Greenville Advocate 

Jan. 3, 1916

 

BOY LOSES THUMB IN HUNTING ACCIDENT

 

          Lloyd Havron, the 14 year old Coffeen boy, who was shot while out hunting a week ago today, will recover, says the Hillsboro Journal.

          He is the son of Jesse Havron of Panama, and was visiting in Coffeen when the accident happened.  He was accidentally shot by his companion, Merrell Lewey.  His cheek was badly torn and his left thumb was so badly lacerated that amputation was necessary.

          Both boys tried to shoot a rabbit at the same time. Lewey's hand slipped and the gun was accidentally and prematurely discharged.

                      

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 7, 1916

 

DANCED THE NEW YEAR IN

 

          The K. of P. organization at Panama celebrated the arrival of the New Year Friday eve by a big dance at Romania's hall.  Good music by the Panama orchestra and a fine attendance made the event a notable affair.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 10, 1916

 

WILL FIGHT PARDON FOR FRANK CHILOVITCH

 

          Efforts are being made to secure the pardon of Frank Chilovitch, who is in the Chester penitentiary for 18 years, having been sent in April, 1912, for the killing of Deputy Sheriff Herbert Kessinger, of Donnellson.  Kessinger was killed at the home of a friend of Chilovitch, where he had gone with the intention of collecting a bill.

          Friends of Kessinger are circulating a petition in protest and will make a strong fight against the release of Chilovitch.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 11, 1916

 

INSANE PATIENT DIES

 

          The man who was sent from Bond county to the state asylum at Jacksonville last November after repeated attempts to kill himself, first with a hatchet, then by striking his head on the concrete walk   died Saturday morning.  He was  born in Austria.  He leaves his wife and several small children.  The funeral service will be held Tuesday from the residence in Panama, interment will be made in the Panama cemetery.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 13, 1916

 

JURY ACQUITS PANAMA MAN AFTER TRIAL

 

          A jury acquitted Louis Malattia of Panama, after a trial Tuesday.  The Malattia case was the only criminal case thus far tried and it consumed most of the day.  The jury returned a verdict Wednesday morning of not guilty.

          Malattia was charged with taking indecent liberties with a child under 15 years of age.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 14, 1916

 

THE CASES FOR THE JANUARY TERM

 

          There are four indictments for assault to murder against the following: Albert Ackers, (colored), Jesse Manning, Carter Sears and Arthur Smith.  The one against Ackers will be nollied.  The others will probably be tried.  Jesse Manning is indicted for shooting at Charlie Bills at Panama some months ago.  Carter Sears is accused of cutting William Faudi at Panama, and Arthur Smith is the man who shot Tom Butts with a rifle, the shot taking effect in that part of Tom's anatomy that corresponds with his name.

 

         

The following cases are set for trial next week:

          Matt Bolgar vs. Shoal Creek Coal Co.

          Mike Goalvich Vs, Shoal Creek Coal Co.

          William Hartman vs. Shoal Creek Coal Co.

 

COAL COMPANY SETTLES DEATH CLAIMS

          The Shoal Creek Coal Company has settled the death claims of three of the miners killed last April in their mine at Panama.  The administrator of each estate settled for $2000, or $6000 for the three, payment being made by the coal company as follows: $100 cash, $400 on April 1, 1916, and the balance in semi annual payments during six years from Feb. 1, 1916.

          The widows benefited by these settlements are Mrs. Joseph Mihalich, Mrs. Andrew Sayban and Mrs. Theodore Burns.

 

MAY DIE FROM BURNS

 

          Mrs. Mattie Coyle of Panama was seriously burned Wednesday.  Her clothes caught fire from the stove and though  she put out the blaze herself she was unable to extinguish it until badly burned.  She is about 60 years of age and is the mother of Ben Coyle who several years ago killed a man named Elliott at the Red Onion boarding house in Panama.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 17, 1916

 

DELL NOW AFTER ELI; CASE UP AT PANAMA

 

          Dell Cunningham, who paid a fine in the circuit court last week for assaulting Eli McKenzie of Sorento on Nov. 20th, has brought action against McKenzie before Lem File of Panama.

          He charges McKenzie with fighting and disturbing the peace on the same day that his trouble took place.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 20, 1916

 

HARRY KNOTT DIES; OFFICER AT PANAMA

 

          Harry Knott, street commissioner of Panama, died at his home in that village Saturday evening.  Death was due to asthma.  He had been sick a long time but in bed only a few weeks.

          He was aged 60 years and had lived in Panama for two years, moving there from Bradwood, where his body was taken for burial.

          The funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, from the M.E. church at Panama, by Rev. Botkin.  The body was taken immediately afterward to his old home.

          His wife died several years ago.  Surviving him at Panama are two sons and two daughters, John and Harry Knott and Mrs. George Lee and Mrs. Herbert Saugi.  He also has a daughter in Denver and one in DuQuoin, and a son in Sesser.

 

FILES INFORMATION; CHILD ABANDONMENT

 

Warrant is issued for William Hartman, Sr.

          State's Attorney John D. Biggs filed information in the county court Wednesday against William Hartman, Sr., of Sorento, on the charge of wife and child abandonment.

          Hartman is employed in the coal mine at Panama.  Some time in December he left his family and refused to support them.  The allegation is that he has three children under 12 years of age and two over 12.  Those under 12 years of age are Clarence aged 11, Cornelius aged 9, and William Jr. aged 6 years, in whose behalf the charge is brought.

          Two other children, Nellie and Arnold are aged 13 and 15 respectively.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan 21, 1916

 

HAD A FIRE

 

          John Circoletti's home at Panama caught fire Tuesday from sparks falling on the roof from the chimney.  A hole big enough to let daylight through was burned before the fire was extinguished.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 27, 1916

 

HARTMAN MUST PAY WIFE $6 A WEEK

 

          William Hartman, against whom an information was filed in the county court last week, was brought to this city Wednesday evening by Constable A. Fenton of Shoal Creek township, and Thursday morning was brought into court before Judge W. H. Dawdy.

          Hartman pleaded guilty to the charge, and the court imposed upon him the obligation of paying to his wife, $6 per week for the keep of the children.

          Hartman is a miner at Panama.  His family is living at Sorento.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 28, 1916

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Jesse Manning plead guilty to an assault and was fined $25 and was ordered to stand committed until the fine and costs are paid.

   The case against Louis Henderson, township clerk of Grisham, indicted for misconduct as town clerk, was called Tuesday but was continued by agreement.  Mr. Henderson agrees to put the question: "Shall Grisham township become anti  saloon territory?" on the Grisham township ballots whether the petition is in form or not.  Another case against Henderson, a mandamus suit, is now pending in the Appellate court, in which it is sought to compel Mr. Henderson to put the question on the township ballots.  The prosecution thought best to continue the criminal case until that is decided, especially since Mr. Henderson promises to "be good" and give the people of Grisham township an opportunity to vote on the saloon question this spring.

 

WILL VOTE ON LIQUOR QUESTION

 

          There will be red hot fights on the wet and dry question in two townships of this county at the election April 4th,    Nokomis and Grisham.  Nokomis is dry now and a strong effort will be made by the wets to get saloons there.  Grisham is wet and the drys are preparing to make a hard fight to banish the five saloons from the township.  The greater part of the village of Panama is in Grisham township, a portion of it being located over the line in Bond county.  If Nokomis stays dry and Grisham goes dry, Harvel and Witt will be the only "oases" in Montgomery county.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 4, 1916

 

LONG BRIDGE WASHED OUT

 

          Long bridge over Shoal Creek west of Panama was badly damaged by the high water Sunday.  About 40 feet of the bridge was washed away and it will take some time and considerable money to repair it.

 

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

William M. Boyd, Walshville, age 28

Ola Vogel, Panama, age 23

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 8, 1916

 

CIRCUIT COURT NEW CASES

 

          William W. Everett, by H. C. Stuttle, his solicitor, has filed a bill for relief against the Slavonic Benefit Society.

   The bill alleges that the defendant Society executed to Nick Polovich of Pana (where the Society had a branch organization) a benefit certificate in which Mrs. Nick Polovich was the beneficiary for $2000.  The bill further alleges that Nick Polovich was injured at Panama and was removed to the Highland, Ill. Hospital for treatment, and that he was treated for his injuries by the complainant, who is a licensed physician, and that to secure the complainant for his services as such physician and paying his expenses at the hospital, the said Nick Polovich assigned said benefit certificate to the complainant, which certificate provides for the payment of such expenses.  The complainant alleges that the defendant owes him $300 for treating Nick Polovich which it refuses to pay, and he wants a decree entered by the court ordering the Slavonic Benefit Society to pay him that amount.                                                        

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 14, 1916

 

WIRE CABLE TIGHTENS; BREAKS MAN'S ANKLE

 

          John Jordan, an employee of the Panama Coal Co., is suffering with a broken ankle as a result of an accident the other day, when a wire cable at the mine tightened as he attempted to step over it and struck him on the right ankle, causing the fracture.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 18, 1916

 

PANAMA CHURCH SUPPER

 

          The Ladies Aid Society of the Panama M. E. Church gave a very successful social entertainment and supper at Murphy's hall Wednesday night.  It was well attended and a nice sum cleared for the church.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 21, 1916

 

RALPH McREAKEN IS HURT IN PANAMA MINE

 

          Ralph McReaken was seriously injured in the Panama coal mine, where he is employed, a week ago last Saturday, according to the Sorento Blade.

          McReaken was a driver in the mine and when attempting to pass under a bar the hames caught on the bar, and when the mule attempted to back up and release itself, the car ran forward and struck the mule, knocking him forward.

          McReaken was wedged between the mule and the car and was unable to free himself.  The bar struck him on the left side of the head almost severing his ear.  A deep gash was cut just back of the left ear.

          The car and mule came together with great force, and McReaken was the meat in the sandwich.  The force of the contact was so great that it broke three ribs and bruised Mr. McReaken up badly.  He had just recovered from an attack of the grip when the accident happened.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 24, 1916

 

FIRE BREAKS OUT AT PANAMA MINE

(By telephone to the Advocate)

 

          What was first thought to be an explosion in the Panama mine at 7 o'clock this morning, Monday, was afterward found  to be an old fire which had been walled up and which broke out in a new place in the mine.

          The smoke is quite dense, but it was discovered before any men were lowered into the mine.  The damage was slight.

                                                                                                        

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 25, 1916

 

K. P. GIVES DANCE

 

          The K. P. Lodge at Panama is a flourishing organization, noted for its good times.  On the night of Washington's birthday, the lodge and the Pythian Sisters gave a banquet supper at the hall followed by a dance and social good time.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 7, 1916

 

BIG CELEBRATION AT PANAMA

 

          Local Union No. 1475 U.M.W of A. of Panama, has arranged to hold a big celebration on Saturday, April 1st in honor of the 8 hour day.  A big program has been prepared which includes three boxing matches, a street parade, a big ball at night and music by the Edwardsville band.

          In the bills advertising the big event, attention is called to the fact that "Panama is a wet town."  The committee should have also added another line on their bills saying "and the water is filled with alkali."  We know that this is true because we drank some of it once   only once   but never again!

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 9, 1916

 

STEPHEN T. HAVRON DIES AT SORENTO

 

          Sorento, Wednesday,   Stephen H. Havron died at his home in Sorento at 5 p.m., Tuesday, aged 83 years, 1 month and 25 days.  He had been ill for some time with ailments incident to old age.  For the past five or six years he had been blind.

          The funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the M. E. church in Sorento by Rev. T. A. Martin, with burial at Sunnyside cemetery.

          Mr. Havron was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the 122nd Illinois Volunteers.  His widow, who was a daughter of Mathew Finley, survives, as do also five sons, Jesse, Walter and Addison of Panama, Stephen of Sorento, and Henry of Oklahoma, and two daughters, Mrs. Jess Woods of Bloomington, and Mrs. Walter Robb of Sorento.  He has one  brother living in Texas.

          Mr. Havron was a man who was held in high regard.  He had resided in Sorento and neighborhood for many years, and prior to that time lived in Montgomery county.

Montgomery News

Mar. 10, 1916

 

DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER

 

          Bert Foraker a resident of Panama died at an East St. Louis hospital Wednesday of typhoid fever.  He was about 45 years old, was married and divorced.  The remains were sent to Panama where the funeral services were held Friday.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 17, 1916

 

THE SHOAL CREEK COAL CO. CASE

 

          The bill of interpleader and injunction filed by W. B. McBride, attorney for the Shoal Creek Coal Co., on Feb. 21, against Thomas R. Mould and others, was heard by Judge T. M. Jett last Tuesday, and dismissed.

          The facts in this case were fully given in the columns of this paper at the time the bill was filed.  It will be remembered that Mrs. Romani, made a widow by an explosion in the Panama mine Nov. 11, 1910, sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for damages because of the death of her husband.  Suit was first brought in this county by Thomas R. Mould, Mrs. Romania's attorney, but that suit was dismissed here and another suit was begun in the Superior Court of Cook county. The plaintiff recovered a judgment for $5,500 in the Cook county court.  She was represented in that court by Hyde & Gordon, attorneys, and by Hyde, Westbrook & Watson, another firm of Chicago lawyers.  Thomas R. Mould claims he has an agreement with the widow whereby he is to get 50 percent of the judgment she was to obtain, and Hyde & Gordon also claim an agreement whereby they are to have 25 percent of the judgment Mrs. Romani was to obtain, and the other firm, Hyde, Westbrook & Watson, also claim to have a similar agreement whereby they were to have 25 percent of her judgment.

          The Shoal Creek Coal Co. state in their bill of interpleader and injunction that these lawyers each demand the money on the judgment or so much of it as will settle their lien on the same for fees.  It will be seen that 50 percent, plus 25 percent, plus 25 percent makes 100 percent, and according to Ray's Third Part Arithmetic, which we used to study in the Fillmore school, when you and I were young, Maggie, 100 percent is all of it, and when the lawyers are paid there will be nothing left for Marie Romani, whose husband was killed in the Panama mine by an explosion  Nov.  11, 1910.

          The Shoal Creek Coal Co. brought Mrs. Romania's money, together with the interest and costs, amounting to $6308.19, into court and asked the court to say to whom it should be paid.  Marie Romani, since the suit was instituted, has married a man named Almeriga, but this does not change her legal status in the case or relieve her from the fact that 100 percent represents the whole cheese.

          The temporary injunction heretofore granted in the case, enjoining the collection of the judgment until the rights of the clamoring attorneys in the same are adjusted, was dissolved by the court because it was brought in the wrong court, the statute requiring that actions to enjoin the collection of the judgment should be brought in the county where the judgment was obtained.  After the injunction was dissolved the complainant's bill for interpleader was dismissed.

          It is understood that a similar bill will now be filed in the Superior Court of Cook County, and the lawyers will contend in that court for 50 percent, plus 25 percent, plus 25 percent of Mrs. Romania's judgment.

          The attorneys who have been deprived of the use of their 50 percent, plus 25 percent, plus 25 percent of Mrs. Romania's judgment since away last fall, filed suggestions of damages because of their sore deprivation, and because of being compelled by the filing of this suit to lay awake nights and think of the case, because of the great mental worry to which they have been subjected, and because of the expense they have been subjected to in coming clear down from Chicago to look after the case, and because of divers and sundry other reasons which they could not think of last Tuesday.  These lawyers want about $200 damages.  No one suggested to the court that Mrs. Marie Romani, the woman who lost her husband in the explosion in the Panama mine nearly six years ago, should be awarded damages.  Perhaps she is not entitled to any because she was unable to figure that 50 percent, plus 25 percent, plus 25 percent, makes 100 percent and 100 percent of $6308.19 is just $6308.19!

