The Graphic

April 7, 1921

FAST DEPARTURE: J. T. MAXEY: Jed T. Maxey, well known Stronghurst resident and rural mail carrier for the past ten years on Route No.2 out of the village, passed away last Sunday afternoon at about 5 o'clock following a stroke of apoplexy which occurred about 3 hours previously. Mr. Maxey had been down to the post office in the forenoon and assisted in the distribution of the morning mail. When through with this work he returned to his home in the west part of the village with the intention as his custom was of spending the day quietly with his family. While waiting for dinner, which was somewhat later than usual, he took down the violin with which he was accustomed to while away some of his hours at home and played a number of pieces, being accompanied on the piano by his daughter. While playing a selection he suddenly complained of feeling ill and said he would have to lie down. His illness seemed to be of such a violent nature that a physician was summoned at once. He was afforded temporary relief and for a time appeared to be resting quietly. After about an hour he attempted to get up and it is thought that the exertion of the effort brought on a hemorrhage of the brain as he sank back on his bed and lapsed into unconsciousness which terminated in death within about two hours.

Jed. T. Maxey was born in Knox County, Illinois, April 11, 1854 and departed this life at his home in Stronghurst April 3, 1921, age 66 years, 11 moths and 22 days. He was the eldest son of Clayborn and Charlotte Randall Maxey. He married Miss Daisy E. Reed Oct. 18, 1893, who proceeds him in death; she died June 7, 1911. Five children were born to this marriage, four of whom are still at home: Eleanor, Lucille, Effie and Garnett. Charlotte, the second daughter, married Mr. Frank Lebeck and lives near La Harpe; they have an infant son, Frances Eugene Lebeck.

Mr. Maxey was the eldest of a family of eleven children, two brother and sisters have died, leaving five children of his parent family still living.

His home was always on the farm until entering the postal service of his country as a mail carrier some ten years ago. The first three years of his marriage he farmed in Knox County and then moved to Henderson County where he farmed for seven years on land on the Evans' estate near Stronghurst. From there he moved to Iowa near Kingston where he stayed but one year. He then returned to Henderson County and for the next seven years farmed some of the Carothers land to the northwest of this place. He then moved into the village of Stronghurst, ten years ago last February and started to carry the mail on Route No. 2 out from Stronghurst. This position he loyally filled until the hour of his death, having taken care of his work in his usual way Sunday morning.

His education was received in the country schools of Knox County with one year of elective work in Knox College preparatory to teaching school. Funeral services were conducted at the M. E. Church with a large concourse of friends and neighbors including a great many of the patrons of Rural Route No.2 assembled to do honor to the memory of one who had always been a kind hearted and obliging friend and very faithful public servant. The music for the occasion was furnished by a quartette consisting of B. G. Widney, W. C. Regan, Mrs. P. W. Wallin and Mrs. Geo. Widney accompanied on the piano by Miss Erma Kaiser. Interment was in the village cemetery. (Long list of relatives and friends from a distance attending.)

GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: Mrs. Wm. Wilds returned home to Keithsburg after visiting relatives in town. Len Ditto and family moved from town to a farm southwest where they will make their home. The state fire marshal was in town inspecting buildings. A social will be held at the U.P. church Friday evening; everybody is invited to attend. J. L. Duvall of Weaver, Iowa moved to their own house here. Mr. Frank Jacobs has been quite ill at his home.

BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Rev. McHenry of Table Grove has spent the last few weeks at the home of his son Albert. Miss Mary Wheeling left for Estes, Colo. where she will visit the Cyril Williams home. Mrs. August Weigand returned from Galesburg where she had gone to attend the dedication of the new Christian Science church at that place. Clendon Welch, who spent the winter in Oregon and attended school, arrived home.

MEDIA MEANDERINGS: Miss Clara Schrenk received some violet and lilac blossoms from her home at Golconda, Ill.; there certainly are a lot of differences in the season even in our state. Mr. Lee Seman of Prairie City, noted horseman was a business caller in town. Harry Lefler of Hamilton, Ill. visited his brother, Raymond, who is agronomist for the Lewis Seed Co. Geo. Strong, who has been working in town for a couple of weeks returned to Monmouth where the Western Stoneware Co.'s plant No. 2 is expected to be started April 4th; he will begin there again. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Myrtland moved from the Terry property into Richard Gould's house. Mr. and Mrs. Gould expect to leave for Minnesota where they will make their home.

