The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1913
by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, April 3, 1913
FLOODS AND MUSIC AT OXFORD: The Misses Mary Montieth and LaVerna Dixson returned to Western College which is located at Oxford, Ohio. The Western college girls philosophically unpacked their trucks, which had been checked for the spring vacation journey, and settled down to lessons again when the little town of Oxford found itself cut off on all sides by the floods last week.
One interesting feature of these anxious days was the sojourn of the celebrated Belgian violinist, Ysaye, at the college. This noted artist had given a recital in town and was the guest of the composer, Edgar Stillman-Kelly. Unable to continue on with his tour, he contented himself, however, with playing some of his most wonderful numbers in a delightfully informal way for the enthusiastic college girls who were never far from the Stillman-Kelley studio during the violinist's stay at the college.
HAIR SWITCHES: Three stem wavey switches, pure human hair, made by exclusive manufactures and refiners. Prices according to weight. Bring in your combings and get yourself a switch of your own hair. All work guaranteed.ÑMrs. E.R. Hutchings
POPULATION STATISTICS FOR HENDERSON: From a census bulletin just received dealing with the composition and characteristics of the population of the state of Illinois, the following concern Henderson County: Total-9,724; white 9,709; Negro 15; native white (native parentage) 7,710; native with (foreign parentage) 855; native white (mixed parentage) 590; and foreign born, white 554. Native white with native parentage 79.3%; native white with foreign and mixed parentage 14.9%; foreign born, white 5.7% and Negro 0.2%.
The total male voting population of the county is given as 2,845 and of these 91 or 3.2% are listed as illiterates (can't read or write). The percentage attending school between the ages of 6 and 20 is given as 74.2% and in this particular we stand in the front rank of counties in the state; the above percentage being exceeded by none, and equaled by only two namely, Jasper and McDonough Counties.
TOWNSHIP ELECTION: So far as this township was concerned, the election held proved to be one of the most closely contested affairs of the kind held since township organization was adopted in the county. This was due to the fact that there were three full tickets in the field with candidates for each office who had more or less a strong personal following.
The percentage of "straight" tickets voted, however, was not as large as might reasonably have been expected under these conditions: 25 democrats, 5 progressives and 19 republicans marked in the circle alone and 137 "split" tickets. The results was 3 democrats, 3 republicans, and 1 progressive were elected to fill the various offices.
C.H. Curry, the progressive, was elected supervisor; J.W. Stine, the republican, was elected road commissioner while J.W.McElhinney, a democrat, won the school trusteeship. George J. Morgan, a republican, and James Bowen, a democrat were elected Justices of the Peace with Bert Putney, a republican, and Willis Keener, a democrat, were high men for the office of constable.
Supervisors elected in 5 of the 11 townships in the county were as follows: Carman, Fred Rehling, (D); Media, Edgar Lewis (P); Rozetta, C.B.Duke (P); Terre Haute, F.E. Painter (R). This will make the composition of the next county board 6 republicans, 3 progressives and 2 democrats.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. Del Dixson was taken to the Galesburg hospital and underwent an operation for appendicitis; she is recovering nicely.
J.A.Hickman of New York City, a half brother of Mrs. J.N.Salter, is visiting in town. Walter Gould and Joe Crist were in town searching for clover seed. J.W.Schenck, wife and son Glen, departed for Alberta, Canada, where they expect to spend the summer.
E.G. LeValley and sons, Donald and William, left for California with their car of household goods, implements and stock. They will be joined by other family members in the sunset state.
On returning home in the east part of town late, Allie Bruce discovered a prowler trying to effect an entrance to the house. Allie hunted up village marshal Putney and when the two returned the would-be-house breaker made a dash out of a small covered porch. The marshal called for him to halt and the summons being unheeded, opened fire with his revolver on the fleeing man. The shots failed to take effect, however, and the prowler escaped in the darkness. He was recognized by both Bruce and Putney as a local character of rather shady reputation and there may be later developments to the affair. [In a small town, most know who does what.]
Mrs. E.A.Kessler will open up a dress making parlor in the front rooms of Mrs. Ed Parrish's dwelling on Broadway.
Mrs. John P. Jones of Oquawka met a horrible death. While burning some dry grass in the yard at her home, her clothing became ignited and before help arrived she was so badly burned that she died in a few hours. Her husband is employed at the button factory in town and there are three little children in the family left motherless.
In Biggsville, Dave Shook has added a new bath room and fixtures to his home which will be quite a convenience. In Decorra, Mr. L.E. Hamlett has gone to Kansas to visit his parents. Roy Moore has taken his place as agent at the depot and Delbert Kemp as operator.
Charlie Babcook and family, who have been living at Keithsburg, shipped their household goods to the New City where they expect to make their future home. [Lomax]
The many friends of Ray Jarvis will be pleased to learn that he is getting along nicely after his operation at the Ft.Madison hospital for appendicitis. [So many operations for appendicitis; was it an epidemic?]
Chas. Cargill and family will be departing for their new home in northern Iowa. Near Terre Haute Frank Myers lost two Jersey cows; they were poisoned by eating white lead. Josh Smith is the new clerk at the Hotel Lomax; the New City grows daily.