Jan. 2, 1914

BOOM IN PANAMA

T. W. Kinzer, the Sorento and Panama lumber merchant, was in Hillsboro Tuesday of this week. He says Panama has taken on a genuine boom. About 18 residences have been built there the past summer and fall, a large brick business building and a moving picture theater that would be a credit to any town.

PANAMA COUPLE WED

Camillio Pagnier and Giovanna Vacetto, both of Panama, went to St. Louis Tuesday and were married. The names indicate that they are descendants of the Caesars, and probably came from the vine-clad hills and citron groves of Southern Italy.

OBITUARY

Arthur Frederic Tourene, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Tourene, was born in Panama, Ill., Aug. 3, 1913, passed out of this world and went home to live with Jesus and the angels Dec. 28, 1913, his age being 4 months and 25 days.

Little Arthur was a very pleasant child, always had a smile for everyone; he numbered his friends and admirers by his acquaintances.

While it is sad to see these little ones laid down in death yet we sorrow not as those who have no hope, we have the assurance that the children are "safe in the arms of Jesus," which fact brings heaven a little nearer. He leaves to mourn his departure, father, mother, one brother, three grandparents besides many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Dec. 30 by George H. Hall, pastor of the M. E. church at Sunnyside cemetery, Sorento, Ill., where we laid the little body to rest.

Montgomery News

Jan. 23, 1914

CIRCUIT COURT

The first case tried was that of Vincent Ferrio, charged with carrying concealed weapons. This case was tried last November but there was a hung jury. Vincent was out on $200 bail with Mike Falletti as surety, but Monday morning Mike appeared in court with Vincent in tow and surrendered him to the sheriff. A jury was empaneled and Vincent was tried a second time. Although three good witnesses swore they saw Vincent with a revolver, he took the stand and swore solemnly he had no revolver on the day complained of! The jury decided to believe the three disinterested witnesses and he was found guilty. Judge Jett then fined him $100 and ordered him to work out the fine and costs under the direction of the board of supervisors. Ferrio is a miner and his home is in Panama.

Arthur Caulk plead guilty to selling liquor to minors and was fined $20 each on two counts.

Mike Falletti plead guilty to the same offense and was ordered to come across with $40 and costs.

Stephen Link, charged with the same offense, stepped into the troubled waters and was fined a like amount.

Anthony Romania, seeing it was a good day to plead guilty, admitted he had also sold to minors and was soaked $40 and costs.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

John D. MacLean, Panama, age 36

Bessie Davis, Panama, age 22

John D. MacLean, 36, a miner of Panama, and Miss Bessie Davis, a 22 year old belle who was bred in Kentucky, were united by Judge Dryer on Tuesday.

 DIED NEAR PANAMA

Alfred Desborough, an Englishman living a mile and a half southeast of Panama, died very suddenly of heart disease, or angina pectoris, last Friday. He was 48 years of age and came to this country 24 years ago.

Montgomery News

Jan. 27, 1914

APPELLATE COURT

The Appellate Court of this the third district, has decided in a case that went to them from this county that a "company man" or man who is not actually engaged in mining coal, is not entitled to share in the benefits given under the miner's act for death or injury. The case was that of Jesse Havron vs. the Shoal Creek Coal Company where Havron, who was a mine inspector sued for injuries he had received while in the line of his duty. He got a verdict for $1500 in the circuit court here and the case was taken to the Appellate Court. That court decided that because Havron was not actually engaged in mining coal, he could not sue for damages under the miner's act. This case has been taken to the Supreme Court where it is now pending.

Montgomery News

Jan. 30, 1914

CIRCUIT COURT

The creditor's bill filed by the Reinhart Grocery Co., against Dominic Dasiano, W. W. Mitchell, et al., was dismissed for want of equity. The complainant prayed an appeal which was granted on its filing a bond in the sum of $200 within 40 days and a bill of exceptions in 70 days.

Montgomery News

Feb. 3, 1914

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

Miss Rosa Caulk of Panama has been taken to the Litchfield hospital for treatment. Over a year ago Mrs. Caulk had her shoulder broken in an automobile accident. The fracture was set but it has been giving her considerable trouble lately and it was thought best to take her to St. Francis hospital for treatment.

