Jan. 15, 1909

KILLED AT PANAMA

Eugene Cocello, an Italian miner working in the Panama mine, was killed last Saturday by falling slate. He was about 34 years of age, and he leaves, a wife and five children in Italy. His body was buried in Donnellson last Sunday. Cocello was about to quit work and had started out of the mine, as the men he was working with decided the roof was unsafe. Cocello went back after his sledgehammer which he had left in the room, and while there the roof fell in and he was killed instantly. Coroner Gray held an inquest Saturday and a verdict was rendered in accordance with the facts.

Montgomery News

Feb. 19, 1909

McCOY McDOELL

Will McCoy of Panama and Miss Lizzie McDoell of Hillsboro, were united in marriage at St. Louis on Wednesday of this week. The bride is a sister of Mrs. A. N. Kearnes of this city and has been making her home with her. The groom is a miner employed in the Panama mine.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Lonnie Carlock, Panama, age 23

Mabel Baker, Panama, age 20

Montgomery News

Apr. 9, 1909

A "HAPPY HOME" RAIDED

Sheriff Brown, Deputy Hubbard and Constable Palmer of Greenville, visited Panama Thursday of last week, armed with thirty warrants for the arrest of that many members of the "Happy Home Club" of that town. They found the club room fitted up in the regulation saloon style, with a bar about 25 feet long, well stocked with all kinds of liquors, and about fifty of the members keeping the cash register clicking while they drank their booze. Joe Faletti, Barney Peruna, Joe Monti and Dominick Castontino were arrested and brought to Greenville and locked up in jail. Officers are now chasing other sons of sunny Italy, and as the club contained a membership of 336, business in the justice courts promises to be good for some time.

Those arrested will be given a hearing before Squire Matney at two o'clock this afternoon. The saloon was run under the name of the "Happy Home Club" and a government license has been obtained, which protects the members from government prosecution.

The store room where they kept large quantities of liquor is on the Bond county side. The bar room is divided about half and half and the refrigerator and more than half of the bar are on the Bond county side of the line.

It is said that they have been selling only to Italians but that an American could get liquor there by being accompanied by an Italian and having the latter pay for the booze.

Montgomery News

Apr. 23, 1909

BANK ROBBED AT PANAMA

Burglars cracked the safe of F. P. Blair & Co.'s bank at Panama last Saturday morning and made their escape with $800 in cash and $800 worth of stamps.

W. W. Mitchell and wife, who live across the street from the bank, heard the robbers break in the front window of the bank and opened fire on them. The robbers returned the fire and for a time a regular fusillade was kept up between the Mitchells and the burglars.

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

They fired about twenty shots and the burglars shot about a dozen times. After the ammunition was exhausted Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell went after more, but when they returned the bank had been robbed and the burglars had made good their escape.

The Mitchells went out and tried to arouse the town. But the town, strange to say, refused to be aroused! They thought somebody was trying to play a joke on them, and Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became disgusted and went back home and went to bed. It was seven o'clock before the people realized that the bank had really been robbed, and by that time the robbers were many miles away.

The people of Panama are so used to having the town "shot up" that the fusillade between Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell and the robbers attracted no attention!

 Montgomery News

Apr. 30, 1909

KILLED AT PANAMA

Erbie Drake a twenty two year old young man employed as trapper in the Panama mine was killed shortly after one o'clock on Monday afternoon of this week. No one witnessed the accident and no one knows just what caused the boys death. From the surroundings however, it is supposed that an empty coal car broke loose at the top of a hill in the main entry and ran back, striking the door where Drake acted as trapper, and when the door was thrown violently open by the impact with the runaway car, it struck Drake on the head, he being on the opposite side of the door and death resulted shortly afterwards.

Coroner Gray was notified and an inquest was held Monday, the jury being composed of Max Von Brunn, Herbert Kessinger, Alex Meredith, William F. Grimm, Arch Grisham and F. McDole, after hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict to the effect that Drake met his death by accident, due to the negligence of the management of Shoal Creek Mining Company for not keeping sufficient signals and lights.

A BOHEE WEDDING PARTY

Last Friday a party of Italians drove up from Panama to witness the marriage of Secondo Chiolero and Miss Mary Bergandi. The groom wore an immense bouquet on the lapel of his coat and looked like he might be a lineal descendant of some Etruscan nobleman who owned a villa at Tivoli at the time Rome sat upon her seven hills and ruled the world. The bride was arrayed in a long white veil and a trousseau that rivaled the hues of the rainbow.

While on their journey to the county seat through Grisham and Hillsboro townships, the descendants of Caesar amused themselves by shooting holes in the contiguous atmosphere. The people living along the road thought grim visaged war had broken loose and they took refuge in the smoke houses and cellars. After the cavalcade had passed they ventured forth and telephoned to sheriff Bray that a band of armed Dagoes were advancing on Hillsboro. But when the party arrived at the county seat they were as peaceable and quiet as a band of Tuscan maidens, and not a gun was in sight. By the aid of an interpreter, Judge Dryer succeeded in getting Secondo and Mary to join hands, although Secondo insisted upon raising his right hand as if he wanted to be sworn. After they were pronounced husband and wife and the assembled maids and matrons and stalwart descendants of Cataline had offered their congratulations, the Sheriff began to get busy. He went through the pockets of the men and found six revolvers, a pair of knucks and a hat full of cartridges.

