The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
PATRIOTIC CONCERT: The Stronghurst band will give a patriotic program for its next regular Saturday evening’s concert, rendered from the band stand downtown at the Intersection of Broadway and Main Streets. Besides patriotic selections, there will be a group of popular numbers and some good marches and overtures of the day. The concert promises to be well rounded and especially fine. Those coming to Stronghurst next Saturday evening for royal entertainment will not be disappointed (full listing of the program in this issue).
A PERMANENT SCOUT CAMP: Scouting has climbed many notches higher in this community the last few weeks because of the fact that a new camp site has been selected and a large cabin has been erected, a knobby little kitchen and other buildings are considered. A well will be bored and a dam thrown across Honey Creek to make a good swimming pool for Scouts. All these things have been made possible by the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. I. F. Harter who have proved themselves great friends of the scouting movement. This camp is located on a timbered section of their land lying seven miles southwest of Stronghurst. The building of this camp has been contemplated for some time, and the boys are jubilant that their dreams are being realized.
Scoutmaster Myers and his assistants plan to hold a 10-day camp beginning July 19th -July 28th. This camp will be conducted on a regular daily schedule with stress laid on all forms of scouting and ample time for fun. Mr. L. R. Gerber, Assistant Scoutmaster, will be Camp Director with the Scoutmaster as a General Supervisor. Edward Beardsley, Assistant Scoutmaster, will have charge of swimming and Lester McKeown, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster will have charge of camp detail. The Patrol leaders will be Vincent Upton, Herbert Brook, Richard Myers, Jr. and William Lukens who will be the Senior Patrol leader… (Long list of supplies needed to attend.)
OBITUARY-JAY H. FOOTE: Jay H. Foote was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. M.Foote and the only brother of Mrs. Lura Johnson of Billings, Montana and Mrs. Della O’Connor (deceased) of Stronghurst. He was born at Stronghurst, July 6, 1853 (should be “area” as town did not exist) and died June 26, 1926 at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 20 days. All of his early life was spent on the farm of his father and before his 13th year he had graduated from Hedding College at Abingdon and from Gem City Business college at Quincy. (Yes, the article says “13”???).
On March 12, 1884 he married Lulu L. Hart of Chillicothe, Ill., and to this union three children were born only one of which, George M.Foote of Chillicothe, Ill, is now living. Mrs. Lulu Foote died May 5, 1887. On September 26, 1888 he married Maude B. Livingston of Terre Haute and to this marriage ten children were born, six of whom are now living, three having died in their infancy, with Roy being killed in action in France during the recent war.
Mr. Foote was charter member of the Stronghurst Lodge No. 847 A.F. & A.M. About 1891 he united with the Christian Church at Stronghurst. He tried to live the life of a Christian man throughout and his presence will be missed by his wife and children and all who knew him. Funeral services were June 28th conducted by Rev. Lester Gerber, pastor of the Christian Church. Burial services at the grave were in charge of the local A.F. & A.M. Lodge with interment in the local cemetery.
(An extensive article entitled “Commemorating the Adoption of the Declaration of Independence” is in the center of the front page telling the history of this document.)
UPON A RARE NIGHT IN JUNE: The South Country Birthday Club had their monthly party to observe the birthdays of the members born in this month of brides and roses, the night of the 24th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Brokaw. Ninety-five guests were present and the main event of the evening was a hilarious mock wedding. Miss Esther Lind was the adoring bride and Mr. Henry Hadley, the admiring husband. Mr. Walter Nolan was especially good as the bridegroom while Miss Lois Livermore made a very sweet bridesmaid. The bride and her maid were charmingly clad in ruffled white dresses and carried lovely bouquets of lettuce. Mr. Ben Livermore won a reputation for sober character as the minister and the Montgomery
Ward catalogue what he carried seemed to contain questions that on one else has read from it before. Little Marie Reedy was the flower girl and Darrel Brokaw filled the important position of ring bearer carrying the ring in the heart of a big yellow lily. Real merriment was added to the scene in that the little boy grieved very much to lose the ring as the best man reached down to take it from the lily. Mr. Algert Noland and Mrs. Percy Veech represented the parents of the bride and were loud in their lamentations at the loss of their daughter while Mr. Maurice Lee and Mrs. Will Reedy, the parents of the groom, were almost as inconsolable in the loss of their son although rejoicing greatly in the gaining of a new daughter-in-law. Mrs. George Brokaw played the wedding march and Misses Helene Reedy and Jessie Veech sang several appropriate songs. After a charivari of firecrackers, the newly married pair, their attendants and parents took a honeymoon trip to Raritan.
