The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic Feb. 14, 1924
ANOTHER SUDDEN SUMMONS: ARTHUR MCKEOWN: Another illustration of the suddenness with which the silver cord of human life may be loosed was furnished this community last Sunday when Arthur McKeown, well known farmer living about 2 miles north of Stronghurst was stricken with death without a moment's warning.
Mr. McKeown and his wife had arranged to spend the day at the John McKeown home south of Stronghurst and it was just as they drove into the yard at this home that the death angel put forth his hand and by his touch turned a living form into lifeless clay. Mr. McKeown had alighted from the buggy in which the four mile journey had been made and on turning about discovered that her husband's head had dropped upon his breast and he was about to pitch out of the vehicle. She caught the falling body and while supporting it called for assistance. The occupants of the John McKeown home came quickly running out of the house and relieved her of her burden. The stricken man was carried into the house, but it was at once evident that life had departed from the body. County Coroner Emerson was notified and an inquest was held over the remains at two o'clock in the afternoon. The verdict of the jury was that death had resulted from thrombosis or a blood clot. Mr. McKeown had been subject to heart trouble for a period of several years but had recently enjoyed good health.
Arthur McKeown, son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Boyd) McKeown, was born in County Antrim Ireland Aug.7, 1859 and departed this life at the John McKeown, Sr. home near Stronghurst on Feb. 10, 1924, aged 64 years, 6 months and 3 days. He came to this country in the fall of 1879 locating in Henderson County where he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of two years in Iowa. On Feb. 4, 1886 he united in marriage to Ellen McKeown of Biggsville Township. To this union nine children were born, three of whom preceded their father in death. In the spring of 1885 he united with the Walnut Grove United Presbyterian Church and later transferred his membership to the Stronghurst U. P. Church. He was a member of the Stronghurst Camp of Modern Woodmen and was buried with the honors of that fraternity. He leaves to mourn his departure his wife and six children: Mrs. John Fisher of Tredway, Texas; Ernest McKeown and Mrs. CP. Redholm of Chicago; Glenn McKeown of Stronghurst and Harmon and Norman at home. He is also survived by six grandchildren, two brothers, two sisters besides a large number of relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the Stronghurst U. P. Church with the remains laid to rest in the local cemetery.
OBITUARY***MRS. BELLE DODDS: Belle Campbell Dodds was born in Durham County, England, Dec. 25, 1843 and passed away Feb. 5, 1924 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Almer Negley, 116 Church St. Kewanee, Ill. at the age of 80 years, 1 months and 10 days. She was united in marriage in England to Joseph Dodds and they came to this country soon after, settling near LaHarpe, Ill.
Mr. Dodds passed away at the Keokuk Hospital Oct. 28, 1911. Mrs. Dodds united with the Christian church at LaHarpe a number of years ago, being a true, consistent Christian all through her life. Her kind and helpful ways won her many friends here and she will be greatly missed all. She had made her home with her daughter for a number of years near Stronghurst, Ill. In 1922 the family moved to Kewanee where she resided until her death. Nine children were born to this union. All survive to mourn the loss of a kind and moving mother: Mrs. Mary Green of Colfax, Washington; John of California; Mrs. Belle Leinbach of Steptoe, Washington; Mrs. Jennie Smith, Galesburg; Tom of Stronghurst; Will of Villa Park, Ill.; Robert of Corsica, South Dakota; Joseph of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Mrs. Almer Negley of Kewanee, Ill. Funeral services were held at the home of the daughter in Kewanee and burial in Stronghurst, Ill.
WEDDING BELLS: Miss Ella S. Swanson and Mr. Chester T. Erlandson were united in marriage on Feb. 6 at 12 a.m. at the Lutheran parsonage in Stronghurst. The bridal couple was attended by Miss Hilma Swanson, sister of the bride, and Mr. Roy Erlandson, brother of the groom. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. E. Swanson. She has grown to womanhood here and has always been actively engaged in the work of the Lutheran Church of which she has been a faithful member. The groom is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Erlandson, residing on a farm west of Monmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Erlandson will make their future home on a farm west of Monmouth.
STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS: Just one year will have elapsed next Saturday since Stronghurst's fine high school building was destroyed by fire. The site which was the pride of the village is now one of desolation, neglect. The students are now being house in poorly adapted, unsanitary and unsafe quarters in buildings situated in the business section of the village where they are constantly subjected to the menace of accidents from auto traffic and other causes. The most deplorable feature of the situation is that there is little prospect of a change in these conditions for another year at least as the law suit which stopped the plans for rebuilding proposed by the school board and approved by the great majority of legal voters of the district is dragging along in the supreme court:Without presuming to place the responsibility for existing conditions upon any particular individual or individuals, we, nevertheless, believe that these conditions do constitute a virtual crime against the younger generation. (Of course, in a small town, everyone knew who filed the lawsuit.)
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Juliette Wheeling returned from a week's visit with her friend, Mrs. Madeline Stine at Chariton, Iowa. Mrs. Lucy Henderson has been at Centerville, Ia. helping to care for the mother of her husband, Dr. F. M. Henderson. R. N. Marshall returned from Chicago after leaving his son Howard at the Wesleyan Hospital for treatment of a nervous ailment. Sam Carothers, superintendent of the Dallas City light plant, was seized with some sort of a fainting spell recently and he decided it was a good idea to go to Mayo Bros. and see what is ailing him. J.W.Braun, well known former hardware merchant and hotel keeper of Oquawka, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. L.Brooks in Oquawka on the evening of Feb. 7th. Mr. Braun was born in Germany in 1852 and had been a resident of Oquawka for the last 52 years. Mrs W. L. Spiker went to Media to visit the home of her sister, Mrs. Mattie VanAlstine. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis Links are the proud parents of a daughter born Feb. 9th at their home south of town. Eva, the three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Lanphere is reported to be critically ill with bronchial pneumonia. The Misses Landon, Adams, Seaton-high school teachers-and Miss Hazel Kirby, grade school teacher, took in the sights at Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Liby and his mother left for California to spent the winter. Rev. H. T. Russell of Smithshire preached his farewell sermon last Sunday morning as he has been engaged to assume the work of Field Secretary for Hedding College at once.
Agnes, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Mudd, was taken to Burlington for medical treatment for a "gathered head." She returned home with her parents and is now improved. Uncle Cal Thompson celebrated his 98th birthday Feb.10th at his home south of Smithshire. Although he has lost his eye sight, his hearing is good and he recognizes his old friends by their voices. Mr. John Powell, a former resident 14 years ago, stopped to visit old friends. He has been located in Indiana in the automobile business and was on his way to California. Frank Cox, formerly employed by Joseph Dixson as a farm hand, has moved to the Charles Lind's farm and will work for him the coming season. Miss Florence Cortelyou was taken suddenly worse and on advice of her physician was taken to the Burlington Hospital for an operation. She was accompanied by her mother and brother, D. N. Cortelyou. No operation has occurred as physicians think it could be avoided. Kent Shriver of LaHarpe is in the hospital suffering from severe burns on the face, neck and hands, inflicted when he attempted to extinguish a fire in the Dr. Conn home. A pan of gasoline was blazing and when Shriver threw a bucket of water on the blaze, he was enveloped in the flames. He was only saved from fatal injuries by the prompt action of two other men who followed him into the home. Mather Hillburn, the master impersonator and entertainer, will be at the U. P. Church next Saturday. This is the last number of the season's lyceum course. C. T. Nelson of Blandinsville was elected president of the Illinois State Shorthorn Breeders association in Galesburg.
BAD CHECKS IN TOWN
A number of Stronghurst merchants were the victims of a passer of worthless checks in the amount of something over $100 ($1,436 in today's values). The checks were drawn on a Gladstone bank by the son of a farmer from that neighborhood who signed his father and his own name paying for merchandise. The checks were returned with protest charges. The young man has been working the same game in other towns.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: (The column begins with a memorial for President Woodrow Wilson who shepherded the nation through World War I.) Mrs. Jake Jacobs, living north and west of Olena and who has been for the last several months in the Burlington Hospital taking treatment for diabetes and for a time thought it would be best for an operation on her eyes, but later abandoned, has been brought home and is being cared for by her daughter, Miss Kathryn from Burlington. She is almost blind and her general health not greatly improved. Miss Mitta White, one of the Stronghurst High School students, was taken quite seriously ill while visiting relatives in Burlington. A physician was called who diagnosed her case as a very bad attack of appendicitis. She was later brought to her home and is now taking adjustments from Dr. Gent and he thinks it will be possible for her to continue her school work, which is very encouraging news to her many friends. Quite a number in this neighborhood are suffering from bad colds and chronic troubles.
