Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.
Stronghurst Graphic, Oct. 31, 1912
KILLED BY THE TRAIN; A valuable registered Hereford calf belonging to N.H. Vaughn, the well-known breeder, was struck by a Santa Fe train near the depot here some time Tuesday night and killed. The calf was one of a lot of five which Mr. Vaughn had brought in for shipment to New Mexico. Before loading, however, he decided to substitute another animal in its place and while being driven back home, it escaped. On account of the growing darkness it was decided to wait until morning before searching for the runaway; but during the night it evidently wandered upon the track. We understand Mr. Vaughn valued the calf at $200.
SCHOOL CONTEST: The freshman class held a deportment contest for the month ending Oct. 25th. The two leaders were Estel Mudd and Guy Leinbach with Mudd's team winning. They were given a weinie roast at Lake Fort with wenies and marshmallows. Games were played and a pleasant time had by all. (Weenies and marshmallows must have been a new novelty to be used for a prize. So new the editor could not decided how to spell the word, i.e. weeny vs wenie.)
CAN IT BE SAVED? The little two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Simpson met with a terrible accident, which may result in the loss of one thumb. The little fellow was playing about a washing machine which his mother was operating when he suddenly thrust one of his little hands into the gearing of the machine. Before his mother could check the motion of the machinery, the cruel cog wheels had caught and crushed the thumb of the hand, almost severing it at the lower joint. The bone was almost mashed off and the thumb left with only some shreds of flesh uniting it to the hand. Drs. Harter and Bond were quickly summoned and at once took up the task of trying to save the injured member with a number of stitches trying to unite the amputated thumb to the hand. While chances are slight that it may be saved, it is to be hoped that such may be the case.
ZERAH KERN DIES: Zerah Kern was born at Terre Haute on April 1, 1859, and died at Decorra on Oct. 19, 1912, his age being 53 years, 6 months, 19 days. He was the second child of John and Mary Kern. His father died in the winter of 1870 at his home in La Harpe, but his mother survives him. He also leaves two brothers, Edgar of Chicago and Charles of Disco, and one half sister, Mrs. Osie Clover of Tipton, Ia. One brother died in infancy and his step-father, John B. Hazelton, died in April 1907 at La Harpe.
Mr. Kern married Eva Wheaton at La Harpe on Dec. 8, 1881, and they lived there until June 1902 when they moved to Decorra. Four children were born to this union: Mrs. Geo. Campbell of Nevada, Mo.; Mrs. Geo. Clover of Carman; and Laura and George who are still at home. He was a charter member of the La Harpe Christian Church, joining at the age of 20... While living in La Harpe, he was in the grocery business and continued in that after moving to Decorra... Burial was in the La Harpe Cemetery. (This is a lengthy article with a picture--unusual for this time period.)
CEMENT IN KEOKUK DAM: To date, 70,344 sacks of cement weighing 73,000,000 pounds have been used. It required 1,026 box cars to haul it and these would make a train 7 1/2 miles long. Over 133,000 cubic yard of cement have gone into the construction of the dam and if this concrete was made up in blocks 3 feet wide by 18 inches thick, it would make a side walk extending from Keokuk to New York and then on to Boston.
J.F. MAINS RETIRES: The senior publisher of this paper has sold his interest to his partner, Mr. A.H. Kershaw. The paper was established in Sept. 1888, and purchased by Mr. Mains in April of 1889. From that date until Dec. of 1910, the same publisher directed the destinies of the paper. Mr. Mains will devote his full attention to his duties as postmaster, an office that has multiplied in responsibility.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Several auto loads of bull Moosers from this vicinity accompanied by the Stronghurst band left for a tour of the county with Judge Franklin and J.F. Williams who are making campaign speeches for the progressives. James Strictland and family and J.B. Lant made an automobile trip to Keokuk. Considerable building is going on in Stronghurst at the present. T.D. Steffey with his force of carpenters and a Galesburg bricklaying gang are rapidly finishing up the Beardsley store and J.W. Hicks has a force of workmen engaged upon a new house being erected for A.H. Kershaw on Cooper St. A basement is being built under the M.E. Church and J.F. Hamburg is having an addition built to his livery stable on Broadway.
In the wrestling match at Keener's hall last Saturday evening between Clarence Miller of Dallas City and Ross Harvey of Stronghurst, the visiting athlete carried off the honors, taking the first fall in eleven minutes and the second in a little less than five. Harvey gave the ex-champion a good tussle, however, and Miller is reported to have said that he was one of the best men he had ever met on the mat. The Dallas City man expressed the opinion that Harvey could get into the championship class with a little more training.
The evangelistic meeting closed at Media with twelve accessions to the church and about $120 raised for Rev. Conn.