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.

          268 Roman Compton                   do hereby certify that the

          271 John T Popovich                    above list contains the

          273 Arthur Cunningham                 names of all persons whose

          275 William N. Phillips                  registration cards are in

          285 Dallas T. Harrell                     the possession of this

          287 John F. Varner                       Local Board.

          290 Oscar D. O'Neal                        H. A. Seymour

          292 Stephen L. Havron                    M. J. McMurray

          297 Arturo Natine                                                   

          299 Charles V. O'Neal                   346 William McCoy

          302 Steve Rosina                          349 Pete Gnavi

          305 Pete Brazowich                      353 Antonia Certo

          307 Howard Lewis                        355 Premo Tavan

          310 Robert Tempany

          314 John Henry Bills

          317 Arthur W. Compton

          318 Victor Buf

          321 William A. Daech

          326 August Vomettelli

          328 Fred Freezeland

          329 Charley Viviano

          331 Alexander Bennett

          333 Lewis B. Miller

          335 Lacy Piro

          338 Florian Frey

          341 Eugene Buttelli

          342 Charles Soltesz

          343 William Baskamp

          344 George Schaufhauser

          345 Emanuel Piprek

 

 PANAMA

 

          Lightning struck a house belonging to the Hillsboro Building Association at Panama Monday morning and although the front of the house and a chimney were demolished, no one was hurt.  The house was occupied by the Leo Moline family.

          A Red Cross unit will be organized at Panama Tuesday night.  Rev. McCracken will speak at the Panama theater and a big meeting is expected.

          Mr. Murray, cashier of the Panama bank is reported improving altough he is yet unable to leave the hospital.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 24, 1917

 

LIST OF THOSE WHO WILL BE CALLED TO DUTY FIRST

          The first fifteen hundred and sixty numbers drawn caught 500 men from Montgomery county.  Probably all of these 500 will be called for examination and perhaps more before our quota is filled.

          The following are the residents of Panama whose numbers were drawn.

William N. Phillips     Anthony Nowak     Purl E. Parks

Charles A. Ashmore   Tony Ferrari          William Baskamp

Premo Tavan              Ben H. Allen          Anthony Cruciani

Antonio Certo            John Kalodzieg       Jose Vargo

John F. Parks             William A. Daech   Joe Piprek

Emanuel Piprek

Montgomery News

Aug. 3, 1917

 

WILL ORGANIZE AT PANAMA

 

          Judge Vaughn of Carlinville, H. C. Stuttle of Litchfield and L. V. Hill of Hillsboro will go to Panama Friday night of this week and a Red Cross chapter will be organized.

 

PANAMA MAN MARRIED

 

          Earl Stewart of Panama was married Wednesday, August 1, at Clayton, Mo., to Miss Pearl Miller of 1024 Hodiamont Ave., St. Louis.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 6, 1917

 

COUNTS HIS CHICKENS BY MATCH LIGHT

 

          Counting chickens before they are hatched has always  been bad business, but Joe Santoro, of near Panama, finds it equally as foolish to count them after they are hatched.  Joe was not sure how many chickens he had, so the other night he went to the barn to count them.  It was very dark in the barn, so Joe struck a match. He proceeded to count the chickens until the match had burned up.  He got so busy counting the chickens that he dropped the lighted match in the hay.  Joe had to quit counting and make a hasty get away to keep from getting burned up with the chickens.

          Joe will never know how many chickens he had.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 9, 1917

 

JOE SANTORO WASN'T PRESENT WHEN HIS BARN CAUGHT FIRE

 

          Joe Santoro, of Panama, who was called before the Bond county exemption board Wednesday, told the Advocate, through an interpreter, that the story published in a Hillsboro paper and copied in the Advocate, that his barn caught on fire as a result of his counting his chickens by the light of a match, was not true.  Mr. Santoro said that he was not at home at the time, and did not know anything about the fire until afterward.  He said he does not know how the barn caught fire.

          Mr. Santoro said he had recently put up a large amount of new hay in the loft, and the fire may have been caused by spontaneous combustion.  Mr. Santoro says that 20 of his chickens were burned.  Mr. Santoro said that the statement published in the Hillsboro, and copied by the Advocate, was a mistake, and the Advocate is glad to make the correction.

          The barn burned, all right, but Mr. Santoro has more sense than try to count chickens in a hay barn with a lighted match at night.

 

THREE IN CAPSTICK FAMILY ARE CALLED

 

          The Capstick family of Panama, was hit hard in the first call for registered men to appear before the examination board, says the Hillsboro Journal.  Panama is on both sides of the Bond   Montgomery county line.  The Montgomery county board called Edward Capstick and the Bond county board called R. J. Capstick and his brother in law, M. G. Mitzell, both of Panama, in the first test.

          R. J. Capstick, of Panama, was discharged last January as first sergeant, after serving for six years.  Mr. Mitzell's wife died a few months ago, leaving two sons, four and six years old.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 13, 1917

 

THOMAS WHITE IS KILLED BY TRAIN

 

          Thomas White, of Donnellson, a miner working at the Panama mine, was run over by a train and instantly killed at Panama, sometime between seven and nine o'clock on Saturday night.

          An inquest was held by Dr. H. D. Cartmell, coroner of Bond county, Sunday, and the jury returned a verdict that he came to his death by "being run over by a train."

          The train was on the Clover Leaf railroad, which runs through Panama, and the accident occurred about 150 yards west of the depot at that place.

          The witnesses who testified at the inquest were Mayor Peter Smith, of Panama; E. Derringer, conductor of a freight train; W. T. Holmes, O. M. Edwards, M. E. O'Day and W. A. Gentry.

          The testimony was to the effect that White had been seen about the station about seven o'clock in the evening, and that at 9:45 o'clock Conductor Derringer went back to a main line switch, and there discovered one half the body lying between the rails and the other half on one side.  It had been completely severed, but Conductor Derringer said that he had been killed by some other train, as his train had not been over that part of the track.  The man had apparently been dead an hour or more.

          White had been in the habit or returning from work on a freight train each evening.

          The members of the coroner's jury were J. J. Williams, foreman; A. C. White, clerk; Frank McCoy, J. W. Truitt, Ed Roach and Virgil O'Neal.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 14, 1917

 

HERE'S ONE WANTS TO GO

 

          In the midst of the wholesale claims for exemption from the draft, and the reported trickeries of examining physicians, appearing in the city dailies, the case of Anthony Cruciani, a Frenchman of Panama, stands out alone.

          Mr. Cruciani came to Hillsboro last week in response to the call for physical examination.  When he arrived he found he would be rejected, as he is not a naturalized American citizen, and he at once informed the exemption board that he was not only willing but was anxious to get into the service. He accordingly took out his first naturalization papers, and by becoming a citizen, will be able, if he passes the physical examination, to join the Sammies and fight on his native soil against the Prussian enemies of his countrymen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 17, 1917

 

PANAMA RESIDENT DEAD

 

          Mrs. Anna McReaken, the wife of Harry McReaken, who lives near Panama, died at her home Tuesday evening, at 6 o'clock.  She had been ill for some time, following an operation which she underwent some time ago.

          Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John West, was born July 11, 1880, at Sorento.  She was married Jan. 16, 1899, to Harry McReaken, who survives her together with five children, namely, Willard, Eura, Lawrence, Ross and Myrtle.  Three sisters also survive, Mrs. James Mann of Walshville, and Mabel and Myrtle at home.

          The funeral services were held Thursday morning at ten o'clock from the Presbyterian church at Sorento, Rev. A. Livingston officiating.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 21, 1917

 

FORMER PANAMA MAN SHOOTS WIFE

 

          Tony Barber, formerly of Panama, shot his wife at West Frankfort, Ill., last Thursday night.  Mr. Barber claims the shooting was accidental, that he mistook his wife for a burglar.  It is reported, however, that he had threatened the life of the members of his family on several occasions.  He had some trouble with his father in law, Lem File, of Panama, and he bit off a piece of Mr. File's finger.

          The remains of the deceased woman were taken to Panama and buried Sunday at Sunnyside cemetery at Sorento.

          It is reported that immediately after the funeral, the Bond county authorities arrested Mr. Barber for the murder of his wife.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 23, 1917

 

PANAMA MAN WILL OPEN STORE HERE

 

          H. Warshaw, of Panama, has leased J. J. Potthast's building on South Second street, and will, on September 1st, open a ladies' furnishings store.  Mr. Warshaw is now engaged in business at Panama, but came to Greenville a few days ago and made arrangements to open up here.  Mr. Potthast is remodeling the north part of his building, which will be occupied by the new store, by putting in a new plate glass front, shelving, etc.

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 24, 1917

 

EXEMPTED FROM THE DRAFT

 

          Panama men registered in this county for military service and examined the 8th, 9th and 10th of August, whose claims for exemption on the ground that they have dependents have been allowed by the County Exemption Board.  All these cases go before the District Board for final decision.

 

Anthony Nowak, Charles A. Ashmore, William Baskamp and

Joe Piprek.

 

OBITUARY

 

          Charles Pullen was born in Derbyshire, England, Nov. 14, 1836, and died at Sorento, Ill., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. W. Kinzer, Monday, Aug. 20, 1917, aged 80 years, 9 months and 6 days.

          He removed to America with his parents in 1850, settling in Jersey county, Illinois.

          He was married to Mrs. Ellen Davis at Alton, Nov. 26, 1860, and in 1874 they moved to Litchfield, where his wife died in May, 1906.  In the fall of 1911 he went to Sorento to make his home with his daughter, where he lived until his death.

          Six children survive, Mrs. C. R. Green of Troy, Mrs. James Morrissey of Chicago, C. W. Pullen of Godfrey, J. T. of Staunton, Mrs. T. W. Kinzer of Sorento, and R. H. of Panama, as well as ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

          The deceased was confirmed in the church of England when a lad.  He led an active and conservative life and was of a very retiring disposition.  Most of his long life, after he reached manhood, was spent in the coal mining industries of Illinois.  He had charge of the sinking of two mines in Litchfield, one in Chesterfield, one each in Sorento, Divernon, Pawnee and Johnson City and two in Staunton.  He also served as mine manager at several different mines.  He retired from active work about 1900.

          The funeral services took place Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from the late residence in Sorento.

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

          The following Panama men were examined this week and accepted for military service:

 

John Kalobvieg     Stephen L. Havron

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 28, 1917

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

          List of Panama men who were accepted by the board of exemptions last Friday and those exempted from military service on account of physical disability.

 

Accepted: Pete Brazovich     Alexander Bennett     Pete Gnasi

Rejected: Louis Henderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 30, 1917

 

SIX MEN TO GO IN FIRST QUOTA FROM BOND

 

          Six men were selected this morning by the Bond county exemption board to be the first quota of 5% to go to Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky.

          The men are selected under the orders of the war department as being among the first quota, and also for their peculiar fitness.  The requirements are that they must be selected because of previous military experience, or ability to cook.

The board announced this morning that among the men to go in the first 5% is R. J. Capstick, of Panama.

          Mr. Capstick was selected because he has had eight years of experience in the regular army.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 31, 1917

 

COUNTY COURT

 

          John Renner of Panama pleaded guilty on four counts Monday afternoon in the county court to selling liquor in anti saloon territory.  He was fined $50 on each count and costs.  The same thing happened to Tom Coquatto, who broke the same law the same way as John.

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

          PANAMA MEN REGISTERED FOR SERVICE WHO WILL PROBABLY BE REQUIRED TO SERVE.

 

          Following is a list of the Panama men registered for military service in this county who are pronounced physically fit for service and who did not claim exemption, or if they did their claims were disallowed by the local board:

 

 

 

 

William N. Phillips        J. C. Jackson

Toney Ferrari                John Kalobvieg

Anthony Cruciani         Alexander Bennett

Jose Vargo

 

EXEMPTED BECAUSE OF DEPENDENTS

 

Clayton Romani              Emanuel Piprek

Alfredo Pestolozzi          J. F. Parks

Antonio Tusinski

                                                          

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 7, 1917

 

PANAMA BOOTLEGGER PLEADS GUILTY

 

          William McCoy, one of the men arrested at Panama for selling booze in anti saloon territory entered a plea of guilty in the county court this week and was fined $200 and costs.  He paid his fine and was released from jail.

 

ERNEST VOGEL WILL RECOVER

 

          Ernest Vogel, son of William Vogel, a prominent farmer living north of Panama, will recover from the serious injury he received in a runaway Aug. 26th.  He is in St. John's hospital in St. Louis and is now able to speak and to recognize his friends.

          Ernest's horse ran away with him at Panama on Sunday morning, Aug. 26th and threw him out, fracturing his skull. Lester Compton, who was with him, jumped out of the buggy and was not injured, but when Ernest jumped, he was badly injured and unconscious when found.  He was taken to St. John's hospital and an operation performed on him, a blood clot being removed from his brain.  He was unconscious for several days afterwards and his life hung by a thread, but he is now out of danger and will be able to return home in a few weeks.

 

 

 

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

More men to be examined:

 

Called for Sep. 10, 1917

Alma Dennis Lewis           Olla Plumb Compton

 

 

Called for Sep. 11, 1917

Pietro Marcoline            Dallas T. Harrell

Otto Ray Osburn           Charles V. O'Neal

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 10, 1917

 

LIVE WIRE KILLS A PANAMA MINER

 

          Otto Julius Scheller, aged 38, was killed by electrocution in the Panama coal mine at 3:30 p.m., Friday.

          Scheller was just quitting work, when he came in contact with a live electric wire and was almost instantly killed.

          Efforts to restore life were continued till 7 p.m., but without results.

          He is survived by a widow and four children.  He had lived at Panama for two years and worked in the mine.

          The body was taken to his former home at Mt. Olive, where the funeral will be held Tuesday.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 11, 1917

 

GRANTED EXEMPTION

 

          Pete Brazovich, of Panama, has been granted exemption from military service by the local board.

 

 

 

S. H. KILLIFER'S WILL

 

          S. H. Killifer, late of Panama, left an estate worth $4700, the real estate being worth $4000 and the personal property valued at $700.

          He leaves the following legacies:

To his sister, Mrs. L. R. Cain, the sum of $100;  To his sister Edna D. Killifer, the sum of $1.00; to his brother Raymond C., $1.00;  to a sister W. W. Mitchell, $1.00;  to his nieces, Miriam and Frances Killifer, $1.00 each;  to a sister Orenda Killifer, ten shares of stock in the O'Fallon Building Association.

          All the rest of the estate goes to his father, A. C. Killifer, of Mattoon, who is named executor, without bond.

          The will was written June 22, 1905.

 

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 14, 1917

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

Accepted: Alma Dennis Lewis,  Olla Plumb Compton

 

DENIED EXEMPTION

 

Otto Ray Osburn,  Dallas T. Harrell

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 17, 1917

 

SECOND QUOTA OF 43 MEN FROM BOND TO LEAVE FOR CAMP TAYLOR

 

          The 43 men will leave Greenville at 10:16 a.m., Wednesday, September 19th, going to Indianapolis, and there changing cars for Louisville.  The train schedule puts them in Louisville and Camp Taylor, which is in the outskirts of the city, by 6:30 p.m., the same day.

From Panama:

          Joseph Musar

          Torina Vigilio

          Kiro Perfetti

Montgomery News

Sep. 18, 1917

 

THE FIRST CALLED!

 

          The men who will leave Hillsboro Wednesday morning, September 19, for Camp Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky, for military training, preparatory to going to the war front in Europe.  They will be given a big farewell reception Tuesday afternoon:

William N. Phillips         Toney Ferrari

Premo Tavan                  Anthony Cruciani

J. C. Jackson                  John Kalobvieg

 

A RALLY AT PANAMA

 

          A patriotic rally will be held this Tuesday night with music and speeches, at Panama, in honor of the men who will leave Hillsboro with the draft Wednesday.

 

FINED ON TWO COUNTS

 

          Joe Rapalil, of Panama, pleaded guilty in the county court Thursday to selling liquor in anti saloon territory on two counts.  He was fined $50 on each count with the costs of the prosecution, all of which he paid.

 

PASSED BY LOCAL AND DISTRICT BOARDS

 

          The third quota of the draft from this county will leave Hillsboro Wednesday, Oct. 3rd.

 

Panama: Jose Vargo     John Kolovieg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 21, 1917

 

FAILED TO APPEAR

 

          When the roll of the 94 men selected for military duty was called Tuesday afternoon, the following 9 men failed to appear:

 

Panama: John Koladzieg

 

CELEBRATES FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

 

          Mr. and Mrs. Alex Caulk of near Sorento celebrated the 50th anniversary of their married life on Thursday Sep. 13. Several relatives and friends were present.

          Mr. and Mrs. Caulk recieved several presents, one of which was a five dollar gold piece presented to them by the formers brother, James Caulk.

          Mr. and Mrs. Caulk were married Sep. 13, 1867, at the home of the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Caulk where Panama now is.  They were accompanied by several of their friends of which Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith, James Caulk and Mrs H. J. Caulk were of the numbers and were present Thursday.  Mrs. Caulks maiden name was Mrs. Elizabeth Davis.

Mr. Caulk is an experienced farmer, having farmed near here until about the year 1896 when they moved to Missouri and remained there until 1914 when they again moved to Sorento.

          Those present were: Mrs. H. J. Caulk of Old Ripley;  Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith;  Mrs. Neal Thacker and children; Mr. and Mrs. Marion Kuykendall;  Mrs. Curtis Griffith and daughter Irene;  Mr. and Mrs. John Davis and George Davis. All enjoyed a pleasant day and departed at a late hour wishing Mr. and Mrs. Caulk many more happy years of wedded life.

 

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 25, 1917

 

EXEMPTIONS

 

Granted to persons examined by the local board on September 10 and 11, 1917:

Olla Plumb Compton     Pietro Marcoline

Passed by local board:

 

Alma Dennis Lewis

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 1, 1917

 

PAYS AN OLD FINE; $502 FOR BOOTLEGING

 

          Mike Falletti, of Panama, was arrested in Montgomery county last week, on a charge of bootleging, as heretofore made known, and paid an old fine amounting to $502, before he was permitted to give bond for the new offense for which he was arrested last week.

          He was fined and paid only part of the fine, and was allowed to depart, on the promise of living an upright, virtuous life of a law abiding citizen.  Mike donned his halo and walked out of court, determined to live up to the court's injunction, we hope.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 4, 1917

 

PANAMA

 

          The music club will meet at F. A. Lyon's, next Friday night.

          The Ladies Aid had an all day meeting at the church, Wednesday.

          Mmes. Mitchell, Yonaki and Savage motored to St. Louis, Wednesday.

          The work of excavating for the furnace under the church will begin soon.

          Panama was well represented at the Wheeler meeting in Greenville, Sunday night.

          Arthur Capstick has returned from Collinsville to accept the position of mine manager here.

          Mrs. Yonaki and son, Howard, of North Dakota, are visiting Mmes. W. W. Mitchell and Tom Savage.

          Several of our business men have been to St. Louis recently, Mr. Schwartz returning Friday and Messrs. Tipsword and Youche returning Tuesday.

          Dr. Wilcox, of St. Louis, is here visiting his brother and incidentally caring for the afflicted here while his brother is recuperating from a lame back, the result of a violent sneeze.

          There was no work done at the mine Wednesday, because in hoisting a rail Tuesday night, it caught on the sides of the shaft in such a manner it could not be removed in time for the examiners to go down.

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 9, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

Norman Pullen, by F. M. Ramey, has sued Walter L. Ross, Receiver of the T. St. L. & W. Railroad company, in an action for personal injuries, claiming $2000 damages.  No declaration has yet been filed.                                                           

Montgomery News

Oct. 12, 1917

 

PANAMA OUTPUT INCREASED

 

          A new bottom and automatic ganger has been put in the Panama mine and work began again Monday after several days shut down.  The capacity will be greatly increased, an output of 3500 tons daily now being possible.

 

 

COUNTY COURT

 

          Tony Calufetti of Panama was arraigned before Judge McDavid Wednesday morning and pleaded guilty to selling liquor in anti saloon territory on 3 counts.  He was fined $40 on each count which, with the costs put Tony in bad to the amount of $172.15 which he paid.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 16, 1917

 

TWO HOUSES BURN

 

          Herb Faudi and Hugh Emicks of Panama both lost their homes by fire Wednesday night.  The Faudi family was away and their house caught first.  They lost everything with no insurance.  The Emicks household goods were saved.  Insurance on the house was carried by the owners, Mr. Kessler of Hettick, and Bliss White of Hillsboro.  The cause of the fires is unknown.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 19, 1917

 

PARTIAL LIST OF NEXT QUOTA

          Following is a list of Panama men called for examination September 26th, 1917, and who have been accepted by the local board and by the district board.

 

Charles V. O'Neal    Dallas T. Harrell     Alexander Bennett

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 22, 1917

 

MINERS RETURN TO WORK TODAY

 

          All the Bond county miners who went out last week have returned to work, and this is true of the 10,000 miners from Southern Illinois.

          Six hundred miners employed at the Shoal Creek Coal Company  at Panama walked out last week in accordance with the general strike of coal miners throughout Southern Illinois.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 23, 1917

 

DIVORCE

 

          Lucy Fowaski, of Panama, by F. M. Ramey, filed a bill for divorce against John Fowaski Monday, but as service on the defendant must be obtained by publication she will not have time to legally notify John before the January term. John and Lucy were married Sept. 9, 1911.  She alleges desertion.  There is one child, William, and the complainant asks for his custody.

 

 

EXEMPT FROM MILITARY SERVICE

 

John Koloveig     Alma D. Lewis

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 25, 1917

 

FILED FOR DIVORCE

 

          Mrs. Lucy Fowasky, of Panama, has filed for divorce from John Fowasky.  He charges her with desertion, and asks the custody of their little son, John, aged four.

                                                            

Montgomery News

Oct. 26, 1917

 

PATRIOTIC PANAMA

 

          Panama has subscribed for $3500 worth of Liberty Bonds. This includes one $500 bond taken by the K. of P. lodge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 9, 1917

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Norman Pullen vs, Toledo & St. Louis R.R. continued for declaration.

          Nick Zilatz vs. Shoal Creek Coal Company , suit for $2000, continued for declaration.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 13, 1917

 

FARMER KILLED BY HUNTERS

 

          George Bush, an aged farmer of near Reno, was standing by a wagon in front of his son's home Sunday morning, when he was shot in the right leg below the thigh.  Some Italians from Panama had been hunting near the place where the accident occurred, and they were held responsible.

          It was found necessary to amputate the limb at once, and this was done, but it was too late to save the unfortunate man's life and he died soon after the operation.  He was 76 years of age.

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 16, 1917

 

SHOOTING WAS ACCIDENTAL

 

          In our last issue we stated that George Bush, a farmer 74 years old living near Reno had been fatally shot by a Panama coal miner.

          Since then it develops that the shooting was done by Jim Deright, an Italian miner of Panama and it was purely accidental.  Deright, with five other miners was out hunting Sunday and stopped for dinner at the home of George Bush.

          After dinner, when starting to leave, Deright picked up his double barrelled hammerless shotgun from the wagon and as he did so, one barrel was discharged, the load of shot tearing the left leg of Mr. Bush entirely off.  As Deright turned quickly following the shot, the other barrel of the gun was discharged and narrowly missed killing some children who were playing close by.

          Dr. Carey of Donnellson was called but Mr. Bush died from the loss of blood and shock.

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 20, 1917

 

GRAND JURY

 

          Arthur Cunningham is indicted for assaulting William Tolen with a revolver on August 22, 1917.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 22, 1917

 

FINAL Y.M.C.A. MEETING IS HELD AT PANAMA

 

          The final Y.M.C.A. meeting in the county was held at Panama Monday night, when $65 was raised at the close of the meeting, exclusive of what the miners stated they would give in a fund, which, however, will go to the credit of Montgomery county.

          This fund, it is said, would be considerable, as there are between 600 and 700 miners there, and all are apparently for the proposition.

          The meeting was held in William's Hall, and speeches were made by Rev. Pride, of Sorento, and Dr. Romani, of St. Louis, who spoke in Italian, much to the edification of the Greenville contingent present.

 

SORENTO NEWS

 

          All the teachers of the Panama high school came out on a strike last Friday morning.  It seems they had not gotten their orders for the previous month, as they made a demand for the same in one hour, or they would not return to their duties.  By telephone we learn they will begin school again Monday morning.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 23, 1917

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Dewey Everts, New Douglas, age 19

Stella Crites, Panama, age 16

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 27, 1917

 

PANAMA

 

          A dance and picture show was given here Saturday night for the benefit of the soldier boys.  About $25 was cleared.

 

 CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Judgment by agreement for $200 was entered in favor of Thomas Pate against the Shoal Creek Coal Company .  Pate sued for $3000.

                                                            

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 30, 1917

 

SOME FINE VIOLINS

 

          Several months ago the News mentioned the fact that S. H. Killifer had died in Panama.  In administering on his property it was found that he had a collection of violins and no one knew what they were worth or what he had paid for them.  His sister, Mrs. W. W. Mitchell, came up from Panama last week with six of the instruments to have Prof. Otto Funk examine them and see what valuation should be placed on them. Prof. Funk found that five of the violins were extra fine. The other was practically worthless.  One was a Heberline violin, made in Austria, and was a very fine instrument. Prof. Funk said $100 would be cheap for such an instrument, and he has seen violins valued at $250 which were inferior to the Heberline instrument.

          Prof. Funk said the other four were worth at least $50 each.  The violins are not for sale.  Mr. Killifer was a bachelor, and besides several sisters, he leaves a father who inherits the violins, but who will probably distribute them among his daughters.

          Prof. Funk says that three of the bows are worth about $10 each.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 4, 1917

 

CRANK KICKS HARD

 

          Arthur Capstick, the thirteen year old son of Mr. Capstick, top boss at the Panama mine, tried to crank a Ford Monday when the crank kicked him on the right wrist hard enough to break both bones.  A physician set the arm and he is resting comfortably but the injury is a very bad one.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 10, 1917

 

PANAMA MAN DIES; INQUEST TO BE HELD

 

          A telephone message to the Advocate this morning from Panama, tells of the sudden death of Fred Orsaw, a coal miner.  Mr. Orsaw boarded at the home of James Savant.  At  six o'clock this morning he complained of being sick and asked for a cup of coffee.  When Mrs. Savant returned with the cup of coffee, she found Orsaw lying on the floor.  A hurry up call was made for a physician, but before the doctor arrived, the man had died.

          Dr. H. D. Cartmell, of this city, coroner of Bond county, was summoned by telephone and went to Panama at noon to hold an inquest.

          Orsaw has a sister living at Benld.

 

STRIKE AT PANAMA SCHOOL IS OVER

 

          The last chapter in the teachers' strike at Panama died out with the election of four new school directors, says the Hillsboro journal.  The men elected are Cary Cunningham, Walter Havron, Edward Trobaugh and Mr. Compton.  The Journal says that there was considerable friction on the part of the board of education before school began, and finally one member just quit.  On the day school opened, another resigned.  The third member changed his working hours from the day shift at the mine to the night shift, and could not attend the meetings at night.  The fourth wanted to be relieved of his trouble, and announced his intention of quitting the job, but not being well informed on the customs of the country, he did not know how to proceed, but supposed that the mere statement he wanted to be separated from his job was sufficient.

          This left but three members on the board.  This was not a quorum.  When the 16th of the month came around, the orders for the past month had not been issued, and as interest on unpaid orders does not begin until they have been presented to the treasurer, the teachers voted to cease work until the orders were forthcoming.

          The matter has been cleared up, however, and everything is lovely at Panama.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 13, 1917

 

INQUEST

 

          The jury who heard the testimony in the inquest of Fred Orsaw, was composed of I. O. Wilcox, William McDonnell, E. A. Murray, Orlando Hay, Irvin Ash and John Revelli.  They returned a verdict that Orsaw came to his death as a result of heart failure.  Dr. Wilcox testified that he was called at 7 a.m., found Orsaw sitting in a chair, being held up by two men, but that he was dead at the time.

          James Savant, at whose home Orsaw boarded, said the man was in good health up to 11 p.m.  Joe Praline found Orsaw lying on the floor.  Orsaw was unable to talk and choked until he died.

 

 SPECIAL COACH FOR MINERS FOR PANAMA

 

          The plan to attach a coach to the Clover Leaf train to carry miners from Sorento to Panama, and from Donnellson to Panama, is temporarily held up, but an agreement is expected. The railroad company refuses to put on the coach unless the coal company would guarantee $60 a day to pay the crew.  The coal company refused to do this.

          Another plan is under way to reach an agreement.  The plan is to start a coach at Sorento, run to Panama, then to Donnellson and back to Panama and to Sorento.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 14, 1917

 

BURIED AT BENLD

 

          The remains of Ferdinand Orso, the Panama miner who died suddenly Monday, and whose death, as shown from evidence at the coroner's inquest was due to heart trouble, were shipped to Benld Wednesday, were the funeral will be held Sunday.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 20, 1917

 

PANAMA

 

          Occasionally we see someone fall down stairs, but one day last week, one of our high school boys fell up stairs.

 

          One of our teachers hands in the following poem:

          Lord of love, look down from above

          And pity us poor teachers

          They do not care if our nerves do wear

          And pay us less than preachers

          It is reported that one of our teachers is to be married soon.  We wonder which one it is.  Superintendent Nowlan is the only one who is married.

          Mrs. Cary Cunningham was in Greenville last Monday.

          Howard Tucker departed for Black Betsy, W. Va., last  week.

          Miss Anna Kraft, of Staunton, visited at R. H. Pullen's recently.

          The pay at the mine last Saturday for the previous two weeks was $40,000.

          Dr. Everett made a business trip to St. Louis Sunday evening, returning Monday.

          There was no meeting at the church Sunday, as Rev. Livingston assisted in a meeting at Vandalia.

          Messrs. Tipsword and Pullen went to Sorento Wednesday night of last week to assist in some degree work of the Masonic lodge at that place.

          Arnold Mitzel and Miss Beatrice Slagel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Slagel, of this place, were married in St. Louis last Wednesday.

          The Stars and Stripes Club, composed of girls, gave a ball last Saturday night at Romania's hall, for the benefit of our boys in the service.  a set of cups and saucers, handpainted by Hazel Daech, was raffled, the proceeds going to the fund.

          While on his way to work at the office of the coal mine recently, Ora Johnson stopped to coast with some children. Unfortunately, the sled ran into a ditch and the runner struck his leg with such force that he had to be carried home, and at present he is unable to be out of the house.

          A number of the friends of Mrs. W. W. Mitchell surprised her Friday night by coming in to help her celebrate her birthday.  She was the recipient of a number of useful presents, as well as a cake decorated with 65 candles.  Just why this surplus of candles, your scribe is at a loss to account for, because it is too many for the years she has spent here, and hardly sufficient to represent the moons of her life.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 21, 1917

 

IN THE SERVICE

 

          Earl Micnhimer, a well known Panama boy, was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., and is a member of the 327th Field Artillery, Battery E.  He is the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Tobe Micnhimer of Panama and was married July 10, 1917, to Miss Bessie Vogel, youngest daughter of William Vogel of Panama.  Earl's wife is now living in Louisville, Ky. in order to be with her husband until he is called to France.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 28, 1917

 

BIG KP BALL AT PANAMA

 

          The Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 718, of Panama will give their 4th annual ball on New Years eve, Monday, Dec. 31st, at Romania's Hall in Panama.  Lunch will be served in the hall and a big time is expected.  Ladies will be admitted free and an admission fee of 50 cents will be charged for guests.  A cordial invitation is extended to everyone.

                                                            

                         

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 3, 1918

 

PANAMA

 

          Jack Kolbrener went to St. Louis Sunday.

          School began again last Monday after a weeks vacation.

          Lula Redding, of Coffeen, visited here Saturday and Sunday.

          Ora Johnson, who was injured some time ago, is recovering.

          An infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Craig is very ill with pneumonia.

          Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morgan are the proud parents of a baby boy, born December 29th.

          Bertha Neal, one of our second year high school girls, went to St. Louis Friday morning and was operated on for nasal trouble.  She was accompanied by Dr. Wilcox and her father.

          John Neal and Roy Deshane, who were home from Blackburn University spending the holidays, returned Tuesday.

          The soldier boys who were here during the holidays, were, Tony Ferrari, Jack Toureene, Grover Jarman, Louie Carlock and Earl Micnheimer.

          The ladies of the Maccabees gave a birthday surprise party in honor of Josie Jackson last Thursday night.  A number of the ladies were present, all having a good time.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 4, 1918

 

PANAMA MAN SHOOTS BROTHER

 

          Quincy Ray. 26 years old, a coal miner of Panama, shot his brother, Emery, 34 years old, on New Years day, with a 38 calibre pistol, the bullet lodging in the abdomen, and the unfortunate man is in a serious condition in a St. Louis hospital as a result.

          The shooting took place at the home of the father of the two young men, about two and a half miles from Panama.  It is reported that Quincy, who did the shooting, claims that the shooting was accidental and that he had been drinking and did not realize what he was doing at the time.  There seems to have been no quarrel between the two men and Emery, who was shot, claims they have had no trouble and that he could not believe that the shooting was anything but an accident. Quincy has not been arrested, up to date.

          The shooting took place Tuesday morning, and Emery was taken to his home, about a half mile from his mother's.  He is married and has three children.  Wednesday morning his physician removed the bullet from the abdomen, and he was rushed to the Missouri Baptist sanitarium in St. Louis. Hopes for his recovery are entertained.

                           

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 15, 1918

 

GRISHAM IS SNOWBOUND

 

          Grisham township was covered so deeply by the snow Friday that there has been no telephonic communication with Panama for three days, and no passenger train service into Donnellson from Friday until today, Monday.

          Snowdrifts 12 feet deep cover the Cloverleaf lines near Donnellson and two Cloverleaf engines were stalled all day Friday and Saturday, 3 miles north of Donnellson, near the Commodore Stephens farm.  Saturday night a C. B. & Q. engine was borrowed at Sorento, which ran out and pulled them back into Sorento.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 18, 1918

 

A COAL FALL GETS HIM

 

          E. M. Jones of Panama, 33 years old and married, was caught by a fall of coal from the face of the room in the Panama mine Wednesday, and he is now in a St. Louis hospital as a result, suffering from a broken kneecap and one bruise, which begins at his crown and has no end at all, but he is thankful to be alive.  He has been employed at the Panama mine as machine man for about three weeks.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 28, 1918

 

MAN HURT IN MINE IS IN WRECK NEXT

 

          Although E. M. Jones, of Panama, after being injured in a mine accident, was shaken up in a wreck on the way to the hospital, he is reported as getting along fine, after his strenuous experiences.

          Dr. I. O. Wilcox of Panama, and two members of the Panama Miners' Union, A. H. West and Ben Allen, took Mr. Jones over the Clover Leaf on a train which was wrecked at Alhambra.  The engine was derailed.  The Panama men were in the baggage car.  The engine overturned, but fortunately, the baggage car and the other coaches remained on the track and there was no harm done except the long delay.  They did not arrive in St. Louis until 10 o'clock the next morning.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 31, 1918

 

PANAMA

 

          The water supply is getting very low and water is being hauled.

          Rev. Robertson, the district elder, is expected to be here Tuesday night.

          We expect to have a band in the near future, as Mr. Bell is organizing one.

          Rev. Tucker of Mulberry Grove and Rev. Livingstone exchanged pulpits Sunday.

          There is to be a basketball game here between Donnellson and Panama Tuesday night.

          The Elm Leaf camp of the Royal Neighbors initiated a large class last Saturday night.

          Leon Scheller, son of Mrs. Otto Scheller, a former resident, visited his friends here Saturday and Sunday.

          The ladies of the Maccabees are carrying on an exciting contest.  The object of the contest is to gain members.

          All trains are very late, in fact, so late that our school teachers almost failed to get here in time for school.

          Some time ago, it was rumored that one of our teachers was married and now there is more interest by the same rumor being spread about another teacher.

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 1, 1918

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

Tuesday, the case of the People vs. Matt Barbarich, indicted for furnishing a prisoner in the county jail with red liquor was called for trial but Matt didn't show up and the State's Attorney couldn't locate him.  His home was supposed to be in Panama, but no one there seemed to know him or know of his whereabouts.  It was finally stated that Matt Barbarich is dead.  The defendant brought a couple of quart cans of "fruit" up from Panama and tried to get passed into the bunch of Panama bootleggers who were in jail about a year ago. Eddie Marshal, the turnkey, having a highly developed sense of smell, put his bloodhound proboscis to the cans and scented booze.  He opened the cans and found them full of the best quality of Panama weasel juice!  If Matt is dead, he is gone to that land where the anti saloon agitators have an occasion to ply their meddlesome vocation and where grand juries are not needed   besides he is not within the jurisdiction of this court.

 

 

 

 

THE SHERIFF WANTS TO SEE THEM

 

          The local board of exemptions has completed the list of  men who did not return their questionnaires, and who, up to date, have not given any reason as to why they have failed to do so.  They are now put on a list of delinquents and the sheriff will find out where they are and bring them in before the board.

 

          Panama:

          Tennistola Neccolai

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, MONDAY, FEB. 4TH

 

          Panama:

          Alexander Bennett

          Dallas T. Harrell

          Clarence V. O'Neal

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 4, 1918

 

MEETS DEATH IN THE PANAMA MINE.

 

          In an attempt to throw a switch in the Panama mine last night, Harry F. Boeckstiegel was crushed under the wheels of his motor and was instantly killed.  Mr. Boeckstiegel lives at Reno and walks back and forth to Panama, where he is employed on the night shift in the mine.

          News of the accident was brought to Reno this morning by Torrence Ray, another Reno boy who is employed in the Panama mine.  Mr. Boeckstiegel's wife and two small children reside here.

          The family moved here from St. Louis about three years ago and Mr. Boeckstiegel was employed by J. A. Strain on his farm near this place until last fall when he moved into Reno and began work in the Panama mine.  His parents reside in St. Louis.

          The deceased was on the list of Bond county registered men and his order number was 11.  He was examined the very first day examinations were held in this city last August and failed to pass.  Under the questionnaire system he was later classified in 4 A.

          Mr. Boeckstiegel was aged about 25 years.  About 4 years ago, he was united in marriage to a Miss Wittje of New Douglas, and two children were born to them, the eldest being aged about three years and the younger only six months.

          The inquest was held this morning at Panama by the coroner of Montgomery county and the body was expected at Reno about noon today.  George Weber notified the young man's parents in St. Louis this morning but no arrangements for the funeral have as yet been made.

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 5, 1918

 

CONTINUED CLASSIFICATION OF REGISTERED MEN FROM PANAMA

 

          CLASS ONE

          John T. Popovich

 

          CLASS FOUR

          Arthur W. Compton

          Louis C. Carlile

          Charlie Viviano

          John Slabon

          Robert Timpany

          Edgar A. Varner

          Charles H. Pullen

          Joseph Boskowski

          CLASS FIVE (enemy aliens)

          Joe Langros

          George Schaufhauser

          Mike Santrac

 

          CLASS FIVE (physically or mentally unfit)

          Gusepto Panier

                                                            

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 8, 1918

 

BARLOW FUNERAL SERVICES

 

          The funeral services of James Barlow, a well known farmer living near Sorento, took place Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock from the residence.  Interment was made in Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

          Mr. Barlow was 71 years of age and died Saturday from pneumonia and Bright's disease.  He leaves his wife and two daughters, namely, Mrs. Harold Miller of Staunton and Mrs. William Pope of Panama.

 

CONTINUE CLASSIFICATION OF REGISTERED MEN

 

          Class 1 (Single men without dependents)

          Oscar D. O'Neal

          Frank Marcolini

          Florian Frey

          Pete Calufetti

 

          Class 3 (Man with dependent children, not his own)

          Ralph E. McReaken

 

          Class 4 (Men with dependent wife and/or children.)

          William Traina

          Witold Jusadowicz

          Harry Knott

          Arley Helfer

          John Brown

          Albert V. Smith

          Louis B. Miller

          James Lettsome

 

          Class 5 (Alien enemy)

          Matt Ogolian

          John Morak

          Class 5 (resident alien, not an enemy)

          Ugo Perfetti

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 11, 1918

 

LAST CONTINGENT OF FIRST QUOTA TO CAMP FEB. 23rd

 

          From Panama: Jesse Smith Porter.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 12, 1918

 

FOOD CONDITIONS IN HOLLAND

 

          We are greatly indebted to Henry Hoekstra, cashier of the Panama bank, for a card which is being issued by the government of Holland, of which country Mr. Hoekstra is a native.

          Mr. Hoekstra also writes us a very interesting letter which we publish herewith and which shows the conditions that exist in Holland.

 

Editor News:

          You have often asked me if I had any news from across the sea.  I have been fortunate of late, in having several letters from my mother and other relatives, and in every letter they are telling about the high cost of living. Everything in the line of foodstuff and fuel is controlled by the government, and to be obtained only upon cards.  Enclosed you will find a card which I received from a brother who is in charge of the distribution of cards in the county where he is holding an office something like our county clerk.  This card, as you can see, has coupons on the edge which are perforated.  At first a card was good for one week, but since the supply of wheat has been restricted by the allies, the week has been stretched to eleven days.  When all the coupons have been torn away, the center of the card is good for a small amount of tea or coffee.  The whole card is good for  2800 grams of bread per person, every person can obtain 4 cards for 4 weeks (now 44 days).  At the beginning of this bread coupon system, people did not always call for all the cards they were entitled to and the enclosed card was one of those that had not been called for.

          Prices of foodstuff are very high.  For instance, creamery butter sells for 1.75 francs per kilogram, or about 70 cents in U.S. money, but of course people are making in proportion smaller wages in our money.  Eggs are selling at 18 cents each, milk at 15 cents a liter, which is about a quart.  Light and fuel are equally hard to get, gas in my hometown sell for 70 cents per cubic meter, and for a long time people were not allowed to burn more than one light at a time and even had to do without gaslight for a while. Candles sell at 50 cents per half dozen and coal oil is limited to one liter to each buyer.  It is almost impossible to obtain and then only for persons not having gas in their houses.  The distribution of cokes, coal and other fuel is regulated according to the number of heating places in each house, and then only to be had upon presentation of more cards and coupons, for prices set by the government.  The sizes and weights of bread are all regulated by law, as are all other prices of foodstuff, so wartime profiting on the public has been prevented by the government and trespassing of all the rules and regulations are punished with heavy fines and jail sentences.  While before the war, a letter would make the trip in ten days, it takes all of a month nowadays and of course every letter has been opened by the censor.

          Hoping that the little view of conditions in a country that is trying hard to stay out of the war will be some help to you to write up a little news.

 

I remain yours,

Henry Hoekstra

 

BOARD COMPLETES CLASSIFICATIONS

 

          CLASS 1

          John Frigo

          John McDole (married since May 17, 1917)

 

          Class 4

          Roy T. Fike                        Fay A. Lyons

          Oscar H. White                   Jacometti Dante

          Thomas Savage                  Arthur Cunningham

 

          Class 5 (enemy alien)

          Anton Chrobok

          Paul Komas

         

          Class 5 (resident alien, not an enemy)

          Bazilio Piazzo, Robert Petruciana, Peter Savgni

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 14, 1918

 

PANAMA

 

Fred Cook of Oldorado, is visiting at Lon Neal's.

Miss Rose Fenoglia, of Taluca, is visiting friends here.

The Maccabees are planning to give a dance Feb. 14.

Marie Hawk, of Sorento, visited Eura McCracken, Sunday.

          The Stars and Stripes Club held a meeting Sunday afternoon to arrange something for the soldiers.

          The Maccabees held a meeting last Thursday night and initiated a large class.  A lunch consisting of fruit salad, cake and coffee was served.

          Miss Daisy Manuell, the third room teacher, returned Monday after a three weeks' absence.  She has been in Missouri visiting her soldier brother and others.  Miss Hazel Daech taught her room last week.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 15, 1918

 

MEN CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FEB. 18

 

          Louis B. Coyle

          Reman Compton

                                                            

Montgomery News

Feb. 19, 1918

 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RESULTS

 

Accepted:

          Louis B. Coyle

          Reman Compton

 

TIN LIZZIE FOUND AT PANAMA

 

          A Ford automobile which was stolen at West Frankfort last December was recovered at Panama Friday by the owner. The car is now owned by Thomas Coquatto, who bought it from parties representing themselves to be from Witt and giving assumed names, it is alleged.  Deputy Sheriff William Woods of Donnellson, went to Witt in quest of persons selling the car, but there was no information to be gained from the names given Coquatto.

          The latter says he paid cash for the car and does not feel like giving it up without something in return.  At the same time, Granger says it is his car.  The only man who is ahead is the fellow who sold Coquatto the car.  According to the bible he won't be ahead very long. Greenville Advocate

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 22, 1918

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          Joseph Rapelli

          Anton Blatnik

          Peter Kosek

          Peter Ceretto

          John F. Varner

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 26, 1918

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

          Steve Rosina

          John T. Papovich

          Mike Faletti

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 28, 1918

 

PANAMA

 

          Hazel Daech visited her brother at Edwardsville, last week.

          Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hoekstra are the proud parents of a baby boy.

          The Maccabee lodge is going to send a sum of $10 to the Y.M.C.A.

          Mabel and Willie Caulk visited their sister at Edwardsville Sunday.

          Mrs. Richardson, of Alton, has been here leading the singing at the meetings.

          Congressman W. A. Rodenberg sent us a collection of flower seed to be distributed in our school.

          Miss Manuell is suffering from a serious case of vaccination and was unable to teach her room Monday.

          Our school has organized an Audubon Society of about seventy five members, for the study of the American birds.

          Joe Gnavi, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gnavi, was badly burned while playing near the mine Saturday.  He came into contact with a live wire.

          The red and blue contest carried on by the ladies of the Maccabees, closed by a tie Thursday night.  A banquet is to be given next Thursday night.  They initiated a class of seven.

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 1, 1918

 

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

Accepted:

          Peter Ceretto

          John F. Varner

          Peter Kosek

 

Rejected:

          Anton Blatnik

 

CALLED FOR EXAMINATION

 

          Ernie F. Vogel

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 4, 1918

 

CHILD IS BURNED BY AN ELECTRIC WIRE

 

          Joe Gnavi, aged 12, child of Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Gnavi, of Panama, came in contact with a high tension wire of the electric line from Hillsboro to the Panama mine while playing near the mine Saturday afternoon and was rendered unconscious by the heavy voltage.  His hands and face and left shoulder were badly burned and he was taken to a hospital in St. Louis, where he is expected to recover although his case is serious.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 5, 1918

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

          John McDole Jr.

          John Frigo

          Frank Marcolini

          Florian Frey

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 7, 1918

 

ATTEMPT IS MADE TO BURN CHURCH

 

          An attempt to burn the Methodist Episcopal church at Panama, where a Successful revival meeting is in progress, was frustrated between 10:30 and 11 o'clock Sunday night, when Louie Tinor, a resident living near the church, discovered the fire in its inception, and with aid, put it  out, says the Hillsboro Journal.

          There is little doubt but that the fire was of incendiary origin, but the authorities are absolutely in the dark as to who the incendiarist may have been.  The fire was started at the top of a wooden door to the basement at the back of the church and at the front of the weatherboarding. It evidently had been started about an hour after church had been dismissed and was gaining fast when first discovered.

          Parts of the building in the vicinity of the fire had been saturated with oil, and it is thought that rags must have been used to start the fire.  The material for this purpose evidently had been piled at the top of the basement door, which is a reclining door.  When discovered, the weatherboarding had burned through at the bottom and was charred for a distance of ten or fifteen feet up the end of the building.