          The court took the question of damages under advisement.

          There is another suit pending in the court in which Thomas Mould, Mrs. Romania's original lawyer before an Italian counsel stole her away from him and committed her case to the tender mercies of a bunch of Chicago bandits, sues the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for his fees, claiming they are liable, as the law gives the attorney a lien on any judgment he may obtain for a client for his fees.  Why this law was ever enacted can probably be explained by the half-baked lawyers, pettifoggers and ambulance chasers who sometimes hold the balance of power in the Illinois legislature.

          Why should a lawyer be given a lien against a judgment for his fees?  A doctor doesn't have a lien against anything when he saves a man's life or restores him to health.  The preacher has no lien against his pulpit or church for saving the souls of his congregation.  The grocer has no lien when  he keeps a family from starving and the clothing man or coal man no lien when he keeps them from freezing.  Why should a lawyer have a lien for his professional work any more than a doctor, a preacher, an editor or any one else?

          As long as the people continue to fill the legislature with pettifoggers, legal vultures and ambulance chasers, they may expect them to pass laws discriminating in favor of themselves.

          In days of old when the profession of law used to be considered a very honorable, dignified and almost sacred calling, when lawyers were "called" to the bar as preachers are called to the pulpit, there were very severe laws against the practice of barratry.  This once disreputable practice is now common, and is even encouraged by the legislature which gives the barrator a lien on his judgment!

          Again, there are numerous laws made to protect the ignorant, the weak and the unwary from the wiles and tricks of the unscrupulous.  The state supervises the business of the banks in order to protect the depositors; a contract founded in fraud and circumvention can be avoided; there are laws against usury, against the confidence game, against extortion, against forestalling and against every scheme to cheat, wrong and defraud the innocent and the unwary, but there is no law to prevent a horde of hungry lawyers from contracting with Marie Romani, a poor ignorant Italian woman, that she shall pay them 100 percent of any judgment they obtain against the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for killing her husband in its mine on Nov. 11, 1910!

 

VILLAGE NOMINATIONS

 

          Peoples ticket: William Gerl, Peter Smith and Tom Savage, trustees. E. A. Murray, clerk.

          Labor ticket: Thomas Lewis, Alonzo Maland, Lem File, trustees.

          Democratic ticket: William Faudi, Ed Toureene and Thomas Aikman, trustees.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 21, 1916

 

GRISHAM TOWNSHIP PRIMARY

 

          Republican

          Clerk   Henry Hoekstra

          Assessor   George Vogel

          Collector   Charles Krummel

          Commissioner   W. D. Watters

          Justice of the Peace   Max VonBrunn

          Constable   S. A. Dockery

 

         

 

          Democratic

          Assessor   Ed Varner

          Collector   Jesse Edwards

          Clerk   T. A. Anderson

          Commissioner   Horton Edwards

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 28, 1916

 

PANAMA COAL MINER HURT

 

          John Bonnetto, a coal miner employed at Panama, was very severely injured on Friday of last week when his right leg was caught in a mining machine and almost severed above the ankle.  He was taken to the Litchfield hospital and an effort is being made to save his leg, but it is very doubtful if this can be done.  Bonnetto is about 40 years old and has a wife and several children at Panama.

                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 31, 1916

 

ROOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

          The Shoal Creek long bridge which was washed away is being put back and will soon be so everyone can cross again.

 

          There is going to be a picnic in Panama April 1st.

 

          James Trobaugh from Sorento has moved to the country in Cary Cunningham's timber where he is going to work.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 7, 1916

 

RESULT OF THE TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS

 

          Grisham township voted dry by 8 majority which will put the saloons in Panama out of business unless the election is contested, which we understand they intend doing.  The following, all Republicans, were elected:

          Henry Hoekstra   Clerk

          George Vogel   Assessor

          Charles Krummel   Collector

          W. D. Watters   Highway Commissioner

          Max VonBrunn   Justice of the Peace

          S. A. Dockery   Constable

 

 MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

W. Hugh Enicks, Panama, age 23

Stella Mills, Panama, age 27

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 14, 1916

 

WILL CONTEST GRISHAM ELECTION

 

          Messrs. Hill & Bullington and D. R. Kinder have been employed to file a contest in the Grisham township elections on the vote for and against saloons.

          The drys, it will be remembered, carried the township by eight majority and the wets are the ones who are contesting the election and petitioning for a recount.

          They claim that a recount will show a number of fraudulent votes cast for the drys, and they claim they will be able to throw out enough of these to secure a victory for the wets.

          Another curious contention is the one made by the petitions that the form of the ticket was not in accordance with the statute.  The statute gives the form of the ballot, and says that after the words, "Shall this township become anti saloon territory?", two squares shall be placed on the ballot, the top square marked "yes" and the bottom square "no."  The Grisham ballots reversed the order and put "no" after the top square and "yes" at the bottom, contrary to the form of the statute.  The petitioners claim this arrangement confused some of the wet voters and they voted dry when they intended to vote wet.

          On the other hand, it is said that a lot of Donnellson women who, of course, wanted to vote dry, were confused by the arrangement of the squares and actually voted wet!  If this is true, the contention of the contestants may be a two edged sword, and it may cut both ways.

          The petition of the contestants will probably be filed in the county court Monday.

 

MARRIAGES

 

William A. Alexander, Panama

Reba T. Compton, Panama

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 17, 1916

 

PREPAREDNESS WAS NO GOOD TO PANAMA MAN

 

          Mike Faletti, a Panama saloon keeper was prepared for war until a burglar entered his place of business and stole three revolvers along with the change that was left in the  cash drawer and possibly a small amount of booze.

          Mike had his arms and ammunition all ready for battle but they were worthless because there was no man behind them. A Panama man was arrested on suspicion and lodged in jail. It is thought there was more than one intruder.  They gained entrance by prying open a window with a pitchfork.

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 21, 1916

 

GRAND JURY INDICTMENT

 

          The grand jury made it final report Wednesday evening and was discharged after finding seven indictments.  One of them, however, returned against Weaver Root and Emil Grabruck of Panama for betting on the results of the election, was a mistake.  The grand jury failed to vote an indictment in this case, but one had been written up and somehow got into the indictments that were returned by mistake and was returned a "true bill."  This case will therefore go off the docket.

          Weaver Root and Evan Evans are indicted for giving away intoxicating liquor in the township of Grisham on April 4, 1916, election day.  The witnesses are David Atterbury, Jesse Boyd, Jesse Beck and Hiram Rhodes.

 

VILLAGE ELECTION

 

          At Panama there were three tickets as follows, with the votes received:

 

Peoples Party

          William Gerl, 103 for trustee

          Peter Smith, 66              "     "

          Thomas Savage, 65  "     "

          E. A. Murray, 117 for clerk

Labor Party

          Thomas Lewis, 132 for trustee

          Lem File, 41 for trustee

          Alonzo Neal, 113 for trustee

          Walter Havron, 43 for clerk

 

Democratic Party

          Fred Toureene, 64 for trustee

          Thomas Aickman, 48 for trustee

          William Faudi, 32 for trustee

 

          As will be seen, the trustees elected were Thomas Lewis, Alonzo Neal and William Gerl and E. A. Murray clerk.

 

 

 Montgomery News

Apr. 25, 1916

 

GRISHAM CONTEST CONTINUED

 

          The parties to the election contest on the anti saloon vote in Grisham township were here in full force last Saturday ready to try the case.  Hill & Bullington and D. R. Kinder represented the contestants and Lane, Dryer & Brown appeared for the drys.  A demurrer was interposed to the petition and argued Saturday, Judge McDavid taking the question under advisement.  By agreement the case was continued until next Friday.

          The principal objection to the petition was that the petition did not sufficiently allege that the votes had been canvassed within 10 days prior to the petition.  The only canvass they allege is the canvass on the night of the election.  That being true, and the election being held on April 4, the petition was not filed until April 15, when the statute provides that the petition must be filed within ten days after the canvass of the votes cast at such election. Therefore, the petition was filed too late, the attorneys claim.

          The Appellate court last Friday affirmed the decision of Judge Jett rendered in the circuit court here at the April term, 1915, in the case of The People ex rel Monroe Seals vs. Louis Henderson, town clerk of Grisham township.  It will be remembered that in the spring of 1915, Louis Henderson refused to put the anti saloon question on the ballots to be voted on at the township election.  Monroe Seals and others filed a petition for a mandamus against Henderson, and he was ordered by the circuit court to put the question, "Shall Grisham township become anti saloon territory?" to be voted on.  Henderson, backed by the "wets", took an appeal to the Appellate court, and as a result the people of Grisham township did not get to vote on the anti saloon question in April, 1915.  The Appellate court sustained Judge Jett's decision.  Henderson was indicted for misconduct as town clerk and that indictment is still pending.  This spring Henderson put the question on the ballots and the drys carried the township by eight majority, and this election is the one now being contested in the county court.

 

SHOAL CREEK COAL CO. CASE AFFIRMED

 

          Antone Nagalil of Panama sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for damages in 1914, and at the November term of the circuit court he obtained a judgment against the company for $750, which was reduced to $500 on the order of Judge Jett, the trial court.  The coal company appealed and last Friday the Appellate court rendered a decision sustaining the circuit court.

                                                             

 

 Montgomery News

Apr. 28, 1916

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Weaver Root and Evan Evans, indicted for giving away intoxicating liquor on election day, gave bail in the sum of $100 each.

 

THE GRISHAM CONTEST

 

          Judge McDavid, judge of the county court, passed on the demurrer Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, which had been interposed to the petition for a recount of the ballots in the election on the saloon question in Grisham township.  The election was held April 4, and resulted in a majority of eight against saloons.

          The wets filed a petition on April 15, asking for a recount, and this petition was demurred to because it did not aver that it was filed within ten days after the votes were canvassed.  Judge McDavid held that this was a fatal error and the petitioners took leave to amend.

          Judge McDavid also decided that the arrangement of the words "yes" and "no" on the ballots was not misleading or illegal.  The tickets were printed with the word, "yes" and "no" reversed from the way the statute directs them to be placed.

          The objections to the time of the delivery of the ballots, the arrangement of the curtains to the voting booths, the size of the booths and several other minor objections, Judge McDavid decided were trivial.  The case was then continued until May 4, 1916, when it will be heard.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 4, 1916

 

EIGHT OF EIGHTEEN PASS EXAMINATION

 

          Eight of the eighteen who took the teacher's examination in this city on Mar. 23 and 24 have passed, according to a report from the state made to County Superintendent William E. White.

          A third grade certificate was issued to Alfredia Desborough of Panama.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 5, 1916

 

A PANAMA JOKE

 

          The joke is on some of the Montgomery county newspapers. Henry Hoekstra, assistant cashier of the Bank of Panama,  recently went to Jersey City, New Jersey, on a two weeks vacation, and some of the Hillsboro papers "allowed" that Henry went to get married and would return with a bride in about two weeks.  Henry came back, still single. Greenville Advocate.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

May 9, 1916

 

THE GRISHAM CONTEST

 

          The evidence was concluded in the wet and dry election for Grisham township in the county court last Friday afternoon and Judge McDavid took the case under advisement until today, May 9th, when he will decide the case.

          Of course there is no intimation as to how the case will be decided, but the drys seem confident they have won out on the merits of the case.  The original count showed 8 majority for the drys, but on a recount this was reduced to 5.  The ballots on the recount showed that 108 men and 133 women voted dry, making a total of 241 dry votes.  The ballots further showed that 181 men and 55 women voted wet, or a total of 236.

          The ballots showed also that 90 percent of the Republicans in the township voted wet!  The Democrats voted almost unanimously on the dry side.  This remarkable showing is hard to explain as there was no pretense on either side that the saloon question was made a party issue.

          A large number of witnesses and interested spectators were present during the trial and remained until the evidence was all in.  I was one of the hardest fought election contests ever heard in the county, and the feeling on both sides was intense.  Messrs. Lane, Dryer & Brown represented the drys and Hill & Bullington and D. R. Kinder appeared for the wets.  Every step in the case was vigorously contested on both sides, and the taking of the testimony was exceedingly interesting at times.  A disinterested observer could not help noticing how thoroughly the wets were organized.  They had every detail of their side of the case well in hand, and resorted to every legal technicality in their efforts to win their case.  They had their messengers and outside workers who were exceedingly alert, and who watched every turn in the case closely.  If it was discovered that a witness was needed who was not here, there was a man ready with an automobile to make a run to Panama or any other part of Grisham township after such witness, and he was brought into court in time to be used.

          The wets objected to four women voters on the dry ticket and the drys objected to one on the wet ticket, and all these objections were sustained, the votes cast by them being held illegal.  The vote of Mrs. Clato Romani was held to be illegal, as she was not 21 years of age.  Mrs. Romani was born Feb. 29, 1896, and had a birthday only once in four  years.  She testified that she celebrated her "5th birthday" the 29th day of last February, which would make her only a little past 20 years old.  There was no evidence, however, as to how she voted.

          Some 12 or 15 voters were unable to mark their ballots without assistance, and asked for the help of one of the judges.  No affidavit was required of any of them, however, and it was claimed that this was a statutory requirement. But no evidence was heard as to how any of them voted, and the drys insist if these are all thrown out, each side must lose in proportion to the whole vote cast, which would result advantageously to the dry side.

          Several women insisted on writing the word "yes" or "no" in the ballot instead of marking a cross in the square.  Of course these votes were thrown out.  These mistakes were made by both sides, but there were more of them made on the dry side than there were on the wet.

          While it is not known yet what Judge McDavid's decision will be, yet the general impression prevails on both sides that the drys will probably be declared the winners by 5 majority.

          The saloons of Panama closed last Thursday night and will remained closed if Judge McDavid decides the case against them today.  But all sorts of dire predictions are made as to the result.  It is freely asserted that Panama will become the worst bootlegging town in the county, and that it will be a paradise for blind tigers, but steps are being taken to prosecute every man who attempts to engage in the illicit sale of intoxicating liquor down there.  A law and order league, it is stated, will be organized and every effort to stop the illicit sale of liquor in Panama.  The town is on the Bond and Montgomery county line, but all the business houses are in Montgomery county.  If the anti saloon laws are not enforced, the town will soon become the "distributing point" for illicit booze for the two counties, and we may look for a big crop of indictments at the next term of court.

 

FREY CAULK

 

          Frank Frey and Miss Beulah Caulk, accompanied by their fathers, Adam Frey and Arthur Caulk, and by Miss Irene Henderson, drove up from Panama Saturday and were married by Judge McDavid.  The Ceremony was performed at 3 p.m. at the courthouse.  The consent of the parents was necessary as the groom is only 19, and his bride 17.  They will live in Panama where the groom works in the mine.

                                                            

 

 

Montgomery News

May 12, 1916

 

GRISHAM DRY BY SEVEN

 

          Judge McDavid rendered his decision in the Grisham contested election case last Tuesday, and held that there were 234 legal dry votes cast there April 4th, and 227 legal wet votes, making the dry majority 7, one less than the official count showed.

