The Graphic

July 29, 1926

NEW BOY SCOUT CAMP: Over one hundred people accepted the invitation of Scoutmaster Myers and his scouts, who are quartered at Camp Harter, the new scout camp, to attend vesper service held there at about six o’clock last Sunday evening.  Those present no longer wonder at the enthusiasm of the boys over Camp Harter; it was found to be ideal.  The camp is located about one half mile south of the overhead bridge west of Decorra.  It is located far enough off of the road to give that isolated “alone with nature” feeling so essential to a good camp, and yet is situated close enough to the highway so that getting in touch with the outside world is no serious problem.  In fact, automobiles can be driven to within a few feet of the main buildings.

The camp buildings are a fine, large bunk house (probably 15 by 30 feet) with upper and lower bunks built in both ends, a smaller but just as serviceable kitchen (containing a good wood range) and a large mosquito netted structure which is undoubtedly very popular with the boys as the “eat” house.  These three structures are conveniently close to one another and situated on good high ground and are excellently drained.  In front of the buildings on a beautiful, grassy, gentle slope, the scouts have pitched their “pup” tents for sleeping purposes and one or two larger tents for the scoutmaster, assistants and for headquarters.  Northwest of these tents at the front of the camp a tall pole has been set from which during the proper time “old glory’ waves, a joy and an inspiration to young America.

Just a few feet behind the bunk house and the kitchen the ground rapidly declines some fifteen or twenty feet and then there is a beautiful, shaded level stretch of perhaps 100 yards to the creek.  Here is the place for real sport, a place to get the best out of the boys.  Here a boy can learn more easily from nature than from books because he understands and loves nature better.  Those who think a boy has little pride when it comes to neatness and beautifying should visit Camp Harter when the Boy Scouts are there.  They will find order, cleanliness and careful workmanship everywhere from the laying of stone steps down the slope back of the bunk house to the little chapel erected beneath a tree across a little valley south of the main buildings. 

It was at the chapel that vesper service was held.  The scouts, some 20+ were seated on the ground in front of the home-made altar while the visitors sat on the grass in groups farther back.  The scouts in uniforms, the distant beautiful hills, grassy slopes dotted here and there with trees, the setting sun and even the peace and quiet gave an added beauty to the scene which no doubt touched the hearts of many of those present in a new and strange way.  As all joined in singing “America,” “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” and other inspiring songs, the words sang probably were more fully appreciated by the singers than ever before. (Article continues with summary of purpose of scouting).

BIGGSVILLE BRIEFS: Friends received work of the death of O. S. Dougherty, a former resident.  The Rural Carriers Association of Henderson and Warren Counties held their annual fish fry in the local park last Saturday afternoon with a large number present.  Mrs. Dr. Babcock entertained a party of young people last Friday evening in honor of her nephew, Guemsey Porter or Clinton, Ill., who has been a guest in their home these past two weeks.  Dr. and Mrs. Babcook and their guests, Mrs. Porter and son left for a week’s camping outing in parts of Iowa. (last name spelled two ways) A.L. Thompson who has been in poor health for a number of years, is reported as not so well.  Mr. and Mrs. Glen Rankin and Mrs. Glenn Snodgrass called at the home of their aunt, Mrs. Minnie Smith in Kirkwood; they report their uncle, Frank Hinds, who suffered a stroke some time ago as improving.  Miss Bessie Weir came in from Gallop, New Mexico for a visit in the home of her father, W. T. Weir.  Archie Morris returned home from the Burlington Hospital where he underwent an operation for appendicitis.  Mrs. Arch Griffith and son Wayne and her mother, Mrs. Wolfenbarger, left for a camping trip at the Wisconsin Dells.   The household goosd of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Liby will be sold at their former home Thursday at auction; they are moving to California to make their home. The colored male quartette from the mission college at Knoxville, Tenn, U.P. Church will give a concert at the U. P. Church Wednesday evening. A homemade ice cream and cake supper will be held on the church lawn after the entertainment.  Louis Dyson is in Galesburg where he is doing finishing work on the inside of a new bungalow of Mr. Gibert Forsythe. 