          Mr. Cinor is proprietor of the co operative store at Panama.  He discovered the fire sometime after 10:30 o'clock and summoned aid and with buckets they extinguished the fire. The people of Panama are wrought up over the affair and are absolutely at sea as to who the culprit is.  A very successful revival has been in progress at the church, the only church in the village, and the theory is that this may have incurred the enmity of someone, but there are no evidences to support this theory.  Rev. S. A. Livingston, of Sorento, is conducting the revival.  In so far as is known, the church had no enemies.

          The miner's union at Panama passed resolutions denouncing the attempt to burn the church.

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 8, 1918

 

CALLED FOR EXAMINATION

 

          Oscar O'Neil

 

RESOLUTIONS OF PANAMA LOCAL

 

Panama, Ill., March 4th, 1918

          We, the officers and members of Local Union No. 1475 of Panama, Ill., met in regular session on March 4, 1918, and by a unanimous vote of all members present, adopted the following resolutions:

          Whereas, it has come to our notice that an attempt has been made by some very vile miscreants, to burn down the M. E. church on the night of March 2, 1918, and whereas we believe that we have some people living in our midst, who don't fear God, the devil or the government and whose ambition it is to embarrass the government in its attempt to bring the war to a successful close, therefore, be it resolved, by the members of this local union that we denounce the actions of such party or parties and that we use every  means at our disposal in trying to locate the person or persons who set fire to the M. E. church of our village, and be it further resolved, that we hereby pronounce him or them to be the most vile miscreants that could live among a liberty loving people and that we will in every manner possible, attempt to locate and prosecute the guilty party or parties and will endeavor to see that the proper punishment for the crime is meted out.

 

Signed: Resolutions committee:

           Ben H. Allen, President Local Union

           William McDonnell, Recording Secretary

           Angelo Cordini, Financial Secretary

           Peter Smith, Treasurer

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 12, 1918

 

DONNELLSON

 

          The Donnellson high school boys will play basketball with the Panama basketball team at Panama Friday evening.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 14, 1918

 

FIRE MARSHAL AFTER PANAMA FIRE BUG

 

          Deputy State Fire Marshal Holland has been in Panama investigating the attempt to burn the M. E. church.  The culprit left no clue which would lead to his identity.  A revival meeting was in progress at the church and the theory is that the success of the meeting incurred the enmity of some Bolsheviki fellow and he set fire to the weatherboarding.  Louis Cinor, who lived nearby, discovered the blaze and gave the alarm.  Panama is very much worked up over the affair.  The church is the only one in the village.

 

PANAMA

 

          Miss Leota Lefft visited here Sunday.

          Our town marshal, William Vogel has resigned.

          Mrs. Grabruck is visiting friends in Staunton.

          The Shoal Creek Furniture Company opened for business Monday morning.

          Miss Rose Fonoglia left here Sunday morning for Kinkaid, where she is employed.

          Rev. S. A. Livingston, who has been staying here during the meetings, intends to go back to Sorento soon.  He was called to Louisville, Ill., Saturday, to conduct a funeral service.

          The Stars and Stripes club held a meeting Sunday afternoon.  They are planning to give the play, "A Daughter of the Desert."

          The revival meeting at the M. E. church closed Sunday night.  The meetings were very successful, there being several conversions.

          Children's services were held in the M. E. church Saturday night.  A nice program was given.  Mrs. S. A. Livingston and Miss Mabel Nowlan had charge of the meeting.

          A double header basketball game was played here Friday night.  In the game between Donnellson and Sorento, the former won.  Sorento won in the game with Panama.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 15, 1918

 

I.W.W. AT PANAMA

 

          It is reported that one day last week two of the mine officials at Panama received letters threatening to blow up the mine there unless work in it was suspended and the mine deserted within thirty days.  The letter was signed, "The I.W.W."  Efforts are being made to find the guilty parties. A special Miner's Union meeting was held and a movement was set on foot to discover who sent the letters.  It is said that six men are suspected and they are being watched closely.

          A week ago last Sunday an attempt was made to burn the Methodist church, the only church in town, and the Miner's Union have offered a reward for the apprehension of the incendiaries, but all efforts to discover who they are, have, so far, proved unavailing.

                                                            

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 18, 1918

 

PANAMA MAN IS SEEKING PARDON

 

          Selmon Abbott, who was convicted at the March 1913 term of circuit court at Edwardsville for the killing of Emil Rawie of Livingston and sentenced to the penitentiary, is preparing to file a petition with the State Board of Pardons, asking his freedom.

          On the night of the killing, Abbott had driven from Panama to Livingston to see Mrs. Abbott from whom he was seperated.  She was operating a bus service between Staunton and neighboring places.  In the vicinity of Livingston he met Mrs. Abbott and Rawie.  Abbott claimed Rawie was in the act of drawing a revolver when he fired.  Rawie died instantly. A second revolver was found near Rawie's body, but the ownership was never established.

          Abbott says in a letter to the Edwardsville Intelligencer that he wants to get out so he can go to France and defend his country.  He says; "We must wake up and get our shoulders to the wheel and make it turn as never before. Every man is needed."

          Abbott proved a good shot in 1913 and he might be able to be the fellow to get the kaiser.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 19, 1918

 

APPEALS RETURNED

 

          The local board has received several claims from the district board in regard to classifications and claims.

          Howard Lewis of Panama, an assistant manager of necessary industrial enterprise, is in class 3L.

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          Pete Calufetti

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 22, 1918

 

DOMENICO GIANIA AN ANARCHIST ARRESTED

 

          On Tuesday morning of this week, at 6 o'clock, Ben Allen, a mine examiner employed by the Panama coal mine, discovered a sack placed at the bottom of the air shaft in the mine and in the sack were 25 sticks of dynamite and a box of caps used to explode dynamite.

          Attached to the sack was a fuse 50 feet long and on the end of the fuse which entered the sack was a detonating cap. The fuse had been lighted but it had gone out after burning several feet.  The fact that it failed to burn and set off the charge of dynamite was due to a fault in the fuse.

          The investigation which led to the discovery of the dynamite, was made after the suspicions of Ben Allen were aroused when he saw three men run away from the mouth of the air shaft and who disappeared in the underbrush not far distant.  He then secured assistance and went down the air shaft and found the dynamite.

          As soon as the discovery was made, the police of Panama were notified and the work at the mine was suspended.  The police then arrested six Italians whose actions of late had been arousing suspicion and among the number is one who is considered the most dangerous anarchist ever captured in this county and there is little doubt in the minds of everyone but that this man, who goes by the name of Domenico Yania or Gania, is the man who attempted not only to destroy the Panama mine, but who also expected to kill all or a part of  the 200 men who were at work in the mine at the time the dynamite was placed and the fuse lighted.

          After the arrest of Domenico, the room where he boarded in Panama was searched and in it was found a number of letters which he had written, evidently to fellow anarchists and I.W.W. members but had either never mailed the letters or had kept copies of what he wrote and sent away.  Besides these letters, the police also found a number of anarchist books, I.W.W. literature, socialist literature and a great deal of printed matter, all of it printed in Italian and all of it being attacks on government and laws of all kind. Among other things was a list of anarchists, I.W.W.'s and socialists residing in California, Buenos Aires, Argentina, New Jersey, Mexico and Colorado.  In fact, everything found in the possession of Gania indicates that he belongs to the most dangerous organizations in existence today and which threatens to destroy not only this government but every other government of the world.

          There is no doubt in the minds of every thinking man that such men as Gania are a part of the German propaganda now being carried on in this country, a propaganda of destruction of industries, a propaganda of frightfulness, of strikes, arson and fear that will force the United States to keep a large army of men here at home to preserve our government and to protect our industries.

          When Giania was arrested, the five other Italians arrested at the same time were as follows:

          Joe Bidovin, 37 years old, married.  Came from Italy in 1905, is not naturalized and has never applied for his first papers.  In his trunk was found a lot of I.W.W. literature.

          Pete Poletti, aged 35, married and has five children. Lived at Panama five months.  He boarded Giania and slept with him.  He too had a large collection of I.W.W. and anarchistic literature in his possession.

          Armando Granotti, aged 21, single, lived at Panama four months, did not work on March 18th or 19th.  Said he did not like the Panama mine and demanded his pay on the morning the dynamite was found.  In his possession was found socialist literature published at Providence, Rhode Island which he says he sent for two months ago.  He admits being a rank socialist but denies he is an I.W.W.  Like all rank socialists, and most of them are rank, it is hard to discriminate between them and the I.W.W.

          Battisto Malingoni had been in Panama two years and had a lot of Anarchistic and I.W.W. literature in his possession but he could not be connected with the attempted destruction of the mine and the willful murder of his fellow workers.

          John Capa, unmarried, lived in Panama 4 months.  Had lived 6 months previously at Staunton and in the United States 8 years.  He is not naturalized and had a fine collection of I.W.W. and socialistic literature.  He claims he bought some of the stuff from a cripple and sent for some of it and found the balance in an empty house.

          These men were all released from custody but a careful  watch will be kept on them as well as on quite a number of other anarchists who live at Panama and who are known to belong to an organization of anarchists which has been holding regular meetings at Panama on the first and third Thursdays of each month.  A member of this organization recently took the red flag of the anarchists to a dance at Panama and it was taken out and burned by the loyal miners who are trying to eliminate this lawless element from the United Mine Workers Union.

          To show the dangerous character of these men, we cite the following incident that happened there this week.  The officers asked for a bright young Italian to translate some of the letters found to see if they were of an incriminating nature and he did so willingly.  Before the day had passed, however, he was approached by some of the I.W.W. element there and told that if he didn't quit translating for the police he would get his head caved in.

          A few days ago, General Pershing said in an interview in France, "We will go over the top and take care of things here if you people in the United States will take care of the German propaganda at home."

          Few people in the United States had any conception of the deep meaning which his words carried with them, as only a few people realize that we are standing on the brink of hell and that we have all around us, men who have little more intelligence than wild animals and who are enemies to all kinds of government, laws, customs and religions.

          This condition does not prevail alone in Panama but in every other working center and especially in those place where large numbers of foreigners are employed, some of them being criminals who were forced to leave their native land because of their anarchistic ideas.  Most of these men are good citizens if led by the right kind of men, but when led by men with anarchistic tendencies they become not only a menace to the country and to the industry where they are employed but to themselves and to their fellow workingmen.

          On Monday night the miner's union of Panama met and expelled one of its members who was known to be an anarchist and an I.W.W. and a socialist.  This was the first move made by this order to clean house, but it probably will not be the last one, as the miners there realize now more than ever before that in permitting these radicals to remain in their organization, they are inviting death and the destruction of the business enterprise which furnishes them with employment and which is helping today to make the world safe for democracy and save us from the conditions which exist today in Russia.

          When the discovery of the dynamite was made Tuesday, the St. Elmo bloodhounds were sent for and they took up the trail at the airshaft of the mine and followed it to the calaboose where Domenico Giania was locked in a cell.  The hounds then went to a hall which had been broken into on the previous night and they then went to the home of Giania.

          Owing to the threats made to lynch Domenico, he was brought to the county jail where he is now being held for the federal authorities and it is to be hoped that more of an effort will be made to prosecute him than was made to prosecute other alleged anarchists recently arrested in this county.

          The prisoner was registered at Hillsboro on June 23rd, his name being given as Dominick Yanak; he claimed exemption from military service because of being a foreigner.

          It is unfair to many of our Italian citizens to call him an Italian as he does not represent the Italian race by any means, anymore than some of the agitators who were recently compelled to leave Hillsboro, represent the citizens of the United States.  Italy, like every other country, has her share of criminals and anarchists and many of this element has emigrated here in search of employment and freedom for lawlessness and they are a discredit to the Italians who came here to make their homes, to become citizens of the United States, to make their fortunes and to raise children who would be a credit to any nationality and to any country.

          The prisoner now in the county jail, wore at one time, one of the long black ties worn by the anarchists of France and southern Italy and when asked why he wore it, he said he was in mourning because of the death of his parents.  After his arrest he told his family history and said his parents were living.  When informed that he had lied previously in saying his parents were dead, he responded glibly, "Me say my cousin was dead."

          When confronted with the letters he had written and signed, he responded, "Me copy them from book."  Then when questioned as to which book he took them from, he looked over his pile of anarchistic books and said, "No, me just write to myself."  He of course denied all connection with the attempted wrecking of the mine and murder of his fellow workmen.  Some of the letters written by the prisoner were as follows:

          In one letter asks dear friend to send him a hunting knife on page 10 of catalogue, which cost $1.25.  This knife was evidently sent to him as a beautiful stiletto with a blade as sharp as that of a razor, was found in his suitcase, and this suitcase was apparently packed and ready for sudden leave taking.

 

          Another reads as follows:

 

          Everything for life propaganda. I.W.W. anarchist.

          Panama, February 8th

 

          Dear friends:

          Inasmuch as the articles have been found out, or known, about the anarchists, there is a cap, which must be hidden.  There are lots of miserable good for nothings who know the names and maybe they will be found out.  We will have to be on the lookout good for these traitors  and spies.  If we don't look out we won't live very long.  We certainly will have to keep our eyes open.  I am like a hare that is being hunted.  If the day comes that we are caught we will await the day to come for our revenge, which will be the sequel.  I am not going to bother myself finding out things.  The social revolution is coming for all the working classes.

          Signed, A Member of Our Band,

          Jania, Domenico

 

          There are a number of other letters but it is impossible for us to give a translation of them as they are poorly written and refer to things about which there is evidently a mutual understanding.  In one letter he refers to the fact that he is in the grasp of enemies and must get away after he has accomplished his work.  In all of his letters he refers to the anarchistic work and to the great day of the revolution.  This is exactly the same line of talk put by some of our leading socialists a few weeks ago.

          Among the pile of books found in the possession of the prisoner is one dealing with the "War Upon War," another deals with the end of the penal code, or the abolishment of laws, another is a list of the big events that have transpired where social revolutionists were concerned, another is a book on "Socrologia Anarchia" of which he has the 8th volume.

 

WILL WORK IN PANAMA MINE

 

          Rev. S. A. Livingstone, pastor of the Sorento M. E. church, has accepted a position in the Panama coal mine at $5 a day, and will work 30 days.  He will give $75 of his wages to repair the damage done to the Panama church by fire recently and $75 to the Sorento church for the new basement and furnace.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 26, 1918

 

A LOYALTY PLEDGE AT PANAMA

 

          The main street at Panama has an addition which appeared the day after the I. W. W. trouble.  The Loyalty League in Panama put a table in a public place on Main street which holds a pledge committing the signers to support the flag, the government, its war policy and condemning all acts which seek to destroy property.

          Signers were ready and waiting and there are more than 500 names affixed to the pledge already.

 

PANAMA MINERS TO GIVE LARGE SUM TO WAR ORGANIZATIONS

 

          At the Monday night meeting of local No. 1475, U. M. W.  of A., the miner's union at Panama, the members voted to give one percent of their wages for two months for war funds.  The amount will be divided among the Red Cross, which will receive one fourth, the Y. M. C. A., to which one fourth goes, and the other half will be sent directly to the soldier boys.

          The money will be taken from four pays, and the one percent voted to be given, will amount to between $1000 and $1500.  The miners of Panama, by this unsolicited gift to the organizations which further the comfort and care of the boys in the service, shows that their hearts are in the right place and that they are governed by sentiments of patriotism and loyalty of a very high order.

          Their action stands out all the more conspicuously as it comes after two alleged attempts at sabotage on the part of I. W. W.'s whose presence in Panama is deplored by the right minded and patriotic citizens of the town and whose presence in the union was not tolerated, the members having forcibly invited one suspicious character to leave the union.

          An attempt to fire the M. E. church in Panama recently, was followed by the discovery of enough dynamite at the mine air shaft, to blow the works into Berlin and the residents of Panama immediately got busy and started on the trail of anything in the town that even remotely resembles an I. W. W., and a systematic effort to send all such packing, is now under way.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 28, 1918

 

PANAMA

 

          Mabel Caulk visited in Edwardsville Friday.

          Oscar McKean and family visited relatives near Sorento Sunday.

          Miss Opal Griffith spent Sunday with Mrs. Arch Lewey in Coffeen.

          An Easter program will be given at the church next Sunday morning.

          A basketball game was played here Friday night between Reno and Donnellson.  The score was 17   22 in favor of Donnellson.

          The Sorento Home Talent gave a play Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, but owing to the time being unfavorable, it was not as well attended as might have been expected.

          A program was given at William's Opera House Friday night.  It was well attended and the proceeds, which were $25, will be used to complete the basement of the church. The program was: Song by primary children, trained by Miss Mabel Nowlan; a lecture, "The Power of a Laugh," by Rev. S. A. Livingston; song by Miss Blanche Traylor; song by three boys, trained by Miss Opal Griffith; song by Triber twins; reading by Miss Mabel Nowlan; reading by Miss Blanche Traylor; pantomime, "The Star Spangled Banner," by Miss Dunn.  Music was furnished by Orendo Mitchell, Willie Revelli, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Toureene and James Wondrak.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 29, 1918

 

REPORT FROM MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

 

          Accepted as physically fit for military service:

          Ernie Vogel

 

MULE KICKS DRIVER UNDER CARS

 

          Finis Bishop was injured in the Panama mine Wednesday morning and he is now in a St. Louis hospital in a badly mangled condition with a crushed chest and broken leg bones.

          He was driving when the mule kicked him off the "tail chain", the chain which connects the mule to the car, and he fell under the "trip", several loaded cars passing over his body.

          He is of draft age , about 27, and is married with a family.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 1, 1918

 

PANAMA ANARCHIST MAY BE RELEASED

 

          Dominick Yamak, the dago suspected of having attempted to blow up the Panama coal mine several weeks ago, will likely be released from the Hillsboro jail within a few days, says the Hillsboro Journal of last Friday.  This is the impression of State's Attorney J. Earl Major, who, with Attorney L. V. Hill, laid the case of Yamak before District Attorney E. C. Knotts in Springfield Monday.  Yamak was captured with several other men at Panama, after an infernal machine had been discovered at the foot of the air shaft in the mine early one morning.  Bloodhounds from St. Elmo hot  footed it to Dominick's domicile.

          Other things pointed to Yamak's guilt, and State's Attorney Major, of Montgomery county, has woven a strong web of circumstantial evidence about him.  Unless he can unearth more incriminating evidence against him in the investigation now being conducted in Panama, there will be no other course but to release the dangerous man now in custody, as the federal law is not strong enough to hold him.

          This is not the fault of the officers, but simply that the law is not strong enough on this point.  The dangerous element among this class of people is smart enough to know just how far to go and when to stop.  For instance, Attorney Knotts pointed out to the Hillsboro officials that Yamak could not be prosecuted for having I.W.W. and anarchistic  literature in his possession, but if there were any evidence that he had circulated this matter through the mails, then the case could be made against him.

          It is safe to say, however, that when Bolsheviki Yamak is released from the Hillsboro jail, the course he will take will not be in the direction of Panama, and he will be no respecter of speed laws in his flight.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 2, 1918

 

MARRIAGE LICENSE

 

Camby Clay Compton, Panama, age 40

Hester Hancock, Panama, age 35

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 4, 1818

 

COMPTON   HANCOCK

 

          Mrs. Hester Hancock and Camby Clay Compton, both of Panama, were married in Hillsboro last Sunday.  The bride is a daughter of Charles Jones, of Panama.

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 5, 1918

 

TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS

 

          Election of township officers was held Tuesday over the county, a light vote being cast in most places and very little enthusiasm shown except where the question of "wet" and "dry" was up, in South Litchfield, and Grisham townships.

          In Grisham township the wets were victorious by a majority of 115 and Panama will be one of the wet spots of the county.  The question was voted on two years ago and the drys won by a majority of 7, which would indicate that the temperance population in Grisham was caught napping, or else that the wet portion exerted extra effort this year.

          The ticket elected in Grisham was G. E. DeShane, town clerk; W. W. Root, highway commissioner; Z. T. Kessinger, assessor; Harry Tankersley, justice of the peace; William Boskamp, constable, all of them being republicans.

 

MINER HAS MASHED HAND

 

          H. A. West has a crushed hand as a result of an accident while at his work Wednesday in the Panama mine when two cars came together and jammed his hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 9, 1918

 

PASSED AS MINE EXAMINERS, ETC.

 

          Thomas Savage of Panama passed the state mine examination at Springfield last week, as being qualified for mine examiner.  Robert Timpany of Panama passed as mine manager and Earl Vogel of Sorento passed the examination as hoisting engineer.

 

PANAMA PATRIOTIC

 

          At Panama Saturday, half of their quota of $4000 for Liberty bonds was subscribed and salesmen had, as yet, made no particular effort to sell bonds, since the real drive began Monday.  Panama is on the map for patriotic work and she intends to "bust" through the German lines this week by over subscribing her quota.

                                                             

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 15, 1918

 

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP PANAMA MINE

 

          The second act in the I.W.W. threats against the Panama mine was staged Thursday night when the mine fan house was dynamited about 11:45 o'clock and damage to the amount of $400 was done.  A telephone message to the Advocate Friday Afternoon stated that the explosive was placed on the east side of the 12 by 15 one story brick building and that the explosion blew the walls inward.  The building protects the fan that forces air down the air shaft.

          Some men were working in the mine and on top of the ground but no one was near that particular place when the explosion occurred.  No hoisting is done at night.  A watchman had left the building only about twenty minutes before the blast.  The explosion awoke the entire town of Panama and several people gathered at the mine immediately after it occurred.

          C. L. Knatzer and his bloodhounds of St. Elmo, went to Panama early Friday morning and took a trail to Sorento where it was lost at the C.B.& Q. tracks where it is supposed the culprit or culprits caught a northbound coal drag.  Sorento residents claim they saw some suspicious characters hanging around the station that night.

          Work at the mine was abandoned on Friday while the damage was being repaired.  The miners are becoming worried over so many attempts at their lives but the majority claim they will return to work.

          Several weeks ago threatening letters were received by the mine managers, signed by the I.W.W.s, and saying that unless the mine was vacated within thirty days it would be  blown up.  No attention was paid to the threats but a few days later an extinguished fuse leading to a sack of dynamite was found at the bottom of the air shaft.  Had the explosion occurred at this time many lives would have been lost but fortunately the fuse had gone out.

          An Italian miner, Dominek Yamak, known as "Black Dominek" was arrested when the bloodhounds took a trail to his door and a lot of I.W.W. literature was found in his rooms.  Yamak was held in the Hillsboro jail several days but for lack of incriminating evidence was released on the recommendation of the United States District Attorney.  He returned to Panama where he remained several days and was last seen there it is said some time Tuesday.  He has not been seen since the explosion Tuesday night, it is said.  Of course, no one could be found who knows who the guilty party or parties are.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 16, 1918

 

MARRIED AT DONNELLSON

 

          Squire L. H. Tankersley of Donnellson officiated Saturday night at the wedding of John McDole, a Panama miner, and Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas of South Wilmington, Ill.  They will live at Panama.

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

John McDole, Panama, age 47

Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, South Wilmington, Ill., age 42

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 19, 1918

 

VILLAGE AND CITY ELECTIONS

 

Panama

          The straight Labor ticket was elected at Panama, and the new officers will be:

          President, George Lewis

          Trustees, Max Von Brun

                         Ray West

                         P. Viviano

                         Lon Neill

          Clerk, E. A. Murray

          Police Magistrate, R. D. McCoy

 

 

PANAMA COUPLE MARRIED

 

          Ernie F. Vogel and Hazel E. Micnheimer of Panama were married Wednesday morning.  The groom is a coal miner, a son  of William Vogel, and the bride is a daughter of Mathias Micnheimer.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 23, 1918

 

MEN TO BE SENT TO CAMP DIX

 

          The local board of exemptions has completed the list of 75 men to be sent April 30 to Camp Dix, at Wrightstown, N. J.

 

Panama:

          Ben H. Allen

          Alexander Bennett

          Dallas T. Harrell

          Clarence V. O'Neal

          Louis P. Coyle

          Reman Compton

Montgomery News

Apr. 26, 1918

 

BOY DIES INSTANTLY FROM GUNSHOT WOUND

 

          Bruno Nowak, the 9 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nowak of Panama, died instantly Wednesday noon, when a loaded revolver which he was holding was discharged, the bullet entering the center of his forehead.

          He and his brother, Joe, 11 years old, were alone in the house at the north edge of Panama.  The father was at his work in the Panama mine and Mrs. Nowak had gone on an errand downtown.

The older boy, Joe, climbed up on a chair to get some books from the top of the wardrobe and he saw the revolver on top of the books.  It was loaded and put there out of the reach of the children, it was supposed.  Joe Nowak took it down and handed it to his little brother, who attempted to take out the shells.  His hand accidentally came in contact with the trigger and the gun was discharged, killing Bruno instantly.

An inquest was held Thursday night.

          There are several children in the Nowak family besides the two boys.

          The funeral services will take place this Friday afternoon and interment will be made in the Panama cemetery.

 

MARRIED IN ST. LOUIS

 

          John Frigo and Miss Margaret Kish were united in marriage at St. Louis on Monday of this week.

 

 MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Charles C. White, Panama, age 23

Myrtle F. Compton, Panama, age 16

 

PANAMA COUPLE MARRIED

 

          Charles C. White, a farmer, and Miss Myrtle F. Compton of Panama were married here Thursday morning at 11:00 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Evans in Hillsboro.  The ceremony was performed by Squire Grassel.  Consent to the marriage was given by the bride's father, J. W. Leighton, as the bride was only 16 years of age.

Montgomery News

Apr. 30, 1918

 

PANAMA TREATS HER SOLDIERS RIGHT

 

          Panama will send several soldiers to Camp Dix, N. J., in the contingent which leaves here this morning and they were given a farewell sendoff by the citizens of Panama which shows that the town is proud of her soldier boys and appreciates what they are doing for their country.  The men listed from Panama are Alexander Bennett, Ben Allen, Dallas Harrel, Louis Coyle, Clarence O,Neal and Reman Compton.  All are employed by the Panama coal mine company, Allen and Harrel being office employees.

          On Friday night the bosses at the mine gave the boys a farewell party and presented each one with a souvenir to help them remember the occasion and their business associates.

          A mass meeting, followed by a dance, was given by the people of Panama in honor of the boys, on Monday night, and it was decided that all the automobiles in Panama, which include a half a hundred, should accompany the boys to the train at Hillsboro Tuesday morning if the roads should permit.

 

MORE ALTERNATES CHOSEN

 

          The local board of exemptions made several changes in the list of men to be sent to Camp Dix this Tuesday morning, as Ben Allen of Panama was re -classified and put in class 2C, as a skilled mine worker.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 2, 1918

 

MAKE THIRD ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE MINE

 

          Another attempt was made last Saturday evening to put the Panama mine out of operation.  Sometime between the time  when the day shift left the mine and the time when the night shift went on, someone tore down the airshaft door, which forces air into the mine.

          Up to the present, no clews have been found as to the guilty parties.  The miners did not let the incident interfere with their work and the night shift went to work as usual.

Montgomery News

May 3, 1918

 

A FAREWELL SENDOFF

 

          One of the largest crowds ever, assembled to give the Montgomery county Select Men a farewell ovation at the Big Four depot Tuesday morning.  People came from every part of Montgomery county.  They came in on the trains and many of them came in automobiles, notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads owing to the recent rains.  About 45 autos, all decorated with flags and bunting, came from Panama alone, and a large number came from other towns in the county, all full of cheering, enthusiastic, patriotic people.  At the station there must have been fully 500 automobiles parked around the depot, and on the side streets and down each side of School street.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 7, 1918

 

DR. EVERETT SERIOUSLY SICK

 

          Dr. E. A. Everett of Panama was taken seriously sick Sunday with a bad attack of appendicitis.  He is at his home at present, and it is hoped an operation will not be necessary.

 

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

John Gherardini, Buckner, Ill., age 41

Agnese Perfetti, Panama, age 29

 

George M. Clark, Panama, age 38

Anna Crowder, Panama, age 36

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

May 10, 1918

 

FOR FOURTH OF JULY

 

          The United Mine Workers of Panama are already beginning  to make plans for a 4th of July celebration which they intend to make the biggest patriotic demonstration ever given in Panama.

 

MAY WEDDING

 

          A wedding ceremony which united two natives of Italy was performed Monday morning by county judge McDavid when he "tied" John Gherardini, a miner from Buckner, Ill., and Miss Agnese Perfetti, a daughter of Domenico Perfetti of Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 13, 1918

 

CALLED TO THE COLORS

 

          The following list has been issued by the exemption board but is subject to change.

          From Panama:

          Lester Kautz

          Porter Cruthis

          Lorenzo Nodari

          Cush Deright

 

          Substitute:

          Pete Deright

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

May 14, 1918

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Charles Bills, Panama, age 37

Eva Kessinger, Panama, age 26

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

          Judge Jett held court long enough last Thursday to take the recognizance of Charlie Aballetti of Panama, who was indicted for operating a gambling device.  He gave bond in the sum of $300 with Etore Barbatti as surety.

          Saturday, another session was held and John Williams of Panama, indicted for running a gambling device, gave bond in the sum of $300 with Thomas Coquatto and Mike Faletti as sureties.

          Then Mike Faletti, indicted for the same offense, gave bond in the same amount with John Williams and Thomas Coquatto as sureties.

          It was Thomas Coquatto's turn next, and he gave John Williams and Mike Faletti as his sureties in the same amount, $300.

 

 

Montgomery News

May 14, 1918

 

MEN FOR NEXT CONTINGENT

 

          The following men are on the list, but their positive selection is not yet absolutely assured:

 

          Peter Kosek

          Peter C. Ceretto

          John F. Varner

          Mike Faletti

 

CAUGHT PROFESSIONAL BURGLAR

 

          Two men were arrested at Panama on Thursday morning of this week and the officers feel confident they have caught the pair who burglarized a store at Donnellson two weeks ago, and they are probably the ones who have been entering stores in other towns of the county.

          One of the fellows arrested gave his name as Martin Murray and he carried a razor and four rings.  The other fellow gave his name as Thomas Moore and he carried a small leather pouch which was concealed in the left leg of his pants and being held there with a button.  In this pouch there were a dozen skeleton keys, a file, a pair of flat tweezers and other devices made to pick the lock of any kind of door.

          Moore stated to the officers that he found this burglar's outfit in the stockyards at Champaign.  He is a man fully 50 years of age and looks and acts like a professional criminal.  He was seen hanging around Donnellson for two days before the recent robbery was committed there and he disappeared immediately after the robbery.

          The pair were seen hiding beneath a bridge near Panama, and the city marshal there was notified.  When the two arrived in town looking for a "wet spot" to quench their thirst, they were placed under arrest.  It is believed they have some of their loot hidden out near Panama but it has not yet been found.

          All of the skeleton keys carried by Moore were made from big wire spike nails and were very cleverly executed.  The nails had apparently been heated in a bonfire and flattened until they could be fashioned with a file into skeleton keys with many different combinations for any character of lock.

 

CHURCH WAS OVER THE LINE

 

          Charlie Bills and Miss Eva Kessinger, two prominent residents of Panama, had planned to be married at the church there, Sunday.  Charlie came to Hillsboro, got a license and went back home where he learned that the church was just over the line and in Bond county.  His license could not therefore be used at the church, so the young people were married  Sunday noon at the home of Hugh Ennick, who lives in this county.  They will make their home in Panama where Charlie digs coal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 20, 1918

 

LIST OF MEN IN NEXT TWO CONTINGENTS

 

Men who leave Friday.

          From Panama:

          Lester Kautz

 

Men who leave Saturday.

          From Panama:

          Porter Cruthis

          Lorenzo Nodari

          Cush Deright

          Pete Deright

 

 

Montgomery News

May 21, 1918

 

A CALL FOR MAY 27TH

 

          The board of exemptions has received an order to call 119 men on May 27th, for general military service.  Among them were:

          Peter C. Ceretto

          John F. Varner

          Mike Faletti

          Peter Kosek

 

BASKETS FOR THE NEXT CONTINGENT

 

          The Council of National Defense wish to give the boys of the next contingent a parting gift, and it has been decided to make up a basket of fruit in each township unit, and the baskets will be given to the boys when they leave.

          A chairman in each unit has been appointed by Miss Verna Ault, County Chairman, to receive donations for the baskets. Appointed for Grisham township was Mrs. G. C. Tipsword of Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 27, 1918

 

WILL ARRIVE AT CAMP TODAY

 

          The following men, from Panama, who are supposed to arrive today at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia:

          Porter Cruthis

          Lorenzo Nodari

          Cush Deright

          Pete Deright

 

 

Montgomery News

May 28, 1918

 

CALLED FOR WEDNESDAY

 

          The board of exemptions received orders late Saturday to call 30 men for Wednesday, May 29th, to be sent to Fort Thomas Kentucky.

          From Panama: Ernie F. Vogel.

 

119 MEN LEAVE HILLSBORO FOR MILITARY DUTY

 

          Those from Panama who left in this consignment were:

          Peter C. Ceretto

          John F. Varner

          Mike Faletti

          Peter Kosek

 

TWO AUTO ACCIDENTS

 

          A Ford auto belonging to Andy Tercella ran into a culvert early Sunday morning south of Donnellson and was turned completely over and set on fire while the five passengers were more or less scratched and bruised and Mr. Tercella was skinned, cut and scratched badly.  His thumb was nearly cut off, one finger badly cut, his forehead scratched deeply and one arm partly cut into mincemeat.

          There were five passengers in the car; Tercella, who is called "Shotfire Andy", Peter Calufetti, who was driving the car, Louis Dugando, and Mr. and Mrs. Andy Calufetti.  They were returning from Greenville, where they made an early morning trip to take a soldier boy leaving at 5 a.m. with the Bond county draft.  They were driving fast and came down around a corner missing the road and striking the culvert at full speed.  The damages to the car will amount to about $200.

          Another Ford belonging to Mr. Azzi of Panama, started to Hillsboro Monday with the Panama contingent and it ran into a ditch on the way up.  No one was hurt but the car was put out of business and had to fall out of the procession and go back to Panama.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 30, 1918

 

DONNELLSON MAN HAS LOST HIS RIGHT LEG

 

          Frank Compton, a carpenter of Donnellson, lost his right leg just below the knee, last Friday night.  He had been working at Panama and arrived at the Panama station just as the train was leaving for Donnellson.  In endeavoring to catch the train, he fell and was thrown under the wheels.  He was picked up and taken to the hospital at Hillsboro where he was reported as being in a dangerous condition until Sunday when he began to improve.  He is 35 years old, has a wife and one child.

                          

 

Montgomery News

Jun 7, 1918

 

NEW REGISTRANTS

 

          From Panama:

          Burl J. Boldt

          George Rudolph Plovich

          Bryan Coyle

          Otto Stout

          Orval Henry Sutton

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 10, 1918

 

JUNE CALL

 

          Augusto Calzia, of Panama, was called to go to Camp Taylor, Ky. on June 24th.

 

YOUTHS OF 21 REGISTER FOR SERVICE

 

          Eury Evan Caulk

          Harold W. Coleman

          John E. Slagel

          Louis J. Stoneburner

          Louis Basso

          Matt Paur

          John A. Cepk

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 20, 1918

 

WILL ENTRAIN FOR CAMP TAYLOR JUNE 25TH

 

          From Panama:

          Augusto Calzia

 

PANAMA TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY

 

          Airplanes from Scott Field will be a feature of the Fourth of July celebration at Panama, according to a statement by I. W. Williams, of Panama, and H. Lewis, of Benton, who were here Wednesday advertising the celebration, which will be under the auspices of the United Mine Workers Local No. 1475.

          Music will be furnished by the Panama band and many prominent speakers, among them John L. Lewis, international vice president of the United Mine Workers of America, will speak.  He is a brother of H. Lewis, who was here Wednesday. Other speakers will be Harry Fishwich, vice president of the 12th district; J. R. Sharp, general superintendent of the Shoal Creek Coal Company, and John M. Picco, royal Italian Consul, of Springfield, and others.

          An athletic program commencing at 10 a.m., and consisting of races of all kinds, a tug of war representing two teams from the north and south side of the mine, will be features, with a ball in the evening.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jun 25, 1918

 

CALLED TO THE COLORS FRIDAY

 

          The largest contingent of men in the selective draft yet sent from this county, leaves here at 8:30 o'clock by a special train over the Big Four, Friday morning June 28th. There will be 350 men in the contingent and they will go to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, by way of Indianapolis.

          From Panama:

          Alma D. Lewis

          John McDole Jr.

          John Frigo

          Florian Frey

          Pete Calufetti

          Oscar D. O'Neil

          Ben H. Allen

 

PANAMA MINE CLOSED

 

          The Panama mine was closed the latter part of last week, for three days, to permit repairs being made on the hoisting engine.  The repair crew were still at it on Monday.

                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 2, 1918

 

PANAMA MINER KILLED BY LIGHTNING

 

          William A. Alexander of Panama, 36 years old, was struck by lightning during an electrical storm last Friday afternoon between 2 and 4 o'clock and killed instantly.

          Alexander, who is a Panama miner, living a short distance out of Panama, with his mother in law, Mrs. M. E. Compton, was at home at the time storm occurred.  He went outside the house and it is supposed, stood under a big tree near the house.  His family searched for him and when he failed to return, after a time, found him in the yard, dead under an immense limb blown from the tree during the storm. Their efforts to find him were at first unavailing until someone noticed one foot protruding between the leaves of the branch on the ground.

          An inquest was held, the jury finding death was due to a stroke from lightning.

          The deceased is survived by two small children by his first wife and by his widow from his second marriage.

          The funeral services took place Monday, the entire body of Panama miners attending, accompanied by the Panama band. Interment was made in the Panama cemetery.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 8, 1918

 

SORENTO MAN IS KILLED IN MINE

 

          C. L. Denny, of Sorento, was killed in the mine of the Shoal Creek Coal Company at Panama, at 4 o'clock last Wednesday Morning as a result of a fall of slate.  Mr. Denny was a trip rider and was on the front of the motor when the car jumped the track, knocking out a timber.  The motor backed up on the fall and more slate and rock fell, catching Mr. Denny beneath it.  His neck and breast were terribly crushed, but he lived about an hour, expiring as he reached the top of the mine, where he was taken by L. W. Tolin, the motorman, who was working with him.

          Coroner Norvell of Montgomery was called and the inquest was held Wednesday afternoon, after which the body was taken to the home of his mother, Mrs. O. C. Denny, near Sorento. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church at Sorento at 8 a.m. Friday and the body was then taken shortly after 9 a.m. to St. Louis, where the burial took place in Bellefontaine cemetery.  The body was accompanied by the widow, by a brother, O. C. Denny, and by the pall bearers.

          Mr. Denny was born in Wisconsin about 35 years ago, a son of the late O. C. Denny.  He married Miss Anna Boyd of St. Louis, who survives him.  Mr. Denny traveled out of St. Louis for a number of years and later moved to Sorento and  then to Panama.  He had been acting as street commissioner of Panama until a short time ago, when he went to work in the Panama mine.

 

CLASSIFICATION OF NEW REGISTRANTS

 

          The following men waived all claim for exemption or deferred classification and were placed in class 1A.

 

          From Panama:

          Matt Paur

          John E. Slagel

          Louis Basso

 

          The following was granted 4A.

 

          Harold W. Coleman

          Eury Evan Caulk

          Louis J. Stoneburner

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 9, 1918

 

STOLEN AUTO FOUND AT PANAMA

 

          John Lela, an Italian coal miner living at Panama, purchased a new six cylinder Buick automobile recently, buying it, so he claims from a total stranger and paying $900 for it.  John later became afraid of the critter and sold it for $700 to August Amelia, another Italian miner living at Panama.

          The fact that a perfectly brand new six cylinder Buick was being sold for a song at Panama, attracted the attention of Deputy Sheriff William Woods and a search was instituted to learn where the car came from.

          It was finally ascertained that the auto was stolen 3 months ago from Virden Illinois, from the barn of J. L. Hartub, who bought it for $1400 and who had owned it only a week when it was stolen from his barn.

          Deputy Sheriff Woods was in search of a Buick car stolen from Springfield when he learned of the new Buick that was stored in a barn near Panama, in the woods, and he believed it to be the car.  On investigation, however, he found it was not the car wanted but everything indicated that it was a stolen auto, so the sheriff's office got busy on the case and finally located the owner and learned that a reward was offered of $100 for the recovery of the car and $100 for the conviction of the thief.

          John Lela was placed under arrest and brought to jail Sunday night, and he is going to have a hard time convincing anyone that he was an innocent purchaser of the car, as he has sold several other autos at Panama at ridiculously low prices, so it is alleged.  He boarded with a family at  Panama, worked in the mine there and had no place to keep an auto.  In fact, he claims he does not know how to run a car, which accounts for his willingness to sell this particular car for $200 less than he paid for it.

          August Amelia, who purchased the auto from Lela, is thought to be an innocent purchaser.

          On Monday morning J. L. Hartub, the owner of the car and Sheriff H. W. Knemoeller of Carlinville, came over to replevy the car.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 11, 1918

 

NINETEEN CARS GO IN DITCH IN PANAMA WRECK

 

          Nineteen cars, fourteen of them refrigerator cars filled with dressed meat, left the Clover Leaf track one fourth mile east of Panama at 10 o'clock Monday night and the cars were torn to splinters.  The track for a distance of about 300 yards was torn up and a large number of Clover Leaf wrecking men were engaged in removing the debris, up until some time Tuesday evening.

          The freight, east bound, had just left Panama and the engine had crossed what is presumed to have been a weak spot in the track, when the refrigerator cars and five oil tank cars piled up in a heap at the bottom of an embankment just before reaching a trestle across Bear creek.  The oil tanks bursted and the oil ran in streams into the creek.

          People from Panama went to the scene of the wreck and carried off whole quarters of beef for immediate use.  It is stated that the railroad detectives on duty at the scene permitted this in order that the meat would not go to waste.

          A telephone message to the Advocate from Panama Wednesday morning stated that the cause of the wreck was unknown.  It was said soon after the accident occurred that it was believed that some of the spikes had been removed from the rails and the wreck was caused by an enemy of the government.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 12, 1918

 

SENSATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF PANAMA MINERS UNION

 

          John Schaefer and Henry Meyers, from the auditor's office of the state organization of United Mine Workers, have been in Panama this week investigating the affairs of the local union there and it is alleged they have discovered many irregularities in the business transactions of the union.

          After the sudden disappearance of William McDonald the recording secretary of the local, it was suspected that crooked work had been going on and it is claimed that the  investigation this week has fully confirmed this suspicion. It was asserted that the expenses of the local at Panama last year amounted to $59,000 and the auditors say it has been one of the most extravagant locals in the state.

          The investigation may result in the issuing of warrants against McDonald for embezzlement and possibly against others for conspiracy to defraud the local union.  Numerous irregularities in the issuing and payment of warrants and checks, it is claimed, have been unearthed by the auditors, and in some instances there seems to be evidence of forgery. Checks and warrants authorized by a vote of the union have been "raised" and in some instances doubled after the order for their issue was made.  For instance, it is alleged that in one case two orders were made for $15 each, and when they turned up at the bank where they were paid, they were for $30 each, and in numerous instances it is claimed that warrants were systematically "raised" before they were paid.

          It is estimated that the sum fraudulently paid out will amount to from $8000 to $10,000!  Many checks that were cashed were not regularly signed by the officers of the union, and the names of the officers appear to have been forged on many others.

          The investigation has caused an immense sensation among the members of the miner's union at Panama, who are beginning to suspect that their organization has been looted systematically by parties in whose honesty they had every confidence.

          The investigation is not yet completed and those in charge of it are endeavoring to keep the full facts as to the result of their investigation from the public until they feel that they are justified in ordering warrants issued for the arrest of the alleged conspirators.  That there will be some sensational arrests is now certain, and warrants may be ordered this week.

          The officers of the Panama local are Ben H. Allen, President; Peter Smith, Treasurer and William McDonald, who has disappeared, Recording Secretary.  T. H. Lewis, state mine inspector for this district, who now lives at Litchfield, was formerly an officer of the Panama local, and it is claimed he knows something of the alleged irregularities, and may be used as a witness.

 

NEW REGISTRANTS CLASSIFIED

 

          Class one: Bryan Coyle

          Class Four: Burl J. Boldt

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 15, 1918

 

RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS FRIDAY

 

          Accepted from Panama:

          Louis Basso

          John E. Slagel

          Matt Paur

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 19, 1918

 

STILL INVESTIGATING AT PANAMA

 

          The investigation of charges of the graft in the Panama miner's union is not yet complete.  The auditors from the state organization are finding something new every day, and it is now alleged that the amount illegally taken out of the treasury of the Panama local miner's union will probably reach $15,000 or more.  A number of the present and former local officials are said to have been in the conspiracy and when the full disclosures are made they will create quite a sensation.  The whereabouts of William McDonald, the former Recording Secretary, who suddenly disappeared, are still unknown and the officer who holds the warrant for his arrest on a charge of embezzlement is unable to get any information as to where he is.  Some of the men who are charged with being implicated in the conspiracy have appeared before the auditors and brazenly admitted that they got the money, but it was "due them" and they defy the local to do anything.

 

REGISTRANTS CLASSIFIED

 

          Class four:

          Otto Stout

          Orval H. Sutton

          Class five:

          George R. Plovich

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 5, 1918

 

COAL MINER IS HURT; CAUGHT UNDER A FALL

 

          Joe Magario, employed by the Shoal Creek Coal Company, at Panama, sustained a broken hip and severe bruises on the back when he was caught under a fall of coal last Tuesday.

          Magario was preparing his machine to make a cut when the coal fell upon him.  He was taken to the St. Francis hospital in Litchfield.

 

PANAMA SELECTS IN AUTO ACCIDENT

 

          Three young men from Panama, on their way to Greenville to drill with the class 1 men Friday evening, almost got their names in the "killed in action" list before they joined the army, when their car went over a fifteen feet embankment on Mill Hill, burying the three occupants beneath the car. The names of the three young men were not learned but their wounds, which consisted of cuts and bruises, were dressed by Dr. W. T. Easley.

          The men, in an Overland car, had almost reached the top of Mill Hill, when, in attempting to shift gears, the brake failed to take hold and the car started backing down the hill.  The driver managed to keep it in the road for about 150 yards, but in attempting to dodge another car and some cows, the car went over the embankment, which was hidden from view.  By the time the car reached the embankment, it had a momentum of about thirty miles per hour.  The car turned turtle but the men were not pinned down by the car and crawled out from under it.  Two of them returned to Panama that night, but the one remained over and drove the car home Saturday.  The only damage done to the car was a broken windshield and broken top and fenders.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 9, 1918

 

PANAMA LADY DIES AT HOSPITAL

 

          Mrs. John Monge, a prominent resident of Panama, died at the Litchfield hospital on Monday of this week, Aug. 5th. The funeral was held Wednesday and was one of the most impressive funerals ever held there.  The lodge to which Mrs. Monge belonged attended in a body and the funeral party was headed by the band.  The deceased leaves several children from a former marriage, one of her sons, Pete Viviano being a member of the village board of Panama.

