarpe Cemetery. They are employing several men at the aeroplane factory at the present time. It is rumored that they will soon have another plane completed and ready to fly.
RARITAN REPORTS: Miss Gale Brook. who is a teacher at the high school at Sherrard, Mercer County, came home sick with the measles. Doctor Cleveland, a former Raritan physician is taking up practice at Dallas City. The Judd Wetterling family, who have been employed by Charles Lind and have been living in the house leased by him from Richard Nevius, have gone to live with Lewis Worthington. The Earl Wickle family living in Mr. Lind’s tenant house are removing to the house vacated by the Wetterlings. The Henry Adair family are removing to a place near Champaign. The first robins have been heard and seen in this locality. Earl Evans moved his family and household goods to a farm near Swan Creek. A goodly number attended the public sale of Mrs. Carrie VanArsdale. Dan Leinbach and family moved to the W. H. VanArsdale farm vacated by the Reed family.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: The scarlet fever patients are recovering nicely. Mr. and Mrs. Page Randall of near Lomax are the proud parents of a ten and half pound boy, born Feb. 24th. Mr. Ray Myers , who had been farming near Biggsville, is now taken up residence in Oakville, Iowa. Mrs. Doug Steffey who has been visiting her son Arthur and family at Knoxville, Iowa, reports that her son has gone to Dallas, Texas to attend a National Convention of City School Superintendents and he will be gone for ten days. Seventy school superintendents from Iowa will be in attendance. Dr. Fulkerson, a returned missionary, theologian, lawyer and ex-consul to Japan along with District Supt. Dr. Newland, had charge of the morning service at the M.E. Church last Sunday.
87th BIRTHDAY: Mrs. H. Whitmyer entertained a number of relatives Saturday in honor of her mother, Mrs. Freed’s 87th birthday. Mrs. Freed makes her home with Mrs. Whitmyer and is quite active for one her age. All her living children were present and a bounteous dinner was served cafeteria style by the hostess. (Long list of attendees in this article).
VOICE OF SHS (high school paper): The seniors have finally selected their class flower, motto and colors. No casualties were suffered, but quite a bit of filibustering by Vincent Upton and Hazel Denum occurred. Selecting a class flower was very difficult. After a long attempt to settle it by oral voting a ballot vote was called for, but it was undecided-the dispute over Sweet Peas and Pink Roses. It was finally settled about a week later in favor of Pink Roses. The class colors are Pink and White and the motto is “Finished yet Beginning.” The economic class had a very interesting debate on: “Resolved, Immigration should be stopped in the United States.” The seniors were pleased with the results from the class play. A total of $149.50 was receipt; however, after the expenses were taken out, the class was left with the sum of $84.40. As the roads were impassable for automobiles and the town full of sickness, the seniors are happy with such a turnout. The freshmen class is sorry to announce that two of their members, Miss Thelma Burrell and Joe Nordstrom have discontinued their studies at SHS. SHS is grateful to Mrs. Kaiser who recently moved away and gifted the school of the Encyclopedia Britannica in 30 volumes. Mr. Albert Kaiser also presented the school a set of orchestra bells and a large bass horn.
MEDIA BROADCASTER (LOCAL PAPER): PONDERING: Very few people realize how the barge docks to be built at Burlington, Iowa will benefit Henderson County. Wheat can be transported 1,000 miles at a cost of $60-70 whereas the cost by rail would be $150-200 to carry 1,000 bushels 1,000 miles. A piano shipped from New York to San Francisco by water is $30 cheaper than by railroad from Rockford, Ill. Herbert Hoover estimates that the United States will increase by 40,000,000 people in the next 25 years. If Henderson County gets her quota, she will have an increase of 10,000 people.
Why not a little co-operation between towns? The bond issue will not build all the roads we need. Why not gravel the road from Media to the hard road? If we made the start by co-operating with the county highway commissioner and the state, Raritan would also have a way to get to the hard road and it might create interest enough so we could get a 365-day road Route No. 8 south through Media to Raritan and then east to Route No. 3.
THE OLDEST GROCERY STORE IN STRONGHURST: H. D. Lovitt, now conducting a first-class grocery store on the west side of Broadway, has been proprietor at the same location for a quarter of a century. Twenty-five years ago on the twenty second of last month, Mr. Lovitt bought out the A. E. Jones grocery store. Mr. Lovitt had formerly been in the implement business, being a member of the firm of Mizner & Lovitt.
In all his years of service Mr. Lovitt has kept his store up to date. Within the past year he had re-arranged his stock and his store now has a very modern appearance. From the very first Mr. Lovitt has been a believer in advertising and he told the inducements and advantages of trading at his store each week in the Graphic for a number of years. He has been assisted the past few years by his son Meredith whose efforts have contributed greatly to the success of the store.
SOCIAL NOTES: Norman Baker, owner of radiocasting station KTNT at Muscatine, Ia. is creating quite a sensation among many radio fans by his talks on “Things in General.” Tune in and hear him some Sunday afternoon. Paul Gibson and Faye Lawyer both of Media were united in marriage on Feb. 28th by C.W. Elliott, Justice of the Peace of Galesburg. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Lawyer and has attended both the Media grade and high school. Paul is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gibson. The young couple plan to make their home on a farm in this community. Mrs. Bernice Rodin of Chicago is spending the week with her mother, Mrs. Sarah Hickman. A good many changes are being made on the farms in the community this spring. Charles Collins and family have left the Mathers place for a farm near Biggsville. Ed Wisely has moved to the Lyons farm west of Olena. Jessie Collins and family have moved from the Berterman farm to a place near Raritan.
CARMAN CONCERNS IN THE GRAPHIC: Mrs. Lela White and children and sister Floy of Mobile, Alabama are spending a short time visiting at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. C. Babcook. Mrs. Clarence Dixon and family have settled in their new location near Stronghurst where Mr. Dixon will farm the coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wisbey and sons will soon be settled in their new home near Terre Haute on the place known as the John Marsden farm which he purchased some time ago. Mr. Pete Good was taken to the Burlington Hospital and operated on for appendicitis. Wm. Vaughn of Burlington was here taking orders for the Chase Brothers Nursery. Frederick Crane was taken to the Burlington Hospital where he was operated on for the removal of his tonsils. Roads have not been good for auto travel; passenger train have added an extra coach to accommodate the passengers that drive in from the country and neighboring towns. Mr. James Dixon and family are moving to a farm between Lomax and Terre Haute formerly owned by George Clover. Mr. Clarence Sins and family who have been living on the Wm. Vaughn farm but lately purchased by James Lord, moved west of Carman. Margaret Pendry is still on the sick list. Dannenburg Bros. are shelling corn for Dale Davis. Windie McIntire who has been living on the Hugg farm east of the village has moved to the Jim Ermounds? property south of Carman.