          Judge McDavid held that the eight votes cast where the voters had to have assistance in marking their ballots, should not have been counted because no affidavit was made by the voters that they required assistance, as provided by law.

          These voters were I. J. Brooks, J. W. Compton, William Schneiderwindt, J. W. Harrison, James Fardel, Mrs. M. E. Compton, Mrs. A. E. Ferguson and Mrs. Fleming

          There was no evidence as to how any of them voted except Schneiderwindt, who admitted on the stand that he had voted wet.

          The following illegal women's votes were thrown out: Ora Romani,(not of age); Mrs. Cal Jones, Ferina Appriletti, and Mrs. Tony Romani Sr.(husband not naturalized).  These were affiliated with the drys except Ora Romani, and were taken from the dry column.  Mrs. Cal Jones and Ferina Appriletti had not resided in the township long enough to vote.

          The following men's votes, taken from the wets, were held illegal because they had not established a legal residence in Grisham township on April 4: Fred Erbine, Earl Stewart, Charles Viviano and Alex Nemo.  There was no evidence as to how they voted but they affiliated with the wets and voted with that crowd, hence they were taken from the total wet vote.

          The corrected votes showed then were 241 votes for the dry side and 235 wet.  Take the three women who voted the dry ticket illegally from 241 and it left 238 legal dry votes cast.  Then deduct the five illegal votes who were assisted, from the wet vote and it left 231.  Apportioning the 8 other illegal votes on which there was no evidence as to how they voted, and taking from each side in proportion to the whole vote cast, and it left 234 dry votes and 227 wet votes, giving the drys a majority of 7.

          This decision closes five saloons at Panama.

 

 

 

W. J. ANTHONY AGAIN EMPLOYED AT PANAMA

 

          W. J. Anthony has been re employed as superintendent of the Panama schools for next year at a salary of $120 a month, which is an increase of $10 a month over last year.  Miss Edith Geer has been re employed to teach the primary grade at $55 a month, and Miss Flossie Cruthis has been re employed to teach room No. 2 at a salary of $50.  The other teachers have not been selected.

                                                            

Montgomery News

May 30, 1916

 

DISTURBED A FUNERAL

 

          Jesse Jackson of Panama was arrested Monday morning on an information charging him with disturbing the funeral of his father in law Fred Helfers.  He entered a plea of guilty and was fined $25 and costs.

 

PANAMA MINERS DAUGHTER WINS HONORS

 

          Miss Anna Paulen, who lives near Sorento and whose father is a coal miner employed at Panama, secured the highest grade awarded to graduates of Bond county.

 

NEW STORE BUILDING

 

          A one storied business building is under construction at Panama and when completed will be occupied by the Kolbrenner Dry Goods Co.  This is a St. Louis firm who have been in business in Panama for some time.

          A butcher shop occupies one of the buildings vacated by a saloon and another, in which "suds" was previously dispensed, will house a dry goods company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jun. 6, 1916

 

BOOTLEGGERS AT PANAMA

 

          Deputy Sheriff Woods arrested Frank Popp and Evan Evans, both of Panama, last Saturday evening.  They are charged with selling booze in Panama.  Evans gave bond Saturday night before Esq. Grassel, in the sum of $500. Popp was taken to jail, but gave bond Monday morning in the same amount.

Montgomery News

Jun. 9, 1916

 

ASSESSOR'S BOOKS

 

          James Boyd, assessor of Grisham township, reports 273 horses worth $21250, against 377 last year; 491 cattle worth $20955, against 503 last year; 90 mules worth $7075, against 120 last year; 247 sheep and 208 hogs.

          There is only 1 fire and burglarproof safe in Grisham township. There are 222 wagons and 14 automobiles.  The autos are valued at $3550.  Last year Grisham had 15 autos, so one of them has either been sold or junked.  Grisham has 35 watches and clocks, 62 sewing machines, 20 piano fortes and 20 organs.  The money, other than that of banks and bankers,  amounts to $40855, and the assessor found $25 worth of diamonds.  Grain on hand, $1205.  Last year the grain on hand was worth $1296.  The total value of all personal property is $148,470 and the real estate is worth $735,234.  Total value of all property, $883,704. Last year Grisham had $39,284 more personal property than she has this year!

 

SQUEEZED IN THE MINE

 

          Earl Bolt was caught between two cars Wednesday morning in the Panama mine and injured enough to keep him from working for some time to come, though his injuries are not serious.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 22, 1916

 

JUDGE DAWDY HANDS DOWN DECISION IN TAX OBJECTION CASE

 

          The objection lodged by the Clover Leaf railroad was to a part of the school tax in district No. 8, the village of Panama, $191.95.  Judge Dawdy sustained objections to half this amount, $95.97.

          The railroad company objected to the school tax in Panama last year and they probably will next year, on the ground that the levy of $5000 made for educational purposes and $3000 for building purposes exceeds the constitutional limit, so far as levy for building purposes is concerned.

          The facts are that the valuation of property in Panama is not sufficient to bring in enough revenue for educational purposes, and that although there is no need for a levy of $3000 for building purposes solely, nevertheless, that is the only way the school directors can raise enough money to keep the schools going.  There are many foreigners in Panama who have seven and eight children, but who pay practically no taxes at all.  Nine rooms are required to take care of the children, and the only way this can be done is to levy above the limit for educational and building purposes.  Even at that, although the railroad company will pay but half of the amount charged to it, the school district will be ahead in the long run and that is the only way it can provide for the education of the children.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 4, 1916

 

CAULK McLAIN

 

          Eury Caulk of Panama and Miss Pearl McLain of Donnellson were married by Judge McDavid at the court house Saturday afternoon.  They will live in Panama where the groom works in the mine. James Caulk, the groom's father, and Mrs. A. C.  McLain, the brides mother, accompanied them to give their consent, as both the contracting parties were underage.

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Eury Caulk, Panama, age 19

Pearl McLain, Donnellson, age 17

BALL GAME

 

          On Sunday the Hillsboro Rough Necks met the Panama Angels at Panama and the Angels flew rings around the Rough Necks, defeating them with a score of 4 to 3.

                                                            

Montgomery News

Jul. 7, 1916

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Arthur Compton, Panama, age 23

Ruby Eccles, Taylor Springs, age 19

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 10, 1916

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Fred Stoneburner, Panama

Amelia McGilvary, Sorento

 

PANAMA LAD BURNED

 

          Frank McCoy, a lad from Panama, was injured last Monday when in pulling the shot out of a shotgun shell he lighted a match and caused an explosion of the powder.  His face was quite badly burned, but he is reported getting along as well as could be expected.

 

STONEBURNER   McGILVARY

 

          Fred Stoneburner of Panama, and Miss Mildred McGilvary of Sorento, both aged 18 years, were married by County Judge Dawdy, Saturday, in the presence of Miss Florence Travis, deputy circuit clerk, and Miss Coral McCaslin, deputy county clerk.

          Owing to the youthfulness of the groom, William E. Stoneburner, the father, granted his permission to the marriage.

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 11, 1916

 

ALFONSO ARRESTED

 

          Night officer Bert Clark did a very clever piece of detective work Thursday afternoon when he arrested Alfonso Cruthis of Panama, who was wanted on a charge of giving a worthless check.  Early in the morning, Cruthis went to the office of Doctor Everett at Panama, where he cashed a check for $10 on the Panama bank.  During the day, Dr. Everett discovered the check was worthless and Cruthis was not to be found.  Word was phoned to Hillsboro and to this city. Cruthis was believed to be on a car enroute to this city, so Officer Clark boarded same at the "Y" and arrested Cruthis. He was taken to Hillsboro and turned over to Sheriff Johnson. Cruthis is about 40 years of age.  Cashier E. G. Murray of the Panama bank, stated over the phone last evening that Cruthis never had an account at the Panama bank.  It was good work on the part of the officer to prevent Cruthis from getting away.

          Later: The check has been paid and Cruthis was discharged.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 13, 1916

 

PANAMA WANTS SCALP OF FEDERAL BUNCH

 

          Panama, en masse, is coming to Greenville Sunday to get the scalp of the "Feds."  The Panama baseball team is said to be a strong one.  According to the record they have won nine and lost three games this season.

          Greenville will have a new slab artist in the name of Sellers, of Mulberry Grove.  Tanner Reed will receive him.

          The game is called for 2:30 p.m., at the driving park in Greenville.  The bills say not to miss this baseball battle, and that the ladies are especially invited, free.  A goodly crowd of ladies enjoyed last Sunday's game and the boys are hoping there may be even more this time.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 14, 1916

 

CRUTHIS EXPLAINS

 

          As stated in this paper previously, the case against Alfonso Cruthis, arrested on complaint of Dr. Everett of Panama, for giving him a ten dollar check on the Panama bank, when he had never carried an account there, was settled

          Cruthis had no intention to defraud and has cleared up the matter.  The Panama bank had permitted the miners to cash  "anticipation" paychecks at a discount.  This practice had been discontinued without Cruthis' knowledge.  He was leaving Panama to work in Springfield, and the circumstances, when the bank refused payment to Dr. Everett on the check, looked suspicious at first.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 17, 1916

 

FEDS TAKE GAME 7 TO 4 FROM PANAMA

 

          A baseball game, which was not characterized by any great number of sensational plays, between the Greenville Feds and Panama, was played here Sunday.

          The score was 7 to 4 in favor of the locals.  Sellers, who was a new man doing slab work for the Greenville aggregation, did even better than was expected of him, and Tanner Reed, who received him, later said that he undoubtedly had a good deal more up his sleeve that he could have used were it necessary.

          Shaner crowned himself with glory when he knocked a two  bagger, and then later sent the pill on a smashing hike to right garden, where it was lost and he scored a home run.

          The crowd, considering the extreme heat, was very good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEDS                         AB     R       H       O       A       E

Reed, c.                      4       0        2        4        1        0

Branch, 3rd                 3       0        2        0        4        0

Frank, cf.                    5       0        1        0        0        0

Wannam'g'r, 1st          5       0        1       14       0        0 

Campbell, lf.               5       1        2        4        0        0

Clare, 2nd                   3       3        0        4        3        1

Palmer, ss.                  3       2        1        0        3        1

Shaner, rf.                   4       1        2        0        0        0

Sellers, p.                    4       0        0        1        2        0

 

PANAMA                   AB     R       H       O       A       E

G. Savage, 1st             5       1        1        11      1        2

Manning, cf.                5       1        1        0        0        0

Cunningham, lf.           3       0        1        1        0        0

Vauscock, rf.              4       1        1        0        0        0

Viviano, 3rd                4       0        1        1        3        0

Romani, 2nd               4       0        1        3        3        3

T. Savage, ss.             3       0        1        1        1        1

Sutton, c.                    4       1        1        7        4        0

Neville, p.                    0       0        0        0        1        0

Grabruck, p.               4       0        1        0        3        0

 

Manning, one double.  Shaner and Sutton, one triple each. Shaner, home run.  Struck out, by Sellers 3, by Neville 2, by Grabruck 3.  Hits, off Sellers 9 in 9 innings, off Neville 2 in 2 innings, off Grabruck 9 in 7 innings.  Bases on balls, off Sellers 2, off Neville 3, off Grabruck 1.  Left on bases,  Panama 7, Greenville 10.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 18, 1916

 

WANTS PENSION

 

          Mrs. Hester Hancock of Panama filed application for a mother's pension from the county Saturday afternoon.  She states that she has five children.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 24, 1916

 

KICKED BY A MULE

 

          Martin Bogetto, an employee of the Shoal Creek Coal Company, at Panama, was kicked by a mule and run over by a car in the mine about 11 o'clock Monday morning.  He died of his injuries about 2:30 Monday afternoon.

          Dr. H. D. Cartmell. coroner of Bond county, was called to hold the inquest Monday night.  The jury, which was composed of S. E. Cress, foreman; Dr. J. O. Wilcox, clerk; P. A. Shores, W. E. Denny, William Foran and F. J. Malan, returned a verdict that Bogetto came to his death by being kicked by a mule and run over by a car, while at work in the mine of the Shoal Creek Coal Company.

          Peter Gnavi, a coal miner, testified that he was called by his brother to come and help get Bogetto from under the car.  The car was resting on his body in the region of his heart, and was sideways of the track.  As they were engaged in lifting the car, Bogetto being conscious, made the statement that he had been kicked by a mule which he was driving.  It required six men to remove the car from Bogetto’s chest.  They immediately took him to the top of the mine and Dr. Wilcox was called in attendance.  He gave him temporary attention, and removed the man to the home of James Vallino, which is on the Bond county side of the line. Then Zonino, a miner, was engaged in work not far distant from the place Bogetto was injured, and first noticed that Bogetto’s lamp was lying on the ground.  Immediately after discovering that Bogetto was under the car, he attempted to lift the injured man from under the car, grabbing him around the neck, but could not pull him out.  He then called two other men, but they could not lift it.  After the six men removed the car from the body, Zonino said that he heard Bogetto make the statement that he was kicked by the muleand that they put him in an empty car and took him to the top of the mine.

          The testimony of James Vallino was similar to that of Gnavi and Zonino.  Dr. Wilcox, in his testimony, said four ribs were fractured, that his side was punctured, and that  his pelvis bone was fractured.

          The mule had the reputation of being a mean one, but Bogetto had been driving him for three weeks and was getting along with him very satisfactorily.

                                                             

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 25, 1916

 

PAUL DeSHANE COMMITS SUICIDE

 

Young man of Panama takes his life by shooting himself in the head.

 

          Paul DeShane, the unfortunate young man of Panama, who killed an Italian coal miner there while in a drunken frenzy, four years ago, put an end to his life by shooting himself in the head with a 38 caliber revolver on Sunday evening of this week.

          Paul was arrested and tried for murder after he killed Biagio Larezo, and was sentenced to the penitentiary but was released on parole about three months ago and since that time he has been driving a mule in the Panama coal mine.

          The cause of his suicide is not known, but it is attributed by some to have been the threat made by some of his enemies to have him re committed to the penitentiary, while others attribute it to the fact that he felt the humiliation of his past career.

          On Sunday evening, Paul left the home of his uncle, William DeShane, in Panama, threatening to kill himself and after he left, his uncle discovered that the young man had taken a 38 caliber revolver belonging to William DeShane. The latter began searching for his nephew but was unable to locate him until 6:15 on Monday morning when the uncle found Paul's body in a ravine in the rear of the old pool hall, not a great distance away from the spot where he committed the crime four years ago, which ruined his life and brought sorrow and humiliation to his friends and relatives.

          The young man had gone behind the pool hall in a ravine, overgrown with brush and there he fired a bullet into his head which entered above the right temple and emerged from the left side, evidently producing death instantly.

          The suicide of this young man cannot help but indicate that he was not a normal person and that he was probably temporarily insane, not only when he committed suicide, but when he shot Biagio Larezo four years ago.

          The deceased was 28 years of age and besides his bereaved parents he leaves a brother, Roy, aged 16, and a sister, Nina, aged 6 years.