MINER KILLED AT PANAMA

John Tivan a foreign coal miner employed at Panama, was fatally injured Saturday afternoon and died at St. Mary's hospital in St. Louis Saturday night. He was with three companions and they took refuge in a shelter at the side of an entry when they saw a motor coming towards them pulling two cars of coal. The motorman cut loose the cars and pulled ahead of them so they could be turned in on a passing switch. Tivan stepped out of the shelter after the motor had passed and was run down by the two cars of coal. He was rushed to the St. Louis hospital but nothing could be done for him.

Montgomery News

Feb. 6, 1914

PANAMA COUPLE WEDS

Herbert Faudi and Miss Evelyn Knott, both of Panama, were married in Edwardsville Wednesday of this week.

Montgomery News

Feb. 10, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Orval Sutton, Panama, age 21

Pearl Woolsy, Panama, age 18

Montgomery News

Feb. 17, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Lee Roy Faudi, Panama, age 19

Hazel Vaughn Long, Panama, age 16

Montgomery News

Feb. 24, 1914

THE JESSE HAVRON CASE

The case of Jesse Havron against the Shoal Creek Coal Company was decided against Havron. He was an assistant mine examiner in the defendant's mine at Panama, and was badly burned in an explosion. He sued the company under the "miner's act" at the April term of the Montgomery county circuit court and a jury gave him $1500 damages. The company took the case to the Appellate Court were it was reversed on the ground that Havron was not an operative miner. Havron's attorneys tried to appeal to the Supreme Court but the appeal was denied.

Montgomery News

Mar. 3, 1914

VISITING THE SHERIFF

Cal Jones Jr. of Panama is a guest of Sheriff M. T. Kiggins. Cal tried to cave in a foreigner's face last Friday and a Panama justice of the peace decided he must visit the sheriff for a few days. Cal was delighted to be afforded an opportunity to be with his old friends and to partake of the hospitalities of Sheriff Kiggins.

Montgomery News

Mar. 24, 1914

SUIT AGAINST COAL COMPANY

John Phillip, by F. M. Ramey his attorney, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company for $1500. The plaintiff sues for injuries he received in the Panama mine Dec. 6, 1913. He had his right wrist broken while pushing a car at the bottom.

Montgomery News

Apr. 3, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Ed Lallaman, Panama, age 21

Celia May Young, Carlinville, age 16

Montgomery News

Apr. 7, 1914

MURDER AT PANAMA

Andrew Petroski, a 21 year old coal miner living at Panama was found lying dead on the front porch of the home of Peter Kutokuski in that place on Friday morning of this week, at 5 o'clock. He had been shot through the body and when found at 5 a.m., he had been dead several hours.

The body of the young man was found in Bond county at a house about 600 feet south of the south line of Montgomery county and it will therefore be "up" to the authorities of Bond county to fathom the mystery surrounding the young man's death unless it is learned that he was shot in this county and either walked or was carried over the line into Bond county where his body was found.

The young man had attended the picture show at Panama in the evening and it is surmised that while returning home he was attacked by some jealous person or else an attempt was made to rob him and he was killed.

The sheriff of Bond county is at work on the case and six men have been placed under arrest. The body of the young man was found at a house two doors away from his home.

A dance was held at Kutokuski's home Thursday night and Petroski attended it.

A drunken fight ensued, and it is the belief of the officers that Petroski was shot in the fight.

Montgomery News

Apr. 10, 1914

HELD FOR PANAMA MURDER

Frank Sandoski, a saloon keeper of Panama, has been held for the murder of Andrew Petroski at Panama, which occurred a little after midnight last Friday morning, an account of which was published in Tuesday's edition of the News.

Petroski was shot on the back porch of Sandoski's residence just over the Montgomery county line, in Bond county. Sandoski was living in the same house with his father-in-law Peter Kutokuski, and the shooting followed a beer drinking at which several men and the wives of Frank Sandoski and Peter Kutokuski participated. Petroski, the murdered man, was a former beau of Mrs. Sandoski. On the night of the killing he won a keg of beer on a wager and carried it to the home of Sandoski, where he, Stanley Mozek, John Sudo, Nick Kublick, Mrs. Sandoski and her mother Mrs. Kutokuski engaged in drinking it.

