Montgomery News

Sep. 29, 1905

PANAMA, a visit to the youngest mining town in the county.

The senior editor of the News drove to the new town of Panama last

Monday and saw the initial process of transforming a veritable

wilderness into a center of industrial activity.

The first impression one has on entering the town or village or

settlement, or whatever it may be called, of Panama is that a more

unsuitable place for a town could not have been selected in the state

of Illinois, surely not in Montgomery county, for of all the wild and

woolly places we have seen the immediate surroundings of Panama take

the cake! But those who selected the town site of Panama doubtless

understand their business and may be building better than the

unthinking public realize. Panama is located 2 1/2 miles west of

Donnellson and 3 1/2 miles east or northeast of Sorento, right where

Bear Creek crosses the county line. It is situated on a succession

of hills and "hog backs", along which the scrub post oak grows, and

where the land is as white as the paper upon which this is printed.

There are gulches or "draws" running angling in almost every

direction, which are deep enough, some of them, to hide a four story

house. Evidently the future inhabitants of this town will never be

troubled over the drainage question. The streets are laid out to

accommodate themselves to the hog backs and the gulches, and run in

all kinds of directions. Someone said that the plat of Panama looks

like a crazy quilt. The reason is apparent, for the lots had to be

laid out with reference to the hills and gulches and the streets had

to be run along the lines of least resistance.

Some two years ago a syndicate began buying up the coal lands in

Grisham township and after taking options on thousands of acres of

coal rights at $5 per acre several prospect holes where sunk in

various parts of the township, in each of which a fine vein of coal

was struck. One prospect hole was sunk in the bed of Bear Creek,

about a quarter of a mile north of the county line and about a half

mile north of the Clover Leaf Railroad. Here a fine vein of coal,

seven feet and eight inches thick, was found at a depth of 370 feet,

and it was at once determined to sink a shaft at this spot, as all

the other prospect holes showed the coal from fifty to one hundred

feet deeper.

The shaft was sunk by the Shoal Creek Company, a company of

capitalists having their office in the Rookery in Chicago. Frank P.

Blair is the president, G. W. Traer is vice president and J. M. Blee

is treasurer of this company. They began work May 4, 1905 and were

down to coal September 8, 1905, having sunk the shaft in four months

and four days, and during that time the work was closed down nearly

thirty days! This unprecedented activity on the part of the

promoters and their employees show there is plenty of energy and

money back of the enterprise. The concrete foundation for the

permanent top works is being placed, the air shaft is already down

some 250 feet, a dynamo has been installed and a machine has been

placed in the mine and is now at work cutting the entries. This

machine is operated, of course, by electricity. About forty men are

employed in and around the mine, and the utmost activity prevails in

every branch of the work. Three shifts, each working eight hours,

are employed, and the work goes on night and day. Many of the men

employed in and around the mine live at Donnellson and Sorento and

walk to and from their work. Others board near the mine in temporary

shacks and tents. The managers expect to have the top works

completed and to be hoisting coal for the market before cold weather

sets in. A switch has been built from the Clover Leaf Railroad to

the mine, and over this lumber, brick and other building material is

daily brought to be used in building up Panama.

Upon the hills and hog backs that rise 75 or 100 feet above the

site of this mine on the west, is to be located the new town, and

already the activity in building is marvelous. An army of carpenters

are at work on some 25 or 30 residence houses and preparations are

being made to start a number of others. The coal company wants

enough houses to shelter from 100 to 150 families, and wants them

badly. A syndicate composed of C. C. Terry of Girard and Colvin &

White and J. J. Frey of Hillsboro, is undertaking to supply in a

measure, this demand for houses. They have already completed two and

have let contracts for twenty six more dwellings. The houses are to

be of different styles of architecture, but all of them are to be

about of equal size and cost. They will contain four good rooms with

pantry, two porches and brick foundation. A cistern will be built at

each house as some of the well water in that locality is alkali

(strange to say) and not fit to drink. This is the only locality in

this part of the state that we know of, where water is like it is in

Western Oklahoma.

On the hills and points in the vicinity of Panama, the old

primitive log cabin is frequently seen. In fact, there are more log

cabins in that part of Grisham township, perhaps, than can be found

by traveling the county over. But these will soon disappear before

the march of civilization and modern enterprise, and before three

years we expect to see the picturesque hills of Panama dotted with

modern and comfortable residences and the hum of industrial activity

will be heard to echo along the bluffs of Bear Creek where a few

months ago there was nothing to disturb the stillness save the hoot

of the owl and the baying of the coon dog!

Much of the Panama town site is located in Bond County. The

county line between this and Bond County runs diagonally across a

number of lots. The parties purchasing these lots will have to

record their deeds and pay taxes in both Bond and Montgomery

Counties, a contingency we are certain the men who laid off the town

did not think of. Almost all the building, however, is being done in

Montgomery County, and the center of the business part of town will

be in this county. A hotel is being erected and the frame work is

already up. It is a large, square structure and will be made to

accommodate a large number of guests. A store building has been

erected, a large lumber yard has been equipped and a sort of planing

mill, where window and door frames are being made, has been installed

and is being operated by means of a large gasoline engine. Every man

in the south part of Grisham Township who can saw off a board or

drive a nail has been pressed into service, and the scene at Panama

reminds one of some of the scenes in the new boom towns in Oklahoma.

The men who own the coal mine say that they already have a market

for every ton of coal they can get out and they give assurances that

other mines will be sunk north of the present coal mine, and that the

spur already built from the Clover Leaf will be extended far up into

Grisham and possibly Hillsboro Townships. They have thousands of

acres of coal rights bought and paid for in Grisham and the south

part of Hillsboro Townships, and people do not nowadays buy and pay

for property of this kind for fun. It is reasonably certain,

therefore, that other mines will be sunk and in a few years that part

of the county will be one vast mining camp.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1906

The Shoal Creek Coal Company of Chicago have put in operation a

mine at Panama, situated on the Clover Leaf Railroad three miles

southwest of Donnellson, Montgomery county. The shafts are 380 feet

deep as finished to the bottom of the coal. The hoisting shaft has

two hoisting compartments, 6 x 9 feet 6 inches in the clear. The

buntons are 8 x 8 in. with an 8 inch partition and 8 x 8 inch guides.

A water ring catches the water from the drift from where it is taken

by a pipe into the sump. The air shaft has two compartments, one for

air, 9 x 9 feet 4 in. in the clear, the other is intended for an

escapement which is 5 x 9 feet 4 in. in the clear. There is a solid 8

inch partition between these compartments. In the escapement there is

a stairway of oak lumber with handrails. The upper part of the air

and escapement shafts is surrounded by concrete reinforced with

corrugated iron bars to keep back the water. A pump lodgement is made

behind this concrete dam and the water is pumped up for use in the

boilers. The concrete lining makes the shaft dry. Both shafts are

heavily timbered from top to bottom. The ventilating fan is a 7 x 12

1/2 feet Capell quartered to furnish 300,000 cubic feet of air per

minute with a 5 inch gauge. The fan casing is of iron and steel plate.

The fan is nominally a blowing fan, but is arranged to quick reverse.

The roof of the tunnels and side drifts are of reinforced concrete to

avoid all woodwork. The doors are heavy steel plate. There is an

explosion door immediately over the airway. The tipple building is a

steel tower erected by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company. Self

dumping cages are used, the coal being dumped in a large hopper. The

shaking screens, designed by the general superintendant, George R.

Rice, were furnished by the Duncan Foundry and Machine Works. They

are 8 feet wide and 40 feet long, loading the coal on four tracks. A

boxcar loader will be installed soon, and a washer is now being

erected. The raw coal to be washed will be taken from the shaking

screens by belt to the top of the washery. The hoisting engines are

22 x 36 inches, the drum 8 feet in diameter, and is furnished with 2

post brakes and a winding device which automatically shuts off the

steam and sets the brakes. This together with the detaching hooks,

makes as near a perfect device to prevent overwinding as is possible.

In mining, the coal is cut entirely by punching machines, of which,

the company has 20 Sullivans now in operation and one Sullivan and one

Norwalk air compressor. The compressor room is large enough for

another compressor and is built of brick with iron roof trusses with

gravel roofing. The Boiler room immediately adjacent but seperated by

a brick wall is also of brick with iron roof trusses and gravel

roofing. It now contains four internally fired boilers and two

horizontal tubular boilers, all giving about 700 H.P. The feed water

is heated by a Stillwell heater, all exhaust from the engine and pumps

passing through the heater. A generator in the power room furnishes

light for the top works and in the mine immediately near the bottom.

The intention is to mine the coal on the panel system of 1000 foot

blocks. When the mine is fully opened out, it is expected to produce

2500 tons per day.

FATALITIES:

Andrew Skalgia, aged 38, single, employed by the Shoal Creek Coal

Co. at Panama, was killed on Feb. 21, 1906. Deceased was at his

boarding place having worked that day and had volunteered to take

lunch to a fellow boarder who had remained in the mine to work an

extra shift. Skalgia went with lunch in hand into the engine room and

asked the engineer for a cage, stating for what purpose, also telling

the engineer that he would ring three bells when he was ready. Just at

that time the engineer received a signal from below that men wanted to

come up, and proceeded to hoist them. In the mean time Skalgia had

walked to the shaft and while the cages were in motion, rang three

bells to the engineer and walked into the shaft, falling onto the

descending cage about 400 feet below. He was killed instantly.

Elisha Bean, miner, aged 45, married, employed by the Shoal Creek

Coal Co. at Panama was instantly killed on March 29, 1906 by coal

flying from a shot that he had lighted. It is supposed that the squib

was defective because he had not moved away when the shot went off. He

leaves a widow and three children.

MINE OUTPUT:

5212 tons of mine run

8419 " " lump

862 " " nut

2932 " " pea or screening

742 " " slack or waste

18,077 Total tons

$15,814 aggregate value of total product.

15,833 tons loaded on rail cars for shipment.

264 tons sold to local trade.

1980 " consumed or wasted.

85 days of active operation.

