Jan. 3, 1908

MILLER GRIFFITH

Lester S. Miller and Mrs. Luvina Griffith, of Panama were united in marriage by Judge John Dryer, on Thursday evening of last week, the ceremony being performed at the office of the judge in the court house.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Luther L. O'Neil, Panama, age 22

Barbara Huss, Donnellson, age 16

Lester S. Miller, Panama, age 36

Luvenia Griffith, Panama, age 32

John Jenkins, Panama, age 21

Ruby Baty, Panama, Age 18

Montgomery News

Jan. 10, 1908

CIRCUIT COURT

Jud Dolan of Panama has filed a bill for a mechanics lien against the Shoal Creek Coal Company. The complainant alleges that the defendant owes him a balance of $15000 for work done and material furnished on forty dwelling houses in the village of Panama.

HURT AT PANAMA

John Donaldson a shot firer in the Panama coal mine was badly burned Monday night by a premature explosion. While he is seriously hurt and burned his injuries will not necessarily prove fatal.

Montgomery News

Jan. 17, 1908

DIED OF HIS INJURIES

John Donaldson, the man who was so badly burned in the Panama mine by a premature explosion, died Wednesday morning of this week.

Montgomery News

Feb. 14, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

William Grimm, Panama, age 20

Amanda M. Cruthis, Sorento, age 18

Montgomery News

Feb. 28, 1908

THREE DIVORCE CASES

Mattie Tibbs wants a divorce from Louis Tibbs. She charges drunkenness and cruelty. The complainant lives at Panama and alleges she was married to the defendant July 3, 1901. She charges that he has threatened to shoot her and has struck, beat and bruised her on divers occasions, also on the head.

Montgomery News

Mar. 20, 1908

TWO KILLED

Two shot firers residing at Sorento but employed in the Panama mine were caught by a slow shot on Monday of this week and both were instantly killed.

Montgomery News

Mar. 27, 1908

TROUBLE AT PANAMA

Sheriff Bray was asked Wednesday to send 50 deputies to Panama to settle trouble at the Panama coal mine. He telephoned down and ascertained that the conditions did not justify putting the county to that expense. Ever since the two shot firers were killed there last week the operators have been having trouble with the miners and the mine has been closed down. Mr. Blair, the president of the company, thought the matter was very serious, but it is not as bad as reported and the trouble will probably be adjusted without the aid of the sheriff or his deputies.

Montgomery News

Apr. 3, 1908

THE PANAMA SITUATION

Panama, Illinois

March 30, 1908

Gentlemen:

In your issue of last week you spoke of the "trouble reported at Panama," and, for fear the miners of Panama will be misunderstood and misrepresented we wish to state that there has been no trouble at Panama and there will be no trouble as the strike now on at Panama is a peaceable strike and there has not yet been one single act of violence on the part of the miners.

There has been no talk of violence and absolutely nothing has taken place to give anyone an excuse for calling on the sheriff to help put down threatened violence on the part of the miners.

There are 350 men now working in the Panama mine and because the company put on two more shot firers than were needed, the miners refused to accept such an arbitrary act on the part of the company and they quit work. For this a fine of ten dollars each was placed on the miners, which the men agreed to pay out of their wages, but contrary to custom and agreement the mine officials demanded that the fine be paid in advance before any coal would be hoisted. The miners refused to accept these terms and the fine was raised to $20 each and the condition of affairs now remains unchanged.

The coal company has a dozen armed guards now patrolling their property day and night and they have installed a search light on top of the coal mine. All of this has been done to intimidate the miners and to prejudice the public against them. They would have the impression go out that the coal miners are a lawless lot of foreigners and will not listen to reason. The facts are the Panama miners have stood for more infractions of the rules than has any local union in the state and when a strike was ordered, it was a peaceable strike.

We, as miners, wish to state that no violence will be tolerated and that for this reason no deputy sheriffs will be needed to keep order. We wish to thank the sheriff of this county, M. E. Bray, for refusing to send deputies to the Panama mine and for ascertaining the facts in the case before putting the county to the expense of sending deputies to preserve order in a district where order already exists. In further truth that there has been no violence talked of or contemplated we send you herewith a statement from the business men of Panama in regard to the threatened violence.

A PANAMA MINER

We, the undersigned business men of the village of Panama, Illinois, state that we have seen no violence on the part of the miners of Panama, Illinois, toward the Shoal Creek Coal Company officials or their property and there was no occasion to send guards to Panama, and we brand all reports to the contrary as malicious falsehoods.