The hostesses for the June birthday party were the Mesdames George Brokaw, Jake Neff and Harold Simonson. A beautiful decoratde table trimmed in yellow and white crepe paper, an iced cake, roses and little nut baskets had been arranged for the four birthday guests. Those receiving favors were the Mesdames Glen Schenck and Jack Ross and the Messrs. Lyle Brokaw and Harold Neff.
Another important event of the evening was the election of new executive officers to take the place of Mesdames Algert Nolan and Will Reedy and Miss Frances Lee, who were elected to fill these offices a year ago. The newly elected officers for the year are the Mesdames Jake Neff, Percy Veech and Miss Lena C. Ahlers. Mrs. Asa Worthington was chosen as the reporter and secretary of the club and to her will fall the duty of keeping an exact record of the attendance of the members of each family at each party. An appropriate and dainty luncheon of tuna fish sandwiches, pickles, coffee and cake and ice cream were served. (Remember, people had to make their own fun-no TV or internet.)
TWO GALESBURG MEN DROWNED NEAR OQUAWKA: To Galesburg men, Benjamin Lagerstrom, 37, and George Fisher, 19, were drown in the Mississippi River at Oquawka last Sunday morning about 4:15 o’clock when a boat from which they were fishing capsized. It is said that neither of the men could swim. Lagerstrom was found clinging to the boat. Fisher’s body was not found until two hours later.
The men were in a picnic party of Frost Manufacturing Co. employees. They arrived at Banta Beach above Oquawka on Saturday evening and camped out that night. Early the next morning they secured a small six-foot one-man boat and both men got into it and rowed out in the river to fish. It was but a short time afterwards when the accident occurred. The other members of the party hearing the cries for help rushed to the rescue but were too late.
The bodies of the two men were taken to their home in Galesburg Sunday evening. Coroner Emerson of Lomax held an inquest Sunday morning to determine the cause of death of the two men. The jury found the cause of death of the two men due to accidental drowning. Members of the coroner’s jury were E. L. Werts, A. L. Peter, O.F.Banta and Fred Camp of Oquawka and William Bradford of Carman. The drowning is the second which has occurred within the last three weeks near Oquawka, other victims being a man and a boy who lost their lives when a boat capsized.
A LOT OF CROWING IN LAHARPE: A total of 1,352 roosters were received and purchased by the Golden Rule Club of LaHarpe, Ill. during the past week in which several “rooster days” were observed. The total weight of the roosters was 8,239 pounds for which the club paid $1,071.07. The roosters were sold to a local produce house at a one cent a pound loss to the club, but the advertising of the novelty more than made up for the loss by better business during the week to all LaHarpe stores.
CHIVARY IS NOT DEAD BUT ALMOST: Lowell T. Huston and Jess Walker both of Blandinsville were driving recently on the hard road near Bloomington, Ill. when they turned out, attempting to go around a Ford sedan in which there were three women and a baby, The Ford turned in front of the Big Buick driven by Huston and forced the driver of the latter car to choose between a smash up with the Ford or running headlong into the concrete abutment of a bridge; he chose the latter. The men were cut but not seriously inured while the car was a complete wreck. “It was a brave thing to do,” says the Blandinsville Star-Gazette, “to risk his own life to save the others, and the women gave him a good jawing and drove on.” The men are to be congratulated, especially the driver, for quick thinking and bravery.
ANNUAL CLUB OUTING: The 35th annual outing of the Stronghurst B.B. Club was held Thursday, June 24th at Clear Lake. Although the weather was threatening, there was a very large attendance. Sixty-nine members and guests sat down to a feast of fish and trimmings. Mr. E. R. Grandey read a history of the club beginning 35 years ago by Captain John Clover inviting a few friends to his home for a day’s outing. The enjoyed the day so much; the present membership is 100. Of the original eight present 35 years ago are A. E. Jones, C. E. Peasley and C. E. Fort who have attended every meeting. Captain Clover, Jack Evans, George Chandler and David Marshall have gone to their long home (they’re dead). R. L. Taylor, the other charter member, lives in California and is now touring in New York, his old home, and had hoped to be in Stronghurst in time to attend the outing. (Long list of attendees follows.)