 

ENLISTS IN SLOVAK ARMY

 

          John Popovitch, a slavonian coal miner of Panama, enlisted this week in a company of Slovaks who will leave St. Louis Saturday to fight for a continuation of the freedom which they have been enjoying in this country since they came here from their oppressed native land.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Charles Harrison, age 22

Mrs. Ella Williams, age 20

 

 

 DELINQUENT REGISTRANT PLEADS GUILTY

 

          Dominic Piro of Panama, who was tried in the U.S. district court at Springfield Wednesday on a charge of attempting to evade the draft as he failed to register in 1917, pleaded guilty through his attorney, F. M. Ramey of Hillsboro, to the charge, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 13, 1918

 

PANAMA COUPLE MARRIED HERE

 

          Charles Harrison and Mrs. Ella Williams of Panama were married here Thursday noon by County Judge McDavid.  The groom is employed as a barber.  The bride is on the county mothers pension list, or was, until her second marriage.  She has one child.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 16, 1918

 

DISTRICT BOARD RETURNS CLASSIFICATIONS

 

          Bryan Coyle and Burl J. Boldt have been re classified as class 2d, necessary skilled industrial laborers (miners) in necessary industrial enterprise.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 19, 1918

 

PANAMA SHORTAGE IS SHRINKING IN SIZE

 

          That the losses of the Panama local of the United Mine Workers will not be as large as at first expected as a result of the alleged wholesale looting of the treasury by officials, is shown by a report made by the investigating committee, A. E. McReaken, James Hicks and Frank Hartman. The shortage, at first estimated at about $15,000, has shrunk to about $3000.  It is said a good deal of the money has been repaid to the local.  The Hillsboro Journal says that a warrant has been sworn out for William McDonnell, who was secretary of the local, charging him with forgery and countersigning vouchers on the local in order to obtain funds.

 

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 20, 1918

 

BAD ACCIDENT AT PANAMA

 

          One man was killed and six others injured Friday afternoon about 3:30 o'clock in the Panama mine when part of a trip, or a string of cars, attached to a motor, broke loose and ran down an incline, smashing into the front end of a car to which two mules were hitched and in which seven men were riding.

          Clarence File, the 18 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lem File of Panama, was struck and instantly killed, while the others in the car were hurt.  All the men, who were Frank L. Balbetti, Burl Boldt, Bobbie Evans, Felix Fastin, Pat McDonald and Joe Pantoleg, have bad cuts and bruises, Mr. McDonald has three broken ribs and Pantoleg has a broken back and several ribs broken.  He was rushed to the St. Francis hospital by his attending physician, Dr. Everett and is said to be in a precarious condition.

          Young File, it is said, was rushing up his work in order to leave the mine early and as he was sitting at the front end of the car driving he received the full force of the collision.  The accident happened a few minutes before time for his shift to leave the mine.  He was a mule driver and left the room too soon after the trip passed, it is alleged. He had just recovered from a previous injury when his ankle was dislocated while he was at work in the mine and the day he was killed was the first day at work after he had recovered from the injury to his ankle.

          File was 18 years old.  His father is also employed in the mine at Panama and has been a miner the greatest part of his life.

          His mother was Miss Ella Cunningham of Sorento.  Besides his parents he is survived by two sisters, Cleda and Delph File and a brother.

          An inquest was held Saturday afternoon, and returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts.

 

ALMOST ELECTROCUTED

 

          Louis Henderson, electrician at the Panama mine, came as near to an electrocution last Friday as he cares to be.  He was up on the rafters in the engine room at the mine, fixing some wires.  The point at which he was making repairs was close to the point of entrance of the high tension wire from the Southern Illinois Light Company's plant.  This wire furnishes the power for the mine and in some way the wires being repaired came in contact with the high tension wire.

          Mr. Henderson was affected by the voltage enough to be knocked from his position in the rafters to the concrete floor below and he is now laid up recovering from a bad scalp wound and some severe cuts and bruises.  He is also feeling thankful that he hit on the hard concrete floor and not into  the soft downiness of a pair of real angel wings, which he probably wouldn't know how to steer.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 26, 1918

 

SEPTEMBER CALL

 

          To Camp Custer, Michigan:

          Joe Pasquino

          Frank Hartman

          To Camp Forest, Georgia:

          Louis Basso

 

          Substitute:

          John E. Slagel

Montgomery News

Aug. 27, 1918

 

NEW REGISTRANTS

 

          From Panama:

          Jesse Vogel

          Ernest T. Tefft

 

 

Montgomery News

Sept. 17, 1918

 

CLASSIFIED AND CALLED FOR PHYSICAL

 

          From Panama:

          Class one:

          Jesse Vogel

          Class four:

          Earnest T. Tefft

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 19, 1918

 

GRAND JURY

 

          John Lela, of Panama, was indicted on a charge of receiving stolen property.  The charge was, he took a six  cylinder Buick car, 1918 model, valued at $1400.  The car belonged to a Shelbyville man.

          An indictment was returned against Frank Hartman, of Panama, charging a statutory offense.  The case was referred to the county court for process and trial.

          Hartman was sent to camp by the local board only a few days ago but was rejected and returned home.  It was found, it is said, that Hartman has a wife and child in East St. Louis, but is living with another woman at Panama.  He was first granted class four on the grounds of dependency by the local board, but when the facts were learned, Hartman was advanced and sent to camp.

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 23, 1918

 

OCTOBER CALL

 

          To Camp McClellan, Alabama:

          John E. Slagel

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Sept. 24, 1918

 

ADJUDGED INSANE

 

          Carlo Fiorio, a coal miner of Panama, 38 years old, was adjudged insane in the county court Thursday.  He imagines that someone is trying to break into his house, the evidence showed.  He is a native of Italy where he possesses some property.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 26, 1918

 

PANAMA CASE GOES TO COUNTY COURT

 

          The case of the people of the state of Illinois vs. Frank Hartman, of Panama, against whom an indictment was returned by the September grand jury on a statutory charge, has been certified to the county court for process and trial. Ollie Taylor, with whom Hartman has been living, has also been held on the same charge, and both have given bond in the sum of $300 each to appear before Judge W. H. Dawdy, November 11th.

          Mr. Hartman, it is claimed, has a wife and children living in East St. Louis, and his domestic troubles came to light through the draft board.  Mr. Hartman made claim for deferred classification on the ground of dependencies and his wife heard of his double life through the board.  At her instigation, Mr. Hartman was put in class 1, and sent to camp with a contingent several weeks ago.  He was rejected, however, on physical grounds, and returned to Panama, where he and Ollie Taylor have been living as man and wife.  Upon his return, he was placed before the grand jury, and the case now goes to the county court.

 Hartman claims he thought his wife had obtained a divorce, and did not know, he says, until recently that she had never secured the divorce.  Hartman and Ollie Taylor are the parents of several children.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sep. 30, 1918

 

DRAFT LOTTERY

 

          From Panama:

          Charles F. Morgan

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 1, 1918

 

YOUNG MAN KILLED AT PANAMA

 

          John Revelli, a prominent young man of Panama, was caught beneath a Ford auto Sunday morning, the running board of the machine striking him on the neck, which was broken. He had taken Mrs. Capstick to meet an early train at Sorento and on his way home, while descending Compton hill, two front tires of the car blew out and the car turned over.

          The accident happened about 6:10 a.m. a mile and a half southwest of Panama.

          The deceased was 19 years old, and was in the draft.  He is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Revelli and by two sisters and two brothers.  The funeral will be held today and the remains brought to Hillsboro for interment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRAWING THE DRAFT NUMBERS

 

          From Panama:

          Ridley Bell

          James Russell Griffith

 

PANAMA COAL MINERS BROTHER KILLED IN FRANCE

 

          Through the courtesy of Henry Hoekstra, of Panama, we are able to reproduce herewith a letter written by a representative of the Red Cross which shows the work this institution does for our soldiers even after they are killed.

          The Red Cross society has evidently undertaken the work of furnishing the friends and relatives of our boys over there the information possible concerning them in case they are killed in action or die from disease.  The following letter is one that was received by Angelo Corradini, a resident of Panama, whose brother died in France.  It conveys to the relatives of the deceased practically all the information they will have need for and even the details of

 the funeral of the deceased are given.  The letter is as follows:

 

N. D. Walker

Burr Oak, Kansas

 

Dear Mr. Walker:

          Your friend, Hugh Corradini, gave you as the one to communicate with in case of severe illness or death.  You will probably have received before this letter reaches you the news of the death of Corporal Corradini.  This occurred on August 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the American Red Cross hospital at Mossely Hill, Liverpool.  Your friend had a severe attack of pneumonia.  He was ill when he landed here and was conveyed at once to the hospital, being admitted August 11.

          The funeral took place in the Catholic church in Everton cemetery, Liverpool, at 10:24 p.m. August 23.  Reverend Father William Rylance, of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Aintree, Liverpool, officiated.  The Roman Catholic burial service was held over your friend with the full rites of the church.  Father Rylance also blessed the grave.  Corporal Corradini was given full military honors at his burial.  The casket, covered with the flag, was borne from the church to the grave upon the shoulders of his six comrades.  After it was lowered the firing squad fired three volleys over the open grave, and a bugler sounded taps.

          The American ladies of the American Red Cross here in Liverpool sent a wreath, made up of green cycas leaves, pink carnations, white sweet peas, and asparagus fern.  This was placed upon the casket at the church, and was afterwards placed on the grave.  Mrs. Washington, wife of our American consul here in Liverpool, was present at the burial, and looked after this wreath.

          I do not know whether any of the family of Corporal Corradini are in the U.S. or not; if they are, however, I hope you will try to get into communication with them, and tell them of the death of Corporal Corradini, and send them this letter.

          Although this soldier never reached the front, his sacrifice was equal to those who have given up their lives on the battlefield.  The American Red Cross wishes to give its sympathy to you as his friend, and it also asks you to extend it, if possible to any members of his family which you may be able to discover.

Sincerely Yours,

Frank W. Pratt, Lt. American Red Cross

          Place of burial of Corporal Corradini:

          Everton cemetery

          U.S.A. Division

          Section F Grave #30

 

FORMER HILLSBORO MAN IN ROYALTON DISASTER

 

          The body of A. P. Capstick, superintendent of the north  mine at Royalton, Illinois, and formerly mine manager of the Taylor Springs mine here and superintendent of the Panama mine at one time, was one of six recovered from the Royalton mine Sunday.

          A fire broke out early Saturday morning in the north mine of the Franklin Coal & Coke Company, near Murphysboro, as the result of an explosion.  Twenty five men went into the mine to put out the fire, five of them being rescued.  The fire raged all day and night Saturday and rescue parties were able to accomplish little.  The main shaft of the mine was sealed Sunday in an attempt to smother out the fire and prevent other explosions.  Mr. Capstick's parents live at Panama, where his father is a mail carrier.  His brother, Ed Capstick, is a pit boss at the Taylor Springs mine, and makes his home here with his mother in law, Mrs. Leopold Schraut. Another brother, Richard Capstick, is in the tank service in France.

          It was recorded here Saturday night that Hiram E. Willson, formerly superintendent of the Kortkamp mine, also lost his life in the fire, but this proved to be a mistake, according to the information received here from Royalton Monday, by superintendent Maitland, the man in question at Royalton being manager Hiram Helm, the similarity of names probably causing the mistake.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 7, 1918

 

MORE MEN WILL BE EXAMINED NEXT THURSDAY

 

          From Panama:

          Cleo C. Cunningham

          Thomas Dixon

          Archie C. Grisham

          William Little

          Bert Thurston

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 8, 1918

 

PANAMA WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH

 

          Mrs. Mary Stremfel, wife of John Stremfel, a Panama coal miner, died at St. Francis hospital on Friday night of last week as a result of burns received when she polished a hot stove with E Z stove polish.

          Mrs. Stremfel was an Austrian and unable to read the warning on the can of polish in regard to its being inflammable from a blaze or heat.

          Her husband and son, who are employed at night at the Panama mine, came home Saturday and retired.  About 9 o'clock they were awakened by screams and Mrs. Stremfel came running  in, her clothing being a mass of flame.  She was terribly burned and inhaled the flames and smoke.

          She was 54 years old and leaves, besides her husband, three sons, John, Valentine and Jake and a daughter Francis. They moved to Panama from Pana six months ago.

          The funeral services took place Sunday from St. Aloysius church, Litchfield, where the interment was made in the Holy Cross cemetery                                                          

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 10, 1918

 

SEPTEMBER 12 REGISTRANTS FROM PANAMA

 

          Charles F. Morgan

          Dominick Reboffini

          John A. Noll

          John Enrico

          Thomas Pate

          Andrens Ilersik

          James Krov

          John Trione

          Tony Agresh

          Angelo Deright

          Steve Matakovich

          Vincent Ariotto

          Alfonso Regetti

          James Nareshi

          Thomas Dixon

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 11, 1918

 

PANAMA BOY DIES AT CARLINVILLE

 

          John B. Neal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Neal of Panama, died at Carlinville at 2 a.m. on Wednesday of this week, October 9, following an attack of Spanish influenza.

          The young man was a student at Blackburn University and he had been sick only a few days.  He was nineteen years old and he leaves his parents, a brother and two sisters.

          The deceased was born in Raymond where the father of the young man conducted a barber shop until about five years ago, when he moved to Panama, where he has since resided.

          The body of the young man was brought to Panama Wednesday and the funeral was held there Thursday afternoon.

          The deceased was a very bright and capable young man with a brilliant future before him and his death was a sad blow, not only to his family, but to his host of friends.

 

 BURNED WHILE PLAYING WITH MATCHES

 

          Annie, the 4 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ugo Marcolini of Panama, died at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, as the result of burns.  The little girl ran to her mother shortly after dinner, with her clothing a mass of flames and it is supposed she had been playing with matches.

          Her mother wrapped her in a blanket and the flames were smothered out, but she was already severely burned.

          An inquest was held Monday morning.  The funeral services took place Tuesday afternoon at the family residence in Panama and interment was made at Sorento.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 14, 1918

 

PANAMA MEN WHO DEPART NEXT WEEK

 

          Francis M. Voyles

          John E. Slagel

 

EXAMINATION OF NEW REGISTRANTS

 

          Here is the results of the examination which was held in the Odd Fellows Hall Thursday.

         

 

          Accepted from Panama:

          Cleo C. Cunningham

          Thomas Dixon

          Archie C. Grisham

          William Little

 

          Transferred or did not appear:

          Bert Thurston

Montgomery News

Oct. 15, 1918

 

WILL EXAMINE 200 MEN

 

          The local board of exemptions will hold physical examinations two days this week and this will mark the beginning of examination of the men who registered September 12, 1918.

          From Panama:

          Celeste Biette

          George Walton Lewis

          Thomas Andrew West

          John Machietto

          Arthur Austin Leslie

                        

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 17, 1918

 

MORE REGISTRANTS FROM PANAMA

 

          Charles Gnavi

          Frank Malovich

          Frank F. Frey

          John Mareski

          Simone Tonini

          Isaac O. Wilcox

          Frank Roseman

          Tony Faoro

          Dewey Compton

          Cleo C. Cunningham

          William E. Stoneburner

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 21, 1918

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          William B. Cannon

          Mike Kristo

          William Ritchie

          Frank Zimmerman

          John Barnatto

          Clarence Cunningham

          Myo Vigliocco

 

MALAN CAPSTICK

 

          Malan Capstick, of Panama, died at the Hillsboro hospital Friday night of Spanish influenza.  Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday at the residence of his brother, Edward Capstick, in Hillsboro, and the burial took place in Hillsboro.

          Mr. Capstick was a brother of R. J. Capstick, now in France, having gone from Bond county with the first contingent of four men a year ago last September.  Another brother, A. E. Capstick, was killed in a mine accident at Royalton, a few weeks ago.  Mr. Capstick was taken sick a week prior to his death.  He is survived by his father, who is a veteran of the Civil War, and his mother and the two brothers above mentioned.  The family have resided at Panama for two or three years.

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 22, 1918

 

BOARD IS CLASSIFYING MEN

          From Panama:

          Ernest Anthony Everett 4A (dependent wife or children)

          Joseph Piazza 4A

          Louis Savene 4A

 

 

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL

 

          From Panama:

          Dewey Savage

          William Edward Mitchell

          John Barkley Neal

          Morris James Evans

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 24, 1918

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          John E. Gum

          Howard B. Black

          James Vallino

          Faustino Mareski

          George Desborough

          Angelo Tenor

          Qurino Nones

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 25, 1918

 

THREE BAD EGGS IN JAIL

 

          Ernest Sydenstricker, Frank Harris and Glenn Nichols, the three bad eggs arrested recently at Panama, being suspected of having participated in the recent robbery at Mt. Olive, are now in jail here charged with carrying concealed weapons and will be held to await the action of the grand jury.

          No evidence could be found to convict them of participating in the Mt. Olive robbery, but as they all carried revolvers when arrested, a case can and will be made against them for carrying concealed weapons.

          Glenn Nichols has been in the county jail here three times and Frank Harris has been in once before. Sydenstricker has done time in the Leavenworth penitentiary and registered for military service there.  All of them are in the draft but all are probably not wanted in the army because of their prison records.  It seems a shame that  nothing can be done with the crooks who are not wanted in the army and who do not lift a hand to help win the war.  They are all yellow to the core.  If they were not yellow they would have long ago changed their names and enlisted in the army.  As long as the army officials do not know that a man has a prison record, they will admit him to the army.  Such men as these have no desire to be anything other than what they now are and they are dangerous to any community where they reside, and the only way to rid the community of them is to enforce the law and see to it that they either work or fight.

          The man who does not work is equally as yellow as the man who fails to buy bonds and if the law can't make him work, the community should act.

 

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          Accepted from Panama:

          Celeste Biette

          Arthur Austin Leslie

          Dewey Savage

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 28, 1918

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          Luigi Mora

          John Delvery

          Batisti Cobetti

          Luther L. Neal

          Andrew Plonase

          Archie Grisham

          Louis E. Dermint

          Lorenzo Moreschi

          Ralph E. Cruthis

          Frederick D. Stoneburner

          Tito Perfetti

          John Massa

          John N. Benedict

          Pete Perenchio

          James Monge

          Charles Cole

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 29, 1918

 

CIRCUIT COURT NEWS

 

          Joseph Gnave, a minor, by Charles Gnave, his next friend, has sued the Southern Illinois Light and Power Co. for $10,000.  P. McWilliams is attorney for the plaintiff.  He alleges that the defendant maintained a big pile of slack in Panama, and that Joseph Gnave, who is only 11 years old, was playing on the slack pile and slipped down onto a high tension wire belonging to the defendant and was terribly burned and permanently disabled and disfigured.  The injuries are alleged to have been inflicted Feb. 23, 1918.

 

THREE DEATHS AT PANAMA

 

          The epidemic of influenza at Panama is worse than at any other place in the county, and it is reported Monday that there are scarcely enough people left to care for the sick, there are so many cases.

          Mrs. Robert McCoy died Saturday, aged 24 years.  She was formerly Miss Genevieve Raech and is survived by her husband and one child.  The funeral took place Monday at Edwardsville.

          Mrs. Roy Faudi died Saturday morning aged 20 years.  She was, before her marriage, Miss Vaughn Long of Sorento.  The funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday.

          Baptista Piazza, a Panama miner, died in a St. Louis hospital Sunday, where he had been taken from Panama, after contracting the disease.  He was brought to Sorento, Sunday for interment.

          Mrs. James Vallino died Sunday morning from influenza. A more extended notice will appear in our next issue.

 

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          Accepted from Panama:

          Feliz Vanier

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL

 

          From Panama:

          Willard McReaken

          Ernest Ricciardi

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 31, 1918

 

PANAMA REPORTS 550 CASES, THREE DEATHS: INFLUENZA

 

          The influenza situation at Panama is serious. There are 550 cases at Panama today, according to a statement made by Louis Henderson, a well known resident of that city, to the Advocate, over the long distance telephone this morning. Yesterday, three people died within a few hours of each other, and there are many serious cases.

          A representative of the state board of health was in Panama Wednesday.  He left last night after leaving some instructions.  The public school building, which has been closed for three weeks, was fumigated yesterday and today is  being fitted up as an emergency hospital.  Cots are being moved in today.  The city authorities have secured all the cots available in Panama.  On the four principal roads leading into Panama are placards bearing the words "Warning   Influenza"; but people are permitted to enter and leave the village, which has a population of about 2000 and is an important coal center.

          The two Panama physicians, Dr. Everett and Dr. Wilcox, are handling the 550 cases on shifts.

          The three deaths which took place Wednesday were James Cordino, 5 year old son of Ben Cordino, who died at 1 a.m.,; James Stella, aged 35, single, who died at 7 a.m.; and John Kish, aged 45, single, who died at 2 p.m.

          The state board of health representative has sent a nurse to Panama.  The influenza has been prevailing at Panama for three weeks.  The disease, however, became alarming about a week ago and has been getting steadily worse.

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 1, 1918

 

THREE DEATHS AT PANAMA

 

          The influenza cases at Panama seem to be decreasing, though 500 of the 1500 population are down with the disease. The mine is running now, on half the force usually employed, the others being ill themselves or compelled to stay home to care for their sick.

          Wednesday, a state board of health officer was sent to Panama and he recommended that the school house be turned into a hospital.  This was done and it is now heated and supplied with a dozen cots   all that could be found in town. A nurse will be sent out from Springfield and other nurses will go later, to help care for the sick, if others can be obtained.

          There have been three deaths at Panama since the first of the week.

          John Kish, a miner, 45 years old, died at noon Wednesday and John Stella, aged 35 died at seven o'clock Wednesday morning.  Both were un married and left no dependents.

          Dan Cardini, the five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cardini, died at 10 o'clock Thursday morning.

 

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          Accepted From Panama;

          Willard McReaken

          Ernest Ricciardi

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 4, 1918

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          Adolph Fruhs

          Reuben T. Manning

          Julius Perfetti

          Jim Lassaroni

          Joseph Pitney

          James Savant

          Mike Yanko

          Elic Kessinger

          Joseph Vigliocco, Sr.

          Lewis Veries

          Joe Kubivisik

          Beni Redoffoni

          Felix Monti

MORE DEATHS DUE TO INFLUENZA: LID TO REMAIN ON

 

          The influenza conditions at Panama, where there were 550 cases reported last Thursday, out of a population of about 2000, did not improve much the last part of the week.  Four nurses were brought in from Chicago Friday, and are in charge at the school building, which has been fitted up as a hospital, and where about 25 cases are being cared for. During the entire day of Saturday, no deaths were reported at Panama, but three died there Sunday.

          Besides the four imported nurses, several Panama girls are assisting at the school house.  The nurses, besides awaiting on the patients at the school building, go from house to house to attend those afflicted.  The Panama mine is still running on about half force.

          Mrs. John Moreski, aged 31, died at her home in Panama Friday.  She is survived by her husband and one small child. Death was due to influenza.

          An infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ashmore died at Panama Friday.  The child was only a few hours old.

          Clarence Cunningham, aged about 40 years, a brother of Supervisor Cary Cunningham, died at 10 a.m., Sunday at his home in Panama, after two weeks illness of Spanish influenza. Funeral services will be held at Panama tomorrow.  Mr. Cunningham was a coal miner, and was not married.

          Three others, all foreigners, died at Panama Sunday, but the Advocate could not learn their names.

 

PANAMA MINER IS WOUNDED IN FRANCE

 

          The name of Ciro Perfetti of Panama appeared in the casualty list of Thursday as having been wounded, degree undetermined.  Perfetti went with the second contingent of Bond county selected men to Camp Taylor, September 19, 1917, and was transferred to Camp Pike, Ark., about Christmas.  Shortly before his transfer to Camp Pike, he came home on a furlough and was married at Panama.  He went across with the division which trained at Camp Pike early last summer and had been in action some time before being wounded.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 5, 1918

 

THE FLU AT PANAMA

 

          The epidemic at Panama is reported as being slightly better as there is no serious increases of cases. The hospital organized in the schoolhouse now has twenty five patients in it.

          There were three deaths Sunday from the disease; Clarence Cunningham about forty years old, unmarried man; Louis Savinia, who leaves a wife and five children and little son of Mr. and Mrs. William Trains, aged two years.

 

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

 

          Accepted from Panama:

          Joseph Sourup

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 7, 1918

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          Tony Antonio

          Joseph Baldwin

          John Lorenzi

          Joseph Krov

          Harry Pais

          John Monga

          Louis Balattia

          James H. Crites

          Jud Dolan

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 8, 1918

 

CALLED FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

          From Panama;

 

          Charles F. Harrison

          John Mackietto

          Thomas A. West

          Morris J. Evans

 

                           

Montgomery News

Nov. 15, 1918

 

AT THE HOSPITAL

 

          Lorena Compton, the ten year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Compton of Panama, was admitted to the hospital Wednesday and an operation was performed Wednesday. The little girl had pneumonia, after which an attack of influenza and one lung was affected as a result. The lung was opened and it is thought she will recover. The entire Compton family was ill from the influenza at the same time, it will be remembered and a child was born to a married daughter of Mr. Compton at a time when no nurse could be secured to care for the family.

 

ONE DEATH THIS WEEK AT PANAMA

 

          The seven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Natal Bellepini of Panama was buried there Wednesday, death being due to pneumonia. This is the only death reported from Panama this week, the epidemic having apparently done its worst there.

                                                             

 

                           

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 19, 1918

 

PANAMA SOLDIER DIES IN GERMAN CAMP

 

          Dueber Woods, a Panama miner who went to France with a Greenville contingent, last summer, was captured by the Germans and died in a German prison camp, according to the list given in the city papers. He was a young man, still in the twenties  and left his wife and two step children in Panama, when he went into the service. His family has since gone to West Virginia to live with relatives of Mrs. Woods.  The deceased leaves several brothers and sisters, some of whom live at Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 21, 1918

 

R. J. CAPSTICK MISSING SINCE SEPTEMBER 29

 

          Corporal R. J. Capstick, one of the first four selected men to leave Bond county for Camp Taylor, is reported missing in action in France since September 29th, in a telegram to his mother, Mrs. Joseph Capstick, of Panama.  The telegram, which was from the war department at Washington, was received by the mother at 6 a.m., Tuesday.

          Corporal Capstick was a member of the tank corps.  He went to Camp Taylor, Wednesday, September 6, 1917, in company  with Walter W. Lovett, Robert M. Strain, and Guy A. White. Mr. Capstick had previously served eight years in the regular army, and upon his arrival at Camp Taylor, was made a sergeant.  He served in Co. B, 309th Military Police for some time, but desiring to see quick action overseas, he secured a transfer to the tank corps and trained at an eastern camp. He went overseas sometime early in the spring.  Since he left the States, his brother, A. E. Capstick, manager of the mine at Royalton, Ill., was killed in a gas explosion, and another brother died of influenza at Panama a few days ago.  Corp. Capstick has not learned of either death.

          In an interview with the Advocate shortly before he entrained for camp, Mr. Capstick said that he came from fighting stock and he wanted to get into the fight.  His father, J. A. Capstick, was a veteran of the Civil War; a brother, the late A. E. Capstick, was a veteran of the Spanish American War; his grandfather on his father's side was a first lieutenant in the Civil War, and an uncle on his mother's side, was the famous General Jeff Thompson of Civil War fame.  Corporal Capstick himself entered the army in 1908, and served eight years, most of the time in the Philippines.  He was employed in the mine at Panama before his induction into the service.

          Corp. Capstick is the second Bond county man to be reported missing in action.  Simon Harmon was made prisoner by the Germans in July.  If Corp. Capstick was made prisoner on Sept. 29th, it is probable both young men have been released under the armistice terms, and may have rejoined their commands by this time.

          Relatives at Panama are anxiously awaiting further news from him.

 

MORE PANAMA REGISTRANTS

 

          Willie F. Jennings                      William T. Cruthis

          Frank Hahn                               Jim Seree

          Charley Uhos                            James Salvetti

          John Nickels                             Leland F. Rudrew

          Martes Bernadich

          John C. Cunningham

          Adam Frey, Jr.

          William Little

          Pete Bonetto

          Percy Wall

          Battisto Bonetto

          August Barneto

          John Dodds

          Robert Pullen

          Frank Moreski

          Joseph Vigliocco, Jr.

          John Macario

          Antonio Tinor

          Lorenzo Manchetti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 22, 1918

 

PANAMA BOY CITED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

 

          Jesse Havron of Panama, received a letter from his son, Walter Havron who is a sergeant in the 18th Infantry. Sergeant Havron enlisted in the U.S. Army in the days of the Mexican trouble and has been in France a good while. In a letter to his father the sergeant stated he had been over the top six times and enclosed the following citation;

 

          Headquarters 18th Infantry

          France, August 11, 1918

 

General Order No. 15

 

          In G.O. Headquarters 1st Division, American E.F., of August 2nd, 1918 appears the following citation, at the head of the list of the Regimental citations;

 

          For distinguished conduct in advancing rapidly and carrying and holding promptly and surely, all objectives assigned to it while sustaining heavy losses during the advance from July 18 to 22 inclusive.

          Throughout the battle of the Marne Salient, July 12 to 22, 1918, the 18th Infantry was always the leading regiment and on the night of July 22 and 23, this regiment, when relieved, left its line further advanced into hostile territory than any regiment on its right or left.

          For those qualities which keep and have kept the 18th Infantry ever to the fore, the Regimental Commander cites the following men;

          Sergeant Walter A. Havron, Co. C. 18th Infantry.

By order of Colonel Parker. (signed) William Winters, Capt. and Adjt. 18th Infantry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 26, 1918

 

GRAND JURY ADJOURNS

 

          The grand jury adjourned Saturday afternoon after being in session a week. The following indictments returned:

          Antone Bussone, Antone Tinor, Andy Calufetti, John Renner, August Barnetto, Peter Calufetti, Charles Aprilitto and Thomas Coquatto, all of them proprietors of Panama booze joints, are each indicted for keeping open on Sunday.

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 29, 1918

 

PANAMA BOY WOUNDED

 

          Mr. and Mrs. Perry Cruthis of Panama, received the news the first of the week that their son, Porter Cruthis, had been shot in the shoulder and is in a hospital in France. He was unable to write to his parents but one of his comrades wrote to the parents, and stated in the letter that their son would probably be home before long.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 2, 1918

 

DEATH OF YOUTH FOLLOWS HOLD UP OF PANAMA MAN

 

          August Amelia, a saloonkeeper at Panama, was probably fatally shot about 11:30 p.m., Thursday, in an attempted hold up while returning from his place of business, and the body of Richard Allen, alias Whitesides, was found in a ravine back of the old Mitchell store by Mrs. Clato Romani, early the next morning.  It is the belief that Allen shot Amelia and then committed suicide, although it is possible that a third party shot both men, robbery being the motive in each instance.

          Amelia's saloon had done a thriving business all day Thanksgiving, and at 11:30 o'clock he put the proceeds of the days sales, about $250, in his pocket, and started home.  He had gone only a short distance when a stranger stepped out from behind a shelter and ordered him to throw up his hands. Amelia swung and hit the highwayman a crashing blow on the jaw, knocking him down.  After recovering, the stranger started to run, but turned and fired a shot at Amelia.  The shot went through the saloonkeeper's lung, and he was taken that night to a St. Louis hospital, where he is in a very serious condition.

          After the shooting, notice was sent to all the surrounding towns to be on the lookout for Allen, as suspicion immediately fell upon him.  He had been loafing around Panama three or four days, and was being watched by the officials.

          Early Friday morning, Mrs. Romani was on her way from her home to the Romani store.  As she went across the ravine back of the old Mitchell store, she ran across the body of Allen.  He was lying face downward, with his revolver clutched in his hand beneath him.  He had a bullet wound in his head, which had caused death.  The only identifying mark about him was a chauffeur's license, number 1435.  He had no money in his pockets.

          The Panama authorities immediately got into communication with the secretary of state's office at Springfield, and found out that license No. 1435 had been  issued to Richard Whitesides of Benld.  The young man's real name was Allen, but he often used the name of his step  father, Whitesides.  The description on the application for a license tallied with the description of the young man except that Allen had brown hair, instead of light hair, as on the application.  He was eighteen years old, five feet 1 1/2 inches tall, and weighed about 120 pounds.  The parents of Allen were notified and went to Panama Friday evening and identified the body as that of their son.

          Coroner Norvell, of Raymond, held an inquest Friday evening, but the jury did not render a verdict at once, as it was necessary to await developments in Amelia's condition.

          A large number of Panama citizens believe that Allen was not the man who attacked Amelia, but that he himself was a victim of the highwayman that held up Amelia, and lost his life in resisting the same as Amelia almost lost his.

 

BULLETIN

 

          August Amelia, who was shot by a highwayman last Thursday night, is still in a serious condition at a St. Louis hospital, and the coroner's jury has adjourned until Thursday, awaiting developments in his condition.  It is now the opinion of Panama residents that both Amelia and Richard Allen were shot by a third party.  Allen had no powder burns on his face, so the suicide theory is discounted.  The body of Allen was taken to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where it was interred Sunday.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 3. 1918

 

MURDER AT PANAMA

 

          The body of Richard Whiteside of Benld, was found lying in a ditch in the rear of the Mitchell store in Panama on Friday morning of last week and a bullet hole in his head indicated that he had been murdered and robbed.

          Whiteside was a stranger at Benld and there is considerable speculation as to his presence in Panama.

          It is stated that on several days previous to the murder he was seen to have considerable money and it is rumored that he belonged to a gang of thieves who have been stealing autos in this section and disposing of them at Panama and elsewhere.

          The fact that there are a number of Ford cars at Panama, from which the engine numbers have been cut, indicates that stolen autos are being disposed of there to the foreign coal miners who are willing to buy them and take a chance at losing them later should the owner find them.

          The body of Whiteside was discovered lying in the ditch by Mrs. Romani of Panama early Friday morning. There was nothing in his pockets that would lead to his identity except  a chauffeurs licence number 14374 and upon inquiry being made at the office of the secretary of state at Springfield, it was learned that this licence number had been issued to Richard Whiteside, who gave Benld as his home.

          It is not known and probably never will be known, whether the deceased was murdered in a drunken Thanksgiving brawl or whether he was murdered and robbed.

 

PANAMA SALOON KEEPER SHOT

 

          August Amelia, a saloon keeper of Panama was shot in the  back by a would be robber on Thanksgiving night and critically injured.

Mr. Amelia was on his way home with the days receipts from his saloon and he was accosted by a stranger who told him to throw up his hands. Amelia replied by knocking the robber down and then starting to run home. The robber fired at Amelia and the bullet entered Amelia's back and perforated his left lung, causing a wound which may prove fatal. He was taken to a hospital in East St. Louis for treatment.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 5, 1918

 

CORP. CAPSTICK, CAPTURED, TURNS UP IN HOLLAND

 

          Corporal Richard Capstick, who has been missing in action since September 29, is well and safe in Holland, according to a cablegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Capstick at Panama, Saturday.

          Corporal Capstick, who left Greenville with the first four selected men a year ago last September, and was transferred later to the tank corps, had been in action several months when he was captured by the Germans.  After his release at the signing of the armistice, it is supposed he made his way to Holland and will probably be interned there until peace terms are signed.

          The cablegram came as a great relief to his aged parents, inasmuch as "missing in action" may cover a multitude of calamities.  It may mean captured, death in action with the body unidentified, or simply being lost from his command and rejoining another company.  It may be that Corporal Capstick, who left here with the avowed intention of getting the kaiser is still after him and has crossed the boundary line into Holland.  Anyway, he is getting nearer his prey.

 

PANAMA SCRAPE IS UNSOLVED

 

          The Panama shooting mystery in which August Amelia, a saloonkeeper, was seriously wounded, and Richard Allen was killed last Thursday night is still baffling the authorities. Amelia, although seriously wounded by a shot through the  lung, is recovering in an East St. Louis hospital.

          The coroner's jury which held an inquest last Friday adjourned until some time today when it will again take up the facts in the case in an attempt to solve the mystery. Amelia was shot in an attempted hold up but the highwayman ran before taking $250 which Amelia had in his pocket. Allen, who had been loafing around Panama several days, was suspected and Amelia accused him of being the highwayman. Allen's body was found the next day in a gully near the scene of the attempted hold up and it was first thought he had suicided after his failure as a highwayman.

          It is now believed, however, that both men were shot by a third party, as it is known that Allen had a large roll of money Thanksgiving Day, and when found, he did not have a cent in his pocket.  He had a small automatic 25 calibre revolver in his hand when found but only two of the chambers in the revolver were empty and the only man who heard the shots of the previous night says two shots were fired at Amelia and he heard a number of shots later, as if a duel were in progress.  There were no powder burns on Allen's face and the hair was not singed near the bullet wound.  The bullet which was probed from the skull of the dead youth is found to be similar to that used in the revolver which was found in his hand.

          It is probable that other evidence has been gathered by the coroner and will be presented at the inquest today.  It is hoped that more evidence may be found as to how the young stranger came to his death.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 6, 1918

 

DEATH NEAR PANAMA

 

          Harry May, a young farmer living between Panama and Reno died Monday from pneumonia following an attack of influenza.

He is survived by his wife and two children. The funeral services were held Wednesday.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 9, 1918

 

DEUBER R. WOOD IS REPORTED A PRISONER

 

          Deuber R. Wood, of Panama, who was previously reported as having died in a German prison camp, is now reported as a prisoner in Camp Rastatt, Germany, according to a French dispatch from Washington.

 

 

 

INQUEST THROWS NO LIGHT ON THE PANAMA SHOOTING

 

          Contrary to expectations, evidence adduced at the  inquest over the remains of Richard Allen, alias Whitesides, at Panama last Thursday evening, failed to throw new light on the mystery surrounding the shooting of August Amelia, a Panama saloonkeeper, and the finding of the dead body of Allen a short distance away on the night of November 28th.

          Coroner Norvell, of Montgomery county, who held the inquest which began November 29th, and was completed at Panama last Thursday, stated there was no new angle to the situation and that the shooting is as deeply shrouded in mystery as ever.  The coroner's jury returned a verdict that Allen came to his death by a gun shot wound inflicted by parties unknown.

 

SERGT. CAPSTICK DROVE BIG TANK AGAINST ENEMY

 

          Concerning the news of the safety of Sergt. "Dick" Capstick of Panama who went from Bond county as one of the four men first sent in September 1917.  The Hillsboro News says a cablegram was received last Monday by Miss Lena Phillips, of Panama, his fiance, that he was alive and safe in Holland, after being officially reported as missing after the big battle on September 29.

         

The News says:

          "Sergeant Capstick has probably faced death hundreds of times in the 15 months that have passed since he left here. He was in the regular army for eight years and five months and was discharged about three years before war was declared with Germany.  He was held as a four year reserve and after America was at war he was recalled and offered a commission in the regular army.  Sergt. Capstick found that as a commissioned officer he would be kept in this country to become a training officer.  This was not his idea of the way to get into the war   he wanted to get into it with both feet, where the fighting was thickest and he turned down the commission, was specially inducted for the tank service by the Greenville board of exemptions in June, 1917, and was sent across.  After a short training period in England he was sent to the western front and being an old head in the infantry, he was made a convoy leader.  That is, he drove the forward tank which led the others into battle and the initiated know this means that Sergeant Capstick had one of the most dangerous places in the whole line of battle, from Holland to Switzerland and it is a miracle that he lives in Holland today and when his relatives welcome him home, as they expect to do possibly before Christmas, they will greet him as one returned from the dead."

          "The life of a tank driver at the front is good for eight trips as a convoy it is usually estimated, and Sergeant Capstick evidently bears a charmed life as he had made 28 trips in what he called his "Tin Lizzie", when he wrote last about the middle of September.  He stated in a letter to his brother here, that anybody who has been out in the tanks in battle, has "been to hell and got back safely."  Out of ninety who were sent out in battle in the tanks, only nine  returned and sergeant Capstick was one of the nine.  He was gassed last July and was in a hospital at Durham, England, until he recovered and went back to the front.  In the battle of Belleau Wood, he was wounded in the knee, and was reported missing September 29.  His relatives believe he must be an escaped prisoner, to have reached Holland safely."

          "Sergeant Capstick wears the decoration given for signal bravery in action and his company, Co. C, 301st Battalion of the U. S. tank service, will be discharged first for distinguished service, according to a government report."

          "The parents of this Montgomery county hero are Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Capstick, Sr., of Panama, and of their nine children, only two are left, another son, Mahlon, having died of pneumonia at Hillsboro hospital the 18th day of October. The relatives are already planning a celebration for Sergeant Capstick and they are certainly to be congratulated, not only for  being able to have their son returned so soon, but for having a live hero to greet, one who has gone through battles, escaped the prison camp and yet returns to tell us all about it."

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 13, 1918

 

ANNUAL K. OF P. BALL AT PANAMA

 

          Panama Lodge, No. 718, Knights of Pythias, will be hold their annual ball at Romania's hall on New Year's eve, December 31, 1918. Admission 50 cents, ladies free. Good order guaranteed. Lunch served in hall. Come, everybody.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 19, 1918

 

GOVERNOR REFUSES PARDON TO ABBOTT

 

          Gov. Lowden has denied the application of Selmon Abbott for pardon.  Abbott has been in the penitentiary at Chester for several years, convicted on the charge of killing Emil Rawie.  Abbott lived at Panama and came upon Rawie and Mrs. Abbott driving together in a buggy near Staunton.  Abbott opened fire and killed Rawie. Abbott was sentenced for 14 years.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 26, 1918

 

OFFICERS UNCOVER STOLEN GOODS AND ARREST FOUR IN ONE PANAMA FAMILY

 

          James Deright and three sons of Panama are held on  charges of robbery following a sensational raid on their home by officers at 2 a.m. Monday, when large quantities of merchandise were found in a hog house.

          Two more warrants were issued by State's Attorney H. A. Meyer this afternoon, but the names of the defendants were withheld until they are arrested.

          Officers believe that the find at the Deright home is the entering wedge in uncovering the numerous robberies that have been perpetrated along the Clover Leaf railroad.

          More sensational developments are expected hourly.

          Sheriff J. W. Wilson and Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell, who went to Panama at 2 a.m., Monday in response to a telegram from special agents of the Clover Leaf railroad, returned Monday evening accompanied by Special Agents J. P. Jones of Charleston, H. A. Kahres of Delphos, Ohio, and also by James Deright and his son, Angelo, of Panama.  Deputy Sheriff Tidwell also brought with him enough loot to start a general department store.

          Following a series of robberies from freight cars on the Clover Leaf near Panama, the railroad detectives had been trying to locate the stolen goods for several months.  Even the chief of the railroad detective service, W. W. Stigall, was on the scene.  After the robbery of a freight car Saturday night, the men obtained enough information to justify action and notified Sheriff Wilson and his deputy.

          After Sheriff Wilson arrived in Panama Monday morning, the men went to the home of Deright, and in a hog house back of the residence, they found a stack of stolen material. Some of this material was recognized by the agents as having been taken from the railroad cars.  The officers then entered Deright's house and found several pairs of shoes and a bolt of blue serge cloth.  Deright and his family of seven sons and four daughters denied any knowledge of the stolen goods and claimed it must have been placed there by some other parties.  In spite of this, the father and Angelo were brought to Greenville Monday night and placed in jail after failing to give bond of $1000 each.  Wednesday evening, Deputy Sheriff Tidwell brought two other Deright boys, Theodore and Henry, down to keep company with their father and brother.

          After questioning Theodore and Henry Deright in State's Attorney H. A. Meyer's office, until after midnight, the state's attorney and the railroad detectives got the boys to talking.  They admitted having stolen all the stuff brought to Greenville by the officers and said that nearly every night they made excursions to the railroad yards and carried off all the material they could get their hands on.  They named a number of accomplices, among them being a 13 year old Panama boy.  They claimed that they did not do all the stealing, but another gang of three young men also was in the business and that the Deright gang bought the stolen goods from them.

          The officials believe they have broken up a gang which has caused the trouble for over a year.  A large number of  Panama people are implicated, according to the beliefs of the officials and it may be necessary to build an addition to the Bond county jail to accommodate the Panama visitors!

          State's Attorney H. A. Meyer issued warrants for the arrest of the four men and the hearing was set for 9 a.m. Tuesday before Justice of the Peace A. M. File.  Tony Calufetti, a saloonkeeper of Panama, came down Monday night and offered to go bond for James and Angelo Deright, but Justice File refused to accept the one man as bondsman, so the men were remanded to jail.

          James Deright and Angelo gave bond late Christmas night in the sum of $1000 each, Tony Calufetti and Joe Vigliocco signing the bond.

          Henry and Theodore Deright on Thursday morning were held under bonds of $1000 each by Justice File and they sent to Panama for bondsmen.

          Thursday afternoon State's Attorney Meyer issued two more warrants but declined to give out for publication the names of the new defendants.

          James Deright is a drayman at Panama and his son, Angelo, is a bartender at Calufetti's saloon. Two sons went with Bond county contingents and are now in France. One son who is married and lives next door to the father, works in the Panama mine.

          After bringing the loot to Greenville on a wagon Monday night, the officers checked up Tuesday morning and here is what they found in the hog house at Deright's home:

 

5 bottles of peroxide                           10 quarts of Old Crow whiskey

22 lead pencils                                    5 lbs. ground coffee

5 lbs. rolled oats                                 5 lbs. peanuts

36 pairs overalls                                 43 packages of figs

1 box of milk chocolate                      1/2 pack of filbert nuts

5 lbs. bag of lima beans                      5 lbs navy beans

2 lbs. mixed nuts                                5 lbs. raisins

40 lbs. plug tobacco                           1/2 lb. black pepper

1/2 lb. cocoa                                      45 pkgs. No. 93 scrap tobacco

22 pkgs. Granger tobacco                   11 pairs of shoes

73 pkgs. Sweet Mist tobacco              62 cans Tuxedo tobacco

35 cans Velvet tobacco                       39 cans Prince Albert

31 cob pipes

 

          And this is not all they found in the hog house. At least another load of stuff was there but the railroad detectives could not identify it and so did not move it to Greenville. When they went back Wednesday evening this loot had been removed and could not be located.

          The robberies at Panama have been conducted in a systematic manner and the goods have been sold throughout the town to miners and other residents. It is even said that a merchant in the town said he could not sell shoes any more, although the same miners wore good shoes all the time. The residents talk of the "sack man," from whom they purchase shoes, clothing and other stuff and an air of mystery  surrounds this "sack man." They say they can buy $4 shoes from him for $2, and other things in proportion. No one seems to know who this "sack man" is or at least information cannot be obtained.

          Special Agent Jones told The Advocate Tuesday that he had been at work in Panama for a year and that the foreigners there would deny any connection with a gang and when approached on any subject, would give a rambling account but nothing definite could be learned. It has been known for some time that certain foreigners have been dealing in stolen goods. It is said that men would hop moving freight trains and while the train was in motion would throw merchandise off the cars. These would later be gathered up along the railroad track and taken to certain places where it would be disposed of.

          The Clover Leaf agents spoke in a commendatory way of Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Sheriff Tidwell and said they were highly indebted to them for their services. In most places they claim they found a spirit of apathy among the officials but that was not the case with Bond county officers.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 27, 1918

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

Arthur M. Hawkins, Panama age 18

Bernice C. Stanton, Panama age 16

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 30, 1918

 

DERIGHT THROWS MORE LIGHT ON BIG PANAMA ROBBERIES; TELLS OF PART HE PLAYED

 

          The fact that he could not make enough money to feed and cloth his large family is given by James Deright, the Panama drayman, as the reason for his participation in the wholesale robberies during the past year in Panama. Mr Deright of his own accord came down from Panama Saturday afternoon and made a full confession to State's Attorney H. A. Meyer, Saturday night.

