The Graphic

June 2, 1921

HONOR DEFENDERS: May 10th was marked by the general suspension of business and labor in this community while the thoughts of the citizens were turned toward the remembrance of those who in the various conflicts through which the country has passed, stood in the breech and defended the nation, flag and states.

Public Memorial services were held at the Lyric Theatre beginning with a half hour preceding the meeting of a fife and drum corps composed of Eruie Apt, W. L. Spiker and son Ernest stirring the patriotic blood of the gathering audience with some spirited martial music. By the time the hour set for the meeting had arrived, an audience had gathered. Rev. V. A. Crumbaker, chairman of the day called the meeting to order and all were invited to join in singing the national anthem. The divine blessing was invoked by Rev. K. R. Anderson and Mrs. Sterling Simpson sang Keisler's Cradle Song, Robert W. Service read the poem "Young Fellow My Lad" by Robert Mathers, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. James Mathers. Mrs. George Widney then sang, "In Flanders Field." The speaker of the day was Rev. W. C. Williamson, D.D. of Monmouth, Ill He is a veteran of the Civil War and has long since passed the Biblical limit of three score and then year in his life, but the vigor and spirit which characterized the younger soldier of the sixties is still apparent in his speech and action.

Following this address Miss Alice Wax sang Carrie Jacob Bonds adaptation of "A Perfect Day." This concluded the exercises at the theatre. The school children who were to carry the garlands and flags to the cemetery for decorating the soldiers' graves and who had been seated in a body near the platform marched out followed by the remainder of the audience.

On the street outside the procession to the cemetery formed under the direction of Mr. A. S. McElhinney, who had been selected as marshal, the children, autos and citizens on foot for the line of march. At the cemetery a number of recitations and drills by the children under the direction of Miss Mary Morgan and Juliette Wheeling were given. Comrade H. M. Allison then read the roll of honor containing the names of soldiers from this vicinity who had passed away and whose remains lie in the local cemetery or in graves on foreign soil. The wreathes and flags were then placed on the graves and the sounding of "taps" by two buglers closed the ceremonies and the crowd quietly dispersed.

While all of the exercises were of fitting and appropriate nature, it was a matter of regret to those in charge that more flowers had not been donated by the public for placing on soldiers' graves. That the neglect was due to thoughtlessness of what was due to the memory of those in whose honor the day was celebrated rather than to a lack of flowers was made evident by the fact that many floral tokens had been placed by friends upon the graves of those who were not soldiers. It would seem that in cases of this kind, the passage of scripture would apply which says: "This ought ye to have done; but not have left the other undone." (At this time Memorial Day was to honor soldiers, not family.)

Ad for Milk: Hereafter I will deliver milk to my patrons at the price formerly charged at my home. I am also prepared to furnish milk in quantities to parties desiring to make ice cream if notified on the day previous-Mrs. Wm. Kane

SALE OF SCHOOL HOUSE: The old school house in district No. 32 known as the "Heisler District" will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder on the school lot on June 15th-by Order of Township Trustees.

Ad by T. C. Knutstrom detailing price of new Buick six-cylinder models beginning June 1st f.o.b. factories, Flint, Michigan

Model Price 2011 price

3-passenger roadster $1495 $17,776

5-passenger touring 1525 18,132

3-passenger coupe 2135 25,385

5-passenger sedan 2435 28,952

7-passenger sedan 2635 31,330

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES: The crowning event marking the closing of the work in the Stronghurst High School saw a class of 24 seniors, the largest ever, graduate from this institution. They were handed their diplomas after listening to excellent advice from President McConaughy of Knox College as to the attitudes which they should take toward life as they passed "Out of the Harbor into the Deep." (list of graduates follows;check out article on microfilm at Henderson County Public Library.)

