The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Registrar for Daniel McMillan Chapter, N.S.D.A.R.1919
Stronghurst Graphic, April 17, 1919
VILLAGE ELECTION: The election of a village president and three Stronghurst board members was accomplished with scarcely a ripple on the surface of the ordinary everyday affairs of the village. Ballots cast-106 of which 12 were cast by women. Successful candidates were G.Q.Fort, president and village trustees B.G.Widney, C.H.Davis, and James Sutliff.
SENIOR PLAY: The Senior Class of Stronghurst High School will present "The House Next Door," a comedy in three acts on April 25 & 26 at 9 p.m.. The play is set in London portraying the social conflict between the Gentile and the Jew.
THE TIME OF OUR LIVES: The movement which was started last week to secure uniformity of time in this community by mutual agreement has not only resulted in failure, but has still further complicated the situation and started controversy and dispute which has practically divided the people into two opposing camps.
A large attendance of farmers of the community at the meeting which was held at the M.E.Church last Saturday evening to discuss the matter of time change and a fair representation of the town people overwhelmingly favored a return to the time in use prior to April 1st. (Day light saving time) When the final vote was taken, only two votes opposed the proposition.
With such apparent unanimity of opinion existing it seemed as though a satisfactory solution of the question had been reached and that the hours observed by the businessmen of the village and the hours for opening the schools, churches, theatres and public assembles of all kinds would be arranged upon the old time basis.
But, alas for human hopes!
When Monday morning rolled around, it was found that opposition had been brewing and that a considerable contingent of the population of the village, which had not thought it worthwhile to attend the meeting on Saturday evening and express their views, had decided to rebel against the action taken at the meeting and refused to abide by the expressed will of the community. The grocery men of the village found trouble awaiting them when their delivery boy notified them Monday morning that it was "new time or quit" with him, and at the muzzle of his roan pony he forced them to capitulate. The school board also found trouble awaiting them. A majority of the board were present at the Saturday meeting and agreed to respect the decision arrived at there in regard to the time change. They found, however, on Monday morning that the three lady teachers of the high school had decided to go on a strike rather than go back to the old time schedule. It developed that they had conscientious scruples against setting an example of what they conceived to be disregard for constituted authority before their pupils. They, however, gave evidence of a disposition to discuss these scruples so far as regard for the authority delegated to the school board was concerned. After listening to the argument presented by these teachers and giving due weight to the suggestion advanced by one of them, qualified by 7 months of experiences as a high school teacher to speak with authority, that to return to the old time would be a stupid blunder on the part of the board and calculated to endanger the school's standing on the accredited list, it was decided to conform to community time so far as the clock was concerned and begin school at 8 a.m. community time or 9 a.m. new time.
When it was learned that this decision had been reached by the school board, many clocks in homes were there were children attending school were again adjusted so that the dinner hour for the "kiddies" and the other members of the household would not conflict. There also seemed to be a general disposition on the part of the business firms, in view of the failure to secure unanimity of action to reset their clocks according to Congressional time.
A canvass of the village by the writer yesterday revealed the fact that with three of four exceptions, the clocks in the business houses indicated new time. It was also learned that a decision had been arrived at by the firms which close at six o'clock on certain evening to still close at that hour new time. All of those who were interviewed, however, seemed agreed that on the other evenings of the week their places of business should be kept open long enough to allow the farmers all of the time needed in which to do their trading.
The position of the banks is that the law specifies their hours of opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that they construe this to mean official or Congressional time.
At the U.P. church, it was announced last Sabbath that hereafter the regular church services would begin at 11 o'clock old time. We have not learned what decision has been arrived at by the M.E. church.
KNOX TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS: Knox College will award to the highest ranking boy and the highest ranking girl in the graduating class of Stronghurst High School a "High School Scholarship" amounting to $50. Announcement of this decision was made after a recent meeting of the trustees of the college. Stronghurst High School is one of a hundred schools which will received the offer of Knox scholarships...
MARRIAGE VOWS: A quiet wedding was observed when Miss Mabel Elizabeth Earp, daughter of A.L. Earp of Monmouth was united in marriage to Marshall D. Rezner, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Rezner of Stronghurst. The simple ring ceremony was used and the couple were attended by Mr. and Mrs. John Doyle. A.L.Earp also accompanied the bride and groom. Following a brief honey moon, the happy couple will make their home with the bride's father east of Monmouth.
