The Graphic

July 7, 1927

RARITAN CELEBRATES: In spite of an unusually busy season there was a very large crowd at the Raritan 4th of July celebration.  The shower early in the morning settled the dust and cooled things off to some extent, but a few hours later one would never have known it had rained.  The parade, led by the Stronghurst band, was the big attraction in the morning, but the crowd was the largest in the afternoon and evening to take in the rodeo, ball game, band concerts, speaking, free movie, fireworks and other attractions.

TO GIVE “MINSTREL REVUE:” Rehearsals start next week of the band’s “Minstrel Revue.”  This is a Frederick B. Ingram Production to be staged under the auspices of the Stronghurst Band at the high school auditorium Friday and Saturday nights, July 22nd and 23rd.  The show is produced by the same company which staged “Sweetheart Town,” “Circus Solly,” and “The Land of the Honeymoon. ”This is Mr. Ingram’s newest show to start on the road this fall.  The costumes and scenery are all new and far more elaborate than any used heretofore.  Tickets will go on sale next week.  The Boy and Girl Scouts are working hard to win the prize offered by the band to the ones selling the most tickets so pick your favorite.

OPERATED ON FOR APPENDICITIS:  Frederick Gibb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Gibb, north of Stronghurst and has had employment here on the Santa Fe Railroad for about a month suffered an attack of appendicitis Wednesday afternoon and was taken by Santa Fe doctor, I. F. Harter, on train No. 6 to Fort Madison where he successfully underwent an operation this morning.  Mr. and Mrs. Gibb accompanied their son and remained to be with him until he is improved. ((First successful appendectomy was performed by Dr. William Grant in Davenport, Iowa in 1885.)

STEFFEY ANNUAL REUNION:  Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Steffey, their five children and nine grandchildren enjoyed a family reunion Sunday at the comfortable Steffey home in the northwest part of town.  As all the family were present, this was, indeed, a memorable occasion, especially Grandpa and Grandma Steffey. Those present were the following: Arthur Steffey wife and daughter from Knoxville, Iowa; Chester Steffey, wife and three sons from Basco, Ill.; Otto Steffey and wife, Harry Winters, wife and three children; Elzie Gilliland, wife and two children and Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Steffey.

GASOLINE TAX:  On and after August 1st motorists touring the hard roads of Illinois will pay a tax of two cents a gallon on all gasoline used.   It is estimated this will return a revenue of $13,000,000 annually to be used in the completion of the road system of the state.  The proposed tax, sponsored by the administration as the most equitable measure which could be suggested to ensure a continuation of road building in the state at the pace already set until it is completed was one of the hard legislative’s battles of the present session. The average price per gallon has been 16.2 cents as compared with 22.2 for the greater part of last season.  With a two-cent tax added to the present price, motorists will still be four cents a gallon under the price paid during the greater part of last season. Adoption of a gasoline tax in Illinois leaves New York as the only state in the union without this tax.  In some states a tax as high as four and five cents is assessed.

ILLINOIS HAS WORLD’S LONGEST HARD ROAD: The longest hard road in the world was completed yesterday July 6th when work was completed on the section near Clinton on Route No. 2 finishing an unbroken 400 mile stretch of pavement from the Wisconsin line through Illinois to Cairo.  The route connects with 14 hard roads crossing the state and goes through 29 counties passing through cities such as Rockford, Oregon, LaSalle, Dixon, Bloomington, Clinton, Decatur and Cairo…

WEDDING BELLS: DAUGHERTY-CURRY: Miss Erma Curry of Stronghurst and Mr. Kenneth R. Daugherty of Millsdale, Ill. were united in marriage on June 28th at the M.E. Parsonage at Winona, Illinois.  Mr. Daugherty has formerly had employment in this community and is a fine industrious young man and is at present trick operator at Millsdale, Ill.  Mrs. Daugherty is the only daughter of N. B. Curry and has spent her girlhood days in Stronghurst.  She was a junior in the high school and a member of the local band. 

SOCIAL NEWS: Leaders of the Bible School work of this county are planning a series of conventions for the benefit of those engaged and interested in Bible School Work.  The first was held at Belmont last Sabbath July 3rd. Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Peasley entertained at a family dinner Sunday at their home near Decorra.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Hunt and daughter, Mrs. Caran Hanna and grandchild Syble Anne Hanna of Burlington, Mrs. Cora Hoffman of Muscatine, Mrs. Fred Hunt and children of Atlantic, Iowa and Mrs. Will Willard of Fort Madison.  Mrs. Hoffman is staying for an extended visit.

Fred Kershaw of near Kankakee and sister Miss Irene of Burlington spent the weekend with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Kershaw. The Dixson family held their annual family picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Peasley on the 4th of July.  Mrs. T. E. Walker was called to Monte Vista, Colorado where her brother, Mr. Will Knabb is very low with pneumonia. Mr. Hugo Johnson sends greeting from Sweden where is spending six weeks.  The South Country Birthday Club held their third big annual July party Saturday night at the Percy Veech home.  About 80 of the club were present with a number of special guests added… The T.P. & W. settled it’s tax suit in Circuit Court.  The company was objecting to a high assessment and the fact that the railroad’s property was assessed for about six million when recently sold only brought about one million dollars. Settlement was $356.06 of the $1,643,33 first called for. Clarence Ritchey of Farmington, Iowa came on horseback to visit his uncle, Thos. Richey and other relatives east of town last Saturday making the trip of some 60 miles in 11 hours.  Clarence’s average speed was pretty good for the distance travelled but the purpose of his ride was not to rival Paul Revere but to deliver the horse to his uncle.  Clarence’s father, Mr. Raus Richey, came by auto and they returned Monday afternoon accompanied by Mr. Edgar Rankin.