Sandoski was at home up to ten o'clock but after that hour went to his saloon and remained until 11:30, when he closed up and he and his father-in-law Peter Kutokuski went to the Sandoski home together.

In the meantime, Petroski and Mozek had words and Mrs. Kutokuski told Petroski to go home. He went out the door and as he did so, he told Mrs. Sandoski that he was going to sit outside and listen to what they said about him. Kublick had become so intoxicated that he went to sleep which probably saved him further complications in the case.

After Petroski went out the door a shot was fired. A moment later Kutokuski went in the front door and walked straight through the house to the back door and his son-in-law, Sandoski entered the house from the back door.

The occupants of the house rushed out with a lighted lamp and found the dead body of Petroski lying on the back porch.

His legs dangled over the edge of the porch and nearby lay a 41 calibre revolver.

It appears that Petroski was allowed to lay on the porch for three hours before the occupants of the house made any effort to tell the authorities. Mrs. Sandoski took the dying man a drink and they testified at the inquest that they were all so scared that they were afraid to go for help.

It was almost daylight when Dr. Wilcox was called and found the man had died with a bullet wound through his body near his heart. The doctor said he had been dead for three or four hours and that he was in such a position and the wound was such he could not have killed himself.

At the inquest, Frank Sandoski testified that he knew nothing about the killing of Petroski but on Saturday afternoon he confessed to State's Attorney Briggs of Bond county that he was mistaken in his testimony at the inquest and that the revolver that was found by the side of Petroski's dead body, had fallen out of his, Sandoski's hip pocket and was discharged when it struck the floor and the bullet killed his friend and companion Petroski.

Sandoski, when confronted with the revolver which was found by the side of the dead man, and when asked by States Attorney Briggs if he had ever seen the gun before, broke down and cried like a child. He said Petroski was the best friend he had and that he was simply crazy when he testified at the inquest and did not know what he was talking about. Sandoski said that the facts were, he and Petroski walked home together from the former's saloon shortly before midnight, that as they went in the back door, the 41 calibre Colt's revolver which he was carrying home as a protection because he had the receipts of the saloon business in his pocket, slipped out of his pocket and struck the porch floor. The gun went off he said, as it hit the floor and the discharge killed his friend.

A warrant charging Sandoski with the murder of Petroski was sworn out by State's Attorney Briggs and the preliminary examination is set for Tuesday, April 14, at nine o'clock a.m.

Montgomery News

Apr. 17, 1914

PANAMA MAN MARRIES

Joe Karadja of Panama and Miss Lukrica Bodiovich of St. Louis were married at the home of the bride's parents last Monday.

Montgomery News

Apr. 21, 1914

 ANOTHER COAL MINE

Frank P. Blair, who owns the Panama coal mine and who also owns a large block of coal lands southwest of this city, has made definite arrangements to sink a shaft a few miles southwest of Hillsboro and work will commence on the mine within a very short time.

The force of men who are now surveying a railroad connecting the Big Four and Clover Leaf railroads, are employed by Mr. Blair as it is his new coal mine that he expects to reach with the new line. If the line is built it will connect the two Blair mines and we understand that an effort is being made to get the Southern Illinois Light and Power Co. to build this road and operate it as an electric line transacting a passenger business as well as making a coal road of it.

Whether the local company will accept the proposition remains to be seen as the officials of the company will make no statement regarding their future intentions.

Montgomery News

Apr. 28, 1914

PASSED SUCCESSFUL EXAMINATION

James M. Templeton of Panama and J. E. Williams of Nokomis successfully passed the examination held at Springfield last Friday for licenses as mine manager and J. F. Weaver of Hillsboro was found to be competent for the position of hoisting engineer.

Montgomery News

May 12, 1914

DONNELLSON

Harry Krummel and Ferris Dunn have gone into partnership in the business of furniture and undertaking at Panama.

Montgomery News

May 15, 1914

ANOTHER MINE AT PANAMA

It is reported in Greenville that the Shoal Creek Coal Company, which owns the mine at Panama, will soon sink another shaft a mile north of the present mine. The company is buying property there and making its plans for the new mine. - Greenville Advocate

Montgomery News

May 22, 1914

DONNELLSON MASONS HOLD INTERESTING MEETING

The local lodge of Masons at Donnellson conferred the third degree on Walter W. Mitchell of Panama Tuesday evening of this week.