Average number of miners - 37

Other employees - 50

Total employees - 87

MONTGOMERY NEWS

Jan. 19, 1906

PANAMA COAL MINE

The coal mine at Panama is completed, the air shaft is connected

with the main shaft, and the mine is now hoisting coal for the

market. The equipment of this mine is all first class and it

promises to be one of the best coal properties on the Clover Leaf

railroad.

Montgomery News

Feb. 23, 1906

SALOON AT PANAMA

The board of supervisors of Bond county granted a license to a

saloon keeper, who erected this week a building in Bond county, on

the south side of Panama, this county, and the citizens of Panama can

now get a drink by crossing the county line.

Montgomery News

Feb. 23, 1906

MARRIED BY GRASSEL

A. N. Hamilton and Miss Alice Janetta Jarvis, both of Panama, were

united in marriage, on Tuesday of this week by Esq. C. W. Grassel, at

his office. This was the first couple to obtain license here, giving

the town of Panama as their home.

Montgomery News

Mar. 9, 1906

Donnellson

F. W. Krummel sold this week a large amount of furniture for the

Panama hotel.

Montgomery News

Mar. 30, 1906

KILLED AT PANAMA

Elisha Bean, a miner, was killed in the Panama mine at 6 o'clock

Thursday morning, March 29. The accident was the result of a

premature shot and the unfortunate man was killed instantly. He was

the son of Jesse Bean, an old resident of Bond county, and he

recently moved from Sorento to Panama. He leaves a wife and several

children. This is the first accident that has happened in the Panama

mine.

Montgomery News

Apr. 14, 1906

CIRCUIT COURT

Four indictments were returned against George Wright, of Panama,

one for selling liquor to a minor, containing two counts. One for

keeping a public nuisance, containing five counts. One for keeping

open a tippling house on Sunday, containing 16 counts, and one for

selling liquor without a license, containing 42 counts.

Bail was fixed in the first case at $200, in the second at $600,

in the third at $300, and in the fourth case at $500. The total

amount of bail required from Mr. Wright was $1600. The Reisch

Brewing Company, it is understood, is backing Mr. Wright and they

made arrangements with the Hillsboro National Bank to give bail, and

E. J. Miller, the cashier of the bank went on his recognizance.

It will be seen that if Mr. Wright is found guilty on all the

counts in the indictments it will keep him busy for several years of

his life paying the fines.

The minimum fine for selling to a minor is $20; for maintaining a

public nuisance it is $50; for keeping open a tippling house on

Sunday the fine is not more than $200, and for selling without a

license the minimum fine is $20.

Besides the fine, if he is found guilty of keeping a public

nuisance, he must be sent to jail for not less than twenty nor more

than fifty days.

Mr. Wright is the proprietor of the hotel at Panama and claims he

has sold nothing stronger than "hop ale." He seemed to regard the

indictments as a sort of joke at first but began to realize that he

was up against the real thing before bail was secured and he was

allowed to "go hence." It was reported that he said he had "fixed"

States Attorney Hill, and when Hill heard of it he was mad enough to

bite a piece out a railroad iron, and he will prosecute him with a

vigor that will surprise the defendant. Messrs. Jett & Kinder are

defending him.

Another indictment was returned against George Wright, of Panama,

for selling intoxicating liquor without a license. The grand jury

have gone after George good and hard and he is now the worst indicted

man in Montgomery county. His bail was fixed at $300.

The grand jury reported another indictment, containing eight

counts, against George Wright Thursday morning. They got the "Wright

habit," and couldn't adjourn without giving him another swipe. There

are now over 70 counts against George.

Montgomery News

Jul. 27, 1906

Fishing At Panama

Geo. Seward returned the first of this week from a visit to the

thriving new town of Panama in the south part of this county. He

says Panama is on the boom and is making a reputation not only as a

mining town but as a fishing resort. While he was there natives of

Panama brought in fish caught in that neighborhood which weighed 8

and 16 pounds each, and one was as long as a gunny sack. We are from

Missouri.

Montgomery News

Jul. 27, 1906

Post Office At Panama

Mrs. Albert Mills has been appointed postmistress at Panama, the

new mining town on the Clover Leaf railroad, midway between

Donnellson and Sorento.

This little town on the south line of Montgomery county has sprung

into existence in a very short time. A year ago the hills upon which

the town is located were barren wastes. Today there is a thriving

community of several hundred people there. The chief industry of the

new town is coal mining. The Shoal Creek Mining Co. began sinking

their shaft there in the summer of 1905 and they are mining 300 or

400 tons of coal a day. The shaft is 489 feet deep, and has a vein

of coal 7 feet thick. Scores of houses are in process of erection

and the town has three grocery stores, meat market, lumber yard, a

concrete block factory and various other enterprises.

Montgomery News

Aug. 31, 1906

Addition To Panama

The Colvin and White Realty Co. of this city, together with C.C.

Terry purchased the 60 acres farm of Albert Ries adjoining the new

town of Panama on the south west, this week, and they will lay the

farm off into an addition to Panama. The farm lies in Bond county.

Montgomery News

Oct. 26, 1906

Election at Panama

An election has been called for the new village of Panama to be

held at Kern's Hall, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 1906. The citizens will be

called upon to elect one president and six trustees of the village.

The polls will be open from 7 A.M. till 5 o'clock P.M.

Panama Records

List of voters at an election held on Tuesday, the thirteenth day

of November, 1906, at Kern's Hall in the village of Panama, in the

county of Montgomery and state of Illinois.

1 S. J. Howard 13 A. M. Mills

2 Alex Elliott 14 A. Skalongunas

3 James McCoy 15 H. H. Collins

4 Dell Cunningham 16 W. W. Bryan

5 Jud Dolan 17 J. Ravelli

6 Joe Zepart 18 Walter Smith

7 E. S. Chase 19 A. H. Kerns

8 Art Cease 20 Green Jennings

9 Sie Greenwalt 21 Dan Jones

10 J. R. Walls 22 T. J. Williams

11 Frank Kalaquin 23 Henry Sisk

12 M. S. Coleman 24 Jim Hancock

Emmett Baly, for president, received 21 votes.

John Revelli, for trustee, received 20 votes.

Walter Havron, for trustee, received 23 votes.

E. S. Chase, for trustee, received 23 votes.

Frank Kalaquin, for trustee, received 21 votes.

Thomas Williams, for trustee, received 19 votes.

Albert Bean, for trustee, received 21 votes.

Jud Dolan, for trustee, received 8 votes.

Alex Merideth, for trustee, received 1 vote.

Ed Murray, for president, received 1 vote.

Montgomery News

Nov. 2, 1906

Organized Sunday School at Panama

Rev. Dunn of Donnellson and Geo. S. Monroe of the Baptist church

of this city, went to Panama last Sunday afternoon and organized a

Sunday School, to be called the Panama Sunday School. Mr. Collins

was elected superintendent, Miss Viola Kessinger, Assistant

Superintendent and Miss Pence, Sec. and Treasurer. There were about

sixty present last Sunday and from every indication they will have a

good Sunday School.

Montgomery News

Nov. 16, 1906

Panama

Panama a mining town, ten miles south and 2 miles west of

Hillsboro on the Toledo, St. Louis and Kansas City Railroad while

only in the second year of its existence, can boast and point to,

with pardonable pride, the achievements of labor.

Scarcely two years ago, where Panama now is, timber and underbrush

with an occasional hay field or pasture, small corn field, and a few

log houses, was all there was in evidence.

Today while it cannot claim to be a city, it is bidding fair to

take third place in the county in the very near future.

The Shoal Creek Coal Co., the chief industry with 225 employees on

its payroll at present, will have a capacity of employing between 500

& 600 men.

In September of this year, they hoisted 500 tons per day while

only one month later the tonnage was increased to 1100 or more than

doubling the output for September.

Their sales for September was 10,000 tons, and October 21,000

tons.

They employ all miners who want jobs without delay.

There are rumors of two more coal mines being sunk in the

neighborhood.

Panama boasts of four up to date grocery stores, one hardware

store, three hotels, two restaurants, two barber shops, a concrete

block factory, planing mill, lumber yard, butcher shop, school house,

one saloon and no doctor.

Montgomery News

Nov. 23, 1906

CIRCUIT COURT

George Wright and John O. Miller each plead guilty to selling to

minors and were fined twenty dollars each. George Wright also plead

guilty on 44 counts of an indictment in which he is charged with

selling liquor at Panama without license. He was fined twenty

dollars on each count or $880 and ordered tost and committed until

the fine and costs in 14 counts were paid. A capias pro fine to

issue on five counts on Feb. 25, 1907 if the same be not paid before

then. Execution staid on balance of the fines so long as he does not

violate the dram shop act in Montgomery county.

Mr. Wright paid $574 cash in fines and costs and must pay another

$125 on or before Feb. 25, or be committed to jail. Mr. Wright found

out that it is very expensive to sell liquor without license in

Montgomery county.

COAL MINE SURE

That another coal mine will be sunk in the neighborhood of

Hillsboro is now an assured fact, and the new mine will be located on

the old Mansfield farm, now occupied by George Monroe and Newton

Montgomery, on the short line five miles southwest of Hillsboro.

On Thursday and Friday of last week Frank P. Blair, with a party

of gentlemen consisting of A. K. Craig, superintendent of the mine at

Panama; N. B. and J. E. Wilson and C. C. Terry, of Girard; drove

around among the farmers in this vicinity and brought cheer to the

hearts of the farmers who are interested by distributing among them

several thousand dollars, to apply on the coal properties purchased

by Mr. Blair several months ago. Mr. Blair has taken options on

three or four thousand acres of coal rights and on 120 acres of

surface ground on which the mine and town site are to be located.

This property is on the old Mansfield farm, as before stated.

It will be remembered that Mr. Blair is the gentleman who took up

and paid for the extensive coal territory of the Shoal Creek Company

in Grisham township this county and in Shoal Creek township in Bond

county. His attitude in this section of the state is one of straight

business dealings and definite results. He has been ably assisted

here by his attorney Mr. C. C. Terry, who is thoroughly reliable and

who has won many friends in this section by his straight forward

business methods, and these methods have built up for him a large

clientele among coal operators over this country.

