The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


The 1918 Graphic

Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1918

Stronghurst Graphic, Nov.21, 2006 

DINING ROOM OPENED: The Stronghurst Community Club's dining room was opened with a special dinner served by the ladies of the club Friday evening, Nov.15th. A large number of people came to test the club's cuisine and judging from the expressions heard regarding the

same, the ladies need have no fear of lack of patronage. The viands offered were not only generous in quantity and appetizing in quality, but the affair itself was a most enjoyable social function. The dining room will be open for general service hereafter and will be in charge of Mrs. Mahnesmith, known for her skill as a cateress.

TO HAVE PEACE JUBILEE: A number of citizens gathered in the directors' room at the First National Bank to organize a public meeting to celebrate the signing of the armistice. Finally, the time selected was Friday evening, Nov.29th. W.C.Ivins was appointed to be in charge of the music which will probably consist principally in the singing of popular and patriotic songs by the audience. J.Howard Miner is to arrange the meeting place and A.H.Kersaw was to secure a speaker for the occasion. A.S.McElhinney was to take care of the financial portion.

The services of Congressman W.J.Graham as speaker have been secured; he is well known for his oratorical ability coupled with the fact that he lately returned from a visit to the battle front in Europe. The jubilee will be held in the Lyric Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

HARRY CLARK'S BURIAL PLACE: Private Harry Clark was killed in action March 22nd and was buried at Pexonne in the American cemetery and was given a fine military funeral. The grave will be carefully marked for future identification after the war and will be tenderly cared for by French women and children. Private Clark had been struck by several small pieces of high explosive and it is thought that his death was probably instantaneous.

LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION: Teachers will be paid for days missed during the peace celebration. Thanksgiving Day, Nov.28th will be observed in Stronghurst by a public service in the United Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock with the address delivered by Rev. K.R.Anderson. During the past week the quarantine regulations affecting the village have been so far modified to permit the opening of places of amusement, lodge halls, etc. and the holding of public sales, public funerals and social gatherings.

***OBITUARY***MRS. GEORGE FORT: Amanda Lavina Holcomb was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, Nov.27, 1852 and departed this life Nov.11, 1918. While still a child she moved with her parents to Scotland County, Mo. where she lived until she married George W.Fort, March14, 1880. No children were given to them but to her step children she was kind, thoughtful, loving and caring. In return the daughters of her husband were with her as much as possible through her sickness, the youngest being almost constantly at her bedside after she was confined to it.

Soon after her marriage, Mrs. Fort moved to the home farm which, though in different houses, was her home until her earthly life ended. She was converted in girlhood and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church. When she moved to her home near Olena, she joined theM.E.church there and in it she served in the Sunday School and other church work.

The following loved ones are left to mourn: the husband, George Fort; the step children, Mrs. G.W.Kemp, Fairfield, Iowa; Robert Fort, Red Oak, Iowa; and Mrs. J.W.Hicks, Stronghurst, Ill. One brother J.D. Holcomb of Memphis, Mo. and a sister, Mrs. W.C.Strait of Keosauqua, Iowa survive her. There are also 18 step-grandchildren and 3 great-step grandchildren. Funerals services were in the Olena church with the Rev. H.T. Russell in charge.

LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: The Raritan village school has closed again because of new cases of the flu. George M. Evans of Oakland, Ia. stopped off on the way home after selling cattle on the market in Chicago. Master Russell Miner has the distinction of being the first pupil in Miss Marjorie Thompson's room to make a record of twenty perfect spelling lessons for which he was given a prize. Lieut. Allen B. Crane, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.Q. Crane of Lomax was recently operated upon for appendicitis at Greenville, S.C.; he is recovering nicely. The H.N. Vaughn family west of town have all been victims of the influenza and on account of complications, the life of one of the two year old twin girls was despaired of; now all the family is recovering nicely. (See below) Judge J.W.Gordon of Oquawka has been undergoing treatment at the Burlington hospital for nervous breakdown occasioned by mental strain and overwork. The death of Geo. W. Monroe, a former well known farmer of the Raritan neighborhood who moved to Roseville, occurred at his home in that town Sunday evening.

Mr. Beardsley has re-engaged by special request Mr. Henri Voltaire and Miss Arline Lloyd to present their high class musicale. These two artists have just finished a complete tour of the United States and Canada playing all the large cities. Clyde Fisher of Hopper has been sent by the Henderson County Exemption Board to St.Paul, Minn. where he will join the U.S.Marine corps; he is the fifth boy of Mr. Fred Fisher's family to enter the service of his country.

People in Gladstone report an airplane went over town Sunday morning at half past nine o'clock and many saw it go by in its flight east. (This was big news as airplanes were not a common sight.)

***OBITUARY***OAKLEY COLLEY: Oakley Colley enlisted in the war Dec.17, 1917 and went to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. From there he was called overseas and landed March 20, 1918. He was born in Smith County, Va., Nov.7, 1894 and was killed in action Oct.11, 1918. He was gassed in the Somme battle, went to the hospital, was there 6 weeks, then came out and went to the front again and was killed Oct. 11th. He was the son of William and Nanie Colley, the eldest of nine children.

MRS.DAN SIENS: Mrs. Dan Siens passed away Thursday morning at the home of her mother, Mrs. Elmer Norris at Shokokon; she was 18 years old. About a year ago she married Mr. Dan Siens, a soldier, who is stationed in France. Mrs. Siens had been in very poor health for some time before taking the influenza. She leaves her mother, her stepfather, five sisters, four brothers and a half sister to mourn her, namely: Mrs. Lizzie Bayles, Carman; Mrs. Clara Hand, Burlington; Mrs. Edna Breakbill, Burlington; and Mrs. Millie Hand, Burlington; Mrs. Lou Hand, Burlington; and Miss Francis Norris at Shokokon, a half sister. Ray, Roy, John and Elmer of Carman, besides a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Saturday morning by Rev. Wade Smith of Terre Haute.