The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
AULD LANG SYNE (March 27, 1902) Bert Neff of Gladstone drank carbolic acid and died at his home Friday or Saturday. Neff owned a 10-acre tract known as the old distillery property in the northeast part of Gladstone and lived there alone. Melvin Royse was in the habit of supplying him with milk and Friday evening he left a bucket of milk sitting on the doorstep as the door was locked and there appeared to be no one at home. He returned Saturday evening and still no one was in sight and the bucket of milk had not been disturbed. When he returned Sunday morning, the same conditions were found. He called a neighbor and the two men pried a window and raised a curtain. Mr. Neff lay on his bed dead. An empty bottle in which had been carbolic acid was found beside the bed and Neff’s lips and mouth were seared with the fluid. Coroner Emerson reported the verdict of the jury to be that Neff came to his death by the use of poison administered with suicidal intent. The act was a complete surprise to his neighbors. The deceased was an uncle of Carl Lavien of Stronghurst.
The Firemen’s ball given at Beardsley’s Hall Thursday evening was largely attended and a success. The Stronghurst brass band was reorganized with J.T . Maxey as leader. John Gilliand of Russell, Ia. reported the arrival of a fine son at his home about three weeks ago. The Dallas City hotel was quarantined with small pox which was quite prevalent in the Middle West at that time. Around Terre Haute oats sowing was in full blast.
1927 CARMAN CONCERNS: Several of nearby farmers are busy planting oats. Members of the Rebekah lodge reported a fine social evening at their last regular meeting. Mrs. Maggie Anderson and son Wayne left for their new location at Canton, Ohio where she will take work in the hospital. Mrs. Violet Leiser and daughter Delius and Mrs. Frank Marsden and children are reported on the sick list.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. Mae Woodward and Mrs. Ernest Putney and sons returned from Nebraska and Iowa where they visited relatives. Mrs. Woodward attended the funeral of her sister. Mr. A. E. Moore and his carpenters are building a seed house on the hard road two miles east of Biggsville for Mr. Edgar Lewis. Mrs. Ruby Butler received word that her cousin, Miss Julia Barnes, who is in the employ of the Bell Telephone Co. at Rockford, was under quarantine for scarlet fever. Miss Doris Dixon is among the Honor students at Monmouth College this past semester. Miss Jennie Galbraith is again stricken with a severe attack of eczema. Mr. and Mrs. John Peterson have moved from near Bowen, Ill. to Stronghurst and are now living with Mrs. Peterson’s mother, Mrs. Swanson. Mrs. Flo Myers and children returned to their Indiana home. C. E. Spiker, who has employment in Galesburg, accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr. R. B. Chase, and nephew, Master Jimmie Browning, were dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Spiker last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Will Ogden moved from the upstairs rooms they have been occupying in the Davis building on Broadway to their own residence in the east part of town.
MEDIA BROADCASTOR: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sullivan are the proud parents of a new son March 22nd. Goldie Heap, Lillian Mink and William Pogue are home from Monmouth College for spring vacation. Mrs. George Hickman has been suffering with rheumatism. Mrs. Aaron Erickson is confined to her bed due to a nervous breakdown. A Girls’ Glee Cub Concert will be held at the high school Thursday evening. Fifteen cents admission will be charged. A very successful benefit was held in the gymnasium Saturday afternoon and evening for the Media Picture Show. The Community very generously donated to and patronized a food sale. Lunch was served and a sum of $30 was realized.
RARITAN NEWS IN THE BROADCASTER: C.S. Brokaw and Bert Russeler were among the farmers who shipped hogs with the cooperative shipper’s association. Harold Simonson shelled corn on the Cecil Brook place. Will Reedy sawed wood Friday and Saturday. Lyle Gray has been having considerable trouble with sores on his arm. Jake Neff hauled clover. Cliff McKeown carried the mail last week on rural route one while Joe Huff and his horses took a brief vacation.
WEDDING BELLS-ANDERSON & PAINTER: Miss Frances Anderson and Mr. John Painter were united in marriage at 7:30 o’clock Tuesday evening, April 5th; the affair took place at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson in the west part of town. Rev. Rostrom of Terre Haute performed the ceremony. Mrs. Painter is a graduate of Stronghurst High School and has since had clerical work in Chicago. Mr. Painter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Painter, north of Terre Hute. He graduated from the Terre Haute High School and attended Illinois Wesleyan College at Bloomington, Ill. On Wednesday evening, a large number of their newlyweds’ friends gathered at the Carl Painter home to extend congratulations. Mr. and Mrs. Painter will make their home of the Mrs. Maud Moore farm near Terre Haute.
HIS BARN BURNED! One of the best large barns in Henderson County of Carl Painter’s which was located on his farm south of Stronghurst and near Terre Haute was destroyed and most of its contents by fire last Thursday evening. Mr. Painter informed us that it was about a $10,000 loss, the contents being valued at $2,500. Mr. Painter said he supposed the fire was started by lightning. A great deal of farm equipment as well as grain was lost. The only articles rescued from the basement were two saddles. Some 3,000 ears of seed corn, 200-300 bushels of ear corn, seed oats, harness and implement were also destroyed. Insurance to the amount of $2,000 was carried with the Dallas City Farmers’ Mutual.
Fortunately, no livestock were burned, but the dog ran into the burning building and could not be persuaded to come out. Its body was found among the ruins after the fire had spent itself.