While Miss Doris Dixson played a processional these 24 graduates filed up the aisle of the church and took their places on the platform. Rev. Crumbaker made the invocation and was followed by a solo by Mrs. Sterling Simpson. Supt. Larson then announced that Miss Evelyn Hartquist and Miss Marjorie McKeown had been very close contestants for the class honors, the former having received a marking of 94 and the latter 93 8/10. In accordance, Miss Hartquist was class valedictorian with Miss McKeown as salutatorian. Following their addresses to classmates and the audience, Dr. McConaughty delivered a most excellent address full of sound wisdom and many suggestions applicable not only to student life but to life in general. A vocal duel by Miss Francis Worley and Mr. Douglass Prescott and the benediction by Rev. K. R. Anderson closed the exercises.

25 YEARS AGO - 1896 GRAPHIC: Decoration Day was held the first time in village history. Attorney R. F. Robinson and J. W. Gordon spoke at the occasion. The work on filling the big ravine spanned by a tree line just west of the village was begun by the Santa Fe Railroad. The marriage of James Wilson and Miss Lizzie Gibb occurred at the home of the bride's parents south of Biggsville on May 26th. R. B. Chase and the Cooksie brothers of Stronghurst had purchased phonographs and started on an entertainment tour of surrounding towns opening at Carman. Mrs. Lena Jones, wife of I.N. Jones of this place, passed away on May 29th after an extended illness.

BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Mr. and Mrs. Dave McDill returned from Oklahoma where they had gone for the benefit of Mr. McDill's health; the gentleman still remains in a bad condition. Mr. John Weir and son Ted completed a new garage on the property of Gus Erickson, who recently purchased a new Overland sedan. Lawrence Griffth expects to move with his family from the Alvah Martin property to the Sam Holmes residence. Medames McHenry and Erwin returned from Chicago where they attended the state convention of the Women's Federation. Biggsville people are having a nice breathing spell while there is no dust in the air. Some of the roads were heavily oiled last week while some of the main traveled streets received scarcely enough to keep down the dust until the last of June. Community Chautauqua begins June 19th with "The Sign of the Cross."

CARMAN CONCERNS: Rain is needed badly in this locality; gardens and hay are suffering from the drought. The measles quarantine cards have mostly been taken down. Many picnic parties have been enjoyed at the club houses and river and timber. Mr. Henry Adair and sister, Miss Martha and Mrs. Lib Vaughan of Stronghurst and Mrs. Emma Price of Burlington called at the Wm. Finch home. A little daughter which has been named Margaret Elaine, arrived on May 5th to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. William Pendry, Jr.; mother and daughter are doing fine. Many friends of Marion Bradway were saddened by receiving word of his death at Meriden, Miss. His body was laid to rest after funeral services conducted by Rev. Barr King. A very large attendance of the I.O.O.F. members was present and conducted their funeral rites. Pall bearers were Archie Vaughan, Harry Wisbey, Clarence Vaughan, Earl Marsden, John Dowell and Henry Jones.

GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: S. E. Duncan shipped several car loads of stock to Chicago and accompanied the shipment to the city. After visiting relatives and friends, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Lewis and children have started home from Iron Mountain, Mich.; they will make the trip by car. At the ball game with Oquawka, the score favored Oquawka 3 to 1.

WEDDING BELLS: DAVIS-HENDERSON: The many friends of Dale Davis and Madge Henderson were surprise to learn that they had quietly slipped away to Burlington and had been united in the bonds of wedlock by Rev. Mr. Cutilipp, pastor of the M. E. Church Tuesday.

Following their marriage, they returned to Stronghurst and were present at a supper given by the ladies in the Community club rooms early in the evening where they formed part of a company of young people prominent in the social circles of the community who had reserved a special table for them. Later the party repaired to the new country home of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lynch north of Raritan where a home warming party was held. After the party had been in progress for some time, the noise of a motor car which seemed to be leaving was heard. None of the guests had been seen departing; but a check revealed that Dale and Madge were missing. Mrs. Henderson, the mother of the latter, was one of the guests at the Lynch home and from her it was learned that the two young people had been married during the afternoon and they were starting on their wedding journey. A pursuit was hastily planned, by when they reached their cars and attempted to start them, it was found that the switch keys had been removed and by the time these were located, the high power speedster which Dale operates was roaring down the road at a speed which convinced the would be pursuers that a chase would prove futile. It is presumed that the newly wedded pair motored to some railroad point and took a train for Chicago to spend their honeymoon. It is also not improbable that Dale's old associates will hold him to strict accountability for the trick he played on them when he and his bride return.

