The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1918
Stronghurst Graphic, July 11,1918
News of Henderson County -Gladstone: Mr. Ogden is foreman of a logging crew on the Judge Robinson farm in the bottoms. Reeder Garrett is serving in the Navy. Albert Hays got his foot smashed on the railroad. Will Conners was reported very sick at his home, but is improving slowly. David Cox underwent an operation at the Burlington Hospital and is reported very ill.
Carman - The Red Cross Chapter sent to headquarters in Oquawka 17 sweaters and 56 hospital shirts. Mr. and Mrs. John Graham are enjoying a visit from their daughter, Mrs. Allen and three children of Waterloo, Iowa. Tom Clark has been quite sick with tonsilitis and under a doctor's care. Clair Dixon and wife are spending the week near Gladstone where he is doing his harvesting. Mr. Fred Clover and wife entertained over Sunday their aunt, Miss Cina Clover of Dallas City and their cousins, Mrs. Effie (Clover) Wales of Dayton, Florida and Mrs. Ina (Clover) Keyes of Sciota, Ill. The two latter ladies spent Monday with their uncle, Mr. Marcellus Clover. Mrs. Mary Siens and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Dan Siens left for Camp Grant six miles from Chicago for a visit with the latter's husband who is in training there. M.E.Beardsley and family visited at the Arthur Griffitts home.
Biggsville -Friends of Mr. and Mrs. John Gordon of Oklahoma will be sorry to hear of the fire which destroyed their house and contents July 5th. The origin of the fire is unknown as they were absent from the home. Mrs. Gordon was formerly Miss Emma Edwards of this place. Dr. and Mrs. R.S.Taylor of Buffalo, New York, for visiting the lady's parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Ericson, for two weeks. The young daughter of Mrs. Anna Thomas Goempler of Burlington, formerly of this place, is the beneficiary of a soldier's war insurance policy in the sum of $10,000. Teachers for the Biggsville High School for the coming year are as follows: A.E. Hubbard of Avon, principal; Miss Lillian Clearwater of Jacksonville; Miss Jean Hunter of Galesburg and Miss Mary Hulvey of Table Grove. The Biggsville chautauqua begins Aug.19th and closes Aug. 24th. The annual home coming picnic will be held two days of the preceding week. On account of the TriState Fair, the date of the Centennial celebration to be held at the Weir Fruit Farm has been changed to Sept. 5th.
Olena -Considerable clover and hay is being stacked or stored away and oats are being cut and very soon doubtless the hum of the thresher will be heard in the land. Corn is looking fine and if weather conditions continue, a good large yield is anticipated. Mrs. George Fort remains quite poorly. Mrs. Helen Burrell of Stronghurst visited her daughter, Mrs. James Brewer. Mrs. Robert McCartney received word that one of her grandchildren, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jacobs, who live in the drainage district, had almost severed one of its toes by slipping on some broken glass. (Guess the paper didn't know the sex of the child so used "it.")Mr. and Mrs. Ernest McKeown are visiting the Arthur McKeown home while on 30 days vacation from a training camp near the Atlantic coast while his wife lives with her people in St.Louis. The community service flag now has nine stars, one added recently for Tom Watson, who is serving the colors in France.
Quite a little excitement in the neighborhood when word was sent out by telephone that a fire was raging at the E. McCannon home. A crowd soon collected and helped to extinguish the fire, but not before a shed and its contents were burned which consisted of a buggy, carriage and a disk. It is thought the youngest boy probably set the fire while playing with firecrackers. This is the third fire they have had while living on this homestead.
It would seem that our county officials are at last making some effort to clean up conditions at East Burlington, but the thinking class of people naturally wonder why they ever permitted such nefarious business to be carried on there for months in a county the people voted dry, without making a determined effort to nip it in the bud in its incipiency. And because it was so easily gotten there much bootlegging has been going on throughout the country. "Woe to him who giveth his brother drink"
LETTER FROM BLANCHE DUVALL SOMEWHERE IS FRANCE: Have landed and am having a wonderful time. As Jack was there too, we took a train trip and are waiting to go on to our own permanent location. France is truly named when spoken of as "Sunny France." The scenery is most beautiful. I really love it. Tell dad he would like it here as we have lots of cheese and fish at the lunch restaurants and hotels. Grandmother would be ashamed of the poppies she has in the garden if she could see those that grow wild in the fields and by the road side here...I can hardly settle down to write. As yet we have not reached our own destination. Staying at one of the American hospitals and only working part of the time. You understand, mother dear, that you are not allowed to send any packages so don't plan to knit anything for me. The French people are very peculiar, but we see enough Americans to keep us from getting lonesome or lost. I am hoping to be able to learn enough French to get around but just now it is such a mixed up affair it seems hopeless; but I haven't been here very long. French money is my chief difficulty just now.
Please don't worry about me for I am as safe where I am now as I would be anywhere in America. Our quarters are very comfortable, our food good and I am very happy so enjoy yourself as you can. The little French kiddies are so sweet. We were through a park Sunday and saw so many children that looked very much as ours do-Just wanted to love them all. Cherries and strawberries are ripe and the cherries are much larger and sweeter than ours at home. I suppose the girls are running around and having a wonderful vacation. Did you not get the grip I sent you from New York? I am knitting my sleeveless sweater but there are so many things to see and so many places to go, I am not making very rapid progress...Heaps and heaps of love to Dad, the girls and yourself. Blanche Duvall, Base Hospital No. 114 Armer E.T., France.