It is understood that this same company will put in a steam coal

road from the Burlington, starting at, or near Reno, running north

through Panama to the Big Four road at the site where the new mine is

to be located southwest of Hillsboro. In connection with this we

might add that the Shoal Creek Coal Company is now producing 1200

tons of coal per day, which is not one half of its capacity. The

company is also building an immense coal washer, the water used being

piped 1 1/2 miles from Shoal Creek. This pipeline is now being

installed.

Montgomery News

Nov. 23, 1906

PANAMA

Walter Smith was a Donnellson visitor Monday.

George Grumm was a Donnellson visitor Monday.

Florence Ash visited with Ethel Mills this week.

Arthur and Ben Julius spent Sunday here with friends.

Paul Deshane of Sorento spent Sunday here with friends.

T. W. Kinzer the Sorento lumber merchant was here Saturday on

business.

Miss Hattie Mansfield of Donnellson was here on business Saturday

between trains.

The Panama Girls met at the home of Miss Ethel Mills last Thursday

evening and organized a club "An Old Maid Club" they named it. Why

they did it and what they're going to do with it they positively

refuse to tell. If the object is akin to the Hillsboro Bachelor

Girls we're next. They meet with Ruby Baty next Thursday at 7

o'clock.

Here's to the old maids of Panama

May their tribe increase

Their trials and tribulations be few

May they live long, oh, ever so long forever almost.

Montgomery News

Dec. 7, 1906

PANAMA

Valley Drake has been sick with Malaria fever.

Miss Lene Grimm was a Sorento visitor Monday.

John Felkel of Litchfield was here on a visit last week.

Nettie Snow of Joplin, Mo., has been visiting with friends here.

George Graft of St. Louis has been visiting here with his brother in

law William Faude.

Albert Kimball who has been overseeing a grading outfit at Livingston

for the Frisco is home for the winter.

DONNELLSON

Mr. Ramsey one of the bosses at Panama coal mine, and his wife who

have been boarding with R. L. Smith's for the past few months, have

moved to Panama.

Montgomery News

Dec. 14, 1906

PANAMA

Olla Parewski went to Staunton Wednesday.

George Grimm Jr. went to St. Louis on business Friday.

Miss Noi Otter visited with Miss Lena Grimm Sunday.

A. G. Bingle of Ramsey, Ill., was in our town Thursday.

Miss Florence Ash of Donnellson was a Saturday visitor here.

Mrs. A. Brown and daughter Nellie were Donnellson visitors Sunday.

L. V. Duncan of Big Muddy, Ill., was over to see his uncle John

Crowder, Wednesday.

A. N. Kerns, one of our prominent house contractors, finished the

season's work Wednesday.

G. W. Hirsch of Lexington, Ky., was here visiting with his cousin A.

L. Doyle, over Sunday.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1907

During the year a coal washery was built and electric haulage

installed.

Non-fatal accidents:

On Dec. 10, 1906, Charles Freeman, aged 26, married with 2

children, had his foot mashed by a falling rail, resulting in 30 days

lost time.

On Apr. 12, 1907, David Strachan, aged 45, single, had his body

burned by a blown out shot, resulting in 42 days lost time.

On Apr. 12, 1907, William Deppity, aged 52, married with 1 child,

had his body burned by a blown out shot, resulting in 49 days lost

time.

On Jun. 1, 1907, Mano Domnuco, aged 28, married with 2 children,

had his body burned by a gas explosion, resulting in 39 days lost

time.

On Jun. 1, 1907, Anton Pozz, aged 25, married with 1 child, had

his body burned by a gas explosion, resulting in 31 days lost time.

MINE OUTPUT:

9934 tons of mine run

132,726 " " lump

946 " " egg

7560 " " nut

61,696 " " screening or pea

954 " " slack or waste

213,816 Total tons

$175,003 Value

208,697 tons were loaded on rail cars for shipment.

1055 tons were sold locally.

4064 tons were consumed or wasted.

273 days of operation.

135,073 tons were mined by hand.

155 average number of miners.

75 other employees.

230 total employees.

Montgomery News

Jan. 4, 1907

THE PANAMA CASES

As we go to press a big bunch of Panama people are in town, six of

whom are being tried for shooting about 500 bullet holes in the town

the day after Christmas. We cannot give the result of the trial

before next week

Montgomery News

Jan. 11, 1907

BOUND OVER

Last Thursday a number of witnesses were here attending the trial

of several Panama people who were charged with an assault with intent

to kill. The evidence showed that Dan Jones, Arthur Cunningham and

Charles Cunningham engaged in a shoot fest which reminded the

inhabitants of the exhibitions of the Boer War at the world's Fair.

The young men did not seem to try to kill anyone, they simply

wanted to scare several foreign coal miners to death, and they came

near accomplishing their purpose. Several houses were shot into and

one of them was fairly riddled with bullets, the people in them

experiencing several narrow escapes from death.

After the evidence was all in Esq. Grassel held Dan Jones to bail

to await the action of the grand jury, in the sum of $2000. The two

Cunninghams were required to give $500 bail each. They were unable

to give bail and were sent to jail.

The case against another defendant, Tom Curry was continued until

today, Jan. 11.

Joseph Collins, one of the prosecuting witnesses in the above

case, was arrested in Litchfield on his way home, and fined $50 by

Esq. Sam O'Bannon for carrying concealed weapons. He was unable to

pay his fine and was brought to jail.

Montgomery News

Apr. 19, 1907

GAS EXPLOSION AT PANAMA

On Friday of last week two men were badly burned in an explosion of

gas at the Panama mine. One of the men was "Dad Deputy" and the other

an old scotch miner whose name we were unable to learn. The men were

shooting down coal and a "windy shot" set fire to a pocket of gas and

in a second both were knocked to the ground and enveloped in a sheet

of fire. Both were badly burned but their injuries are not thought to

be fatal.

Montgomery News

Aug. 9, 1907

BUILDING AT PANAMA

Mr. Dolan, contractor for the Shoal Creek Coal Company, bought

about twenty car loads of lumber from the Isaac Hill lumber company

of this city last week to be used in building forty houses in Panama,

now in process of construction. The houses will all be completed

this fall and will be occupied by the employees of the coal company.

Since the new coal washer was put in by the Shoal Creek Co., Panama

has become about the liveliest place in Montgomery county. The mine

is running to its full capacity and an immense amount of coal is

being taken out. The town bids fair to become one of the most

important mining centers on the Clover Leaf railroad.

Montgomery News

Aug. 30, 1907

FROM PANAMA TO LITCHFIELD

The Clover Leaf railroad has acquired the Chicago and Alton, and

president Theodore Shonts recommends among other things the building

of a railroad between Panama and Litchfield, seven miles, which would

give a shorter route to Kansas City over the Clover Leaf and the C. &

A. and save the long delays at East St. Louis. President Shonts

says: "This route will have a distinct advantage in point of time

over the St. Louis gateway, and by hauling the traffic over the

system's own bridge at Louisiana, across the Mississippi, effect a

large savings for both roads as against present cost to each."

If this recommendation of president Shonts is carried out it will

give Litchfield another important railroad and mean a great deal to

that city.

Montgomery News

Sept. 20, 1907

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Henry W. Carlock, Panama, age 22

Hattie Sloat, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Oct. 25, 1907

BOND COUNTY NOTES

Frank Zfnzetti, Ivory Ash and Fred Freezeland, all of Panama, were

arrested last week for hunting without a license and fined $25 and

costs.

Montgomery News

Dec. 27, 1907

MARRIAGE LICENSES

John R. Lee, Panama, age 31

Mrs. Mary Steele, Sorento, age 22

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1908

FATALITIES:

On Jan. 6, 1908, John Donnellson, shot firer, aged 28, married,

was killed by the explosion of a blown out shot. Deceased was

severely burned by the explosion and died from the effects 10 days

later. He leaves a widow and 1 child.

On Mar. 17, 1908, Ad Jarman and George Flanery, shot firers, the

former aged 32 and single, the latter aged 42, married, were both

killed by an explosion caused by a blown out shot. They were found 3

feet from the face of the entry where the shot was fired, and had

evidently been suffocated. Flanery leaves a widow and 2 children.

MINE OUTPUT:

7009 tons of mine run

175,730 " " lump

110,338 " " other grades

293,127 Total tons

$293,000 Value

280,320 tons were loaded on rail cars for shipment.

12,807 tons were used for other purposes.

212 days of operation.

240 average number of miners.

135 other employees.

375 total employees.

9763 tons of explosives were used for blasting.

Coal was blasted from the solid face, not undercut.

Signals were by pneumatic operated bells.

There were zero non-fatal accidents.

Montgomery News

Jan. 3, 1908

MILLER GRIFFITH

Lester S. Miller and Mrs. Luvina Griffith, of Panama were united

in marriage by Judge John Dryer, on Thursday evening of last week,

the ceremony being performed at the office of the judge in the court

house.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Luther L. O'Neil, Panama, age 22

Barbara Huss, Donnellson, age 16

Lester S. Miller, Panama, age 36

Luvenia Griffith, Panama, age 32

John Jenkins, Panama, age 21

Ruby Baty, Panama, Age 18

Montgomery News

Jan. 10, 1908

CIRCUIT COURT

Jud Dolan of Panama has filed a bill for a mechanics lien against

the Shoal Creek Coal Company. The complainant alleges that the

defendant owes him a balance of $15000 for work done and material

furnished on forty dwelling houses in the village of Panama.

HURT AT PANAMA

John Donaldson a shot firer in the Panama coal mine was badly

burned Monday night by a premature explosion. While he is seriously

hurt and burned his injuries will not necessarily prove fatal.

Montgomery News

Jan. 17, 1908

DIED OF HIS INJURIES

John Donaldson, the man who was so badly burned in the Panama mine

by a premature explosion, died Wednesday morning of this week.

Montgomery News

Feb. 14, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

William Grimm, Panama, age 20

Amanda M. Cruthis, Sorento, age 18

Montgomery News

Feb. 28, 1908

THREE DIVORCE CASES

Mattie Tibbs wants a divorce from Louis Tibbs. She charges

drunkenness and cruelty. The complainant lives at Panama and alleges

she was married to the defendant July 3, 1901. She charges that he

has threatened to shoot her and has struck, beat and bruised her on

divers occasions, also on the head.