          Paul DeShane shot and fatally wounded Biaggo Larezo, an Italian coal miner, on Saturday evening, Aug. 10, 1912 and was tried on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 11th and 12th, 1913 and on Friday, Feb. 14, 1913 he was found guilty of manslaughter and sent to the penitentiary for an  indeterminate term.  He was then 23 years old and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory DeShane were respectable, quiet, law abiding citizens of Panama, held in high esteem by everyone who sympathized with them in their trouble, brought on them by booze.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 27, 1916

 

SIAMESE TWIN STUNT BY PANAMANIANS

 

          Roy and Charles Segrest slipped one over on Baxter Tinnell, policeman of Panama, Saturday.  They had been arrested on a charge of disturbing the peace and as they gave the policeman considerable trouble, he applied the "bracelets" to the two of them and took them to the calaboose.  Just as he was about to lock them up, some of their friends interfered and the two hiked to the tall timbers of Shoal Creek.

          They and the "bracelets" disappeared and warrants were issued for their arrest Monday morning.  Perhaps they are still playing the Siamese twin stunt, or more probably, they have shattered the unbecoming wrist attachments and are staying shy of Panama.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 28, 1916

 

DeSHANE FUNERAL SERVICES

 

          The funeral services of Paul DeShane who committed suicide Sunday night at Panama, where held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory DeShane, in Panama.

          Interment was made at Kirkland cemetery, north of Sorento.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 1, 1916

 

FIGHT AT PANAMA

 

          Roy and William Faudi of Panama were arrested Monday, charged with assaulting Elmer Roth of that city.  It is charged that on Saturday night, the Faudi brothers assaulted Roth and that Roy sliced Elmer across the nose and that William tried to bust Elmer's bean with a brick.

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 4, 1916

 

BROKE HIS ARM

 

          L. L. Neal, an aged resident of Panama, fell on the street Thursday morning and broke his right arm.  He is about 70 years of age.

 

DONNELLSON

 

          There seems to be an unusual amount of booze being sold in the vicinity of Panama and Donnellson, which is strange, this being dry territory and there being no saloons within a radius of twenty miles.  Witt and Mt. Olive are the nearest wet towns yet we can see the results of bootlegging almost everyday.  It is up to someone to see that an investigation of the matter be made.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 11, 1916

 

GRANTED PENSION

 

          Mothers pension was granted Wednesday morning in the county court to Mrs. Hester Hancock of Panama, who has five children under the age limit of 14 years.  She will receive $25 per month.

 

 

 

CHERRY GROVE TEACHER

 

          R. R. Donaldson will teach the Cherry Grove school near Panama next year, at a salary of $55 per month.

 

TWO MORE ARRESTS

 

          Roy Riggins of Panama and Mike Coyle of Taylor Springs were arrested and gave bond in the sum of $400 each, for their appearance at the September term of court.

          This is said to be another case where the young men insist they are not guilty and that the complaints were made by parties who are trying to "get even" because the two young men had previously given evidence against bootleggers.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 15, 1916

 

HOSPITAL ITEMS

 

          The full capacity of the hospital, unless the corridors are put to use, is 23 patients while the number cared for at present is 16.

          Mrs. Malinda Gonini of Panama was operated on Saturday.

 

WE'LL TELL ON THEM NEXT TIME

 

          Five informations have been filed against Panama bootleggers, but as the officers have not yet served the papers on these law breakers, we will withhold their names until our next issue.

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 18, 1916

 

PANAMA CITIZENS IN TROUBLE

 

          Informations were filed this week charging Frank Popp, Thomas Coquatto, Frank Massa, John Williams, John Faletti, Dominic Tarilla, Evan Evans and Mike Faletti with selling liquor in anti saloon territory.  Their bonds were fixed at $400 each, which they secured, and they will await the action of the grand jury.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 22, 1916

 

GAVE BAIL

 

          Mike Faletti, John Faletti, and Jack Williams, three alleged bootleggers of Panama, gave bail Friday morning, each in the sum of $400, in the county court, and were released until Sept. 11, when the September term of the county court begins.

          Frank Popp, Evan Evans and Thomas Coquatto, charged with the same offense, also gave bond in the same amount Saturday morning.  They will be tried the second Monday in September. Informations were filed against these defendants by State's Attorney Major, and they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  There are eight counts against each one of them and the State's Attorney claims to have sufficient evidence to convict in each case.

          Prosecutions of other alleged offenders of the anti  saloon law in Panama will probably follow.

          State's Attorney Major has been much annoyed lately by receiving a number of anonymous letters from people in Grisham township who state in a general way that the law is being violated in Panama, and that blind tigers are numerous down there but no one has had the courage to give him any definite information whereby he can secure a conviction.

          The friends of the anti saloon law should have enough courage to help the State's Attorney secure the evidence necessary to convict these bootleggers, if they can, and not resort to the cowardly method of writing anonymous letters and giving only mysterious hints and making vague insinuations

          We know Mr. Major's fearless and courageous disposition well enough to know that he will prosecute offenders of this kind as vigorously as he does any other kind if he can secure  the evidence against them, but he does not propose to put the county to unnecessary expense when he has only the vague hints of anonymous letter writers upon which to base a prosecution.

          It is very difficult to secure evidence in Panama against this class of offenders.  After the township voted the village dry, the village board discharged the police and discontinued the use of electric street lights.  A majority of the people there seem to favor this class of law violations, and it is almost impossible to force the observance of these anti saloon laws where public sentiment favors or regards with indifference their violation.

          One of the men who gave bond Saturday morning, Evan Evans, is one of the village trustees!

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 5, 1916

 

SUES PANAMA SALOON KEEPERS

 

          Cordelia Logan, by H. H. Stuttle, her attorney, has sued Pete Faletti, Mike Faletti, Thomas Coquatto, Weaver Root, Dominic Corelli, John Batiste Bucco and William O. Hilton for $5000.  The plaintiff lives in Sorento and alleges that the defendants sold her husband, James Logan, intoxicating liquor, and under the influence of the liquor he committed a murderous assault and was sent to the penitentiary as a result.  She states that her husband was her only means of support and that she is unable to pay the expenses of this suit, and asks to be allowed to prosecute the same as a poor person.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 8, 1916

 

A BIG PAYROLL

 

          The pay checks for the Shoal Creek company mine at Panama, to be paid out the 15th of this month, to cover the last half of August, will amount to $28,000.  This is the largest "pay" ever given at one time at this mine.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 12, 1916

 

INFORMATIONS FILED

 

          State's Attorney Major, Monday morning, filed informations in the county court against Tom Coquatto, August Ameglia, Dominick Tarella, Evan Evans and John Bilyen, Mike Faletti and Roy Fike, Mike Golovich, Jack Williams and  William McCoy, Pete Calufetti and Charles Abaletti, all of Panama, charging them with selling intoxicating liquor in anti saloon territory.  There are 24 counts in each information, and the cases are set for trial on Monday, Sept. 25.  A venire for a jury has been issued, and the most of the cases will probably be tried.

          Informations have been filed before against these defendants, which are still on the docket, but they will be dismissed and the new cases against them will be tried.  The state's attorney has obtained a lot of new evidence since the first informations were filed.

          Subpoenas for over 60 witnesses living in and around Panama, were issued Saturday.

 

                                    

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 21, 1916

 

PANAMA MAN NATURALIZED

 

          Frank Golicnik of Panama, was granted his final papers and became a citizen of the United States Tuesday.  This newly made citizen was granted his papers by Judge J. F. Gillham, of the circuit court, while another Panama man was refused citizenship.

          Jon Miller, also of Panama, was denied citizenship because his family is now in Europe.  Carl F. Boester, acting chief naturalization commissioner for Illinois, filed a motion setting up that any alien who has, in his native country, relatives and interests so near and dear to him as a wife and children, cannot be said to show any intention of living permanently in the United States.

          At a former session of circuit court Jon appeared and was quizzed by the judge and he got the constitution and some of the officials of the United States mixed up so badly he could not tell whether the constitution was the president, or the president the constitution                                                         

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 25, 1916

 

PANAMA MAN DID NOT STEAL DOGGIE

 

          Joe Bossoma, of Panama, was acquitted of the charge of stealing a dog belonging to W. H. Woods, of Sorento, after a trial before Justice Kimball at Reno last Thursday.

          After hearing the evidence, the court decided that it was not sufficient and dismissed the case.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 26, 1916

 

THE PANAMA BOOZE CASES

 

          A jury started in Monday morning to try the case against Mike Faletti, charged with selling booze in Panama, contrary to law.  A cloud of witnesses are here from the region round about Panama, and, strange to say, the memories of some of them have entirely failed.  They can remember of going into Faletti's place of business and buying something of a liquid nature that looked like booze, but for the life of them, they can't tell whether it was beer, whiskey, hard cider, gin brandy, or just plain molasses and water. Nor can they remember if it was intoxicating or not.

          It is intimated that the grand jury at the November term will be called upon to investigate the sudden loss of memory that seems to have afflicted these witnesses.  The statute against perjury is quite searching and effective, and sometimes it strikes a forgetful witness with accuracy and precision!  There are several other cases to be tried this week in the county court and the convention now being held here of the Ancient and Independent Order of Grisham Township Booze Hunters will probably be in session all week.

 

BLOODHOUNDS CATCH PANAMA BURGLAR

 

          Burglars visited Panama on Friday night of last week where they entered the post office and searched everything but took nothing away with them.  They also entered Dr. Everett's drug store where a quantity of corn plasters, beef cubes, and patent medicine was taken, the burglars evidently thinking they were getting dope that would sell at a fancy price.  The store of Jake Schwartz was entered and clothing taken valued at from $75 to $100.  The depot was also opened and a cash box was cut to pieces but some foreign coins and a $2.50 gold piece in the box were left untouched.

          The drug store was closed to business and the St. Elmo bloodhounds were sent for.  The hounds reached Panama about noon and were given the scent.  They went out of the store and up the alley where they lost the trail and were again brought back to the store where a cigar wheel had been broken open and about $1.50 in nickels taken.  Here the dogs got a good scent and left the store, went to the depot and under the platform at the depot two shoe tracks made by the robber were found.  The dogs then took down the railroad track until they came to a trestle, and they turned down the embankment and lost the trail.  It was easily to be seen that the robber could have crossed the stream of water on the rocks which protruded from the water, and the dogs were taken across the stream where they quickly picked up the trail, went on down the railroad to another trestle and turning off from this they went into the woods alongside the railroad and here one of the burglars was found, standing too frightened to run or to climb a tree apparently.

          The old female bloodhound which took the lead all the  time acted like she was a wild dog and was restrained with great difficulty from attacking the burglar.  She howled and barked and surged on the leash which held her and the burglar was apparently greatly relieved when Deputy Sheriff William Woods placed him under arrest.  He denied he had entered the stores but when confronted with the evidence against him and when his pockets were found filled with stolen goods, he admitted his guilt.  He gave his name as Fred Nelson and says he resides in Louisiana.  He has a strong southern accent and says he is 17 years old but he looks to be 20.  He insists he went to Panama alone and while on the streets he saw someone lighting matches in Jake Schwartz's store and knew the store was being robbed, so he broke into the drug store but did not rob any other place.

          The young man was seen in company with a big fellow at Ramsey on the previous day and the big fellow, who looks like a half breed Mexican, was seen leaving Sorento Saturday noon bound for East St. Louis, which is known to be the headquarters of hundreds of crooks of all kinds and he is probably there trying to arrange to come after the goods stolen from the Schwartz store, which are probably hidden away some place in the vicinity of where the young crook was caught.

          This is the first time the bloodhounds have done a really good job of work in this county and it is believed that the work of the hounds will have a good effect on some characters in Panama who are suspected of being connected with a bunch of criminals.

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Barney Raymond Donaldson, Panama, age 21

Mabelle Ila Myers, Donnellson, age 19

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 28, 1916

 

BRIDE AND GROOM BOTH UNDER AGE

 

          Harold W. Coleman, aged 19, of Panama, and Miss Hattie Emma Nash, aged 17, of Shoal Creek township, were married by Justice of the Peace A. M. File, at Greenville Tuesday.

          Both the bride and groom are under age, and under the Illinois law, it was necessary for the fathers of both to give their written consent.

          The bride is a daughter of George R. Nash, and the groom is a son of M. S. Coleman, and is a drayman at Panama.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 29, 1916

 

PANAMA BOOZE CASES

 

          This has been a red letter week in the county court and State's Attorney Major has proved again his efficiency as a prosecuting officer.  Five alleged bootleggers have been tried and not one escaped.  All were found guilty by a jury and the rest will probably plead guilty as they have discovered that it is a useless and expensive experiment to try to escape from the clutches of the law.

          They were skillfully defended by D. R. Kinder, one of the best lawyers in this section of the state, but all of his efforts to clear his men proved unavailing.  The counts upon which the defendants were convicted, aggregate 67.  The fines have not yet been imposed but they will be enough to warn the Panama bootleggers that it is expensive to defy the law in this county.  Some of them will probably go to jail and "lay out" their fines but the punishment will be severe enough, whether it is a jail sentence or a fine, to teach them the same lesson that other malefactors of this class have been taught.  The idea seems to prevail that the liquor laws can be violated with impunity in this county.  Just why this notion is prevalent is hard to tell.  If these men should attempt to defy the law in the country where most of them came from, they would soon be taught a lesson they would never forget, for their punishment would be far more severe than the laws or customs of the land of their adoption impose.

          In every case tried in the county court this week the defendants had secured a retail liquor dealer's license from the government.  Perhaps this accounts for their contempt for the state and local laws.  Just why the government persists in licensing men to sell liquor in anti saloon or prohibition territory is hard to understand.  It looks like the government has entered deliberately into a partnership with criminals and law breakers.  Such a course makes anarchists and breeds contempt for all laws, federal, state and municipal.

          Another notion that seems to prevail is that it is not discreditable for parties who have bought liquor from a bootlegger to resort to every subterfuge to shield him and prevent his conviction.  Men who appear to be honest and upright in any other transaction will deliberately go on the witness stand and perjure their immortal souls to shield a bootlegger from the consequences of his crime.  We do not say that any witness in the Panama cases has done this, but we do assert that it is common for witnesses in liquor cases to evade telling the truth.  Their memories suddenly fail them, their powers of discrimination suddenly become impaired and men who are ordinarily connoisseurs in judging the kind and quality of intoxicating liquors, seem unable to testify as to the difference in intoxicating and non intoxicating drinks, and in many cases seem proud of their ignorance.  They seem to regard themselves as partly responsible for the infraction  of the law, and this is in most cases true, and they conceive the idea that they are justified in swearing to a lie in order to protect the wretch who persists in openly defying the laws of the land!

The cases tried this week were as follows:

          Mike Faletti, found guilty on 20 counts.

          Evan Evans, who is a member of the village board of Panama, found guilty on 20 counts.

          August Ameglio, found guilty on 17 counts.

          Dominick Tarilla, found guilty on one count.  There was not much evidence against Dominick. Only one witness swore he bought drinks off of him and he said he was not positive the drinks were intoxicating, but according to his "best judgment," they were.

          Wednesday night Peter Calufetti became convinced that it was useless to struggle against the law or put up a fight when the state's attorney seemed to hold all the cards, and he plead guilty on two counts.

          Thursday morning Frank Popp plead guilty to three counts.  The minimum fine on each count is $20, and the minimum jail sentence is ten days on each count.  The sentences have not yet been imposed by Judge McDavid.

          Thomas Coquatto has a brother very sick and he was called to St. Louis, so his case lost its call on the docket.

