The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1913
Stronghurst Graphic, October 29, 1914
DIXSON-PEASLEY WEDDING: The beautiful home of Mrs. Mary Dixson was the scene of a delightful function on Oct.22nd when the destinies of Miss LaVerna, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Dixson, were united with those of Mr. John H.Peasley, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E.Peasley of this place. About 75 friends and relatives witnessed the ceremony, which was performed beneath a bower of smilax, ferns and yellow chrysanthemums in the bay window of the library of the spacious home. All of the lower rooms of the house were beautifully decorated with smilax, autumn leaves and pink and yellow roses. Previous to the ceremony Miss Mary Dixson and Miss Marjorie Thompson of Foosland, Ill., rendered vocal selections, the former singing "What Is Love?" and the latter "Oh, Perfect Love." Miss Marie Kettering of Monmouth then took her place at the piano and as the strains of Lohengrens wedding march floated forth the bride descended the front stairway leaning upon the arm of her eldest brother, Mr. George Dixson and preceded by the Maid of Honor, Miss Bernice Lemon of Caremont, Calif. At the foot of the stairway they were met by four of the little nieces and nephews of the bride, Doris and Joseph Dixson and Winifred and Dixson Jones, who proceeded to form an aisle of stain ribbons extending through the parlor to the bower in the library where the ceremony was performed. The little ring bearer Illene Jones preceded the couple.
Beneath the marriage canopy the bridal party was awaited by the groom attended by his brother C. Eugene Peasley of Atlantic, Ia., and the officiating minister Rev. Dr. Kyle of Biggsville. The bride was gowned in silk tulle over ivory satin, trimmed in rose point lace and wore a veil caught up by a coronet of lilies of the valley. She carried a bouquet of bride's roses and lilies of the valley. The Maid of Honor wore pink satin trimmed with pink chiffon and pearls and carried pink roses...
Immediately after the ceremony a buffet wedding supper was served under the direction of Mrs. Eliza Smith of Monmouth...Following this Mr. and Mrs. Peasley left by car about 10:30 amidst a shower of rice for Biggsville, Ill. from which they left on a wedding tour which will include the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky and other interesting points.
The bride was born and reared in Stronghurst. She was educated in the Stronghurst public and high schools and attended Monmouth College and Western College, Oxford, Ohio. She is an accomplished musician. The groom is a young man of sterling worth and has for a number of years successfully operated one of the Peasley farms, situated five miles southwest of Stronghurst. He and his bride will make their home on this farm...
MEREDITH LOVITT MARRIED: Meredith Lovitt arrived from Scott's Bluff, Neb., bringing a new bride with him. None of his old friends and associates here had been apprised of the fact that he was contemplating matrimony and the knowledge came as a complete surprise to every one except his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.D.Lovitt. The bride was formerly Miss Sarah Veronica O'Connor and is the daughter of a real estate dealer of Scotts Bluffs. The happy couple are on their wedding journey to Illinois and have not fully decided as to where they will locate. Mr. Lovitt has a good position with a clothing firm in Scotts Bluffs, but his friends are hoping the couple may decided to make their permanent residence here.
EARLY STRONGHURST-1899: R.C. Henry announced that he had bought out the Stronghurst Lumber Yard. Miss Flora McIntyre married a Mr. Flynn, a railroad man from Denver, Colo. Jasper and Albert Kimmit, two boys from Squirrel Ridge succeeded in getting themselves arrested for administering a drubbing with a hedge club to James Bowen of the Decorra neighborhood. The New Presbyterian church in Stronghurst was dedicated Oct.27th by Dr. Hanna of Monmouth, Rev. Renwick of Biggsville and Rev. McConnell of Kirkwood. At Gladstone Edward White of Mt. Pleasant, Ia.,committed suicide. The deceased was a farm hand who had become infatuated with a girl living at the home of his employer and ended his life by taking poison because the girl refused his attention.
MRS. R.M.BELL DIES: Word was received from Sheridan, Wyo. of Mrs. Lulu Bell, wife of R.M.Bell who is the son of Mr. W.L. Bell of Manhattan, Kans., and a brother of Chas. M. Bell of Stronghurst. Lulu Gilbert of Bloomfield, Iowa, was married to Mr. Bell at Tarkio, Mo. something like 10 years ago and about a year later they moved to Wyoming. The deceased had been in failing health for several months and spent the past summer at Rock Island, Ill, taking hospital treatment. Her remains were taken to Bloomfield, Ia., where funeral services were conducted...
BAND BOYS ENTERTAIN: The Stronghurst band entertained about 75 men of the community at a reception and smoker given at the Odd Fellows hall. The boys had arranged liberally for the enjoyment of their guests and the evening passed all too quickly for those in attendance. A fine luncheon was served and games such as Progressive whist furnished a diversion from the thoughts of business affairs. Several selections rendered by the band enlivened the occasion. The guests on their departure were unanimous in the decision that the band boys are royal entertainers.
PFANSCHMIDT FOUND INNOCENT: Ray Pfanschmidt was found not guilty of murdering his sister by a McDonough County jury at Macomb. The young man was convicted of the crime by an Adams County jury at Quincy about a year ago, but an appeal to the Supreme Court resulted in the case being remanded for a new trial.
Pfanschmidt was accused of murdering his father, mother and sister and a young lady school teacher who boarded with the family and of then burning the house to destroy the evidence of his crime. Although there are indictments hanging over him for each separate murder, it is not likely that the remaining ones will now be pushed and it is predicted that the young man will not only soon be free, but that he will come into the possession of the inheritance left by his father, the courts having decided that he cannot be deprived of the same.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Charles Huggins and family who recently arrived from Pennsylvania have become residents of Stronghurst and are living in the Geo.Kemp property now owned by I.H.Brokaw. Mrs. Huggins is a sister of Mr. Geo. Shafer. The Wever Academy at Media is issuing a monthly Academy paper. The new publication is a four column folio of attractive appearance and judging from the two numbers which have already been issued, ought to take a place in the front rank of journals. The editor is Arthur P. Shook and the business manager Elmer Cooper. Dixson sells the One Minute washing machine. S.O.Lancaster and wife who have been operating the Hotel Hughes for several months held a public sale of their furniture and took their departure for Quincy. They will be succeeded in the hotel by John H. Burchard of Monmouth, a man of business experience and at present proprietor of the Biggsville hotel. The new manager opened his rooms for lodgers and expects to be in a position to begin serving meals within a few days.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: R.A.Wild has moved his store from the Vaughn building to the Real Estate room. The Sunday School convention held at the Christian Church was a success in every way. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Thompson, the newly wedded couple, departed for Newton, Iowa where they will make their future home. T.J. Hunter will shingle the Catholic church on the mound this week.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Pence attended the auto races at Galesburg. Mrs. Floe Tillotson of Stronghurst was in town campaigning as she is running for county superintendent of schools. Mr. and Mrs. James Sandy were visited by the stork who left a fine baby girl to bless their home. A supper and dinner will be served the ladies at the Catholic church on election day at the hall. Mr. Samuel Galbraith is reported in a dying condition at his home. He will be 90 years old on the 6th of November if he lives that long.
FATAL ACCIDENT: J.M.Thompson who lived east of Dallas City died from the effect of an accident which happened to him the preceding week when he was thrown from a wagon loaded with wheat which he was hauling to Dallas City. One of the wheels of the wagon passed over his body as well as the ankle of the right leg, which was fractured in two places. The injured man was taken to his home and surgical aide summoned. His most severe injuries were internal and the proved to be fatal after two days of suffering.