Montgomery News

Mar. 20, 1908

TWO KILLED

Two shot firers residing at Sorento but employed in the Panama

mine were caught by a slow shot on Monday of this week and both were

instantly killed.

Montgomery News

Mar. 27, 1908

TROUBLE AT PANAMA

Sheriff Bray was asked Wednesday to send 50 deputies to Panama to

settle trouble at the Panama coal mine. He telephoned down and

ascertained that the conditions did not justify putting the county to

that expense. Ever since the two shot firers were killed there last

week the operators have been having trouble with the miners and the

mine has been closed down. Mr. Blair, the president of the company,

thought the matter was very serious, but it is not as bad as reported

and the trouble will probably be adjusted without the aid of the

sheriff or his deputies.

Montgomery News

Apr. 3, 1908

THE PANAMA SITUATION

Panama, Illinois

March 30, 1908

Gentlemen:

In your issue of last week you spoke of the "trouble reported at

Panama," and, for fear the miners of Panama will be misunderstood and

misrepresented we wish to state that there has been no trouble at

Panama and there will be no trouble as the strike now on at Panama is

a peaceable strike and there has not yet been one single act of

violence on the part of the miners.

There has been no talk of violence and absolutely nothing has

taken place to give anyone an excuse for calling on the sheriff to

help put down threatened violence on the part of the miners.

There are 350 men now working in the Panama mine and because the

company put on two more shot firers than were needed, the miners

refused to accept such an arbitrary act on the part of the company

and they quit work. For this a fine of ten dollars each was placed

on the miners, which the men agreed to pay out of their wages, but

contrary to custom and agreement the mine officials demanded that the

fine be paid in advance before any coal would be hoisted. The miners

refused to accept these terms and the fine was raised to $20 each and

the condition of affairs now remains unchanged.

The coal company has a dozen armed guards now patrolling their

property day and night and they have installed a search light on top

of the coal mine. All of this has been done to intimidate the miners

and to prejudice the public against them. They would have the

impression go out that the coal miners are a lawless lot of

foreigners and will not listen to reason. The facts are the Panama

miners have stood for more infractions of the rules than has any

local union in the state and when a strike was ordered, it was a

peaceable strike.

We, as miners, wish to state that no violence will be tolerated

and that for this reason no deputy sheriffs will be needed to keep

order. We wish to thank the sheriff of this county, M. E. Bray, for

refusing to send deputies to the Panama mine and for ascertaining the

facts in the case before putting the county to the expense of sending

deputies to preserve order in a district where order already exists.

In further truth that there has been no violence talked of or

contemplated we send you herewith a statement from the business men

of Panama in regard to the threatened violence.

A PANAMA MINER

We, the undersigned business men of the village of Panama,

Illinois, state that we have seen no violence on the part of the

miners of Panama, Illinois, toward the Shoal Creek Coal Company

officials or their property and there was no occasion to send guards

to Panama, and we brand all reports to the contrary as malicious

falsehoods.

J. E. Carlock J. B. Revelli

A. M. Mills Barnie Peruna

Alex Merideth Antone Romania

George Grimm J. D. Williams

J. F. Hanskins F. A. Kalaquin

Mick Rontenia Louis Henderson

W. H. Sisk M. S. Coleman

G. P. Rowen Warren Coleman

W. W. Mitchell

Montgomery News

Apr. 17, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Joseph Smith, Panama, age 22

Maggie Orris, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

May 22, 1908

DOWN AT PANAMA

F. E. Chapman, "Mayor of Panama", was a Hillsboro visitor on

Tuesday of this week. He is farming on the old Chapman homestead

near Panama and is a justice of the peace. He is enthusiastic over

the great improvement in conditions at Panama since that township

went dry. He says that prior to the time saloons were voted out,

Panama would hardly be classed as a white man's town. Drunkenness

and disorder was the order of the day and fights were continually

taking place. It was a continuous show and the people got tired of

it and voted the township dry. Now Panama is a quiet peaceful little

village with no fights to liven up things and people are prosperous

and happy.

"I am proud to say that we are observing the law and Panama is now

a good town where any man can bring his family and enjoy life. We

are getting "dryer" every day and I believe the sentiment against

saloons will never change down our way."

Montgomery News

Jun. 12, 1908

ILLINOIS NEWS NOTES

The Panama miners are now working again after a shut down of

several months, caused by a mix up on the shot firers question.

Montgomery News

Jun. 26, 1908

GRISHAM ASSESSMENT

S. Z. T. Kessinger, assessor of Grisham township, returned his

books this week. They show 369 horses worth about $63 a head; 564

cattle worth about $18 a head; 77 mules worth about $64 a head; 314

sheep, 868 hogs, 220 wagons and carriages, 64 watches and clocks, 90

sewing machines, 12 pianos, 29 organs and 114 dogs.

The total cash value of all personal property in the township is

given at $138,945. There is $5425 worth of grain on hand.

There are only three personal assessments in the township

amounting to $5000 or over. A. T. Strange, trustee, is assessed with

$10000, Shoal Creek Coal Co. is assessed for $9050, and the Panama

Bank is caught for $10800. J. S. Stevens is the largest holder of

personal property outside the above. He is assessed with property

valued at $4085. William Boone comes next with personal property

valued at $3990.

Montgomery News

Jul. 3, 1908

STUDYING LAW

Mike Dondini, Peter Sabolo and John Bruno, three Italian coal

miners of Panama, Ill. and Frank McDole, city marshal at that new

mining town learned a heap of law last week and as we go to press,

Sabolo and Bruno are in jail here still learning more about American

laws and institutions. The three Italians sold beer and whiskey

after Grisham township, in which Panama is located, had been voted

"dry". Evidence was secured against them and Sabolo was arrested and

put in jail here. Bruno and Dondino came up here to see their fellow

countryman and a warrant was issued for their arrest. They heard of

the warrant, however after their arrival here and tried to dodge

arrest. They were assisted in their efforts by city marshal Frank

McDole, and when the dragnet was spread, McDole was entangled in it,

And was placed in jail on a charge of failure to do his duty as an

officer. His bond was placed at $1500 which he produced after a few

days in jail. Dondini entered a plea of guilty of selling wet goods

in dry territory and his fine was fixed at $225 and a jail sentence

was stayed on his promise of good behavior.

Panama has the reputation of being about the worst place for

drunkenness and disorder to be found anywhere and its reputation is

keeping many prospective citizens from locating there.

A PANAMA CAPTURE

Sheriff Bray and State's Attorney Hill made an important capture

at Panama last Thursday. An information was filed against Peter A.

Sabolio, John Bruno and Frank Kalaquin, charging them with selling

beer in Panama, which is anti saloon territory. The defendants are

running a butcher shop at Panama, and it is charged that they have

been selling beer in violation of law ever since the spring election.

They were arrested and brought to Hillsboro Thursday night and

Friday morning were arraigned in the county court and plead not

guilty. They were held to for trial at the September term of court,

bail being fixed at $300. Colequin gave bail but the other two were

sent to jail until they could furnish bond.

It is charged that large quantities of beer have been shipped from

St. Louis to these parties. Their names indicate that they are

Italians, and it is strange that these people who came from a country

where a man is sent to jail for selling a goose or a pig without

first having obtained a license, are so ready to violate the laws of

this country!

Perhaps they think because this is a "free country" they can do

anything they please. It is said that a farmer living near Witt

caught three or four Italians in his potato patch recently digging

potatoes. He demanded of them what right they had on his premises

digging his potatoes and they replied that they had been informed

that this was a "free country" and they thought this gave them a

right to dig potatoes wherever they found them!

Montgomery News

Aug. 14, 1908

JAMES McCOY DEAD

James McCoy, of Panama, passed away Monday evening after a long

illness of cancer. Mr. McCoy was 53 years old. He was born in

Ireland, but came to this country when two years old. He has resided

in Panama the last four years. Mr. McCoy was a miner and prominent

among his fellow workers.

Besides his wife, four children were left, Frank McCoy, of

Cardiff, Ill.; Mrs. A. N. Kerns, of Hillsboro; Mrs. Belle Williams

and William McCoy, of Panama.

The funeral was held at Panama Wednesday afternoon and the burial

took place at Oak Grove cemetery in Hillsboro.

FIGHT AT PANAMA

Frank Kalaquin and William McCoy got into an altercation in Panama

last week and Bill got the worst of it. He swore out a warrant for

Kalaquin and Kalaquin will get his in Squire Grassel's court

Saturday.

Montgomery News

Aug. 28, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Ed Paynter, Panama, age 23

Laura Morgan, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Sept. 11, 1908

A "DRY" CLUB

A club composed of Italians, living in Panama, has taken out

articles of incorporation. The name of the club will be the "Panama

Italian Pleasant Hour Club", and the object social enjoyment.

Although some people seem to think that this club was organized

for the purpose of getting "suds", in barrel lots and booze by the

demi john, we understand the rules and regulations say no drinker or

gambler will be allowed membership. As one member expressed it, "Me

cutta da booze, drinka da lemo only; we no have da poker, da cards

all tabooed." "Jack straws" "Tiddle de winks" "Simon says thumbs

up"," and "Ring around arosy" will be the only games permitted. No,

far from it Pauline; this will be a "dry club."

Montgomery News

Sept. 18, 1908

AN ITALIAN CEREMONY

Judge Dryer united a couple of Italians in matrimonial bonds

Saturday morning by means of an interpreter. Joseph Carnero aged 26

and Gabiela Falletti aged 22 both of Panama had a yearning to be tied

together by the "American Judge" and as they spoke no English and the

judge spoke no Italian, an interpreter was necessary. When the judge

told them to join hands, the interpreter jabbered a bit and they

raised there hands high in the air. It took the united efforts of

four men to get them to hold hands. After talking and expostulating

for fifteen or twenty minutes, the judge finally got disgusted and

told them they were married and to get out. The last seen of them

they were going down the street all three talking a blue streak and

Judge Dryer is wondering if they were complimenting him on his short

ceremony or giving him fits for charging for his services.

