The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
ABOUT TOWN: Roy Shook and family have moved from the Mahnesmith building on Broadway to the residence recently vacated by Mr. C. M. Randall. Mrs. Thomas, who resides in the west part of the village, has recently been in poor health. Harold Painter and family have moved from the Nordstrom property in the west part of town to the J. B. Milliken house on Broadway. Mrs. A. E. Francen of Galesburg is having her Stronghurst house in the east part of town remodeled and redecorated. Mr. Mack Dickey is doing the work. Frances Mahaffey, Florence May Finley, Raymond Johnson and Max Veech, all students of Monmouth College, were home for the weekend. The Mudd Motor Co. has recently sold two Ford trucks to Hugo Johnson, a Tudor Sedan to A. D. Mann of Burlington and a touring car to Bert Yaley. H. C. Tutwiler has moved his harness stock and repair shop from the C. H. Building north of the post office to the J. H. Baker residence in the east part of town.
May 12, 1927 HEAD OF MILITARY TRACT ASSOCIATION: Professor L. O. Dawson, principal of Stronghurst Community High School was elected president of the Military Tract Association at a business meeting on Friday, May 6th in the private dining room of Seymour Hall in Galesburg. This is quite an honor and Stronghurst is proud of possessing such an able man to supervise its schools.
ANNOUNCES HIS MARRIAGE: Mr. K. E. Yoakam announced his marriage to Miss Evelyn Moar. Mr. Yoakam was formerly proprietor of a jewelry store in the village. Last summer he quit the business here and left town. His home is now at Beverly Hills, California.
OBITUARY***NELLIE G. MATHERS: Nellie G. Mathers was born on the farm one and on-half miles southwest of Biggsville on August 25, 1881 and died on May 8th at the Cottage Hospital, Galesburg, Ill. at the age of 45 years, 8 months and 13 days. Her death was caused by hyperstatic pneumonia after ten weeks illness. It was her desire to regain her health in her own home. After doing all that could be done in the home, it was deemed best to take her to the hospital where she could receive better care, but her call had come and the power of man could no longer rule.
Nellie G. Mathers was married to Jas. J. Mathers on January 8th, 1908 and since her marriage has lived on the farm 2 ½ miles east of Stronghurst. To this union was born one son, Robert, who with his father, remain to mourn her death. Also, her mother, Mrs. Paul D. Gibb of Biggsville; sisters-Mrs. Jas. Wilson of Biggsville; Mrs. Geo. Marsden of Stronghurst; Mrs. Claude Vaughn of Lomax and two brother, William and Chester Gibb of Biggsville. Her father and one sister, Mrs. Agnes Adair preceded her in death. A large number of nephews and nieces with many friends are saddened over her departure.
Mrs. Mathers attended the Biggsville High School and while a young woman became a member of the United Presbyterian Church. After marriage she moved her membership to the United Presbyterian Church of Stronghurst of which she was an active member…Funeral services were held in the Stronghurst U.P. Church with interment in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.
HAS LIVED 69 YEARS IN THE COUNTY: Mr. George Kemp of Decorra celebrated his 69th birthday and likewise his 69th year in Henderson County on Monday, May 9th. When interviewed, Mr. Kemp told the paper that the longest he had ever been out of the county at one time was not over 30 days. His father, Warren Kemp, also spent his life in Henderson County. He has but one living relative who is older than himself, an aunt, Nancy Graham aged 93 of Gladstone and a pioneer Henderson County settler.
When George was a boy, wild game was plentiful with the exception of deer. There were a few deer at that time and Mr. Kemp says he has seen as many as eight at a time, but they were very shy and it was almost impossible to get near enough to shoot them. Wild turkey were more plentiful in Henderson County than they are now in Florida where wild turkey hunting is a common sport. Mr. Kemp has killed every kind of game which inhabited the county but the bald eagle and the deer. When 12 years old while on a rabbit hunting with his father’s muzzle loader, he killed his first wild turkey. It weighed about 28 pounds and was not fat. When carried with its neck over his shoulder its feet drug in the snow which was about 8 inches deep. Turkeys are easy to capture because when blood is drawn on them, like sheep, they refuse to attempt to escape.
Mr. Kemp is now engaged as a blacksmith at Decorra and has been very successful at his trade. He is also manager of the Decorra elevator. He is an honest and industrious man and a credit to Henderson County. He and his wife have raised a family which have a right to be proud of.