          Deright has two sons in the service and one of these he said was his "main boy". After he went to war he had a hard time making both ends meet and when the "sackman" or "nightmen", as he called them, would come to the house with shoes, he could not resist the temptation to buy. This led to further purchases from them, until finally James Deright was acting as middleman between the sackmen, whom he said did most of the burglarizing, and a certain merchant.

          Deright is out on bond awaiting the session of the grand jury at the January term. During the questioning early last  week he was told that if he did not confess, things would go hard with him when the trial came off. On Saturday, Special Agents Jones and Kahres of the Clover Leaf railroad were in Panama and Deright went to them and wanted to confess. He was told he would have to tell his story to the state's attorney, so Deright made a bee line for Greenville. When he arrived at the state's attorney office, he told Mr. Meyer to ask him the same questions he had asked before and he would tell it straight this time.

          "I did buy shoes from the sackmen," he said. "I did not know for sure they were stolen shoes, but I thought so because they were so cheap. I believe my boy Henry stole the whiskey. At one time I bought 170 silk corset covers from the stranger and I thought these were stolen. I sold them to another party who also knew they were stolen." Asked by State's Attorney Meyer how it happened that all the members of the Deright family were wearing fine high top shoes, Deright explained these came from the same place as the other material. The beans, raisins and coffee in the house, he said the boys must have brought in. "they stole them all down at the depot. I heard my boys say that they had lots of tobacco in the house, so I thought this must have been stolen too. I do not know for sure where the whiskey came from but I suppose Henry or Theodore or both of them got that".

          Questioned concerning the time Deright received $10 for hauling a load of stolen articles, he explained: The time I made the trip and got $10 for hauling five or six sacks of overalls, I unloaded them in the mine yard. They wanted me to buy all of them but I could not afford it and bought only three sacks. I kept fifteen or sixteen pairs of the overalls for my own use and sold the rest at a profit. The three men took the other sacks away. This happened in June."

          Regarding the three men, Deright said they had been coming to his house for the past year. One of them he knew as Shorty and he said Shorty was there when he bought the overalls." I did not buy from these nightmen every time," said Deright. "My wife always objected when I bought anything from them and told me I would eventually get into trouble. But of course she did not have to pay the grocery bills. I was forced to buy from these sackmen because I could not make enough money to feed my big family. I did not steal until they took my main boy to the army."

          Deright exonerated Tony Calufetti who was also placed under arrest last Friday. Deright said he did not have anything to do with the robberies as far as he knew.

          James Deright, who is apparently about 50 years of age, has been in America 32 years and is a citizen.  He is apparently all broken up over his arrest and asked State's Attorney Meyer if there was any possible way for him to reimburse the railroad company for its losses.  He maintains that if he is sent to the penitentiary, he will never come back alive.

          Following the arrest last Monday of James Deright and son, Angelo, and the arrest Wednesday of two other Deright  boys, Theodore and Henry, a fourth son, Dominack Deright and Tony Calufetti, the latter a saloonkeeper at Panama, were placed under arrest Friday.  The charge against Dominack and Calufetti is the same as that against the first four, that of wholesale robbery from Clover Leaf cars at Panama.

          Not being particularly eager for a drive overland through the cold to Panama, Sheriff Tidwell framed up on Dominack and Calufetti Thursday evening.  They called Calufetti over the long distance telephone and told him there was a hitch in the bonds of James and Angelo Deright, and that it would be necessary for him to come to Greenville Friday to straighten out the tangle, and that he should bring Dominack Deright with him.  Upon arriving here both men were placed under arrest.

          On Friday afternoon, James and Angelo, who had previously been released from jail on bonds signed by Joe Vigliocco and Calufetti, to await the hearing set for Tuesday, waived preliminary examination before Justice A. M. File.  Theodore, Henry and Dominack also expressed a willingness to waive, and word was sent to Panama for another bondsman.  In the meantime, the three brothers were guests of Deputy Tidwell at the jail. They are still there today.

          Upon being questioned by Special Agents Jones and Kahres of the Clover Leaf railroad, and State's Attorney H. A. Meyer Friday, Calufetti, who is a well to do saloonkeeper of Panama, denied he was implicated in the robberies, claiming he had a clear record.  He said that he was willing to waive preliminary examination and let the grand jury investigate his case.  A warrant had been sworn out the night before on information furnished by Theodore and Henry Deright, who said that Calufetti, their bondsman, hauled his own liquor from the railroad cars to his saloon, and that he would occasionally help himself to the packages containing merchandise, even naming some of the merchandise he took.

          Calufetti told the officers that when he unloaded his booze from the car, the Panama agent was always with him to check up, and on one occasion only did he take more than was coming to him.  At that time he took 23 packages when he should have had only 22, and upon discovering his mistake, he returned the extra package.

          Old man Deright, in his story, implicates three other men who live in the vicinity of Panama.  He called these men bums, and said he knew the name of only one of them, who went, he said, by the name of Ernest.  He said these three "bums" made robberies on the Clover Leaf and also on the C.B. & Q.  Officers are working on clues which may eventually lead to the arrest of these three men.

          The four Deright boys, upon being questioned, gave much valuable information to the state's attorney.  The old gentleman tried to shift the blame to the boys, and they, in turn, implicated others.  The father protested his innocence at this time.

          After Calufetti was arrested, he refused to go on the bond of any more Derights, and it was necessary to send for  another bondsman Friday morning.  Calufetti claimed he had lots of property in Panama, but he would never go on a man's bond if he believed him guilty.

          With the arrest of the five members of the Deright family, it is believed the backbone of the gang, which has been committing thefts at Panama for four years, has been broken.  Additional developments may be expected at any time.

          The warrant against Dominack Deright charges that on Dec. 20th he stole the following articles from the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad Co., the Clover Leaf:

          Thirty six pairs of overalls worth $75; 10 quarts of Old Crow whiskey worth $25; 11 pairs of men's shoes worth $40; 41 pounds of Horseshoe chewing tobacco worth $40; all the goods and chattels of the railroad company.

          The warrant against Calufetti charges him with the theft of 5 pounds of coffee worth $1.25, 5 pounds of raisins worth $1.00, 10 pounds of cheese worth $12, 5 pounds of rice worth $4, 1 case of catsup worth $2.40 and 10 quarts of whiskey worth $25.

          A wagon load of goods taken from the hog pen in Deright's back yard is still in the vault in the county clerk's office in the court house.  A lot of material which could not be identified when the goods were discovered last Wednesday, was left in the hog house, but when the officers went back Wednesday to get this stuff, it was gone, and has not been located.

 

 

Montgomery News

Dec.  31, 1918

 

CIRCUIT COURT NEW CASE

 

          W. L. Ross, receiver of the Toledo, St Louis and Western Railroad Co., has appealed from a judgement for $150 obtained by Harry Evans, against it before Esq. Charles Bills of Panama on December 5, 1918.

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 2, 1919

 

PANAMA PRISONERS ARE RELEASED ON BOND

 

          Six defendants in the Panama robbery case have all secured their release from the Bond county jail and are enjoying freedom again.  All of them have waived preliminary hearings and have retained Attorney J. H. Allio to defend them.  All are out under bond of $1000 each.  Henry, Theodore and Dominack Deright, the last three to be released, were turned loose last Friday.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 13, 1919

 

PANAMA MAN TO STAND TRIAL IN CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The case of John Lela, a Panama coal miner, who is charged with receiving stolen property will probably come to trial today or tomorrow.  Lela is the man in whose possession a big Buick 8 was found about 6 months ago.  Lela claimed he bought the car.

 

PANAMA MERCHANT SAYS HE BOUGHT STOLEN PROPERTY

 

          Clayto Romani, a merchant of Panama, on Friday confessed to Sheriff Wilson, Deputy Tidwell and Special Agents Jones and Kahres of the Clover Leaf railroad, that he had been, for some time, purchasing stolen merchandise from the James Deright family, five members of which will probably be indicted by the grand jury this week.

          Romani admitted buying a lot of silk camisoles from the Derights, and said that he had bought about 25 pairs of shoes from the Derights, all of which, with the exception of about two or three pairs, had been sold.  When the officers searched his stock of goods however, they found 32 pairs sandwiched in among 150 pairs which the railroad detectives identified as having been taken from cars on the Clover Leaf railroad.

          The investigation at Romani's store was a sequel to the robbery at the store of the Reno Mercantile Co. Wednesday night, when 41 pairs of men's shoes were taken.  Early Friday morning, Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Tidwell went to Reno, and in company with J. E. Higgins, manager of the Reno store, went to Panama.  They secured search warrants, giving them the right to search the homes of James Deright and James Salvetti, on the Bond county side of the line in Panama. They went through the Deright home and found some merchandise, the same that was in the Deright's hog house when the Derights were first arrested two weeks ago.  After the arrest, the officers went back the next day to nab this stuff, but it had been hidden.  It was found in the house and identified by the railroad detectives Friday.

          After searching the Deright home the officers went across the street to the home of James Salvetti.  Salvetti himself was not at home, but his wife freely admitted the officers to the house, and no stolen goods was found.

          The officers next went to Donnellson, where Police Magistrate Harry Tankersley issued a search warrant for Romani's store.  Sheriff Wilson called Sheriff E. J. Marshall, of Hillsboro, and he sent Deputy May to Panama. They went into Romani's store, and after obtaining his confession that he had purchased some goods from the Derights, Sheriff Wilson got busy and searched the stock of shoes and found the 32 pairs which the railroad detectives identified.  The lot of silk camisoles, Romani said, cost him $30.  He said he did not buy the shoes in boxes, but they were always delivered to him in bags.  After the 32 pairs of shoes were uncovered, Romani admitted he had also purchased them from Deright.

          Sheriff Wilson has been obtaining little assistance from the officers on the Montgomery side of the line, and as far as is known, it is said no action has been taken in Montgomery county to assist in the cleanup of Panama. Romani, against whom numerous complaints have been made, lives in Montgomery county and is out of the jurisdiction of the local officers.  The stolen goods will be left in the Romani store until after the investigation of the grand jury into the robberies this week.  There will probably be some lively scenes in court here when the Deright case comes to trial.  A large number of Panama citizens, heretofore apparently cowed by the law  breaking gang in Panama, and afraid to tell what they know, have volunteered to appear before the grand jury.

          That there is reason for their fear is shown by the fact that threats to do bodily harm have been made.  Deputy Tidwell said that Romani even threatened to blow him up last Friday.  The good citizens of the town are sick of the reputation the thieves are giving to the village and are ready to assist in the clean up work.

          The mystery of the car at the side of the Reno store at 6 p.m. on the night of the robbery has been cleared up.  The car was owned by people who were on a peaceful mission, and had no connection with the robbery.

 

R. J. CAPSTICK ONCE CAPTURED LANDS IN U.S.

 

          Corporal Richard J. Capstick, of Panama, who went with Bond county's first draft contingent of four to Camp Taylor in September 1917, and who was subsequently taken prisoner by the Germans, landed in America a few days ago, and has wired his father, J. A. Capstick at Panama, that he expects to be home within a short time.

          After being in the military police at Camp Taylor several months, Corporal Capstick secured a transfer to the tank corps and had some exiting adventures in the war.   Although the average number of trips for members of the tank corps is nine, Capstick succeeded in making 28 before he was captured.  At the time he was captured, it is believed the tank in which he was fighting was so disabled in enemy territory that he was compelled to surrender.  He was reported several weeks ago as missing in action and next heard of him was a letter from Holland, saying he had escaped into that country.  He later went to England and rejoined the American forces.  He is now on his way home.

          William Zigliotto, also of Panama, was another soldier who landed at Norfolk, Va., from overseas last week.  He is on his way to his home at Panama.  Zigliotto was a member of the coast artillery.

 

BUGLE CALL

 

          John May, of Panama, is another Bond county man who is with the Army of Occupation.  A letter to his wife states that he is in Headquarters Company, 18th Regular Army Infantry, and was in Luxembourg when he last wrote.

Montgomery News

Jan, 14, 1919

 

ANOTHER GERM AT PANAMA

 

          The influenza germ at Panama seems to have lost his power, but the Bond county side of that village is now in the grip of the smallpox bug three cases being reported at present.  The Montgomery county half of the town is praying that the germs keep on their own side of the fence.

 

 

 

 

 

PANAMA CHILD DEAD

 

          The twelve year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Craig died at the family residence in Panama, Friday noon after a brief illness.  She is survived besides the parents, by several brothers and sisters.

          The funeral services took place from the M. E. Church in Panama Sunday and interment was made in Sunnyside cemetery at Sorento.

                                                                                                                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 16, 1919

 

FOUR IN DERIGHT FAMILY INDICTED IN PANAMA CASES

 

          After returning indictments against James Deright and members of his family on charges of larceny and receiving stolen property, and against Frank Hartman on the charge of bigamy, the grand jury was discharged Wednesday noon and Judge J. F. Gillham, of Edwardsville, adjourned court a few   hours later until March first, when he will return to Greenville and dispose of unfinished business on the docket.

          Deright and other members of his family, who were indicted, were on hand to give bond Wednesday afternoon.

          Hartman is coming to Greenville today to give bond.

          Additional indictments were returned by the grand jury, but were withheld from the press, pending arrest.

          Some of the indictments returned by the grand jury are as follows:

          James Deright, receiving stolen goods, bail fixed at $300.

          Henry and Theodore Deright, fixed bail $200 each.

          Angelo Deright, receiving stolen goods, bail $200.

          Frank Hartman, bigamy, fixed bail at $170.

The grand jury failed to indict Tony Calufetti on the charge of larceny.

          The case against the Derights is the outcome of a raid made by Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Sheriff Tidwell and special agents of the Clover Leaf railroad, on the home of James Deright a few weeks ago, at which time they discovered a large quantity of goods alleged to have been stolen from the Clover Leaf railroad.

          Deright, in a confession, said that he bought the goods from strangers, whom he called "sackmen."  He said the men came to his house at night, carrying the goods in sacks.  He bought the goods at a low figure and resold them to Panama merchants.  The cases were all continued, the defendants giving bonds signed by themselves and other Panama men.

          The indictment against Frank Hartman, charging bigamy, sets up that he married Mary Ann Andrews, in St. Clair county, in June 1907, and that afterwards, while Mary Ann Hartman was living, on July 19, 1909, it is alleged he married unlawfully, Ollie Taylor, and the indictment further alleges that Hartman well knew that Mary Ann Hartman was living.

          A verdict of not guilty was returned in the case of People vs. John Lela, of Panama, charged with receiving stolen property.  The case was tried Monday, and the jury returned a verdict a short time after they received their instructions from the court.

          One day last summer, a  stranger came along with a Buick 6, which looked almost as good as new.  Lela took a shine to the car and the result was a trade was made, Lela paying $900 for the machine.  Along came J. L. Hartup, of Virden, who identified the car and proved ownership, and Lela had to give it up.  Then Lela was out of his car, his $900, and had to stand trial for receiving stolen property.

          The evidence convinced the jury that Lela was an innocent purchaser and did not know the car had been stolen and was therefore acquitted.  State's Attorney Myer prosecuted the case, and Lela was defended by J. H. Allio.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 20, 1919

 

CORPORAL CAPSTICK, WOUNDED, CAPTURED, AND STARVED, HOME FROM HUN PRISON

 

          Wearing French and Belgian service bar decorations, having been recommended for the American Distinguished Service Cross, and surviving bullet wounds in each leg, one in the right shoulder, two in his left arm, a shrapnel wound in his head and almost two months in the hell of German prison camps and enslavement behind the Hun lines, Corporal Richard J. Capstick, who left Greenville as a captain of Bond county's first draft contingent of four men, on September the 6th, 1917, arrived at his home in Panama Wednesday evening, and gladly surprised his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Capstick, who had once given him up for dead.

          Capstick does not look much like the fighting Capstick who left Greenville; he looks like he had fought, bled and almost died for his country.  He now weighs 112 lbs., but before his capture he weighed 139 lbs., and was every inch a man.  Now, he can hardly walk because of his many wounds, and a rheumatic stiffening of his knees brought on by sleeping on the cold ground of a prison camp, without blankets or cover of any kind.

          An Advocate reporter talked to him over the long distance telephone Friday morning, and listened to an interesting story of the kind of fighting it is more interesting to read about than indulge in.  On September 29th, his tank, for he was in charge of the machine gunners on a big tank, received three direct hits by large shells, and after receiving three bullet wounds while beating it to a shell hole, he lay in the shell hole from 9 a.m. until 11 o'clock that night before a German infantryman accidently stumbled over him, and marched Capstick and his six companions back to the German headquarters.

          Corporal Capstick was released from the prison camp at Westphalia, on November 26th, was taken by some kind Russian prisoners to Holland, where he remained a few days and then went to England, where he joined an American casual company and landed in New York, January 7th.  He was discharged last week from Camp Custer, Michigan, and stopped over in Hillsboro Tuesday night and Wednesday to visit a brother, before going to Panama.  At Hillsboro, a reporter for the Hillsboro Journal interviewed Richard, and a combination of stories given the Advocate and the Journal, makes a complete story of Capstick's fighting career.

          After remaining at Camp Taylor as a sergeant in the military police all last winter, he volunteered for immediate service overseas, and was assigned to the tank corps, sailing from New York March 28th.  He received his training in England.  Upon arriving in France as a member of the 301st Heavy Tank Battalion, which was brigaded with the British on the Cambrai front, he first saw action August 24th, when   together with a bunch of noncoms he was sent over to receive instructions.  Four days later he received flesh wounds in the leg from a machine gun bullet.  a few days later he was slightly gassed and in September he was assigned to a big tank, called "Big Bill," which led a fleet of tanks and was in charge of the four private machine gunners.

          "On my first time out in this American tank," he said, "We ran into a batch of hard luck and were finally captured.  The 27th and 30th American divisions  were with us, and we were on the Cambrai front.  At two o'clock on the morning of September 29th, we got the tank filled up and we started off. We passed from behind our lines and passed over the top at 4 o'clock.  The Germans began firing at us.  We traveled along, advancing ahead of our infantry, crossed a river and ran into German infantry and wiped out a sector of them.  We turned around and came upon some more infantrymen in a shell hole. I was about to throw a 6 pounder into them when a soldier in the shell hole thrust a bayonet up with a helmet on it.  It was an American helmet.  They were Yanks of the 106th Infantry, 27th Division.  "Those are Yanks in there," I called.  We turned, hit the Hindenburg line, and went through it, clearing the sector allotted us.  Some of the Jerries ran before the tank.  Others were crushed beneath it.  We went on and came to the canal on the right of Cambrai.  "She wont swim," our commander said, "but we can tear down barbed wire entanglements with her."  We set about to demolish the barbed wire entanglements, knowing that we had advanced considerably, but expecting our infantry to catch up with us. We were flirting with the big artillery by this time, we wereso far inside the lines.  We had gotten so far into German territory that one of our guards later asked us if we hadintended to take Berlin by ourselves.

          From some distance away, the artillery opened fire on us, and with three shots they put us out of business.  The first shot tore our radiator off, the second shot hit the nose, and the third hit a cylinder and our gas exploded.  We crawled out.  Nine of us were in the tank.  I don't know what became of two of them, but seven of us were captured.  Our artillery was dropping a barrage ahead of us and this afforded us safety from the Jerries until it was lifted.  We made for three shell holes, and while on our way three machine gun bullets made slight wounds.  I fell into a shell hole, along with two others, about 9 o'clock in the morning. I had lost my helmet and was bare headed, holding my overseas cap in my hand.  A piece of shrapnel hit me in the head, inflicting a scalp wound and dazing me.  I think there is a piece of steel in my scalp yet.  I had on my gas mask, but was suffering from the gas.  We were mud and blood from head to foot.  All day long we lay in that shell hole, with no weapons of defense.

          About 11 o'clock that night, a single Jerry came along and accidently kicked me, in this way discovering our location.  This Jerry marched all seven of us back to the German lines.  When we reached there, the Germans, who had   been badly beaten all day, were drinking and were trying to organize for a counter attack.  I had removed all my marks of identification and insignias, but had neglected to remove a ribbon, which designated me as a member of the tank corps. When they found out I belonged to that branch (they hated the tanks) they gave some more kicks for good measure and kicked me into a dugout.  As all the men in the dugout were drunk I imagined they would finish the job and kill me, but we fell asleep from sheer exhaustion at 3 o'clock the next morning. Before we fell asleep, we heard them talking of forming a counter attack against the Americans and British.  They were drinking and we hoped they would counter attack, for we knew it would be easy for our men, as the Huns were drunk.  And it did prove easy, and resulted in almost a slaughter of the Germans."

          Here Bond county's first returned prisoner digressed from his topic long enough to remark that all the credit must be given to the Yanks for winning the war.  "We fought without liquor and we never knew what it was to have a drink as long as we were in the fight.  The Yanks fought with pep and put pep into the allied armies.  The Huns imagined they could win the battles by getting the soldiers drunk but the way they ran after the drunken bout the night I was captured showed that the liquor did not seem to bolster them up.

          The 30th Division kept coming, and the next day the Germans were compelled to run to keep out of their way.  They took us on behind their lines, and for 5 weeks subjected us to a condition ten times worse than the blackest slavery ever was.  They had us pulling their artillery and moving ammunition around, slave driving and prodding, from sun up to sun down with no rest.  While we were doing this they fed us one soup and one crust of bread a day.  We were bothered awfully with dysentery.  Some of the boys fell exhausted in their tracks, and I saw them fall dead in their shoes.  I saw the hours when I thought I wouldn't be able to go ahead another minute, but the man above pulled me through.  The soup was made out of horses head, barley and acorns, and it went through you without stopping.  When in this work, they thought one was idling or shirking, they prodded him along, but I noticed they did not mistreat the Yanks nearly so bad as they did the British.  They must have sensed that there was a day of reckoning coming.  Then there were times when they must have realized that our slowness was due to starvation, as it was, and then they were a bit more lenient. While in this five weeks of starvation, we were at their prison headquarters at Germount, France.  We had to sleep on theground, with no blankets or covering of any kind.  We huddled together and tried to sleep the best we could, burrowing into the ground sometimes to keep warm.  It was herethat this stiffness and swelling in my knees developed. Themachine gun bullet that pierced my legs just back of and above the knees and the starvation may have had something to dowith it.

          When they had exhausted us, they took us through Belgium   to the prison camp at Dillman, in Westphalia, Germany.  While at Germount, in prison quarters there, we tried to escape one night when we caught the guard away. We lifted the wires and two of the Yanks got out while I lifted the wires.  Then I started under and was about half way through when the guard ran up and drew back.  The fellows lifting the wire for me had dropped it and run.  With a mighty jerk back that took off my shirt and cut my back pretty badly on the barbs.  I got back and beat it around where we were sleeping, slipping in and feigning sleep when the searchers came through.  They never caught me.  The boys inside knew who it was, but they never gave me away.  They fired some shots.  I don't know whether the other two fellows made it safely or not.

          At the prison camp in Westphalia we lived ten times better than we did behind the lines.  But the American Red Cross fed us.  That's the most wonderful organization in the world.  Why , without it, we would have all died.  As it was, only 118 out of the 150 Yanks captured at the same time I was, came out alive.  The Red Cross boxes came direct to us under the direct supervision of the Spanish ambassador.  We had better places to sleep at Westphalia, too.  I remained here until the armistice was signed, leaving there at 1  a.m. November 26th. You should have heard the prisoners yell when they left that camp that early morning hour.  They simply went wild.

          Our camp was only 35 miles from the Holland border, and the Russian prisoners in the camp hauled us in wagons to the border, where we were put on a train under a Dutch guard. The Hollanders gave us splendid quarters.  Holland looked more like a toy than a country.  It was the cleanest place I ever saw in my life.  The streets are kept so clean you could eat off them, it seems.  I got some Dutch money and some wooden shoes.  You know Hoekstra, of the Panama bank, is a Hollander.  I'm going to give him some of the money he used to sneak off with to buy candy when he was a kid back in Holland.

          From Holland I went to England and from there I joined an American Casual Company at London.  I never got back to my old company.  Don't know what happened to them.  The Red Cross gave us Christmas dinner at Winchester, England; left there on December 27th, and landed in New York on January 7th.  There they put me and my cloths through the anti  cootie machine.  See how wrinkled they left my coat?

          All the while I was in the tank service, I fought with the British around Baupaume and Cambrai.  I got two shots of gas around Baupaume and went to the hospital for treatment. It was on August 26th that I got the machine gun bullet through my legs.  Was standing talking to a fellow by the name of Abbot, a Yank.  We were jollying each other about little nothings and presently he started away.  A stray machine gun bullet came by and caught me and before Abbot was ten steps away a piece of shrapnel lifted the top of his head off from the eyes up.

          You ask if the Germans are as brutal as you have been   led to believe.  Every bit of it.  I can't say a good thing for them.  I saw one case with my own eyes, and know it to be the absolute truth.  It was when they were taking us from behind the lines through Belgium into Germany.  They were marching us through Erguliness, Belgium.  We were halted, about 900 Tommies and a few Yanks.  The Yanks is known over there through his cussing and slang.  One of the Yanks was indulging in some of this and it happened that among the Belgium people standing by pitying us, there was an American woman, from around Pittsburg.  She heard him and asked a Tommie if there were any Yanks in the bunch.  He told her that he didn't think so, and she said she knew there was, that she heard one.  The same Yank blurted out again and she saw our quota and came running to us to offer us something to eat from potatoes and cabbage and other things she was carrying in her apron.  Just as we were about to take it, a German guard ran up and drawing back with the butt of his gun before any one could stop him,  he drove it hard into her breast and knocked her cold.  I saw that.  We rushed at the guard but other Huns bore down on us and we were unarmed.  I saw the same guard slap little children head over heels when they came to offer us something to eat.  Brutal?  I wish this war could have lasted 6 months longer.  I would liked to have seen them crushed.  Six months more might have done me up, but I wish it had lasted.  We landed at the Westphalia prison camp on November 4th.

          The tanks operated from charts.  Our work was to wipe out pill boxes, German machine gun nests.  They would be marked out and the tank would be steered over them, crushing to death any of the Jerries who remained in them.  Our tank would get astride a trench and start down it.  The tank would go about three miles an hour.  When our tank was blown up, I looked it over and saw that it was covered with blood and pieces of uniforms.  That anti  tank gun is about the only thing that can put them out of commission.  The "morph" tank carries one 6  pound gun and five machine guns; the male tank, two six  pounders and four machine guns; and the female tank a six  inch gun and machine guns.  I was corporal in charge of machine guns in the tank I was in.  One drives it, a sergeant; one cares for the gas engine, the propelling power; one corporal in charge of machine guns; corporal in charge of six pounder, and four privates for the machine guns.

          I stole away from the tank company one day and made the Australian doughboys a visit out in their front lines.  While out there and taking a turn for one of them, I felt a touch on my shoulder.  Well, what do you want? I said without turning around.  I looked around then and saw one of those Salvation Army women in a steel helmet, with a basket of food, offering me some.  What in the world are you doing out here, this is no place for you, I asked her and told her of the danger she was in.  She answered: "Well, you're out here in danger, aren't you?  Then why can't I be, too?  There are surely no more wonderful women in the world than that.

          He said that when he was gassed, his tongue seemed to   swell, his eyes burned and seemed to sink; he would try to breath and it seemed he could not, and when he would try to swallow it seemed he was swallowing his tongue.

          The prison camp in Germany was surrounded by a high barbed wire fence.  Guards were always pacing around it. They were gruff and seldom had anything for the prisoners but a scowl.  There were a few rare occasions, however, when one of them might become human enough to toss a cigarette over to a prisoner.  The prisoners had quarters to sleep in and finally were cared for by the Red Cross.

          Capstick is 32 years of age.  He is sober and reliable and we do not think there was one grain of four  flushing or an iota of untruth in any of the things he told us in his interview, said the Journal.  If we ever talked to a man who impressed us as a Christian, Dick Capstick impressed us that way.  But he is not a soft man.  He talks with just a touch of difficulty from lingering effects of his gassing and seems to be under continued pain from his knee.

          War is worse than hell, he said, worse than what Sherman said it was.  The only way I ever got through alive was by the help of the Man Above.  If a man ever prayed and meant it with all his heart, then he prayed like we did when our tank was blown up and we were left out there in a shell hole ahead of our lines, wounded and gassed, bloody and muddy from head to foot, with shrapnel and bullets whizzing by.  I got my shrapnel wound in the head while in that hole praying that our infantry might catch up with us before the Fritzes found us.

          Richard's home coming was not all joy.  He comes back only a shadow of a man who left Greenville over a year ago. Then, too, there's a bigger note of pathos which crept in. Dick Capstick will be unable to greet two of his brothers back here.  While he was away, his brother Arthur, mine superintendent at Royalton, was killed in a mine accident, and Mahlon, a younger brother, died a short time later.

          Corporal Capstick says he is coming to Greenville to visit his friends as soon as he can get a little nourishment and his stiff legs limber up.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 20, 1919

 

BIRTHDAY PARTY IS GIVEN FRED WILLMAN

 

          A birthday party was given at Matt Willman's Saturday Eve Jan. 11, in honor of their son, Fred, it being his eighteenth birthday.

          Those present were Misses Helen Mackey, Olivia Potthast, Silvian Baldwin, Verna Brant, Stacy Haun, Violet Reitz, Lola Paine, Edith Brewer, Randa Hunter, Sisie Zbinden, Minnie Allen, Minnie and Polly Willeford, Ethel and Louise Langel, Louie Reitz, Louie Clanton, Victor and Albert Hunter, Guy and Marion Haun, Jesse Frank, Jim and Clarence Paine, Bert and   Charlie Sybert, Walter, Joe, Clarence, Fred and Milton Willmann, Forrest and Vernie McCullah, Edgar Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Ray and daughters, Mabel and June, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clanton, Mr. and Mrs. Hollie Willmann and son, Coral, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Clanton and son Harold, Mr. and Mrs. William Willmann and sons, Gerald and Burl, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Willmann, Mrs. Belle Clanton and Mrs. Anna Chandler of Springfield, Illinois.

Refreshments were served and a very pleasant time was spent.

 

PANAMA MINER INJURED

 

          Frank Stewart a Panama miner, was taken to the St. Francis hospital at Litchfield last Wednesday for treatment, after his foot had been crushed by being caught in a motor. He has lived in Panama only a short time.

 

MRS. DERIGHT WAS ALSO INDICTED; GIVES BOND

 

          Mrs. Catherine Deright, wife and mother of the Derights whom the Advocate announced Thursday as having been indicted by the grand jury, was also indicted for receiving stolen goods, according to an announcement made Friday. Mrs.  Deright came to Greenville Friday and gave bond in the sum of $300.  At least one other indictment was returned but has not yet been announced.

                                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 21, 1919

 

PART OF FOOT AMPUTATED

 

          Frank Stewart, whose foot was injured in the Panama mine last week, is recovering from an operation at St. Francis hospital, a part of his foot having been amputated.  His foot was crushed when a motor passed over it.  He and some other men, who were repairing a fill were by the side of the track and to keep from falling into the hole, Mr. Stewart put out his foot and owing to the narrow width between him and the track he was unable to withdraw when the motor came along. He has a wife and four children in St. Louis and had been employed only a short time.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 23, 1919

 

A RESURRECTED CAR

          The Overland automobile driven into a ditch on Mill Hill by Panama parties last August and smashed into smithereens, has been repaired by the Central Garage, and made its appearance on the streets this morning.  It was at first   thought the car was so badly damaged, that it could not be repaired.

 

HARTMAN GIVES BOND ON CHARGE OF BIGAMY

 

    Frank Hartman of Panama, who was indicted by the January grand jury on the charges of bigamy came to Greenville Saturday and furnished bond in the sum of $1000 until the May term of Circuit Court.

 

WALTER HAVRON WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION

   

Walter Havron, who was employed at the Panama mine until he enlisted in the regular army several months ago, was severely wounded  in action Oct. 5, according to a telegram received by his father, Jesse Havron, at Panama Friday.  He was with the 18th Regiment, which is now a part of the Occupation.

MISS PINK WEDS

    A marriage license was issued in St. Louis Monday to John Stremfel and Mollie Pink, both of Panama.

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 27, 1919

 

CORPORAL SAMUEL CRUTHIS

   

     Corporal Samuel Cruthis has returned from Camp Custer to his home near Reno, after being in camp nine months.  He went in as a private and came out as a corporal, bringing home a fine record with him, also an honorable discharge.  His sister, Miss Eva Cruthis, has received a letter from his captain, which says: "In a few days your soldier boy will be starting home.  As his commanding officer, I am proud of him. He has done his duty well."

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 3, 1919

 

HARTMAN GIVES A NEW BOND; RELEASED

 

     Frank Hartman, of Panama, who is under indictment in the circuit court of Bond county for bigamy, was compelled to comes to Greenville Saturday to give a new bond of $1000, after his original bondsmen, Harry McReaken and Adam Frey, of Panama, had withdrawn as bondsmen.  Deputy Sheriff Tidwell went to Panama, Friday night and brought Hartman back with him Saturday evening, to secure the signature of Emil Grabruck and J. D. Williams as security.  Mr. Hartman again has his freedom.

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 6, 1919

 

SEARCH HOME OF PANAMA MAN AND FIND MORE LOOT

   

    Another Panama foreigner, James Salvetti, was brought to Greenville Monday afternoon and after failure to give bond for $500 was placed in jail to await action of the Bond county grand jury at the May term of the circuit court, in answer to a charge of "highway robbery and having stolen property in his possession."

    Salvetti was arrested by Village Marshal Jake Evans and Police Magistrate R. D. McCoy, of Panama, at his home Sunday night, after complaint had been made by Toni Saomi.  Saomi claimed that Salvetti had robbed him of $1150 cash, and armed with search warrant, Marshall Evans and Mr. McCoy searched Salvetti's home.

    After digging up all the floor of the basement and finding nothing but some whiskey stored there, probably to ward off the drouth which is due to hit Panama July 1st, the officers continued their search in the living rooms of the house.  After searching everywhere and being ready to give up, one of the officers accidentally placed his hand on the wall back of the kitchen stove.  A piece of oilcloth hanging on the wall, fell to the floor and, lo and behold! there in the lower part of the flue in a hole dug out of the bricks, was a whole gunny sack full of stolen articles.  Salvetti was given a hearing in Police Magistrate McCoy's court Monday morning, and was bound over to the grand jury under bond of $500.

    Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Tidwell were notified, and left Greenville Monday noon for Panama, returning that evening with their prisoner and the stolen property found in his home.  Salvetti was taken to jail to await the arrival of bondsmen in order to secure his release, and is still a guest of Deputy Sheriff Tidwell.

    Among the articles recovered were revolvers, hack saws, and blades, a brace and bit, five pairs of shoes, some files, several cans of tobacco, three gold watches and one silver watch, and a box of dynamite caps.  All the property was brought to Greenville with the exception of the box of dynamite caps, which Mr. Tidwell thought best not to haul in a car over the rough roads.

    Salvetti denies that he stole the goods and claims his wife bought them at a low price while he was absent, and she would not tell him where she had bought them.  When asked if he stole Saomi's money, he said," No, if I had, I would not have stolen this stuff."  This was before he denied he stole the merchandise.

    Saomi claimed he lost $1150 and claims that on Saturday Salvetti was flashing $20 bills around and appeared to be having lots of money, although he had been ill and had not been working.  When searched at Greenville, Salvetti had certificates from his physician showing he was unable to work.

          Salvetti's story was slightly confused.  It is possible he is only a customer of the sackmen who have been peddling merchandise around the streets of Panama at night.  However, the fact that the goods were hidden in the secret hiding place on the wall, leads to the belief that if Salvetti did not steal the goods, he knows they were stolen.  He told States Attorney Meyer that he earned his living by the sweat of his brow, but said his wife would buy from anyone who came along.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 7, 1919

 

HAS SUED HINES

 

    Joseph A. Capstick by P. McWilliams, his attorney has sued Walker D. Hines, William McAdoo's successor as Director General of Railroads, in an action for Damages, claiming Hines owes him $2000. No declaration is filed yet.

                                                                                                                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 10. 1919

 

SALVETTI PUTS UP CASH BOND OF $200

    James Salvetti, the Panama man who was arrested last Tuesday, and given a hearing before Police Magistrate R. D. McCoy, after goods, said to have been stolen from the Clover Leaf railroad were found in his home, was released from custody Saturday when he put up $200 cash bond.  The original charge against Salvetti was "highway robbery and receiving stolen goods," but State's Attorney H. A. Meyer changed the action Saturday and gave Salvetti chance for a new hearing before Justice W. D. Matney, of Greenville, on a charge of "burglary and larceny".

    Salvetti then waived examination, and a number of his friends were present and put up a cash bond, for his appearance before the May grand jury.

    On Friday, Special Agents Kahres and Jones of the Clover Leaf railroad, came to Greenville and identified most of the property found in Salvetti's home.  They could not identify the watches, brace and bits, and miners' lamps, but they did identify the shoes, tobacco and other property.

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 11, 1919

 

PANAMA, BOND COUNTY, ILL.

 

    The village of Panama as everyone knows is located on the line that runs between Bond and Montgomery counties. Within the past few months it has been discovered that   Panama, Bond county, is the rendezvous for all sorts of criminals, burglars, auto thieves, "sackmen", hold  up men, and other kinds of malefactors, have been traced to Panama, in Bond county and some of them apprehended.

    Most, if not all the lawlessness has ben perpetrated in that part of Panama located in Bond county.  The part of the village located in Montgomery county is inhabited by honest people who live blameless lives.  The criminals all live over the line in Bond county, and there is more criminal business in the Bond county courts that originates in Panama than comes from any other town or city in that county.

    Last week the vigilant and lynx  eyed officers at Greenville discovered another alleged malefactor in Panama, or that part of Panama, "situate, lying and being" as the lawyers say, in Bond county.  He is a foreigner and his name is Salvetti   a name that brings up visions of spaghetti, macaroni and garlic  flavored sausage.

                                                                                                                         

Montgomery News

Feb. 14, 1919

 

CIRCUIT COURT

 

    The case of Norman Pullen, a minor by his next friend, R. H. Pullen, against Walter R. Ross, receiver of the Clover Leaf railroad, which was begun Monday and which took nearly all the forenoon Tuesday to finish, resulted in a hung jury. They were out 20 hours and had 12 different opinions as to what the verdict should be.  It was the first hung jury this term.

    The evidence showed that the plaintiff Norman Pullen was injured at Panama on October 16, 1916, by falling or being pushed or kicked off of a Clover Leaf Freight train while it was switching.  R. W. Ramey was attorney for plaintiff and Mr.  Pope and J. M. Baker appeared for the railroad company. The boy claimed he was kicked or pushed off the caboose by the conductor and he fell under a car and the toes on his left foot were crushed off.  The railroad company claimed the Pullen boy, who was 13 years old at the time, was a trespasser and had no business around the train, and that he was not pushed or kicked off as he testified to.  There were four or five other boys with Pullen when the accident occurred, who corroborated Norman's story and who all swore the conductor was drunk at the time.  The suit was for $2000.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 17, 1919

 

DUEBER WOOD, REPORTED DEAD, DENIES CHARGE

 

          Dueber Wood of Panama, who was taken prisoner by the Germans, has written to his wife some of the facts concerning   his capture.  Dueber left Greenville April 1st, 1918, for Fort Dodge, Iowa.  He remained in the states only five weeks before he sailed.  He was in the trenches three weeks after landing in France.  He is a nephew of Lee Wood of Panama and a son of John T. Wood of East St. Louis.

          In a letter dated Jan. 2, he says: "When I was taken prisoner, it was either that or death, so I chose to be taken alive.  I had only a few seconds to decide it, but it is all over now and I am well.  I was taken prisoner September 29, and was released December 8.  I thought I had seen you for the last time on September 29 but now life looks a little brighter for us, so let's forget it for the time being.  I will tell you about it all later."

          "I was weighed today and weigh 171 pounds.  That is not bad for a prisoner although I was down to 150 pounds.  I thought those Jerries would kill me.  I was at the head of my company and they know here in the company that old Dueber did his part in that drive."

          "I understand the folks at home mourned for me as being dead for two weeks but I was the liveliest dead guy that you ever saw."

          In a Washington dispatch of November 16 the name of Dueber R. Wood was given in the list of men previously reported a prisoner at Camp Rastatt, "Now reported to have died at Munchhof."

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 20, 1919

 

LODGE AT PANAMA HAS SPLENDID RECORD

 

          Panama fraternal orders usually inject enough energy into their organizations to make successes of them and Panama Hive No. 155, Ladies Maccabees is no exception.  Although this lodge was not in existence until October 5, 1914, there are now 55 members, 29 of them being taken in during the past year.  On September 26, last year, the hive entertained the great record keeper, Miss Emma Bower of Port Huron, Mich.

          During the influenza epidemic, three members of the order, Genevieve McCoy, Vaughn Faudi and Mae Grimm were victims of the disease.  On January 1, 1919, the list showed there were $88.23 in the general fund.  Since that time, $40.40 was taken in at a dance, $31.66 was added to the fund through a Larkin order, and a Fourth Liberty Loan pledge of $50 has been paid, making a total of $210.89 in the general fund.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 24, 1919

 

PANAMA K. P. LODGE HAS A CELEBRATION

 

          Another Panama lodge had an anniversary celebration last Wednesday evening.  The Knights of Pythias lodge fittingly observed the fifty  fifth anniversary of the lodge when two members who had been in the military service made talks that were features of the evening's entertainment.  Corporal R. J. Capstick, recently returned from a German prison camp, and Alexander Bennett, also at home from the service, made addresses.  The Panama lodge has about 100 members.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 6, 1919

 

PANAMA MINER IS MURDERED WHILE ON WAY TO WORK

 

          James Salvetti, under bail of $200 for his appearance before the grand jury at the May term of the circuit court, to answer to a charge of burglary and larceny, was shot and killed at 6:30 o'clock this morning by an unknown assailant while on his way down the railroad track to his work at the Panama mine.  The bullet from a revolver entered the back of Salvetti's head and death was almost instantaneous.

          Salvetti, accompanied by a man said to be Tony Saomi, who had accused Salvetti of stealing $1150 from him on Feb. 2nd, and who brought about Salvetti's arrest, were walking together down the track.  Several steps behind them were one or two other Panama miners.  According to the story of one of them, Salvetti started to run and the man believed to be Saomi drew his revolver and fired.  Salvetti fell and the man who fired the shot made his escape.

          The murder took place on the Bond county side of the line, and Sheriff John W. Wilson, Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell and Coroner H. D. Cartmell were notified about 7 o'clock this morning.  They went to Panama immediately and are investigating the murder as the Advocate goes to press shortly before noon today.

          Before the shooting, no one heard any quarreling between the two men.  It is thought the trouble dated back to the first of last February, when Saomi swore out a warrant before Justice R. D. McCoy, at Panama, on charge of stealing $1150 from Saomi's home.  Justice McCoy bound Salvetti over to the grand jury under a bond of $500, and Salvetti was brought to Greenville Monday afternoon, Feb. 3rd.  Before his arrest, Salvetti's home was searched by the Panama officers, and a gunny sack full of assorted merchandise was found in a hole in the wall back of the kitchen stove.  The merchandise was later identified by special agents as part of a shipment stolen from the Clover Leaf railroad.

          After Salvetti had remained in jail here for a week, he   was given a chance for a new hearing on a charge of "burglary and larceny."  Salvetti waived the preliminary before Justice W. D. Matney, and several of his Panama friends were on hand and put up a $200 cash bond for his appearance before the May Grand Jury.

          Saomi claimed that on Saturday, February 3rd, Salvetti stole a roll of bills totaling $1150 from his home in Panama. He claimed that Salvetti flashed $20 bills and appeared to have plenty of money, although he had been ill and unable to work for some time.  When brought to Greenville, Salvetti claimed he knew nothing of Saomi's money and his wife had purchased the merchandise found in his home from the sackmen, who have figured in all Panama burglary cases.

          The shooting, viewed from any angle, is simply a sequel to the robberies, charges and counter charges which have been taking place at Panama, after a clean  up campaign in the town by railroad detectives, Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Tidwell.

 

HURT IN MINE

 

          Carl Haarmann, a coal miner at Panama, was caught under a fall of coal in the mine Friday night and the upper part of his body was badly bruised and crushed.  He was taken to a St. Louis hospital Saturday in serious condition.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 10, 1919

 

CORONER'S JURY FIXES BLAME IN PANAMA MURDER

 

          A coroner's jury impaneled at Panama to inquire into the death of James Salvetti, who was shot while on his way to work early Thursday morning, recommended that Tony Saomi be held for preliminary hearing on a charge of shooting Salvetti "if Saomi is apprehended."

          Corner H. D. Cartmell, of Greenville, held the inquest Thursday and the jury, composed of Dr. I. O. Wilcox, foreman; Clayton Paulding, clerk; George Moss, W. M. Moss, John Gunn and James Caulk, returned a verdict that Salvetti "came to his death by a gun wound at the hands of Tony Saomi and recommended that Tony Saomi be held for preliminary hearing if apprehended.

          Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Sheriff Tidwell spent Thursday in Panama in an effort to locate Saomi, who disappeared over the hills immediately after the shooting. Saomi seemed to be popular among the Panama miners and Salvetti was decidedly unpopular, hence no clue could be obtained concerning Saomi's whereabouts.  It was stated on good authority Saturday that Saomi was seen in Panama Friday and is still in hiding there, but is being shielded by his friends.

          It developed at the inquest that two shots were fired at Salvetti, the second one striking him in the back of the head as he ran away from his assailant. Saomi is about 34 years   old and single and has resided at Panama for about twelve years.  Salvetti is about 56 years old, is married and has six children, the oldest being aged 16 years and the youngest three months.

          The trouble between Saomi and Salvetti dates back several months.  Saomi resided in a house with another family.  The family moved away and Salvetti moved in, Saomi buried $1100 in the cellar.  Later some of Salvetti's children, digging in the basement, found the money and brought handfuls of silver to their parents, who asked the boarders at meal time to whom it belonged.  Saomi claimed it and again reburied the money in the basement.  Saomi claimed that Salvetti watched him and later dug up the money.

          Then Saomi had a search warrant sworn out and Salvetti's home was searched.  No money was found but some articles stolen from the Clover Leaf railroad at Panama were found in a hole in the wall back of the kitchen stove.  Salvetti was later brought to Greenville and at the time of his death was under bond of $200 to wait action of the May grand jury on a charge of burglary and larceny.  Saomi had always insisted that Salvetti got his $1100 and Salvetti as persistently insisted he did not.  The breach between the two gradually widened until recently, it is claimed, Saomi had been telling his friends he would kill Salvetti.

          On the strength of the corner's recommendation a warrant for Saomi's arrest was issued by State's Attorney H. A. Meyer Friday.  Only three men testified at the inquest and all three had been eye  witnesses to the tragedy.

          Pete Salvetti, aged 16 years, son of the dead miner, was walking to work with his father, and a short distance behind them came Mike Berbic and his son Joe.  The testimony of these three was almost identical and they were positive it was Tony Saomi who shot James Salvetti.  Pete Salvetti testified that he had gotten up at 6 o'clock, had eaten breakfast, and started from home at 6:15 with his father. The two went south to the railroad and down the switch toward the mine.