J. E. Carlock

J. B. Revelli

A. M. Mills

Barnie Peruna

Alex Merideth

Antone Romania

George Grimm

J. D. Williams

J. F. Hanskins F. A. Kalaquin

Mick Rontenia

Louis Henderson

W. H. Sisk

M. S. Coleman

G. P. Rowen

Warren Coleman

W. W. Mitchell

Montgomery News

Apr. 17, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Joseph Smith, Panama, age 22

Maggie Orris, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

May 22, 1908

DOWN AT PANAMA

F. E. Chapman, "Mayor of Panama", was a Hillsboro visitor on Tuesday of this week. He is farming on the old Chapman homestead near Panama and is a justice of the peace. He is enthusiastic over the great improvement in conditions at Panama since that township went dry. He says that prior to the time saloons were voted out, Panama would hardly be classed as a white man's town. Drunkenness and disorder was the order of the day and fights were continually taking place. It was a continuous show and the people got tired of it and voted the township dry. Now Panama is a quiet peaceful little village with no fights to liven up things and people are prosperous and happy.

"I am proud to say that we are observing the law and Panama is now a good town where any man can bring his family and enjoy life. We are getting "dryer" every day and I believe the sentiment against saloons will never change down our way."

Montgomery News

Jun. 12, 1908

ILLINOIS NEWS NOTES

The Panama miners are now working again after a shut down of several months, caused by a mix up on the shot firers question.

Montgomery News

Jun. 26, 1908

GRISHAM ASSESSMENT

S. Z. T. Kessinger, assessor of Grisham township, returned his books this week. They show 369 horses worth about $63 a head; 564 cattle worth about $18 a head; 77 mules worth about $64 a head; 314 sheep, 868 hogs, 220 wagons and carriages, 64 watches and clocks, 90 sewing machines, 12 pianos, 29 organs and 114 dogs.

The total cash value of all personal property in the township is given at $138,945. There is $5425 worth of grain on hand.

There are only three personal assessments in the township amounting to $5000 or over. A. T. Strange, trustee, is assessed with $10000, Shoal Creek Coal Co. is assessed for $9050, and the Panama Bank is caught for $10800. J. S. Stevens is the largest holder of personal property outside the above. He is assessed with property valued at $4085. William Boone comes next with personal property valued at $3990.

Jul. 3, 1908

STUDYING LAW

Mike Dondini, Peter Sabolo and John Bruno, three Italian coal miners of Panama, Ill. and Frank McDole, city marshal at that new mining town learned a heap of law last week and as we go to press, Sabolo and Bruno are in jail here still learning more about American laws and institutions. The three Italians sold beer and whiskey after Grisham township, in which Panama is located, had been voted "dry". Evidence was secured against them and Sabolo was arrested and put in jail here. Bruno and Dondino came up here to see their fellow countryman and a warrant was issued for their arrest. They heard of the warrant, however after their arrival here and tried to dodge arrest. They were assisted in their efforts by city marshal Frank McDole, and when the dragnet was spread, McDole was entangled in it, and was placed in jail on a charge of failure to do his duty as an officer. His bond was placed at $1500 which he produced after a few days in jail. Dondini entered a plea of guilty of selling wet goods in dry territory and his fine was fixed at $225 and a jail sentence was stayed on his promise of good behavior.

Panama has the reputation of being about the worst place for drunkenness and disorder to be found anywhere and its reputation is keeping many prospective citizens from locating there.

A PANAMA CAPTURE

Sheriff Bray and State's Attorney Hill made an important capture at Panama last Thursday. An information was filed against Peter A. Sabolio, John Bruno and Frank Kalaquin, charging them with selling beer in Panama, which is anti saloon territory. The defendants are running a butcher shop at Panama, and it is charged that they have been selling beer in violation of law ever since the spring election.

They were arrested and brought to Hillsboro Thursday night and Friday morning were arraigned in the county court and plead not guilty. They were held to for trial at the September term of court, bail being fixed at $300. Colequin gave bail but the other two were sent to jail until they could furnish bond.

It is charged that large quantities of beer have been shipped from St. Louis to these parties. Their names indicate that they are Italians, and it is strange that these people who came from a country where a man is sent to jail for selling a goose or a pig without first having obtained a license, are so ready to violate the laws of this country!

Perhaps they think because this is a "free country" they can do anything they please. It is said that a farmer living near Witt caught three or four Italians in his potato patch recently digging potatoes. He demanded of them what right they had on his premises digging his potatoes and they replied that they had been informed that this was a "free country" and they thought this gave them a right to dig potatoes wherever they found them!

Montgomery News

Aug. 14, 1908

JAMES McCOY DEAD

James McCoy, of Panama, passed away Monday evening after a long illness of cancer. Mr. McCoy was 53 years old. He was born in Ireland, but came to this country when two years old. He has resided in Panama the last four years. Mr. McCoy was a miner and prominent among his fellow workers.

Besides his wife, four children were left, Frank McCoy, of Cardiff, Ill.; Mrs. A. N. Kerns, of Hillsboro; Mrs. Belle Williams and William McCoy, of Panama.

The funeral was held at Panama Wednesday afternoon and the burial took place at Oak Grove cemetery in Hillsboro.

FIGHT AT PANAMA

Frank Kalaquin and William McCoy got into an altercation in Panama last week and Bill got the worst of it. He swore out a warrant for Kalaquin and Kalaquin will get his in Squire Grassel's court Saturday.