A young son arrived in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oz Reynolds of the Hopper neighborhood. Mrs. Charles Lyons was called to the home of her brother, Jarvis White near Paris Ill. on account of the serious sickness of her father, Mr. Charles White. The ladies of the Olena Church will serve lunch on Feb. 19th at the Homer Justice sale. Mr. Oscar Schroeder and family have moved from their home in Hopper to a farm east of Stronghurst. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman who have been living with the lady's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Burrell, have located in Burlington, Ia. Dances everywhere: Mr. and Mrs. Will Hicks who reside on the George Fort farm entertained a bunch of friends with a dance; Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Harvey who reside on what is best known as the Roll Ward farm, also entertained with a dance and another was held the same evening in the drainage district. Mrs. Margaret Peyton has been helping out at the home of her uncle, Mr. D. Dobbins.
WEDDING BELLS: Miss Eloise Smith of near Media and Mr. LeRoy Church of Kirkwood were united in marriage at Kirkwood Thursday. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Preston Smith who lives on a farm east of town and is a young lady of charming personality and of a beautiful character. She was a student in the Commercial Department of the High School last year and was a great favorite among her fellow students. For some time she has been working in the telephone office at Smithshire. The groom is a splendid young man and in every way worthy of the young lady he has won for his bride. They will reside on a farm near Kirkwood.
MEDIA MEANDERINGS: A jolly crowd of 16 persons enjoyed a bobsled ride to and a party at the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Powell, north of town Friday night. Mrs. A. L. Beal has been quite ill for a number of days suffering from a carbuncle. Mrs. Alice Schroeder is helping to care for her. Ward Gibson is home from Hammond, Ind. for a short vacation. A wire for the new pneumatic stop which is being installed by the Santa Fe Railroad along their tracks is being put up this week. H. B. Dixon moved his barber shop and pool room and his family into the buildings he recently purchased. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sullivan are occupying the Pogue property vacated by the Dixon family. Mr. and Mrs. Emery Cavins have moved from the Emery Eberheart property to a farm just east of town which is owned by Mrs. John Smith. The Eberhearts will occupy their property as soon as the repairs are made. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Wax went to Ft. Madison to consult Dr. G. A. Starkweather in regard to the condition of Mrs. Wax who has been ill for some time. Mr. Steffey of Stronghurst is in charge of the Co-operative store during the absence of Mr. Wax.
All of the "mump" victims are able to be in school again and no new cases have developed. The high school board met to look over the plans of an architect in regard to the remodeling of the building for a gymnasium. Plans were approved and work should begin soon. The youngsters and teachers of the grade schools will enjoy a Valentine box at school Valentine afternoon. Owing to bad weather, only a few members of the Missionary Society of the U. P. church were able to attend the meeting at the home of Mrs. N. J. Gram. The study topic was "India" with Mrs. Clyde Stanberry as leader.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mr. and Mrs. Will Musser expect to move to a farm southwest of Kirkwood. An original play, "Mother Mine," written by eighth grader Elizabeth Burrus was given at the high school to a large house. Miss Helen Cook is a new member of the central telephone force. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Sheets of Chicago visited relatives and attend the funeral of her aunt, Mrs. Lyons.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: Arbin Vaughn of the south country will move to the Lowry farm where he will farm this coming year. Ivo Smiddy and family and Mack Porter and family have moved to the brick residence in the south part of town. The Loyal Daughters class of the Christian Sunday School will give a three-act play entitled, " Sophonia's Wedding" at the Lomax Opera House.
MEDICAL ADVICE in 1924 (Don't try it!!!): In the case of ptomaine poisoning caused by eating decayed meats, fish, vegetables, contaminated canned foods, etc. be aware of these symptoms: nauseas, vomiting, colicky pains, diarrhea and great exhaustion. The treatment is always to produce vomiting to sweep the offending substance out of the stomach. Drink one glass of lukewarm water after another as rapidly as possible until 6-8 have been taken. In a few minutes all the poisonous material will be vomited. Then take a tablespoonful of castor oil or three tablespoonfuls of Epson salts dissolved in a glass of water. Also give an enema of warm soap suds. Keep the patient warm by external heat from hot water bottles or warm flannels. (Don't try it!!!)