Greenville lodge being invited to do the work, they came about forty strong and among them was Rector J. G. Wright, who is Grand Chaplain of the State of Illinois. There were others present from Coffeen, Sorento, Pocahontas and elsewhere. They were entertained at Wright's hotel to a three course supper and about one hundred were in attendance.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright are noted for their ability to prepare and serve on occasions of this kind. Misses Mary Allen, Mildred Baird, Beryl Cary and Ruth Mansfield were waiters at the tables and they did their work well. Mrs. John H. Grigg furnished instrumental music during the two hours of refreshments and it was fine too.

The members of the Donnellson lodge are to be congratulated. The arrangements were well planned, the weather ideal, the crowd happy and the work excellent. It was the biggest event of the kind for Donnellson in many years.

DEATH AT PANAMA

Died at Panama on Wednesday at 11:00 p.m., Henry Riley of Sorento, Ill., aged 74 years, 2 months and 3 days. Deceased is survived by his wife and two daughters and was a miner, but had not worked for several years on account of old age.

The funeral services were held on Friday afternoon from the Presbyterian church at Sorento and the remains were laid to rest at Sunnyside cemetery.

Montgomery News

Jun. 5, 1914

FIGHT IN PANAMA

A bloody fight took place in Panama last Monday between Joe Kish and Charles Bills over a dog. Kish beat Bills over the head with a shotgun and cut his scalp so badly that it took 32 stitches to mend it. Kish was arrested on a charge of an assault with a deadly weapon and taken before Esq. D. R. Bennett. The preliminary examination is set for June 9. Kish was required to give bond in the sum of $1000 for his appearance. Being unable to give bond, he was brought to Hillsboro and placed in jail.

Montgomery News

Jun. 16, 1914

NEW COAL MINING MACHINE INVENTED

A coal mining machine that digs 100 tons of coal a day direct from the face of the coal seam down in the mine and loads it upon pit cars so fast that it keeps men on the jump to push the cars out of the way has been installed in one of the large mines of the Pittsburg district.

For years such a machine has been the dream of mine operators.

Machines which do much of the work of mining have been in operation several years but this is the first machine that loads the coal into the pit cars.

Montgomery News

Jun. 19, 1914

DR. WILCOX DRAWS A LEMON

Dr. I. O. Wilcox the popular physician of Panama was in town Tuesday with blood in his eye and a chip on his shoulder and itching for a fight.

It seems that Doc took out an accident insurance policy with the Great Eastern Casualty Co., of New York and he paid his dues very religiously and supposed he was safe and secure from harm because he carried accident insurance, and even if he did get hurt, he wouldn't be out anything, as the insurance company would foot the bill.

It seems, however, that Doc was winding up his automobile about six weeks ago and the critter kicked back, breaking his arm and putting him out of business completely. He promptly notified his company and expected to get a nice fat check from them in return, but instead of a check he received a notification from the company that they didn't insure him against automobile kicks and he therefore would get nothing. If Doc had read his policy he would probably have found that there was a clause under which he could have collected, provided he had been standing on his left ear at the time of the accident and trying to crank the auto with a button hook.

Then Doc concluded to let the people of this section know how he had been treated, so he prepared the following statement:

"I suffered a severe injury which took me out of the practice of medicine for six weeks. I had a policy in the Great Eastern Casualty Co. of New York. I received nothing for my injuries. Beware of the catch phrases in their contracts!"

Dr. I. O. Wilcox

Panama, Illinois

We'll bet a cookie that same big fat dub down in New York who is the daddy of the casualty company will see Doc's statement and rush home from the seashore where he has been sloshing around in salt water for a month, and he will refuse to eat another bite unless the directors of the skin-em-alive concern agrees to pay the claim of Dr. Wilcox.

Montgomery News

Jun. 23, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Joe Piprak, Panama, age 24

Edith Heller, Panama, age 26

Montgomery News

Jun. 26, 1914

PANAMA POLICE KILLS BURGLAR

On Tuesday night of this week at about midnight, Charles Bills, city marshal of Panama, surprised two burglars who were trying to  break into Mitchell's general store at Panama, and when one of the  men pulled a revolver on Bills and threatened to shoot, Bills fired  one shot and the bullet struck the stranger in the mouth and passed through his head, emerging at the back of his head and killing him instantly.