          Frank Golovich, when he found out an information had been filed against him, suddenly absconded and will probably continue absconded.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 3, 1916

 

TWO CASES AGAINST COAL COMPANY

 

          Henry Noe by P. McWilliams, his attorney, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company at Panama for $3000 and Thomas Pate, by the same attorney, has sued the same defendant for the same amount. No declarations are filed yet but we understand the suits are for damages the plaintiffs claim they suffered in the defendant's mine.

 

BOOTLEGGERS SENT TO JAIL

 

          Monday morning, Jack Williams of Panama, plead guilty to two counts of selling intoxicating liquor in anti saloon territory and was fined by County Judge McDavid $20 on each count and sentenced to serve 20 days in the county jail.

          Mr. Williams, who is the Beau Brummel of the Panama booze sellers, is a man of business standing in Panama and is said to be worth $25,000 or $30,000.  He offered to plead guilty on 20 counts of the information if the court and state's attorney would let him off with a fine and not send him to jail, but it was thought that a term in jail for Jack would have a wholesome effect upon the men in Panama who seem  determined to violate the liquor law.  He was allowed to go home Monday morning to get some personal belongings, but he returned Monday afternoon and began his 20 day sentence.  Mr. Williams has a nice family and he feels the humiliation of a jail sentence more, perhaps, than any man who has been sent to jail for bootlegging in this county.

          Jack promised the court solemnly that he would "never again" sell booze in violation of the law, and therefore a light fine was imposed on him, but he cares nothing for the fine, it is the jail sentence that gets his goat.

          Judge McDavid then imposed the following penalties on the Panama bunch found guilty last week:

          Peter Calufetti, $40 fine and 20 days in jail.

          Frank Popp, $60 fine and 30 days in jail.

          John Bilyen, $80 fine and 40 days in jail.

          August Ameglio, $340 fine and 170 days in jail. (A jury found him guilty last week on 17 counts, and was fined $20 on each count and given a 10 day jail sentence on each count.)

          Mike Faletti, $20 each on 20 counts, or $400 fine and 200 days in jail.

          Evan Evans, $400 fine and 200 days in jail.  Evan is a member of the village board of Panama, and was found guilty by a jury last week on 20 counts.

          Dominick Tarrilla, fined $20 and 10 days in jail.

          The case against Thomas Coquatto was set for Monday but his brother in St. Louis is lying at the point of death and his case was continued until next Monday.

          State's Attorney Major thinks that informations were filed against practically all the Panama bootleggers, and all of them have been fined and sent to jail except Mike Golovich who made his getaway.  It is not probable that there will be any more open violations of the liquor law in Panama, for a time at least.  Booze may be sold some on the sly, but the bootleggers will not risk a jail sentence by taking many chances.

          State's Attorney Major is entitled to all the credit for the convictions obtained against the bootleggers.  Of course he had help in securing the evidence that convicted, but he set the machinery to work that finally landed the law breakers in jail.  He has convicted nearly every man he went after, and he has given notice to the public that if any citizen knows of any law violations of this kind, to give him the evidence and he will prosecute them to the full extent of the law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 13, 1916

 

CIRCUIT COURT   NEW CASES

 

          Thomas Pate, by Paul McWilliams his attorney, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company in an action of "trespass on the case" for $3000.  No declaration has been filed yet.

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 17, 1916

 

PANAMA YOUNG MAN DIES IN ARKANSAS

 

          Gomer Williams, son of J.J. Williams , died at Jerusalem, Arkansas, on Thursday of last week at the age of 23 years.  The remains were brought to Hillsboro Sunday afternoon for burial.  The deceased was traveling with a show company when he contracted typhoid fever.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 19, 1916

 

SON OF R. H. PULLEN LOSES LEFT FOOT

 

          Norman Pullen, aged 10 years, son of Robert Pullen, of Panama, lost his left foot Saturday night while hopping a train at Panama.  The foot was so badly mashed when he attempted to board the train and fell under the wheel, that it was necessary to have it amputated.  He is reported resting as well as could be expected.  Mr. Pullen formerly lived at Sorento.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 20, 1916

 

SUIT FOR SUDS

 

          The Anheuser Busch Brewing Association, by Mark Meyerstein, its attorney, has sued Pete Faletti for $800. The account filed states the indebtedness is for beer, beer bottles and beer cases sold to Faletti by the plaintiff.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 26, 1916

 

BIG CROWD HEARS MUSICAL CONTEST

 

          Great crowds from all over Bond county were drawn to Greenville last night, when the contest by the Bond County Musical League was given at the college auditorium.

          Two Panama girls, Althea and Orenda Mitchell, sisters, won the scholarships in piano, but it developed during the evening that they could not take advantage of them, and since the contest was exceedingly close any way, and that being the case, the scholarships in piano were given to Misses Laurene Baker and Irene Brown, both of Pocahontas.

          In the contest in violin, Willie Revelli of Panama won a  college scholarship.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 31, 1916

 

AN ITALIAN STUMP SPEAKER

 

          Prof. LaFranco, a brilliant young Italian, of Chicago, delivered some excellent addresses in his native tongue to the Italian voters at Panama, Witt, Nokomis and Kortkamp last week.  He was here working in behalf of the re election of the democratic national ticket and while there are comparatively few naturalized Italian residents living in this county, Prof. LaFranco made a good impression among his hearers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 3, 1916

 

HELFER   HEISMAN

 

          Arley Helfer of Panama, employed in the Panama mine and Miss Edith Heisman of Walshville, a daughter of Fred Heisman, were married at the court house Thursday by county judge T. J. McDavid.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 13, 1916

 

MARRIAGES

 

          At Clayton Mo., Saturday, a marriage license was issued to Louis Stoneburner, of Panama, and Agnes Riggins, of Donnellson.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 17, 1916

 

THE NOVEMBER CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The criminal case against Louis Henderson for misconduct of a town clerk, has been stricken from the docket with leave to reinstate.

          An indictment was returned Tuesday against Fred Nelson, a Panama youth 17 years of age, for breaking into Dr. Everett's drug store at Panama last summer and taking a few articles.  He was chased and caught by bloodhounds, the first case that has occurred in the county where bloodhounds made good.  The boy came into court Wednesday morning and plead guilty and was sentenced to reform school.

          The case of William Hartman vs. Shoal Creek Coal Company  was dismissed.

          Wednesday evening the case of Henry Noe against the Shoal Creek Coal Company was called and a jury consisting of Fred Doll, John C. Howard, J. E. Walcher, Mike Doolin, John Hilger, B. C. Tommamichel, Steve Boyd, Ed McDowell, Albert Martin, James Leonard, F. H. Keisling and E. L. Groves, was empaneled to try it.  Paul McWilliams represented the plaintiff and Hill & Bullington the defendant.  This was a suit for $3000 for injuries Noe claimed he suffered in the defendant's mine.  Noe was a driver and was thrown off of a car and was run over, sustaining serious injuries.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 21, 1916

 

PANAMA RESIDENT DEAD

 

          Louis Herpin, aged about 35 years, died in the Deaconess hospital at East St. Louis Sunday night.  He had been there two weeks, suffering with typhoid fever.  His former home was at Belleville, but he has lived in Panama for several months and worked in the Panama mine.

          He is survived by his parents, who live at the soldier's home at Quincy, and one brother, William of Panama.

          The funeral arrangements were not made at press time, but interment will probably be made at Belleville.

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The jury returned a verdict in the case of Henry Noe vs. the Shoal Creek Coal Company, which was being tried as we went to press last Thursday afternoon.  They gave Noe a verdict for $400.

 

APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP

 

          Among the applications for naturalization papers were:

          Metold Jasudowicz of Panama, from Russia.

          Pietre Calufetti of Panama, from Italy.

          Mihaly Andreas of Panama, from Hungary.

 

PANAMA MAN TERRIBLY MANGLED

 

          George Jordan was terribly mangled in the coal mine at Panama Wednesday.  Jordan, who is a driver in the mine, was driving in what is known as "the shotgun run," and in some way became entangled with a live wire and he and his mule were all hurled in a pile.

          Mr. Jordans right hand was cut off, both arms were broken, and one hip was crushed, and he was otherwise terribly bruised and mangled.  It is not believed he will recover.

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

 Melvin Voyles, Panama, age 21

Alice Criswell, Panama, age 19

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 24, 1916

 

BOOZE SMUGGLER LANDS IN JAIL

 

          Matt Bussaine, of Panama who came to Hillsboro to visit some of his bootleging friends who are in jail, and who was detected trying to smuggle whiskey to them, waived preliminary hearing before Esq. Grassel and was held for the grand jury.  His bond was fixed at $350 and being unable to give this, he is now in jail with his friends and is probably a sadder but a wiser foreigner.  His experience will cost him several months in jail besides his loss of time from work in the mine, but he is learning something about the laws of this country.

          Matt had put the booze in some flat tin cans that he thought could be slipped between the bars to his thirsty friends but was detected before he could get the booze to them and was placed under arrest.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 28, 1916

 

SAD DEATH AT PANAMA

 

          Mrs. Leafey Marie Mitzel, wife of Arnold Mitzel, a prominent coal miner at Panama, died suddenly at her home in that city on Friday morning, November 24, at 4:40 o'clock, aged 24 years, 5 months and 25 days.

          The deceased was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Capstick, and previous to her marriage was a prominent school teacher being employed at Panama.

          The deceased was born at Glenn Carbon, Ill., June 29, 1892. and was united in marriage to Arnold Mitzel at Hillsboro, Mo. six years ago.  At that time she was residing in this city and was teaching at Taylor Springs.  Two children survive the deceased, namely Joseph A., aged 2, and Oscar D., aged 5 years.  Besides her husband and children she leaves her bereaved parents and four brothers, Arthur E., Richard J. and Maylon M. of Panama and Edward W., of Hillsboro.

          The funeral was held at the Panama M. E. church Sunday and the remains were brought to Hillsboro for burial in Oak Grove cemetery.  The officiating ministers were Rev. Livingston of Donnellson and Rev. Mitzel, father in law of the deceased.

Mrs. Mitzel was a very active worker in the church, and was a member of the M. E. church of New Baden, and of the Rebekah lodge of that city.  She was loved by all who knew her and  her sudden death was a terrible blow to her relatives and friends.

          Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were: W. W. Miller of Detroit; Mrs. E. W. Upton of Detroit; Mrs. Herman Hertenstein and two children, of New Baden; Miss Vernon Mitzel of Huey, Ill.; Mrs. John Jones of Glenn Carbon.

 

DIED IN EAST ST. LOUIS

 

          Louis Herpin, aged 35, a Panama coal miner died in the Deaconess hospital in East St. Louis Sunday night, following a three weeks illness of typhoid fever.  He had worked in the Panama mine about three years.  His former home was in Belleville. Sorento Blade

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 30, 1916

 

TWO MEN INJURED WHEN TRAIN HITS RIG NEAR SORENTO

 

          Returning to their home at Panama from a funeral at Sorento, Peter Korchvich and another Italian named John, both coal miners, were hit by a Clover Leaf train at the Denny crossing one and a half miles northeast of Sorento at 4 p.m. Monday.

          Peter sustained a broken hip and a laceration on the top of his head, although there was no fracture, and John was skinned up and badly bruised.  He had a cut over his eye.

          The horse was killed outright, and the buggy torn to splinters.  That the two men were not killed is a wonder.

          The men had been attending the funeral of a child of Joe Bovich at Sorento.  It is stated that as they started to drive home in a buggy, they consulted a bottle of booze quite frequently.  In fact, they were drinking from it as they drove from Sorento, according to the statement of Dr. J. D. Chittum, who was interviewed by The Advocate over the long distance 'phone Wednesday.

          The Denny crossing is a bad one.  It is difficult to see an approaching train, especially when there is a bottle along.  An eastbound freight train hit the buggy.  Peter and John were sent hurtling through the air and landed on a pile of rocks, which the railroad had recently unloaded in the gully at the side of the right of way.  On the other side of the track the horse was hurled through the air and killed.

          The train was stopped and the men were loaded on the freight which was backed up to Sorento.  The two men were taken into the office of Dr. J. D. Chittum, who, assisted by Dr. Duncan, dressed their wounds.

          When they were brought in, Peter, who was the most seriously hurt, was conscious, but John was in an unconscious condition, although he rallied and was able to walk out of the office, while Peter had to be taken out on a stretcher.

          The men were loaded on board the 8:40 p.m. train and  sent to St. Luke's hospital in St. Louis.  The report came this morning that Peter had died, but this could not be verified.

          The bottle has not been found.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 1, 1916

 

PANAMA LADY BURNED TO DEATH

 

Mrs. Mary Girard, wife of J. B. Girard, a prominent coal miner of Panama, was fatally burned at her home there at 8:45 on Tuesday morning of this week.

          The unfortunate woman had gotten up early and her husband and several boarders had gone to work in the Panama mine.  One boarder, Tom Grecian had remained at home, however, and was sitting at the table eating his breakfast when he heard Mrs. Girard screaming.

          Looking through the window, he saw Mrs. Girard running away from a wash house which stood 25 or 30 feet from the house, and he saw that her clothing was on fire.

          Mr. Grecian ran after the woman as she fled toward the woods near her home and after catching her he tore the burning clothing from her body.  In so doing, he was badly burned on both hands and arms.

Mrs. Girard's entire body was burned from her neck to her feet and she was rushed to the Hillsboro hospital for treatment.  Everything possible was done for her that could be done, but her case was beyond human aid and she passed away at the hospital at 7:00 p.m.

          An inquest was held Tuesday night and the remains were taken to Panama Wednesday morning.  The funeral was held at Panama, Thursday, Thanksgiving day.

          The deceased was born and raised in France and was married there to J. B. Girard.  The two came to this country 13 years ago.  At the time of her death she was 45 years and 13 days.  She is survived only by her husband.

          Mrs Girard was a hard working woman with a sunny disposition which endeared her to everyone, she not only cared for her home but was able to provide for quite a number of boarders and being of a thrifty nature, she and her husband had only recently made the last payment on their home in Panama and both were very happy and were anticipating spending many happy years in comfort in their new home.

          Tom Grecian testified that he thinks Mrs. Girard went into the wash house in search of something and lit a match which set fire to her dress.  The men kept their pit clothing in the wash house and a match might have fallen from the pockets of these clothes and Mrs. Girard might have stepped on it when she entered the shed.  These are the only two theories that can be offered for the accident.

                                    

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 7, 1916

 

PETER AND JOHN, HIT BY TRAIN, RECOVERING

 

          The two Panama coal miners, Peter and John, who were struck by a Clover Leaf train on the Denny crossing, near Sorento, as detailed in The Advocate last Thursday, will both recover, according to late reports from Panama.  Peter, however, will probably be crippled for life.  He suffered a broken hip.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 19, 1916

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The motion for a new trial in the case of Henry Noe vs. Shoal Creek Coal Company was refused and judgment was given plaintiff for $400 on verdict.  This suit was brought for $3000.  Appeal granted on defendants filing bond in sum of $600 in 40 days and bill of exceptions in 90 days.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 22, 1916

 

COMMUTED SENTENCES

 

          Governor Dunne, Wednesday of this week reduced the sentences of 119 convicts in the two Illinois penitentiaries, giving them credit for the time they have done road labor.

