The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
CRIME CRIME CRIME: Early last Saturday morning, July3, Stronghurst was visited by thieves determined, as it would seem, to “do the town.” First evidence of their activities was found at the rear entrance to the E.R. Grandey dry goods store, The thieves either in need of clothing material, or coin (a cash register being in plain view through the window of the door at the rear) attempted to remove the lock from the door. After some dozen or so auger holes had been bored around the lock, it still held, and the robbers gave up the job to devote their efforts elsewhere.
From the Grandey store it seems they proceeded south down the alley, this time in quest of a suitable automobile. Four or five garages were entered containing cars of various makes, ranging from a Ford to a new Hupmobile Sedan. These cars were not molested. Apparently, the robbers were not prepared to take any of the larger cars, but the Studebaker for when they arrived two or three blocks up the alley at the Hartquist garage, they appropriated a practically new touring car of that make and here all traces of the thieves vanish.
Sheriff Davenport was in town late Saturday morning and it is reported that some valuable clues have been found. It is hoped that the thieves will soon be captured and placed where they can no longer pray upon society. However, if not captured, this will only be one of many payments for freedom wrongly interpreted. It is indeed unfortunate, that as in this case, one person must pay such a great part of the price for such freedom. Society should pay. Let society demand that thieves be captured and punished.
CARS MUST STOP: Announcement was made recently by the state highway department that the motorcycle patrol officers will show no leniency with motorists who fail to observe the “Stop” signs along arterial highways in the state after July 15th. A period of grace has been allowed to permit car drivers to familiarize themselves with the new rule, but after July 15th refusal or neglect to stop will mean a minimum fine of $10.
SOLD HIS TROTTING HORSE: Ira Foote has sold his good trotter, Peter Foote, to Julius Vahes of East Moline, Ill., for $2,000. Mr. Vahes started him at Cedar Rapids, July 3rd and won in straight heats, beating a field of good horses which proved the horse a money maker. Ira bought him for $130 and won $1,500 and then sold him for this price. He was started 10 times and won seven first and three times second.
SHOWER FOR THE BRIDE: Last Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Jessie Lant north of town, Mrs. Ruth Browning and Mrs. Lula Lant entertained with a miscellaneous shower 50 or more friends and relatives of Mrs. Nellie (Lant) McCartney, a recent bride. The afternoon was spent in conversation and music after which refreshments of ice cream and cake were served. The bride was then seated on the floor under an open parasol to prevent the approaching shower. Instead of raindrops, it was a shower of many beautiful and useful presents which were handed to the bride by two young ladies, Misses Mary Andre and Helen White. Mrs. McCartney unwrapped the gifts so each one present might see them.
NEW RECORD: Frank Johnson, manager of the local Co-operative Shipping Association, reports its last three months gross market sales to exceed all previous records here. The gross market sales for April, May and June of this year totaled $100,100.94 and for the preceding three months, $95,577.21.
GIRL SCOUTS ORGANIZE: For a long time, the Boy Scouts of Stronghurst have been envied by every girl of scout age. (10-18 years) No longer will this envy prevail as on Tuesday evening a group of Girl Scouts were organized. Sixteen girls met at the home of Mrs. Lester Gerber and as a result Stronghurst now has a “Girl Scout Troop” wit Mrs. Gerber as captain…
FORMER BOY NOW BIG OIL MAN: Frank J. Silsbee, now a resident of Evanston, Ill. was here to spend the weekend and the Fourth of the home of his mother. Frank, who is now a 32-degree oil man and connected with one of the largest concerns in the country, spent his childhood here and at one time was “devil” in the Graphic office. He took to oil just the same as a duck takes to water. His first lessons were taken at Houston, Texas after which he went to Los Angeles and became publisher of a journal devoted to the oil business. On account of his extensive knowledge of the business, he was drafted into government service at Washington during the World War. Subsequent to the war, he was located for some time in New York City, but more recently has had his headquarters in Chicago. He turned down a more lucrative offer in New York because of his partiality to the western metropolis.
HE RESIGNED AS STATE’S ATTORNEY: A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Henderson County held last Tuesday at Oquawka, the resignation of Harry C. Blackstone was bought before the board and accepted. Attorney Charles E. Fort, Jr. of Stronghurst was appointed by the board to fill the vacancy left by the resignation. Attorney Fort will serve until December 1928 as Blackstone’s unexpired term does not end until that date.