Coroner W. A. Gray was notified of the shooting and he went to Panama Wednesday morning and held an inquest, the jury being composed of George Pannell , foreman, Arthur Ware, C. P. Bliss, Frank Hartman, Fay Lyons and Thomas Smith. The witnesses who were called before the jury testified as follows:

William Faudi: "I was sitting in front of Sturm's saloon at about 11 or 11:30 Tuesday night and I saw two strangers cross the street and go over to Mitchell's store. They went around to the south side of the store and then one of them came back and sat down in the doorway of Mitchell's. I got up and went to the rear of the saloon. When I came back, I looked across the street and there stood city marshal Charlie Bills, in front of Mitchell's store, holding his flashlight in his left hand and his revolver in his right. He had the flashlight shining in the strangers face and the stranger was pointing a revolver at Bills. The stranger faced to the north and was slowly backing away from Bills who was walking towards the fellow and they were talking to each other. I was right in line with the strangers gun so I ducked down in the gutter and hollered to Charlie to crack down on him. When the stranger got around the corner, he told Charlie to back up or he would shoot him and then there came the flash from Charlie's revolver.

The stranger ran backwards a few steps and fell with his hands stretched back over his head and his gun beside him.

Max Von Brun, the constable of Panama, testified that he heard the shot and ran from his home and found Charles Bills and several others at the side of the dead man. As they were talking, the dead man's pal came around the corner and said, "Well we're here! We're here!" and Von Brun immediately placed the fellow under arrest. He found the 38 calibre revolver made by the Empire Arms Co., lying close to the dead man's hand and it was fully loaded with five shots. He also found two dozen cartridges for the gun in the dead man's pockets. The pal of the dead man said to them after he was arrested, "I will get all of you when I get back."

J. Sturm, proprietor of the saloon testified that he had closed his saloon and was standing outside talking to several friends when he noticed the two strangers walk across the street and disappear behind Mitchell's store. He then saw the old man come back and sit down in a reclining position in front of Mitchell's and then Charlie Bills, the policeman, went over and talked to the man. He then saw the stranger pull a gun and Bills did likewise and the stranger tried to back away, all the time threatening to shoot Bills if he didn't back up. Then came the flash from the revolver and the strange  dropped dead. He heard Bills say, "Don't shoot me." and the stranger replied, "If you don't back up, I'll shoot." After the shooting Bills remarked, "Boys, I've killed a man," and Sturms replied, "If you hadn't have got him he would certainly have killed you." Sturm then threw his flashlight in the other stranger's face as he came around the corner, and told Bills to arrest him and the dead man's pal was taken to the jail.

Charlie Bills testified as follows: "I was sitting in front of Sturm's saloon and noticed the two strangers cross the street and go over to Mitchell's store. They went around the corner and the old fellow came back alone. I didn't like their actions and kept my eye on them and when the old fellow sat down and lounged back in the doorway in a reclining position, I went over and asked him what his business was. He told me it was none of my G-- D----- business. I threw my flashlight on him and as he started to get up I saw a revolver in his coat pocket. I asked him what he had in his pocket and he again replied that it was none of my business and as he did so he pulled his gun in my face. I pulled my revolver at about the same time and we stood there facing each other. He started to back away from me and I followed up and as we got to the corner he said, "You back up or I'll kill you," and then I fired one shot and he fell backwards dead, without a word. I saw this fellow about nine or ten o'clock in company with three other fellows, one of them being the fellow who came around the corner and whom I arrested following the shooting."

After hearing the evidence, the jury found a verdict exonerating Bills from all blame.