          "I saw some men going toward the mine ahead of us," testified Pete, "but did not know who they were. I saw Tony Saomi coming down the track toward us.  He stepped across the track and asked my father for that money and my father said he did not have the money.  My father told him to shoot if he wanted to, that he did not have the money.  Tony shot once and missed and father turned and started to run back.  He was around a corner of a car and started to pick up something to hit Tony with.  Father had something in his hand but I don't know what it was.  I thought it was a chunk of coal.  Tony chased father over a pile of rails and shot him in the head. He was about six or eight feet from father.  Father dropped and Tony ran as fast as he could toward the hills.  I went home and called my mother.  I saw Mike Gerbic and his boy Joe at the time of the shooting.  This money Tony had buried in the cellar was $1150.  The money was gone and Tony accused my father of getting it."

          The son said he was about 20 feet from Tony when his father was shot and that his father did not say a word after the shot was fired.  He breathed a minute or two before he died.  "I am sure," said Pete, "it was Tony who killed my father."

          Mike Gerbic and his son, Joe, corroborated Pete Salvetti's testimony.

Saomi left his dinner pail on the track and put his gun in his pocket and disappeared over the top of the hill, according to the testimony.  The Greenville officers who were notified immediately after the murder, went to Panama.  It would have been a good chance to give Bond county's new blood hound a trial, but Fay is expecting a visit from the stork and could not be taken to Panama.

 

 

 

 

PERFETTI  NEAL

 

          Ugo Perfetti, a clerk, and Miss Ruth Neal, both of Panama, were married at Hillsboro Monday by Justice C. W. Grassel.  The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Al Neal, prominent Panama residents.

 

 

MAYBE IT'S ANOTHER TANK!

 

          Corporal R. J. Capstick, of Panama, who recently returned to America from a German prison camp, has purchased an Overland car, according to the Sorento Blade.  Capstick was in the tank Corps in France.

 

PANAMA LADY DIES

 

          Mrs. Ada Kehus, wife of August Kehus, died at her home in Panama last Tuesday morning at the age of 35 years. Funeral services were held at Sorento Thursday and interment was made in Sunnyside cemetery.  She is survived by her husband and three sons.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 20, 1919

 

TWO PANAMA WOMEN MIX; WIND UP IN F. F. THACKERS COURT

 

          Following a hair pulling and scratching match between two young ladies on the streets of Panama last Saturday, the mothers took up the quarrel and the wind  up found both families in Justice F. F. Thacker's court at Sorento Saturday afternoon.  Even after they had been jailed before the judge they continued quarreling and it was necessary for Justice Thacker to use his power of persuasion to keep the young ladies apart.

          the trouble started when Miss Frieda File and Mrs. Blanche Hancock, indulged in a free  for  all in Panama.  Then   Mrs. Hancock, mother of Mrs. Hancock, had Mrs. Lem File, mother of Frieda, arrested for striking her (Mrs. Compton's)

daughter.  Then Mrs. File had Mrs. Blanche Hancock arrested for disturbing the peace.

          After hearing the arguments on both sides, and listening to the quarrel of the ladies, Justice Thacker found out that Mrs. Lem File did not strike Mrs. Hancock, but that Frieda File had done the striking.  He then decided that the entire affair was nothing more serious than a little neighborhood fight and acquitted both parties.

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 21, 1919

 

ACTION OF DEBT FOR $3000

 

          John W. Whiteside by J. H. Atterbury hs sued Evan Evans and the Chicago Bonding Insurance Co. for $3000 debt and $1500 damages.  No declaration is on file.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 27, 1919

 

PANAMA COUPLE WED

 

          A marriage license was issued at Hillsboro last week to Jacob Moron, age 34, and Karoline Piprek, age 23, both of Panama.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 31, 1919

 

TWO PANAMA SOLDIERS ADDRESS RENO CLUB

 

          Corporal R. J. Capstick and Corporal Joe Vigliocco, Panama boys who saw about all there was to see of the late war, addressed the Reno Community Club at the school house Friday evening, telling their experiences. Corp. Vigliocco is spending a furlough at his home in Panama and has not yet received his discharge because of the fact that he is suffering from nervous trouble caused by his intensive and extended fighting career.  He left Panama in 1917 and saw service on every sector of the battle front in France, his unit having been brigaded at different times with the British, French and Americans.

          A large crowd was present to hear the returned soldiers speak.  After the audience has sung "America", and Rev. E. J. Brown had given the invocation, the two soldiers spoke for nearly two hours, after which little Misses Thelma and Almira Alexander sang a duet.  During the social hour that followed, the Pansy Circle sold pies and candy and a collection was taken and turned over to the young men.

                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 3, 1919

 

PANAMA MAN FOUGHT NEARLY TWO YEARS

 

          Corporal Joe Vigliocco, of Panama who spoke before the

Community Club at Reno last Friday night, participated in the big allied retreat in the dark months of June and July and was wounded three times by shrapnel fragments, according to the Hillsboro Journal.  He enlisted in the regular army a short time before America got into the war and went over with General Pershing's first contingent.  He wears three overseas chevrons and was brigaded with the English and French troops in the early days of the war, and assisted in firing the eight  inch British howitzer which has a range of seven miles. He was later transferred to the railway artillery and fought with the Americans on the Chateau  Thierry front at Verdun and at St. Mihiel.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 4, 1919

 

PANAMA MINER DIES IN HOSPITAL

 

          Louis Appusi, a Panama miner about 45 years old, died Tuesday in a St. Louis hospital from tuberculosis.  He was native of Italy and is survived by his widow and several children.

          The funeral services took place Thursday at Panama.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 17, 1919

 

PANAMA BOY WAS ILL FOR OVER A YEAR

 

          W. M. Phillips, of Panama, returned a week ago from Camp

Taylor, where he had been stationed since the first draft contingent left Montgomery county September 4, l9l7.  Mr. Phillips, together with his wife and son, his parents and sister, accompanied Corporal R. J. Capstick to Greenville Monday evening to see the tank demonstration.

          Phillips and Capstick have been pals for many years. They live on opposite sides of the county line in Panama and Capstick keeps company with Phillips sister.  The two men went with the first draft contingents from their respective counties.  Capstick volunteered at Camp Taylor for the tank corps and Phillips intended to go with him, but became ill with pneumonia on December 4th, 1917, and remained seven months in the base hospital at Camp Taylor.  He was operated on three times and could not speak a word for thirteen months.

          He could have obtained his discharge a year ago on the   grounds of disability, but refused to accept it, believing he would still be able to go across.  Mr. Phillips was married several months before he was drafted but refused to claim exemption and while he was seriously ill at Camp Taylor, a son was born to Mrs. Phillips, who was with his parents at Panama.

                                                                                                                          

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 18, 1919

 

VERDICT FOR $975 IN PULLEN CASE

 

          The case of Norman Pullen, a minor, by R. H. Pullen, has next friend, against Walter R. Ross, receiver of the Clover Leaf R. R. Co., was tried by the following jury: Harm Brakenhoff, George Elliott, C. C. Lewey, Herman Ernst, D. S. Grisham, Frank Clotfelter, Fred Briggs, William Gregg, C. J. Fahrenbeltz, Otis A. Brown and Ray Buchanan.

          This was a suit for $2000 for damages the plaintiff sustained at Panama, October 16, 1916.  The boy was 13 years old then and charged that a Mr. Feeney who was conductor of the switch train which took out the coal cars from the Panama mine, caused him to suffer the accident which led to the suit.  Norman Pullen and other boys were in the habit of hopping Feeny's switch train and he claimed on Oct. 16, 1916, Feeny kicked him off the car he was on and the wheels ran over his foot, cutting about half of it off.  Norman claim Feeny was drunk.  The case was tried at the January term but the jury hung. F. M. Ramey represented Pullen and Pope and Baker appeared for the railroad company.  The jury found a verdict for Norman for $975.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 21, 1919

 

THREE MEN HELD FOR ROBBERY AT PANAMA STATION

 

          Bad whiskey was the contributing factor in the arrest of three Panama men Friday, on a charge of having robbed the Clover Leaf depot at Panama Thursday night and appropriating for their own use three cases of Old Taylor whiskey with which to quench their thirst and about $150 worth of jewelry and other merchandise.

          The three men, Charles Mann, who is already under three indictments in the Bond county circuit court on charges of burglary and larceny, Emery Short and George Desborough, were arrested by W. W. Stigall, chief special agent of the Clover Leaf railroad; C. E. Stigall, a railroad detective and Village Marshal Arthur Cunningham, after the stolen goods were discovered in their possession Friday. Sheriff John W. Wilson was notified Friday evening, and he and Deputy Sheriff Tidwell brought the three men to Greenville that night and   placed them in jail.

          The three men confessed before State's Attorney H. A. Meyer and the railroad agent Saturday morning, but Mann's story differed from the story told by Short and Desborough. The railroad detectives on Friday recovered most of the stolen property which had been "split" three hours after the robbery.  The portion allotted to Short was found at his home in Panama by officers and consisted of one quart of Old Taylor whiskey, one camera, one 38 revolver, two watches, two safety razors, two knives, one pipe, one cigar holder, one gold pen holder, and two watch chains.

          Desborough's share was found buried in the ground in the woods one  fourth of a mile from his home, which is a mile southeast of Panama.  His share consisted of five pipes, two cigar holders, one safety razor, one camera, one watch, two watch fobs, nine pocket knives, one pencil holder, two stick pins, two watch chains, one lady's necklace, one lavalliere, one cigar clipper, and two cigarette cases.

          Mann's share has not been recovered and he disclaimed any knowledge of having received any of the goods.

          The men say they were hilariously drunk when they committed the robbery Thursday night.  Two full cases of whiskey were found by the officers but one is still missing. One was found east of the depot and one was hidden in a graveyard, where one had left it after the robbery.

          After the men had been put through the third degree by State's Attorney Meyer and the detectives Friday night and Saturday morning, they told the entire story.  It appears, however, that Mann, who has served time in the penitentiary for burglary and who is almost certain to go again, was so drunk that he did not know what disposal was made of the stolen property Desborough and Short had never been in trouble before.  Desborough is only nineteen years old and comes of a good family,  Whiskey and bad company contributed to his downfall.

          Stories told by Short and Desborough are almost alike. Desborough told the officers he is a miner and lives one mile southeast of Panama in Bond county.  He was at the Yellow Front saloon in Montgomery county when he met Short and Mann. They imbibed freely and Mann induced the three to go to the depot.  Continuing Desborough said: "Short and Mann and I went down to the depot and Mann broke the window with an iron bar.  As the window broke, Short and I were so badly frightened that we ran around to the other side of the building.  Mann came around and asked Short to go with him into the freight office, and then wanted me to go in.  Mann went in through the open window, and unlocked the door. Short then went inside, and I came to the corner of the building, and kept guard.  Mann and Short came out to see if I was still there.  Mann told me that if I backed out he would kill me.  He told Short the same thing.  Then Short and Mann went back and brought the stuff out.  The loot consisted of a package of punch boards, a box with a silk dress in it, and two cases of whiskey.  I picked up a case of whiskey and   took it out to the cemetery, and then went up town and met the other fellows.  They had the punch boards and the other case of whiskey.  We then went into Mann's house and divided up the loot.  Mann took his share of it and Short and I took a quart of whiskey and our share of the stolen property. Mann also kept the black silk dress trimmed in white, which was consigned to Joe Spensberger, Panama, Ill.

          While we were making the division, Mrs. Mann got out of bed and raised Cain.  She told Mann that he had just gotten out of the pen after serving five months for doing the same thing, and told him it looked as if he would have more sense. Mann told her to go on back to bed and mind her own business.

          Short told practically the same story.  He is 34 years of age, has lived on the Bond county side of the line in Panama for several years, and his wife was Miss Irma Harrison, whose father, William Harrison, lives in Greenville.  The young man has two children, one eleven years old, and the other five months.

          When Mann was questioned he acknowledged that he broke into the depot, but he thinks he received none of the loot. Mann is a step  son of "Bingo" Logan, who served several years in the penitentiary for a diamond robbery at Sorento. Logan's term expired last year and he is now working in a mine at Springfield.  Mann has been in trouble before and would not talk much concerning the Thursday night robbery. He claimed that all the loot he got was a pearl handled knife and some whiskey and that Short and Desborough asked him to go to the depot with them.  He said they went back to his house to divide the loot, and that his two companions must have carried it all away.  He also said he thought the other two made a second trip to the depot after they left him.

          Mann evidently is trying to shift the blame to his two companions, according to the belief of the officers.  He is married and has five children, the oldest a boy of 16.  He resides on the Montgomery side of the line.

          The men waived preliminary examination in Justice of the Peace A. M. File's court Saturday morning, and were held under bond of $500 each to appear before the grand jury at the May term of court.  Desborough gave bond Saturday afternoon, with his mother and W. W. Mitchell as surety, and was released.  Short and Mann are still in jail and will probably remain there until the grand jury takes up their case.

          The railroad detectives and the Bond county officers believe they have just about finished up the organized wholesale robberies from the Clover Leaf railroad at Panama the past year.  It has kept some of the railroad agents busy there most to the time recently.  It is thought the three "sackmen," known to the Panama inhabitants as "Ernest, Blackie and Shorty" are now in custody, and will soon be serving prison terms.  It is claimed that E. L. Wilson, who was arrested by Chief Stigall at Alhambra a few weeks ago, is one of the men, as one of his aliases is Glen Nichols, and another Charles Wilson.  Another one of the sackmen is   believed to be Ernest Sydenstricker, now in jail at Charleston, awaiting trial.  It is not known what has become of the third one.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 24, 1919

 

ONE IS DEAD, TWO HURT; RESULT OF FIGHT AT PANAMA

 

          One man is dead, another is not expected to recover, and a third is in critical condition as a result of a fight at Panama at 11 o'clock Monday night.

          Sam Towers, a bartender in Tony Calufetti's saloon, was slashed across the abdomen by Otho Miller, and is in a serious condition in a Litchfield hospital.

          Miller, who escaped during the fight, committed suicide the following evening in the presence of several people near Panama.

          James Colone, A Panama barber, who formerly worked in Frank Sample's barber shop in this city, is lying at the point of death at his home in Panama with a fractured skull as a result of a blow dealt him by Towers, during the fight.

          Several different versions of the affair have reached the Advocate, but the facts generally accepted are that Towers, the bartender, had been tipped off that his saloon was to be robbed that night.  He closed up at 11 o'clock and started for home but instead of going there, returned to the saloon by another route.  Near the saloon he encountered Otho Miller and Jim Colone,  The story is to the effect that they asked him for a quart of whiskey.  Towers refused, declaring that it was after hours.  It is said that both Colone and Miller had been drinking.

          The information is to the effect that Towers, fearing he was to become involved in a fight, started for his saloon to lock himself in, but before he could reach the door, Colone stepped in and grappled with him.  A moment later so the story goes, Miller cut Towers, who is known as "Big Sam."

He received a gash across the abdomen and was almost disemboweled.

          Clutching his wounds he crept into the saloon and crouching around behind the bar, grabbed a club.  Returning he dealt Colone a blow over the head, fracturing his skull. In the meantime Miller escaped and was not seen in Panama any more until he appeared at the Shoal Creek wagon bridge about 7:30 o'clock the next evening.

          Mrs. W. W. Mitchell and daughters, Miss Althea and Arenda, and Miss Blanche Traylor and Miss Dunn, Panama school teachers, were fishing near the bridge.

          The first they saw of Miller was when he said "Well" in order to attract their attention.  As the ladies looked up they saw Miller on the north side of the wagon bridge and the east side of the stream, not twenty feet away from them.

          He drew a 38 automatic revolver and dramatically   exclaimed, "Here goes."  Mrs. Mitchell called to him in an attempt to detract his attention, but Miller fired, the ball entering his brain.

          A moment later, Weaver Root drove up in his car, followed by Dr. I. O. Wilcox.  Miller was conscious and talked to the people.  When asked why he did it, he replied, "Because I wanted to."  He was placed in Root's car and taken to the home of Moody Rose, where he boarded in Panama.  He died at 10 o'clock that night.

          Dr. E. A. Everett took Towers to the Litchfield hospital Tuesday morning where it is said today that there are hopes for his recovery.

          Telephone reports to the Advocate today say Colone is lying in a critical condition and is not expected to live. His acquaintance in Greenville began in February 1910, when he came here and was employed as a barber by Frank Sample. He worked for Mr. Sample until he bought out George Houck and ran a barber shop on south second street for several months. He married Mrs. Ruby Bowden, nee McCaslin, of this city and they have been living at Panama for several months.

          A report says that after the fight Miller went to Edwardsville and visited his sister, returning to Panama in the evening.  It is believed he feared he would be held for the murder of Towers and decided to end his life.

          Coroner H. D. Cartmell was called to Panama Wednesday morning and held an inquest over the body of Miller.  The jury composed of Perry Cruthis, foreman, John Benedict, clerk, John Walls, Alfred May, J. A. Capstick and Miles Kessinger, rendered a verdict that Miller came to his death as a result of a gun shot wound inflicted with suicidal intent.  Dr. I.  O. Wilcox, who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting, W. W. Root, Joe Compton, and Miss Susie C. Dunn of Donnellson, testified at the inquest.  Miss Dunn, who is a teacher at Panama, said she, Mrs. W. W. Mitchel, Miss Traylor and Miss Althea Mitchell were fishing on Shoal Creek under the wagon bridge south west of Panama.  They saw Miller walk away from a fence toward Panama, but he soon returned.  He stood on the bank of the creek, said in a loud voice so that the party could hear him: "Here goes," put the revolver to his head and fired.  When Mrs. Mitchell reached him he was conscious and in reply to her questioning said he shot himself because he wanted to.

          Joe Compton identified the revolver as his.  He said he loaned it to Miller Tuesday, who said he wanted it to kill a dog.

          Dr. Wilcox testified that the bullet entered the head about the hairline in front of the right ear and ranged forward and upward and lodged under the skin in the left frontal region.   The shooting took place about 7:15 p. m. and Miller died at his boarding house at the home of Moody Rose at 11:15 p. m.

           Miller was sent to the Chester penitentiary in May 1917, for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to murder James Farris of Sorento on December 15, 1916.

          Farris was found in a almost dying condition with his feet partly frozen after he had been in company with Miller. Later Miller was arrested at Staunton and pleaded guilty.

          He had been out on parole for several months although no notice of his parole had been received by State's Attorney Meyer, Circuit Clerk Harlan or Sheriff Wilson.

          At 2 p.m. today it was said at Donnellson that Mrs. Colone reported shortly before noon that her husband was showing some improvement and the attending physician holds out hope for his recovery.  At the same time it was stated that Towers, the bartender, is not so well.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 28, 1919

 

TOWERS DIES AS RESULT OF STAB BY OTHO MILLER

 

          Sam Towers, Panama bartender, who was stabbed by Otho Miller, at Panama at 11 pm, Monday died in the Litchfield hospital at 11:30 am Sunday as a result of his wounds.

          Miller, fearing he had killed Towers committed suicide 20 hours afterward.

          The coroner of Montgomery county will hold an inquest over Towers body today.

          James Colone, the Panama barber, who was struck over the head by Towers is recovering rapidly and will be able to be up in a few days, his physician says.

          Mr. Colone's version of the affair as given by Mrs. Colone to the Advocate, sheds new light on the matter and shows Colone to have been an innocent by  stander who was assaulted by Towers, who took him to be Miller.  Mrs. Colone's version shows that her husband took no part in the quarrel between Miller and Towers but was going peaceably home molesting no one, when he was struck over the head by Towers.

           In a letter to the Advocate, Mrs. Ruby Colone, wife of James Colone, injured in a fight at Panama, gives an entirely different version of the affair from that given last Thursday's Advocate and other papers.

          Mrs. Colone says the fight did not take place in Calufetti's saloon as reported but in Mike Faletti's place. The names are so similar that in transmission over wires the mistake was made.

          Mrs. Colone further says: "Towers had not heard the place was to be robbed but was returning after closing hour to get liquor for a friend who was with him and they did not return by a different route but came straight down Main street to the saloon.

          Mr. Colone had just recently bought a shop which is just two doors from Faletti's saloon and his shop is in a saloon. He had started home after closing hour.  He had been repainting his chairs all evening and after he came out he was talking to Miller when these two came along.  So Miller,   in a jest, asked for a quart of whiskey and told Towers he would tell Mike on him, if he didn't give it to him.  So Towers said: "I'll  give you a pint, and he said no he wanted a quart.  So Towers and Miller went inside and Mr. Colone and Towers friend stood outside talking.  In a few minutes both came out and Towers reached to his side and said: "Otho, you cut me," and Otho said: "No, I didn't, but if you don't give me a quart I'll tell Mike (the owner) you were here.  So all went in as if Miller were to get his quart, but all were laughing and talking and there was no fight at all and Mr. Colone did not touch Towers at all or have an argument of any kind as they were good friends.

          It was dark in the saloon and I suppose Towers thought he was striking Miller but Mr. Colone was standing beside him and as there was no trouble he did not see or expect Towers to get a club  but he gave him the blow and all ran out leaving him there.

          When Miller cut him is a mystery to Mr. Colone as he did not see him make any move like it at all and Towers was stabbed straight in instead of slashed across as the paper says.

          Mr. Colone's skull is fractured but at no time has he been unconscious and dying.  He is doing fine and Dr. Wilcox thinks he will be out again in a couple of weeks.  Mr. Colone was not drunk.

          The funeral of Otho Miller, who committed suicide after stabbing Towers was held at Sorento Friday.  Miller, who had been in Panama for several months, has a brother who is in the army.  Mike Faletti, the owner of the saloon where the fight occurred, only recently returned from military service. His saloon is on the Montgomery county side of the line, and the fight took place in that county.  Miller, however, died in Bond county.

          Both of Miller's parents are dead.  He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Walter Jones of Edwardsville, by a brother, George, who is in Camp Forrest, Ga., and Bud Miller, of Sorento.  An aunt, Miss Hattie Sloper, is a resident of Edwardsville.

          It is believed that Miller died under the mistaken impression that he had killed Towers.  After the fight at Panama, he went to the home of his sister in Edwardsville, arriving there a 4 am, when he confessed to the supposed killing Towers.  He told her he had broken his parole, and was trying to get away.  He carried a 38 calibre revolver, and said rather than return to prison he would take his own life.

          Mrs. Jones refused to let him hide in the cellar, as she declared she could not endure the nervous strain of knowing he was being hunted.  He left her home, and she thought he boarded a Clover Leaf train for Panama, which he no doubt did.  In his confession to Mrs. Jones, he said, "sis, I cut him across the stomach and shot him.  It was whiskey that did it."

          Towers, who has a fighting chance at recovery, is single   and about 30 years old.  He had lived at Panama for the last two years.

          Colone is about 40 years old, and has a wife and three children.  He went to Panama about 6 months ago from Sorento, and worked as a barber.  He previously lived in East St. Louis, and for several months a number of years ago, he was employed in Greenville.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 28, 1919

 

ROBBERS GET $1230 FROM MAN'S ROOM; THEN "STICK HIM UP" FOR $81 MORE

 

          Will Tendler, fireman at the Panama mine, was robbed of $1331 at Panama last night.  The robbers got $1250 out of Tendler's  trunk during his absence and on his return home they held him up, knocked him senseless and took $81 out of his pockets.

          There is no clue to the robbers and Tendler told the Advocate over the long distance telephone Monday morning that he had not reported it to the sheriff of Montgomery county as he "did not have any more money to spend on the case."

          Tendler had a room over Albert S. McCracken's restaurant and took his meals there.  Last Saturday he went to Neoga where he sold his place for $1250.  He arrived in Panama Saturday night after banking hours and put the money in the top part of his trunk.

          He locked the trunk and went down town for the evening. Mr. Tendler told the Advocate that the door of his room opened on a outside stairway.  He could lock his door from the inside but he could not lock it from the outside.  So when he went down town for the evening his door was unlocked and all the robbers had to do was to walk up the dark stairway, there being no light around, open the door and force the lock on his trunk, which they did.

          Not content with that they waylaid their victim on his way  home at 11 pm, knocked him senseless and took $81 out of his pocket.

          Tendler said that as he turned to go across the street to go upstairs he saw two men.  One of them hit him over the head.  That was all he knew until Louis Henderson and Martin Havron found him sometime later.  They called Mr. McCracken who was in bed.  He dressed and went down stairs.  Tendler said that the stairway is on the south side of the restaurant and that he had been in Henderson's restaurant farther up the street and was on his way home to retire for the night.  He said that he had a "shiner" on his head as a result of the blow.  He believes he was hit twice.

          Robbers broke into Mr. McCracken's restaurant Friday night and got some money out of the punch board.

 

  EMERY SHORT GIVES $500 BOND AND IS RELEASED

 

          Emery Short, one of the three Panama men held on a charge of robbing the Panama depot two weeks ago, gave bond

in the sum of $500 Saturday, and was released.  John Voyles and H. M. Waters, farmers of near Panama, signed the bond. George Desborough, another one of the men furnished bond the day after his arrest and was released.  Charles Mann, the third man, is still in the Bond county jail.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

May 1, 1919

 

NOTHING NEW AT PANAMA TODAY

 

          Whaddeyeknow "about that".  There is nothing new and lifelike at Panama today!  That's real news!  No murders; no suicides; no robberies; no elopements; no cutting parties; no "stick ups".

          Life is dull and uninteresting at Panama today.

          Yes, verily, life is real, life is earnest and things are not what they seem or what they ordinarily are at Panama today.

 

PANAMA OFFICER CHASES ROBBER OUT OF STATION

 

          Panama has recently had another sensation.  An attempt was made to rob the Clover Leaf station in that city Friday night.  It led to a exchange of revolver shots between Village Marshal Cunningham and the would be burglar.  The latter had entered the station but the marshal arrived before he had time to remove anything.

          Marshal Cunningham's intuition had been sharpened considerably  because of events in Panama of late.  The officer hotfooted it to the depot and sure enough, a bold, bad burglar was snooping around.  The officer laid down a barrage and the burglar laid down some tracks.

          The robbers who entered the restaurant of A. S. McCracken Friday secured about $20 from a punch board.  The fellow gained entrance by going up the outside stairway and working down into the stores from the upper floor.  The outside stairway referred to is the one up which two men climbed into Will Tendler's room, where they picked off $1250. as narrated in the Advocate last Monday.

                                                                                                                          

Greenville Advocate

May 5, 1919

 

TENDLER RENEGES AND SAYS STORY WAS PIPE DREAM

 

          William H. Tendler of Panama, who in an interview with the Advocate last Monday, stated that he had been robbed of $1250 the night before and later was waylaid and robbed of an additional $80, has admitted to the Panama police authorities that he did not have $1250 to lose, and that his story was only a pipe dream.

          This information was given the Advocate by a reliable source today.

          Following the publication of Tendler's alleged big loss, the police investigated his story and tried to find out how he had obtained so much money.  Upon being questioned he got tangled up in his answers and at last confessed that he did not lose any money from his trunk, as he previously claimed.

          He still maintains, however, that he was a victim of a hold  up and lost $80 thereby.  Reports from Panama, however, are to the effect that Tendler had simply fallen down stairs at McCracken's restaurant, where he was found and framed up the story as camouflage.  It was also reported from Panama Friday that St. Louis detectives had been questioning Tendler in an effort to find out where he had obtained his money, but this could not be verified at Panama today.

 

A DOUBLE  ACTION MULE

 

          Leonard May, 17 years old, a driver in the Panama mine was painfully injured last week when a mule bit him.   May thought he was at the safety first end of the mule, but found that the mule was of the double  action variety.  The index finger and some of the bones of his right hand were broken and May is recuperating in the Litchfield hospital.

                                                                                                                         

Greenville Advocate

May 8, 1919

 

CHARLES MANN MAY FACE LONG TERM IN PRISON

 

          Charles Mann, who was arrested at Panama recently on a charge of robbing the Clover Leaf depot at that place about two weeks ago, and who has several other charges of burglary and larceny pending against him in the circuit court, has a small chance of escaping a good long term in the penitentiary.  In addition to his local troubles, H. F. Schwarz, an inspector of the American Railway Express Co., was in Greenville Tuesday, questioning Mann in regard to his tampering with Uncle Sam's business.

          It appears that the junk Mann and his two assistants, Emery Short and George Desborough, stole at Panama, was in the hands of the express company to deliver.  In as much as   the express company is under government control,the federal government may prosecute Mann, and he may get a federal prison sentence.

          He confesses to having had a hand in the robbery, but has never revealed to the officers the hiding place of his share of the loot taken from the depot.  When Schwarz came Tuesday, he told Mann he must come clean, or he would certainly face a federal charge.  Mann then told him that a silk dress, together with other property taken from the station, was at Mann's home in a trunk, and he gave an order to his wife to turn over to the officers, his share of the loot.

          Deputy Sheriff Tidwell and Mr. Schwarz went to Panama late Tuesday afternoon, but when they arrived at Mann's residence, Mrs. Mann absolutely denied knowing anything about the stolen goods.  The only thing in the trunk  where Mann said the articles were hidden, was a cigar holder, similar to others in the possession of Short and Desborough.  Although the officers threatened to arrest Mrs. Mann, she refused to give up the articles, although it is said that she had broken one of the watch fobs which was among the stolen articles, in order to release a $5 gold piece used as a set in the fob. She broke the fob at the Panama bank and got change for the gold piece, it is alleged.  Mr. Schwarz will return and he and Mr. Tidwell will make another trip to Panama soon.

          Mann's case will come before the grand jury here for action next week, and it is probable he will plead guilty to the charge and go to the pen.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 12, 1919

 

DERIGHT PLEADS GUILTY; IS SENT TO PENITENTIARY

 

          James Deright of Panama, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to the charge of receiving stolen property and was sentenced to the penitentiary for an indeterminate term by Judge Crow. The cases against Mrs. Deright for receiving stolen property and Angelo and Dominick Deright were dismissed.  Henry and Theodore Deright, charged with larceny, were sentenced to the reform school but were paroled during good behavior, Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell, having been appointed parole officer.

          State's Attorney H. A. Meyer appeared for the state and Attorney J. H. Allio appeared for the defendants.

          Peter Salvetti, aged 13 years, connected with the robberies for which the Derights were indicted, was called before the Judge Monday afternoon.  Judge Crow, after a thorough investigation of the case, asked for some man, who would be a big brother to this little boy and act as parole officer for him, in order to give him a chance and save him from the reform school.  Up to the time the Advocate went to press the parole officer had not been secured.

            On the criminal docket no action was taken on the three cases against Charles Mann, who will probably be indicted under a later charge developing out of a robbery at Panama several weeks ago.  The three cases already on the docket were for burglary and larceny and these will hang over until action is taken on the other charges.  It is said that Mann will plead guilty to burglarizing the Panama depot several weeks ago.  If he does not, the cases already on the docket will be tried.  Mann knows he faces a prison term.

          The case against Frank Hartman, bigamy, was continued, as one of the state's witnesses is ill in St. Louis and could not be present at this term of court.

          One of the indictments to be considered by the grand jury is that against Toni Saomi, who is charged with the murder of James Salvetti, at Panama, on March 6th.  Saomi has never been apprehended but there were several eye witnesses to the shooting, who testified at the coroner's inquest that Saomi shot Salvetti while the two were on their way to work at the Panama coal mine.  State's Attorney Meyer went before Judge Crow this morning and asked for the release of Salvetti's bondsmen.  Salvetti was being held to the grand jury under bail of $500 by Justice W. D. Matney on a charge of having stolen some money from Saomi.  Saomi later took matters into his hands and the day after Salvetti's death, the bondsmen came to Greenville to secure the $500 they had put up at a Greenville bank as cash security.  They will now be able to get their money.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

May 15, 1919

 

EIGHT INDICTED; THREE GO TO PEN; COURT ADJOURNS

 

          James Deright of Panama, who pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to the charge of receiving stolen property, was given an indeterminate sentence to the penitentiary by Judge Crow.

          Charles Mann and Emery Short of Panama, indicted on the charge of burglary and larceny, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary.

          Judge Crow pronounced sentence on Deright Monday afternoon and on Mann and Short Tuesday morning.

          Deright was indicted for receiving stolen property.  In a shed of his home, special agents for the Clover Leaf Railroad found a small department store hidden away.  They also found articles in his home and the raid resulted in the arrest of the Deright family, Mrs. Deright included.

          The court showed good discretion in disposing of the Deright family.  It sent the husband to the penitentiary, sent the mother home, and imposed on the rest of the boys a sentence to the reform school, but let them out on parole, pending their good behavior.  Parole officers were appointed and they, as well as the defendants, must make monthly   reports in writing to Judge Crow at Belleville.  Any time they fail to do this or any time they step aside from the straight and narrow path, the parole officer is authorized to turn them over to the sheriff and then to the reform school they will go.

          Henry Deright, aged 16 and Theodore Deright, aged 14, were paroled to Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell, after they had pleaded guilty and had been sentenced to the reformatory. The cases against Dominick and Angelo Deright were dismissed.  Angelo was charged with receiving stolen property andDominick with larceny.

          Peter Salvetti, aged 13, who also pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary and larceny was paroled to Paul DeMoulin, who offered to act in that capacity.

          Seven new indictments were returned by the grand jury the first day of the term, and one on the second day. they were as follows: Otmer Wagner, malicious mischief; James Salvetti, burglary and larceny; Charles Mann and Emery Short, burglary and larceny; William Gaines, burglary and larceny; George Desborough, burglary and larceny; Tony Saomi, murder.

          A whole flock of railroad detectives and special agents were in Greenville Monday and Tuesday, being interested in the Panama robbery cases. They were W. W. Stigal of Frankfort, Ind, chief special agent of the Clover Leaf railroad; J. P. Jones, of Charleston; H. A. Kahres, of Delphos, Ohio; and C. E. Stigall, of Madison, special agents, and H. F. Schwarz, of Danville, an express detective.

          The indictment returned the second day was a case against Ernest Sydenstricker, who was charged with larceny. He is charged with stealing 73 chemises worth $75, which belonged to William G. McAdoo, director general of railways, says the indictment.  Sydenstricker purloined this property on December 20, 1918, at Panama, which locality furnished practically all the material for the grand jury at this term of court.

          Sydenstricker is now serving a 30 day sentence in the county jail at Charleston on a charge of burglary and larceny.  Sydenstricker is said to be one of the three "sack men", known to most everyone in Panama and vicinity as peddlers of high  class merchandise at extremely low prices.

          Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell went to Charleston Sunday to get Sydenstricker, but found out that the prisoner's term will not be up until the last of this week, and following that he is supposed to lay out a $150 fine.  This sentence will be abbreviated, however and he is expected to be turned loose next week and will be brought to Greenville immediately.

          Sydenstricker and the other sackmen kept the Panama residents almost supplied with clothing, jewelry, etc., coming at night with sacks on their backs, these being full of merchandise, which was sold at a low price.  In fact, some of the Panama merchants almost went broke last winter for lack of patronage, it is claimed, so active were these sackmen.  The names of the other sackmen have been   ascertained.  They are said to be Earl Irvin, known as "Blackie", whose whereabouts are unknown, and Glen Nichols, who is now serving a jail sentence at Danville. Sydenstricker has a reputation as a bad actor.  He is noted as a gunman and is said to fear no one.  In fact, he has a reputation of being a all  around bad actor.

          James Salvetti, of Panama, was indicted for burglary and larceny.  It was charged that on February 1, 1919, he broke into Mr. W. D. Hines depot at Panama on the Clover Leaf railroad and took four watches, some shoes, a pistol, some shoe tacks, some smoking tobacco, some cigarettes, and a brace and bit.

          Mr. Hines by the way, is director general of all the railroads in the United States.  In the meantime, however, Mr. Salvetti was shot and killed.  His death was suggested, the prosecution was abated and his bondsmen were discharged.

          An indictment was returned against Charles Mann and Emery Short, of Panama, who also seemed to have a weakness for breaking into Mr. Hines depot at Panama.  These men were charged with the theft of two cameras, valued at $10; 3 watches valued at $30; three safety razors valued at $3; 12 pocket knives valued at $10; six pipes valued at $2; two cigar holders valued at $2; three fobs valued at $5; one necklace valued at $5; 1 cigar case valued at $2; two cases of whiskey valued at $70; and one revolver valued at $20.

          The two men entered a plea of guilty and were sentenced to the penitentiary.

          The indictment was also returned against George Desborough, of Panama, aged 19 years, who was a party to the robbery for which Mann and Short were sentenced to the penitentiary.  Desborough entered a plea of guilty, and Judge Crow sentenced him to the state reformatory, but suspended the sentence, pending his good behavior, and appointed Supervisor Cary Cunningham of Shoal Creek township, as parole officer for one year.

          Desborough told the court that he was sorry for his act

 and proposed to turn square around and walk straight hereafter.  Judge Crow told Desborough, as he had told others, before he paroled him, that he "wanted to give him a chance for his white alley."  He gave the boy some good advice.  Desborough will also have to make a monthly report to the judge of his acts and doings in the meantime.

          Tony Saomi, a Panama man, was indicted on the charge of murder.  It is charged he shot and killed James Salvetti, who himself was indicted, as heretofore mentioned.

The shooting took place at Panama on March 6th last.  Saomi escaped and has never been heard from since.  Saomi claimed that on Saturday, February 2nd, Salvetti stole a roll of bills, totaling $1150, from his home in Panama.  Salvetti denied the charge.

          While the men were on their way to work in the coal mine on Thursday, March 6th, Saomi approached Salvetti and asked him for "that money".  Salvetti said he did not have the money.  Then Saomi is alleged to have drawn a revolver and   told him that if he did not give him the money, he would have to shoot.

          Peter Salvetti, a son of the dead man, at the inquest testified that Tony then shot and killed his father.  Saomi, after the shooting, made his escape.

          The record of the Salvetti family at this term of court, was rather unusual.  Salvetti was indicted for burglary and larceny.  In the meantime he was shot and killed by Saomi, who was charged with his death, and at this term also his son, Peter Salvetti, who saw his father killed, was arraigned for burglary and larceny.

          The old cases against Charles Mann, burglary and larceny, were nolle prossed in view of the fact that he had been sent to the penitentiary on a new case.

          In questioning Peter Salvetti, age 13, of Panama, who was indicted on a charge of larceny at the January term of court.  Judge Crow last Monday afternoon brought out the fact that the boy, although under 16, was employed at the Panama coal mine, contrary to the child labor laws of the state.

          Judge Crow quickly turned up a new action at law and ordered State's Attorney Meyer to take the matter up at once with the authorities of Montgomery county.

    "This is a clear violation of the law," said Judge Crow. "You have laws in this state to protect the children from this sort of thing."

          "The war has given men a vision.  Men must come out of their shell and be big brothers to the boys and girls of this country."

          "Here is a boy who has gotten into trouble.  His father is dead, he is employed in a coal mine although he is not 16 years of age.  Is there somebody here in this court room who will open up his heart and break out of his shell and join the big brother movement and do something for this boy?"

Paul DeMoulin volunteered to act and was appointed.

          Judge Crow also questioned the boy at length about how he happened to get into trouble.  He took particular pains in questioning Henry  and Theodore Deright, aged 16 and 14 respectively, who were indicted for larceny and who were paroled to Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell.

          The judge explained to the boys that a plea of guilty which they had filed called for a sentence to the reform school.  But the judge told them that he wished to do something for them and if they would behave themselves he would let them go on parole but they must make a report in writing to him at Belleville the first of each month.

          Judge Crow stated that he wanted to help the boys to become useful citizens and that while he could write an order in a few minutes sending them to the reform school, he would be glad to spend the whole afternoon, if necessary, writing an order that would make them better citizens.  He said he wished to give them a chance and when the boys promised to conduct themselves in a proper manner, the judge appointed the parole officer over them.

 

 

Montgomery News

May 16, 1919

 

PANAMA SOLDIER HOME

 

          Florian Frey of Panama, who left Hillsboro with the "big" contingent of 350 boys on June 28, 1918, has returned from France.  He arrived at his home Wednesday night having been mustered out of the service.  He is a son of Adam Frey of Panama and was employed in the Panama mine previous to his entrance into Military service.

 

EVAN EVANS INJURED IN MINE

 

          Evan Evans of Panama was injured Wednesday while at his work in the mine.  He was riding a trip and slipped off, and was dragged on the ground several feet.  Fortunately his injuries although painful, did not result seriously.  He was badly bruised and his right ear was split, but he is lucky to be alive and will return to work in a few days.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

May 23, 1919

 

ANOTHER PICTURE SHOW FOR HILLSBORO

 

          Jack Williams of Panama was in Hillsboro this week with an architect measuring the 40  foot strip of ground between Corner Block and Latham's hardware store which we understand he has purchased and where he will erect a building to be used as a moving picture theater.

          Mr. Williams has been conducting a moving picture theater in Panama for a number of years and has been very successful.  He contemplates building an up  to  date theater here and a better location for such a theater could not be secured in Hillsboro.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

May 26, 1919

 

PANAMA LADY DIED AT HERRIN SUNDAY

 

          The body of Mrs. Mary Knapp, who died at her home on Sunday, after a short illness of heart trouble, was taken through Sorento this morning enroute to the home of her brother Fred Toureene at Panama.  Mrs. Knapp had been a resident of Panama until a short time ago, when the family moved to Herrin.  She is survived by her husband and two children.

          Burial will take place at Panama this afternoon.

 

MRS. LUTHER O'NEIL IS DEAD AT PANAMA

 

          Mrs. Luther O'Neil, aged 48 years, died at her home here at 6:40 o'clock Sunday evening after an illness of three weeks of pneumonia.  Her maiden name was Huss and she has resided in Panama for the past ten years.  She is survived by her husband and five children, four sons and one daughter.

          No arrangements have yet been made for the funeral.

 

TO OPEN SHOW HOUSE

 

          Jack Williams, of Panama, is making arrangements to open a moving picture show at Hillsboro.  Williams already owns one at Panama.

 

CARRILLON CASE AND YARAK CASE BOTH DISMISSED

 

          Twenty  two cases in which violations of the espionage act were charged were stricken from the records of the United States court at Springfield last week, when District Attorney Edward C. Knottts entered nolles.  In eleven of the cases indictments had been returned, and he asked that prosecutions be dismissed in the other eleven cases.  One of the cases was that of Dominick Yarak, of Panama.  Yarak has not been apprehended.  He is charged with distributing circulars in February, 1918, at the coal mine in Panama, commending soviet rule in Russia and charging that Bill Haywood and other IWWs were being persecuted by the government.

 

 

 

HEAR COMPLAINTS OF MANY PANAMA MINERS

 

          At Hillsboro last week more than fifty industrial compensation cases were heard by Judge C. J. Tanner, of Paris, the arbitrator for this territory, who was here hearing some cases several days ago.

          Judge Tanner, however, has tendered his resignation, to take effect May 31st.

          Last Tuesday and Wednesday were Panama days when fifteen cases against the Shoal Creek Coal Co., of Panama, were disposed of.

          Among the Panama cases disposed of were the following: Mike Hawtin, timberman in the Panama mine, hit in the eye by a piece of coal on April 23, causing a partial loss of sight; Ridley Bell, a loader in the Panama mine, overcome by bad air on March 19, 1918, resulting in disability and lung trouble; Robert Petrucciani, machine runner, moved machine and caused strain of hip, back and side.

          The cases of three Panama men, which have been held up because of the fact the men were alien enemies came up for a hearing and were temporarily disposed of.  The arbitrator entered a recommendation in the cases, but it is not known   what action the board will take upon them.  These three men are Joe Pastolnez, Tony Krouse and Tony Nowak.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 2, 1919

 

RAILROAD AGAIN FILES OBJECTION TO COUNTY TAX

 

          The same old story is repeated in the case of the Panama school district, district No. 8 where the company objects to the payment of $230.92.  The company claims that a levy of $5000  was made for educational purposes  in this district and $3,500 for building purposes for the year 1918.  The school tax was extended at the rate of $3 on each $100 valuation and the total valuation of all property in the school district was $165,866.  The objector claims that the amount produced by a levy of a tax at the rate of one and one  half per cent for educational purposes is $2,487.99 which sum is much less than the amount of tax levied for educational purposes and the amounts of money needed to pay these expenses of conducting the schools in said district, which must be paid out of the educational funds.

          Objection was also made to the amount of taxes levied for building purposes in excess of the sum of $829.33, because that was the amount required for building purposes for the year.  The company claims that the excess thereover while ostensibly levied for building purposes, was in fact levied with the intent to create a surplus in the building fund for use for educational purposes and without any intent upon the part of the board of directors to devote any part of such surplus for building purposes.  Also the company claims that it does not appear from the record of the board of directors that any levy was legally made for the year 1918.

          The Clover Leaf company usually succeeds in beating its tax objections.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Jun. 3, 1919

 

WILL BUILD GOOD THEATER

 

          Jack Williams was in Hillsboro, Saturday arranging to start work on his new show  house and while here he said: "I will build as good a theater as can be built in Hillsboro. My lot is not quite as large as I would like but I will able to erect a house with a seating capacity of about 600.

          It is not my intention to put on vaudeville, regularly as it is simply impossible to get good vaudeville acts all the time and I will therefore try to secure only good ones occasionally.

          When it comes to pictures, I expect to put on the very   best that can be procured and I don't believe the people of Hillsboro can have any room for complaint regarding their quality.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 9, 1919

 

NEWS FROM THE SORENTO BLADE

 

          A Maxwell automobile belonging to A. S. McCracken, of Panama, caught fire from a leaky gas line and was totally destroyed about two miles north of Donnellson Thursday evening.  Mr. McCracken and another man who were in the car escaped without injury.

 

          W. W. Mitchell of Panama, a brother of E. E. Mitchell of this city, purchased the R. F. Brewer farm one and one  half miles south of Sorento last week, paying $3000 for it.  This is one of the best farms in northern Bond county.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jun. 13, 1919

 

MOTHERS PENSIONS

 

          Mrs. Adelia Savigini of Panama has been granted a mother's pension of $15.00 per month.  Mrs. Elmira J. Miller well receive $17.50 per month and the mother's pension of Mrs Kate Pincher has been discontinued.

 

ORVILLE SLAGEL HOME

 

          Orville Slagel who enlisted for military service a year ago, has arrived at his home in Panama with his honorable discharge.  He is a son of Sam Slagel.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 16, 1919

 

CARL HAARMANN, PANAMA COAL MINER IS DEAD

 

          Carl Haarmann, aged 30, single, died at the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis at 7:30 o'clock last Wednesday morning, following injuries sustained March 1, when his back was broken by a fall of rock and coal in the Panama mine where he was at work with the night shift.  He was taken to the sanitarium on the day he was injured.  Dr. Everett, of Panama, accompanying him.  He had been a resident of Panama for eight years.  His mother lives in Germany.  The body was taken to Panama Thursday evening, where the funeral was held   at the Methodist church Friday morning by Rev. Brown, the pastor, with burial in Panama cemetery.

 

 

Montgomery News

Jun. 24, 1919

 

CONTRACT LET FOR OPERA HOUSE

 

          Jack Williams let the contract last Thursday to Jim Morgan for the erection of his new moving picture theater in Hillsboro and work was started on the structure on Monday of this week.  We are not informed what the cost of the building will be but understand that the estimate is $30,000.

          The new building will be a surprise to many people in Hillsboro because of its size and the materials used in its construction.  It will have a front elevation 52 feet high and will be almost as tall as the corner block building which adjoins it on the south and is occupied by Evans Brothers furniture store.

          There will be a 16  foot vestibule in front of the place and the building will be 40 feet wide and 105 feet deep, with a horse  shoe shaped balcony 40 feet wide and 48 feet deep.

          At the front side of the building on the top floor a 6   room flat will be built and it will cover 40x40 feet and Mr. Williams will live there.

          The state law provides that all houses erected for use as theaters shall have exits placed within easy reach of all parts of the house and to comply with this law, exits are placed at each end of the horse  shoe shaped balcony.