Montgomery News

Oct. 2, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Agustin Coonly, Panama, age 33

Josefin Truppai, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Oct. 16, 1908

RAISED THE CASH

Last Friday the sheriff's office was besieged by a number of

Italians friends of the two arrested at Panama for selling booze

who were trying to get the men out on bond. After a futile effort to

convince the sheriff their word was good, they left ostensibly to get

the cash. Monday contrary to all expectations, they came around

again and this time they had the money, and the two men, John Reville

and Barney Chiolero, were released on bond. After shaking hands with

everyone who would shake, they left on the morning car for Litchfield

and from their talk, it is presumed that they celebrated before

returning home.

Montgomery News

Nov. 27, 1908

PANAMA SCHOOL OPENS

The Panama public school opened last week with D. F. Neathery as

principal. The new school building has four rooms with a prospect

that others will have to be added next year.

Montgomery News

Dec. 11, 1908

ACCIDENTALLY SHOT

Steve Zirka was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun

Wednesday of last week about two miles north of Greenville. Zirka

was a Hungarian coal miner and was driving with a party of friends

from Panama to Greenville. He was on the back seat of the carriage

holding his gun between his knees when it was accidentally

discharged. He received the entire load in his breast and died

instantly.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1909

FATALITIES:

On Jan. 9, 1909, Eugene Concello, a miner aged 38, married, went

in to recover his tools from his room and was caught under a fall of

roof while he was returning and was killed instantly. He leaves a

widow and 5 children.

On Apr. 26, 1909, Earna Drake, a trapper, aged 17, stepped from

his refuge hole after the motor trip had gone through, as he

supposed, but it happened that the trip had broken in two. The

momentum of the trailing part brought it crashing through the door

which the boy had closed. Standing on the other side of the door, he

did not see it coming and was knocked down and killed instantly. He

was single and lived in Sorento.

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS:

On Jul. 2, 1908, Steve Szabo, aged 29, married with 5 children had

his hip injured by a pit car, resulting in 182 days lost time.

On Jul. 22, 1908, Calvin Jones, aged 57, married with one child,

had his shoulder injured by falling slate, resulting in 80 days lost

time.

On Jul. 30, 1908, Albert Boldt, aged 41, married with 3 children,

had his head and ankle injured by falling coal, resulting in 103 days

lost time.

On Aug. 15, 1908, James Menoffe, aged 28, single, had his head

injured by falling coal, resulting in 30 days lost time.

On Dec. 24, 1908, Charles Bernetti, aged 38, single, had his arm

broken by falling coal, resulting in 123 days lost time.

On Jan. 20, 1909, Enock Casis, aged 20, single, had his body

injured by a pit car, resulting in 91 days lost time.

On Mar. 17, 1909, John Cholou, aged 26, married with 2 children,

had his body injured by a shot explosion.

On Mar. 17, 1909, Dominic Mondina, aged 30, single, had his body

injured by a shot explosion.

On Apr. 2, 1909, Alex Jakes, aged 26, single, had his body burned

by a powder explosion, resulting in 30 days lost time.

On May 20, 1909, Henry Louderman, aged 54, married with 5

children, had his head injured by falling rock.

On Jun. 17, 1909, Joe Mauniry, aged 37, married with 4 children,

had his body burned by a powder explosion.

MINE OUTPUT:

1271 tons of mine run

183,319 " " lump

182,064 " " other grades

366,554 Total tons

$357,715 value

356,181 tons were loaded on rail cars for shipment.

10,373 tons were used for other purposes.

197 days of operation.

288 average number of miners.

131 other employees.

419 total employees.

314,966 tons mined by hand.

Montgomery News

Jan. 15, 1909

KILLED AT PANAMA

Eugene Cocello, an Italian miner working in the Panama mine, was

killed last Saturday by falling slate. He was about 34 years of age,

and he leaves, a wife and five children in Italy. His body was

buried in Donnellson last Sunday. Cocello was about to quit work and

had started out of the mine, as the men he was working with decided

the roof was unsafe. Cocello went back after his sledgehammer which

he had left in the room, and while there the roof fell in and he was

killed instantly. Coroner Gray held an inquest Saturday and a

verdict was rendered in accordance with the facts.

Montgomery News

Feb. 19, 1909

McCOY McDOELL

Will McCoy of Panama and Miss Lizzie McDoell of Hillsboro, were

united in marriage at St. Louis on Wednesday of this week. The bride

is a sister of Mrs. A. N. Kearnes of this city and has been making

her home with her. The groom is a miner employed in the Panama mine.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Lonnie Carlock, Panama, age 23

Mabel Baker, Panama, age 20

Montgomery News

Apr. 9, 1909

A "HAPPY HOME" RAIDED

Sheriff Brown, Deputy Hubbard and Constable Palmer of Greenville,

visited Panama Thursday of last week, armed with thirty warrants for

the arrest of that many members of the "Happy Home Club" of that

town. They found the club room fitted up in the regulation saloon

style, with a bar about 25 feet long, well stocked with all kinds of

liquors, and about fifty of the members keeping the cash register

clicking while they drank their booze. Joe Faletti, Barney Peruna,

Joe Monti and Dominick Castontino were arrested and brought to

Greenville and locked up in jail. Officers are now chasing other

sons of sunny Italy, and as the club contained a membership of 336,

business in the justice courts promises to be good for some time.

Those arrested will be given a hearing before Squire Matney at two

o'clock this afternoon. The saloon was run under the name of the

"Happy Home Club" and a government license has been obtained, which

protects the members from government prosecution.

The store room where they kept large quantities of liquor is on the

Bond county side. The bar room is divided about half and half and

the refrigerator and more than half of the bar are on the Bond county

side of the line.

It is said that they have been selling only to Italians but that

an American could get liquor there by being accompanied by an Italian

and having the latter pay for the booze.

Montgomery News

Apr. 23, 1909

BANK ROBBED AT PANAMA

Burglars cracked the safe of F. P. Blair & Co.'s bank at Panama

last Saturday morning and made their escape with $800 in cash and

$800 worth of stamps.

W. W. Mitchell and wife, who live across the street from the bank,

heard the robbers break in the front window of the bank and opened

fire on them. The robbers returned the fire and for a time a regular

fusillade was kept up between the Mitchells and the burglars.

Finally the Mitchells ran out of ammunition and had to cease firing.

They fired about twenty shots and the burglars shot about a dozen

times. After the ammunition was exhausted Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell went

after more, but when they returned the bank had been robbed and the

burglars had made good their escape.

The Mitchells went out and tried to arouse the town. But the

town, strange to say, refused to be aroused! They thought somebody

was trying to play a joke on them, and Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became

disgusted and went back home and went to bed. It was seven o'clock

before the people realized that the bank had really been robbed, and

by that time the robbers were many miles away.

The people of Panama are so used to having the town "shot up" that

the fusillade between Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell and the robbers attracted

no attention!

Montgomery News

Apr. 30, 1909

KILLED AT PANAMA

Erbie Drake a twenty two year old young man employed as trapper in

the Panama mine was killed shortly after one o'clock on Monday

afternoon of this week. No one witnessed the accident and no one

knows just what caused the boys death. From the surroundings

however, it is supposed that an empty coal car broke loose at the top

of a hill in the main entry and ran back, striking the door where

Drake acted as trapper, and when the door was thrown violently open

by the impact with the runaway car, it struck Drake on the head, he

being on the opposite side of the door and death resulted shortly

afterwards.

Coroner Gray was notified and an inquest was held Monday, the jury

being composed of Max Von Brunn, Herbert Kessinger, Alex Meredith,

William F. Grimm, Arch Grisham and F. McDole, after hearing the

evidence the jury returned a verdict to the effect that Drake met his

death by accident, due to the negligence of the management of Shoal

Creek Mining Company for not keeping sufficient signals and lights.

A BOHEE WEDDING PARTY

Last Friday a party of Italians drove up from Panama to witness

the marriage of Secondo Chiolero and Miss Mary Bergandi. The groom

wore an immense bouquet on the lapel of his coat and looked like he

might be a lineal descendant of some Etruscan nobleman who owned a

villa at Tivoli at the time Rome sat upon her seven hills and ruled

the world. The bride was arrayed in a long white veil and a

trousseau that rivaled the hues of the rainbow.

While on their journey to the county seat through Grisham and

Hillsboro townships, the descendants of Caesar amused themselves by

shooting holes in the contiguous atmosphere. The people living along

the road thought grim visaged war had broken loose and they took

refuge in the smoke houses and cellars. After the cavalcade had

passed they ventured forth and telephoned to sheriff Bray that a band

of armed Dagoes were advancing on Hillsboro. But when the party

arrived at the county seat they were as peaceable and quiet as a band

of Tuscan maidens, and not a gun was in sight. By the aid of an

interpreter, Judge Dryer succeeded in getting Secondo and Mary to

join hands, although Secondo insisted upon raising his right hand as

if he wanted to be sworn. After they were pronounced husband and

wife and the assembled maids and matrons and stalwart descendants of

Cataline had offered their congratulations, the Sheriff began to get

busy. He went through the pockets of the men and found six

revolvers, a pair of knucks and a hat full of cartridges.

Informations were filed against Louis Velli, Jim Fronterro, Quinto

Chiolero, Pete Rolfo, Pit Calvetti and Secondo Chiolera, the groom,

charging them with carrying concealed weapons, and they were hustled

off to jail. Then ensued a scene that beggars description. The

prisoners swore in six macaronic dialects and spit spaghetti all over

the surrounding landscape.

Later they were brought before Judge Dryer and each was fined $100

and costs with a stay of execution on $50 of each fine during good

behavior. But while the prisoners were long on guns they were short

of cash. But they finally chipped in and paid the bridegroom's fine

and he at once flew to the arms of his weeping bride and they

departed for Panama for their honeymoon. The balance of the bunch

went back to jail, but on Wednesday their friends came up from Panama

and paid the fines and costs, amounting to $384.60 and they were

released.

Montgomery News

May 7, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Before adjourning last week the grand jury returned over forty

indictments, as stated in last week's News but we were not then

permitted to publish the names of those indicted as bench warrants

had not been issued and the defendants had not been arrested. We

give below the indictments as found and the orders taken in each

case.

John Williams, selling liquor in Grisham township in December

1908, and in January, February and March 1909. There are four counts

against him, and the names of 61 witnesses are endorsed on the back

of the indictment! This is one of the Panama cases.