ACCEPT POSITION: Prof. Albert E. Nicholas, teacher of mathematics and athletic director of Stronghurst High School, has accepted the position of principal of the high school at Industry, Ill. for the following school year. Industry is about 11 miles south of Macomb and on the hard road. Its population is over 600 and there are about 130 students enrolled in the high school.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Hubb delivered one of the finest sermons on “Mother’s Day.” On last Wednesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Johnson, a miscellaneous shower was given for Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Pence. A goodly number were present and a very fine display of presents were in evidence. Nice refreshments of fruit salad, wafers and cookies were served. Mr. Wilbur Davis, who has spent the past month with his parents, left for Chicago where he expects to find employment. He was accompanied by his sister, Miss Bessie, who will spend a week there with her sister, Miss Golda and her brother, Lee. They went by Starved Rock and had a very fine overland trip. Mr. Warren Johnson and son left for Texas and Mr. and Mrs. Will Avery have moved into their vacated property. Mr. John Rickles of Des Moines, Ia. have moved into Olena and are occupying part of the Frank Rickles home.
RARITAN REPORTS: Mrs. Arthur Roche has been suffering from an attack of appendicitis. Charles Lind shelled corn on the farm leased from Richard Nevius and occupied by Earl Wickles. Miss Helene Reedy came on the bus to Roseville on Friday afternoon where she was met by her father in order to be present at the April birthday party given by the South Country Club at her home that night. Miss Esther Lind celebrated her last day at the Allison School on Fridya with a picnic; she will teach the Stanley School the coming year.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mother’s Day services were held in the several churches in the village last Sabbath morning. In the Presbyterian Church “The Origin of Mothers’ Day” was given by Rovena Rowley, “Mother’s Rocking Chair” and “My Mother’s Bible: were read by Mrs. Nora Martin. A song entitled, “My Mother” was rendered by a quartette composed of Misses Evelyn and Arlene Dixon, Mr. Ora Smith and Mr. Albert Pearson. Rev. Congdon filled the pulpit for Dr. Murray and paid especial tribute to Mothers in a short talk and reciting the poem “Mother’s Love” before delivering the sermon. In the M.E. Church Mrs. Epperly gave a reading entitled “Mother.” The pastor delivered most interest sermon on “A Great Woman” and special music was by the choir and a special solo, “Mother of Pearl” by Mrs. Charles Dixon. Rev. Caughey, pastor of the U.P. Church delivered a most wonderful Mother’s Day sermon and also special music was furnished by the choir. Mrs. Blanche Henderson and Mrs. H. B. Kelly sang a number of selections entitled “My Mother’s Songs.”
Mrs. J. Y. Whiteman received word of the death of Mrs. Littleson which occurred on May 1st at her home at Pacific, Mo. Mrs. Littleson was a resident of Biggsville several years ago. She was 83 years old at the home of her passing away. Two sons survive, Will and Robert, both living in Pacific with whom she made her home. Burial was in the Pacific Cemetery.
Rev. Fetherstone of the M.E. Church announced Sunday of his resignation as pastor of the congregation which will take effect in June. He will attend summer school in Iowa City and later spending his vacation with his mother, which means absence from his church most of the summer. He resigns now so that arrangements may be made for summer services.
COLMA COMMENTS: Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Jonson and family are enjoying a new Chevrolet Sedan car. Miss Mildred Lant who lives south of her has been employed to teach in the Stone School the coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Galbraith of Perry, Kansas and Mr. C. E. Galbraith of Gladstone were recent callers at the George M. Galbraith home. Walter Furnald, highway commissioner, has been doing considerable road work in the community this past week. Several young girls of Gladstone enjoyed a fishing party and picnic dinner at Weir’ pond Saturday. Those enjoying the occasion were Dorothy Allerdyce, Elizabeth James, Minnie McKinney, Marion Sandy, Dorothy Kessenger and Maude McKinney. Miss Viola McClinton who has been teaching the Olena School closed it for the summer with a picnic with pupils and parents on the Olena church lawn; she will be employed for another school year. Seven girls from Biggsville enjoyed a picnic supper under the Elms Saturday evening.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: The National Airway System has completed another plane for a man who owns different oil fields in Oklahoma. He is going to have the use of the plane to travel from one field to another. Mrs. Effie Pence closed her term at Millville School with a picnic. Mr. Wm. Freeland and R. J. Porter started Tuesday morning for Louisville, Kentucky to attend the races; they are making the trip in Mr. Porter’s car.