The dead man apparently has a bad record and Officer Bills is very fortunate in escaping with his life. The stranger has evidently been in many shooting scrapes, as the scars on his body bear mute evidence of his past life. In his right arm near the shoulder was a bullet hole, evidently made with a 38 calibre revolver and his back had been peppered with shot. At one time he had been terribly injured as a scar was found extending from his left eyebrow back to the middle of his head and the blow that left this scar had cracked his skull leaving a depression along the entire length of the injury. He was apparently about 50 years old, bald, his hair gray and he wore a heavy mustache. He weighed about 165 pounds and he was poorly dressed. His pants were of Khaki and his coat and vest were of cheap black worsted. He wore a union suit, blue shirt and tan work shoes. His soft black hat was purchased at "Creiners, The young Men's Clothes Shop" located at Helene, Ark., and in the sweat band was punched the name of J. S. Gibbs. His spectacles had been purchased at Denver, Col. from the Geneva Optical Co. and on his arms were tattoo marks which may lead to his identification. On his left arm in blue ink were the initials "F. P." and they had been tattooed over the initials "B. E." which were put on his arm in red ink. There were many other blue marks on his arm indicating that he had at some time made an effort to erase some old identification marks. On his right arm was tattooed an anchor and rope. He had no upper teeth and his lower teeth were black from tobacco and were widely spaced apart. The bullet entered his mouth while he was evidently talking and it plowed through the back of his head, killing him instantly.

After the shooting and arrest of the dead man's companion, it was found that the screen door at the rear of Mitchell's store had been cut and a hole made large enough to admit a mans hand. The screen had then been unhooked and a large panel of glass had been removed from the door and set to one side very carefully, which indicated that the robbers intended to put the glass back in place and hide the fact that the place had been entered. This is the third time within a month that this store and that of Charlie Serenco in Panama had been entered and it is believed by the officers that the dead man and his three companions belong to a gang who have been visiting Panama and Sorento and other neighboring towns.

A few days ago the officers had reason to believe that a fellow named "Robert Clinton" who lived at Panama, knew something about the robberies and preparations were being made to arrest Clinton but someone evidently told Clinton and he disappeared. On Wednesday morning the home of Clinton was searched and quantities of dry goods, etc., were found hidden in a trunk which Clinton's wife insists she bought from a peddler but the Panama merchants believe it is goods that was stolen from their stores.

The three prisoners arrested at Panama and held in connection with the robbery give their names as Harry Day of Springfield, Ill., Matthew Falon of Reed Point, Montana, and Ed Williams of St. Louis.

Harry Day looks, acts and talks like a criminal and a degenerate.  He claims no place in particular as his home and is a tramp. The last work he did was in New Orleans, so he states, and he travels over the country for his health. He claims to know nothing about the dead man, although he was the fellow who walked across the street with him before the shooting took place and he was the same fellow who ran from the rear of Mitchell's store and into the arms of the police after the shot was fired.

Matthew Falon claims to be 20 years old and his arms are covered with large red scars which he says were caused by acid being spilled on him while he was unloading a freight car at Gillette, Wyoming. The officers feel confident he burned the places on his arms and has been begging on the strength of his injuries.

Jun. 26, 1914

GRISHAM TOWNSHIP ASSESSMENT

James Campbell, assessor of Grisham township, reports 418 horses worth $29,688, 630 cattle worth $22,886, 93 mules worth $7740, 233 sheep worth $667, 609 hogs worth $3546, 3 engines, 2 safes, 1 billiard table, 112 carriages and wagons, 12 automobiles worth $2245, 86 watches and clocks, 94 sewing machines, 25 pianos worth $2134 and 13 organs worth $171.

The merchandise is valued at $22,757; the agricultural tools, $3030. The assessor found $25 worth of diamonds.

The money other than banks is $23,778. The credits of banks amount to $19,051. Moneys of banks, $58,040. Saloons and eating houses, $1505. The grain is worth $4592.

The total value of all personal property is $167,901. Total value of all property is $921,597.

Those paying taxes on $4000 and more personal property are:

Urilla Aydelott $13,050

W. D. Boone $5001

C. H. Keith $4275

W. W. Mitchell $7770

Panama Bank $4002

J. A. Price $4565

C. Romania $4191

Montgomery News

Jun. 30, 1914

DONNELLSON

The man who was shot in the Panama burglary is still here in the Dunn undertaking parlor awaiting identification.