          Among them are three convicts from this county sent to Chester penitentiary for murder.  They are Harry Claypool, convicted Nov. 27, 1913, of murdering his aged mother, Emily Claypool, on Feb. 2, 1913, in Hillsboro while he was drunk, and sent up for 14 years; Frank Chilovitch, convicted May 31, 1911, of killing Herbert L. Kessinger, a constable at Panama on Oct. 4, 1910, and sentenced for 18 years, and Matt Dobrinich, convicted Feb. 6, 1914, for killing Jacob Rogatshnig at Taylor Springs on Dec. 14, 1913, and sent to the penitentiary for 14 years.

          The names of the 119 convicts are given in Thursday morning's papers, but it is not stated how much time they get credit for.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 26, 1916

 

FRANK CHILOVITCH PARDONED

 

          Frank Chilovitch, who was convicted of murder here on May 31, 1910, and sentenced to the penitentiary, Oct. 4, 1910, was pardoned by Governor Dunne on Friday of last week.  Chilovitch was sent to the penitentiary for 18 years for the murder of Herbert L. Kessinger, a constable at Panama, who went to the home of Chilovitch to arrest him and Chilovitch retreated into his house where he procured a gun and shot Kessinger as the latter attempted to force open the door to the Chilovitch home.

          The case was strongly contested by Attorney E. C. Knotts and W. E. P. Anderson of Macoupin county who endeavored to prove that the killing of Kessinger was done in self defense, that Kessinger had no warrant for the arrest of Chilovitch, and that he was under the influence of liquor when he endeavored to enter the Chilovitch home.

          The jury brought in a verdict of guilty and Chilovitch was sent to the penitentiary for 18 years, five years of which time he spent in the penitentiary.

          During the years he has been in the penitentiary, Attorneys Knotts and Anderson have been untiring in their efforts to secure his release.  They have spent their time and spared no expense in trying to secure a pardon for their client whom they always believed to be the victim of unfortunate circumstances, instead of being the cold blooded murderer he was convicted of being.

          Chilovitch is a young Austrian coal miner and he will probably return to Panama and make his home there, where he was working in the coal mine when he shot Kessinger.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 28, 1916

 

RUNAWAY BOY IS FINALLY CAUGHT

 

          Arthur Capstick, Jr., aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Capstick, of Panama, set in operation the police forces of a large number of cities, and almost drove his parents to distraction for a Christmas present.

          Arthur decided last Wednesday morning that he would go out and take a look at the world beyond the hilly horizon of Panama.  So he disappeared from his home.  When he did not return for dinner, his parents thought sure he would return at night.  At nightfall there was no sign of him, and then they became greatly alarmed.

          A search was instituted and the police of various cities were kept busy watching for him.  When his description was given to the St. Louis police, they located him.  The boy was returned home Friday, much to the joy of his parents, and in time for Christmas dinner.

                    

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 1, 1917

 

NO LICENSE TO WED FOR PANAMA MINOR

 

          When Ernest A. Pefft, of Panama, made application Saturday afternoon for a marriage license from County Clerk W. E. McCaslin, he was refused, because, being under 21 years of age, he cannot get a license outside the county in which he lives.  His bride to be was Miss Almeda Steele, of this city, who is a daughter of Andrew Steele, who recently moved here.

          Pefft is 18 years old, but was not to be overcome by this objection, as he immediately drove to Hillsboro, where it is understood he succeeded in getting the license.

          The law requires that a minor must be married in the county in which he lives, and as Pefft lives across the line in Panama, it was necessary that he obtain his license in Hillsboro.

          The couple was married in Hillsboro Saturday night by County Judge T. J. McDavid.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 2, 1917

 

K. of P. DANCE

 

The Knights of Pythias of Panama had a dance Saturday night at Romania's hall. The Panama orchestra played some excellent music, a large crowd attended and everybody had a jolly time.

 

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Ernest Albert Tefft, Panama, age 20

Martha Almeda Steele, Greenville, age 19

                                                             

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 4, 1917

 

SORENTO YOUTH IN JAIL ON CHARGE OF STABBING COMRADE

 

          Charged with assault to commit murder, Otha E. Miller, aged 22, of Sorento, is in Bond county jail to await the action of the January grand jury.

          Miller was brought handcuffed to Greenville Wednesday morning by Deputy Sheriff James Tidwell, of Sorento, after he had been bound over at the preliminary hearing before Justice F. F. Thacker, at Sorento, early that morning.

          Miller is charged with committing an assault on Richard Clark and Walter Mills, both aged about 30 years, pipeline workers at Sorento.  Miller hit Mills in the face with a whiskey bottle, and stabbed Clark in the back with a knife,  it is alleged.  Neither of them is necessarily seriously hurt.  Mills has a cut on the side of his head, and Clark has a slash near the right kidney.

          Deputy Sheriff Tidwell, who came to Greenville with the prisoner Wednesday, told the Advocate the story, which is about like this:

          All three men went to Panama together Tuesday evening, on the "Plug," a Clover Leaf train which reaches Sorento at 7:23 p.m.  This train gave the men an hour in Panama, which was long enough.  Panama recently went dry, but officer Tidwell said there are any number of chances to buy booze in the village, and that the law is being violated every day.

          At any rate, when Miller and his two companions returned to Sorento, after drinking at Panama and riding in a hot car to Sorento, Miller was crazy drunk, said Mr. Tidwell.  When they got off the train at Sorento, Miller walked up to Mills and without any provocation whatever, it is said, smashed him on the side of the head with a pint bottle of whiskey.  The bottle broke into a thousand pieces and one of the pieces of glass cut Mills on the cheek.  The whiskey was lost.  Then Miller quickly turned to his other companion, Clark, and told him to "beat it" for home as fast as he could.  Clark remonstrated respectfully, calling attention to the fact that he had done nothing to merit such treatment, or to bring forth a demand for such a retreat.  At that, Miller drew his knife and Clark withdrew his presence.

          When Clark started to run, with Miller at his heels, Clark stumbled and Miller hit him in the back of the neck and felled him.  Then, it is alleged, he jumped on him and stabbed him with the knife, cutting a gash an inch long and three fourths of an inch deep in his right side near the kidney.

          About that time, Thomas Hauskins pulled Miller off and made him put his knife away.  Then he called Officer Tidwell, and Miller was placed under arrest.

          The two injured men were taken to the office of Dr. W. W. Duncan, where their wounds were dressed.  Miller waived preliminary examination, and was placed under a $500 bond on Wednesday morning.

          Officer Tidwell brought to Greenville three knives, which he took from Miller.  The knife used in doing the cutting had a blade about 2 inches in length.  Another had a blade nearly 5 inches long.  All the blades were as sharp as razors.

          Miller asked the officer to keep the little knife with which it is said he did the cutting, if he had to keep it for 99 years until he got out of the penitentiary, as it was a present to him from his father, who died three years ago.

          Officer Tidwell said that Miller's mother is also dead, and that he has been working in the mine at Panama.  Miller told Tidwell on the way to Greenville, so Mr. Tidwell says, that he did not care so much about beating and punishing the two men, as he did about the loss of the pint of whiskey.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 8, 1917

 

SUES SHOAL CREEK COMPANY FOR DAMAGES

 

          Robert Paproth has brought suit for $1000 damages against the Shoal Creek Coal Company, of Panama.  No declaration was filed, but it is believed the suit is based on alleged injuries received in the mine.

 

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

 

          Jesse Havron, of Panama, was taken to St. Francis hospital in Litchfield Thursday morning, suffering with appendicitis.  He was operated on at the hospital that day.

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 9, 1917

 

COAL COMPANY LOSES VICE PRESIDENT

 

          The vice president of the Shoal Creek Coal Company, Mr. Salisburg, died suddenly at his home in Chicago Friday night at ten o'clock, from a hemorrhage of the brain. He was 47 years old.

          The coal mine at Panama belongs to this company and Mr. Salisburg was well known and unusually popular with the miners and office force at Panama, as well as with the business men there.

          He went to his home from his office at 5 p.m. in his usual good health and the attack which caused his death was apparently without any cause.  He leaves his wife and a nine year old son.

          The funeral services were held in Chicago Sunday and were attended by several of his Panama friends: Henry Hoekstra, E. A. Murray, E. S. Grabruck, F. A. Lyon and Dallas Harrell.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 23, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          A jury was empaneled Monday morning in the circuit court to hear the case of Cordelia Logan vs. Pete Faletti, et. al., saloon keepers formerly engaged in business in Panama.  The plaintiff lives in Sorento and is the wife of James Logan, a coal miner, who, it is claimed, got drunk on liquor sold him by the defendants, and committed a felonious assault on a man named Paris in Sorento, in October, 1915, as a result of which he was sent to the penitentiary from Bond county.  Mrs. Logan sues for $5000.  The case is being tried as we go to press.

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 25, 1917

 

TWO MEN BURIED UNDER A FALL OF COAL

 

          Panama, Wednesday   Ivor Williams, aged 30, married, had his left leg broken in two places, and A. B. Mills, aged about 30, and married, was badly bruised in an accident in the Panama coal mine at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

          The men were in a motor on their way out of the mine. The motor jumped the track and knocked down props, which let a large quantity of coal down on the men.  It required 55 minutes for a force of men to uncover them, and it is a wonder they were not killed.  It was quitting time at the mine and the other miners came along immediately after the accident, just in time to rescue them.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 26, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT BUSINESS

 

          The time of the circuit court all day Monday and a greater portion of Tuesday was occupied in trying the case of Cordelia Logan against Pete Faletti, Mike Faletti, Thomas Coquatto, Weaver Root, Dominic Corelli, John Batisti Bucco and William O. Hilton, a bunch of ex saloon keepers and bar tenders of Panama.  The suit was for $5000, and was for damages the plaintiff claims to have sustained because of the defendants, as she alleged, sold and furnished her husband, James Logan, with intoxicating liquor.  She alleged in her declaration that her husband, James Logan, frequently became intoxicated, and finally became a habitual drunkard, unable to follow his business as a coal miner, as a result of which he was "totally ruined in bodily and mental health," and the plaintiff's means of support was injured and she was reduced to a condition of poverty and want.  In the second count of her declaration she alleges that on or about Nov. 28, 1915, while drunk on liquor sold him by the defendants, her husband assaulted a man named Swift Ferris of Sorento, for which he was indicted at Greenville and sent to the penitentiary on a charge of assault to murder.

          The jury selected to try the case consisted of Frank Baker, Charles Holmes, Theodore Berkenkamp, William Zeigler, Thomas Snow, Jake Graham, William Van Zant, L. E. Hard, Melville Miller, Roy Fox, A. B. Palmer and Happy Dunn.  The plaintiff was represented by H. C. Stuttle, Lane Dryer & Brown.  Geers & Geers of Edwardsville appeared for the defense.

          A number of witnesses were introduced by the plaintiff to prove sales of liquor made by the defendants to James Logan during the year 1915.  The defendants testified in their own behalf and most of them swore that James Logan  never got drunk in their places of business, and seldom got anything to drink unless someone else "set 'em up."  One of the defendants was cross examined closely by the plaintiff's attorneys as to the kind and character of the liquor he sold. He testified to selling several brands of whiskey, and then Mr. Stuttle asked him if he sold beer.

          "You are d    d right I sold beer," replied the witness, which answer aroused the wrath of the court.  Judge Jett gave him a severe calling down and told him what would happen if he repeated the offense.  Mike Faletti, the offending witness, turned very red in the face and after that spoke in mild Sicilian accents that reminded one of the soft, gentle skies of Tuscany and the gentle breezes that fan the vineyards and mellow the wine of Marsalla.  But a few minutes afterwards, Tom Coquatto, another defendant and a sawed off, pudgy son of Palermo, was called to the stand and was asked by the defendant's attorney whether or not Mrs. Logan ever ordered him not to sell liquor to her husband.

          "No she did not," answered Coquatto.

          "Are you sure about that?" asked Mr. Stuttle on cross examination.

          "You are d    d right I am," blurted Coquatto, not realizing that he was coquetting with a fine.

          "Docket a case for contempt of court against Thomas Coquatto," said Judge Jett.  "I will teach him that this court is not a bar room.  Mr. Sheriff, take charge of Mr. Coquatto until the further order of the court."  Mr. Coquatto meekly surrendered and took a seat beside Sheriff Johnson looking very much crest fallen.

          One of the defendants, William O. Hilton, did not try to excuse or cover up anything.  He admitted that he had sold liquor to James Logan every time he wanted it and "had the price."  After the evidence was all in, it was agreed between the attorneys on both sides that there was no evidence to justify a verdict against Weaver Root, Dominic Corelli and John Batisti Bucco, and there was no evidence to show any of the defendants, except Mike Faletti, contributed to the intoxification of James Logan that caused him to assault Swift Ferris.

          This left four defendants to hold the sack, viz: Pete Faletti, Mike Faletti, Thomas Coquatto and William O. Hilton.

          The attorneys were given 30 minutes on each side to argue the case after which it was given to the jury.

          While the jury was out, Judge Jett called up Thomas Coquatto on the charge of contempt.  Thomas told the judge that he didn't intend any discourtesy to the court when he said "You are d    d right," in answer to a question of the attorney.  In fact, he said, he didn't know he said it, and it must have just "slipped out."

          "That slip out will cost you $15," said the judge, "besides the costs of the attachment."  Thomas Coquatto gave the clerk a check on a Panama bank for $20, which was just $5 a word for his unfortunate lapsus lingua.  It is needless to  say that Thomas Coquatto will never cuss in court again!

          The jury, after being out about two hours, returned a verdict of not guilty for all the defendants.

          The verdict was somewhat of a surprise, as juries usually find for the plaintiff in this kind of a case, but there was evidence tending to show that James Logan was a drunkard and a deadbeat of long standing and the sales of liquor made to him by the defendants contributed in no wise to his inherent worthlessness.  It was also proven that the day he assaulted Swift Ferris in Sorento, his system was full of hard cider kept at his home with the consent of his wife., Mrs. Logan testified that she procured the cider "for apple butter," but other witnesses testified that it was hard enough to make a pig squeal as it passed the Logan house. The fight with Ferris was over the cider, which Logan accused Ferris of stealing.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 1, 1917

 

PANAMA MAN LOSES; STARTS OVER AGAIN

 

          Louis Fantin, of Panama, did not get his naturalization papers when he applied at the circuit court at Hillsboro last week.  After he had declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, he went back to Italy on a visit and while there he was forced into the army, he says, against his wishes.  The fact, however, that he was in the army, renewed his allegiance to the old country, and he will have to start all over again.  The Hillsboro papers do not state how he happened to get out of the army and back to this country.

 

 

DONNELLSON

 

          Barney Donaldson had a very narrow escape from death last Saturday about noon in the Panama mine.  Barney had not been working there but a short time, and on account of his unfamiliarity with the mine, he ran into the "white damps" and was soon unconscious.  Fellow workmen found him and rescued him just in time.  He was soon revived and is now none the worse for the accident.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 9, 1917

 

PANAMA MINER DEAD

 

          Joseph Surbek, a coal miner, died Tuesday at the home of his nephew, who was also named Joseph Surbek, in Panama. Death was due to tuberculosis.  The deceased was a native of Austria, was about 45 years old and unmarried.  The funeral  services were held Wednesday and interment made at Sunnyside cemetery at Sorento.