PIONEER EXPIRES: Mr. Elisha Thomas Herndon passed away at his home in Gladstone at 10:40 o’clock last Thursday night after a lingering illness since last December. Mr. Herndon was born in Oquawka on Oct. 2, 1858. He was the son of the late E. N. and Sarah Herndon. He untied in marriage to Miss Laura B. Figg of Gladstone 35 years ago, the anniversary being observed last Wednesday. To this union three children were born: Mrs. Badie L. Goldver, Baxter Springs, Kan.; Thomas Lester of Chicago and Charles R. of New London, Conn., all of whom with the widow survive. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Louis M. of Davenport; E.M. of San Franciso and Mrs. E. W. Brown of Mitchell, Nebr. Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church of which Mr. Herndon had been a member for the past 30 years. Interment was in the Biggsville Cemetery.
FARM BUREAU BALL TEAM ORGANIZED: The Henderson County Farm Bureau Baseball boys held their first meeting and made arrangements for playing this season. At a meeting in Peoria, the state was districted and Henderson and Warren Counties were placed in a district by themselves. The state championship game will be played this year at Mooseheart and they are up on their toes to win a chance to play there. Otto Steffey was chosen as Manager of the team and Dale Galbraith will be captain. Scheduling of games will be handled by Dale and any team wishing to cross bats with the Henderson County boys should get in touch with him at Gladstone or telephone through Biggsville. (Henderson County had a reputation of having an outstanding team.)
SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS MEET: The County S.S. officers held a business meeting in Stronghurst with Mr. Clarence Gibb, county president in charge. It was voted to have the County S.S. Banquet, which was to have been held last winter in Lomax and was postponed on account of bad roads and weather, to be held some time the first of June.
NEW OIL STATION BEING ERECTED: Mr. A. E. Moore and his force of men have been busy putting in a concrete foundation for the new oil station for the Henderson-Warren Oil Co. just north of the Illinois Oil Co. supply station on the Santa Fe right-of-way. The foundation is now completed and work will be commenced immediately upon the warehouse which will be a building 20 x 30ft. The company will put in two 20,000 vertical tanks to hold their oil supply and electric motors will be used to pump the oil from the tanks into the truck tanks for delivery to consumers.
BI-COUNTY MEET TO BE BIG: The closest contest in several years for first place in the Henderson-Warren Bi-County Meet is expected tomorrow. Showings made in previous meets this spring would seem to indicate that Stronghurst and Roseville will have a very close race for the championship with Biggsville playing the role of “dark horse,” and liable to carry away a good many points. Under favorable weather conditions the track at Sanderson’s field will be very fast and several records should be broken. The meet will start at 2 p.m. with Coach Hart of Monmouth College and a corps of assistants from their officiating.
Kenneth Sanderson, Stronghurst High senior, who won the half mile race at the Military Tract Association meet in Galesburg last Friday could lower the record of the Bi-County Association considerable. He ran in 2:07 9/10 at Galesburg, very close to record time for that track. Of course, on a dirt track he may not run quite that fast, but as the Bi-County record is 2:10 4-5, he is expected to lower that mark at least two seconds. Walter Woodward, another Stronghurst boy who won the discus throw at the Military Tract has been throwing consistently around 110 feet and should threaten this present mark of 113 feet. Kilgore of Biggsville has been performing close to five minutes in the mile this year and is expected to break the present time of 4;58 7-10. In the running broad jump are athletes from Roseville, Biggsville, and Kirkwood who are all jumping close to the record of 20 ft. 7 inches; there is a strong likelihood that this mark will also be broken.
Aside from the fast performances to be expected in these events a number of extremely close races and field events are expected. In the dashes a great duel between Smith of Roseville and Harvey of Stronghurst is expected. In the high jump it is probable that there will be a number tied for first place as athletes from Biggsville, Stronghurst, Roseville and Kirkwood are all reaching veey nearly the same mark in this event. In the pole vault Kelly of Kirkwood is expected to push “Lizzie” Smith of Stronghurst.
Stronghurst rooters expect Woodward to take the shot and discus events and Smith the javelin and pole vault with Sanderson winning the 880. Stronghurst is considered to have an advantage over Roseville providing all the local boys perform to standard. Harvey will be a strong threat in the dashes taking second if not first while other Stronghurst entries who should at least place in their events are Lowell Leinbach in the 400, Decker in the high jump, Gibb in the mile and Dowell in the hurdles. The relay race will be close as usual with Stronghurst holding a slight advantage in that event by virtue of their showing at the Military Tract. At Galesburg the Stronghurst quartet ran third behind the fast Knoxville and Aledo teams, beating by a considerable margin Roseville and Biggsville, their closet Bi-County rival in the relay. However, if either Roseville or Biggsville gets the advantage of the inside track, the relay race will be a close one. If Stronghurst wins the cup this year, it will be their third year for this one and they will get to keep it.