CARMAN CONCERNS: Little Earl Dixon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dixon, Jr., who was kicked by a horse and dangerously injured, was able to be brought home from the Burlington hospital apparently out of danger. Fred Clover is driving a new Ford on the mail route. Miss Gertrude Dowell visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Dowell; Willis has been quite poorly for several days.

DECORRA DABS: Mr. and Mrs. Austin and daughter Ida from Standish, Mo. visited their daughter, Mrs. Willie Farrar. Chas. Wolford, having bought out the Decorra store, has now taken up residence in the village and the community is invited to call and learn his reasonable prices.

Sam Gray and family have moved to the Peasley place; he was formerly from Terre Haute. J. W. Denum has been helping Mrs. C. W. Walker put in her oats. (Her husband disappeared in Chicago after selling cattle.)

NOT INTERESTED: The township election was one of the quietest conducted here in many years. This was owing partly, no doubt, to the fact that there was no contest for the office of supervisor and that there was no other offices to be filled which carry any great renumeration. Many farmers did not feel like dropping their work in the fields to come in and vote. Only 40 votes were cast and of these each candidate on the republican ticket received a majority.

In the annual Town Meeting convened in the afternoon, C.H. Curry, supervisor as special committee, reported the purchase during the year of the old M. E. Church at Olena for $350, the building to be used for the purpose of storing road tools and machinery belonging to the township. This action was approved and the committee was discharged.

SPRINGTIME FESTIVAL: The pupils of the grades in the public school were entertained at the Community room by their teachers, Miss Hortense Harbison and Mrs. Ruth Wilson assisted by Mrs. Charles Davis and Mrs. T. C. Knutstrom of the Community Club. A round of parlor games was enjoyed by the students and a delicious picnic lunch with fruit punch added much to the success of the evening.

PLACE TO EAT ON SUNDAY: The NuVon Hotel in Stronghurst announced special Sunday dinners would be served from noon to 2:30 p.m.. A chicken dinner will be served with reservations needed

WILL PRESENT PLAY: The April group of the Ladies Aid Society of the M. E. Church is arranging to present the play, "The Old Maids Association" at the Lyric Theatre.

25 YEARS AGO - 1896 GRAPHIC: The first regular meeting of the Henderson County Telephone Co. was held in Stronghurst on April 4th. It was decided to put the exchange here, ten parties having agreed to put instruments in their places of business and pay a rental of $2.00 per month for use of the lines.

Miss Bertha Butler was employed as central operator at a salary of $12 per month. A toll rate of 10 cents between any two given stations in the county was decided upon. And parties living in the country would be allowed to string wires on poles to their nearest station and have instruments installed. They would be allowed use of the lines at a rental of $2.00 per month.

S. W. Carothers was endeavoring to negotiate with the Stronghurst village board for a franchise and street lighting contract preparatory to the construction of an electric lighting plant and system in the village.

An ordinance placing a ban on the sale of "Maltina," a near beer beverage, was passed by the village council and an ordinance limiting the speed of passenger trains within the corporate limits to 10 miles per hour and freight trains to 6 miles per hour was passed.

The $12,000 residence of Andrew Kirby of Dallas City, known as the Rolloson Mansion, was destroyed by fire on April 1st. Potatoes were being quoted on the Chicago market at from 15-25 cents per bushel; corn at 28-29 cents and wheat at 62-63 cents per bushel.

WEDDING BELLS-BOWEN & HOHSTADT: Mr.? Bowen and Miss Eva May Hohstadt were united in marriage at Oquawka April 4th. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Hohstadt and the groom is a son of the late James H. and Mrs. Mary A. Bowen. He spent a number of months in the military service in training camps in the country during the war and is at present taking a course of instructions in auto repair work at Aledo, Ill. The couple will make their home in Aledo.

IT WAS GRANDPA'S MOVE: A precocious 5 year old Stronghurst urchin is said to have recently challenged his grandpa to a game of cards. As there were none of the kind of pasteboards at hand such as is usually employed in games of chance, the little fellow gathered up some bright colored cards which he had obtained at Sunday school. These he proceeded to distribute equally between his opponent and himself and then, after gravely studying his "hand" for a few moments, said, "Grandpa, Jesus is trumps and it's your play."

BIG REDUCTION IN PROPERTY VALUES: The township assessors of Henderson County met at Oquawka and decided upon a uniform basis for assessing personal property this year. The valuations of last year were reduced as much as 70% in some classes of property while reductions of 50% were common.