THEY BEAT THEM! What was supposed to be the Galesburg Blues came to Stronghurst Saturday, July 2nd, and were shown a few new steps by the Henderson County Farmers, the game ended with a score 11 to 2 in favor of the latter team.  It should just as well have been 20 to 2 if the Henderson County boys had extended themselves, but after looking the Galesburg bunch over for three innings and gathering in eight scores, the home team decided that the merciful thing to do was to end the affair as soon as possible…

SCHEDULE FOR THE EXCURSION:   Much interest is being shown in the steamboat excursion to Keokuk August 9, which is sponsored by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.  It will afford an opportunity for the people of Henderson County to enjoy an unusual treat together. Passengers will be taken at Oquawka, Burlington, East Burlington, (if possible to land), Dallas City, Fort Madison and arriving at Keokuk at 1 p.m.  The boat will leave Keokuk at 3 p.m. stopping at the same landings on the return trip and is expected to arrive in Oquawka about 10 p.m.

LOMAX LINGERINGS:  Raleigh Wyatt and wife motored to Fort Madison Sunday and spent the day with L. G. Logan and family.  They came back in the evening and celebrated the Fourth with friends and relatives in Lomax. Mr. W. T. Frye is weather boarding his residence on Fourth St.  Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lamb are mourning the death of an infant son born to them Monday, July 4th. Quite a few of the village attended the celebration at a Raritan.  Mrs. S. E. Vaughn of Ashdown, Arkansas visited a few days here; she was returning from Council Bluffs, Ia., where she had been called by the death of her sister.

FAREWELL RECEPTION GIVEN KIRKWOOD MINISTER:  Last night 140 members and friends of the United Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood met at the beautiful country home of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Oaks for a farewell reception for Rev. W. H. Davis and his family.  Long before the appointed hour, cars began to arrive each bringing well filled baskets and a beautiful chicken dinner with all the trimmings with dessert of brick ice cream and cake was served at 7:30 o’clock.

Rev. Davis’s father, Dr. J. P. Davis of Hamilton County, Hatton, Kansas who came to visit his son the first of April and who has spent a month visiting many places in Pennsylvania with son. In spite of being 85 years and traveling so much , he is still hale and hearty.  He enjoyed evening most wonderfully meeting his many friends whom he has made while in Kirkwood.  The evening was a most pleasant one except many regrets were heard on every side to lose this most estimable family from the area.  The daughters will be so sadly missed in the Y.P.C.U…A purse of money of over $80 was presented to the honor guest as a token of friendship to this worthy family.  Rev. and Mrs. W. H. Davis are expected to go to Pennsylvania in a few weeks.

GLADSTONE GLEANINGS: The “Colley” girls entertained The Happy Hustlers at their home Friday evening with good attendance.  After the usual business meeting, the time was spent playing games and in a social way.  A number of Monmouth friends were present. Chas. Bailey, who lives south of town, took suddenly ill and was taken to the Burlington Hospital where he underwent an operation for appendicitis.  Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Comp and children of Oquawka spent the Fourth at the John DuVall home. Mrs. Wm. Pence received a broken arm last week while visiting at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Schroeder at Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Otis Arnold and son Lewis of Iron Mountain, Mich., came for a visit with relatives here.  Wiley Simpson was taken to the Burlington Hospital Sunday.  He took suddenly ill with kidney and bowel trouble. 

RARITAN REPORTS: Ina Nordstrom and Mildred Logan of Raritan were overnight guests of Jessie Veech on Saturday night.  Little Jack Brokaw was an overnight guest Tuesday in the Dean Cortelyou home.  Children of the Raritan Reform Church had their first missionary meeting under the leadership of Mrs. George Brokaw.  Miss Lois and Martha Brokaw and Lyle arrived Sunday afternoon at the C. S. Brokaw home, having driven from Colorado Springs in a car.

LOCAL AND AREA NEWS: Mrs. Inez Doty of Ames, Iowa is visiting at the George Chant home. Ray Salter of Chicago spent Sunday and Monday with relatives and friends.  Mr. and Mrs. James Carter are the proud parents of an 8 ½ lb. son born to them last Saturday evening.  The young man has been named Allie Edward.  Mrs. Carter will be better known to her friends as Miss Dorothy Bruce.  Oscar Swedlund of Chicago spent the Fourth of July with his mother, Mrs. Cristiana Swedlund and family.  Dr. and Mrs. I. F. Harter, Mr. Floyd Clark and mother, Mrs. Clara Clark, Mr. and Mrs. James Strickland and daughter, Miss Genevieve and Mrs. W. C. Ivins spent the Fourth of July at Camp Harter fishing and sightseeing: report a day well spent which ended in a fish fry.  Roy Baskett of Media left for Lomax where he has employment in the aeroplane industry.

CARMAN CONCERNS: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Busse of Burlington, Ia, spent a couple of days here with their aunt, Mrs. Clara Coffman who still remains poorly. Mr. and Mrs. Behne of Missouri were here Saturday and attended the Howell sale; they purchased some real estate.  Other buyers were Quint Webb of Blandinsville, J. Fred Clover, Fred Rehling, Carman and Walter Howell of Media, Illinois, Master Wayne Anderson of Cincinnati, Ohio is spending a month with his grandparents, Mr. and Ms. Alva Anderson of Decorra and Grandmother, Mrs. Lottie Dixon of the village.  Wm. Babcock, grain merchant, has been busy taking in shell corn this week. 

TRACK IN SPRINGFIELD: Springfield is to have a $75,000 dog racing track according to plans completed by representatives of the International Grey hound Association of the World and local men.  It is planned to put on 30 days of racing every summer and 30 in the spring.  The International Association is said to own the best racing dogs in the world and is the same organization which maintains the East St. Louis Track as well as the tracks in Chicago and other large cities.