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Louise Rankin of the post office force is taking a few days off and is visiting in Chicago. W. P. Veech, southeast of town, is beginning the construction of a new barn. James Wolf of this place is the contractor. Three hundred shares of class A stock, Series No. 6, in Stronghurst Building and Loan Association is open for applicants. See Geo. T. Chant, Sec. Attorney W. C. Ivins and Geo. T. Chant drove to West Point to look after business interests connected with their farming operations. Mrs. Ruby Crenshaw Bell, who has been visiting her parents here for the past two weeks left to join the Northwestern University alumni students at Chicago and will sail for Europe for an extended trip. A. D. Prescott and C. H. Curry left for Montreal, Canada where they will sail on the Canadian Pacific Steamship, Montcalm, for England where Mr. Prescott will visit his mother and a sister, Mrs. James Brown, a former Stronghurst resident and other relatives and friends. Mr. Curry will also visit relatives and friends. They expect to be gone a couple of months.
Mrs. Laura Augspurger of Pulaski, Iowa, was a visitor with her friend, Miss Lena C. Ahlers. She came in an automobile through Fairfield and Burlington, Iowa and then up the hard road to Stronghurst. She said that the poorest looking crops in Illinois looked much better than the best one in that part of Southern Iowa. She stated that much of the corn had to be replanted and that there was no wheat at all in that part of the state. The mid-summer social at the Lutheran Church last week was a splendid success, the proceeds amounting to about $65 ($1,035.45 in today’s values). Mr. and Mrs. Guy Leinbach of Stronghurst and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Houtchens of Armondo, Ill. motored to Davenport Iowa and visited the Palmer School of Chiropractic radio station WOC. Tuesday evening at Lake Fort Mr. and Mrs. Orville Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Wheeling, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Decker, Mrs. Harbour, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Grandy and family and Mrs. Joanna Wheeling celebrated with a picnic upper the birthday of Mrs. J. Wheeling and Mrs. Grandey.
George Hornbaker, a 15-year-old lad of near Blandinsville, suffered a very serious, if not fatal accident last Monday when he was kicked in the face (one foot striking each side of his jaw) by a horse in the horse lot. The jaw bone was smashed and the lower part of the face crushed. He is now with his father at the Mayo Hospital in Minnesota. George was in the Junior class of Blandinsville High school. Last Wednesday evening the home of the editor of the Dallas City Review was the scene of a wedding when Rev. George H. Marsh, pastor of the Congregational Church of Dallas City pronounced the editor’s daughter, Miss Sara Ellen, and Wesley W. Minear husband and wife. The bride is the second oldest daughter of the editor and wife. The groom is now a teacher in the Quincy High School. A household goods sale will be held at the Jay Foote residence in Stronghurst; proceeds will be used for examination and operation, if necessary for Mrs. Foote who will be taken to Mayo Bros. Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Brown, daughter Ruby and son Calvin of Cushing Okla. are visiting relatives here and in nearby towns. Mr. Brown’s sister, Mrs. Ruth Clark of Dallas City, is at the LaHarpe Hospital where she is improving from an operation.
LOMAX LINGERINGS: Mrs. Sarah Partridge has re-shingled her home, which was badly needed. Dave Fry was appointed the new city marshal. Work has commenced on the new W.C. Freeland dwelling south of the printing office. The Lomax Opera House and the ice house at the rear of Joe Flood’s restaurant have both passed into history, having been torn down the past few days.
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Mr. C.H. Curry was making short calls in the village before starting on his trip to England on June 29th. Rev. Hubbs and family were accompanied to the Olena charge Sabbath day by their house guests, Rev. Fisher, wife, son and daughter. Rev. Fisher is an evangelist and had just closed a series of meeting in some nearby by city. He preached a very forceful and interesting sermon. He and his son and Rev. Hubbs gave some special numbers in the song service. A fair-sized crowd was in attendance. Among whom were noticed were Mr. Oscar Beckett and Mr. Doak of Stronghurst, Mrs. Hunt of Raritan, Mrs. Albert Miller of Biggsville and two young daughters of Mrs. Bertha Lyons of Monmouth, who are paying a visit to their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Lyons near Olena.