John Williams is indicted for keeping a disorderly house "to the

encouragement of idleness, gambling, drinking etc." This is another

Panama case. The names of 50 or 60 witnesses are endorsed on the

indictment.

Barney Chiolero is indicted for selling liquor to minors. The

names of William Smith, William Hamby, J. W. Smith and Emory Brown

are endorsed on the indictment.

John Williams, selling liquor to minors. Witnesses: Vern Smith,

Emery Brown, Phillip Debean, Albert Plaqua, J. W. Smith and Carrie

Cunningham.

Joe Falletti, Joe Mote, John Revelli, Barney Chiolero and Barney

Peruna were indicted for keeping a disorderly house. This is another

Panama case.

Montgomery News

May 14, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Judge Paul McWilliams came over from Litchfield Saturday and held

a short session of court, making the following orders:

John Williams of Panama plead guilty to selling liquor in

anti saloon territory and was fined $100.

Barney Peruna, also of Panama plead guilty to keeping a disorderly

house and was fined $100.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Ezra Carlock, Panama, age 21

Bessie Attebury, Walshville, age 18

Montgomery News

Jun. 18, 1909

PRISONERS IN JAIL

August Chermetto, committed because he failed to pay a judgment

for $400 for bastardy. He is from Panama.

Montgomery News

Jul. 16, 1909

BURNED TO DEATH AT PANAMA

Mrs. Dominica Falletti and son Joseph Falletti, Jr. two residents

of Panama, this county, were burned to death by an explosion of coal

oil or gasoline on Tuesday of this week.

The cause of the accident will never be known as the mother and

son were in the house alone when the explosion took place. It is

surmised, that the mother was cleaning a bed with gasoline and the

house was filled with gasoline vapor which became ignited from a

match in the hands of the boy and his mother was evidently saturated

with the burning oil and they were terribly burned from head to foot,

the entire body of Mrs. Falletti being burned with the exception of

her head which was protected by her hair. She died at 6 o'clock P.M.

on Tuesday, the day of the accident, and the boy died at 12:30 on the

following day.

A coroner's inquest was held on Wednesday, the jury being composed

of J. D. Williams, E. A. Murray, Louis Henderson, Jud Dolan, Dr. I.

O. Wilcox and F. McDole.

The accident occurred at one o'clock Tuesday afternoon. John

Payne, who lived close to the scene of the accident testified that he

heard an explosion, then heard a woman's screams and rushing into the

street he saw Mrs. Falletti with her clothing in flames, in the

street, endeavoring to tear the burning clothing from her body. He

rushed to her aid but could do nothing and finally secured a blanket

and extinguished the blaze. The fire had burned her so badly,

however, there was no hope of saving her life.

Mrs. Falletti ran out of the front door of her home after the

explosion and the boy ran out the back door, both with their clothing

ablaze. Neighbors rushed to both and in putting out the flames which

were burning the boy, one man's hand was badly blistered.

The unfortunate victims were Italian and could speak little

English. The husband and father of the victims is employed in the

Panama coal mine

CIRCUIT COURT NEW CASES

The following new cases have been begun in the circuit court this

week, for the November term:

Mary Casconcelli vs Shoal Creek Coal company. This is a suit for

$5000 damages, and grows out of the death of Eugene Casconcelli, the

plaintiff's husband as a result of injuries he received in the

defendants mine at Panama, Jan. 9, 1909. The plaintiff charges that

the defendant company neglected to furnish sufficient props for the

roof of it's mine, and as a result a large quanity of slate, dirt and

rock fell on the plaintiff's husband and killed him.

Montgomery News

Aug. 6, 1909

KILLED BY LIGHTNING

James Orvil Simpson, a young man, aged about 27 years was struck

by lightning and instantly killed, on Friday afternoon of last week,

while he was at work on the reservoir which is being built at Panama,

this county.

Another workman was knocked unconscious and the shoes were torn

from his feet, and for a time it was believed he was dead, but he

finally recovered after medical aid had been summoned.

The deceased was a farmer and a son of James Simpson, a well known

resident of the southern part of the county.

He was born near Walshville, Oct. 12, 1882. He was married to

Miss Cora Beck June 8, 1903. She died last December. There were

three children born, Hazel, Ruth and Clarence. The latter died when

he was three months old. The other two are still living. The

funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday at ten

o'clock, Rev. Gordon of Litchfield officiating. Interment at Hart's

Cemetery.

Montgomery News

Sept. 24, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Amy Manning has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co., which operates the

Panama mine, for $10,000 damages for the loss of her husband. Mr.

Manning was injured by a gas explosion while working in the

defendants mine last spring. It is claimed that the injuries finally

caused his death.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Joseph Payne, De Moines, Ia., age 23

Ella M. Robinson, Panama, age 17

Montgomery News

Oct. 22, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Fred Freezeland has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for $3000. The

suit is an action for damages growing out of an injury the plaintiff

claims to have received while working in the defendant's coal mine at

Panama, July 23, 1909. The plaintiff, who is under age and who sues

by Jacob M. Freezeland, his father and next friend, was a driver in

said mine. He claims the rails, over which the cars loaded with coal

were driven, were loose and out of repair at a certain point on the

track, and that as a result a car was thrown off the track and the

plaintiff's right foot was caught under it, crushing and mangling it

and making the plaintiff a permanent cripple.

John Drake, admr. of the estate of Erb Drake, deceased, sues the

Shoal Creek Coal Co. for $10,000. The suit grows out of the death of

Erb Drake which occurred April 26, 1909. The deceased was a trapper

working in the said mine, whose duty it was to open and shut a

certain door to let the cars of coal through. These cars were hauled

by an electric motor, and on the date of the accident one of the cars

broke loose from the others, and after the boy let the first car

through and closed the door the detached car struck the door and

injured the boy so that he died in about four hours. The plaintiff

claims the company was guilty in not making the cars secure so they

would not become detached.

Montgomery News

Oct. 29, 1909

MARRIAGE LICENSES

John Beryyok, Panama, age 27

Miss Helen Dominick, Panama, age 17

Montgomery News

Dec. 3, 1909

COUNTY COURT

Henry Edward Herman, a 13 year old boy of Panama, was brought into

court last Friday charged with stabbing another boy, and was released

"on probation." M. E. Bray was appointed probation officer and the

boy was sent home. He is required to write to the State's Attorney

every Saturday. It is understood that he will not be disturbed as

long as he is good

Montgomery News

Dec. 10, 1909

MARRIAGE LICENSES

James Monge, Panama, age 27

Anna Bussone, Panama, age 39

Montgomery News

Dec. 24, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

The case of the village of Panama vs O. S. Peterson was decided in

favor of the defendant. Peterson took orders for groceries in Panama

and then made deliveries several days afterwards. He was arrested

and fined for peddling. He took an appeal and Judge McBride decided

he was not a "peddler" within the meaning of the ordinance.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1910

The Shoal Creek Coal Co. at Panama has installed a pair of first

motion hoisting engines and two new boilers at its #1 mine. This

company is contemplating sinking a new shaft in the center of its

17,000 acres coal rights, but have been waiting for the opinion of

the state inspector as to what constitutes a fire proof shaft. This

mine is now what is considered a machine mine.

FATALITIES:

On Aug. 14, 1909, Herman Newbaum, machine helper, aged 30,

married, was killed by a fall of slate while the machine runner was

undercutting the coal at the face of his working place. This room

had a foot of slate, following each cut, that stuck to the roof after

the coal had been shot down. This slate was shot down by the miners

after the coal had been loaded out. In this case, a piece of slate

hanging over the face of coal, fell with the above result. The

deceased was a German and leaves a widow and one child.

On Mar. 29, 1910, Battista Deparil, machine runner, aged 40,

married, was instantly killed by a fall of coal at the face of his

room, where he was undercutting. Deceased leaves a wife and 4

children.

MINE OUTPUT:

38,638 tons of mine run

202,007 " " lump

188,580 " " other grades

429,270 Total

$463,410 Value

315,831 tons loaded on rail cars for shipment.

113,439 used for other purposes.

222 days of operation.

52 average number of miners.

381 other employees.

433 Total employees.

44,712 tons mined by hand.

Blasting from solid and undercut face.

6645 kegs of powder used.

JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

18 drivers 4 shot firers

1 cager 8 timbermen

10 laborers 12 trackmen

212 loaders 9 trappers

36 machinemen 52 miners

Montgomery News

Jan. 28, 1910

CRAZY ON SCHEDULE TIME

John O'Brien, a young man apparently about thirty years of age,

was arrested in Bloomington last week on a charge of vagrancy. He

told the officers there he was wanted in Hillsboro for breaking into

the Panama bank several months ago, and sheriff Bray went to

Bloomington and brought the prisoner here.

The young man told all about the bank robbery and stated that he

had a confederate with him at the time.

After O'Brien was lodged in jail he announced to the other

prisoners that he expected to go crazy on Sunday morning. When

Sunday came he changed his mind, however, and concluded to put off

his crazy attack until the following morning. Turnkey Eddie Marshall

had been told what to expect and was not greatly surprised when he

visited the jail on Monday morning and found the bank robber was

apparently as crazy as a loon. He had smashed a bucket and a pan

which were in his cell and was as ferocious as a wild man. Mr.

Marshall warned the robber that something would happen to him if he

didn't recover and O'Brien is apparently much improved as we go to

press.

It is believed the fellow is really a little "off in the upper

story" and probably imagines the story about the robbery, as he can

accomplish nothing by feigning insanity and in as much as he made a

voluntary confession of his connection with the robbery at Panama.

He now maintains a sullen silence and sits on the cot in his cell

staring into space and refuses to look at or speak to anyone.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Toni Marcolano, Panama, age 28

Anelita Amedci, Panama, age 24

Montgomery News

Feb. 25, 1910

PANAMA

The roads have been almost impassable on account of snow drifts.

Mrs. W. W. Mitchel and Miss Orinda Killifer were shopping in St.

Louis Wednesday.

Mrs. William Sloat who has been quite ill with pneumonia, is

reported rapidly recovering.

The school is progressing nicely after various interruptions in

the way of sickness.

