The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1917
Stronghurst Graphic, June 7, 1917
REGISTERING FOR THE DRAFT: Registration day in Stronghurst passed off quietly and the number exceeded the estimates. Registrar Widney and his assistants opened the lists promptly at 7 o'clock at the village pump house, the regular polling place. The officials were busy until after the noon hour enrolling applicants. If our European enemies could have seen the enthusiasm displayed by those registering for the colors, their idea that the average citizen is being driven into the war by a few millionaire munition manufacturers would have been dispelled. It was not a happy go lucky bunch; but a company representing the community's finest manhood with determined but serious faces and who apparently fully realized the consequences of the step being taken.
The sentiment of most of those present was perhaps expressed by one young fellow who said, " I have seen three years' service for "Uncle Sam;' I know what it means, I don't want to leave my wife and baby; but my great grand father fought to gain our freedom from an European foe, my grandfather fought to save the country from interna disruption, and why shouldn't I fight if need be to help save the republic?"
One hundred and thirty persons were enrolled here, about 1/5 being but 21 years of age. Three aliens (Mexicans) and two declarants(not citizens but who had applied for citizenship) are included in the total. Figuring the percentage of young men in the various townships of the county, Stronghurst had the largest number while Gladstone had the largest percentage, if the last presidential vote is taken as a basis. Thirty per cent of the whole county presidential vote was enrolled.(A complete breakdown of the vote by township, exemptions, etc. as well as a complete list of those registered in Stronghurst is included in this article.)A
CALL TO WOMEN: A letter has gone out to every Protestant church in this vicinity from the Woman's Church Federation asking how many women are in the church who can drive an automobile, able to compound a prescription or who can keep books...Each pastor's wife has been asked to appoint a woman in her church to conduct this census...It is predicted that before the war is over the women of America will be compelled to take the places of many who have been called to the army and navy, just as have the women of Europe. Every nurse, student of Red Cross, stenographer, telegrapher, telephone operator, hospital attendant, playground director and other person will be needed by the government.
VILLAGE BOARD NOTES: The amount set for weekly open air concerts given by the band during the summer was set at $3.00. A post of night watchman was created ; and James Rezner was selected as village marshal at a salary of $60 per month. The board agreed to the placing of metallic guide boards at the four principal points where highways enter the village, thus cooperating with the highway commissioners of Stronghurst Township effort to establish a system throughout the township. A cement walk was okayed to be built along the east side of the Douglass Steffey property on Logan Street from the Santa Fe right of way to the entrance gate of Steffey residence.
A plank crossing would be built across Elizabeth Street opposite the Dodds residence and a substantial concrete crossing built across the Nichols Street entrance to the alley at the rear of Towler Store building. It was noted that private citizens were still using the old dumping grounds near the bridge south of the village as a place for disposal of garbage and that a sign would be placed there warning all persons that dumping would result in a fine.
1891 GRAPHIC: Owing to the rising waters, traffic north and south on the railroads entering Burlington was being greatly hampered and levees at various points along the Mississippi were being seriously threatened. Rain had fallen every Sabbath for two months and many fertile acres remain still untouched by the plow. Six horses belonging to Mr. Crownover of Lomax strayed on the Burlington tracks near that village and were killed by a passing train. Wm. Cooksie's family arrived here from Nebraska to take up residence. A class of three young ladies graduated from the Media-Wever Academy.
RARITAN REFORMED CHURCH: In the LaHarper last week appeared an article relative to the corner stone laying on May 20th, 1857 of the Reform Church. The article was illustrated with pictures of Domine Elting, the first pastor of the church and "Domine" Bumstead, one of its best beloved and most widely known ministers. Also included were cuts of the present church edifice and of the old Nevius blacksmith shop in which the first services of the congregation were held. These pictures were first used in an anniversary booklet compiled 12 years ago when the golden jubilee was celebrated...(A much longer article ending with a list of names.)
***OBITUARY***JOHN F. CLOVER: John F. Clover, a resident of Henderson County for many years and since 1905 a resident of Dallas City, died at his home last Friday, June 1st at the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 23 days. He was the son of Cornelius and Narcissa Clover, who with their children moved to a farm north of Lomax in 1852. At the death of his parents John took charge of this farm and continued to operate it until he removed to Dallas City in 1905.
He was a Civil War veteran, volunteering early, serving his full time and re-enlisting, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. His grandfather and father were also soldiers of their country, the former serving in the War of Revolution and the latter in the War of 1812.Being of a genial disposition John Clover numbered his friends by the legions. He also leaves to mourn his sister, Lucina of Dallas City; two brothers, Merrit of Chanute, Kan., and Marcellus of Carman, Ill., and a number of nephews and nieces.Funeral services were conducted from the Lomax Christian Church and the funeral procession had no less than 70 autos from the church to the cemetery. Mr. Clover was a member of the Christian Church, the I.O.O.F., the G.A.R. and the Masonic fraternity.
LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: Joe Ross was one of seventy, two year students graduating from Ames, Iowa; he was one of the "out of the state" boys who won a scholarship, there being two granted to the two year boys.Stronghurst Graphic
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: Mrs. John Francen was severely shocked and rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge during the severe thunder storm last Tuesday morning. About 11 o'clock during the progress of the storm as she was entering the kitchen door of her home in the east part of town, a blinding flash of lightning entered knocking her senseless to the floor. Mr. Francen, who was in the house, at once ran to her assistance. After working over her for some time, he was much relieved to find that consciousness was returning and in a short time Mrs. Francen was sufficiently recovered to be able to sit up.
Her left side was partially paralyzed by the shock and her condition later in the day became such as to render the calling of a physician. The electric fluid left a brownish colored streak on Mrs. Francen's body, extending from the left shoulder to the knee. She is still experiencing some numbness.In passing through the house, the lightning ran along the wall from the electric light switch to the telephone tearing the paper from the wall in its passage and burning out the fuse of the telephone. Mrs. Frances
considers her escape from death as remarkable and her experience was one which she would not care to pass through a second time.
LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: Mr. T.J.Hunter is in Rock Island attending the annual convention of the Illinois Undertakers Association. John Voorhees went to Chicago with two loads of stock belonging to Cecil Brook. Richard Marshall journeyed to Oklahoma looking for business interests. Thomas White left for West Point, Miss., where his family now makes their home. A 10,000 gallon car of road oil for use on Broadway and intersecting streets was purchased by the village and word has been received that the car was shipped from Cushing, Okla., on Monday and is expected to arrive the latter part of the week.
It will be applied soon after. James Shaw, a well known farmer living north of Kirkwood, was badly injured by being run over by a wagon loaded with furniture which he was hauling into Monmouth. It was later learned from his brother-in-law, George Barnett of this place, that he did not break any bones, but escaped with very bad bruises. Mrs. L.E.Pogue and Mrs.
A.C.Allison left for Des Moines for a visit with their brother, Charles Rankin.
The storm which visited this section last Tuesday night developed into a tornado in the country east of Raritan and considerable damage was done to buildings and trees. The rainfall is also said to have been enormous. The classes of 1915 and 1916 presented the new flag staff to the public school, not the class of 1916. Mr. And Mrs. J.E.Hardin and daughter, Ruth Borst took their departure for their new home in Bayard, Neb.
A romance, resulting rom the establishing of the militia camp at the big Santa Fe bridge east of Media, had its culmination when Private Edwin Martin of Co.I, First Iowa Infantry was wed at Galesburg to Miss Gladys Welch, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. John Welch of Media. Earl Mahnesmith left for Ponemah where he has accepted a position as first trick operator for the Prairie Gas and Oil Co. He and his mother have sold to Floyd Clark their restaurant business in town. Thirty-five young men registered for the draft in Carman.
OQUAWKA OCCURRENCES: William Pence took his father, James Pence, to the hospital at the Soldiers' Home in Quincy. Mr. Pence has been quite ill for some time but has improved lately. Mr. And Mrs. Rademacher, living east of town, are the proud parents of a baby boy born to them at Monmouth Hospital. Louis Meyer, Silas Smith and Dell Devore left for St. Louis where they will take the final exam for enlistment in the army. This makes 12 boys from Oquawka to enlist.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: The class of 1917 of the Gladstone High School held their commencement Friday evening at the U.P.Church. The graduates were Eugene M. Miller, William Ralph Mears, Virginia M. Lewis, Violet Verne Sandy and LaVerne J. Ahlberg. A fine program was rendered in the presence of a large audience with Rev. Douglass of Biggsville delivering the address and Prof. Harry C. Blackstone presenting the diplomas. Mark Kemp, who is very ill with pneumonia, was taken to the Burlington Hospital. Mr. And Mrs. Fred Hines and two sons from Salt Lake City visited with Mrs. Will Graham and family and other relatives. The dancing club gave a ball in the hall with Pain's orchestra of Burlington furnishing the music.
The school board recently employed the following teachers for the coming year: Harry C. Blackburn, principal; Miss Bessie Carmichael, grammar room; Miss Willon of Burlington, intermediate; Mrs. Lena Pence, primary. (Is it "Blackstone or Blackburn?" The two items do not agree; maybe someone can remember.)