The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1915
Stronghurst Graphic: Oct. 21, 1915
CULTURE COMES TO TOWN: Ash Davis, who says that as a school boy he was often punished for doing what he is now paid well for, namely, drawing pictures, entertained a large audience at the Stronghurst U.P.Church last Saturday evening with his crayon work and quaint and humorous philosophy. While most of his drawings were caricatures of various types of individuals good and bad, he demonstrated his ability as an artist by producing a number of beautiful landscapes in colors. He kept the interest of his audience from flagging during a period of about an hour and a half by the fascination of his art and the evening was one of rare enjoyment for those present. The entertainment was the first of a series of four to be given under the auspices of the High School Lecture Course.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Last Monday night some reprobates, youthful or otherwise, removed the covering from a newly laid cement walk which James Wolf had put in that day in front of his new bungalow on Mary St. and defaced the surface of several squares of cement. The act was evidently either one of pure maliciousness or wanton mischief. The public sale of livestock and farming implement conducted by J. W. Sutliff, surviving partner of the firm of Galbraith and Sutliff, near Gladstone at the late Samuel Galbraith farm, was one of the largest and most successful ever held in this county. Wm. Patterson, Frank Crenshaw, Tom Dodds and Jack Saunders attended the old soldiers reunion in Quincy. Col. J.O. Anderson attended also and visited with members of his old regiment in the Civil War. He was accompanied by Dan Peoples. Miss Beulah Fisher has accepted a position as clerk in the local post office and is now familiarizing herself with the duties of the same. Miss Bessie Allison entertained the members of the young Ladies Sewing Club at her home east of town. Rev. Sam McKeown, the returned missionary from Liberia, Africa, will occupy the pulpit of the M.E.Church on Sabbath. Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Harter entertained a number of young people at a social dance given in honor of their guest, Miss Stevens of Sabetha, Kans. (The young lady's father had originally lived in Henderson County and had gone west with the Fulton family when they left Warren.) The Christian Church property in Raritan is to be sold at public auction tomorrow. J. K.Holiday of Kirkwood exhibited his handsome Allerton road stallion, Belford R, in the horse show.
Oct. 28, 1915 HORSE SHOW, A SUCCESS: One of the largest crowd in history of the town attended the horse show in Stronghurst last Thursday. It was the kind of a crowd which any community honors itself in entertaining, representing the best type of citizenship of this and a number of neighboring counties-the substantial, well bred, intelligent and progressive class which stands for the higher ideals in civic, social, economic and industrial affairs and which is interested in things which pertain to the development of the agricultural life of the people-the kind of people moreover who find real enjoyment in the contemplation of beauty, symmetry and suggestion of strength, power of fleetness displayed in the noblest work of God's creation in the animal world aside from man, namely the horse.
They came, not for the kind of diversion afforded by the tawdry features of the ordinary "show" or "carnival;" but for that which educates and instructs as well as entertains. They were not disappointed as they wee permitted to witness an exhibition of as fine a display of horses of the various types produced here or imported from other countries as was ever shown in this section of the state...Entries numbered 115 in various classes and the work of judging(performed by T.W. Moore the well known horseman, formerly of Stronghurst but now of Monmouth) which began early in the forenoon was not completed until nightfall.
While Henderson County horse men won most of the prizes, there were a number carried away by outside exhibitors. In the Draft Stallions above 3 years of age class, Frank Milward of Cameron carried off first prize with his magnificent Belgian Stallion..Keen interest was shown in the contest for the silver loving cup offered for the best weanling draft colt of any breed. This trophy was awared to Tierney & King of Media on their exhibit of a fine black registered Percheron stud colt. The single driving class attracted a lot of attention because of the number of classy quality entries.
While not watching the exhibition, visitors greeted friends and acquaintances. The universal popularity of the enterprise is also demonstrated by the large proportion of the feminine sex which attends. The excellent music discoursed by the Stronghurst band upon a raised platform on the outside of the show ring located in an enclosed space on Broadway on the west side of the village park added to the enjoyment. (A long list of winners was included in this article and if you wish to see if your grandfather showed a winning horse, go to the Henderson County Library and view the microfilm for this day. The library now has a printer/reader so with the click of a button you may have a copy.)
FRED MUDD HURT: As the result of an accident Fred Mudd will probably be deprived of the use of an eye during the remainder of his life. While he was engaged in nailing boards across the doorway of a grain car at the elevator on Monday, a ten penny nail which he had struck a glancing blow rebounded, striking him in the left eye. The nail penetrated the eyeball to a sufficient depth to cause it to stick there. The point of the nail entered the eye ball just at the edge of the iris which was torn loose and badly lacerated. Dr. Marshall was called to attend the sufferer and it was thought best to have him taken to a hospital at once. The accident happened a short time before No. 24 was due at the local station and Fred was taken on that train to Galesburg where he was hospitalized.
After an examination doctors there held out little encouragement as to their being able to save the sight of the eye, but stated there was a possibility of nature affecting such a result. It will be a week before the permanent effect of the injury will be known. The accident was extremely painful and had serious consequences. Fred has the sympathy of the community in his misfortune.
GOLDEN WEDDING: Fifty years ago in Ireland, William Gilliland and Agnes Stevenson were united in the bonds of wedlock. Two years later
the journey of life thus begun together led them to America and to Henderson County, Illinois, which has been their home since. Last Friday, Oct.15th, a host of 140 relatives and friends gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. P.E.Drain with whom the couple of living to celebrated the anniversary of that marriage. In addition to the numerous relatives and friends from this county were Samuel Gilliland and wife of Lacona, Ia., Mannie Vaughn and wife, Catherine Tadlock and Mrs. Mary Thomas of Burlington, Ia., and Mr. and Mrs. William Gilliland, Jr. of Galesburg. Three children, David of Media, John and Mrs. P.E.Drain of Stronghurst together with nine grandchildren and one great grand child were present.
A sumptuous feast contributed by the guests was a prominent feature of the occasion. A large and elaborate wedding cake was designed and constructed by Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland's son John whose skill in the baker's art is well known. The cake was a "four decker" pyramid, 18 inches square, decorated in white and gold and with 50 paraffin candles. Every guest was served with a piece which was as delicious as it was beautiful.
After dinner a general good time was enjoyed by the whole assemblage. Before departing Rev. K.R.Anderson on behalf of those in attendance presented the couple with a purse of nearly one hundred dollars. Amongst the guest were Mr. and Mrs. William Stevenson of Biggsville who "stood up" with the couple at the time of their marriage in Ireland.