Montgomery News

Aug. 28, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Ed Paynter, Panama, age 23

Laura Morgan, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Sept. 11, 1908

A "DRY" CLUB

A club composed of Italians, living in Panama, has taken out articles of incorporation. The name of the club will be the "Panama Italian Pleasant Hour Club", and the object social enjoyment.

Although some people seem to think that this club was organized for the purpose of getting "suds", in barrel lots and booze by the demi john, we understand the rules and regulations say no drinker or gambler will be allowed membership. As one member expressed it, "Me cutta da booze, drinka da lemo only; we no have da poker, da cards all tabooed." "Jack straws" "Tiddle de winks" "Simon says thumbs up"," and "Ring around arosy" will be the only games permitted. No, far from it Pauline; this will be a "dry club."

Montgomery News

Sept. 18, 1908

AN ITALIAN CEREMONY

Judge Dryer united a couple of Italians in matrimonial bonds Saturday morning by means of an interpreter. Joseph Carnero aged 26 and Gabiela Falletti aged 22 both of Panama had a yearning to be tied together by the "American Judge" and as they spoke no English and the judge spoke no Italian, an interpreter was necessary. When the judge told them to join hands, the interpreter jabbered a bit and they raised there hands high in the air. It took the united efforts of four men to get them to hold hands. After talking and expostulating for fifteen or twenty minutes, the judge finally got disgusted and told them they were married and to get out. The last seen of them they were going down the street all three talking a blue streak and Judge Dryer is wondering if they were complimenting him on his short ceremony or giving him fits for charging for his services.

Montgomery News

Oct. 2, 1908

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Agustin Coonly, Panama, age 33

Josefin Truppai, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Oct. 16, 1908

RAISED THE CASH

Last Friday the sheriff's office was besieged by a number of  Italians friends of the two arrested at Panama for selling booze who were trying to get the men out on bond. After a futile effort to convince the sheriff their word was good, they left ostensibly to get the cash. Monday contrary to all expectations, they came around again and this time they had the money, and the two men, John Reville and Barney Chiolero, were released on bond. After shaking hands with everyone who would shake, they left on the morning car for Litchfield and from their talk, it is presumed that they celebrated before returning home.

Montgomery News

Nov. 27, 1908

PANAMA SCHOOL OPENS

The Panama public school opened last week with D. F. Neathery as principal. The new school building has four rooms with a prospect that others will have to be added next year.

Montgomery News

Dec. 11, 1908

ACCIDENTALLY SHOT

Steve Zirka was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun Wednesday of last week about two miles north of Greenville. Zirka was a Hungarian coal miner and was driving with a party of friends from Panama to Greenville. He was on the back seat of the carriage holding his gun between his knees when it was accidentally discharged. He received the entire load in his breast and died instantly.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1909

FATALITIES:

On Jan. 9, 1909, Eugene Concello, a miner aged 38, married, went in to recover his tools from his room and was caught under a fall of roof while he was returning and was killed instantly. He leaves a widow and 5 children.

On Apr. 26, 1909, Earna Drake, a trapper, aged 17, stepped from his refuge hole after the motor trip had gone through, as he supposed, but it happened that the trip had broken in two. The momentum of the trailing part brought it crashing through the door which the boy had closed. Standing on the other side of the door, he did not see it coming and was knocked down and killed instantly. He was single and lived in Sorento.

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS:

On Jul. 2, 1908, Steve Szabo, aged 29, married with 5 children had his hip injured by a pit car, resulting in 182 days lost time.

On Jul. 22, 1908, Calvin Jones, aged 57, married with one child, had his shoulder injured by falling slate, resulting in 80 days lost time.

On Jul. 30, 1908, Albert Boldt, aged 41, married with 3 children, had his head and ankle injured by falling coal, resulting in 103 days lost time.

On Aug. 15, 1908, James Menoffe, aged 28, single, had his head injured by falling coal, resulting in 30 days lost time.

On Dec. 24, 1908, Charles Bernetti, aged 38, single, had his arm broken by falling coal, resulting in 123 days lost time.

On Jan. 20, 1909, Enock Casis, aged 20, single, had his body injured by a pit car, resulting in 91 days lost time.

On Mar. 17, 1909, John Cholou, aged 26, married with 2 children, had his body injured by a shot explosion.

On Mar. 17, 1909, Dominic Mondina, aged 30, single, had his body injured by a shot explosion.

On Apr. 2, 1909, Alex Jakes, aged 26, single, had his body burned by a powder explosion, resulting in 30 days lost time.

On May 20, 1909, Henry Louderman, aged 54, married with 5 children, had his head injured by falling rock.

On Jun. 17, 1909, Joe Mauniry, aged 37, married with 4 children, had his body burned by a powder explosion.

MINE OUTPUT:

1271 tons of mine run

183,319 tons of lump

182,064 tons of other grades

366,554 Total tons

$357,715 value

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

10,373 tons were used for other purposes.

197 days of operation.

288 average number of miners.

131 other employees.

419 total employees.