The strawberry crop is a thing of the past; cherry crop now on soon to be followed by raspberries and other fruits of which the prospects are fairly good. Miss Lois Peterson and Alfred have each been caring for rather bad cases of poisoning on face and arms, which is yielding to treatment.(poison ivy?) Mr. Wm. McCartney and Miss Nellie Lant, accompanied by Calvin Lant and wife, motored to Burlington a recent day and had a few words said to them that made them man and wife. The same evening a bunch of their friends gave them an old-fashioned charivari and received a very generous treat of cigars and candy. They are home to their friends at the home of Mrs. Jessie Lant east of the village. Miss Goldie Davis of Chicago writes that she is located with Mr. and Mrs. Widney and their son George and wife who are looking after the rental of a fine rooming house in the city. Miss Golda will retain her position in the telephone office there. Mr. Glen Carlson was so very unfortunate as to have his car stolen while shopping in Monmouth Saturday afternoon. At latest reports, he had gotten no trace of it. It is surely a loss and inconvenience to Glenn and family. His brother Clarence is at the home now helping with the farm work for a few days. Mr. O. E. Reynolds and Harry Brown started on their trip west some time ago traveling in an automobile so that Mr. Reynolds, who is suffering of lung trouble, might make the trip leisurely and not reach a high altitude too quickly.
BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Dr. Noyes has been improving his home with a new coat of paint. The community meeting held Thursday evening in the high school gymnasium for the purpose of raising money to finance a new fence around the cemetery, was not as well attended as was expected. A good talk was given by John Lugg of Monmouth and the Gliun Smith orchestra of Burlington furnished good music. People were asked to purchase as many feet of fence as they could at $1.50 ($23.90 in today’s values). $800 was raised in this way. It will be necessary to have $1,500 to finance the proposition. The May committee from the Women’s Cemetery Society served a lunch of ice cream, strawberries, sandwiches and coffee and the proceeds amounted to over $30. Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Wiegand are spending time with relatives in Chicago on vacation. Mrs. Carrie Wiegand is caring the mail for him. James Sterrett, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Sterrett, has accepted a position at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago.
July 8, 1926 WINS DISTRICT TITLE: In a game played at Monmouth Park Monday afternoon, July 5th, the Henderson County Farm Bureau baseball team defeated the Warren County farmers by a score of 13 to 8. As a previous encounter was also won by Henderson County, the honor of representing the Western Illinois district in the semi-finals of the Illinois Farm Bureau Baseball League falls to the Henderson boys.
It was simply too hot for baseball which accounts in large measure for the size of the score on both sides. Both pitchers had good innings and bad ones and the fielding was also spotted. The Henderson County team had the advantage in the number of hits and also in their length, several going for extra bases. Keener lifted one over left field for four bases. The drawings for the semi finals have not been made but whoever is matched with Henderson County will be given a healthy argument.
4TH OF JULY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: The July birthday celebration of the South Country Birthday Club was held the night of the third at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Veech with an attendance of 111. A regular supper in cafeteria style was served early in the evening. The eight birthday guests, all of whom were present, were seated around a prettily decorated table trimmed with the national colors in the shape of flags and flowers with a white-iced angel food cake in the center. Those receiving favors were Miss Margaret Lee, Mrs. Jake Neff, the Messrs. C.S. Brokaw, Charles Lind, Jake Neff, Will Reedy, Harold Simsonson and little Robert Neff.
While the people were singing America, Miss Agnes Ahlers, dressed as America in flowing robes of white and tinsel decked and Mr. Paul Negley dressed as Uncle Sam marched across the lawn. Various other games followed and a beautiful display of fireworks added to the appropriate celebration of the evening. Miss Frances Lind and the Mesdames Ben Livermore and Algert Nolan were the hostesses for the evening and all present feel indebted to them for a very pleasant event.
CARNIVAL COMING TO BURLINGTON: When the E S. W. Brundage carnival pulls into Burlington to make ready for the big Tri-State Fair, August 9-14, they will bring the greatest array of new features ever assembled by any carnival organization. The carnival this season will have upwards of 18 attractions, the majority being new to Fair visitors. The show will have seven riding devices. Foremost among the new rides is the Hey-Dey. This ride is said to be more sensational and thrilling, contain more curves and spins than a carnival or amusement park ride built in many years. When assembled, the Hey-Dey covers a space 65 x85, several tons of steel being used in its construction. Only four carnival companies carry this new ride and the S.W. Brundage show being one of them.