          There will be no cellar under the structure but a small basement will be built beneath the stage.  The floor will be of concrete and the entire building will be made as nearly fire  proof as it will be possible to make it.

          Mr. Morgan the contractor, does not yet know the date the building will be finished but it will probably take four months or possible more to do the work and have it ready for occupancy.

          The seating capacity of the new building will probably be in the neighborhood of 800, so we are informed, although this is not official.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jun. 26, 1919

 

PANAMA BOY LOSES HAND; DYNAMITE CAP

 

          The ten  year old son of John Spiller, a miner of Panama, was painfully injured Tuesday morning, when one of his hands was blown off by a dynamite cap.  His father had a box of dynamite caps in the house and the boy was playing with them, when one exploded in his hand.  He was rushed to a St. Louis hospital by the attending physician, Dr. I. O.  Wilcox, and   is reported to be recovering nicely, although he suffers intense pain.

                                                                                                                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 7, 1919

 

FOUR PANAMA SALOONS CLOSE UP REAL TIGHT

 

          The four remaining saloons of Panama closed up Monday night of last week, according to the Hillsboro Journal.   Big crowds were in town to watch the old regime out and the new one in.  The saloon men in Panama were Mike Faletti, Andy Calufetti, Pete Calufetti, and Tom Coquatto, who all locked up their doors except Coquatto, who has started a soft drink parlor.

          The Journal says it is now impossible to buy anything in Panama that has a kick in it.  Panama has entered into the Great Sahara along with the rest of the U. S. A.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 8, 1919

 

MARRIAGE LICENSES

 

John Kuca, W. Frankfort, Ill.,26

Helen Kruzlock, Panama,18

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 10, 1919

 

PANAMA STORE IS ROBBED OF TWO REVOLVERS

 

          Sheriff John W. Wilson and Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell were called to Panama Wednesday to investigate the burglary of R. H. Pullen's hardware store.  The robbers broke the glass out of the door and entrance was gained by unlocking the door from the inside.  This happened Tuesday night. Wednesday morning when the store was opened, investigation showed a revolver was missing.  Later in the day Lawrence Bills, aged 15, took a revolver to the store which was not the missing gun.  When asked where the other gun was, young Bills said that Pete Salvetti had it.  Young Salvetti is 14 years of age and is on probation for being mixed up in trouble at Panama.  Constable Paul DeMoulin is the parole officer under whose care Salvetti was placed by Judge Crow.

          Officers went to the Salvetti home and Pete was at work. The officers inquired of a younger brother what Pete had done with the gun and he said he had hidden it under the porch. The gun was found and returned to the store.

          No arrests were made as R. H. Pullen, owner of the robbed store, was out of the city.  Deputy Sheriff Tidwell and Constable DeMoulin are in Panama this afternoon and will   likely arrest Salvetti.  They have no jurisdiction over Bills, as he lives on the Montgomery county side of the line.

          Very likely young Salvetti will be sent to a reform school for breaking his parole.

 

DEATH OF A CHILD

 

          An infant of Mr. and Mrs. Zora, died at Panama Friday. Funeral services were held Saturday.  The parents and several other children survive.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 14, 1919

 

PANAMA ITALIANS TO RETURN TO HOME LAND

 

          A number of Panama Italians left that place Thursday for St. Louis.  From there they go to New York and sail for Italy, some of them to remain permanently and others to visit, says the Hillsboro Journal.

          Some of them have become naturalized American Citizens. The government experts figure that there will be a large number of Italians and other foreigners returning to Europe within the next year.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 17, 1919

 

SYDENSTRICKER IS OUT ON BOND; JAIL IS EMPTY

 

          For the first time in six months Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell has no lodgers at the Bond county jail.

          Ernest Sydenstricker, who had been in jail since May, following his arrest at Panama, in connection with several robberies there, was released Wednesday morning on a $200 cash bond, for his appearance at the September term of circuit court.

          Sydenstricker is a alleged "sack man" connected with the numerous robberies at Panama and vicinity.  He received a money order Wednesday morning for $200 from relatives in Indiana, and he immediately was taken to the Bradford National Bank, where he deposited the same and was released on bond.  J. S. Bradford and H. W. Riedemann signed the bond.

          Sydenstricker left Greenville at 10:16 Wednesday morning for Indianapolis, where his mother resides.  His case will come up at the September term of the circuit court.

 

PANAMA WANTS RETURN GAME WITH GREENVILLE

 

          Information from the manager of the baseball team at Panama is to the effect that they are waiting anxiously at Panama for a return game with Greenville.  The Panama team defeated Harvel Sunday by a score of 3 to 1.  It was said to   be one of the best games played this season and a feature of the game was Grabruck's splendid pitching, striking out four men and allowing but two hits.  Only one man got further than

second base during the game.  It is expected that a return date with Panama will be played by the Greenville team.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 21, 1919

 

POSTMASTER IS NAMED AT PANAMA

 

          President Wilson sent to the Senate last Thursday the nominations of 32 Illinois postmasters, among them Alfreda Desborough, to be postmistress at Panama.

                                                                                                                          

 

Montgomery News

Jul. 22, 1919

 

DEATH OF MISSING SOLDIER REPORTED

 

          The death of Walter Havron who until recently had been accounted missing has been reported by the war department. Havron lived in Panama and was one of the first men from this county to enlist and to go to France.

          A telegram to his half  brother, Lloyd Stewart, of  Panama, received from the war department Saturday, reports  that he was taken from the field wounded, and was given  treatment in a French hospital where he died later.  The  exact date of his death was not given.

          The young man was about 20 years of age, and is a son of Jesse Havron of Panama.  He served after his enlistment on the Mexican border before he was sent to France.

 

THE COUNTY CHAMPIONS

 

          The Panama ball team is fast winning a reputation as the champion ball players of the county.  They went to Wilson, near Staunton, Sunday and added another game to their record, and by winning from the Wilson team the score being 5 to 3.

                                                                                                                         

 

                        

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 24, 1919

 

PANAMA MAN IS TOLD OF DEATH OF SOLDIER SON

 

          Walter Havron, a Panama soldier once cited for bravery and conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle, and later wounded in action, is dead.  His father who lives at Panama, learned this for the first time Friday, when he received a telegram from the War Department.

          Havron fought in the infantry, having enlisted at the Hillsboro recruiting station and having reached France early.

Later on he was cited for bravery.  For months he had not been heard from.  Then came the telegram announcing his

death.  He was reported wounded and later missing in action. Sometime after that the father endeavored in every possible way to determine where his son was but without results until last Friday, when he was informed of the death of his son from wounds.  Walter was 21 years of age and performed a brilliant service.

          His father, Jesse Havron is a well  known resident of Panama.  Mr. Havron said he had not heard from his son since last October.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

July 29, 1919

 

PANAMA SOLDIER RETURNS

 

          Private Reman Compton arrived at his home in Panama, Friday, July 18th.  He landed from overseas, July 9th and was discharged from Camp Grant after spending fifteen months in service.  Mr. and Mrs. Foster Compton, gave a party in his honor Saturday night July 19th and on Sunday July 20th his friends and relatives gathered at his home where a fine dinner was served at noon, everyone having the best of times.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 31, 1919

 

PANAMA WINS AGAIN: DEFEATS TAYLOR SPRINGS

 

          Panama defeated the first team of Taylor Springs in a baseball game Sunday by a score of 9 to 2.  Grabruck and Storm were the batteries for Panama, and Shinko and Purdey did the work for Taylor Springs.  Next Sunday at Panama, Robinson's Nokomis team meets Panama.  The Panama team is playing exceptionally good ball this year, having lost only a small percentage of games played.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 4, 1919

 

FOUR ARE HURT WHEN CARS HIT AT SHARP TURN.

 

          Four members of the Thomas Caulk family of near Old Ripley were injured, one of them, Iva, aged 5 years, probably seriously, as a result of the collision of two automobiles just outside of Panama Sunday morning.  It was reported today that fears are entertained that the child's skull was   fractured.  Dr. A. M. Keith of this city was called today to make an examination.

          The Saxon Six owned and driven by Hei Johnson of Old Ripley, carrying Mr. and Mrs. Caulk and four children was struck by a Willys  Knight car driven by a St. Louis man at the turn just before entering Panama from the north.

          Mr. Johnson was driving slowly on the right side of the road, when he saw the Willys  Knight bearing down on him.  He slowed up but the car struck them.  Mr. Johnson said the St. Louis man was driving at a rapid speed and that he was on the wrong side of the road,  The St. Louis car was not damaged and the occupants were uninjured.

          The Johnson car was struck with such force that it threw Mrs. Caulk and four children out of the car.  Mr. Johnson was not injured, but Mr. Caulk was thrown against the wind shield and badly bruised.  Mrs. Caulk sustained injuries to her back and Cula Caulk was bruised, but Ida and Raymond, two smaller children were not hurt.  Mrs. Caulk said she pulled Raymond out from under the car just after it had started after the impact of the collision.

          The damage to the Johnson car is only slight.  It is said that the name of the St. Louis man was secured but he was allowed to go on his way.

Montgomery News

Aug. 8, 1919

 

TWO HOME AT PANAMA

 

          Pete and Cash Deright, two Panama soldiers, have arrived home after serving with the American doughboys in France. They are sons of Jim Deright of Panama.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 11, 1919

 

POCAHONTAS AND PANAMA MINERS ARE ON A STRIKE

 

          Between 500 and 600 miners at Panama and about 250 at Pocahontas are on a strike.  In fact, nearly all the mines in southern Illinois are closed as a result of a strike which had its beginning at Belleville several days ago and it is said to be the result of active propaganda on the part of Belleville miners.  The strike has already extended into several counties and is moving toward Springfield.  It is said it is likely to involve all the mining districts of the state.

          The miners say the are striking for higher wages.  The Belleville strike was precipitated by the operators fining their men for joining in the Thomas Mooney sympathy strike on July 5th, it is said.  Then the trouble shifted to the question of wages.  The men have broken away from the control   of state officials, according to statements published in the St. Louis newspaper.

          Telephone messages to the Advocate from Panama and Pocahontas today state that the miners are still out and they have no idea when they will return to work.  If the strike continues it will mean serious delay in coal output and may result in bringing up the price of coal.

          The coal supply in St. Louis is short and if the strike continued there will be a fuel crises not only in St. Louis, but in many other cities in less than ten days.

          The strikers deny they are breaking the war time agreement under which they pledged themselves not to strike for increased wages until 60 days after President Wilson had officially declared the war ended.  They declare that when the fuel administration was abolished this contract was broken.

          There are 3500 miners out in St. Clair county, 400 at Edwardsville, 800 at New Baden and Beckemeyer.  The Marissa miners closed Thursday, and so did also Troy and Pocahontas mines.

          Mine prices of coal for St. Louis delivery began advancing last Monday from $1.75 until they reached $3.00 last Thursday.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 14, 1919

 

MINERS HAVE NOT YET RETURNED TO WORK IN COUNTY

 

          Coal miners still out at Pocahontas, Panama and Coffeen as well as in many other mining centers in southern Illinois.

          Following the strike of a week ago, differences have arisen between them and their state president, Frank Farrington, who has characterized the trouble as being in the nature of a revolution.  Telephone messages from several coal mining towns today were to the effect that the miners had no idea as to when they expect to go back to work.

          The miners seem to be dividing into two classes, those who as supporting Frank Farrington, the state president of the United Mine Workers, and those who are discontented with the condition of affairs.

          Meetings of the discontented were held in East St. Louis Tuesday and at Belleville Wednesday.  They discussed plans for calling a state convention.  The men in these two meetings are opposed to President Farrington and the other state officials of their organization.

          The big miners' strike affected Montgomery county.

          Max Von Brun and Pete Viviano of Panama interviewed by Hillsboro newspaper men said that the strike is not due to any Bolshevik or I. W. W. motives but it was due to their desire to register a strong protest against the high cost of living.

          Panama miners met at 8 o'clock Friday morning in Jack   Williams' theater in Panama and voted unanimously to strike. The Panama band led the strikers through the streets of Panama before and after the meeting.  Six hundred miners struck at Panama.  For the last four or five months Panama miners have ben working only on an average of about three days a week because of the lack of demand for coal, it is said.

          Panama miners took the matter up with the Coffeen miners later in the day and they too voted to go out.

          Three hundred miners of Hillsboro went out, and in all there were 1200 miners in Montgomery county who went out.

          One of the biggest issues of the strike is the trouble that has arisen between the miners and their own state officers.

          Their state president, Frank Farrington, declares the strike was unauthorized and used some pretty strong terms against the miners.  He declared that the strike was worked up by the I. W. W. and the relationship between the miners and their state officers has been strained for several days.

 

SENTENCE OF SELMON ABBOTT IS COMMUTED

 

          Selmon Abbott, formerly of Panama, convicted of murder in the circuit court at Edwardsville, had his sentence commuted to manslaughter by Governor Lowden Tuesday.  The governor acted upon recommendation of the division of pardons and parole.

          Abbott was convicted for the murder of Emil Rawie.  The shooting took place in the vicinity of Livingston several years ago.

          Abbott, while driving through the country, met Mrs. Abbott and Rawie driving together in a buggy.  Abbott who had been separated from his wife, immediately fired and killed Rawie.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 21, 1919

 

MINERS RETURN TO WORK

          Miners at Pocahontas and Panama returned to work today, after being idle about two weeks on account of the strike. Miners went into the mine at Pocahontas this morning and the men at Panama will go down as soon as the mine there is cleaned up.  Mines all through this section have been shut down, and all were ordered to re  open this morning.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 25, 1919

 

GREENVILLE TO PLAY PANAMA LABOR DAY

 

          The Greenville baseball team will play the Panama club,   at Panama Labor Day, Monday September 1st.  The line  up will be the same as the one played with Panama at Sorento, August 15th, at which time Panama was defeated 9  0.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 28, 1919

 

COAL MINES ARE STILL SHUT DOWN THROUGH COUNTY

 

          Miners are still out at Pocahontas and Panama as well as many other Southern Illinois towns.  They have only worked one day since August 7.

          In Chicago yesterday mine operators of Southern Illinois decided to remit the fines imposed provided the men will return to work under the old contract by Saturday.  At the same time Frank Farrington, of Springfield, president of the Illinois Miners organization, declared charters of union miners would be revoked unless the men returned to work Saturday.  The fines were imposed by the operators in accordance with the stipulation in the war time contract between operators and miners, which provided penalties for violation of its terms.

          Rice Miller, of Hillsboro, chairman of the conference, said that the conference had gone over the whole situation, and that fines imposed against men who recently struck and then returned to work would be remitted.

          A formal appeal to all coal miners in Illinois to go on a strike immediately in answer to the autocratic mandate of President Farrington threatening all striking locals with expulsion from the union was issued at Chicago by the state policy committee of insurgent miners.  As a result of this call, all mines of Belleville are idle again.

          Striking miners of the Peoria district voted to ignore the demands of Farrington and a resolution was voted requesting the state executive to "go to h___"

          There seems to be as much trouble between Farrington and the miners as there is between the miners and the operators.

MANN'S FAMILY SUE FOR $5000 FOR HIS PLIGHT

 

          Eita Mann, of Sorento, through her attorney, F. M. Ramey, of Hillsboro, sued several former saloon keepers and property owners of Panama for $5000 damages, alleged that they sold liquor to her husband, Charles Mann, who was sentenced from Greenville to the Chester penitentiary a few months ago for burglary and larceny.

          Another suit for $5000 is brought against the same defendants by, Willard, Mildred, Bernard, Opal and Kenneth Mann, minor children of Mrs. Mann, on the same charges.  Mrs. Mann makes affidavit that she and her children are poor persons unable to pay the costs of the suit, and asks that they be allowed to prosecute the cases in that capacity.  The suits are directed against Mike Faletti, Thomas Coquatto,   Andrew Calufetti, Pete Calufetti, E. F. Grabruck, Charles Serenco and Angelo Cordini.  The charge is that Mann, while intoxicated by liquor sold and given to him by certain of these defendants, committed the crime of burglary and larceny for which he was arrested and convicted in the Bond county circuit court, and sentenced to the penitentiary by Judge J. F. Gillham at the May term of court.  All the saloons in which he purchased his liquor are located in Montgomery county, which accounts for the fact that the suits are started there.  Mann himself lived in Sorento, but it is alleged he secured his liquor in Panama, part of which is in Bond county and part in Montgomery county.

 

THREATENS TO OUST STRIKING MINERS

 

          All striking miners in Illinois will be expelled from the United Mine Workers Union unless they return to work by Saturday.  This notice was sent out from Springfield Tuesday from the office of Frank Farrington, Illinois president of the mine workers.  The decision was made in Chicago Monday, and the International Union is backing the state officials in this drastic action.  The district executive board at the Chicago meeting decided to exercise the authority given and will revoke the charters of all striking workers that do not return to work on or before Saturday, August 30.

                                                                                                                         

 

                           

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Sept. 5, 1919

 

PANAMA MINER OPERATED ON

 

          Porter Cruthis, a miner from Panama underwent a surgical operation at St. Francis hospital Monday for appendicitis. He is 25 years of age.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Sept. 9, 1919

 

SUIT FOR $3,000

 

          Joseph Gnavi, by Charlie Gnavi, the father and next friend, has sued Shoal Creek Coal Company for $3,000.  No declaration is filed yet.  F. M. Ramey is the plaintiff's attorney.

                                                                                                                          

 

Montgomery News

Sept. 12, 1919

 

KILLED IN PANAMA MINE

 

          Tom Batiste was killed in the Panama mine at noon   Thursday, in a motor accident and the coroner went to Panama, Thursday afternoon, to hold an inquest.  Owing to the condition of the telephone lines we were unable to get more definite information for this issue.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 15, 1919

 

COURT CONVENES GRAND JURY WILL CONSIDER CASES

 

          The September term of the Bond county circuit court was convened at 10 o'clock this morning, Judge J. F. Gillham of Edwardsville presiding.

          Three criminal cases set for trial on the opening day were continued or dismissed.  The are the cases against Frank Hartman, charged with bigamy, Tony Saomi, charged with murder, and Ernest Sydenstricker charged with larceny.

          Neither of these three cases will come to trial. State's Attorney Meyer stated that in the case against Hartman the complaining witness Mrs. Hartman No. 1, is married again, living in another state and refuses to come to Greenville to testify against Hartman, who lives at Panama. The case was dismissed.

          The case of Tony Saomi of Panama, charged with the murder of James Salvetti, will not come before a jury because he escaped after killing his man at Panama and has never been heard of since.

          The case was continued for services.

          The case against Sydenstricker, who was held to the

grand jury on the charge of being one of the alleged "sack men" at Panama, was dismissed for want of evidence.  Railroad detectives caused the arrest of Sydenstricker on the charge of larceny several months ago.  This was at the time when a great deal of thieving was going on at Panama and Sorento, the Clover Leaf railway being the victim.  Several members of the Deright family were arrested and some of them are in the penitentiary for participating in the vocation of a "sack man".  The name was applied to men who stole goods from the railroad company and peddled them out to people.  They carried the goods in a sack, and the foreigners in and around Panama called the mysterious peddlers "sack men."

 

YOUNG MINER IS CRUSHED UNDER MOTOR IN MINE

 

          When Sorento miners returned from their work Thursday evening, they brought news of another of Panama's tragedies. While Tony Voncato, about 18 years of age, was making a run on the motor from below, to the other end of the double track, he was crushed by his own motor. Voncato was running at a high speed and he jumped from the motor and attempted to turn a switch before he was overtaken.  The thirteen ton motor proved quicker than Tony, and before he could jump from the track, Voncato, was added to the list of Panama mine   victims.  The cry "There's a man under the motor" brought all miners to the scene.  While the weight of the motor rested on his body, Tony seemed to know all that went on about him, even recognizing some of his pals, but as soon as the weight was removed, blood rushed to his lungs and with three short breaths, Tony Voncato forgot his pain, and the blackness of the mines.  Frank Savage was with Voncato on the motor, and put forth every effort to bring the thirteen tons to a stand still.  A doctor was immediately summoned, but could not reach the scene before it was all over.  George Savage, the regular motorman was not on the motor at the time.

          Both Tony Voncato and Frank Savage were switchmen, and were merely taking a spin in search of a sandwich.  The accident took place at 1:45 Thursday.

          The scene of the accident was in Montgomery county and the coroner of that county held the inquest

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Sep. 19, 1919

 

GAME ENDS IN A TIE FIGHT

 

          The ballgame, Sunday between Nokomis and Panama, held at Panama, resulted in a tied score and a flock of fights in the ninth inning.  Ed Capstick of Hillsboro acted as umpire and as Ed formally dug coal at Panama, the Nokomis rooters were unkind enough accuse him of trying to give the game to Panama.

          Those knowing Ed Capstick, realize that the Nokomis rooters did him a great injustice as Ed couldn't be partial if he tried.  When he umpires a game he even forgets which teams are playing, he is so deeply interested in trying to give both sides a square deal and he weighs his decisions like a judge on the supreme bench.  He has even been known to be awake at nights for a week at a time worried because he might have made some little miscalculation in giving a decision as to whether a runner was safe or not.

          Anybody that says that Ed Capstick could be unfair in his decisions is a *@#$%*.  Well, we'll let Ed tell what they are as no one ever accused Ed of not being able to speak for himself.

 

ASKS MOTHERS PENSION

 

          Mrs. Reba T. Alexander of Panama filed an application Wednesday in the county court for a mothers pension.  Her husband was killed by lightning at Panama, June 28, 1918. She has four children, Earl Alfred, aged 10 years; Raymond Forest, aged 8; Howard Jasper, aged 6 and Alberta, 13 months.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 2, 1919

 

PANAMA CHILD DIES OF CHOLERA INFANTUM

 

          A little child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith, who recently moved from Sorento to Panama, died at Panama Monday of cholera infantum.  The child was aged one and one  half years

          Funeral services and burial took place Tuesday afternoon at Sunnyside cemetery.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 13, 1919

 

CHILD IS BURNED TO DEATH WHILE GETTING SUPPER

 

          Agnes M. Boyd, aged fifteen, daughter of Robert F. Boyd of near Panama, died at the hospital in Hillsboro Tuesday morning as a result of burns which she sustained when flames from a heating stove set her dress on fire.

          The little girl kept house for her father, who with his little son were away from home at the time.  As the father came in sight of his home at about 7 o'clock Monday evening he saw his house on fire.  The child was taken to a neighbor's house and later to the hospital where she died. She said she had filled the stove, an old fashioned wood stove, and that it had exploded.  The fire caught her dress. She said she did not use any kerosene in lighting the fire.

                                                                                                                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 16, 1919

 

PANAMA LADY ENDS LIFE BY DRINKING ACID

 

          Trouble over property which she has purchased at Panama, caused Mrs. Frank Savage, aged 57 years of that place to drink carbolic acid at her home early Monday morning.  The effect of which resulted in her death at noon the following day.  Physicians were called, but were unable to save her life.  She made no statement other than that she wanted to die.  No other facts regarding the suicide could be obtained.

          Funeral services were conducted today at the Catholic church at New Douglas and interment was made in the Catholic cemetery there.

          She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Josephine Scottish of Alton and one son, Frank who lives at home.  The family had made their home in Panama for the past ten years.  They live on the Montgomery county side of the town.

                                                                                                                          

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 30 1919

 

PANAMA BOY SUES SHOAL CREEK MINE

 

          Joe Gnavi of Panama filed a suit in the circuit court in Hillsboro last Friday against the Shoal Creek Coal Co., of Panama for $8000 damages.

          Gnavi alleges that near the Panama mine on February 23, 1918 was a slack pile above which was a high tension wire of about 30,000 volts suspended from the poles without insulation.  He says there was no fence around the slack pile and it was a common resort for children as a playground. Gnavi, who is eleven years old, came in contact with the high tension wire and was severely burned on the left shoulder, arm and hand and permanently disabled, so he avers.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 3, 1919

 

MINERS ALL OUT AT POCAHONTAS AND AT PANAMA

 

          Mines at Pocahontas and Panama, the only mines in Bond county are idle with the rest.  Miners quit work at midnight, the hour set for the strike Friday midnight and it is estimated that there are more than 14,500 miners out in Bond, Madison and St. Clair counties.

    This is the territory that supplies St. Louis with virtually all its coal.  All the 62 mines in St. Clair county were closed Saturday and 25 out of the 28 in Madison were closed.  The three are small mines that ship no coal.

          Today finds practically all the nation's vast bituminous coal fields closed.  Large fields in Pennsylvania and Kentucky are operating however.

          In Bond county there are several country schools that were out of coal Saturday but whether they have yet succeeded in securing it could not be learned this morning.

          A dispatch from Washington today says there is a tendency in some sections to call off the strike.

          Attorney General Palmer has issued instructions to district attorneys to watch sharply for the first evidence of conspiracy to restrict the output of coal or profiteering, which means the government will open war on agitators who attempt to invade the fields and attempt to keep out miners willing to return to their old jobs.

          Agitators who attempt to stir up trouble between capital and labor will be handled by the Department of Justice.

          President Wilson issued an order Friday establishing maximum prices for fuel as those existing during the war.

          The maximum price fixed by the president and the fuel administration and for prepared sizes range from $4.60 a ton net at the mine mouth to $2.50.

          Illinois was ready Friday to muster eleven regiments of   infantry fully equipped to handle any disturbance arising out of the coal strike.

          Governor Lowden several days ago pledged support to the government in its attitude against the stoppage of coal production,

          Three regiments of the state guard in the 9th, 10th, and 11th infantry are organized militia units.  The other eight regiments are reserve militia organizations divided into two brigades with four regiments in Chicago and four down  state.

          It is estimated that the number of bituminous coal miners is 635,000 operating 4167 mines and mining eleven tons of coal every week (sic).  In the Belleville sub  district there are 11,000 miners.

          About 8,000 soft coal miners in Illinois obeyed the strike order at 5 o'clock Friday afternoon.  Frank Farrington, the district president, ordered the miners to strike and pay no attention to threats that troops would be used.  The 900 mines in the Illinois district were deserted by midnight.

          At Indianapolis the United States authorities got out an injunction against the United Mine Workers barring the labor leaders from directing walkout or addressing mass meetings of workers.  The case was set for hearing before Federal Judge A. B. Anderson of Indianapolis on November 8th.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 10, 1919

 

ONE KILLED; ONE HURT WHILE HUNTING ON SUNDAY

 

          James McCoy, aged 19, years, of Panama, was killed while hunting Sunday.  Together with James Brown and several other boys, he was in the vicinity of Shoal Creek west of Panama. He slipped and fell on the bank and his shot gun was discharged.  He received the full discharge in his face and head and was instantly killed.  The body was moved to Panama, where Coroner Gray of Montgomery county held the inquest, the accident having taken place just a few feet from the Bond county line.

          Arrangements for the funeral services have not yet been made.

          James McCoy is a son of Frank McCoy, a coal miner of Panama, where the family has lived for fifteen years.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 20, 1919

 

PANAMA MAN IS AWARDED DAMAGES FOR HIS ARREST

 

          The case in which George B. Missimore of Panama sued for $2000 on the ground's of malicious arrest, was heard in the circuit court at Hillsboro Friday.  The case consumed most of   the day and at evening the jury retired to consider the evidence, returning a verdict at 10:30 o'clock, awarding Farris $850 damages.

          In 1917, Missimore claimed to have had pieces of a single set of harness stolen, and later he found harness on a horse belonging to Farris, which he thought was his.  He caused Farris to be arrested by a constable at Panama, and it is said without having first consulted the state's attorney or a reputable lawyer in the matter, Farris was then in the livery stable business at Panama.  The case was heard in Panama before Justice Charles Bills and later Farris filed a suit in the circuit court for damages on the grounds of malicious arrest and prosecution.

          Earl Stewart, one of the witnesses for the plaintiff, testified that the arrest caused a great change in Farris conduct.  Stewart said he stayed with Farris at the time and that one time he heard Farris remark that Missimore had ruined him for life by accusing him of theft.  "I remember that he was joyful before his arrest," the witness said, and seemed to be happier than after his arrest.  After he was accused of the theft he stayed at home more with his wife and didn't talk much and seemed to be downcast.  Stewart testified that the harness Farris was accused of having stolen was in Farris' possession for years and that he recognized the harness as that of Farris from brass nobs on the hip strap or places where they had been.

          Missimore testified that pieces of a set of single harness belonging to him were stolen and that later at the barn near  the Panama mine he found the harness on Farris' horse and that he identified it as his own from the stitching and other peculiar markings.  Other witnesses testified that the harness had always belonged to Farris.  After Mr. Missimore had located what he thought was his harness, he asked the arrest of Farris.

 

PANAMA CASE IS CHINESE PUZZLE TO THE COURTS

 

          Whether all the money left by the late Carl Haarmann, of Panama, shall go to his mother in Holland according to his unwritten directions a few days before his death or whether enough of it shall be turned over to the public administrator for the payment of the debts of the decedent and the administration of his estate is a puzzle that confronts the county court and the lawyers in the case, says the Hillsboro Journal.

          The matter came before Judge Ragsdale in the county court Saturday.  Frank M. Ramey, public administrator of estates, had filed a petition in the county court some time ago through his attorneys, Land, Dryer and Brown, petitioning the court to summon Adolph Pruhs and Tony Grabruck, both of Panama, to appear before the court and show cause why they should not turn over the money of the decedent to the public administrator.  It was charged in the petition that these two men had in their possession $900 in money belonging to the   late Carl Haarmann and that although requested, they had refused to turn it over to the public administrator.

          In the hearing held Saturday, Pruhs and Grabruck were called to the witness chair.  Henry Hoekstra, assistant cashier of the Bank of Panama, also testified.  It developed during the hearing that Haarmann had over $900 in the Panama Bank at the time of his death on July 11, 1919, in a St. Louis hospital from injuries sustained in the Panama mine. Five days before his death he signed a blank check to Pruhs and Grabruck, transferring his money in the bulk to them and instructing them later to send it to his mother in Holland. On June 9th Pruhs and Grabruck had the money transferred to their names preparatory to carrying out the decedent's instructions.  Before they had time to forward it to the mother of the deceased, the bank received a letter from the public administrator notifying it to hold the money for the settlement of the debts of the estate and to turn the same over to the public administrator.

          Grabruck and Pruhs went ahead to carry out the late Haarmann's instructions and wrote his mother in Holland.  She wrote back for them to buy a monument and flowers for her boy's grave, deducting the amount necessary for that and to send the rest to her.  The procedure, however, had not been carried out at the intervention of the court.

          Judge Ragsdale continued the case until Monday, November 24th, when the lawyers for both sides will argue it before him.  The case is puzzling in some of its aspects.  The deceased was injured in the mine and it is supposed payment of his hospital and funeral bills will be met from some other source.

 

 

Montgomery News

Nov. 21, 1919

 

INFANT DEAD AT PANAMA

 

          A son was born November 15 to Mr. and Mrs. John Enrico at Panama but the little one only lived a short time.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 4, 1919

 

COAL SITUATION IN COUNTY TOWNS BECOMING ACUTE

 

          Advice from Panama where miners are located, this morning are to the effect that the schools have only enough coal to last a week longer.  The furnace at the school is for coal only and it is doubtful if they can use wood to heat the building, in the event they can not heat with wood the school will be closed until the strike is settled.  The Methodist church there has enough coal to last for two or three services.

                          

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 11, 1919

 

MINES WILL OPEN FRIDAY: COAL MAY MOVE OUT MONDAY

 

          John L. Pickering, secretary of the mine workers at Pocahontas while in Greenville this morning received official notice from Acting President Lewis at Indianapolis, that the strike is ended and that work will be resumed tomorrow.

          Inquiry made at the mines at Pocahontas and Panama this morning resulted in the information that both mines are in shape that work can be resumed at once and in fact could be on a few hours notice.  The mine whistles have been blowing every evening calling the men to work the next morning, but for five weeks they have not heeded the call.

          The miners will return to work at once, at an increase of 14 per cent in wages; while a commission of three persons is appointed by President Wilson to investigate and determine within 60 days if possible, a basis for a new wage agreement. Operation of the mines will be resumed, except as to wages, on the same basis which was in effect prior to the strike.

 

PANAMA MAN DIES OF INJURIES IN RUN  AWAY

 

          Suffering a ruptured intestine in a runaway accident at Panama Thursday, Martin Kukovich, aged 48, of that village was removed to the Litchfield hospital where he died Monday morning at nine o'clock.

          He was driving a horse and wagon near Panama, when the horse became frightened at a passing automobile and became unmanageable.  The unfortunate man was driving the animal with one hand and holding a grindstone in the wagon with the other.   The horse ran away throwing Kukovich and the grindstone from the wagon.  The grindstone, weighing about 100 pounds struck him in the stomach.

          Kukovich was married and leaves his wife.  He made his home at Panama for the last six years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 15, 1919

 

POCAHONTAS AND PANAMA MINERS RETURN TO WORK

 

          Pocahontas coal miners returned to work on Friday morning; Panama miners returned at 7 o'clock Saturday night, there  by starting the production of coal in Bond county, as it was started throughout the country, resulting in a normal production within a few days.

          Miners at Panama did not go to work until 7 pm Saturday, when the first shift of 600 men went into the mines.  It will take three days to get the Panama mine operating at normal production it was said at Panama Saturday.

          At Panama where there are 600 miners, it has been   necessary to burn wood in the school building.  It was reported last week the school would be compelled to close but this is not now the case.

                                                                                                                         

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 16, 1919

 

PANAMA MINERS RETURN TO WORK

 

          The Panama mine was reopened Saturday night when a night shift of company men returned to work, but the entire force will not be back until the middle of this week, as there is a lot of cleaning and repair work to be done.

                                                                                                                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 22, 1919

 

MARRIAGE DURR  JONES

 

          A marriage license was issued Friday afternoon to Harry Durr of Mulberry Grove and Miss Gladys Jones of Panama.

                                                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 29, 1919

 

SORENTO MINER HITS ASSAILANT WITH A HAMMER

 

          Following a fight at the boarding house of Mrs. Gertrude Hall on the Bond county side of the line at Panama, Clarence R. Steel, aged 23 years of Sorento, and a returned soldier, was arrested Saturday afternoon at the Panama mine by Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell, on a warrant charging assault with intent to kill Quince Ray, also of Sorento.  The arrest was the outcome of a fight at the boarding house Wednesday afternoon of last week, in which Steel struck Ray between the eyes with a ball  peen hammer, after Ray, according to Steel's statement had made several unsuccessful attempts to cut him with a knife.

          Steel, when brought before Justice of the Peace John L. Bunch Saturday afternoon, waived preliminary examination and was placed under a bond of $300.  Failing to furnish bond he was taken to jail.  It is said, bondsmen from Sorento will be here today to secure his release.

          When interviewed by an Advocate representative, Steel talked freely.  He said he was at the boarding house of Mr. Hall, where he and Ray boarded, when Ray came in, in a intoxicated condition, cursing and struck Steel with a pair of brass knuckles, saying he could whip any Steel that ever lived.  Steel stated he told Quince he did not want to have any trouble with him and left the house.  He returned later and Ray wanted to fight again, but he said they got him to lay down and they thought he was asleep.

           When Steel thought Ray was asleep, he (Steel) said he went into the kitchen and helped the little girl scrub the kitchen floor.  When  he was in the kitchen Miss Marie Autolini came into the house, and Ray jumped up and grabbed her and choked her.  They came into the kitchen where Steel says Ray knocked Miss Autolini down and ran her, Mrs. Hall and the girl out of the house.  Ray started at Steel, who was standing by the cook stove.  Steel said to protect himself he picked up a hammer that was lying in the coal bucket and which was used to break up the coal, to defend himself.  When Ray kept coming Steel said he struck him with the hammer.

          He said after he had knocked Quince down, he saw he was bleeding badly, and picked him up and washed and dressed the wound the best he could and sent the little girl for the doctor.  The doctor was out and Steel said he took Ray to a doctor's office and then to his home in an automobile.

          Christmas day Ray was taken to St. Francis hospital at Litchfield, where a portion of the skull, about the size of a dollar was removed.  His condition is reported as improving, although serious, and he is not entirely out of danger.  Dr. Cary of Donnellson, who took him to Litchfield told the Advocate over the long distance telephone that Ray's skull was fractured and if he recovered probably his sight would be badly impaired, and he might be blind, although it was too early to determine that.

           Steel stated he served 14 months in the army as a member of Co. B. 19th Infantry, and was discharged from the service in July.

          Rex Bechtle, a miner, who was sick at the boarding house at the time of the trouble, according to Steel was asked by Ray for a gun, but he refused to give it to him.

          Ray is a son of T. H. Ray of Sorento and is aged about 28 years and Steel is a son of Charles Steel of Sorento.

          None of the Ray family could be reached by telephone for a statement regarding the trouble.

          Steel said he and Ray had been good friends prior to the trouble.

                                                                                                                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 1, 1920

 

ATTEMPT IS MADE TO BURN SCHOOL HOUSE AT PANAMA

 

          Officers were called to Panama Wednesday afternoon, following information received that an attempt had been made to burn down the Panama public school building Tuesday evening.  Sheriff John W. Wilson and Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell went to Panama Wednesday afternoon in search of evidence, Deputy State Fire Marshal Tony Brooks, of East St. Louis is in Panama today investigating and it is possible he will make arrests.

          The timely arrival of George Trobaugh, who was passing along the road by the building, saved the building from destruction.  Mr. Trobaugh noticed a light in the basement of the building and upon investigation discovered the building was on fire.  With the aid of a pole he fished out part of a cotton mattress that had been stuffed between the ventilator pipe and the floor, and was gaining good headway when discovered by Mr. Trobaugh.

          Investigation showed that a board that had been nailed over the ventilator had been pried off and the mattress stuffed in and lighted.  There was no evidence of oil or other inflammables to be found on the mattress.

          Jimmie Krov, who lives just north west of the school building told officers yesterday that as he was on his way up town shortly after supper he saw two men or boys run away from the school house.

          Some evidence is given the idea that the building was fired by parties, who had been forced to keep their children in school following action of the school board there.  Fear was entertained that an attempt might be made to burn the church there and a vigilant watch is being kept to prevent such a disaster.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 5, 1920

 

PANAMA LADY MACCABEES SURPRISE COMMANDER

 

          Members of the Panama hive of the Lady Maccabees assembled at the home of Commander Josie Jackson on Saturday evening, December 27, to help her celebrate her 42nd birthday anniversary.  Mrs. Jackson was taken completely by surprise. The evening was spent in music and a good social time.  Lunch was served of delicious cake and coffee.  All enjoyed a very pleasant evening and departed late.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 8, 1920

 

VIVIAN TROBAUGH DIES AT PANAMA

 

          Vivian Trobaugh, aged 5 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Trobaugh of Panama, died at the home of her parents, Friday morning.  Death was caused from a weakened condition of the heart following an attack of diphtheria.

          Funeral services were held at the family residence in Panama Sunday morning by Rev. G. C. Streubing and interment was made in the cemetery at Donnellson.

          Besides her parents the little girl is survived by one brother, Stanley and five sisters, Mr. Bertha Ray, Mrs. Mildred Bailey and Misses Ruth, Marguerite and Vaughn, who live at home.

                                                            

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 15, 1920

 

CASE IS STRICKEN

 

          In the circuit court at Hillsboro last week, the case against Charles Abbollitti, Tom Coquatto, John Williams and Mike Falletti of Panama, charged with operating a gambling devise, was stricken from the docket with leave to  reinstate.

CORPORAL CAPSTICK MARRIES MISS LENA PHILLIPS; BELLEVILLE

 

          Corporal Richard J. Capstick, age 33 and Miss Lena Phillips, aged 26, both of Panama were married in Belleville Wednesday.

          Announcement was made in last night's Belleville Advocate.

          Corporal Capstick was one of the first four men who went from Bond county to war in the fall of 1917.  He later was sent to France and while in the Tank Corps was captured by the Germans and after being almost starved to death he finally escaped and got home safely.

          The bride is a daughter of Artie Phillips, a coal miner of Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 19, 1920

 

FIRE AT PANAMA

 

          Fire at the residence of Joe Santoro in Panama greatly damaged the roof Wednesday morning before the bucket brigade of the village succeeded in extinguishing it.  The building was owned by White and White of Hillsboro.

                          

 

Greenville Advocate

Jan. 22, 1920

 

PANAMA PEOPLE VIOLATE SCHOOL LAW; ARE FINED

 

          Two cases for violations of the school law, were held before Justice of the Peace A. M. File in his office Thursday afternoon.  John Freckelton of Panama pleaded guilty to keeping his daughter Elizabeth, out of school and was fined $5 and costs a total of $15.45.  Freckelton, is a Scotchman, and said after the trial that he intended to make a visit to his mother, in New Zealand in the very near future.  He seemed very much broken up over the fact that he had ben arrested.

          The second case to come before Judge File was on the same charge which was made against James and Mary Savant, also of Panama.  They had kept their daughter, Lizzie, out of school and paid a fine of $5 and cost, amounting to $17.95. Mrs. Savant said they were guilty and James without a word, paid the fine and costs.

          The complaints were made by Miss Grace Kingsbury, county truant officer.

 

NEW TRIAL IS DENIED

 

          In the circuit court of Montgomery county at Hillsboro the Shoal Creek Co., of Panama was denied their motion for a new trial in the case against them brought by Nick Zilatz for damages.  The jury awarded Zilatz $500 damages in the trial last November.

 

DIXON McCRACKEN

 

          Miss Eura McCracken, daughter of Harry McCracken and Tom Dixon, son of William Dixon, both of Panama, were married at Collinsville Tuesday afternoon.  The groom is a miner and they will reside in Panama.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 23, 1920

 

MARRIAGE

 

Harry Rogers, Panama, 38

Mrs. Rebecca Sloat, Bingham, 36

                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jan. 30, 1920

 

MARRIAGE

 

Matt Ogolian, Panama, 27

Theresa Renner, Panama, 18

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 2, 1920

 

PANAMA MAN INJURED

 

          George Sanderson of Panama, was injured while working in the timber near Panama last Wednesday when a log which was being loaded into a wagon rolled on him.  His injury although painful is not necessarily serious but he will be laid up for sometime as a result.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 5, 1920

 

DEATH OF A CHILD

 

          Bruno Trina, 7 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Trina, of Panama, died there  Wednesday morning of influenza. Short funeral services were held this morning at the residence and interment was made at Sunny side cemetery at Sorento.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Feb. 12, 1920

 

HAYES RESIGNS; LEWIS NEW MINERS HEAD

 

          Frank J. Hayes, who formerly lived at Smithboro, has resigned as president of the United Mine Workers of America, and John L. Lewis has been elected in his place.  Mr. Hayes has been in poor health for several years and Lewis has been acting president.

 

 

Montgomery News

Feb. 17, 1920

 

PANAMA

 

          The epidemic of influenza is subsiding here, no new cases being reported and no serious cases.

          James Neal a well known coal miner had his left foot injured in the mine Saturday and will be laid up a week.

                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 1, 1920

 

CLAIMS THEY BEAT HIM WITH IRON BOLT

 

          Charging that he was assaulted in the Panama mine and beaten with an iron coupling pin by Alfred May and Earl Leak, Panama miners, Pete Romatuski appeared before State's Attorney J. Earl Major and swore out a warrant for the arrest of his alleged assailants.

          Pete claimed the two men attacked him in the mine on Monday, February 16th, knocked him down and hit him with an iron bolt.  He asserted that when he got up, one of his shoulders was thrown out of place and that his face was badly beaten up.  And his face seemed to bear mute testimony to his statements, for that part of his anatomical outline was considerably bunged up.

          May and Leak appeared in Justice of the Peace C. W. Grassel's office in Hillsboro Tuesday morning and waived preliminary hearing.  The are charged in the warrants sworn out for their arrests as follows: That they did unlawfully and willfully then and there on the 16th day of February 1920, strike and make assault with a deadly weapon on and upon the person of Pete Romatuski with the intention to commit bodily injury, the said weapon being an iron bolt, no considerable provocation appearing.

          Messrs. May and Leak were bound over by the justice to await the action of the April term of the circuit court.                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 2, 1920

 

MARRIED AT EDWARDSVILLE

 

          Melvin H. Havron and Miss Mary E. Lee, both well known young people of Panama were united in marriage at Edwardsville on Friday of Last week.

 

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 9, 1920

 

A HOLE IN THE ROOF

 

          The frame residence in Panama belonging to Mrs. Martha Boyle, caught fire on the roof Sunday when a spark from the flue ignited the shingles. A hole in the roof was burned before the fire could be put out.  Mrs. Boyle is in Texas at present and the house is occupied by Mrs. Buffington.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 11, 1920

 

SHOAL CREEK CO. MAY SINK SHAFT NEAR WAVELAND

 

          According to reports which have reached here, the Shoal Creek Coal Company, which operates the Panama mine, will sink a shaft on the Joe Price farm near Waveland church as soon as conditions are a little more favorable.  This mine would be near Donnellson and about five or six miles south of Hillsboro.  Reports here were to the effect that work on sinking the shaft would be started when the price of materials lowers a little and when men are obtainable for sinking purposes.

          The Shoal Creek Coal Company owns considerable land in that vicinity and many acres of coal rights extending all the way from Panama to and around that vicinity.

          The Shoal Creek Coal Company has owned land in the vicinity for a long time and as far as that goes, in all probability the company will sink a mine there at some future date.  The cost of materials is a little high now and the cost of delivery now also would be high.  It is unlikely the company would encounter any difficulty getting men for shaft sinking purposes, as there are always men obtainable for that work, and the operators afford good steady work and good pay. Many of the workers would necessarily have to be skilled, but much of the work could be done by unskilled laborers.

          The report in Hillsboro that work on sinking the shaft would be started within two or three weeks is unfounded.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Mar. 19, 1920

 

HURT IN MINE

 

          James Basso of Panama was injured in the mine Thursday morning, one leg being hurt.  He was taken to his home where he is recovering.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Mar. 22, 1920

 

PANAMA MINER ENTERS HOSPITAL

 

          Pete Romatuski, a Panama man who claims he was assaulted by two other Panama miners while at work in the Panama mine some time ago and beaten with an iron bolt, entered the Litchfield hospital Saturday for medical treatment.  Whether his illness is an outgrowth of the recent fight is not announced.

 

 SHOAL CREEK COAL CO. APPEALS DAMAGE CASE

 

          The Shoal Creek Coal Co., of Panama, filed a suit in the circuit court at Hillsboro Tuesday of last week against Frank Bopp appealing to the circuit court the case in which Bopp was awarded damages by the Industrial commission for injuries sustained while in the employ of the coal company.  He was awarded $13 per week for 30 weeks temporary compensation and $13 per week for 87 1\2 weeks for increased disability.

 

 

 

PANAMA MINER INJURED BY FALL OF TOP COAL

 

          Caught under a fall of top coal in the Panama mine Thursday morning, James Basso, about fifty years old of Panama, sustained very severe but not fatal injuries.  He suffered two large scalp wounds and a big laceration about four inches long between the knee and ankle of the left leg. No bones were broken according to reports from Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 1, 1920

 

NO LOOT FOR THESE POST OFFICE ROBBERS

 

          Robbers who broke into the post office at Panama, Friday night, were unable to find anything there worth taking. Nothing of value is kept in the post office over night, as money, stamps and other valuable government property is put in the bank.  Miss Elfrieda Desborough is the postmistress.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Apr. 2, 1920

 

MARRIED IN ST. LOUIS

 

          Miss Beulah Havron and Angelo Viviano, both of Panama, were married Saturday in St. Louis and they have now returned from their honeymoon trip and have gone to house keeping at Panama where the groom is employed as a miner.

