The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1917
Stronghurst Graphic, July 5, 1917
QUIET FOURTH: No Fourth of July in recent years has passed with less noisy demonstration or outward and visible evidence of patriotic enthusiasm than the one of the present week. The observance of the day was strictly on the "safe and sane" order, at least as far as the daylight part of the holiday was concerned.
The business and professional men and the larger part of the laboring element knocked off work either during the entire day or during a considerable portion there of, and a large number held themselves away by auto or train to seek recreation and pleasure elsewhere. The day was ideal for auto travel and it is a safe guess that every vehicle of this class in the community was in use.
There was no public observance of the day of any nature and the only public gatherings were at the Lyric theatre where a special vaudeville company held forth in the evening and the Wednesday evening prayer meeting at the M. E. Church.
HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL: F. J .Murphy, who has been in a Chicago hospital where an eye specialist removed a cataract returned home. He is very much encouraged with the results obtained and thinks there will be a complete recovery of sight when the eye has had time to regain its normal functions. He had been in darkness so long that it will take some time for the eye to become habituated to the light. The doctor advises him that it will probably be necessary to keep away from heat and light for 30 days before resuming his trade.
1892GRAPHIC: Luke Vaughan of Carman neighborhood was severely injured by being thrown from a road cart at the driving park during the Fourth of July celebration in Stronghurst. According to the school census of children in the Stronghurst school district 220 person under 21 years of age are found. The number between 6 and 21 in school was 150. A unanimous call was issued to the Rev. John McArthur to become the pastor of the Stronghurst U.P.Church.
The number at the Fourth of July celebration held here during the week was described as the "most tremendous crowd ever seen in Stronghurst."
All of the business houses of the village were represented by "floats" in the grand parade, which was reported as a display "beyond the most hopeful expectations." A "liberty car" containing 44 little girls, representing the 44 states of the Union with Miss Elma Rambo as the "Goddess of Liberty" and George Dixson and Fred Baily as color bears, was one of the features of the procession. The orators for the occasion were the Rev. John McArthur and the Hon. James McKenzie. The Galesburg band furnished the music.
MARRIED IN MONTANA: Friends received word of the marriage at Butte, Mont., of Miss Grace G. Marshall, daughter of Mr. Ralph Marshall, formerly of Stronghurst, to Mr. George Waldrop on June 27th. This was the culmination of a romance began a year ago in New Mexico where Miss Marshall was visiting and where Mr. Waldrop was also sojourning at the time. News of the marriage will come as a surprise to many of the bride's friends, but not to all as some of her more intimate ones had been let into the secret prior to her recent departure for Montana. A number gave her an anti-nuptial shower at the home of Mrs. Grace Johnson some time since. The newlyweds willmake their home in Butte where the groom has employment.
SUDDEN ARRIVAL OF THE ANGEL OF DEATH: GEORGE ODGEN-George Ogden was found lying dead by the side of the bed in his room at the Burg hotel in the village the morning of the 4th. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks but was able to be about the village on the afternoon previous to his death. Early on the 4th he had taken worse and a physician was called to attend him at the hotel. The doctor administered such relief as he was able and left the sick man apparently resting easier. Some time between the doctor's departure and 6 o'clock the summons came as the body was quite cold and stiff at that hour when the landlady, Mrs. Burg, looked in to see how Mr. Ogden was doing. The physician's certificate assigns asthma as the cause of death.
George Ogden was the son of William and Malinda Ogden and was born in Hancock County, Ill. Aug. 23, 1853, being 65 year, 7 months and 23 days old at the time of his death. He married Eliza Guy of Gladstone and she preceded him in death in August 1908. Most of his life was spent in this
vicinity, he having conducted a restaurant and livery business in Stronghurst, a hotel and livery at Gladstone, and a livery business at Smithshire during various periods. He was a member of the Order of Red Men, holding a membership certificate in the Burlington, Ia. Lodge. He is survived by his brothers, Lafe of Washington, Doug of Lincoln, Nebr., and Luther and Will of Stronghurst besides numerous more distant relatives. Funeral services will be conducted at the Stronghurst M.E.Church with burial in the village cemetery.
ABE LINCOLN TRAIL MEETING: All people in the community interested in the location of the Abe Lincoln Trial between Raritan and Olena are requested to meet in the Stronghurst Club rooms on Monday evening at 8 p.m. It is hoped that differences which arose regarding the roads to be followed, will be amicably settled making it possible to start the work at raising funds and arranging for the necessary improvements to be made on the trail.