 

SMALL POX CASES IMPROVING

 

          All the small pox cases in Grisham township, near Panama, are reported as improving.  The 13 year old daughter of Harvey Neal has the most serious case.  Three children in one family of William Waters are sick and there are ten cases altogether, all under quarantine.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 12, 1917

 

ROBBERY AT PANAMA

 

          The Sorento Blade says the freight room of the Panama depot was entered by thieves last Tuesday night, and a number of articles, mostly clothing, was taken.  This is the third time in the last 40 days that the Panama freight house has been robbed.

 

PANAMA MAN LOSES LIFE UNDER WHEELS

 

          John McBride, 42 years old, unmarried, a coal miner at Panama, was killed when he was struck by a west bound Clover Leaf extra freight No. 166, at 5:55 o'clock Wednesday evening, a mile west of the Clover Leaf depot at Edwardsville.  He died at 8:45 p.m., the same day, in the office of Dr. R. S. Barnsback, where the doctor and two other physicians were attempting to save his life.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 15, 1917

 

SORENTO MAN MAY LIVE THOUGH HIS THROAT IS CARVED

 

          With his throat cut almost from ear to ear, and bleeding profusely from his wounds, James Farris, unmarried, of Sorento, walked some distance from the place where he was assaulted, into Sorento after midnight Wednesday morning.  He is in the hospital at Litchfield, and a telephone message to the Advocate this morning states that indications are favorable to his recovery, although he had a very narrow escape from death.

          As a result of the mysterious affair, warrants have been issued for Earl Stewart and Charles Davis, and they are in custody, charged with assault on Farris.

          It is said at Sorento that Otho Miller, who was recently released from the Bond county jail, having served a sentence for an assault on two men in Sorento, is also wanted in connection with the case.

          Stewart was arrested Wednesday at Litchfield, and Davis was arrested at Sorento.  They were taken before Justice F. F. Thacker, of Sorento, this morning, and the cases were continued until such time as Farris is able to appear as the prosecuting witness.  The cutting took place just outside and east of Sorento, near the coal mine, sometime between midnight and one o'clock Wednesday morning.  Farris staggered to the home of Mrs. Radcliffe, and she sent for Dr. Chittum, who found that Farris' throat was cut in two or three places. One cut penetrated to the windpipe, and the jugular vein was just missed on either side, so that Farris' throat was nearly cut in two.  He says he was robbed of $60.

          Officers are still on the outlook for Miller.  Justice Thacker issued a bench warrant Wednesday as it was believed Miller was in the home of Charles Davis.  The house was searched but Miller was not found.

Miller was indicted at the January session of court for an assault on Richard Clark and Walter Mills, pipeline workmen of Sorento.  It is alleged that Miller hit Mills in the face with a bottle of whiskey, and stabbed Clark in the back with a knife.

          Panama booze played a part in that crime.  The men had been to Panama to ascertain about how much they could deplete the firewater in that village.

          Miller was brought to Greenville and indicted, but the men he assaulted did not appear against him, and he was given a 30 day jail sentence on his plea of guilty.  He was released last Saturday and between that time and Wednesday morning had been into two new scrapes.

          The first offense after being released was against Dale Hood.  It is alleged he knocked Hood down with a ??? and jumped on him and danced on his anatomy Saturday night, at the home of Mrs. Tena Howard, of Sorento.

          A warrant was issued, charging him with assault and battery.  In the meantime, Miller left town and went to Panama, and it is said he, Davis, Stewart and Farris were drinking some Panama blind tiger booze at the time they got into the fight in which Farris was carved.  The men will likely be placed in the Bond county jail later on.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 16, 1917

 

CHILD BURNED TO DEATH

 

          Helen Rawigsky, three year old daughter of Joe Rawigsky of Panama, died Wednesday night from burns.  Her clothing caught fire and was burned completely off, and her body was so severely burned that death resulted.  The cause of the accident is still a mystery.  Some playmates of the little girl ran to her mother to tell her that Helen's clothes were "on fire" and when the mother reached the child, Helen was fatally burned.

                        

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 19, 1917

 

ALLEGED ASSAILANTS OF FARRIS ARE HELD

 

          City Marshal J. W. Tidwell, of Sorento, brought Charles Davis and Earl Stewart to Greenville Friday and placed them in jail after they had been held under bond of $1000 each by Justice F. F. Thacker, of Sorento, charged with assault with attempt to commit murder on James Farris, at Sorento, as detailed in the Advocate last Thursday.  They will be held in the Bond county jail unless they give bond until Feb. 24, the date set for their preliminary examination.

          Farris, who had his throat cut in two places, and a very close call from death, was robbed of $61 and his gold watch. He is still in the hospital, and the chances are he will recover.

          Justice Thacker will likely come down from Sorento and hold the preliminary examination here instead of taking the two men back to Sorento and holding it there.

 

OTHA MILLER IS CAUGHT; IN JAIL

 

          Sorento, Monday   Otha Miller, wanted for assault on James Farris, was arrested at West Frankfort, Ill., Friday, and was taken to Sorento Saturday night by City Marshal James Tidwell, of Sorento.

          Miller waived a preliminary examination before Justice F. F. Thacker at Sorento Monday morning, and was held under a bond of $1000 to await the action of the May grand jury.  He was immediately taken to Greenville by Officer Tidwell and will be placed in jail today.

          Earl Stewart and Charles Davis are also in jail on the same charge, that of the assault with intent to commit murder.  Miller says that Stewart did the cutting and Stewart says he does not know anything about it.

          At Sorento this morning, Dale Hood was fined $5.00 and costs on a charge of drunkenness, by Justice Thacker. Hood pleaded guilty.

          Farris, the victim of the assault, who is in a Litchfield hospital, is reported improving.

                                                             

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 20, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The damage case of Robert Paproth vs. Shoal Creek Coal Company  is dismissed, as the cause has been settled, the plaintiff to pay the clerk's fees and the defendant the sheriff's fees.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 23, 1916

 

THREE SOLDIER BOYS

 

          Harry Manning, Alfred Knott and William Vigliocco of Panama, enlisted in the regular army and were sent to Jefferson barracks Feb. 18th.  A letter received here from Oscar Ludewick of Irving, who recently enlisted, says he likes army life fine and that a bunch of men from the barracks are being sent to Texas for border duty and others are being sent to the coast artillery stations where they will begin service.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 26, 1917

 

FARRIS ACCUSES MILLER OF CRIME

 

          James Farris, of Sorento, in the hospital at Litchfield, declares that Otha Miller is the man who used a knife on him and that Stewart and Davis were on the other side of the track  when the cutting took place, a Burlington train having pulled in between them.

          Farris made this statement to Chief of Police Myers of Litchfield, Friday.  Farris' throat is healing up nicely, but he is having all kinds of trouble with his feet, which were frozen on the night of the cutting.  It is believed that after his feet were frozen, they were thawed out and burned on a hot stove.

          Justice F. F. Thacker, of Sorento, came to Greenville Saturday morning to hold the preliminary in the case against Otho Miller, Earl Stewart and Charles Davis, charged with assault on Farris.  The mittimus expired Saturday and Judge Thacker came to town as a matter of form to continue the case, inasmuch as Farris is not able to appear.

          Judge Thacker continued the case until Friday, March 2nd, at Sorento.

          The Litchfield News Herald of Friday evening, prints the following story about the case:

          "Otha Miller, who was arrested at West Frankfort, jointly charged with Charles Davis and Earl Stewart with assault with intent to kill James Farris, who is now in St. Francis hospital recovering from severe gashes in his throat, made a statement, according to the Sorento Blade, which prints the following:"

          "Miller absolutely denied all knowledge of the crime with which he is charged.  His story as to the trip to Panama agrees with that of Farris, except that he claims to have left Stewart, Davis and Farris at the east end of town.  He also claims that about 7 o'clock on the evening in question, Stewart handed him $25 and a gold watch and asked him to buy a revolver and knife for him (Stewart).  That he did so and  was informed by Stewart that the two (Miller and Stewart) had better "beat it," otherwise they would be arrested.  He said he took Stewart at his word   asking no questions   and caught the evening train for Mode, and from there to West Frankfort.  That on the following night he was caught in a raid at West Frankfort and fined $7.50, and that on the following night he was robbed of the watch and what money he had."

          "He did not seem to realize the seriousness of the charge lodged against him and appeared to be taking things as a joke, stating he would prove his innocence."

          "He denied that on the evening of the crime he told Panama friends that he cut Farris, and says the first knowledge he had of the crime was when he was arrested at West Frankfort."

          "In an interview with Chief of Police Myers and a News  Herald reporter this morning, Farris stated that Miller, Davis and himself were over at Panama, and failing to catch a train to Sorento, started to walk to that place, meeting Stewart on the way, who joined them, walking down the track of the Clover Leaf railroad.  On the way, a freight train on the C.B.& Q., which crosses the clover leaf between Panama and Sorento, came along, and Davis and Stewart, who were a little in the lead, got across the track, the train seperating them from Miller and Farris.  This, he claims is the last he saw of Davis and Stewart that evening."

 

 

 

 

JOHN A. TAYLOR, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, IS DEAD

 

          John A. Taylor, who lived at Panama until Feb. 1st, died at the Old Soldier's Home in Danville, Wednesday, after a brief illness.  The remains were shipped to Sorento and funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, at the M.E. church, by Reverend S. A. Livingston.  Burial took place in Sunnyside cemetery.

          Mr. Taylor was 78 years old.  He was a veteran of the Civil War.  He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Frank Hartman, of Panama, and Mrs. Effie Croxton, of Sorento, and by one son, Louis Taylor, of Panama, and by a stepson, George Sanderson, of Old Ripley.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 27, 1917

 

THE SMALLPOX SITUATION IN GRISHAM TOWNSHIP

 

          William Watters, who lives north west of Panama, was in Hillsboro Saturday and called at the News office.  He said the epidemic of small pox which has been raging in the neighborhood of the Root school house, west of Panama, is now under control and they hope to have it stamped out in a short time.  The disease was first noticed among the pupils of Root school, when several of them began to break out.  At first it  was thought to be nothing serious, but a physician was consulted and pronounced it small pox.  The school was immediately closed. This was about six weeks ago, and, of course, it is still closed.

          The following families have suffered from the epidemic.

          Will Rapole, 3 miles west of Panama, had 3 cases.

          Harvey Neal, 1/2 mile west of Panama, 3 cases.  All are now well but one.

          Mrs. Margaret Vogel had four cases, one boy still sick and said to be serious.

          Louie Recter, 4 1/2 miles west of Panama, had five cases.  Two of them have recovered, the other three are still sick.

          Will Watters Jr., 2 miles west of Panama, had 4 cases, all are now well.

          Emery Kirkland, 2 miles west of Panama, has had 4 cases, all are now well.

          James Simpson, living 3 miles north west of Panama, has had two or 3 cases in his family. There will probably be no more school at the Root school house before April.  The directors are James Simpson, John Titsworth and Virgil Neal.

          Mr. Watters informed us that he had resigned as one of the highway commissioners of Grisham township, the resignation to take effect when his successor is elected, April 3.  The other two commissioners are Sam Snider and John Vogel.  Vogel's time expires this spring, so there will be two commissioners to elect in Grisham at the April election. Henry Hoekstra, the township clerk of Grisham township, has also resigned.

 

 

PANAMA

 

          Sun Glow Lodge No. 51, Pythian Sisters of Panama, gave an entertainment in honor of Washington's birthday on Feb. 22.  The hall was beautifully decorated with flags, bunting and hatchets, even the historical cherry tree being represented.  Mr. and Mrs. Lyons represented George and Martha Washington, and met and welcomed the guests.  A large crowd was present and a fine program was rendered.  A fine lunch was served.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 1, 1917

 

DEATH AT PANAMA

 

          Sorento, Thursday   Mrs. Joe Spensberger died at her home in Panama Monday morning.  Funeral services were held at the house Tuesday afternoon by Rev. S. A. Livingston. of Sorento, with burial at Sunnyside cemetery.  Mrs. Spensberger is survived by her husband and three children.  Her other relatives live in Texas.  She is the wife of a coal miner at Panama.

                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 6, 1917

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Earl Baits, Panama, age 21

Irene Pope, Panama, age 18

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 9, 1917

 

MEASLES AT PANAMA

 

          An epidemic of measles is raging at Panama and there are a number of cases, all of which are quarantined.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 13, 1917

 

PANAMA LADY DIES IN ST. LOUIS

 

          Mrs. Charles Aprileppi, wife of a Panama coal miner, died at a St. Louis hospital Sunday.  She leaves her husband and two children.  The remains were brought to Panama and the funeral will be held Tuesday, burial at Union cemetery.

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 16, 1917

 

WANTS MATRIMONIAL KNOT UNTIED

 

Viola Knott, of Panama, by Paul McWilliams, has filed a bill for divorce against John Knott.  The knot uniting Viola to John was tied Dec. 20, 1913, and on April 1st, 1916, Viola alleges that John violated one of the commandments and repeated the offense in Chicago on August 1st, 1916, and that on June 22nd, 1916, John struck her with his fists and afterwards kicked her with his feet.  She wants the knot severed that binds her to John, and if the story is true, she should be given a decree.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 20, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT   NEW CASES

 

          The St. Louis Brewing Assoc., by Hill & Bullington, has sued Mike Faletti for beer "had and received".  Their account shows Mike owes them $201.36, but suit is brought for $300 "for good measure."

                          

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 23, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          John Talen, by Miller & McDavid, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company in an action on the case for $5000.

 

DEATH FROM MEASLES

 

          Inis Regetti, aged 4 years, 1 month and 19 days, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonso Regetti of Panama, died Monday night from measles.  The little girl caught cold and had a relapse after she was thought to have recovered, and died.  The funeral services took place Wednesday at Panama.

 

KEEP OUT   MEASLES

 

          Measles is so thick in Panama that about every other house is under quarantine.  There have been 100 cases during the month and there are at least 50 at present.  Up to date, only one case has proved fatal.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 26, 1917

 

PANAMA MAN SUES FOR $5000 DAMAGES

 

          John Taler has filed suit against the Shoal Creek Coal Company, of Panama, for $5000 damages.  The suit has been filed in the circuit court at Hillsboro, but no declaration is on file.  It is understood, however, it is for personal injuries alleged to have been received in the mine at Panama.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 27, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The Independent Breweries Co., by Hill & Bullington, has filed a bill to foreclose a mortgage given by A. C. Caulk and Rosa M. Caulk on Dec. 10, 1913, to secure a note of that date for $1500, due 18 months after date.  The mortgage is given on lot 169 in block 9, Panama.  The mortgage was given to Crawford Fairbanks, trustee, and by him assigned to complainant.

 

$10,000 LIQUOR CASE

 

          John Whitesides, by J. H. Atterbury, has sued Mike Faletti, Thomas Coquatto, Evan Evans and Tony Romani, late Panama saloon keepers, in an action for damage for selling  intoxicating liquor to his son, Arlie Whitesides, who is a minor.  The plaintiff alleges that his son was an intelligent, industrious, economical and dutiful son, earning $15 a week, until the defendants got to selling him liquor, when he became ruined in mind and body, and got to be a habitual drunkard and is now idle, dissolute, indigent, profligate and undutiful.  The plaintiff alleges that the boy contributed to his support before he became a habitual user of intoxicating liquor furnished him by the defendants, but now is unable, or disinclined to do so.  The suit is for $10,000.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 6, 1917

 

GRISHAM ELECTION

 

          The straight republican ticket was elected in Grisham:

          Supervisor, Fred Krummel, Jr.