The groom but recently was discharged from the U.S.service at Camp Stanley, Texas where he had been in training in the artillery division since early last summer.
GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Ralph Stephenson, who has been in the service overseas and over the top (meaning he went out of the trenches toward the enemy), has returned home to visit his mother, Mrs. Rose Stephenson. Mrs. Johnson of Woodhull, Ill. is caring for her daughter, Mrs. Glen Tribler, who is quite ill with inflammatory rheumatism. Mr. Sam Stevenson took Dr. B.L.Ditto, C.A.Hedges and Fred Anderson in his car for a business trip to the Green Bay bottoms; the doctor is the owner of eleven hundred acres of land in that country. Prof. Harry Blackstone, Dale Galbraith, Lyle Graham and I.F.Forward, Mrs. D.S.Bryans, Mrs. J.L.Duvall, Ruba and Alice Johnson, Dortha Stevenson, Adeline Sabens and other took in the show at the Grand Opera House in Burlington. Those from out of town attending the funeral of Daniel Logan were Mr. and Mrs. Treby, Mrs. A.W.Benbow of Galesburg; Mr. Frank Killalea of Monmouth; Bidsie O'Leary, Miss Mollie Carroll of Burlington; Mrs. Ralph Butler and children of Rock Island; Mrs. Ira Campbell and two sons of Davenport; Ruth Campbell of Oklahoma; Barney Logan and children Lockridge, Iowa; Jo Logan of Burlington, and Mrs. Emil Hueneky and children of Burlington.
VICTORY LOAN MEETING: A series of Victory Loan meetings to arouse an interest in the people for the forthcoming Victory Liberty Loan will be held throughout the county. Speakers for this district are Lieut. George S. Mackey and Corporal Ralph E. White. Lieut. Mackey enlisted May 8, 1917 and after considerable training was made an Aviation Pilot and received the commission of first Lieutenant and was assigned to the 111th Aero Squadron which was on the Italian front. He landed in Europe Nov. 19,1917 and after nine months training with the Italians was sent up to the front where he remained for three months. Lieut. Mackey was a night bomber and flew one of the Italian three motor giant planes used for bombing. He was decorated by the King of Italy with a Distinguished Service medal in 1918.
Corporal White enlisted April 18, 1917 and was assigned to Co.K, 131st Infantry, 33rd Div. He was in the following battles: Albert, Hammel, Chipilbly Ridge, Monte Hocerave, Argonne and Metz. At Metz on Nov.11, 1918 he was gassed. His regiment received three citations from the French, British and France and British combined. White escaped death a great many times and had many thrilling experiences. He was over the top more than ten times and experienced actual hand to hand fighting in the battle at Argonne Woods...There will be a meeting in every school house in the county to subscribe to bonds.
CULTURE COMES TO STRONGHURST: J.B. Rionour announces his ever popular Flora DeVoss Co. for three nights engagement in Stronghurst. This attraction needs no introduction to the theatre goer of the Middle West as they are one of the few successful popular companies that have stood the test. The opening play will be "Peg O My Heart, followed by "An Imp of Satan," ending with "Corn Cob Cut-Ups." A special feature will be the vaudeville introduced between acts by Mr. Carl Adamson, banjo comedian, Miss Helen Howarth, lyric soprano, Mr. Wayne Kirke, comedian and others...
WAR TRAIN COMES TO OQUAWKA: A special war Exhibit train will tour Illinois towns in the interest of the Victory Liberty Loan campaign under the direction of the Publicity Dept. Of the War Loan organization. It will carry a large collection of war trophies captured by the American Expeditionary Forces and there will also be many exhibits of the latest types of modern cannon, machine guns, airplanes and ammunition. The war trophies include cannon, airplanes, rifles, helmets and all kinds of war material which fell into the American hands.
One of the greatest attraction will no doubt be the new "Whippet" tanks which the U.S.was ready to turn out in great numbers when the armistice was signed. The Whippet is a Renault type which helped drive back the Germans; it will be taken off the train and exhibited on the streets.