Informations were filed against Louis Velli, Jim Fronterro, Quinto Chiolero, Pete Rolfo, Pit Calvetti and Secondo Chiolera, the groom, charging them with carrying concealed weapons, and they were hustled off to jail. Then ensued a scene that beggars description. The prisoners swore in six macaronic dialects and spit spaghetti all over the surrounding landscape.

Later they were brought before Judge Dryer and each was fined $100 and costs with a stay of execution on $50 of each fine during good behavior. But while the prisoners were long on guns they were short of cash. But they finally chipped in and paid the bridegroom's fine and he at once flew to the arms of his weeping bride and they departed for Panama for their honeymoon. The balance of the bunch went back to jail, but on Wednesday their friends came up from Panama and paid the fines and costs, amounting to $384.60 and they were released.

Montgomery News

May 7, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Before adjourning last week the grand jury returned over forty indictments, as stated in last week's News but we were not then permitted to publish the names of those indicted as bench warrants had not been issued and the defendants had not been arrested. We give below the indictments as found and the orders taken in each case.

John Williams, selling liquor in Grisham township in December 1908, and in January, February and March 1909. There are four counts against him, and the names of 61 witnesses are endorsed on the back of the indictment! This is one of the Panama cases.

John Williams is indicted for keeping a disorderly house "to the encouragement of idleness, gambling, drinking etc." This is another Panama case. The names of 50 or 60 witnesses are endorsed on the indictment.

Barney Chiolero is indicted for selling liquor to minors. The names of William Smith, William Hamby, J. W. Smith and Emory Brown are endorsed on the indictment.

John Williams, selling liquor to minors. Witnesses: Vern Smith, Emery Brown, Phillip Debean, Albert Plaqua, J. W. Smith and Carrie Cunningham.

Joe Falletti, Joe Mote, John Revelli, Barney Chiolero and Barney Peruna were indicted for keeping a disorderly house. This is another Panama case.

Montgomery News

May 14, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Judge Paul McWilliams came over from Litchfield Saturday and held a short session of court, making the following orders: John Williams of Panama plead guilty to selling liquor in anti saloon territory and was fined $100.

Barney Peruna, also of Panama plead guilty to keeping a disorderly house and was fined $100.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Ezra Carlock, Panama, age 21

Bessie Attebury, Walshville, age 18

Montgomery News

Jun. 18, 1909

PRISONERS IN JAIL

August Chermetto, committed because he failed to pay a judgment for $400 for bastardy. He is from Panama.

Jul. 16, 1909

BURNED TO DEATH AT PANAMA

Mrs. Dominica Falletti and son Joseph Falletti, Jr. two residents of Panama, this county, were burned to death by an explosion of coal oil or gasoline on Tuesday of this week.

The cause of the accident will never be known as the mother and son were in the house alone when the explosion took place. It is surmised, that the mother was cleaning a bed with gasoline and the house was filled with gasoline vapor which became ignited from a match in the hands of the boy and his mother was evidently saturated with the burning oil and they were terribly burned from head to foot, the entire body of Mrs. Falletti being burned with the exception of her head which was protected by her hair. She died at 6 o'clock P.M. on Tuesday, the day of the accident, and the boy died at 12:30 on the following day.

A coroner's inquest was held on Wednesday, the jury being composed of J. D. Williams, E. A. Murray, Louis Henderson, Jud Dolan, Dr. I. O. Wilcox and F. McDole.

The accident occurred at one o'clock Tuesday afternoon. John Payne, who lived close to the scene of the accident testified that he heard an explosion, then heard a woman's screams and rushing into the street he saw Mrs. Falletti with her clothing in flames, in the street, endeavoring to tear the burning clothing from her body. He rushed to her aid but could do nothing and finally secured a blanket and extinguished the blaze. The fire had burned her so badly, however, there was no hope of saving her life.

Mrs. Falletti ran out of the front door of her home after the explosion and the boy ran out the back door, both with their clothing ablaze. Neighbors rushed to both and in putting out the flames which were burning the boy, one man's hand was badly blistered. The unfortunate victims were Italian and could speak little English. The husband and father of the victims is employed in the Panama coal mine.

CIRCUIT COURT NEW CASES

The following new cases have been begun in the circuit court this week, for the November term:

Mary Casconcelli vs Shoal Creek Coal company. This is a suit for $5000 damages, and grows out of the death of Eugene Casconcelli, the plaintiff's husband as a result of injuries he received in the defendants mine at Panama, Jan. 9, 1909. The plaintiff charges that the defendant company neglected to furnish sufficient props for the roof of it's mine, and as a result a large quanity of slate, dirt and rock fell on the plaintiff's husband and killed him.