COMMUNITY DAY AT OLD BEDFORD: Next Sunday is community Sunday at Old Bedford beginning at 11:15 with an address delivered on community interests and needs followed by a regular communion service. Then at one o'clock a big basket dinner will be served accompanied by all the visiting and sociability that goes with one of the Old Bedford basket dinners. In the afternoon, Elder Ward E. Hall of Blandinsville will deliver another community address. Special music by both orchestra and vocal talent will be featured.- E.E.Catlin
***OBITUARY***MRS. JAMES KANE: Mrs.James Kane died at her home in Media Friday, June 29th after a lingering illness. Kathryn Kearney Kane was born in County Roscommon, Ireland in 1836.
When a young girl she went to England where she lived for five and one-half years and then started for America. She settled in New Jersey where she resided for three years later settling in Beloit Wisconsin on Feb.4, 1836( this is the date the paper printed but is incorrect)
She went to Joliet, Illinois to live and where their two sons John and Will were born. For the last 50 years they have resided in Media and here their sons, Frank and James were born. On Feb.4, 1913 Mr. And Mrs. Kane celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and relatives and friends helped this estimable couple celebrate.
Mrs. Kane leaves to mourn her loss, her husband and four sons, John, Will, Frank and James, a nephew, Anthony Kane, whom she raised since childhood, ten grandchildren, one brother and one sister, Michael Kearney and Mrs. Margaret Hiney, both of Joliet, Ill. One brother, Patrick Kearney, died March 20, 1916.
The funeral was held at St. Patrick's church near Raritan with burial in
the St. Patrick's Cemetery. Pall bearers were Charles Leary, Wm. Kane, James McCleary, James Callow and Edward Larkins. Out of town relatives at the funeral were: Mr. And Mrs. Will Kane of Chicago, Mr. And Mrs. Michael Kearney, Mrs. T.F.Egan, Mrs. Margaret Hiney, Mrs. Peter Bannon, Mrs. Mary Cromin, Celia and Nellie Cronin and Mrs. Helena Morrisey, James Kane, Mr. And Mrs. John Kane of Fairfield, Ia., Mr. And Mrs. Frank Kane and family and Mr. And Mrs. Anthony Kane.
LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: M.F.T. Schierbaum and family left for a two weeks vacation with relatives and friends at St.Louis making the trip by auto. W.C.Regan and family are taking a 10 day vacation among relatives at Elmwood, Ill.
Three young men in this vicinity volunteered and were examined for military service. All but one, Norton Marshall, passed the physical and he has qualified for the Navy. T.C.Knutstrom and Joe Long went to Chicago to pick up a new Buick purchased by the former. They were accompanied home by Mrs. August Andree and little child, who will spend a few days at the home of the lady's brother, Mr. M.E.Beardsley.
Mr. John A. Widney of Alpha accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. E.B.Conant of Boston, Mass., arrived her for a visit at the home of Mr. Widney's son, B.G.Widney. Bert Putney who several weeks ago enlisted under the colors, was appointed to the commissary department with instructions to report for duty to a cantonment in Michigan. James Sutliff,
Stronghurst's up-to-date liveryman, has purchased a fine modern auto-hearse which he expect to place in service for funeral occasions in Stronghurst and adjacent towns of this county.
The car is now in the hands of a finisher and when completed will be a beautiful piece of workmanship as well as a valuable asset to Mr. Sutliff's business. Married in Burlington Mr. Roy Stimpson and Miss Matilda Siens.A number of families spent their holiday at Lake Fort.
Anyone who happened to be there in the afternoon or evening could not help but wonder why a park of this character where there is abundance shade, the finest spring water, luxuriant blue grass, excellent boating, fishing and an absence of the innumerable hordes of mosquitoes, a place where the entire family from the smallest child to the oldest grandfather, can enjoy themselves, all within a half mile of the village limits, does not more strongly appeal to many of our best families when seeking a few hours outing than does the mosquito infested, weedy overflow lands of the Mississippi River bottoms.
Perhaps, Lake Fort is not distinguished by expensive club houses which in some cases furnish indulgences which would with propriety be practiced at home, but if a small amount of the money expended along the bayons of the Mississippi were spent here, one of the most attractive places for the entire family could be provided and its enjoyment much more frequent because of its proximity to the village.