The train will be accompanied by an attachment of soldiers who have returned from the battle front of France. A military band of twenty pieces composed of returned soldiers will be aboard the train too. Two civilians and one soldier speaker will bring total number to 51 persons in all. The train will be in Oquawka on Monday April 21st; returned soldiers and sailors are expected to attend in uniform.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: A speaker for the anti-saloon league spoke at the M.E.church. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Carlson are expecting their son Elmer's return from Camp Grant most any day now; he has been there since returning from overseas. J.L.Fort informs friends that he has bought a home in Wataga, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. John McCartney now ride in a spick and span Dort Car. Albert Miller of the Biggsville neighborhood has purchased a Ford car. Miss Tona Hult,out of the Stronghurst High School, is taking treatment for a goiter at a Burlington specialist. (This Olena article contains a long paragraph on pro-prohibition stance.)
CARMAN CONCERNS: The Rebekahs are planning a big time at their hall when several candidates will be taken in. After this work a supper will be served. Mr. William Coffman is building a new porch for Mr. Charlie Kirby at the (late) Andrew Fisk home where Mr. Kirby resides. Mr. Otis White and family of Stronghurst, Mr. Charles Lyons and wife of Olena and Chester Gibb and family and Will Adair of Biggsville were callers Sunday afternoon at the George Marsden home. Mr. F.G.Armstrong and wife of Galesburg are stopping at the Crane Hotel. Mr. Armstrong is the new manager of the Carman harness shop which has just been opened. G.W.Howell was elected school trustee for 3 years. Harry Sparrow of Lomax neighborhood has loaded two cars of emigrant goods expecting to ship to Canada where he has bought a large farm.
LOCAL AND AREA HAPPENINGS: Ralph Butler, George Barnett, Roland Davidson, Lawrence Duncan and Chas. Wheeling attended an all day meeting of the Galesburg Masonic lodge. A telegram announced that Lieut. Lorenzo Foote had arrived in this country from overseas and was stationed at Camp Merritt, N.J.; his discharge is expected soon. Miss Edna Salter, who recent returned from France where she was a war nurse, has been heartily welcomed by friends. E.L.Werts was elected president of the Oquawka village board. Prof. A.E.Hubbard has been re-elected superintendent of the Biggsville Township High School. Miss Mary Gross has been employed to finish the term of teaching in Dist. No.4 near Raritan formerly presided over by Miss Ella Brokaw. The young girls of Mrs. Bell's class of the U.P.Sabbath School will hold a pop corn and candy sale at Jones' Store. Ralph Thomas, who has been serving in the Navy on the Eastern seaboard for several months has been discharged and will soon resume his duties as operator at the local railroad station.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: The chicken pie supper and illustrated lecture given by farm advisor, Mr. Miner, was well attended and the sum of $56.45 was taken in. The community club held their regular meeting at the academy and a large attendance was present. A short program consisting of a piano solo by Florence Gram, a debate participated in by Mrs. Lloyd Beall, Mrs. Alphonso Beall and Mrs. C.E.Pendarvis and a talk on the benefit of the schools, etc. to the community by Mr. Spruit was given. A home talent "Victory" play entitled "Lest We Forget" will be given at Lewis Hall next Friday evening. A male quartette will furnish several numbers. Taking part in the play are Misses Rebecca Mescher, Anna Frye, Opal Wolfe, Florence Gram, Mrs. Nellie Palmer, Mrs. W.P.Terry, Mr. Eldon White and Mr. Rodney Fee. The performance is being coached by Mrs. Clark.
Mrs. W.P. Terry and Mr. Clyde Stansberry shipped six of their fancy New Zealand Red rabbits for which they received a nice sum of money. Two of the rabbits went to Kimmunday, Ill.; two to Galion, Ohio, one to Nebraska and one to Alton, Ill. The first step towards the improvement and beautifying of the Academy was made by Mr. Spruit, Mr. Gould and a number of women of the community. Miss Kathryn LaVelle has been numbered among the sick. C.R. Pendarvis went to Chicago on business and while there he expects to see his brother, Wilbur, who has been in France for several months. Rev. and Mrs. Yarnell loaded their household goods and shipped them to Canton, Ohio, where Mr. Yarnell has accepted a charge. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Plummer and son, Bernard, of South Henderson were visitors at the home of Mrs. Plummer's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Sullivan.