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Miss Esther Lind who under went an operation at the Burlington Hospital some time ago for appendicitis, has improved sufficiently to be able to return to her home here.  Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fort, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Duncan motored to Wapello, Iowa Sunday evening so she could spend time with her parents.  Mrs. J. F. McMillan is entertaining the bridge club this afternoon at her home.  Lyman Taylor, who is bedfast at the Shook rooming house, is reported as being somewhat improved.  Miss Lucille Parish has finished her course at the Normal at Bloomington, Ill. and returned to her home. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zoellner and daughter of Scott’s Bluff, Nebr. are visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Lovitt.  They are on their way to Philadelphia and New York City.  Mrs. Zoellner is a sister of Mrs. Lovitt.  Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Mahaffey and daughter Jean, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gilliland and Mr. and Mr. C.A. Lukens and family spent Monday and Tuesday at the Stronghurst Club house near Shokokon; they report a fine time and lots of good eats, “especially fish.”  Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Johnson of rural neighborhood west of town are the proud parents of a son born to them last Saturday.  Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Reynolds and daughter Doris, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Lazear and daughter Myrie and Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Beardsley spent Tuesday night at the new Stronghurst Club near Shokokon. (Anyone know where this was?)  Mr. Sam Rankin and wife and Mr. Lewis King and wife left by auto to attend the annual reunion of the Rankin families held at Tarkio, Mo.  Lloyd Curtis and wife are the happy parents of an eight-pound son, Thomas Marshall, born in the hospital in Galesburg last Monday evening.  Mrs. Curtis was formerly Miss Mabel Barney of this place; she now resides near Cameron, Ill.  James Sanderson suffered an attack of appendicitis and was taken to the Burlington Hospital where he under went an operation and is now reported as recovering nicely.  LaVern Leinbach who is employed at the New York market at Galesburg had the misfortune of having his car torn to pieces last Monday morning when he collided with a tractor as he was on his way to work.  La Vern was not seriously enough injured to be kept from his work. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Allison enroute to Monmouth hit a rough place in the road near a bridge throwing Mrs. Allison with great force against the top of the car breaking her spectacles.  Some of glass cut her face and she also received several bruises and is now under the care of a physician. 

WILSON BECOMES MANAGER OF WEVER LAKE: Tom Wilson, who has been looking after the new orchard for E. G. Lewis has added responsibilities.  When the Wever Lake committee needed a man to oversee the grounds, Tom seemed to be the fellow who would fill the bill.  You can rest assured the grounds will be kept in the best condition possible under his supervision.  Order will be kept and those who do not desire to abide by the rules set forth by the committee had best stay away.  Plans are being made to serve lunch and cold drinks on the grounds at all times during the next two months.  Mr. Wilson will still have supervision over the new orchard, but he will need to turn the labor to other parties.

PLANNING A PAGEANT: Mrs. Alva Martin has charge of a pageant to be given on the evening of August 17th at the Farm Bureau-Chamber of Commerce picnic.  She expects to ask each township to take a part.  This will be the second pageant held in the county since the close of the World War.  Many of our boys were still overseas when the last one was held.  Mrs. Martin hopes to be able to show the advance of agriculture and industry since the pilgrims landed in the America.

WHY IS MEDIA BEHIND?  As we leave Media Township in any direction, we find oiled roads.  Why is it Media Township cannot have some too?  Our land is just as good as the other fellows, and we are at loss to understand why our neighbors can have the oil while we are content to pull through the mud.  There are two ways to spend our money on roads.  One is to spend on extra upkeep of car that pull through mud, and the other is to spend to improve roads.  Let’s awake out of our slumbers and gravel or oil Media Township roads; we can afford it as well as our neighbors. 

SOCIAL NEWS: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Howell are enjoying a few days’ vacation at Lomax.  Mr. and Mrs. George Wax have recently purchased a new Ford sedan. A big crowd was present Sunday morning at the United Church to witness the commencement Exercises of the students of the Daily Vacational Bible School. The Media Community Club represented the town in the Stronghurst Picnic parade.  A car, decorated in the club colors of red and white was driven by Mrs. Alphonso Beall.  In the afternoon she played a beautiful instrumental solo entitled “Fireflies” for the program.  

POULTRY AND SWINE SPECIALIST HERE: Farmers and poultry raisers in this section, who have been losing chicken and pigs, are going to get an opportunity to find out where the trouble is. Arrangements have been made to have Dr. W. C. Graham, a member of the Research and Clinic Department of the George H. Lee Co. of Omaha, Nebraska, a specialist on poultry and swine troubles will be here on Aug. 3rd to conduct a post-mortem demonstration clinic on poultry and hogs.  This meeting will be held in the Community Room at 8 pm…

CARMAN CONCERNS:  Mrs. Addie Gluedy and gentleman friend of Burlington called at the Louisa Brown home Sunday evening.  Mr. Al Graham and daughter Viola were called to the Burlington Hospital Monday evening on account of Mr. Graham’s daughter of Wever, Ia. who had taken suddenly ill.; she is much better. Mr. Fred Dannenburg and son Walter and Charles Kirby went to Peoria by auto.  Threshing has started in the neighborhood with three machines; at this rate threshing will not continue long.