Blackstone, at the time of his election, had not been admitted to the bar of Illinois but announced that he intended to become so soon. After becoming elected and serving for slightly over a year and one half, he has not been admitted to the bar and the right to hold office as state’s attorney has been denied him for this reason.
In February a large number of citizens of this county sought the opinion of Attorney E. P. Field who stated that he did not believe that Blackstone was legal qualified to hold the office. Mr. Field asked the Attorney General of Illinois to institute quo warranto proceedings designed to remove Blackstone from office, but the state official refused to act in the case. Action was then started in the circuit court of this county which resulted in the appointment of a special prosecutor and the enjoining of the board from paying Blackstone his salary.
It is understood that under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone is to receive his salary for the last quarter and is to quit the office. Blackstone recently took the examination for rural mail carrier out of Gladstone and as he was awarded the highest grade, he was given the position. He will assume his work within a few days.
FAMILY REUNION: A happy family reunion was held last Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Crapnell when Mrs.Crapnell’s mother, brother and sisters and families from the Aledo neighborhood were all present and enjoyed a delicious noon day feast together. Those present wee Mrs. Katherine Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Peterson and daughter Maxine, Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Felton, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Epperly and daughters, Violet and Ferris, and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jones and children Pauline and Ralph.
STOCK SHIPMENTS: Monday, Hartquist Brothers shipped three loads of cattle; G. M. McGaw, two loads of cattle;, Co-op, two loads of hogs; Harry Ross, two loads of cattle out of Decorra. Wednesday Co-op, two loads of hogs from Stronghurst; Joe Peasley, one load of cattle and one load of hogs out of Decorra. Thursday, Co-op one load of hogs from Stronghurst; Edgar Hartquist, Harry Ross and Joe Peasley accompanied the shipment to Chicago.
CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY 1926 STYLE: Locally, the celebrating of our country’s natal day was without exception, safe and sane. The Fourth coming on Sunday, it was proven that we could not all agree upon the exact day to celebrate and so patriotism was displayed over a period of three or four days, coming to a grand climax upon Monday, July 5th. The business men of Stronghurst chose Monday as their day of observance and practically all of the stores closed most of the day and in the evening. As nothing particular had been arranged here, the citizens left to seek their own amusement and to follow their own bent.
The long-advertised celebration at Raritan proved a drawing card to those loving to mingle with the vast crowds and a large number went over to “shake hands” with each other. Stronghurst is to be congratulated upon patronizing her neighbor on “the edge of the west,” for as Mr. Lewis, president of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce says, “If Henderson County towns do not boost for each other, how can we expect the outside world to notice us.” In its various amusement, Raritan did itself credit in putting on a real lively, safe and sane celebration.
Fishing excursions and auto trips proved means of diversion for others while a goodly number were content to remain quietly at home, lounging away the hours or enjoying a family gathering or a visit with friends.
LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Guy Leinbach has been employed as janitor of the new school building for the coming year. Word was recently received by Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Brokaw of the birth of a young son to their daughter, Mrs. Ethel Shults and husband, Rev. Ernest Shults of Powell, Wyo. The newly arrived has been named Robert Isaac in honor of his grandfathers. The United Presbyterian Church is being cleaned today by the ladies of the church. A fine pot luck dinner was served at the noon hour.
The Maple Grove Sunday school will hold a Community Social at the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Davis on July 14th. The committee in charge of the entertainment are making every effort to make this one of the outstanding social events of the season. The patronage of the community is solicited.