                       

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 22, 1920

 

ROBBERS BLOW OFF VAULT DOOR AT BANK OF PANAMA EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING

 

          After holding up two men and locking them in a box car at the depot at Panama at 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, six masked robbers blew the door from the vault of the Bank of Panama, and obtained $60 in pennies, that were in the vault.  They also broke open a number of safe deposit boxes in search of  Liberty Bonds but no bonds were found.  The robbers did not gain access to the safe, which is inside the vault, where the bulk of the money is kept.

          William Sloat, night watchman at the mine of the Shoal Creek Coal Co., and Walter Havron, a mine examiner were the men whom the robbers held up and locked in the box car. Sloat had left the mine and had gone to wake Havron, and the two men met near the bank.  They were walking down the street past the bank and heard the robbers at work, but before they could give an alarm, they were confronted by the robbers lookout and at the point of a revolver, were marched to the depot where they were compelled to get into a box car and the door was locked.  The robbers, it is supposed then returned to the bank to complete the job.

          The miners were forced to march to the depot at the point of revolvers, and during the trip to the depot one of the robbers asked Havron where the Liberty Bonds were. Havron replied that they had all sold their bonds and purchased automobiles.

          When Sloat and Havron did not return to the mine, Peter Viviano, a member of the village board and who works on the night shift, became suspicious and sounded the alarm and organized a posse of about 100 persons who started in search of Sloat and Havron, who were found in the box car.  No trace of the robbers was found by the posse.  The Bank of Panama has been robbed on several previous occasions.

          Entrance to the bank was gained by picking the lock on the front door.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Apr. 26, 1920

 

OFFICERS INVESTIGATE CHARGES OF PANAMA MAN

 

          Charges made by Supervisor Cary Cunningham of Panama that fifty distilleries are running on the Bond county side of the line in that village, are being investigated by State's Attorney H. A. Meyer, Sheriff John W. Wilson and Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell, all of whom made a trip to Panama Friday.  Efforts however to get some of the residents of Panama to make a complaint for the issuance of a search warrant were unavailing, as no one could be found who would do so.  The officers made an effort to see Mr. Cunningham, but did not find him at home.

          Supervisor Cunningham made the statements at the board meeting after Sheriff Wilson had filed a request for an increase allowance for expense money.  The sheriff stated that though cost of everything made it necessary for more expense money to carry on his work, as it costs more for gasoline or any other means of transportation in going about in the discharge of the duties of his office.  The request brought forth the statement from Supervisor Cunningham that the prohibition law was being violated and that drunken men  were frequent occurrences.  Cunningham stated that the officers of the law were not doing their duty in the face of the violations committed in Panama.  The request of the sheriff after these statements was not acted upon.

          The officers state that this was the first time they had heard that there were any violations of the laws at Panama; that the residents thereof were given to wine bibbling or raisin and yeast bibbling or that there were fifty or any number of distilleries flourishing there.  They stated when interviewed by the Advocate that if Mr.  Cunningham has any knowledge of such rampant infringements of the prohibition law, if men are operating booze manufacturing establishments, if men are lying around drunk and robberies are being promiscuously perpetrated it was his duty to report these things to the proper authorities.

          Federal authorities will no doubt be called upon to make an investigation under the federal prohibition act and the grand jury may be called upon to indict all those who are running distilleries on the Bond county side of the line at Panama.

 

PANAMA STATION IS ROBBED SAME NIGHT AS BANK

 

          Additional news regarding the robbery of the Bank of Panama is told by W. W. Mitchell, a prominent business man of Panama, who lives near the bank, was awakened by the explosion and got up.  He suspected in a minute what had happened and when he looked out of his window it was about the time the robbers had halted Havron and Sloat.  He would have fired on the bandits he said, but feared to do so lest he hit Havron or Sloat.

          Mr. Mitchell then got busy on the telephone and got into communication with officers at Hillsboro and told them of the robbery.

          It is also reported that the Clover Leaf station, which is on the Bond county side, was robbed the same night, where robbers gained entrance through the side door and stole canned goods, bread and other provisions.

          The Bankers Association and detective agencies have been notified of the Panama bank robbery and a net has been spread about by which it is hoped some clue to the identity of the robbers may be obtained.

          The bank was strewn from one end to the other with papers and debris and lying about were the tools the robbers had used.

          The lock on the vault door was completely shattered, the vault door was still open and the vault itself a literal wreck.  The robbers apparently disappeared without leaving a trace.

          Officials of the bank in checking up announced that $64.85 was missing all in pennies.  Not one valuable paper is missing, these having been removed owing to the prevalence of bank robberies in the state.

          The robbers also broke into the Clover Leaf station, and  stole some canned goods and bread.

          Since the robbery at the bank, it has been discovered in checking up that a bundle of papers, mostly notes, was missing from the bank's vault.  However, the notes were not negotiable and are of no value to the robbers.

 

PANAMA'S ELECTION

 

          There was a pretty warm fight at Panama, resulting in the election of James Caulk on the Citizens' ticket as mayor over G. E. LeClair, the candidate on the Labor ticket by a vote of 157 for Caulk and 71 for LeClair.  E. A. Murray was elected village clerk on the Labor ticket receiving 126 votes.  Harry McReaken and John Benedict on the Citizens' ticket and D. E. DeShane on the Labor ticket, were elected trustees.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 3, 1920

 

JUDGE BERNREUTER TO HOLD MAY TERM OF CIRCUIT COURT

          States Attorney Meyer said Saturday that the state was ready for trial of criminal cases and they would go to trial so far as the state was concerned.

          There are two cases against Quincy Ray, both charging assault in one case with intent to kill Gertrude Hall and in the other Clarence Steele is the victim.

          The trouble took place at a boarding house in Panama. Ray first had Steele arrested on the charge of assault but the course of justice turned on Ray himself and he was indicted by the grand jury as being the aggressor although he came off with a cracked skull.

 

NO GRADUATING CLASS AT PANAMA THIS TIME

 

          Misses Clara Lindh, Euterpe Sharp of this city and Miss Ella Oswald of Pocahontas, have returned to their homes after having taught in the Panama schools the past winter.  The grade rooms of the Panama schools have closed but the high school will continue for two weeks.  There will be no graduating exercises at Panama this year as there are no graduates.  C. W. Holcomb formerly of Reno, is Superintendent of the school at Panama.

          It is said that the school buildings are overrun and the crowded conditions of the grade  rooms will necessitate the building of two additional rooms before another winter. Besides it is said that the schools are increasing in numbers to such a extent that it will require the old buildings together with the two new rooms to house the grade  children for next year and the high school will be abolished at Panama.  The matter will be taken up soon by the board of directors when definite action will be taken.

                                                            

Montgomery News

May 4, 1920

 

ABANDONED THEIR FORD

 

          A Ford car was found standing on the streets of Panama Friday night.  The car was an old one, and all the tires had been removed and it had apparently been abandoned, afterwards.  It is now in the garage at Panama, waiting for some one to claim it.  It is possible that the car was stolen and became out of order when the thieves decided to take what they could carry with them and make their getaway, though this is only a supposition.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 10, 1920

 

OFFICERS, IN RAID ON PANAMA, FIND STILLS, ILLICIT BOOZE; ARREST THREE

 

          As a result of a raid on the Bond county side of Panama, Thursday afternoon by Sheriff J. W. Wilson, Deputy Sheriff J. W. Tidwell, and three constables, three Panama residents were arrested for violations of the prohibition laws.  Two stills, nearly 200 gallons of intoxicants, and four barrels of raisin mash were confiscated.  Tony Calufetti, a butcher and former saloon keeper, Domenick Cibrario and John Trione, coal miners, were arrested and brought to Greenville Thursday night.  They were placed under bonds of $1,000 each by County Judge Hubbard Friday morning.  They furnished bond, each signing the other's bond with the additional name of Joe Vigliocco of Panama, who signed all three bonds.

          The information filed in the county court against each of the men contain six counts, charging the manufacture of intoxicating liquor, willfully manufacturing and keeping intoxicating liquor for sale, manufacturing, keeping for sale and use of intoxicating liquor, manufacture, keeping for sale, use and disposal of intoxicating liquor; Willfully manufacturing using, disposing of and transporting intoxicating liquor.  The sixth count is the same as the fifth, with the difference that the violation on the sixth count was made on May 6th.

          The cases against these men will be heard before County Judge Hubbard on Tuesday, June 14.

          Sheriff Wilson Deputy Tidwell and Constables, Joe Ragland, Alva Fenton and George Alderman arrived in Panama about 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon and the first place they visited was the home of John Trione.  Mrs. Trione told the officers her husband was at work in the mine.  The officers went across the street to the home of Charles Trione, a brother of John, and Mrs. Trione went back into her house and was seen coming out the back door carrying a bucket.  The officers immediately went into the yard and Mrs.  Trione quickly threw the contents of the bucket on the ground.  It proved to be raisin mash for making raisin wine.

          They searched the home of John Trione, where they found a small still, 100 bottles of Choctaw beer, hops, barley, sugar, yeast and all the materials necessary for making the Choctaw beer.  Here also they found a tub of dandelion blossoms in the yard, over which water had been poured, and also a keg of mash made of red peppers.  Here also was found 15 gallons of raisin wine, a 10 gallon keg of raisin wine, three empty barrels, and about 200 empty bottles.

          They next visited the home of Tony Calufetti, where they found parts of three barrels of raisin mash, one barrel of grape wine, which had been shipped by M. & R., at Johnston City and was consigned to Pete Calufetti.  This was found in Tony's basement.  There was also an eight gallon keg of Choctaw beer and seven bottles of Choctaw beer.  Three empty barrels were found in his basement.  Tony, who was a former saloon keeper had a little private stock consisting of Vermouth wine and rock and rye.  This stock had been taken to his home when prohibition closed his saloon and it was not confiscated.

          After thoroughly searching Tony Calufetti's place, the officers went back to the home of Charles Trione, where they found another still, larger than the one first discovered at the house of his brother John.  here also they found a part of a barrel of raisin wine, six bottles of various kinds of home made wines, three empty barrels, and officers stated it looked as though the place was being cleaned up.

          They next visited Domenick Cibrario's home, where they confiscated 31 bottles of Choctaw beer, a part of a barrel of wine, an eight gallon keg of Choctaw beer, one barrel of raisin mash, 100 empty bottles and eight empty barrels.

          Officers stated that at Cibrario's place, the basement was undergoing repairs, a new concrete floor had been put in and as Sheriff Wilson expressed it, it looked like they were getting ready for real business.

          Having no conveyances at hand in which to bring the confiscated goods to Greenville, the officers returned with the three men under arrest, and left instructions at the various places where they had found liquor, that nothing was to be touched.

          At daylight Friday morning the officers, in company with G. C. Clementz, Madison Tidwell and Frank Seiver with a large truck returned to Panama for the confiscated liquor, stills and mash.  They returned to Greenville about 11 o'clock with a truck load.

          While  the officers were in Panama Friday morning collecting the liquor a lady told them they could undoubtedly find some evidence of illicit manufacture of liquor at the home of Pete Cristo.  They went to Pete's house and asked Mrs. Cristo, if there was any wine there she told them no. They asked to investigate the cellar, but she said she did not know where the key was, but upon being informed they would be back later with a search warrant, and they would  then have to break the door down, she quickly found the key. They found in Cristo's cellar an eight gallon keg of Choctaw beer, a barrel of raisin mash and a part of a barrel of wine. Mrs. Cristo stated to the officers that the Choctaw beer was the property of her husband but that the other mash and wine belonged to Joe Delico, a boarder.  She stated they were both at work in the mine.

          With the truck loaded down with barrels and bottles and with Deputy Sheriff Tidwell's car filled with bottles and a still they came to Greenville and unloaded their findings at the jail, after making a trip around the square.  Friday afternoon they returned to Panama after the remainder of the liquor and also with warrants for the arrest of Charles Trione, Joe Delico and Pete Cristo, but they were informed that they had left the village.

          Officers said the ravines around Panama were full of barrels and mash that had been recently dumped, presumably since the first visit of the officers.  It was stated that some of the mash had been buried, and that much transferring of liquor and mash was done Thursday night.  However, none of the liquor and mash that the officers found Thursday was disturbed.

          Sheriff Wilson stated that in each of the houses visited there were from 25 to 200 pounds of sugar, from 4 to 100 pounds of hops, barley and yeast, with which the Choctaw beer is made.  Calufetti told Sheriff Wilson that 80 pounds of raisins were put into one barrel to make the raisin wine.

          When officers asked what they were doing with the wines and mashes in their homes, they all said they just made a little for their own use. and that they never sold any.

          When seen by an Advocate representative Friday morning at the office of State's Attorney H. A. Meyer, the three men arrested, had little to say, and would say nothing about the liquor found in their places.

          Sheriff Wilson has communicated with M. T. Kiggins, chief federal prohibition agent at East St. Louis, regarding the Panama raid but as yet he has not heard from Mr. Kiggins.

                                                             

Greenville Advocate

May 13, 1920

 

QUINCY RAY NOT GUILTY; COURT IN SESSION 2 DAYS

 

          A jury in the circuit court Monday evening returned a verdict finding Quincy Ray not guilty of the charge of assault upon Clarence Steel, following a trial which began Monday afternoon and in which several witness testified concerning the drunken row at Panama which resulted in the trial of the case against Ray.

          In the row Steel hit Ray in the center of the forehead with a hammer fracturing his skull and leaving identification in his forehead, showing the print of the hammer, and causing a scar which he will carry as long as he lives.

          Ray, when placed on the stand, testified that he boarded at Mrs. Hall's and worked in the mine, that he worked all night for several nights and had not slept much and when he went to his boarding house on December 24th last, Mrs Hall offered him a glass of whiskey, which he at first refused and finally drank although he said it did not taste like whiskey. Ray said that Mrs. Hall was also drinking and that he saw her pour out a full glass of whiskey and drink it and that he took a glass to Rex Bectel, who was sick in bed in the boarding house.  He also said Clarence Steel drank a glass of the liquor.

          Ray testified that he laid down on the floor and went to sleep and the next thing he knew Rex was pummeling him.  Ray denied ever having struck Mrs. Hall or threatening her.  He said he had never had a word with her and denied the charges of the other witnesses against him .

 

TWO GET PAPERS ONE LOSES OUT ON HIS CITIZENSHIP

 

          Two men were given their naturalization papers Tuesday by Judge Crow.  Dan Toth of Pocahontas renounced allegiance to Francis Joseph apostolic king of Austria and became a full fledged American citizen after he convinced the court that he was entitled to receive the same.

          Angelo Corradini of Panama, also secured his naturalization papers. Corradini passed a splendid examination. He came from Italy.

          James Wondrak of Panama, was denied his papers and the case was dismissed without prejudice which means that he may start all over again if he so desires.  James came from Europe, lived in Ohio, moved to Panama at which time he started his pursuit of naturalization but in the meantime moved to Canada and then came back and asked for his papers. The law however, provides he must have resided here continuously for five years.  His absence in a foreign country broke the chain much to his disappointment.  Wondrak shed bitter tears over his failure to become an American citizen.  I have always been an American at heart, he said, I love this country and I am greatly disappointed.

 

HIGH SCHOOL AT PANAMA MAY BE DISCONTINUED

 

          H. M. Thrasher of Springfield, high school supervisor of the state was here Monday and Tuesday conferring with the different high school boards, and those contemplating the establishment of community high schools.  On Monday, in company with County Superintendent of Schools J. W. Anthony, he visited Sorento and Panama and conferred with the local high school board and the Sorento community high school board.

          At Panama Supervisor Thrasher explained to the school board the steps necessary for that school to remain as a recognized high school.  To do this it will be necessary for Panama to build six additional rooms at their building,  employ 10 teachers in the grades and three in the high school.  It is probable that the high school at Panama may be discontinued.

          On Tuesday Mr. Anthony and Mr. Thrasher conferred with the Pocahontas community high school board as the local high school board.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

May 24, 1920

 

ROBBERS TAKE KNIVES AND PIPES AT PANAMA

 

          The hardware store at Kinzer and Pullen at Panama, was entered sometime Tuesday night and merchandise valued at $100 was stolen from the store.  Among the things taken were pocket knives, pipes and other articles.  No clue as to the identity of the robbers has been found, and local talent is suspected.

                                                             

 

Greenville Advocate

May 27, 1920

 

PANAMA DEPOT IS BURNED; RAISINS AND EVERYTHING

 

          The burning of the Panama depot about 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon revealed the fact that the raisin business is still good in that city. At the depot during the fire 40 boxes of raisins were burned.

          The building is located on the edge of Panama and in Bond county and the fire was not discovered until it was too far along for the fire fighters to do much good.

          A large quantity of freight, including the raisins was destroyed.  The building consisted of a waiting room, office and freight room and scarcely any of the freight office was saved, although a desperate attempt was made to save the raisins.

          The office force is now doing business in a box car as a substitute.  A spark from an engine on the Clover Leaf Railroad set the building on fire.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

May 28, 1920

 

MARRIAGE

 

Porter Cruthis, Panama, 26

Ida Manning, Panama, 18

 

 

Greenville Advocate

May 31, 1920

 

PANAMA MAN ARRESTED IN RAID IN COURTS AGAIN

 

          Pete Calufetti of Panama, one of the three men arrested when Bond county officers made a raid of illicit stills in Panama several weeks ago, has been figuring in the J. P. Courts at Panama recently.

          Calufetti was recently awarded a judgment for $150 against John Renner also of Panama for 100 gallons of wine, which Calufetti claimed Renner bought off him June 30, 1919 but never paid for.

          The first hearing on the case was held before Police Magistrate D. R. Bennett in Panama April 19th, when a judgment was entered against Renner.  Ten days later a second hearing was had in the case and again a judgement in favor of Calufetti was returned.  Renner has now appealed the case to the circuit court, claiming that Calufetti delivered the wine to him to be stored at his place, but that he was also given permission to dispose of the wine in any way he choose.  The case will be heard in the Montgomery circuit court.

                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery News

Jun. 4, 1920

 

TORE UP HIS CHIMNEY

 

          During the electrical storm Tuesday morning, lightning struck the chimney on the house at Panama occupied by Lee Woods, and totally destroyed the chimney, which was torn to pieces.  There was no fire started and no one was hurt, but Mr. Woods will have to build a new smoke stack.  Insurance covered the loss.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

June 7, 1920

 

MARRIAGE

 

August Bosi, Panama

Mrs. Dominico Salvetti, Panama

 

PANAMA MAN IS DEAD; FUNERAL WILL BE TODAY

 

          Charles Warren, aged about 55 years, a restaurant keeper of Panama, died early Saturday morning at the hospital in Hillsboro, following an illness since February.  The body was taken to Panama Saturday where funeral services will be held at the M. E. Church this afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. G. C. Streubing will conduct the services an interment will be made in the Panama cemetery

          Mr. Warren had been a resident of Panama for about 10 years and was well known there.  He. is survived by one son whose home is near LaSalle, and also by one brother.

 

OFFICERS NAB ONE MORE IN PANAMA LIQUOR CASE

 

          Peter Cristo was arrested in Panama Saturday by Sheriff Wilson on a warrant charging violation of the prohibition laws and was brought to Greenville Saturday night.  He was released under bond of $1,000 which was signed by Mike Talett and Lawrence Lenzini, both of Panama.

          Officers have been on the look out for Cristo, since they made the raid in Panama several weeks ago.  Illicit liquor, it is charged was found at Cristo's home at that time but he could not be located.

          Charles Trione and Joe Delico other violators whom the officers are looking for on the same case have not been arrested.

          Cristo's case will come up June 14th in the county court along with the case of Tony Calufetti, Domenico Cibrario and John Trione.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

June 10, 1920

 

SORENTO LADS ARE ARRESTED ON LARCENY CHARGES

 

          Glen Bean, aged 14 and LeVerne Hawkins, aged 15, Sorento lads, were arrested there Wednesday on the charge of larceny.

          The boys claim another party did the stealing at Panama, and the loot was given them to keep.  Both these young boys are under a similar bond in Montgomery county on a like charge.  It is alleged these two chaps robbed Pullen's store at Panama several weeks ago.  They were arrested and taken to Hillsboro, and their case will be heard at the November term of the Montgomery county circuit court.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

June 11, 1920

 

CHARLES WARING DEAD

 

          The death of Charles Waring, of Panama, occurred at Hillsboro hospital Friday night at 9 o'clock.  Three months ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis, and had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past ten weeks.

          He was a native of England and had lived in this state since 1881, and had lived at Panama since 1883.  He leaves four children, namely, Mrs. Edna Parkinson, of San Francisco, Mrs. Dorothy Ettelheimer of Chicago, John Waring of Streator and James of Fitzgerald, Ga.  He leaves one brother, William of Wenonah, Ill. a sister in Winnipeg, Canada, and a sister in England.  He was employed as a miner at Panama for a number of years.

          The funeral services will be held at Sorento Monday.

Montgomery News

June 15, 1920

 

PANAMA K. P. INITIATE FIVE NEW MEMBERS

          The Panama Knights of Pythias initiated five new members Saturday at a celebration and luncheon held at the K. P. hall.  The new members taken in were: Walter Vail, John Knott, Carl Mills, Sam Cruthis and Joe Giovanetti.

          Quite a crowd of Hillsboro and Coffeen Knights of Pythias were in Panama to attend the celebration.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

June 17, 1920

 

PANAMA MEN PAY FINES AND HAUL WHITE MULE HOME

 

          Following a fine imposed on John Trione, Domineck Cibrario and Tony Calufetti of Panama, charged with the violation of the liquor laws, and after the payment of the fine of $100 and costs in the first two cases and $150 in the last, the booze was released to the three men, and they took it from the jail in a truck to Panama.  The fine and costs amounted to $486.

          When the case was called before Judge W. H. Hubbard the court was advised that the case had ben settled and that a plea of nolo contender was to be entered by agreement between State's Attorney Meyer and J. H. Allio, who represented the Panama men.  By agreement the fine was to be $100 in the case of Trione and Cibrario and $150 in the case of Calufetti on condition that the case against each be dismissed and that the property taken in the raid at Panama be returned to the Panama men.

          State's Attorney Meyer instructed Sheriff Wilson to release the "Blue John," "White mule" or whatever kind of liquor it was to the original owners.  This booze had been stored in the jail since the raid on Panama May 1.

          The raid was made by Sheriff Wilson, armed with search and seizure writs, furnished by State's Attorney Meyer, accompanied by Constables Joe Ragland and George Alderman, as well as Deputy Sheriff Tidwell.

          The raids was made on the homes of the three defendants. Calufetti was a former saloon keeper and Trione and Cibrario are coal miners.  The officers found 4 barrels of raisin mash, several kegs of liquor and a few bottles which they brought to Greenville together with a contraption which looks like a still at least to most of the unsophisticated in Bond county, whose knowledge of stills is quite limited.

          Concerning the criticism on the return of the liquor and still to the original owners, State's Attorney Meyer when asked for a statement yesterday said he had no statement to make other than he acted on his best judgement at the time. Attorney J. H. Allio stated that Mr. Meyer followed a precedent established by the Federal government in dealing with similar cases.  In these cases it was cited that the property is returned to the owners on pleas of nolo contendere and is not confiscated.  Mr Meyer said he thought the county was ahead financially in the case.

          State's Attorney Meyer stated he telegraphed to M. T. Kiggins, Federal agent at East St. Louis to come to Greenville and take charge of the case under the Federal law. Mr. Kiggins telephoned he would be here May 1.  He did not come, neither did he write.  State's Attorney Meyer stated he sent a representative from Greenville direct to Mr.  Kiggins office in East St. Louis and again he promised to come or send an officer to Greenville to take charge of the case under Federal law, but he failed to do so.

          A portion of the booze evidently became so obnoxious to the olfactory nerves of the Panama men on the way home that they dumped it out at the old elm tree northwest of Greenville and ever since it was deposited there joy riders have to begin to hold their noses long before they get to the old elm tree and strangers nearing the place, prick up their ears and enquire of each other "Wonder how far it is to the brewery".

Montgomery News

June 18, 1920

 

JOHN MAY, PANAMA WAR HERO ELECTROCUTED IN MINE

 

          Wrapped in the flag beneath which he fought for fourteen months on the battlefields of France, the body of John May, who was electrocuted Monday afternoon in the Panama mine has been escorted to its final resting place by 150 comrades and lowered to its grave.

          John May, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus May, and his buddy, Ora Johnston, walked toward the shaft of the mine Monday afternoon on their way home from work.  May was a lineman in the mine.  A train of empty cars came through the passage and the motorman asked the two men to ride.  May crawled over the edge of the first car and as he did so his back touched the trolley wire overhead.  He was killed instantly.

          There was a wife waiting for him at their home in Panama, with three little children, the oldest eight and the youngest three.  Their daddy had come home from France last August.  He was a member of the United States regular army, and was one of the first Americans to land on French soil. He had been through the Argonne Forrest, had fought on the banks of the Marne, and had been gassed.  But he had come home to them alive.

          Born a mile southwest of Reno, May grew up in that community.  He was 33 years old, and was a grandson of John Hartley, an old landmark of the county, who founded the Bond County Farmers Institute.  Ten years ago he married Miss Mary Toble of Sorento and to this union were born a son and two daughters.

          There are three sisters and four brothers: Mrs Irvin Ash, Mary and Rosa May, and William, Alfred, Bert and Charles.  A brother, Harry next in age to John, died last winter of influenza.

          Wednesday afternoon gold chevron men from Panama, Sorento, Coffeen and Donnellson escorted the body to the cemetery.  The pastor of the Methodist church at Panama made a few remarks at the grave.  The three volleys were fired and the 150 men marched back to the home and dispersed.  A red star on the service flag of the county and of the country had been changed to one of gold.

                                                             

 

Greenville Advocate

June 21, 1920

 

CRISTO GUILTY; IN BOOZE CASES

 

          Pete Cristo, Panama coal miner, was found guilty of violation of the prohibition laws and given a fine of $100 and 20 days in jail by a jury in Judge Hubbard court Saturday afternoon.

          Cristo's attorney Kelvin Kane, son of Jerry Kane of East St. Louis filed notice of an appeal.

          When Sheriff Wilson and Mr. Tidwell went to the Cristo home, Mrs. Cristo said there was no booze there.  The sheriff then asked Mrs. Cristo to let him look in the cellar in order to be real sure.  Mrs. Cristo said the cellar was locked and she could not find the key.  Sheriff Wilson told her to make a diligent search for the key and report progress.  Mrs. Cristo went into the house and when she returned advised the sheriff that she could not find it.  Sheriff Wilson then told her she had just as well find it for if she did not he would return to Greenville and get a search warrant.  Mrs. Cristo said she would make one more search.  She found the key and unlocked the door.

          Sheriff Wilson and Deputy Sheriff Tidwell descended into the basement and found a barrel two thirds full of what is known as raisin wine; 8 gallons of the stuff known as Choctaw beer; 1 barrel containing 40 or 50 gallons of raisin mash; 1 barrel of the celebrated "white mule" and 45 gallons of "Dago red".

          The officers had forethought enough to sample the stuff. On the stand these three gentlemen testified that what they drank was intoxicating.  It went to their heads.  Their evidence as to the stuff being intoxicating was positive and was not broken down by the cross examination conducted by Mr. Kane, Cristo's attorney.

          At the conclusion of the state's testimony Attorney Kane moved the case be dismissed on the ground that the search and seizure warrant must be signed by two judges, holding it was signed by one justice of the peace only and also that the charge of manufacture and sale of the liquor was not sustained by the evidence and that the state had failed to show the liquor was manufactured after Jan. 16, was greeted by applause on the part of several Panama ladies in the audience.

          The defense then placed Peter Cristo on the stand. Peter talking in broken English testified that the booze belonged to Joe Delico, who moved it into Cristo's basement one night for a consideration which was that Joe would thereafter pay Pete's house rent as long as the stuff remained in Pete's basement.  Pete said he no was there when it was moved in and he no was there at any time afterward. Although he knew several barrels of something had been placed in his basement he never went near the basement all the time it was there.  In fact he steadily avoided going to the basement.  All Pete knew was that Joe moved the barrels in but he did not know what the contents of the barrels was and he never saw it and never went near it.  If Delico ever came to the basement to get some of the white mule, etc., Pete never knew it.

          Pete testified on cross examination by State's Attorney Meyer that the next day after Sheriff Wilson had confiscated the stuff in his basement he moved from Bond county to Montgomery county and that Joe Delico left Panama two or three days later.

          Mike Faletti testified that one evening about 9 o'clock he assisted Joe Delico in loading several barrels filled with something which Joe was moving to Cristo's house.  Mike said he did not know what was in the barrels.

          Albert Deright and one or two others testified they assisted Joe in moving his private stock.

                                                             

Montgomery News

June 22, 1920

 

EMERY COMPTON DIES SUDDENLY IN PANAMA MINE

 

          Emery Compton, son of Mrs. James Compton of Donnellson died suddenly at 9:30 o'clock Saturday morning while working in a boiler in the Panama mine.  He had been in good health, apparently, save for a cut which he had received on the head two weeks previous to his death.  Cramped up in the boiler in the mine he became very warm, and the death may have been caused in that way.  The verdict of the coroner's jury was that it was probably from heart trouble.

          The wife, three children, his mother and three sisters and two brothers survive.  Compton was born and raised in Donnellson and has worked in the Panama mine for several years.  He was aged 33 years 8 months and 3 days at the time  of his death.  On September 19, 1876 he was married to Miss Ida Pierce, of Alhambra.  To this union the three children Cora May, Della and Pearl were born.

           He was in charge of the Woodman lodge and the miners of that local union. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the School Park at Donnellson.  Rev. Calvert of Godfrey formerly pastor of the Donnellson church officiated.

          Mrs. Robert Edwards of Coffeen, Mrs. John Morris of Bond county and Mrs. William Stoddard of Sandoval are the sisters of the deceased.  His brothers are Frank of Donnellson and Charles of Wood River.

          The unfortunate man had many friends in and about his town and throughout the county who extend their sympathy to the entire family in its sorrow.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

June 25, 1920

 

THE WHITE MULE AT PANAMA

 

          Why is it that the Panama manufacturers of "White Mule," "Choctaw Beer", "Dago Red", "Hop Tea" and other brands of knock out juices, operate exclusively in the virtuous and Pharisaical county of Bond?  The county line between Bond and Montgomery counties runs right through the village of Panama and Montgomery county has been moist in spots for lo, these many years, up to the adoption of the 18th amendment, while Bond county has had a reputation all over the state for aridity for several generations.

          The people of Bond have been preaching and enforcing prohibition for many, many years.  And at the church services held in that county the old familiar hymn is changed to read:

          " A charge to keep I have,

            A God to glorify,

            An arid, bone dry soul to save

            And fit it for the sky."

          Yet, strange to say, when a prospective bootlegger wishes to put a raisin in his grape juice, or hops and yeast in his rain water so it will develop a kick with both feet, he is careful to go across the line into Bond county.

          Sheriff Wilson of Bond county has recently made a collection of home made intoxicants found in that part of Panama lying in Bond county and has them under lock and key in his office.  Occasionally he unlocks his official cellarette and exhibits his samples to his gaping visitors, but under no circumstance will he allow anyone to sample them. And it is said that some of his saintly vistors can't even look directly upon the long rows of bottles of White Mule, Dago Red and Choctaw beer without becoming aroused and the sheriff has provided a pair of smoked glasses for them to look through, and they are only permitted to look at the bottles a few seconds at a time.

          The sheriff has stated at times when he unveils the  bottles, his office is crowded with vistors who walk about on tiptoe and speak in whispers.  Only one visitor is permitted to gaze upon the stored booze at a time and if he begins to show signs of intoxication and tries to jazz or shimmy, he is hurried to a doctor's office and an antidote is administered. The sheriff fears if he lets two or three look at the bottles at the same time, they might all become aroused at once and precipitate a riot.  He says he cannot be too careful.

Greenville Advocate

June 28, 1920

 

FEDERAL OFFICERS ARREST FOUR MEN AT PANAMA MINE

 

          Following closely their trials in the county court for violations of the prohibition act, Tony Calufetti, Pete Cristo, John Trione and Dominick Cibrario, were arrested at Panama at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon by three U. S. Marshals and taken to Springfield in an automobile, on a charge similar to the one against them in the county court.

          Calufetti conducts a meat market in Panama and the other three are coal miners, employed by the Shoal Creek coal company.  Trione, Cristo and Cibrario were at work in the mine when the officers arrived and they were called to the top and were arrested as they stepped from the mine elevator.

          The Illinois State Register of Friday had the following to say regarding the four men:

          Panama is a town that straddles the line between Montgomery and Bond counties, and over on the Bond county side John Trione, Pete Cristo, Tony Calufetti and Dominick Cibrario engaged in the popular but hazardous occupation of making and dealing in "white mule" whiskey.  The local authorities swooped down on them and notified the prohibition officers to come and get them.  They were turned over to Deputy Marshal Sam Metcalf, who by virtue of a warrant sworn out by District Attorney Edward C. Knotts, brought them to Springfield, where they were arraigned this afternoon before Commissioner Fahy and gave bonds in the sum of $1000 each.

          These four men were arrested by Bond county officers on a similar charge.  With the exception of Cristo, the other three were arrested during a raid in Panama on May 6th, at which time much illicit liquor and parts of two stills were seized.  Cristo was arrested later on the same charge.

          The dates for their trials have not been set.

          The Springfield State Journal of Saturday states that the bonds of the four men were fixed at $2000, while the Register states the amount of the bond was $1000.

 

HILLSBORO PAPER CALLS US NAMES IN BOOZE CASE

 

          The Hillsboro News of last Friday says:" Why it is that Panama manufacturers of White Mule, Choctaw Beer, Dago Red and Hop Tea and other brands of knockout juice, operate  exclusively in the virtuous and Pharisaical county of Bond. The county line between Bond and Montgomery counties runs right through the village of Panama and Montgomery county has been moist in spots for lo these many years, while Bond county has had the reputation all over the state for its aridity for several generations."

          The answer is easy: Because Bond county officials do not sleep on the job, another thing, if Clint Bliss don't quit calling us such names as "virtuous and Pharisaical" we will have him arrested for slander.

 

 

 

PANAMA 13, MULBERRY GROVE 8

 

          Mulberry Grove lost to Panama Sunday at Mulberry Grove 8 to 13.  Grabruck and Sutton did the battery work for Panama and Sellers and Mays did like duty for Mulberry Grove. Mulberry Grove made 13 hits and 6 errors and Panama 11 hits and 5 errors.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 1, 1920

 

MINE CASH SAFE; NO ATTEMPT MADE TO GET PAYROLL

 

          Acting on reliable information that there was to be an attempted hold up of the pay roll money for the Panama mine early Wednesday morning Sheriff J. W. Wilson and a corps of deputies were at Panama when the train bearing the money came in.

          "We have been given to understand from reliable sources that there is to be an attempt to hold up the Shoal Creek Coal Co., pay roll money which will arrive in Panama about 6:10 on the morning of June 30th."

          "We would ask that you be present or have a deputy present at the Clover Leaf station on that date, and keep the matter quiet so that it will not become known, as we would very much like to catch the parties in the act if possible."

          "You will be able to verify this and get the names, which we would rather not place on our letter head, if you will get in communication with the special detectives employed by the Toledo, St. Louis and Western Railroad."

          The letter was signed by V. R. Sharp, general superintendent of the company.

          Acting upon this information the sheriff with his posse went to Panama but nothing happened.

          Sheriff Wilson, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Tidwell, Night Police W. L. Floyd, City Marshal A.L. Wait, M. V. Perryman and Ed Ragland, left Greenville at four thirty Wednesday morning and were on the ground when the train came in.   They were not the only officers there, a like number of officers were present from Montgomery county and six armed guards from the mine were also present.  On the train were two detectives and two armed guards in the express car.

          Detectives who were on the train, stated to the officers that there were three rough looking characters on the train Wednesday morning, and they undoubtedly were connected with the attempt to hold up the train.  However when the train came in these three never moved from their seats, when they observed the young army of guards at the station.

          The money, about $40,000 is sent from a St. Louis bank and goes east to a transfer point and is returned the next morning to Panama.  After the money was taken from the train Wednesday morning it was loaded into a transfer wagon and taken to the bank at Panama, under heavy guard.

 

MARRIAGE

 

Ross McCracken, a Panama grocer, and Miss Ruby May of Staunton, were married at the Methodist parsonage in Staunton Wednesday of last week by Rev. W. H. Poole.  The bride formerly lived at Coffeen.  They will live at Panama.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 15, 1920

 

PANAMA WOMEN IN COURT HERE AFTER FIGHT

 

          On complaint of Mamie Bridges, a warrant was issued Wednesday for Ruth Noe, charging assault and battery.  Mrs. Bridges charges that Mrs. Noe struck her with a club and also and iron instrument. Both parties live at Panama.

          The case came up in Justice of the Peace A. M. File's court at 10 o'clock this morning and a number of witnesses from Sorento are here.

          The case is being heard before a jury .  Mrs. Bridges took the stand and stated that as she was returning home Monday night about nine o'clock Mrs. Noe came up from behind and said, "here, wait, you're the one I want" and Mrs. Bridges said she replied "Here I am."  Mrs. Bridges stated that after some conversation, regarding some remarks that had been made about another leaving Sorento and which remarks Mrs. Noe accused Mrs. Bridges of saying, which she denied, Mrs. Noe struck her and rendered her unconscious.  She appeared in court with a black left eye, as evidence of the fight.

          States's Attorney Meyer is prosecuting the case and Attorney John D. Biggs is appearing for the defendant.

          Mrs. Noe took the stand and testified that she slapped Mrs. Bridges, and when Mrs. Bridges pulled her hair, she hit her with her fist, but that Mrs. Bridges was not rendered unconscious, and that after the trouble Mrs. Bridges picked up her hat and hair switch and walked away saying that she was going to have Mrs. Noe arrested.

          Mrs. Noe went to Sorento Wednesday morning and pleaded guilty to fighting and was fined $3 and costs by Justice of the Peace F. F. Thacker, and produced a receipt of the fine  in court.

          The case had not gone to the jury when the Advocate went to press.

 

THREE VILLAGES GAIN; MULBERRY GROVE, POCAHONTAS AND PANAMA

 

          Preliminary census figures of Greenville, Bond county and all the civil divisions and villages in the county which show a loss of 1050 in the entire county may tell a different story when the final official figures are released by the Census Bureau at Washington.  The first detailed reports which reached Greenville Wednesday were marked "Preliminary announcement of population, subject to correction."  if the corrected figures do not tell a different story than the preliminary figures there will be a protest filed at Washington and a recount will be asked.

          Greenville, according to the figures given out had 3178 in 1910 and 3071 in 1920, a loss of 107.  While every  minor civil division which includes townships, shows a loss except Burgess, three incorporated places only in the county show a gain. They are Mulberry Grove village with a gain of 9, Panama village with a gain of 164 and Pocahontas village with a gain of 81.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 19, 1920

 

PANAMA WOMAN IS CLEARED BY JURY

 

          In a trial that lasted all day Thursday, Mrs. Ruth Noe of Panama, charged with assault and battery on the person of Mrs. Mamie Bridges, who caused her arrest, was found not guilty by a jury .

          In lieu of the fact that Mrs. Noe had previously pleaded guilty in Justice F. F. Thacker's court at Sorento to fighting with Mrs. Bridges the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

                                                            

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Jul. 22, 1920

 

PANAMA'S GAIN IS 80 PER CENT IN 10 YEARS

 

          A dispatch from Washington today shows that Panama, a coal mining village on the Bond and Montgomery county line has made the biggest increase in population of any town in Southern Illinois thus far reported.  The figures gave Panama 1281 and increase of 573 or 80 percent.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 3, 1920

 

MARRIAGES

 

Alem Massa, Panama, 31

Rosie Macario, Panama, 16

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 16, 1920

 

ROBBERS ABANDON VELIE CAR OWNED BY A PANAMA MAN

 

          A Velie automobile abandoned by robbers who were caught in the act of robbing the Morgan and Hendricks store at Oconee Thursday night has been identified through the license number 371826, as the property of Andy Vangina of Panama, and a coat found in the car after the robbers had escaped had the name of Andy Vangina sewed in it, the Pana police say.

          Sheriff John W. Wilson who was asked to go to Panama to make an investigation on Friday found that Vangina and his Velie automobile were out of town.  It is therefore presumed by the authorities that Vangina was with the bandits and was one of them.

          Sheriff Will Biggs of Shelbyville notified Sheriff Wilson Thursday night to be on the lookout for Vangina and arrest him on sight in connection with the Oconee robbery. The abandoned car was taken to Pana Thursday noon and stored in a local garage.  It had the appearance of having been in the world war.  Bullets fired by Night Watchman William Reis and his posse at Oconee early Thursday morning during the running fight with the bandits had penetrated the body, the cushions and the front doors of the car.  So far as is known all the bullets struck the car and none hit the bandits.

          Blood hounds from Decatur were put on the scent Thursday morning and trailed the men to the timber northeast of Oconee but failed to effect a capture.

          There have been many robberies in Oconee the past year but this is the first time the men were caught in the act.

          Night Marshal Reis of Oconee heard the car drive into the little village which is seven miles south of Pana at one o'clock Thursday morning.  He saw three men in the Velie. They parked the car in a dark place by the roadside and walked across the street to the back door of the Morgan and Hendricks general store, Reis crawled through the grass, keeping concealed and watching the men.  He saw them force the rear door.  Then he hastened to summon help to arrest the robbers, and succeeded in arousing Deputy Sheriff J. M. Bass and three  citizens, one  of whom was George Hendricks, an owner of the store.  The men went to the robbers automobile and dismantled the distributor so that the bandits could not escape with the car.  Then the officer and his posse took up posts to watch the store.  Soon the burglars emerged from the  rear door loaded heavily with merchandise which they deposited in the car and on the front steps of the store.  it was largely shoes and clothing, the same character of stuff that has been taken from Bond counties stores in the last few years.

          When the burglars went to their auto with the intention of driving over and loading their loot they turned on the lights of the car to find out why the engine failed to start. Then the Oconee men ordered them to throw up their hands, but instead they opened fire upon the posse.  The Oconee men returned the fire, the robbers fled and escaped in the darkness.

          It was easy to trace the owner of the automobile through the office of the secretary of state at Springfield.

 

PANAMA MAN HURT; NOW IS IN HOSPITAL

 

          John Mack, of Panama, had both arms broken and his right leg injured while working in the mine at Panama Tuesday.  He was taken to the St. Francis hospital in Litchfield.

 

 

 

 

 

PANAMA PROBE FOR PURLOINED CARS FAILURE

 

          Automobile insurance companies advised the Montgomery county authorities that there are a number of stolen automobiles in Panama and Deputy Sheriff Ed Barnett of Hillsboro went to Panama last Thursday afternoon to cause the arrest of six or seven men, who are reported to have in their possession, cars from which the engine numbers have been effaced.

          Barnett was given a list of the names of the possessors of the cars.  He proceeded to Panama in company with Sheriff Marshall and two deputies and made an investigation, but found no cars whatever in Panama with the engine numbers removed.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Aug. 23, 1920

 

FILES APPEAL IN PANAMA BOOZE CASE

 

          The case of the People of the State of Illinois vs Pete Cristo, of Panama, for violations of the prohibition laws, which was heard in the county court June 19, last, at which time Cristo was fined $100 and sentenced to 20 days in jail has been appealed and the appeal filed in the circuit court. Cristo was one of several Panama residents arrested in a raid there June 5th, at which time a quantity of illicit liquor was confiscated.

 

VANGINA SAID TO HAVE BECOME RICH AS ROBBER

 

          Angelo Vangina, the alleged Panama automobile bandit  wanted in connection with the recent store robbery at Oconee, has not been captured.  He has not been seen at his home in Panama since the robbery.  He is said to have $18,000 in cash and it is believed by officials that he was one of the Oconee robbers.  Those who know him say he will endeavor to get his new Velie Six car being held at Pana, but that he will not surrender to get it.

          The Hillsboro Journal says that reports have it that Vangina has followed the life of burglary for some time.  It is said that he boasted of the fortune he had made, since starting out in a stolen Ford car, solely through robbery and burglary.

                                                             

 

Montgomery News

Aug. 24, 1920

 

MARRIAGE

 

          Pearl E. Foster and Miss Edna F. Spadoni were married here Friday, County Judge J. H. Ragsdale, officiating.  The groom lives at Pana, where he is employed as a miner.  The bride is a resident of Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 2, 1920

 

ANDY VANGINA HAS NOT RETURNED HOME

 

          Deputy Sheriff John W. Tidwell was in Panama a few days ago on business and while there inquired whether or not Andy Vangina, charged with being one of the robbers chased out of Oconee several nights ago after an attempt at robbing a general store, had ever been seen there since.

          Residents of Panama said Vangina had never returned. His car is still being held by the police at Pana.  The car was abandoned after the robbery.  The license number indicated it belonged to Vangina.

 

SHOAL CREEK COAL COMPANY FILES APPEAL

 

          The Shoal Creek Coal Company of Panama has filed a petition in circuit court against Joe Magari of Panama, in the circuit court at Hillsboro.  Magari was injured in the Panama mine and was given an award of $13 a week, to which the company takes exceptions.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 6, 1920

 

GIVE BOX SOCIAL

 

          A box social was given at Panama in Romani's Hall Monday, August 30, at 8:30 p.m. by the Camp Fire Girls of Panama.  They enjoyed a splendid evening and had good success with their boxes.

Montgomery News

Sept. 7, 1920

 

PANAMA HOUSE BURNS

 

          An eight room house belonging to Ben Desborough, postmaster at Panama, burned to the ground Saturday night. The building was insured.  It is not known how  the blaze started.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 9, 1920

 

VANGINA SAYS HE WAS HIRED BY STRANGERS TO DRIVE CAR

 

          The negotiations by the attorneys for Angelo Vangina for his conditional surrender to the Shelby county officers include now reports to the effect that Vangina was not really a member of the actual band of robbers, says the Hillsboro Journal.

          Vangina is the owner of the big Velie car held at Pana and which was abandoned at Oconee when a posse of citizens pounced onto the robbers on the night of the robbery.  It is reported that he has a story made up, which may or may not be true, as to his part in the engagement.  His story is to the effect that he was hired by two strangers to drive them from Panama to Pana and that on their way back they went through Oconee.  At that place his alleged story goes, they covered him with revolvers and told him to drive to the store which was to be robbed and as he valued his life, he consented. Who the strangers are, according to this story, he does not know and has not seen them since the night of the robbery.

          This is said to be his story or rather the one taken to Shelbyville by his attorneys.  It is not know where Vangina is at the present time and the Shelby county officers can only wait until he decides to abide by their terms and give cash bond.  He can then take steps to get his car but until then the sheriff of Shelby is master of the situation so far as the possession of the car is concerned.

          The attorneys of Vangina are said to have been in Shelbyville lately to negotiate terms on which their man, owner of the car, can surrender and at the same time give  bond for his appearance before the fall grand jury.  They wanted the bond signed by a man who lives in Panama and this the officers objected to.

 

PANAMA MAN FOUND WANDERING AIMLESSLY

 

          Wrapped in a shawl and wandering aimlessly a mile away from St. Francis hospital, where he was an inmate, Frank Bopp of Panama was picked up by the police Thursday night and returned to the hospital in Litchfield.