While Stronghurst and Roseville are generally believed to be the strongest contender for first place, Alexis, Kirkwood and Biggsville have enough good athletes so that the “Dope” may be completely upset by some of these schools taking points that the Stronghurst teams need to win. The meet should be very close up to the last event, and it is possible that tie might result in which case the winner of the relay would take the meet. Unless there is a tie, the relay does not count for points in the meet.
BLIND BOONE COMING: The famous Blind Boone will give a concert Thursday night, May 19th at the Christian Church in Stronghurst. He is full of music and virtually makes the piano talk. He makes the piano sound like a violin, a music box, a banjo, a guitar, an incoming train, a cyclone and his Marshfield tornado is a masterpiece. Blind Boone plays the latest compositions of other artists as well as his own and his concerts are decidedly worth hearing. Plan to be there.
CARMAN CONCERNS: Mrs. Wm. Dixon still remains in Corydon, Iowa at her brother’s home as Mrs. Ray is in poor health. Mrs. Lela White and children and Mrs. Floy Warner returned to their home at Mobile, Alabama after spending a few months with their sister and family, Mrs. Golda Babcook and also their mother, Mrs. Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Lancton of Chicago made a flyng trip here last Saturday to visit relatives and returned Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Wright returned from Minnesota after visiting a week with her sister and family.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Manly Vern Wood is one of the latest victims of measles. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilcox a baby daughter who will be known as Miss Darlene. Mr. J. R. Stanley, a former resident of Stronghurst, now living at Dexter, New Mexico was greeting old friends here. Mr. John Peterson who has been ill with the measles at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Anna Swanson, has recovered sufficiently to return to his work. Miss Francis Fitz, a former Maple Grove girl, has been employed as one of the instructors in the Terre Haute grade school for the coming year. Dean Cortelyou shipped two car loads of cattle and the Coop two cars of hogs to Chicago on Monday. Mr. Cortelyou accompanied the shipments. Mr. Chester Brokaw is attending Brown’s Business College at Ft. Madison, Iowa. Mrs. Ruby Butler entertained at dinner her nieces, Mrs. Opal Wiegand of Biggsville, Mrs. Hazel Howell of Stronghurst and nephew, Mr. John Stine and Mr. Fibert of Chicago. Miss Gertrude Gibb and friend, Mr. Merton, Bauld of the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Ill, came last Saturday for a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Gibb; the students returned Sunday afternoon by train. Little Ermal Peterson, daughter of Mrs. Rose Peterson, who had measles some three weeks ago is in very critical condition. Dr. McKitterick of Burlington, Iowa, was called for a consultation with Dr. Hoyt of Raritan. She was taken to the Burlington Hospital for treatment.
RETURNED FROM CRUISE: Rev. C. S. McClure, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church after a three months’ cruise on the Mediterranean, arrived in Quebec, Canada on May 7th and was in Chicago May 9th and arrived here May 10th. On his cruise he visited Maderia Islands, Spain, Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jugo-Slavia, Italy and England. When he was at Gibraltar, he and two others went in a small rowboat across St. Paul’s Bay to the Statue of St. Paul, which is erected on the small island where St. Paul was shipwrecked. (His stories of his cruise are in the Graphic.)
GOOD DEED DONE: The Masonic Grand Lodge of Illinois has donated $10,000 for flood relief to sufferers. The Stronghurst Lodge at their evening meeting donated $50 to this cause. The Treasurer of the Stronghurst branch of the Red Cross chapter of Henderson Count has sent checks to Mr. Brooking at Oquawka for the needy flood sufferer. Good Fellowship club of this village gave $15 and the Red Cross members $15.
MEDIA BROADCASTER in the GRAPHIC-SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NEWS: The total collections for the flood relief fund taken up at the Media United Church Sunday morning amounted to around $25. It was necessary to haul 35 tons of gravel in the mud hole in the mile road south of town. That together with the labor that was required to fix this place has amounted to a hefty sum and they have not completed the work. All the tile was taken up and placed back to the best of their knowledge. Many more places in the nearby Media roads will take lots of work and money to make them in shape for cars. Dorothy Rankin and John Lynch, pupils of the Barry School each have won five spelling certificates which means 100 perfect spelling lessons. Miss LaVelle is their teacher. Clifford Adair, who has taught at the Stone School north of town, closed a very successful term with the students and parents gathering at the school house for the annual picnic. Archie Heap has purchased a new tractor and accomplished lots of work during the nice days last week. Miss Goldie Heap has been hired to teach the school at Jackson Corners in Warren County for the coming year. Mrs. F. I. Baskett’s father, Mr. Holder, who is at her home, has suffered a stroke of paralysis and is in very critical condition. Mr. Holder took a slight stroke Tuesday and was not much alarmed, but in the night a severe attack completely crippled his left side.