Alfred Desborough made a business trip to St. Louis Saturday,

returning Tuesday.

We understand S. M. Kessinger has made a new patent churn, using a

lard can for the churn and fixing it in a frame to turn with a crank.

It brings the butter in a few minutes.

The revival meeting at William's Hall which has been going on for

the last two weeks, will continue a few nights this week. It is

being held by Evangelist Arthur Zepp of Ohio, assisted by Rev. Dunn

and several members of the Donnellson Methodist church. It is hoped

this will be the cause of much good work in a religious way in Panama

which is sadly needed.

Dr. I. O. Wilcox was called to St. Louis last week to be present

at an operation performed on his father. Mr. Wilcox never recovered

from the operation, but died the second day. Dr. Wilcox and wife

attended the funeral which was held at Shadick. Dr. Carey of

Donnellson is attending his patients during his absence.

Dr. F. M. White who was born and raised north of Panama on the

Wess Compton farm has returned to his old stamping ground after

practicing his profession for the last twenty years in Colorado, and

opened his office at S. B. Compton's residence, where he is now ready

to receive any and all callers. Dr. White's popularity as a

physician will give him his share of the business, and his many

friends are confident of his success.

Montgomery News

Mar. 4, 1910

CIRCUIT COURT

John Kirchner has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co., laying his

damages at $2000. The plaintiff was a mule driver in the defendant's

mine and was injured while at work. His foot was run over and

crushed by a car owing, he claims, to a defective track, etc.

Montgomery News

Mar. 11, 1910

MARRIAGE LICENSES

William F. Freizland, Panama, age 20

Matilda S. Fandiz, age 18

Montgomery News

Mar. 18, 1910

PANAMA

Mrs. Lee Woods and Mrs. Oliver Coyle were shopping in Sorento

Monday.

Mrs. James Hancock was called to Litchfield Thursday by the

serious illness of her aunt, Mrs. John A. Barlow.

Daniel Jones moved on Carey Cunningham's farm south of town one

day last week.

James Simpson and daughter Lela of near Walshville took dinner

with Charles Ward and family Saturday.

The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Havron who has been quite

ill with pneumonia fever is improving.

Sunday School was organized here Sunday and teachers appointed and

classes arranged. It will be held in the old school house in the

north end of town.

Sie Greenwaldt was in these parts Sunday. He says he is going to

Alton Wednesday to work on the big paper factory which will be built

there this summer.

Montgomery News

Mar. 25, 1910

PANAMA

John Kish moved to Sorento last week.

W. W. Mitchell and family were Sorento visitors Sunday.

Charles Ward is attending court at Greenville this week, on the

grand jury.

Charles Kessinger was in town Monday of this week.

Mr. A. Mills, our postmaster, has bought a farm 2 miles north of

New Douglas. It contains 72 acres. He bought it at $35.00 per acre

and has the coal option at $15.00. We think he has found a great

bargain for the price paid.

Quite a merry crowd gathered at Mrs. William Sanderson's Thursday

March 17, by special invitation to a carpet rag tacking. Among those

present were Mrs. Ola Cannon and daughter, Aida of Coffeen, Mrs.

Wesley Drake and Mother in law of Sorento, Mrs. Arthur Caulk, Mrs.

Artie Philips, Mrs. Daniel Compton and Mrs. Leni Philips, Iva and

Elva Caulk. The day was spent very pleasantly as well as profitably,

there was about 20 lbs. of rags tacked.

Montgomery News

Apr. 1, 1910

COAL MINES SHUT DOWN

All the coal mines in Illinois closed down Thursday night, March

31, and will remain closed for an indefinite period. The miners have

demanded an increase in wages and also demanded that the operators

bear the shot firers expense. The minimum time of inactivity is

placed at 30 days, when it is expected that the miners and operators

will come to some sort of an agreement. Sixty thousand miners will

be idle the next thirty days at least. The joint committee of the

Illinois miners and operators will meet in Chicago next Monday.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT PANAMA

Battisti Depauli, a miner in the Panama mine, was instantly

killed last Monday by a fall of slate and rock. It is estimated that

about three car loads of coal and other material fell on him. He

leaves a wife and family. A coroner's jury consisting of W. W.

Mitchell, Dr. J. O. Wilcox and John Kenney was empaneled and found a

verdict in accordance with the facts.

Montgomery News

Apr. 8, 1910

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Frank Donatt, Panama, age 26

Stella Dizaba, Panama, age 19

Montgomery News

Jun. 3, 1910

PANAMA

Mr. and Mrs. Graybrook were Sorento callers Saturday.

The high waters did the farmers considerable damage in this

vicinity recently.

The little granddaughters of S. H. Slagle, Misses Mae and Irene

Pope are out from East St. Louis on a visit.

Quite a number from here attended the memorial exercises at

Sorento Monday.

Mrs. I. O. Wilcox is visiting home folks.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles McReaken, daughter Ruth and Earl Vogel were

in Sorento Monday.

Dr. and Mrs. Chittim were visitors at Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell last

week.

Chalmer Osborne of near Walshville spent Saturday night and Sunday

at William Sanderson's.

Three of the Panama school teachers have been re employed as

follows: Mrs. William P. Hampton, Sorento, principal, salary $75 and

teacher of room 4; Miss Baker, of Greenville, teacher of room 3, at

$50, and Miss Maewise, of Greenville, teacher of room 2. The primary

teacher and janitor are unemployed as yet.

Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Greene drove through Panama Tuesday.

Montgomery News

Jun. 10, 1910

PANAMA

Rev. Sparks and wife will hold services in their private car,

which is here on the side track, Friday afternoon for the children

and in the evening everyone will be welcome. These people are

traveling over the country preaching the Baptist gospel and are also

taking up a collection.

Montgomery News

Jun. 17, 1910

ATTORNEY FOR PANAMA

J. Earl Major of this city was employed this week as attorney for

the village of Panama. The authorities there certainly made no

mistake in securing Mr. Major, as he is one of the most promising

young attorneys and is capable and thoroughly qualified.

Montgomery News

Jun. 17, 1910

PANAMA

Lightning struck the barn of John Dunn 1/2 mile east of Panama

last Monday afternoon setting fire to it and the fire finished the

work of destruction. A horse worth over $200 and 100 bushels of corn

and some hay were also burned. Another horse and two cows were in

the barn at the time the lightning struck, but they managed to escape

into an adjoining pasture and were saved.

The coal mine here is working steadily every day.

One of the men employed as foreman at the coal washer is suffering

from an attack of small pox.

Montgomery News

Jul. 8, 1910

FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY

August Guglia of Panama was arrested for assault and battery

Tuesday evening and brought to Hillsboro before Judge Dryer, who

fixed his bond at $100, which Guglia gave and returned to his home.

Some of his neighbors accused him of kicking and beating his wife,

but he and his daughter deny the charge. Mr. Guglia runs the ice

business at Panama.

COUNTERFEITERS AT PANAMA

On Wednesday evening of this week United States Marshall O. G.

Addleman, of Springfield, came to Hillsboro and in company with

Deputy Sheriff M. T. Kiggins, drove to Panama, where they arrested

Albert Mattozo and William Spandoni, two Italian coal miners, on a

charge of disposing of counterfeit $5 and $2 bills. Peter Serini, a

Frenchman, of Panama, was arrested at Edwardsville on Wednesday

morning. One of the parties arrested confessed his guilt and

implicated other parties, who will be placed under arrest within a

few hours.

The men have been scattering counterfeit bills along the towns on

the Clover Leaf railroad for several weeks, the bills being excellent

imitations and very hard to detect as being counterfeit. It is

believed the money was made in Chicago, as Mattozo has been making

frequent trips to that city for several months. When he was arrested

$224 was found in his pockets. Spandoni had only $5 with him at the

time of his arrest.

U. S. Marshall Adden paid Deputy Sheriff Kiggins quite a

compliment in telling of the arrest, saying: "It is not often that I

meet such men as Mike Kiggins in following my work. He is quiet,

unassuming and apparently is devoid of fear when handling such men as

we arrested at Panama. His coolness in making an arrest is

remarkable and does more to unnerve a prisoner than anything else.

The public as a rule does not appreciate the dangerous character of

this class of foreigners who are flocking to our shores, many of them

coming to escape punishment for crimes committed at home."

The prisoners were taken to Springfield Thursday morning for

identification.

Montgomery News

Jul. 15, 1910

CARRIED A REVOLVER

Anton Newcaroski, a coal miner of Taylor Springs, came to

Hillsboro last Friday morning carrying a revolver in his hip pocket.

The day being very warm Anton removed his coat and the revolver was

detected by Deputy Sheriff Ed Marshall, who asked Anton if he was

carrying a pistol.

Anton answered in the affirmative and as he did so city marshall

Albert Campbell placed him under arrest, took his gun and led him

like a lamb to the slaughter house to the office of Esq. Rowe, where

he plead guilty and was fined $25 and costs. He refused to pay the

fine and was placed in the county jail, but his stay there was of

short duration, as a friend appeared, paid his fine and Anton was

released.

The unfortunate miner is an Italian and can speak but little

English. He is like many of the foreigners who come to our country

and believe they can do as they please, as this is a "free country."

Anton insisted he was carrying the gun for self protection only

and did not mean harm, but this did not excuse him in the eyes of the

law. The medicine administered him by Esq. Rowe was hard to swallow,

but it will probably do Anton's system a great deal of good, and may

have a tendency to help the rest of the foreign element at Taylor

Springs.

THEY "SHOVED THE QUEER"

Anton Newcaroski, another foreigner, was arrested at Panama on

Thursday of last week by Deputy Sheriff Kiggins, and he is now being

held with two companions who were arrested last Wednesday, who are

charged with passing counterfeit money. The arrest of Newcaroski was

made by Mr. Kiggins, aided by Charles Johnson, of Litchfield, another

deputy.

It is very difficult to secure information against any of the

foreign element found in mining centers because all of the foreigners

are in sympathy with their countrymen, and will aid them in every

possible manner. As soon as an officer appears in town and making

inquiries about a certain foreigner, friends of the man waste no time

in telling him to disappear and aid him all they can. The larger

percent of these foreigners speak no English and when any trouble

starts they all claim ignorance of the language and our officers must

depend on an interpreter, and in many cases these interpreters are in

league with the law breakers and they only lend their aid in evading

the law.