          Town Clerk, Emory DeShane

          Highway Commissioner, long term, W. W. Root

          Highway Commissioner, unexpired term, A. J. Boyd

          Justices, Charles Bills and William Compton

          Constables, S. A. Dockery and Max Von Brunn

 

PANAMA COAL MINER KILLED

 

          Virgilio Jackametti, a trip rider employed in the Panama coal mine, was caught beneath a fall of coal Tuesday morning and was so badly injured, he died before he could be removed from the mine.

          The deceased was riding on some coal cars that were being pushed by a motor.  An empty coal car had been left on the tracks by some workmen who had been sent to repair a fall of coal in the entry.

          When the two cars collided, several props were knocked out of place and a large amount of coal and slate fell from the roof, crushing the deceased.

          Coroner Norvell held an inquest Tuesday night, the jury being composed of A. W. Phillips, T. A. Lewis, John Voyles and F. A. Lyons.  They returned a verdict of death due to a fall of slate, rock and timber.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 10, 1917

 

BABY DIES SUDDENLY

 

          The 14 month old child of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Marcoline died Monday at Panama.  The baby was sitting on the floor and was seized suddenly with convulsions, and died in an hour.

 

 

 

 DIED OF PNEUMONIA

 

          The 18 month old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Havron of Panama died Wednesday noon of pneumonia.  The funeral services took place Friday.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 13, 1917

 

GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS

 

          Matt Barzarick of Panama is accused of smuggling booze to Evan Evans, when the latter was in jail, Nov. 20, 1916.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 17, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Joseph Bacykowski, an Austrian living in Panama, applied for naturalization papers before Judge Jett last Monday and was examined by C. F. Boester of St. Louis, U. S. Naturalization Examiner.

 

The case against Matt Barzarick for furnishing booze to Evan Evans while he was in jail, was set for April 25.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 19, 1917

 

BANKER WEDS IN EAST

 

          Henry Hoekstra, assistant cashier of the Panama bank, went to Patterson, N. J., last Saturday, and will be married in that city this week.  His bride is a resident of Patterson, and they will make their home in Panama.

 

 

 

AUSTRIAN APPLIES FOR FIRST PAPERS

 

          The first Austrian making application for naturalization in Bond county since the war with Germany began, is Tony Blattnik, of Panama, who came to Greenville Wednesday and took out his first papers at the circuit clerk's office. There is no restriction placed upon Austrians being naturalized.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 20, 1917

 

CITY AND VILLAGE ELECTIONS

 

          The election at Panama resulted in the following city officials:

          President, Charles Bills

          Police Magistrate, Abe Craig

          Trustees, Denny Lewis, George Lee and Peter Smith

 

MEASLES CAUSES DEATH

 

          The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Smith, died Wednesday at the residence of the parents in Panama.  The baby had been sick some time from pneumonia and later took the measles.  The parents and several brothers and sisters survive.  The funeral services were held Thursday.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 27, 1917

 

COUNTY COURT

 

          Mrs. Ella Williams of Panama has filed an application for a mother's pension from the county.  Hearing on the case is set for Wednesday, May 9, 1917, at 10:00 o'clock a.m. Mrs. Williams has one child, Wilhelmina Fray, aged 3 years. Her husband died last October of typhoid fever, leaving her without means.

                                                            

 

 

Montgomery News

May 4, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The case of Johana M. Whitesides vs. Mike Felletti, suit for $10,000, was tried by a jury and a verdict for the plaintiff for $1000 was rendered.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 15, 1917

 

K. P. MEETING AT PANAMA

 

          The K. P. lodge at Panama initiated nine candidates into the mysteries of the third degree Saturday night.  Four were from Sorento and the others from Panama.  The entire membership of the Sorento lodge came over to Panama and a joint meeting was held, followed by an elegant banquet.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 17, 1917

 

OTHA MILLER IS SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT

 

          Otha Miller plead guilty and was sentenced to the penitentiary for assault with a deadly weapon, with intent to commit murder.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 18, 1917

 

HAND HURT IN MINE

 

          Wednesday noon, while working in the Panama mine, Roy Fike seriously injured his right hand.  The entire inside of his palm was torn out.  Mr. Fike was taken to a St. Louis hospital.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 21, 1917

 

MEMORIAL SERVICES ARE HELD AT PANAMA

 

          Rev. S. A. Livingston, pastor of the M.E. church, conducted Memorial services at Panama Sunday.  Old soldiers from Sorento were conveyed to Panma in automobiles, and the services were for the veterans of the Civil War who live at Sorento, Panama and Donnellson.  After the services, the people of Panama entertained the veterans at dinner.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 22, 1917

 

MEMORIAL EXERCISES AT PANAMA

 

          The Memorial Day exercises of Panama were held at the Methodist church Sunday, with a large attendance.  Veterans from Sorento, Donnellson and Panama were guests of honor. Bands from Sorento and Panama furnished the music.  After the exercises, the ladies of the church served dinner to the old soldiers.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 24, 1917

 

"DEVIL WAS IN US", BOYS' EXPLANATION

 

          "Because the devil was in us." is the explanation given by Maylon Capstick, aged 13, and George Miller, aged 15, of  Panama, for their action in smashing 20 lights out of five windows at the Barr school house last Wednesday about 6 p.m.

          The directors of the school, upon discovering the damage, inserted a little want ad in the Advocate, Monday, offering a reward of $15 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty parties.  It pays to advertise   the want ad got results.

          The two boys were arrested at Panama Monday morning by Deputy Sheriff Otis Hockett, who was taken to Panama by Ed Merry in his car.  The officer and Mr. Merry interviewed the Capstick boy, and he almost immediately owned up that he was one of the offenders.  Capstick said that the Miller boy was with him.  Soon after, the Miller boy came out of the Panama mine, and when the officer told him that the Capstick boy had involved him, the young man volunteered the information that the Capstick boy had broken out more windows than he had.

          The boys left Panama Wednesday and walked almost to Greenville to see young Miller's brother, Otho Miller, before he departed to spend some time in the penitentiary at Chester.  They got within a mile of Greenville and became very tired and decided to go back to Panama on foot.

          Disgusted with their long and fruitless tramp, they took their spite out on the first thing they saw, which happened to be the Barr school house.  In a contest which followed to see who could smash the most windows, the boys each now claim the other was the victor.

          Although the boys failed to reach the Bond county jail Wednesday, they succeeded in getting there Tuesday.  They did not walk either; they came along with Deputy Sheriff Hockett and Mr. Merry in the latter's car.  After spending the night in the jail, their friends at Panama decided to pay the reward and the damage, which totaled $30.  This money was deposited in the Panama bank and wired to the Bradford National bank.  After the money had been paid, the directors, Mr. Merry, Cleve Lindley and Clarence Barr, refused to prosecute and the boys were released Tuesday afternoon.  They started on foot for Panama.  A short distance out of Greenville they were overtaken by a good Samaritan in an automobile, and as they went whizzing past the Barr school house, they looked the other way.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 11,1917

 

OFFICERS LOCATE BURGLAR'S OUTFIT

 

          Three men, whose names are said to be John Ryan, Frank Martin and Dave Harvey, were arrested by City Police J. W. Tidwell of Sorento, and Constable Harry Moss of Shoal Creek township, Saturday afternoon, while under a pile of ties on the Clover Leaf railroad the officers found a 38 calibre revolver, some cartridges, several skeleton keys, a file, and a flashlight.  In the possession of the prisoners they found  two pints of whiskey.

          Dave Harvey, who is crippled, is said to have remarked after the arrests Saturday afternoon, that one "had to be decent in towns, but it was easy enough to blow up bridges."

          The preliminary hearings are being held in Sorento today in Justice F. F. Thacker's court.

          Officer Tidwell was in Greenville today and told the story of the capture of the men to an Advocate reporter.  He had learned of their actions at Panama, where they threatened the station agent, Logan Mills, with the revolver and they told him they "would stand him on his head."  They also insulted pedestrians and otherwise made themselves obnoxious.

          Two of them went to Sorento and Officer Tidwell ordered them to leave town.  They were Ryan and Martin, and in searching about, Henry Riggins found the keys, gun, etc., in the tie pile.  This aroused the suspicion of Tidwell and after watching awhile, one of the men returned and looked for the hidden articles.  They were then arrested and placed in jail at Sorento.  The arrest of Harvey was made by Constable Harry Moss at Panama.  When arrested, they offered no resistance, but acted after the manner of genuine toughs.

          At present they are under arrest only for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, but they may be held for the next term of the grand jury.

          Forty six quart bottles of whiskey and $7.50 were taken from two pool rooms (?) in Panama last Wednesday night, and it is suspected that the three men caught in Sorento and Panama Saturday are linked with other men in Sorento in connection with the burglaries.

          Mike Falletti's pool room and another place, which the informant of the Advocate did not know the name of, were the places robbed sometime Wednesday night.

          Falletti admitted the loss of 24 bottles of the whiskey and the $7.50 in money.  The other 22 bottles came from the other place.

          The peculiar part of the whole thing is how on earth could robbers steal 46 bottles of whiskey out of a town which is supposedly dry.  There is not a legally operated saloon in the village.

          Included in the theft also, were two sacks of flour from one of these places.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 18, 1917

 

MEN FROM SHOAL CREEK TOWNSHIP WHO REGISTERED FOR MILITARY SERVICE JUNE 5TH (PANAMA)

          William Floyd Allen                  Wilbur Irvin Ash

          Augusto Ameglio                      Steve Backovich

          John Benic                                William Allen May

          Charles Betterton                      Frank Morono

          Basilio Bortolotti                       Charles Thomas Miller

          Augusto Caljia                          Arnold Kemper Mitzel

          Richard Joseph Capstick  Stephen Moreschinin

          Clarence Rankin Clough            Joseph Mozi

          Angelo Conadini                       Joseph Muzar

          Arthur Crowell                          Louis Robert McReaken

          Porter Cruthis                           Lorenzo Nodari

          Earl Daily                                  Joe Pasquino

          Battista Degani                          Kiro Perfetti

          Louis Degani                            Frank Joseph Pietruszka

          Albert Deright                           Jesse Smith Porter

          Cush Deright                            Charles Francis Pugsley

          Pete Deright                              Quince Alvia Ray

          Barney Raymond Donaldson John Roseman

          Henry Harrison Duncan             Joseph Santoro

          Karol Folwarczny                     George Savage

          Joseph Furdeck                        Andrew Franklin Smith

          Bort Giordano                          Arthur Smith

          Silvio Gnavi                              Roy Albert Steward

          Jessie Orval Harrison                Louie Alfred Taylor

          Frank Hartman                          Fred W. Toureene

          John Franklin Jones                   Tonino Vigilio

          Ora Johnson                             John Viviano

          Joseph Karadga                        Francis Mayron Voyles

          John Lela                                  James Wondrak

          Ameil Massa                             Lee Roy Wood

          John Franklin Manning              Fox Farley Worley

          Joseph Mavretich                      Carl C. Wright

          Alfred Nathan May                    Ira C. Wright

                                                          Martin Yurecko

Montgomery News

Jun. 22, 1917

 

BANK OF PANAMA

 

          The stockholders of the bank of Panama, with the number of shares held by each, as listed by the assessor of Grisham township are as follows:

          W. W. Mitchell, Panama, 100

          S. E. Cress, Sorento, 100

          E. T. Grabruck, Panama, 116

          I. O. Wilcox, M. D., Panama, 34

          F. A. Lyons, Panama, 20

          B. A. Murray, Panama, 30

          W. B. McBride, Taylorville, 18

          R. L. Darby, Chicago, 30

          Wm. Foran, Sorento, 18

          W. E. Denny, Sorento, 18

          George Grafe, Greenville, 16

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 25, 1917

 

PANAMA CALMS DOWN, MAYOR PUTS LID ON

 

          Officer John W. Tidwell of Sorento, who was in Greenville Friday, told the Advocate that a marked change has come over Panama.  A new mayor is sitting on the lid.  Mr. Tidwell said that Panama reminded him of a calm that comes after a storm.  He said that the village board fell out among themselves and Mayor Charles Bills resigned his job and left town.  Pete Smith, a coal miner, now has the mayoralty and has put on the lid at Panama, and declares it must stay on. Mr. Tidwell says that Panama is now a quiet and peaceful village after going through a siege of lawlessness.

                                                            

 

                          

 

 

 

 Montgomery News

Jun. 26, 1917

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

James Savant, Panama, age 37

Mrs. Mary E. Chiolino, Panama, age 37

 

          James Savant and Mrs. Mary Chiolino came up from Panama Friday morning and were united in marriage at the court house by county judge McDavid.  The groom works in the Panama coal mine and both are native born Italians.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 13, 1917

 

NAMES AND NUMBERS OF MEN OF WAR AGE (MONTGOMERY)

 

          Panama

 

          4 Louis Ben Coyle                       73 Leo Malin

          7 Ray West                                 82 Mike Faletti

          9 William Trina                            86 Alma Dennie Lewis

          10 Charles A. Ashmore                96 Mike Santrac

          11 Clayton Romani                      107 Anthony J. Nowak

          12 Gueseppe Isatrio Panier           113 Olla Plumb Compton

          16 Witold Jasudowicz                  118 Tennistola Neccolai

          22 Albert V. Smith                       122 John Franklin Parks

          25 Alfredo Pestolozzi                   127 Edgar A. Varner

          28 James Lettsome                       134 John McDole, Jr.

          33 Anton Blatnik                          150 Herbert J. Faudi

          40 Joseph Rapelli                         153 Charles H. Pullen

          41 Peter Ceretto                           154 Jesse Cornelius Jackson

          46 Tony Ferrari                            159 John Brown

          48 William Boyd                          161 Lee Roy Faudi

          54 Joe Piprek                               164 Ralph E. McReaken

          56 Antony Cruciani                      167 Earl Stewart

          62 Manoil Coyle                          169 Pietro Marcoline

          72 Jose Vargo                              171 Matt Ogolian

          173 John Frigo                             357 Louis Henderson

          178 Joseph Baskowski                 359 John Link

          181 William Enicks                      364 Bazilio Piazzo

          186 Joseph Langroz                     365 Ernie F. Vogel

          188 Robert Petruciana                  366 Thomas Savage

          192 Anton Chrobrok                    368 Antonio Tusinski

          195 Ignatz Schemitzek                  369 Harry Knott

          197 Frank Marcolini                     370 Roy Thurman Fike

          201 Pete Calufetti                         372 Albert O. Sapp

          204 Arley Helfer                           373 Purl E. Parks

          210 Paul Kornas                          374 John Slabon

          215 Jacometi Dante                      375 Clarence E. Tucker

          218 Ben H. Allen                          376 John Basafic

          221 John Kalodzieg                      1863 Dominic Yanak

          232 Earl Farley Leak                                               

          234 Peter Savigni                         County of Montgomery, ss.

          236 Peter Viviano

          249 John Marak                            We, the undersigned Local

          252 Ugo Perfetti                            Board for the county of

          255 Elmer R. Sybert                      Montgomery, State of Ill.