          The patient had been seated on the lawn of the institution and wandered away without being missed until late in the evening.

          When his absence was discovered the authorities were notified.  After a search he was found near the Wangler Boiler works.  When found he was on his way home.

 

VANGINA LAWYERS ARE NEGOTIATING

 

          Attorneys for Angelo Vangina of Panama, said to be the owner of the car abandoned at Oconee in a recent robbery there, have been trying in Shelbyville to negotiate terms on which their man can give himself up, and give bond for his appearance before the fall term grand jury of Shelby county.

          Sheriff Biggs is willing that they bring their man in but he will not consent to the terms they propose, that is that the bond will be signed by a man who lives at Panama, and then give the man his freedom until the next term of court.

          These negotiations entail reports to the effect that Vangina was wounded in his flight from Oconee.  It is reported I. B. Craig of Mattoon and C. A. Karch of East St. Louis are attorneys for the owner of the car, still held at Pana.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 13, 1920

 

CRIMINAL CASES APPEAR ON THE SEPTEMBER DOCKET

 

          State's Attorney Meyer is ready for trial in the criminal cases on the docket.  The case of Quincy Ray, charged with assault with intent to kill will however be dismissed.  The case against Peter Cristo of Panama, will likely be tried.  Cristo was arrested for violation of the liquor law at Panama, convicted in the county court and fined $100 and the costs.  Pete appealed to the circuit court.

                                                            

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 16, 1920

 

LEON IS DOING FINE WITHOUT USING STOMACH

 

          Leon Rouchard of Panama, when operated on a few weeks ago for the removal of his stomach thought he was putting one over on Old High Cost of Living, but since the operation, finds his appetite is growing and instead of eating three meals as formerly he now eats five meals a day.

          Several weeks ago Litchfield doctors removed all but a small portion of Rouchard's stomach.  That part left holds about three ounces or one fifth pint.  The end of Leon's esophagus was sewed to the intestine, and there is only a slight bulge, where formerly a pear shaped bag, holding a quart held forth and demanded attention.

          Mr. Rouchard eats heartily now taking care only to chew his food well.  He eats any food he desires.  It became necessary after the operation to diminish the quantity of food taken but to eat oftener.  Mr Rouchard works hard every day and apparently normal digestion proceeds as usual although most of the stomach has been removed.

 

PANAMA MAN HURT IN AUTO ACCIDENT

 

          A. W. Phillips of Panama, father in law of Corporal Richard J. Capstick, well known in Greenville, has a broken leg, fractured in three places, and a cut on his scalp as the result of an accident in Panama Friday night when a freight train from the Panama mine bumped into the Phillips car at the mine crossing.  Mrs. Phillips was badly bruised and Mrs. Capstick received a five inch cut on the head.  The car, a new Scripps Booth, was smashed and broken.  It was dark when Mr. Phillips drove the car down the hill leading to the crossing.  He did not see the train as it backed in.  He was taken to St. Francis hospital in Litchfield.

 

VANGINA WANTS HIS VELIE CAR; NOTHING DOING

 

          Sheriff Biggs of Shelbyville was in Hillsboro this week hunting clues for some trace of Angelo Vangina of Panama, wounded in an attempted store robbery at Oconee several weeks ago.  Sheriff Biggs said that Vangina's lawyers were trying to effect a conditional surrender to authorities in order that he may gain possession of his big Velie car, which he abandoned when surprised by the owners of the store, which he and two other men were trying to rob.  That Vangina was wounded several times in the interchanging of shots on the night of the robbery is admitted, although it is said he was not seriously hurt.  Traces of blood were found on the car.

          Sheriff Biggs said that Vangina's lawyer wanted to furnish bond in the sum of $4000 for his clients appearance before the November grand jury and submitted as surety the name of a Panama man.  They refused the offer and demanded a  certified check for $4000 for Vangina's appearance in November but the lawyer refused their offer.  Until this is done Shelbyville authorities will retain the car, it is said. Attorney Karch of East St. Louis, one of Vangina's lawyers, was in Hillsboro last week looking into the matter.  Karch said he himself had not negotiated with Vangina but that relatives had interceded for him.

          No trace has been found of Vangina and his whereabouts remain clouded.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 23, 1920

 

GRAND JURY DISCHARGED IN 2 DAYS

          Clarence Steel, formerly of Panama, was indicted for assault with intent to kill Quincy Ray of Panama on the night of Dec. 24, 1919, at Panama.  Steel struck Ray with a ball  peen hammer, during a fight at a Panama boarding house.  Ray was arrested at the time but was acquitted after a trial. The hammer blow left an indentation in Ray's skull, a mark he will carry through life.

 

          The case of Pete Cristo of Panama, charged with violation of the Volstead act, went to trial Tuesday morning. Attorney Kevin Kane of East St. Louis and Attorney J. D. Biggs of this city represented Cristo and State's Attorney H. A. Meyer represented the state.  The case was an appeal from the county court.  Several witnesses were examined and the case went to the jury shortly after three o'clock.  They found Cristo guilty of manufacturing intoxicating liquor in prohibition territory in violation of the Illinois search and seizure law.  Judge Brenreuter sustained the decision of the county court from which the case was appealed, and sentenced Cristo to 20 days in jail and find him $100.  After denying a motion for a new trial Judge Brenreuter changed his decision and fined Cristo $200, and cut off the jail sentence.  Cristo paid the fine.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Sept. 27, 1920

 

DIPHTHERIA AT PANAMA

 

          Diphtheria is prevalent in Panama and that about half a dozen cases have been reported.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

. 30, 1920

 

CLARENCE STEEL, ARRESTED AT STONINGTON TODAY

 

          Clarence Steel, formerly of Sorento, who was indicted by the grand jury at the September term of court, on a charge of assault to kill Quincy Ray on the night of December 24, 1919 at Panama was placed under arrest at Stonington by the Sheriff of Taylorville, this morning and is being held for the local officers.  Deputy Sheriff Tidwell will leave the afternoon for Taylorville after the prisoner.

          Steel's case will be heard at the January term of the circuit court.

 

PANAMA MEN ARE JAILED IN SPRINGFIELD

 

          Pete Cristo and John Trione, two Panama men, who were tried and found guilty recently in the Bond county court for a violation of the liquor law were arrested at Panama Monday by Deputy United States Marshal J. E. Dresendorfer of Springfield and were placed in jail in that city, says the Springfield Journal.

 

DIES AT PANAMA

 

          The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wondrak died last Friday at the family home in Panama.  Funeral services were held from the house Saturday afternoon with burial at the Panama cemetery.

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 4, 1920

 

SWEARS OUT A WARRANT FOR A PANAMA MAN

 

          Harry Manning, owner of a shooting gallery in Hillsboro, left his bed in Sorento last Thursday morning and went to Hillsboro, where he swore out a warrant for the arrest of Harry McCracken of Panama, charging him with assault with intent to commit murder.

          The story of the case follows: According to Mr. Manning's story he was in Panama Monday afternoon about five o'clock.  He was down on Main street talking to a friend, John Cook, with whom he had been joking.  According to Manning, McCracken came up then and evidently got the opinion they were about to fight, when as a matter of fact Manning claims they were good friends.

    Manning says that McCracken came up to him and said: "Look here Manning you'll have to cut that out."  Manning said he told him they were just joking and that he then walked away.  McCracken followed him, according to Manning, and started a quarrel.  To some cutting remarks of McCracken,  Manning replied by slapping him lightly.

          Then according to Manning, McCracken drew his knife, and made a pass at his breast.  The knife struck a rib.  Manning then knocked McCracken down, although bleeding and faint from his wound at the time.  He then kicked McCracken and was getting the best of him when other men rushed in and stopped them.  Manning then sank to the walk from loss of blood and was later carried to a doctor's office.  Later he was taken to his home in Sorento, fainting three or four times on the way over.  Jack and Callie Jones and several others were witnesses to the fight.  Since that time until this morning Manning had been in bed.

 

STEEL GIVES BOND TO AMOUNT OF $500

 

          Clarence Steel, who was arrested at Stonington Thursday and held at Taylorville for local officers was brought to Greenville Thursday night by Deputy Sheriff Tidwell.  Steel was indicted for assault with intent to kill by the September grand jury.  Steel furnished bond in the sum of $500 and was released.

                                                            

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 5, 1920

 

PANAMA RESIDENT DEAD

 

          Alfred Neal, a barber of Panama, passed away at the family residence there Thursday.  Death followed a period of ill health extending over some months.  He is survived by his widow, one son James and a daughter, Annie.  The funeral services were held Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, from the residence.  The services were conducted by the M. E. minister, and interment was made in the Panama cenetery.

                        

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 14, 1920

 

HOLD FAMILY REUNION

 

          The Compton family of the vicinity of Panama, held a big reunion at the home of Mrs. Ellen Compton one mile north of Panama last Sunday.   About 80 relatives and friends gathered with well filled baskets of everything good to eat.  The table was set on the lawn.

          The affair was given in honor of John Compton of Protection, Kansas who is visiting relatives and friends in Bond and Montgomery counties for the first time in 47 years, having left here in 1873, then a boy of 12 years.  Although near 70 years of age he looks to be no more that 50.  He owns a section of land near the town of Protection and likes the west.

          All present had a good time and wished Uncle John would come every year.

 

DIPHTHERIA AT PANAMA

 

          There are still several cases of diphtheria at Panama, says the Hillsboro Journal, although the indications are the epidemic is on the wane.  Three families were released from quarantine recently and three more the first of this week.

                                                            

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 18, 1920

 

EMPTIES OUT BOOZE

 

          Sheriff John W. Wilson, on Saturday emptied out 60 gallons of raisin wine and 35 gallons of raisin mash, which was taken in Panama in the raid on the Pete Cristo home, several months ago.

 

MARRIAGE

 

          Angelo Deright and Miss Jennie Vittona, both of Panama were married Saturday morning by County Judge W. H. Hubbard at his office.  The groom is a coal miner at Panama.  James Deright, father of the groom and Mrs. Mary Kliolino, mother of the bride witnessed the ceremony.

 

          A marriage license was issued in St. Louis Friday to Burl Boldt and Sadie Savage, both of Panama.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 21, 1920

 

ONE IS KILLED, TWO OTHERS ARE DEAD AT PANAMA

 

          Three Panama people died yesterday, two of natural causes and one as a result of injuries sustained in the Panama coal mine.  The deaths all took place within a few hours of each other.

          Earl Meicenheimer, a motorman in the mine, either fell or was knocked under his motor about 3 p.m.  The motor and the drag of coal ran over him and cut off one arm, almost severed the other and injured him internally.  He was found by a mine boss a short time afterward and was taken by R. R. Pullen, son of R. H. Pullen, the hardware merchant, in his car to the Litchfield hospital, where he died ten minutes after his arrival there.

          Mr. Meicenheimer leaves a wife and one child.  He was aged about 24 years.  He is a son of Tobe Meicenheimer and an uncle, James lives near Old Ripley.

          When found the young man was conscious but was unable to  give a statement as to how the accident happened.

          No funeral arrangements have been made but the interment will likely take place at Waveland.

          John Capstick, aged 78, father of Corporal Richard J. Capstick, died at the Litchfield hospital Wednesday afternoon of diseases incident to old age.  he was taken from his home in Panama to the hospital Saturday.  It was stated at Panama today that the funeral will probably be held at Hillsboro Friday.

          Mr. Capstick was a veteran of the Civil War.  Two sons were killed by accident within a few months.  He is survived by his widow, one son, living in Hillsboro and Corporal Capstick who was one of the first four service men to go from Bond county in 1917.

          Mrs. Harry Evans, wife of the mine superintendent at Panama, died at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday after an illness of one week's duration.  She is survived by her husband and two children.  The remains will be shipped to a former home at Winston, Ind. this evening and the burial will take place there.

 

NO UNRESTRAINED DIPHTHERIA CASES SAYS PANAMA FOLKS

         

          Reports published in a number of newspapers in the southern part of the state that there has been an unrestrained epidemic of diphtheria at Panama, Donnellson and Cherry Grove settlement, north of Panama are denied by officials and physicians at Panama and Donnellson.

          R. H. Pullen, president of the board of education at Panama, told the Advocate over the telephone yesterday that there have been about 75 cases of diphtheria at Panama but they were not unrestrained cases.  Mr. Pullen said that with the appearance of the first case the board of health took immediate action, quarantined the cases and reported it to the state board of health.   District Officer P. H. Cooney of Springfield visited Panama and it was decided not to close the schools.  The epidemic started at the Cherry Grove school north of Panama in Montgomery county and spread to Panama and Donnellson.  There has been but one case in Donnellson, a 12 year old daughter of John Morrow who has only a mild case.

          At Panama, the Advocate is informed the cases are dying out and there has been but one death and that was due to exposure during convalescence.  One or two people were fined for breaking quarantine and there was no evasion of the law after that it was stated at Panama yesterday.

          The Panama board of health composed of Dr. I O. Wilcox, Evan Evans and Harry McReaken acted promptly and with efficiency in handling the cases.

          For several days Dr. A. E. Cary was engaged to make daily examinations of the pupils at Cherry Grove school.

          Physicians and officials in Donnellson and Panama have acted under the law and with every desire to put down the epidemic and they naturally feel that the published reports of an unrestrained epidemic of diphtheria there are not in accordance with the facts in the case.

 

 

Montgomery News

Oct. 22, 1920

 

ROBBERS AT PANAMA

 

          Panama was visited by robbers Monday night, or early Tuesday morning, and stock to the value of $3000  was taken from Faletti's store, while the Revelli's restaurant was entered and a punch board, a quantity of cigars and tobacco taken , valued at $25.00.

          The front doors were pried open at both places when the thieves were able to obtain entrance. At the Faletti establishment, which is a clothing and shoe store, a lot of silk shirts, ladies skirts, shoes, neckties and other wearing apparel were taken.  No insurance was carried on the stock, at either place.

          It is believed that the thieves made their getaway in a high powered car, but no traces of them has been obtained. Tuesday the bloodhounds were brought up from St. Elmo, and an effort made to trace the gang, but all clews have been fruitless, so far.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Oct. 25, 1920

 

FUNERAL OF LATE JOSEPH CAPSTICK HELD ON FRIDAY

 

          Funeral services over the remains of the late Joseph Capstick, Civil War veteran and resident of Panama were held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Methodist church at Hillsboro with burial at Oak Grove cemetery.  Mr Capstick's death at the Litchfield hospital was noted in the Advocate last Thursday. An operation was performed in the hope of prolonging his life.  He was aged 78 years.

          Mr. Capstick was prominently engaged in mining affairs in Montgomery county for many years.  One son, superintendent of the Panama mine, was burned to death in a coal mine explosion at Royalton in September 1918.  A month later another son died of influenza at the hospital where the father passed away.

          Another son Corporal Richard Capstick went to war, leaving with the first contingent of four men from Bond county and was reported to have been killed in action while in the tank service.  For months the family lived between hope and fear but finally Corporal Capstick was heard from.

          Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Capstick, eight preceded their father in death.  Mr. Capstick himself was a veteran of the Civil War, his oldest son was a veteran of the Spanish American War and his son, Richard , a veteran of the World War.  He was therefore represented in three different wars.

 

 FUNERAL OF EARL MICENHEIMER IS HELD AT PANAMA

 

          Funeral services over the remains of Earl Micenheimer, an ex soldier, who lost his life as the result of an accident in the Panama coal mine last Wednesday afternoon, were held at 11 o'clock Saturday morning at the family residence west of Panama.  Burial was made in the cemetery at Donnellson.

          The decedent was a member of the Hillsboro Baptist church.  He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Micenheimer, his father being known as "Tobe".  He was born in Hillsboro May 8, 1896.  He married Miss Bessie Vogel in July 1918 and shortly afterward left with the first contingent of soldiers from Montgomery county.  He served in France.

          Mr. Micenheimer is survived by his wife and little son, Raymond, his parents, seven brothers and sisters, Mrs. Hazel Vogel, Mrs. May Mansfield, Dwight, Dan, Dorothy, Bonnie and Gerald.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 11, 1920

 

MAN WITH HALF A STOMACH DIES MONDAY OF CANCER

 

          Leon Rouchard, a miner of Panama, who worked in the mines for several months after half of his stomach had been removed died at a Litchfield hospital Monday.  The cancerous growth, which necessitated the operation developed again, causing death.

          After Rouchard recovered from the operation, he went to his home at panama, and later returned to work.  He boasted of the fact that although half of his stomach had been removed  he could eat more than ever before and work did not tire him.   The decedent is survived by his widow and four children.  The remains were taken to Panama where the funeral services were held.

                                                            

 

Greenville Advocate

Nov. 29, 1920

 

COSTS MOUNT IN SUIT OVER A $20 PANAMA BIRD DOG

 

          A bird dog valued at about $20 is the bone of contention between two men in the northern part of the county, who are "lawing" over the animal.  The costs are already $40 or twice the value of the dog and will run considerably more as both sides seem set on winning.  A Mr. Havron of Panama  brought a replevin suit against George Edwards for the dog which he says belongs to him.  Mr. Edwards contends he raised the canine from a puppy.  The controversy arose during the quail season.  Havron started the action before Squire Tankersley at Donnellson and after a jury had been secured he asked and was granted a change of venue so the case will come up before  Justice D. R. Bennett at Panama Friday.

          John D. Biggs and Colonel H. W. Park  of Donnellson represent Mr. Edwards and Frank Ramey of Hillsboro is attorney for Mr. Havron.  In the meantime the dog with a large rope around his neck is wagging his tail while in the custody of the constable.

 

PANAMA MAN ARRESTED NEAR CLAYTON, MISSOURI

 

          On complaint of Tony Blatnik, of Panama, a warrant charging larceny was sworn out against John Hermann, also of Panama, Thursday.  The warrant charges that Hermann took four pairs of trousers, a suit, an overcoat, two watches, a watch and chain, six shirts and a safety razor belonging to Blatnik, from his room at Panama.

          It appears both men went to Panama to work in the mine and that they both got employment.  Blatnik went to work but Hermann stated he would not go to work for a day or two. When Blatnik returned to their room after his first day's work, Hermann and all Blatnik's belongings were missing. Blatnik found out that Hermann was in St. Louis at a rooming house, so he too got a room at the same house.  He entered Hermann's room and found his goods, and notified the police, who recovered everything but his overcoat.

          Hermann was arrested by St. Louis county police Friday near Clayton and Sheriff Wilson brought him to Greenville Sunday night.  At his preliminary hearing this morning before Justice of the Peace A. M. File he waived preliminary examination and was placed under a bond of $500.  Failing to furnish bond he was returned to jail where he will remain until the January term of the circuit court unless he furnishes bail in the meantime.

                                                             

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 2, 1920

 

JOHN HERMANN IS RELEASED UNDER BOND FOR  $500

 

          John Hermann, of Panama, who was arrested near Clayton, Mo., last week by St. Louis county officers on a larceny charge, and who was brought to Greenville, and placed under a $500 bond, gave bond for his appearance Monday afternoon, when his brother Joe Hermann of Ferguson, Mo., deposited a cash bond of $500 for his release.  His case will be heard at the January term of the circuit court.

          He is charged with taking clothing and other valuables from his room mate, Tony Blatnik, at Panama.

 

MARRIAGE

 

          Miss Irene Kaune, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Charles Kaune of Donnellson and a teacher in the Hillsboro high school was married to Dallas T. Harrell of Panama on Thanksgiving day at  Charleston, at the home of the bride's sister.

          The couple expected to keep the wedding a secret and tell it in their own good time, but the secret leaked out. Mrs. Harrell will continue her work in the Hillsboro schools. They will begin housekeeping next June, in Panama where the groom is shipping clerk for the Shoal Creek Coal Company. His home is in Charleston.  Mrs. Harrell is a graduate of the Donnellson high school and attended college at Jacksonville and also the state university.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 6, 1920

 

LITTLE GIRL DIES AT PANAMA SATURDAY

 

          Beatrice Sutton, aged four years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Sutton of Panama, formerly of Sorento, died at her home in Panama at nine o'clock Saturday morning, following an illness of diphtheria, which left her heart in a weakened condition.

          Funeral services were conducted at the residence in Panama at two o'clock Sunday afternoon by Rev. G. C. Streubing of Sorento and interment was made at Sunnyside cemetery in Sorento.

          The deceased is survived by her parents, one brother and one sister.

                                                            

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 16, 1920

 

PANAMA GIRL WEDS

 

          Charles L. Baker of Gary Ind., and Miss Hazel Daech of Panama were married in St. Louis Saturday.

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 20, 1920

 

PANAMA MAN, IN NO HURRY FOR FORTUNE, PASSES AWAY

 

          Dave "Hickey" Moran, aged 53 years and a wandering coal miner and heir to one third of a $75,000 estate, left by a relative at Wellston, Ohio, died at Panama at 5:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon after a short illness.  Death was due to brain trouble.

          "Hickey" Moran was traveling coal miner, and he had worked at the mine at Panama on several different occasions. He came to Panama about a year ago and had worked at the mine since that time.  He had worked there several times before. In conversation with the mine office today it was learned that "Hickey" was heir to one third of an estate valued at  $75,000, left by a relative in Ohio.  Several months ago a personal notice appeared in the United Mine Workers Journal, asking as to the whereabouts of Dave Moran..  The clerk at the mine saw the notice and told Moran and asked him if he knew the party whose name was signed to the notice.  He said he did, that it was his niece and that he would write to her. Whether he did this or not is not known.

          It is rumored at Panama that when the estate was ready to be settled and the $75,000 estate to be divided, Moran would not sign the necessary papers so that he would receive his share of the estate.  He gave as his reason, that he was still able to earn a living and until such a time as he was unable to work, he would not sign the papers.  When he needed the money he said he would sign.

          Little is known of Moran's relatives although it is known that he has a brother.  Thomas Moran and a sister at Wellston, Ohio who has wired the Miners Local No 1475 at Panama to send the body to Wellston.

          The body of Moran was taken to the Gordon Undertaking Parlors at Sorento and will likely be sent to Wellston tonight or Tuesday.

 

BERNICE HAVRON DIES AT PANAMA SATURDAY

 

          Miss Bernice Havron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Havron, died at the family home in Panama at nine o'clock Saturday night after an illness of three weeks with heart trouble.   The girl was aged about 14 years.

          Funeral services were conducted this afternoon at two o'clock at the church in Panama by Rev. G. C. Streubing of Sorento and interment was made at Sunnyside cemetery at Sorento.   Besides her parents she is survived by several brothers and sisters.

 

PANAMA "WHITE MULERS' ARRESTED BY FEDERAL AGENT

 

          Charles Appletta, Joe Bososch and Premo Tivan, all of Panama, living on the Montgomery county side of the line were arrested last week by Federal Prohibition Enforcement Officer M. T. Kiggins, for violation of the Volstead act.  Each of these three men conduct "soft drink" parlors, but it is stated that about a gallon of white mule was found at each place which was being dispensed.

          In commenting on the arrest and finding of the "mule" the Montgomery News has the following to say:

          "The "mule" found at the Panama joints was probably a native of this county and might have been made not far from where it was being sold, as the country around Panama, with its steep hills and heavy growth of underbrush makes an ideal place in which to conceal a still.

          "There is one drawback to locating a still at or near Panama, however, and that is the fact that a great deal of the water down there is enough to put an ordinary man out of business.  If it is mixed with white mule, we don't know what  it would do to a man, but we suspect the drinker would be too busy to even think of getting drunk.

          The three men were taken to Hillsboro and later they were taken to Springfield by Sam Metcalf, a federal officer.

          Mr. Metcalf went away from Hillsboro with nine prisoners, all of them being arrested for making or selling moonshine.  It was the biggest bunch of boozehounds ever taken from here at one time and Mr. Metcalf was assisted by Sheriff Marshall."

 

BIRD DOG CASE IS APPEALED TO CIRCUIT COURT

 

          The celebrated bird dog case of George Edwards, vs Ad Havron, in which the latter sued Edwards for the recovery of a bird  dog valued at $20, in Taylor Springs recently has been appealed to the circuit court in Montgomery county.  At the trial before Justice Richards in Taylor Springs, Dec. 3, the jury awarded the "pup" to Mr. Havron and now Mr. Edwards has appealed the case through his attorneys, Lane, Dryer and Brown of Hillsboro and J. D. Giggs of this city.

 

MARRIAGE

 

          William Vigliocco of Panama and Miss Leon Sheppard, daughter of Captain of Night Police Edwin Sheppard of Edwardsville, were married at the Lutheran parsonage there Thursday night, by Rev. E. W. John.  Leonard Schwartz and Miss Florence Mathewson accompanied them.  They went to Chicago on a brief honeymoon after which they will return to Panama to make their home where the groom is a coal miner. The wedding came as a surprise to their friends.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 23, 1920

 

MINER IS INSANE

 

          Ed Kernes of Panama, a miner, became insane at his home Sunday night and was taken to Hillsboro where he was tried for his sanity.

                         

 

Greenville Advocate

Dec. 27, 1920

 

WIDOW OF J. H. MAY DIES AT HER HOME AT PANAMA

 

          Mrs. Mary May, widow of John H. May, died at her home in Panama Friday, at three p.m. after an illness, due to complications.  Mrs. May was ill only three days.

          Funeral services were conducted at the church in Panama at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, by G. C. Streubing of Sorento.  Interment was made at the Panama cemetery.

          Mrs. May was born in Bond county and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Treube of Sorento.  She was aged 33 years, six months and 17 days at the time of her death.  She is survived by her father, two sons and one daughter and several brothers and sisters.  Her Husband, John H. May, was killed in the Panama mine on June 14, last when he came in contact with a live wire in the mine.

                                                            

 

Montgomery News

Dec. 31, 1920

 

A HOLDUP AT PANAMA

 

          Dr. Colebaugh at Panama lost the loose change, Tuesday night, when a stranger stepped out from an alley, about seven in the evening, and ordered the doctor to "put 'em up", sticking an automatic into the doctor's ribs.  Just after he was relieved of his silver, the doctor and the robber heard approaching steps, with an order to "put 'em down".  The hold up man and the doctor's change departed into an alley and was seen no more.

 Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1916

 

          The improvements made by the Shoal Creek Coal Company, Panama, are as follows:

          About 5000 feet of motor track laid for permanent roadways.

          About 1500 feet of air courses cleaned out.

          Bottom lengthened on the south side for more car storage.

          The railroad tracks in mine yard thoroughly repaired and ventilation greatly improved.

 

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS

 

          On July 15, 1915, Tony Nauck, aged 26, single, broke his collar bone by coming in contact with electric wires, resulting in 36 days lost time.

 

          On Nov. 22, 1915, John Tallen, aged 33, single, had his foot injured by falling coal, resulting in 70 days lost time.

 

          On Dec. 2, 1915, Charles Aprilete, aged 30, married, had his foot injured by falling coal, resulting in 133 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 19, 1916, Louis Mallotia, aged 35, single, had his body injured by falling coal, resulting in 41 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 10, 1916, John Gorden, aged 30, from Sorento, married, had his ankle injured by a pit car, resulting in 42 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 12, 1916, Ralph McReaken, aged 23, from Sorento, married, had his ribs broken by a pit car, resulting in 64 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 28, 1916, Don Cebrarse, aged 36, married with 2 children, had his body injured by falling coal, resulting in 48 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 2, 1916, James Sevant, aged 35, married with 4 children, injured his foot on a mining machine, resulting in 66 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 6, 1916, James Milliok, aged 30, married with 1 child, had his finger broken by a machine, resulting in 56 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 22, 1916, Joe Viloa, aged 35, married, had his foot injured by falling coal, resulting in 68 days lost time.

 

          On Apr. 13, 1916, Felix Stelia, aged 32, single, had his ankle injured by falling coal.

         

         On Apr. 19, 1916, Charles Millar, aged 24, from Sorento, single, had his ankle injured by falling coal.

 

          On June 12, 1916, Cal Jones, aged 65, married, had his ribs broken by falling coal.

 

          On July 1, 1916, John Kirchner, aged 32 married with 2 children, had his foot injured by a pit car, resulting in 95 days lost time.

 

MINE OUTPUT

 

               3152 tons of mine run

          311,710  "   "  lump

          287,866  "   " other grade

          602,728 total tons

          242,160 tons loaded on rail cars

          322,468 tons sold to railroad

              2,823 tons sold locally

            35,277 tons consumed or wasted

          111,505 pounds of explosive used

                 228 days of active operation

                 520 average number of employees

          602,728 tons machined mined

                   20 mining machines

                     6 motors

                   22 animals underground

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1917

 

          The improvements made by the Shoal Creek Coal Company, of Panama, are as follows:

          Extended motor track about 3,000 feet on three different territories.

          Built a new track for loads, storage for empties, and expect to cage the coal from the reverse side.

          Changing pit cars to roller bearings.

          Built a new pump house at Shoal Creek and installed an electric driven pump and a new Cameron pump.

          Built an extension to carpenter shop to facilitate the work there.

          Have bought a 13 ton motor and three more mining machines to be installed as soon as possible.

          Installed 5,000 feet of 400,000 circular mills cable, which is well insulated to improve the positive wire lines below.

 

FATALITIES:

 

          On Aug. 21, 1916, Martin Bogetti, driver, aged 22, single, was killed by a pit car.

 

          On Apr. 3, 1917, Virigilio Jacemeti, trip rider, age 31, single, was killed by falling slate.

 

NON- FATAL ACCIDENTS:

 

          On July 20, 1916, Albert Deright, age 22, single, had his arm injured by an axe, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On July 25, 1916, Arlie Helfer, age 22, single had his foot broken by a pit car, resulting in 76 days lost time.

 

          On July 27, 1916, Mick Zilitz, age 34, single, had his ankle injured by a pit car, resulting in 69 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 18, 1916, Tony Kofalt, age 30. married with 2 children, had his body injured by falling rock, resulting in 44 days lost time.

 

          On Nov. 6, 1916, Alva Mills, age 31, married with 1 child, had his finger broken by a pit car, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On Nov. 15, 1916, George Jordan, age 21, single, had his hand broken by a pit car.

 

          On Dec. 22, 1916, Lorenzo Gasperio, age 42, married with 5 children, had his pelvis broken by a mule.

 

          On Jan. 11, 1917, John Sloban, age 28, single, had his leg injured by a pit car, resulting in 35 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 20, 1917, Louis Henderson, age 39, married with 4 children, had his ribs injured from a fall, resulting in 35 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 23, 1917, W. S. William, age 33, married with 3 children, had his leg broken by falling coal, resulting in 158 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 23, 1917, Alva Mills, age 31, married with 1 child, had his body injured by falling coal, resulting in 56 lost time.

 

          On Jan. 26, 1917, Henry Frey, age 17, single, had his leg injured by burning oil, resulting in 72 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 12, 1917, Weaver Root, age 30, single, had his finger broken by a pit car, resulting in 44 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 15, 1917, Graner Frazier, age 28, Sorento, single, had his hand broken by a pit car.

 

          On Feb. 23, 1917, Peter Kitkawski, age 38, married with 5 children, had his ribs broken by a pit car, resulting in 47 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 5, 1917, William Griffith, age 49, Sorento, married with 2 children, had his ribs broken by being squeezed by a mule, resulting in 60 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 22, 1917, Tony Romani, age 49, married with 2 children, had his body injured by a pit car, resulting in 46 days lost time.

 

          On Apr. 9, 1917, John Tisone, age 39, married with 2 children, injured his body by lifting coal, resulting in 82 days lost time.

 

          On Apr. 19, 1917, E. A. Tiefft, age 20, married, had his body injured by falling coal, resulting in 58 days lost time.

 

          On Apr. 21, 1917, Dante Jacameti, age 29, married with 3 children, had his leg injured by falling coal, resulting in 30 days lost time.

 

          On May 5, 1917, Battisti Bonelli, age 42, married with 2 children, had his finger cut off by blasting caps.

 

          On May 16, 1917, Ray Fike, age 31, married with 1 child, had his hand broken by a pit car.

 

          On May 17, 1917, Harry Cruthis, age 23, single had his leg broken by a pit car.

 

          On May 29, 1917, Alphonso Raghetti, age 41, married with 2 children, had his leg broken by falling coal.

 

          On June 7. 1917, Luther O'Neal, age 33, married with 4 children, had his head injured by falling coal.

 

          On June 7, 1917, Dale Hood, age 33, Sorento, single, had his leg broken by falling coal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINE OUTPUT:

 

          680,946 total output

          283,147 tons loaded on rail cars for shipment

                  25 tons supplied to locomotives at the mine

          356,062 tons sold to the railroad

              3,262 tons sold to local trade

            38,450 tons consumed or wasted

          124,475 pounds of permissible explosives

                275 days of active operation

                548 average number of employees

          680,946 tons mined by machine

                   22 mining machines

                     6 motors

                   26 animals underground

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1918

 

FATAL ACCIDENTS:

 

          On Sept. 8, 1917, Otto Scheller, miner, age 38, married, was electrocuted while getting out of a mine car at the bottom of the shaft.  He leaves a widow and four children.

 

          On Feb. 4, 1918, Harry Buckstiegel, trip rider, age 24, married, was killed  while riding trips on the motor.  It appears he was intending to get off to throw a switch when he fell and the motorman did not have his motor sufficiently under control to stop it before it ran over him.  He leaves a widow and two children.

 

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS:

 

          On July 1, 1917, Ray Dike, age 31, married, had his hand injured by a pit car, resulting in 105 days lost time.

 

          On July 8, 1917, Alphonso Reggetti, age 41, married with 2 children, had his leg broken by falling coal, resulting in 173 days lost time.

 

          On July 14, 1917, Dale Hood, age 35, Sorento, single, had his arm broken by falling slate, resulting in 61 days lost time.

 

          On July 16, 1917, Luther O'Niel, age 33, married with 4 children, had his head injured by falling slate, resulting in 76 days lost time.

 

          On July 23, 1917 Mike Sontrich, age 28, single, had his foot injured by a motor, resulting in 77 days lost time.

 

          On July 27, 1917, Andy Foselli, age 41, single, had his thumb injured by falling coal, resulting in 90 days lost time.

 

          On July 28, 1917, John Gaybardo, age 34, married with 3 children, had his thumb injured by a hammer, resulting in 75 days lost time.

 

          On July 30, 1917, Charles Waring, age 55, married with 3 children, had his body injured by a gas explosion, resulting in 90 days lost time.

          On Aug. 2, 1917, August March, age 19, single, had his leg injured by a pit car, resulting in 30 days lost time.

 

          On Aug, 4. 1917, Lorenzo Medola, age 38, married with 4 children, had his foot injured by a pit car, resulting in 37 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 31, 1917, Ed Falkirk, age 20, married, had his hip injured by a pit car, resulting in 69 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 31, 1917, Battista Bonetto, age 42, married with 2 children, had his fingers blown off by a exploding cap, resulting in 103 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 15, 1917, William Cowell, age 42, Sorento, married with 5 children, had his finger broken by a timber, resulting in 34 days lost time.

         

On Oct. 29, 1917, Argello Linar, age 41, Sorento, married with 2 children, had a finger injury, resulting in 70 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 29, 1917, Ugo Perfetti, age 28, single, had his toes injured by a pit car, resulting in 114 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 30, 1917, Felix Stella, age 43, married with 6 children, had his leg broken by falling coal.

 

          On Nov. 9, 1917, Anton Marcolord, age 36, married with 2 children, had his back injured by lifting coal, resulting in 63 days lost time.

 

          On Nov. 22, 1917, Frank Parbridge, age 41, married with 2 children, had his head injured by falling coal, resulting in 40 days lost time.

 

          On Dec. 6, 1917, Walter Brown, age 60, single, had his foot injured by falling coal, resulting in 32 days lost time.

 

          On Dec. 15, 1917, Joe Caroti, age 34, married with 5 children, had a knee injured by a mule, resulting in 40 days lost time.

 

          On Dec. 19, 1917, George Lewis, age 33, single, had a leg injured by a pit car, resulting in 34 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 16, 1918, E. M. Jones, age 33, married, had his leg injured by falling coal, resulting in 100 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 16, 1918, James Hicks, age 45. single, had his ribs broken from a fall, resulting in 45 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 6, 1918, Robert Petrusinia, age 29, married with 2 children, had his back injured by lifting a machine, resulting in 69 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 8, 1918, Ralph Taylor, age 40, single, had his leg injured by falling slate, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 11, 1918, Otto Kessinger, age 19, single, had his finger cut off by a machine, resulting in 70 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 13, 1918, George Desborough, age 18, single, had his finger cut off by a pit car, resulting in 50 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 15, 1918, Steve Logan, age 34, single, had his foot injured by falling iron, resulting in 66 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 20, 1918, John Colretta, age 44, single, had his back injured by a pit car, resulting in 53 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 28, 1918, John Cook, age 43, single had his finger injured by a hammer, resulting in 43 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 12, 1918, H. Compton, age 40, married with 4 children, had his face injured by being struck with a pipe, resulting in 37 days lost time.

          On Mar. 21, 1918, Dom Pessettn, age 36, single, had his leg injured by falling slate, resulting in 45 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 22, Louis Fanteen, age 35, married with 6 children, had his hand injured by falling coal, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 28, 1918, Andy Calufetti, age 50, married with 1 child, had his knee injured by a pit car, resulting in 40 days lost time.

 

          On May 26, 1918, Mike Hemaine, age 53, married with 4 children, had his eye injured by flying coal, resulting in 62 days lost time.

 

MINE OUTPUT:

 

          653,337 total output

          302,400 tons loaded for shipment

          334,306 tons sold to the railroad

                  37 tons supplied to the locomotive

             5,173 tons sold to local trade

           11,075 tons consumed or wasted

         242,278 tons washed

         121,675 pounds permissible

         653,337 tons mined by machine

                614 average number of employees

                268 days of active operation

                  25 mining machines

                    7 motors

                  25 animals underground

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1919

 

FATAL ACCIDENTS

 

          On July 3, 1918, C. L. Denny, a trip rider, aged 36, married, was killed by a fall of slate.

 

          On August 16, 1918, Clarence File, a driver, aged 18, single, was killed by a pit car.

 

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS

 

          On July 15, 1918, Tony Antonio, aged 42, single, had his body injured by falling slate, resulting in 34 days lost time.

 

          On July 15, 1918, John Hinson, aged 43, married with five children, had his body injured when a mule fell on him.

 

          On July 16, 1918, Joseph Negaris, aged 36, had his body injured by falling coal.

 

          On August 12, 1918, Louis Stoneburner, aged 21, married with one child, had his finger amputated when it was caught between a car and the rib, resulting in 49 days lost time.

 

          On August 14, 1918, Louis Henderson, aged 32, was burned by a live wire, resulting in 140 days lost time.

 

          On August 16, 1918, Pat McDonald, aged 75, single, had his ribs broken while riding a car, resulting in 87 days lost time.

 

          On August 16, 1918, Joseph Pistaloka, aged 21, married with one child, had his ribs broken while riding a car, resulting in 45 days lost time.

 

          On August 28, 1918, Roy DeShane, aged 17, single, had his collar bone broken while coupling cars, resulting in 44 days lost time.

 

          On September 3, 1918, Max Von Brun, aged 52, married with one child, had his side injured when coal broke in his hands, resulting in 30 days lost time.

 

          On September 19, 1918, J. C. Mansfield, aged 55, married with five children, had his hip injured when hit by a loose trip of cars, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On September 26, 1918, Ugo Perfetti, aged 25, single, had his arm and leg injured when struck by a prop, resulting in 36 days lost time.

 

          On September 28, 1918, Lorenzo Gasperino, aged 49, married, had his eye injured by flying coal, resulting in 44 days lost time.

 

          On October 3, 1918, Dom Puscetti, aged 35, single, had his back injured by falling rock, resulting in 34 days lost time.

 

          On November 18, 1918, John Julius, aged 49, from Sorento, married, had his leg injured by falling slate, resulting in 49 days lost time.

 

          On November 20, 1918, Cyrus Trolaugh, aged 32, married with six children, had his foot injured when a guide fell on it.

 

          On November 21, 1918, James Detrich, aged 51, married with one child, had his ankle injured, resulting in 61 days lost time.

 

          On November 22, 1918, Michael Houlihan, aged 52, was injured, resulting in 189 days lost time.

 

          On November 25, 1918, Felix Fanteen, aged 17, single, had a finger injured by coal falling from a car, resulting in 51 days lost time.

 

          On November 27, 1918, John Kossick, aged 34, was injured by a falling rock, resulting in 63 days lost time.

 

          On November 29, 1918, A. W. Phillips, aged 50, married, had his hand injured by falling coal, resulting in 37 days lost time.

 

          On January 16, 1919, Paul Armida, aged 33, was injured by falling slate, resulting in 35 days lost time.

 

          On March 3, 1919, Fred Pistaloggi, aged 24, single, had his foot injured when coal broke in his hands, resulting in 34 days lost time.

 

          On March 11, 1919, John Palleva, aged 43, married with four children, had his nose injured by falling slate, resulting in 39 days lost time.

 

          On March 24, 1919, John Jones, aged 27, was injured when kicked by a mule.

 

          On March 27, 1919, Finis Bishop, aged 28, from Sorento, married, had his ankle broken while driving a mule, resulting in 225 days lost time.

 

          On April 29, 1919, Leonard May, aged 17, single, had his hand injured by a mule bite, resulting in 48 days lost time.

 

          On June 19, 1919, Anton Novak, aged 27, married with one child, had his collar bone broken when squeezed between two cars, resulting in 50 days lost time.

 

MINE OUTPUT:

 

          485,213 total tons

          144,996 loaded on cars

          300,741 sold to railroad

                    6 supplied to locomotives

             4,664 sold locally

           28,497 consumed or wasted

         145,639 tons washed or re-screened

                569 total employees

                196 days of operation

           91,225 pounds of dynamite used

                  23 machines

                    7 motors

          485,213 tons mined by machine

                  31 animals underground

 

 

 

 

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1920

 

FATAL ACCIDENTS:

 

          On Sept. 11, 1919, Thomas Zanchetti, switchman, age 18, single, was killed in Shoal Creek Coal Company's mine, in Panama, by a motor.  Deceased was running the motor in violation of the rules of mining, when he came to a switch, he jumped off to throw the switch and in doing so, stumbled and was caught under the motor and was killed.

 

          On June 14, 1919, John May, miner, age 34 years, married, was electrocuted in Shoal Creek Coal Company's mine, in Panama.  Deceased had finished his days work and had walked about 2/3 of the way to the shaft bottom, when he met a motor coming out with a load of men in empty cars.  The motor stopped to take him in and while getting into the car, the back of his neck came into contact with the trolley wire. He died immediately from the effect to the shock.  He leaves a widow and 3 children.

 

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS:

 

          On July 16, Oscar O'Neal, age 23, single, had his head injured by being struck by a trolley pole, resulting in 36 days lost time.

 

          On July 22, 1919, Louis Basso, age 22, single, had his thumb broken by being kicked by a mule, resulting in 67 days lost time.

 

          On July 23, 1919, Joe Santoro, age 32, married with 3 children, sprained his back while lifting, resulting in 38 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 4, 1919, John Trione, age 41, single with 3 dependents, ruptured himself when loading, resulting in 146 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 21, 1919, William Sloat, age 70, married with 1 child, dropped a bar on his foot smashing his toe, resulting in 36 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 25, 1919, Steve Barlow, age 39, married with 3 children, smashed his finger in a falling door, resulting in 34 days lost time.

 

          On Aug. 28, 1919, Lorenzo Moreski, age 38, married with 3 children, sprained his back while lifting, resulting in 78 days lost time.

 

          On Sept. 16, 1919, John Kindernai, age 46, married with 4 children, sprained his back while lifting, resulting in 61 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 2, 1919, John Slabon, age 27, single, had his ankle bruised by falling coal, resulting in 30 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 16, 1919, Raymond Compton, age 21, single, bruised his shoulder when caught between a car and rib, resulting in 63 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 18, 1919, Walter Brown, age 69, married, had an infected arm from a scratch, resulting in 70 days lost time.

 

          On Cot. 20, 1919, Joe J. Novak, age 42, married with 4 children, had his back sprained by a fall, resulting in 63 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 22, 1919, Joe Zolar, age 25, married with 2 children, had his back bruised by falling rock, resulting in 53 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 22, 1919, James File, age 33, Sorento, single, had his back bruised by falling rock, resulting in 53 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 28, 1919, Earl Leak, age 29, married, had his shoulder sprained by a pit car, resulting in 54 days lost time.

 

          On Oct. 31, 1919, J. B. Girrard, age 38, Married with 1 child, had his hip bruised by falling coal, resulting in 62 days lost time.

 

          On Nov. 14, 1919, Adam Frey Jr., age 33, married with 4 children, bruised his arm by falling, resulting in 31 days lost time.

 

          On Dec. 22, 1919, Henry Trione, age 29, single, injured his finger when moving timber, resulting in 30 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 7, 1920, G. E. LeClair, age 56, married, had his knee injured by a fall, resulting in 74 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 19, 1920, Charles Coleman, age 40, married with 6 children, had his ankle sprained by a pit car, resulting in 42 days lost time.

 

          On Jan. 28, 1920, John Macario, age 46, married with 8 children, had his foot smashed by falling slate, resulting in 32 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 5, 1920, August Camelji, age 43, single, had his head cut by falling coal, resulting in 103 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 6, 1920, Fred Toureene, age 64, married with 2 children, bruised his hand by hitting it on a prop, resulting in 65 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 16, 1920, Pete Ramtuski, age 34, married with 5 children, had his shoulder dislocated in a fight, resulting in 121 days lost time.

 

          On Feb. 17, 1920, John Ocepeck, age 22, single, had his head injured by jumping off a motor, resulting in 33 days lost time.

 

          On. Feb. 19, 1920, Louis Veres, age 38, married, had his back injured by falling coal, resulting in 73 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 10, 1920, Henry Blackorby, age 45, Sorento, married with 1 child, had his ankle fractured by a pit car, resulting in 89 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 11, 1920, Pete Kitkowsky, age 53, married with 4 children, had his back sprained  by lifting coal, resulting in 57 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 18, 1920, James Basso, age 50, married with 2 children, had his head bruised by falling rock.

 

          On Mar. 24, 1920, James Neal, age 17, single, had his back sprained by a pit car, resulting in 75 days lost time.

 

          On Mar. 25, 1920, George Stanenkovic, age 36, single, had his finger smashed by falling coal.

 

          On Apr. 22, 1920, Richard Eccles, age 44, married with 3

children, had a rupture.

 

          On May 5, 1920, Huey Smith, age 35, Sorento, married with 1 child, had his arm broken by a pit car.

 

          On May 13, 1920, Frank Marcelene, age 26, single, was ruptured when loading coal.

 

          On May 25, 1920, Pete Rapella, age 38, single, sprained his back lifting coal.

 

          On June 8, 1920, Louis Mallattia, age 35, married with 3 children, had his ribs broken by falling coal.

 

          On June 10, 1920, Sam Heldman, age 40, single, had his leg bruised by falling coal.

 

          On June 10, 1920, John Lorenzo, age 43, single, injured his eye while picking.

 

 

MINE OUTPUT:

 

          570,723 Total

          276,269 tons loaded on cars

          246,485 tons sold to railroad

             5,454 tons sold to local trade

           11,830 tons consumed or wasted

         164,056 tons washed or re-screened

               564 average number of employees

               223 days of active operation

         111,475 pounds of dynamite

                 21 mining machines

                   7 motors

        570,723 tons mined by machine

                32 animals underground