The bride and groom are numbered amongst the community's best known and most popular young people. The bride is the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. F. M. Henderson of Stronghurst and is a lady of many accomplishments and possessed of a fine talent for dispensing pleasure in her association with others. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Davis of the Decorra neighborhood and is a well known and successful young farmer whose sunny temperament and likable qualities have made him a host of friends. They will make their future home on the groom's farm near Decorra.

OPENED TO THE PUBLIC: The newly completed Mausoleum in the local cemetery was visited by many people on Memorial Day. The remains of Jas. Pogue of Media were the first to be placed in the structure on May 9th. Since that time some 25 bodies have been lifted from the adjoining burying ground and placed therein, this number includes one soldier of the world war.

Stronghurst justly has reason to feel proud of this structure which equals that of any city in Western Illinois, the interior being finished in beautiful white marble. "Hope Abby" adds much to the beauty of the city of the dead. A drive way has been laid out around the outer part of the grounds and interested parties have some extensive plans for future improvements.

HARTERS RETURN HOME: Dr. and Mrs. I. F. Harter, who spent the past five months in California, have returned to their home here. Mrs. Harter arrived early while Dr. Harter stopped off at Topeka, Kans. While in the land of sunshine and flowers, the Harters were domiciled in a little rose covered bungalow in Hollywood surrounded with fruit ladened trees, some of the products of which they brought home with them.

While a large share of the time they spent there was devoted to sight seeing and recreation, the doctor found time to give a limited number of patients the benefit of his professional services. The home was also the scene of a number of social gathering in which former Illinoisans now living in California enjoyed the hospitality of the doctor and his wife.

WIN ALL THE TROPHIES: The athletic team of the Stronghurst High School went to Monmouth and participated in the invitation meet held under the auspices of the Monmouth College Y.M.C.A. They returned in the evening with three trophies of the contest, namely, the loving cup awarded to the team winning the meet; the cup awarded the team winning the relay race, and the cup presented to the individual athlete winning the highest number of points. The latter prize went to James Sanderson who had a total of 16 point to his credit at the close of the meet, having won first in the shot put and low hurdles, second in the discus and running high jump, and typing for third in the running broad jump.

The total number of points won by the Stronghurst boys was 33 _ points made by all but 4 were made by Sanderson and D. Putney, the latter winning the 100 and 200 yard dashes and finishing second in the 50. Virgil Putney was second in the shot put and third in the discus, winning 4 points for his school. In the relay race, the big lead obtained by Putney in the first lap was never overcome and the Stronghurst team easily landed first with the Monmouth team as their closest competitor.

BURNED BY LIGHTNING: During the severe electrical storm which prevailed in this locality last evening, the barn on the J. R. Carothers place northwest of town was struck by a bolt of lightning and burned to the ground. About 12  tons of hay, a small amount of grain, some farm implements and harness were consumed with the building, the fire having gained such headway before it was discovered that it was impossible to save any of the contents.

By the strenuous efforts of Mr. Carothers and a few neighbors, the fire was prevented from spreading to the adjoining out buildings. Mr. Carothers carried about $1,225 insurance on the barn and contents, which will only partially cover the loss sustained. The insurance was carried by the Farmers' Mutual Company and prompt and satisfactory settlement of the loss was made by the officials of the company within 12 hours after the fire occurred.