The value placed on grain, of course, showed the biggest slump. (Example: corn went from $1.00 to 30 cents) Some reductions were made in the value of livestock (example: horses went from $75 to $60, feeders and fat cattle went from $7 to $5 per hundred pounds; Sheep went from $4 to $2 per head and hogs went from 8 cents to 6 cents per pound-(the farming segment of society was in a recession/depression).

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: MR. AND MRS. EARL BEARDSLEY: Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Kaiser and Miss Erma Kaiser entertained a number of guests at the Kaiser home at a three course dinner and card party in honor of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Beardsley whose wedding anniversary occurred on that date. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear; Miss Opal Stine; Miss Ruth Mains; Hollis Links; K.E. Yoakam; and G. C. Rehling. The table was artistically decorated in pink and white.

An elaborate centerpiece of sweet peas was one of the features. At each guest's place was a card announcing the marriage of Ada Lee Lovitt to Earl Beardsley on April 4, 1907. At the place assigned to the guests of honor were two small Kewpies dressed in bridal array. In the card game which followed the dinner, the prize was won by Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear.

COUNTY WOODMEN CONVENTION: Delegates from W.M.A. camps within the county met in Stronghurst and selected a delegate and alternate to the state quadrennial convention to be held at Galesburg May 6th. Of the seven camps in the county only Stronghurst, Oquawka, Raritan and Carman were represented. Mr. Ed Brewer of Stronghurst camp was selected as delegate and J.G. Murphy as alternate. Raritan was chosen as the place for holding the county convention four years hence.

THEY ROBBED THE DEPOT: John Nolan, the ticket agent at the Santa Fe station at Galesburg was held up by two bandits Thursday morning at about 4:30 o'clock and compelled to hand over the contents of the office money drawer. Mr. Nolan was seated at his desk with his back to the ticket window, making out some reports when his attention was attracted by someone tapping on the ticket window ledge. On turning around he found himself looking into the muzzle of a big black revolver held by a tall man wearing an overcoat and a slouch hat, pulled down over his face. Behind this man stood a shorter man also holding a gun. They ordered Mr. Nolan to hand over the contents of the money drawer. He began to gather up some bills which were in the drawer when the robbers ordered him to bring the drawer and place it on the window ledge before them. The agent obeyed the orders and the two men quickly gathered up the bills and packages of coin in the drawer and stuffed them in their pockets. They then ordered Nolan to lie down behind the desk, which stands about eight feet from the ticket window. This demand was also complied with and the bandits than made their exit from the depot and disappeared.

The ticket window before which the bandits stood is in the passage way between the men's and women's waiting rooms and while the robbery was taking place a man from Fort Madison was asleep on one of the benches in the men's waiting room only a few feet away.

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: H. F. McAllister has returned from California and will spend the summer in Oquawka. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Lovitt have returned to their Terre Haute home from California where they spent the past winter. What is known as the W. A. M. Crouch farm near Rozetta was sold at conservator's sale at $120 per acre ($1,426.80 in today's values). This price is so low that it is considered doubtful the court will approve the sale.

Mrs. Ed Simpson is reported to be quite ill at her home in the village. Mrs. M. J. Connor of Albia, Ia. is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Reed Salter and family. Mr. Will Whiteman who was taken suddenly ill at his home near Coloma is improving. A large delegation of citizens of Stronghurst and vicinity saw the motion picture play, "Down East" at Burlington.

Mrs. Gertrude Howard, who has been at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson, left for her Eastern home. Mr. Frank Hamel, piano tuner, will be in Stronghurst; leave your offers with Mrs. Ivins(local piano teacher) or Dr. Harter's store. Miss Erma Kaiser returned from Chicago for the Easter vacation and will not for the present resume her musical studies in that city. Lots 6 & 7 and part of Lot 8 in block 48 were sold by P.W. Wallin and wife to Mrs. Carrie Marshall.

Victor Links, the 10 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Links of the Old Bedford neighborhood swallowed a steel ball from a ball bearing gearing on March 17th. An X-ray examination located the object; but no operation for its removal has been performed as yet.

Mr. Guy Sowers and Mrs. Cora Slusher, both of Macomb, Ill. were united in marriage in that city on March 18th. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hardin of Raritan Township. Will Drain, who has had employment in the oil fields in Texas, arrived in Stronghurst. The reduction in price of crude oil has caused operations to shut down and many men are out of employment. Other Stronghurst boys who were employed at that place have gone on to the Western coast. Mr. James E. Voorhees, a former Henderson County man, who has been prominently identified with the business interests of Bushnell for many years and who has been active in Republican politics in the city, has applied for the position of postmaster to succeed Mr. J.E. Spiker, the present incumbent.