The men arrested at Panama are not counterfeiters, as they know

nothing about the work. They are, however, the tools of men who are

experts in the business.

The secret service men have traced the bogus money which the

Panama foreigners were passing back to an eastern city, and they

believe they have secured information which will eventually lead to

the discovery of the "plant" where the money is being manufactured,

and will finally capture the men who are making it.

The foreigners arrested claim they were never in trouble before

and they realize their predicament and are turning state's evidence

against the men who got them into trouble. All of them, however, are

in mortal terror of being killed by the "black hand" society, as they

were all sworn to secrecy by the agent from whom they secured the

money.

The story told by these men, as near as can be secured, is that

they first came to this country in search of work but found the coal

mines closed. They were hard run for money and when they were

approached by one of their countrymen who offered to let them get

rich easily and quickly by "shoving the queer," they immediately fell

victims to his arguments. The man who had given them the bogus bills

travels for a certain wholesale house in the East, but his position

with this house is but a blind, as his real business is disposing of

bad money. He approaches only ignorant foreigners and shows them

good money, which he claims is bogus, and he takes them to business

houses, generally saloons, and buys drinks or merchandise with his

money, and of course his bills are never rejected, as they are

genuine. In this manner he impresses his companions with the easy

manner in which he lives and they fall to his proposition without a

great deal of argument. He then leaves with them or sends to them a

bunch of bogus bills, which are excellent imitations, and which only

an expert can detect as being bad money, and the foreigners pay him a

percent of the amount sent him.

When the discovery is made that the bogus money is being

circulated, the ignorant foreigner who "pushes the queer" is easily

detected and sent to the penitentiary while it is next to impossible

for the federal authorities to secure evidence which will enable them

to detect the real culprits.

Before deputy sheriff M. T. Kiggins could locate Anton Newcaroski,

last Thursday, he had to send him a registered letter through the

mail, and when Anton called for the letter at the post office he was

placed under arrest. He maintained his innocence until he was placed

behind the bars in the county jail and then he weakened and told his

story. The three men now under arrest will be sent to the

penitentiary, but they will very probably receive short sentences

because of the fact that they confessed their guilt and helped

towards apprehending the real counterfeiters, and the lesson they

will learn will likely have a far reaching effect upon many of the

ignorant countrymen.

CIRCUIT COURT NEW CASES

Maria Quaglia, of the village of Panama, has sued August Quaglia

for a divorce. Maria alleges that she and August were united in

marriage on the 10th day of June, 1898 "at and in the Kingdom of

Italy, in the continent of Europe," and that they have one child,

Dominick Quaglia, now about 11 years old. She then charges that

August has treated her with extreme and repeated cruelty, striking

and kicking her violently at divers times; that he struck her once

with a club, and that he has been arrested and fined for beating her.

She states that he owns a large amount of personal property,

consisting of growing crops, six head of horses, 12 head of cattle,

21 head of hogs, four wagons and a lot of farm machinery, that he has

executed a pretended chattel mortgage on his stock for $2,200, which

was given July 2, 1910, to one Giovanni Charmers, but the same was

fraudulently made for the purpose of depriving her and her boy of the

means of support. She asks that August be enjoined from selling said

property and that said Giovanni Charmers be enjoined from foreclosing

said mortgage. She asks for a divorce and sufficient alimony to

support herself and her child.

ANOTHER COUNTERFEITER CAUGHT

Antonio Galluce, the Italian traveling salesman who furnished the

bogus bills for the Panama miners to dispose of, was caught at

Wilmerding, near Pittsburg, Pa., on Monday of this week and is now

being held by the federal authorities.

Galluce told the Panama miners that he was an agent of the "black

hand" society, and when he gave them the money, he made them take the

black hand oath never to tell where they got the money. It is

generally believed by the federal authorities who are acquainted with

the particulars in this case that Galuco did not make the money but

is disposing it for other parties in Chicago or New York.

PANAMA

Mrs. William Sanderson is on the sick list.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Vincent of Litchfield, spent a few days of last

week with Charles Ward.

Miss Edith McLane has been re employed as primary teacher at an

advance in wages of $5 on the month.

The hoisting machine at the coal mine fell to pieces Saturday

morning while hoisting a load of coal. The engineer, Bob Pullen of

Sorento, was painfully though not seriously injured. It will be ten

days or probably two weeks before the mine can work again.

The Coffeen boys were down fishing again today, but they didn't

seem to have their usual luck. Three weeks ago ten of them were down

and got about 150 pounds of fish.

Word was received here today that Mr. Emery Corlew (the well known

photographer of Sorento) is very low and getting weaker every day.

Mrs. Treecy Merideth is visiting her daughter, Mrs. S. M.

Kessinger, this week.

"Tob" West, Mr. Mitchell's piano and organ agent, is getting to be

a frequent caller in this vicinity. We suspect some body will be

buying a new piano some day before long.

Alfred Desborough has built a new concrete cellar and kitchen over

it.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Shannon, a girl, on Tuesday. Mr.

Shannon's are the same family that has been quarantined so long with

the smallpox. Mr. Shannon, his wife, and four children have all had

them. The house was fumigated Saturday from nine a.m. to four p.m.,

and the baby was born on Tuesday afternoon.

Montgomery News

Jul. 22, 1910

NOT AN ITALIAN

Editor News;

I have noticed in you paper No. 28 of July 15th, that an Italian

by the name of Anton Newcaroski, of Taylor Springs, was arrested for

carrying a revolver. I wish to state to you that this man is not an

Italian at all; he is a Russian.

I like to see any man that is violating the law of this country

punished accordingly, but I don't like the innocent to be punished

for the guilty one. If he is a Russian, he is not an Italian.

There are French, Italians, Austrians, Spaniards, Greeks,

Russians, etc., and they may all look alike. Whenever anyone of

those that can't talk plain American violates the law of this

country, it is blamed on the Italians. I admit there are as bad

Italians as there are other nationalities, and that is more due to

the Southern Italians.

I wish to state to you that whenever you see a name with the

letter "k" in it, it is not an Italian name, for there isn't one

Italian name with the letter "k" in it the "k" is not used in the

Italian language at all.

Dear editor, the Italian, or either the foreign element that you

may call at Taylor Springs only consists of about twenty. They are

all very peaceable and as civilized as any, and they will all obey

and live up to the law of this great country, and if there is any

offending said law we want him to be punished to the full extent of

the law.

Respectfully yours,

Louis Magi

THE COUNTERFEITERS IN BOND COUNTY

We have on display at this office one of the counterfeit two

dollar bills that made Panama famous. The work of engraving and

printing is perfect. The only difference is in the paper used which

is minus the threads and of an inferior quality.

In order to pass them the more easily the bills were folded and

wrinkled to give them the appearance of old ones. The one we have

was loaned us by Abe McNeill, the cashier of the bank at Panama.

Abe saw an Italian in the act of passing it and at once pounced

upon him and a struggle for the possession of the bill followed.

When the dust of battle cleared away Abe had the bill. Only two of

the bills were ever presented at the bank and both of them were

detected and are held as evidence. Greenville Sun

Montgomery News

Aug. 5, 1910

COAL MINER KILLED AT PANAMA

Battista Badoni, a coal miner employed at the Panama mine, met

death at that place on Sunday night of this week, between seven and

eight o'clock.

The accident happened at the bottom of the shaft while Badoni was

helping to pull a box of cinders off the cage. The car had become

fast in some manner and could not be pulled from the cage, which was

about two inches lower than the mine level. After trying to remove

the car and finding it impossible to do so, Ljuliornige Cururija, who

was in charge of the work at the pit, rang four bells for the

engineer to hoist slowly. This was done, but the car was raised

about five or six feet instead of a few inches. The signal was then

rung to stop the cage and then two bells were given to lower slowly.

When the cage was elevated, the car was caught between the cage

and the roof of the mine, which must have tilted it forward and as

soon as the cage was lowered, the car of cinders pitched forward into

the mine, burying Badoni beneath it, breaking his neck, crushing him

and killing him instantly.

Several miners were present at the time of the accident and they

testified at the coroners inquest to the effect that Clyde McReaken,

the acting night boss, ordered everyone to get out of the way just

before ringing the two bells to lower the cage, and that everybody

did so except Badoni, who either did not understand or else did not

realize his danger as he stood beneath the overhanging car of

cinders.

The unfortunate man had been ordered to work in another part of

the mine laying track and it is not known why he went to the bottom

of the shaft.

Coroner W. A. Gray was called to Panama Monday where he summoned a

jury composed of F. E. Risk, Peter Smith, Harry Noe, Theodore

Taulbee, John May and Dr. J. O. Wilcox. After hearing the evidence

they returned a verdict of accidental death.

Montgomery News

Sep. 9, 1910

INDICTED AT QUINCY

Seven indictments were returned at Quincy Tuesday in the federal

court against Severen Pallette, Albert Mattozo and Petro Santavicco

of Panama, this county, for counterfeiting.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S COAL OUTPUT

David Ross, secretary of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has just

issued the 28th annual coal report for the state of Illinois, which

gives statistics that are both interesting and instructive. The

report, however, is for the year ending June 30, 1909, and, of

course, does not show any statistics or facts subsequent to that

time.

The report shows there are eleven mines in this county and the

total production for last year of the eleven mines was 1,480,635

tons.

Following is the number of tons produced by each of the eleven

mines:

Shoal Creek Coal Co., Panama, 366,544 tons

Hillsboro Coal Co., Hillsboro, 243,780 tons

Burnwell Coal Co., Witt, 188,767 tons

Kortkamp Coal Co., Hillsboro, 161,520 tons

Clover Leaf Coal Co., Coffeen, 156,594 tons

Burnwell Coal Co., No. 2, Witt, 147,516 tons

Peabody Coal Co., Nokomis, 133,643 tons

Litchfield Coal Co., Litchfield, 42,163 tons

Montgomery County Coal Co., Hillsboro, 37,697 tons

Farmersville Coal Co., Farmersville, 16,401 tons

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