The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1918
Stronghurst Graphic, April 4, 1918
ELECTION TIME: Only a comparatively mild interest was taken by the voters of this township in the annual election with the total vote being less than one-half of that cast a year ago. Party affiliations apparently had little weight with voters in marking their ballots and elections for offices were made from both the democratic and republican tickets.
TOWN MEETING: The annual town meeting was conducted with A.H.Kershaw as moderator. $900 was approved the township purposes: salaries-$600; poor and relief$100; fumigating fund$100; and contingent expenses$100.The bridge and road levy was approved at 61 cents on each $100. The group decided to purchase a township service flag upon which a star would be placed for each man in the service with additional stars added as needed.
TEST YOUR CORN: Every farmer in Henderson County should test his seed corn for germination at once. All 1917 corn should be tested with the ear to ear test and every farmer who finds by this process that he has not corn enough to plant his acres should notify the county advisor at Stronghurst or the County chairman of the Seed Corn Administration. Seed corn can be secured if you will make your wants known before the 15th of April.
DRAFT CALL: Nine more young men went to Oquawka to answer the latest selective draft call and were accepted for service. In company with the rest of the Henderson County boys, they left for Fort Morgan, Ala., where they will go into training. The Stronghurst contingent is comprised of Harry Ballard, Lawrence Duncan, Ross Harvey, Fred Johnson, Frank Lauber, Ed Logan, Heinie Matzeka, Chester Timmer and Chas. Wheeling. Two others, Marshal Rezner and George Matzka, were excused and returned home.
Also recently attached to military service are Roland Davidson, who went to Chicago to assume duties in the inspection ordinance branch and Cleo Carley who went to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. to enter the cavalry service of the regular army.
1893 GRAPHIC: A visit to Stronghurst of Sanford Swank of Hoppers Mills country was chronicled as one of the noteworthy events of the week. John Smith, one of the smoothest crooks that ever operated in this neck of the woods and who had successfully played the insanity dodge to escape a prison term for theft, escaped for the county house taking with him a gold watch and a sum of money belonging to Sheriff Morey. In order to induce more patrons to get shaved on Saturday, the barbers of the village had raised the price of Sunday shaving to 15 cents. A new bank was being organized at Biggsville with F.E.Abbey, J.A.Graham and T.N.Baird as incorporators. An item taken from the Hawkeye Gazette stated that the northwest part of Henderson County was literally swarming with wolves and the big gaunt., hungry brutes could be seen any hour of the day.
READY TO FIGHT IN FRANCE: From a letter received by Mr. A.J.Davis After so many jumps and moves will write to let y2ou know I am still on top and feeling fine. ..We are sure seeing some country and enjoying it allhardships with the rest. Havent been sick, not even a sore throat so I guess I am doing finefat and mean as ever. I suppose you people are beginning to feel the effects of the war more now every day. It sure is a great game. I wouldnt trade places with anyone at home until it is over and then it is the good old U.S. for me for keeps.
Our trip over was a great experience and when Uncle Sam cant beat Kaiser Bill, they had all better quit. As you know, we made two trials at it and did not land here until (date was deleted for security purposes) for some time. Didnt like it. They have some nice rest camps for soldiers there; also saw some very interesting places and hope to be able before long if I can to write as I would like to.
Have seen many German prisoners, and they are a hard looking bunch. At one camp where we were for a number of days, saw the prisoner Boches dig out a bomb dropped by their air craft the night beforenot so dangerous as you might suppose, but I was glad they were doing the digging instead of me.
We have billeted in French homes most of the time and can parley vou France some, but not as good as I would like. There is plenty of wine and beer, but nothing stronger in the way of drink to speak of. The cafes are only open at certain hours to U.S. soldiers. Once in a while you can get some real champagne. It is great dope. I have tried it several times but am about off of it. We were billeted for some time in a small country town and there being only one company of us, we sure did get fat on eggs, milk and French frys. The outfit is feeding good and I am sure if you could see us, you would think soall fat and heartyhave had turkey twice this weeknot so bad I guessand just now finished a plate of French frys, eggs, coffee and bread; so I feel just fine.
We have been on the range for (deleted) and dont think they can out shoot us. The boys are using their auto rifles this A.M. and are sure making them talk. Expect to be in the front line in a few days and then I will be able to say how I like modern warfare.
We witnessed an air battle the other day and it sure was some sight. We stopped drilling and watched it everyone interested as it was a clear bright day and we could see very plainly. They were directly overhead and we could hear the machine guns. They finally separated without any damage to either party so far as we could see, the Boche making for his lines and our man for his. Ruth Law never put on a flight like this one. It was all real dope. They made every movement that was ever put on at the I.O.O.F. picnic( picnic featured a trapeze artist); so I guess that is worthwhile.
Do you ever hear from the boys at Deming? I havent heard since we landed here. Give Harry R. my best and tell him to prepare for the homecoming which I hope is before long. Would like to hear from you and also from all the bunch. Give them my best and if you happen to have a stray Graphic, send it over as they are worth lots of money to me.
Yours Truly, Joe M. Baxter (Mr. Baxter was one of the first killed from this area.)
AREA NOTES: E.E. Pratt has sold the bakery in Roseville to C.C.Miller and will engage in the grocery business in Monmouth. A firm of seed corn dealers in Barry, Ill. has been called to account for selling seed corn that will not test more than from 30 to 60 per cent. The C.B.& Q. business has fallen off about 30% because of the decline in the coal business and by farmers being busy in their fields and not sending stock and grain to market. The Maple City Manufacturing Co. of Monmouth whose buildings were destroyed by fire last fall is to be moved to Peoria, that place having offered a bonus of $40,000. The company was short sighted enough to be caught with very little insurance and lost very heavily.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS: C.H.Curry and Sam Claybaugh went to Chicago to buy stock. Will Tracy moved from Decorra to the rooms over A.S.McElhinneys office. (Above the present day Bygones and Buds) Charles Wheeling sold his restaurant to Allie Bruce and left for the army. Mrs. Jennie Mizner and Mrs. Wm. Wilsher returned from Biloxi, Miss., where they spent the winter. Miss Leone Burrell is attending Browns Business College in Galesburg. Mrs. E.A.Kessler has let the contract for her new residence on South Broadway to Thurman Steffey; the work has already begun. A crew of workmen are repairing the interior and roof of the Davis building, which previous to the fire of March12th housed the local branch of the Red Cross and the Stronghurst Club. J.H. Miner arrived to begin his duties as Farm advisor for Henderson County. Mr. B.L.Tucker has decided to re-establish his meat market business and has rented the building recently vacated by Chas. Wheeling.
If you have never seen a cocoanut as it falls from the tree, you will be interest in seeing the one now on display in one of the front windows of the post office. It was sent to Postmaster C.E.Fort by Dr. Harter when the latter was in Florida. Although the doctor stated that it was a cocoanut, it looked more like some species of pumpkin or squash. After the doctor returned home, he split the hull and removed one half of it, leaving the nut encased in the other half and looking very much like the real thing that everybody has seen in the grocery stores but without the hull. (Remember this was a simpler time without supermarkets, tv, and radio.)