Mrs. Jessie Murphy is suffering from an infection on her face. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Seldon Walker of the Decorra neighborhood on Sunday, June 20th. Miss Clarissa Taylor had one of her fingers badly burned while shooting fire crackers on the Fourth. John Junior Peasley, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Peasley, fell from the porch at his home and fractured both bones of his forearm. Cleve Dobbin, in freeing a dog which had hanged himself on the barb wire fence, was bitten severely on the hand and chest one day this week. Mrs. Mary Carlson, who resides two miles west of Stronghurst, celebrated her 80th birthday one day last weekend received numerous felicitous greetings from friends by means of letters and post cards. Mr. John Staley received word that his niece, Mrs. Walter McLain, north of Biggsville, was in a very serious condition. Upon advice of Dr. Wieman, she was taken to the Burlington Hospital for treatment. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Leon Rezner of Biggsville neighborhood at the home of the lady’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Marshall on Sunday, July 4th. Mrs. Rezner was formerly Miss Grace Marshall of this place. The young son has been named Richard Lee. Mr. J. F. McMillan left at midnight last Thursday by auto for Maxwell, Iowa, and returning last Monday, brought Mrs. McMillan and daughter home after a six weeks’ stay with the lady’s mother. Mrs. Nat Curry and daughter Erma accompanied him as far as Des Moines, Ia, and they will visit at the H. C. Haben home for several weeks. There will be an ice cream social given at the home of Mr. Clarence Combites (on the Oscar Beckett farm) on Friday evening, July 16th. There will be music throughout the evening. It is a benefit for the Christian Church. Miss Maree Rankin has accepted a position as instructor in the Rayson School for Girls on River Side, Drive, New Your City, and her sister, Miss Carol, is to teach French in a college in New Brunswick, New Jersey this fall. The ladies are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Rankin of Monmouth, former Stronghurst residents. Prof. H. F. VanDyke and family have arrived in Stronghurst and are located in the Gregory residence property in the West part of town. Prof. VanDyke will be instructor in Agriculture which will be added to the high school course this fall.
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL NEWS FROM THE MEDIA RECORD: Gale Heap shelled corn for Melvin Schroeder Wednesday afternoon. Paul Erickson left for Chicago where he expects to find employment. The residence in town owned by Jas. Callow of Roseville is being prepared for the occupants who will soon move in. Mrs. Shelby Vaughn who has been in poor health for some time is reported to be worse. Almost the entire populace of Media attended the Independence Day celebration at Raritan on Monday (paper says 1,000 cars were there). Mr. and Mrs. Perry Heap were the proud parents of a baby boy who arrived Sunday, July 4th. No name has been decided upon for the young man yet. E. G. Lewis took first prize in the parade event. Mr. Lewis had a wagon fixed to represent the characteristic “Covered Wagon” of pioneer days.
RECIPE FROM MEDIA RECORD-CORN FLAKE MACAROOMS: Beat the whites of two eggs until stiff, add one cupful of sugar, one cupful each of cornflakes and coconut, two tablespoonfuls of flour, salt and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls on baking sheet and bake in a moderate oven (better cut back on the salt.).
OLENA OBSERVATIONS: (Corrections from the last issue-The groom of Nellie Lant is really William MacNary. The young man suffering from ivy poison is Mr. Alfred Burrell.) Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Lyons entertained 15 girls at their home south of the village in honor of their two granddaughters, Misses Mildred and Velma Lyons of Monmouth who have been house guests for the past several days. Miss Nellie Johnson is attending the teachers’ summer school at Monmouth. P. M. Mr. Allen of the Burlington poultry house was in this neighborhood engaging chickens and hens at 20 cents @ lb. On Saturday evening, July 3rd, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Brecht, Miss Alice Brecht and Mr. Cecil Gibson, all of Chicago, decided to spend the 4th with Burlington relatives and to make this possible drove all night reaching Burlington for breakfast. On their return trip they visited friends in and near Olena. Karl was driving a spick and span ne Studebaker car which he had but recently purchased. (Roads were not that all the good so this, indeed, a feat!) Word received from Mr. O. E. Reynolds that he and H. Brown had reached their destination 65 miles east of Denver, Colo. On July 6th a young daughter was born to Mr. Acil Dowell and wife at the Arthur Dowell home west of Olena where Mrs. Dowell is being cared for. The young Miss tipped the scales at 9 pounds. Rumor says that Mr. S. C. Lant and family now ride in a spick and span new Chevrolet car. Virgil Davis and family spent Sabbath afternoon with friends near Mediapolis, Iowa. Farmers are rushing their corn preparatory to wheat garnering and hay making. Mrs. Swearinger of near Aledo has been a recent guest of her daughter, Mrs. Vern Likely and family.