The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
CHECKING OUT THE FACTORY: On Tuesday morning 14 local business men motored to New Boston to make the second investigation of the United Food Co. plant. The party was composed of Chas. E Fort, Jr., Otto Steffey, R. W. Upton, A. E. Moore, A. F. Kaiser, J. S. McMillan, N. B. Curry, Edw. Logan, Joe Dixson, C. M. Bell, W. C. Regan, E. R. Grandey, Dr. I. F Harter and A. E. Jones.
Arriving at New Boston about nine o’clock, the party drove immediately to the outskirts of the village and inspected the greenhouse which was in charge of Mr. Sam. Zeiger, brother of Mr. George Zeigler, manager of the factory. The greenhouse occupies a planting space of 200x 20 ft. and the first planting of cabbage is coming up, three-quarters of a million seed being used. The heat for the greenhouse is furnished by a large Marine boiler which sends its seam through pipes which run the full length and width of the building. When the early cabbage is disposed of, tomato The next place of interest was the factory which occupies a space of 128x100 ft. The boiler room which contains a Scotch Marine type boiler is 30x40 ft. The original plant was 128x 50, but as business grew, a new addition was built which makes the plant 128x100 ft., the size of the one which will be built in Stronghurst if the shares can be sold. Large vats contain pickles which are in the process of becoming dill or sweet ones. Six thousand bushels are now on hand and have a ready market.
The process of canning pumpkins is interesting: the pumpkins are put into a large machine and cut up and seeded; they are then taken to a chute. From there they go to a cooker, pulp machine and finisher and filler where it comes out the finished product for canning. About ten bags of pumpkin seed are on hand and are dried in bags hanging up near the ceiling. Next year they propose to install a dryer which Mr. Zeiler claims will save from $500-$600 worth of seed. About $3,000 to $4,000 in labels are on hand at all times. One large vat in the factory is large enough to held 50 tons of kraut.
The gentlemen were entertained at the noon hour at one of the good hotels of the town and were privileged to taste of some of the canned goods put up by the factory which were excellent. After dinner, matters were taken up with the manager about locating a branch factory in Stronghurst and the gentlemen, finding everything favorable, will boost the proposition. Mr. Zeigler will be in town the first of the week.
The party, in talking with New Boston business men and farmers, find that the factory is a great asset to the community and furnishes employment for a large number of people. Finding enough houses for people is a problem and new building is the offing.
At the meeting of the Good Fellowship Club to be held tomorrow Friday night, Feb. 25,th a committee will be appointed to assist Mr. Zeigler with the sale of stock. It can become a reality if all will do their part and it means a great asset to the community.
OBITUARY-CLYDE ALVA ANDERSON: Clyde Alva Anderson, eldest of the four children of Alva and Anna Murray Anderson, was born July 3, 1898 near Decorra, Illinois on the farm still occupied by his father and died February 16, 1927, aged 28 years, 7 months and 13 days. Practically his whole life was spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. His education was obtained in the Peasley and Maple Grove rural schools and Stronghurst High School. Since finishing school, he has been engaged in farming near Decorra.
On February 18, 1920 he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Lurany Dixon. To this union one child, Wayne, was born on April 29, 1922. They are left to mourn his departure besides his father, mother, wife and son, three sisters: Mrs. Rhoda Wolford, Biggsville, Ill.; Mrs. Lois Coy, Decorra, Ill. and Mrs. Hazel Dixon, Carman, Ill. in addition to many other relatives and scores of friends.
The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at the Maple Grove Church, Rev. J.A. Mahaffey of the United Presbyterian Church of Stronghurst officiating. Music was furnished by a quartette composed of Mrs. Helen Ross, Mrs. Veda Annegers, Wm. Powell and Ben Powell. In spite of the almost impassible condition of the roads, a large number of people were present to pay their last respects to the deceased and the church was filled to overflowing. Pallbearers were Ray Chandler, Dale Kemp, Estel Mudd, Wm. Ottoson, Frank Johnson and Roy Hofstatter. Interment was in the Carman Cemetery.
Those attending from a distance were Mrs. Lena Dixon Walker, Canton, Ohio; Mrs. Elzina Moreland, Sherburn, Minn.; Mrs. Blanche Ferguson, Ainsworth, Nebr.; Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Ray, Oskaloosa, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hofstatter, Monica, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brehn and Raymond Brehn, Burlington, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Huggins, Smithshire, Ill.
TWO NEW STORES: Beardsley Brothers, dealers in clothing, furnishings and footwear have dissolved their partnership. As a result, Stronghurst now has two new stores, both to be conducted in the same building, formerly occupied by the partners (today, where Wilson & Associates have their office on South Broadway). Mr. M.E. Beardsley will conduct a clothing and furnishing store and as he is will experienced in this line, will no doubt manage a business worthy of a very large patronage. He has been in the clothing business in Stronghurst for the past 29 years, the first and last of nine of which have been in partnership with his brother Earl. Mr. E. F. Beardsley will conduct a footwear and hosiery store. About 20 years ago he went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where with his brother Charles Beardsley, conducted an exclusive shoe business for some 11 years. He met with good success there, but the lure of home was too strong and he came back to Stronghurst and again went into partnership with M. E. His experience in the shoe business will put the proprietor of the new store in an excellent position to conduct a first-class footwear and hosiery store…