The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic, August 4, 1921
SCHOOL BEING REMODELED: In order to meet the demand for enlarged facilities which has arisen since the formation of the Stronghurst Community high school district, the school building owned and used by Dist. No. 30 is now undergoing extensive alternations and repairs.
It was first proposed to build a one story addition on the south side of the present building and bids for this work were advertised; however, the expense connected with this plan would be greater than officials thought it best to authorize. Another plan was decided upon; the unfinished southwest basement room which has hitherto been used as a store room will be finished and fitted up as a laboratory and the present laboratory, which occupies the northeast basement room, will be converted into a classroom. This will provide enlarged class space and involves a much smaller financial outlay. In addition two fire escapes are being erected, one on the east and one on the west side of the building with the work being in charge of a Galesburg firm.
PROMINENT BLANDINSVILLE MAN DEAD: S.B.VanArsdale, a well known citizen of Blandinsville, passed away at his home on Aug. 1st at the age of 47 years. He leaves a widow and one stepdaughter, Mrs. Conrad of Canton, Ill. Mr. VanArsdale was the son and last surviving member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter VanArsdale, former well known resident of Raritan Township. He was twice married; his first wife being Miss Olive Pogue, daughter of Mrs. L.E. Pogue of Stronghurst. His second wife, who survives him, was Mrs. Alma Landis of Raritan. Funeral services were conducted in the Blandinsville Christian Church with entombment in the Blandinsville Mausoleum.
UP,UP, AND AWAY: B. M. Narowitz of Memphis, Tenn. And H. J. Brown of LaCrosse, Wis., two young aviators, made a landing here with their Curtis biplane last Sunday evening and were delayed by the storm until Wednesday. During that time, they took up a number of citizens including several ladies for a ten minute bird eye's view of the landscape about Stronghurst at $6 per person.
HENDERSON COUNTY SOLDIER DIES: The remains of Ernest Cleveland who passed away at Englewood, Colo. on Aug. 2nd arrived in Burlington were taken to the home of his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Cleveland at Raritan.
Death was the result of pulmonary trouble resulting from his being gassed while in overseas service in the late war. All that medical skill could do had been done for the young man, but no relief could be gained and the time since his arrival in the states up to the time of his death has been one of intense suffering, death coming as a blessed relief. The climate of Illinois having added to his suffering only a small part of time has been spent at home with his parents, almost the entire period having been spent in Western health resorts. Mrs. Cleveland has been at the bedside of her son since May 1st and the Dr. for the past two months. Emmet was the only child about 25 years of age and a promising young man. The funeral will be a military one held in the Raritan Reformed Church.
ARRIVED IN CALIFORNIA: Mr. Charles Davis and G. D. Bailey who left Stronghurst for Los Angeles by auto on July 2nd, arrived at their destination on July 28th after having made the journey with out any serious auto trouble. The speedometer marked a total of 2,680 miles and 240 gallons of gas were consumed. Driving over the northern route through Colorado, Utah and Wyoming with their mountainous scenery, they enjoyed the trip. They will sightsee California and plan to go to Colorado for the winter.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Aug. 20th has been selected for the annual home coming picnic at Olena held under the auspices of the M. E. Church. Mrs. J. A. Goempler, an aged and much respected resident of Oquawka, had the misfortune to slip on a rug on a polished floor at the home of her son, H. L. Goempler and fall in such a way as to fracture her left hip. Roy Rankin accompanied his brother John to attend to his wheat harvest in Sask. Can. Ray Pullen, who was working on a telephone pole near Kirkwood when it fell, is being cared for at a Monmouth Hospital. X-ray pictures show that he sustained a broken neck and there is no hope of his recovery. Latest news regarding oil prospecting companies hereabout is that leases given the Ohio company again have been returned to land owners. The price of violin bows has increased 300%. Have that old one repaired at Novelty Repair Shop, W. E. Hurd, Prop. Mary Adeline Folmer, who spent some time at the W. W. Ross home recently, left for her home in New York; she is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Sloan Folmer.
Adams County residents have been fortunate in capturing five men whom they estimate have stolen at least 5,000 chickens in the vicinity of Quincy recently. One of the most largely attended funeral of the returned soldier boys was that of Marion Fletcher of Smithshire in Warren Co. Arriving at Monmouth, the body was taken to the Armory where it lay in state until Sunday afternoon funeral with interment in the Ellison Cemetery. George M. Foote was here from Chillicothe, Ill. looking after his farming interests. W. T. Marshall of Emerson, Ia. is visiting relatives in the area. W. D. Bricker of the Raritan neighborhood is receiving treatment at the Burlington Hospital for an unnatural growth on the back of one of his hands. Wm. Smith and family drove through in their Ford Sedan from Cicero, Ind. for a visit at the home of his brother, Hugh R. Smith, west of Stronghurst.
A girls' riding contest was held in Crapo Park, Burlington with a crowd of spectators numbering over 400. The girls rode ponies furnished by the Sunnyside Shetland Pony Farm of Monmouth, Ill. The first prize, a box of candy, was carried off by Miss Olga Breidbarth of Nauvoo on Maroon. The contestants were judged by their horsemanship, the way they sat, etc. 25 girls participated. J. C. Coulson, the veteran LaHarpe editor, is showing no improvement and he is now unable to read the papers sent to his home. However, he still maintains an active interest in the affairs of his own paper, the LaHarper and contributes a weekly column telling of the pleasure he gets from the many tokens of sympathy and appreciation which pour in upon him from friends and abroad.