Montgomery News

Aug. 6, 1909

KILLED BY LIGHTNING

James Orvil Simpson, a young man, aged about 27 years was struck by lightning and instantly killed, on Friday afternoon of last week, while he was at work on the reservoir which is being built at Panama, this county.

Another workman was knocked unconscious and the shoes were torn from his feet, and for a time it was believed he was dead, but he finally recovered after medical aid had been summoned.

The deceased was a farmer and a son of James Simpson, a well known resident of the southern part of the county.

He was born near Walshville, Oct. 12, 1882. He was married to Miss Cora Beck June 8, 1903. She died last December. There were three children born, Hazel, Ruth and Clarence. The latter died when he was three months old. The other two are still living. The funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday at ten o'clock, Rev. Gordon of Litchfield officiating. Interment at Hart's Cemetery.

Montgomery News

Sept. 24, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Amy Manning has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co., which operates the Panama mine, for $10,000 damages for the loss of her husband. Mr. Manning was injured by a gas explosion while working in the defendants mine last spring. It is claimed that the injuries finally caused his death.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Joseph Payne, De Moines, Ia., age 23

Ella M. Robinson, Panama, age 17

Montgomery News

Oct. 22, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

Fred Freezeland has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for $3000. The suit is an action for damages growing out of an injury the plaintiff claims to have received while working in the defendant's coal mine at Panama, July 23, 1909. The plaintiff, who is under age and who sues by Jacob M. Freezeland, his father and next friend, was a driver in said mine. He claims the rails, over which the cars loaded with coal were driven, were loose and out of repair at a certain point on the track, and that as a result a car was thrown off the track and the plaintiff's right foot was caught under it, crushing and mangling it and making the plaintiff a permanent cripple.

John Drake, admr. of the estate of Erb Drake, deceased, sues the Shoal Creek Coal Co. for $10,000. The suit grows out of the death of Erb Drake which occurred April 26, 1909. The deceased was a trapper working in the said mine, whose duty it was to open and shut a certain door to let the cars of coal through. These cars were hauled by an electric motor, and on the date of the accident one of the cars broke loose from the others, and after the boy let the first car through and closed the door the detached car struck the door and injured the boy so that he died in about four hours. The plaintiff claims the company was guilty in not making the cars secure so they would not become detached.

Montgomery News

Oct. 29, 1909

MARRIAGE LICENSES

John Beryyok, Panama, age 27

Miss Helen Dominick, Panama, age 17

Montgomery News

Dec. 3, 1909

COUNTY COURT

Henry Edward Herman, a 13 year old boy of Panama, was brought into court last Friday charged with stabbing another boy, and was released "on probation." M. E. Bray was appointed probation officer and the boy was sent home. He is required to write to the State's Attorney every Saturday. It is understood that he will not be disturbed as long as he is good.

Montgomery News

Dec. 10, 1909

MARRIAGE LICENSES

James Monge, Panama, age 27

Anna Bussone, Panama, age 39

Montgomery News

Dec. 24, 1909

CIRCUIT COURT

The case of the village of Panama vs O. S. Peterson was decided in favor of the defendant. Peterson took orders for groceries in Panama and then made deliveries several days afterwards. He was arrested and fined for peddling. He took an appeal and Judge McBride decided he was not a "peddler" within the meaning of the ordinance.

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1910

The Shoal Creek Coal Co. at Panama has installed a pair of first motion hoisting engines and two new boilers at its #1 mine. This company is contemplating sinking a new shaft in the center of its 17,000 acres coal rights, but have been waiting for the opinion of the state inspector as to what constitutes a fire proof shaft. This mine is now what is considered a machine mine.

FATALITIES:

On Aug. 14, 1909, Herman Newbaum, machine helper, aged 30, married, was killed by a fall of slate while the machine runner was undercutting the coal at the face of his working place. This room had a foot of slate, following each cut, that stuck to the roof after the coal had been shot down. This slate was shot down by the miners after the coal had been loaded out. In this case, a piece of slate hanging over the face of coal, fell with the above result. The deceased was a German and leaves a widow and one child.

On Mar. 29, 1910, Battista Deparil, machine runner, aged 40, married, was instantly killed by a fall of coal at the face of his room, where he was undercutting. Deceased leaves a wife and 4 children.

MINE OUTPUT:

38,638 tons of mine run

202,007 tons of lump

188,580 tons of other grades

429,270 Total

$463,410 Value

315,831 tons loaded on rail cars for shipment.

113,439 used for other purposes.

222 days of operation.

52 average number of miners.

381 other employees.

433 Total employees.

44,712 tons mined by hand.

Blasting from solid and undercut face.

6645 kegs of powder used.

JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

18 drivers 4 shot firers

1 cager 8 timbermen

10 laborers 12 trackmen

212 loaders 9 trappers