Miss Evelyn Carothers of this vicinity has gone to Alberta, Can. on a short business trip. Mrs. Lucy Smith of Chicago came for an extended visit at the C. E. Peasley home near Decorra. Mr. and Mrs. Will Fordyce are rejoicing over the arrival of a young daughter at their Terre Haute home.

Dr. Frank Evans of Springfield, Ill. and John Evans of Emerson, Ia. visited the J. M. Evans home at Fairview Farm near Decorra. A meeting of the executive board of the Illinois Federated Women's Clubs of the 14th dist. was held at Monmouth; Mrs. B. G. Widney and Mrs. C. E. Peasley of Stronghurst are members. Miss J. Lita Bane, State Director of Home Economics, visited the home of her brother, F. M. Bane and family enroute to Aledo, Ill. to attend a conference of the Mercer County Home Bureau. Mrs. F.A. Annegers entertained the King's Daughters Circle at her home near Decorra. With a full attendance an interest meeting was held.

While coming into Stronghurst with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rankin in their car, Mr. S. V. A. Simonson sustained a strain of the spine and severe nervous shock when the car struck a fill in the street and he was thrown against the top of the car.

He was taken to his home here where he is being cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Worthington. The Sunday school of the Stronghurst Christian Church was reorganized with a good attendance of members. A splendid talk was given by Elder Catlin of Old Bedford, who has promised to be present every Sunday afternoon during the summer when possible.

Everyone is cordially invited to attend these services held at 2:30 p.m.. Grandpa Brown, who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Wilson here, celebrated his 85th birthday on Easter Sunday, March 27th. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cowden, former Henderson County people living near Biggsville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Monmouth with a family dinner at which all of their nine children except two were present.

The citizens of Dallas City will vote April 16th on the question of a $20,000 bond issue to provide funds for a city water works system.

At present the pumping for the city is done by the electric light company; but the contract has expired and the citizens are offered the alternative of having their own water supply, including that necessary for fire protection purposes, or have their water shut off in case the bond issue is not voted.

OLENA OBSERVATIONS: Rev. Sensibaugh, the Jewish evangelist of Chicago, will give at least four of his wonderful soul searching sermons in the village church this week; Rev. Sailor predicts a large congregation so come early if you wish a back seat. On Sunday the gospel team form Monmouth will have charge of services. Mrs. Woodall did not move to Olena; she recently sold her sand farm, stored her household goods and is staying in Media. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hicks are located in Olena occupying the Albert Hult property. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Lefler have become the proud parents of a young son who will answer to the name of Kenneth Eugene; Mrs. Montroy of the village is caring for mother and son. Miss Esther Johnson was able to resume her studies in Stronghurst high school. Miss Hazel Hicks spent the latter part of the week with Media friends and attended the play given by home talent of Media Academy.

The M. E. Church is now lighted with gas instead of electricity as previously stated. They tried to secure the electricity, but as the price was $500, they changed their plans. Mr. Carl Johnson, Supt. of the Lutheran Sabbath School of Stronghurst accompanied by the Misses Tona Hult and Wilma Burrell of Olena S.S., made a canvass of the north part of District 4 in the interest of the church and S.S. work. Mrs. Arthur Dowell is quite sick with gall stone trouble. (Reading the paper is how you kept up with the neighbors in 1921.) Two gentlemen representing the Lomax broom factory were interviewing the people here in the interest of trade. Wilbur Davis did himself proud by killing a wolf in the timber near his home. A pair of twins was recently born to Mr. and Mrs. George Schroeder of near Danville, Iowa.

BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Miss Verna Rankin is the new bookkeeper at the Don Lee electric light plant. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Liby returned from California where they spent the winter. Earl Adair and family moved into the Dr. J. A. Bailey home. Mrs. George Holmes and sons, Max and baby, left for Denver, Colo. where they will join her husband and make their future home. William Whiteman who had a slight stroke is able to be up and outdoors again. Mr. and Mrs. David McDill left for Oklahoma where they hope his health will benefit. A play, "Patty Makes Things Hum" planned by members of the Presbyterian Church will be given at the high school. Mrs. Lena Kilgore left for Morning Sun, Iowa, where her brother Luther is very ill.