A CLOSE CALL: A serious fire was narrowly averted at the O. A. Rankin home north of town May 16th. A gasoline stove in the kitchen exploded and scattered the burning fuel about the room, which was quickly in flames. Mrs. Rankin, who was alone in the house, had the presence of mind to close the outer doors and windows and thus prevent a draft from fanning the blaze. Lyman Ross, who happened to be passing at the time, rushed into the house and he and Mrs. Rankin succeeded in beating out the flames. While no great amount of damage was done by the fire, the interior of both the kitchen and dining room was blistered by the heat and the walls badly discolored by the dense smoke which originated from the fire.

JUNIOR-SENIOR BANQUET: The banquet tendered the senior class of the high school by the juniors last Friday evening in the U.P. church dining rooms was a brilliant and successful social event. A delicious four course menu was served by Mrs. Johanna Wheeling, cateress, and this was followed by a good program of toasts and music. The room was tastefully decorated in pink and white and a large candelabrum containing colored candles adorned the table. The members of the two classes with the teachers, who were specially invited guests, made the most of this their last opportunity for mingling together in a social way previous to commencement.

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Esther Nelson, who leaves for Chicago, was given a farewell reception by Miss Esther Enwall at the Carl Jacobson home east of town. At a recent meeting of the Board of Education of the Stronghurst Community High School, Mr. Carl Larson was re-employed as superintendent of the school and his sister, Miss Maree Larson, was also re-employed for another year of work in the high school. Under the auspices of Miss Lucretia Bruen the dinner given at the community Room was one of the pleasant social events of the season. Miss Ellen Hartquist of Chicago is a guest at the Wm. Hartquist home. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Ross are the happy parents of a fine 8 _ lb. daughter born to them at the Burlington Hospital on June 1st. Roland Davidson and bride took their departure for their home in Buffalo, N.Y. William Connor, a prominent and well to-do farmer of the country south of Raritan suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he died on May 27th at the age of 76 years.

The condition of Mrs. Joe Wilcox is very serious; she is being attended by a trained nurse and the children are being cared for at the home of her sister, Mrs. McCannon in Burlington. The flower boxes in front of the Rest Room and Library have been filled with blooming plants; Mrs. Freeman Doak and Mrs. Chas. Marshall furnished the plants and arranged them. Jim Anderson, formerly manager of the Stronghurst Grain and Mdse. Co. is now publicity man for the Rosenbaum grain commission firm of Chicago. Workmen are redecorating the interior of the Harter apartments and pharmacy.

Mrs. Bert Putney is quite ill and her mother, Mrs. McIntyre, who has been with her for some time, is now staying at the home of her other daughter, Mrs. N. B. Curry.

The auto repair firm of McCartney & Willard of Raritan has been dissolved. Mr. McCartney is taking up the work at Smithshire while Mr. Willard will continue the business in Raritan. The auto repair firm of Burg & Wood who operated at the Knutstrom garage, have retired, Mr. Burg being retained by the Knutstrom Co. and Mr. Wood entering the employ of the Johnson Garage. A draw bar on a freight car in a west bound train pulled out while the train was passing through the local yards and the car was derailed a short distance west of the Broadway crossing. West bound traffic was delayed several hours by the accident, the wrecker from Fort Madison getting the wreck cleaned up during the afternoon.

C. F. Dale, a representative of Vincennes Products Co. of Vincennes, Ind., has been looking over prospecting fields in this vicinity. County Advisor and Mrs. F.M. Bane are rejoicing over the arrival of a 10 lb. daughter on May 24th; the little miss will be known as Shirley Rose. Harold and Lyle Waymack of the U. S. Navy are visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Waymack at Raritan; they were mingling with the crowd on the street Saturday evening. Mr. and Mrs. W.J. McElhinney entertained relatives at a 12 o'clock dinner; the guests were Mr. and Mrs. James Amerman of Alpha, Ill.; Mrs Katherine Johnson, Wilbur Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Steele of Abingdon; Mrs. Sarah French and Fleming French of Bluffton, Ind. The M. E. Church of the village is in the hands of interior decorators this week.