Montgomery News

Jul. 7, 1914

DETECTIVE TAKES FINGER PRINTS

A detective employed by the Clover Leaf Railroad Co. was here last Thursday questioning the three prisoners recently arrested at Panama on the night the robber was killed at that place. The railroad company has been losing heavily from freight thieves who boarded their freight trains and threw off freight at convenient points along the line. It is believed that owing to the hilly nature of the country around Panama that there was a bunch of thieves making their headquarters there and that the man killed and the three under arrest are members of this gang. It is almost certain that a "fence" for stolen goods was maintained at Panama and much of the stolen property was disposed of there at ridiculously low prices.

The three young men under arrest, who give their names as Ed Williams, Harry Day alias Harry Gaddis and Matthew Falon alias Adam Sheffield, admit they have been in Panama and Sorento several times but they can't give any good reason for going there. They claim Chicago as their home but that they are travelers and "just happened" to stop off at Panama by accident each time.

The railroad detective doesn't take much stock in their story and is inclined to believe that when they accidentally jumped off at Panama, several valuable boxes of freight accidentally happened to jump off the train with them. He took the fingerprints of the prisoners back to Chicago with him and a determined effort will be made to put these young alleged crooks in the penitentiary.

The method for taking finger prints is very simple but interesting. 

A printer's ink roller is first rolled over a slab of glass, so as to leave a thin coating of ink on the glass. The prisoner's fingers are then pressed on the glass and then pressed upon a sheet of paper. At first the fingers of the right hand are taken one at a time on one edge of the paper and then the fingers of the left hand are taken on the opposite side of the sheet. Then the entire five finger tips are taken at one impression on the sheet and the prisoner is required to sign the sheet, acknowledging the finger prints are his own and the date the impression was taken. In taking the finger prints singly, the fingers are gently rolled from one side to the other so as to get the full impression of the inside of the finger, from one side of the finger nail to the other. The impressions of the backs of the fingers or the hand are not taken as the backs undergo a change but experts state that the inside of a human hand never changes in appearance and the lines found in the hand of a youth will be exactly the same as when years have passed and youth has made room for old age.

Montgomery News

Jul. 14, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Charlie Yuhose, Panama, age 35

Mrs. Katae Yuliana, Panama, age 33

A marriage license was secured by Charlie Yuhose and Mrs. Katae Yuliana, both of Panama, and the ceremony was performed by Judge Dryer last Saturday morning.

Montgomery News

Jul. 24, 1914

WRECK AT PANAMA

A freight train on the Clover Leaf line was wrecked one quarter of a mile west of Panama on Wednesday evening of this week, about seven o'clock. The big Shoal Creek trestle, over which the train crossed, broke through, overturning seven of the cars and leaving the engine and back cars on the track.

A number of sheep and hogs were killed, several cattle suffered injuries, and a car load of wheat and window glass was broken open, but no one was killed.

Montgomery News

Aug. 4, 1914

HILLSBORO JUICE AT GREENVILLE

Thirty-three thousand volts of electricity is now being transformed into twenty-three hundred volts in this city and Greenville is now being furnished with the invisible "juice" from Hillsboro, 22 miles away. The electricity was first sent over the wires of this city at 6:30 Tuesday evening and it took about two seconds to make the shift from the old local plant to the new transforming station just installed by the Southern Illinois Light and Power Co., of Hillsboro, owners of the Greenville plant.

After twenty years of nightly service, including several years of 24-hour service, the old plant in Greenville, first installed by the Bruckmann Co., of St. Louis, may now rest on its laurels. It has served its purpose well. Much of its wire and machinery was the residue of the Chicago World's Fair back in 1893. Of recent years the plant had been extensively remodeled and improved. It had been giving excellent service and will be kept in reserve by the company for some time to come. Under the present conditions, Greenville is now safeguarded against darkness by the new plant and by the old, which in all, makes a triple guarantee against a lack of current.

The Southern Illinois Light and Power Co., has expended on the line from Hillsboro to Greenville, including the new transforming station, more than $100,000 in the past six months. In this cost there are 66 miles of copper wire from Hillsboro to Greenville. This is called No. 2 wire and is extra heavy as well as very expensive. The line is well built and comes down over the Hillsboro-Greenville road most all the way to town. In the bottom north of Greenville, it goes west of the city and comes into the corporation in the southwest end and into the transforming station, which is the old artificial gas plant, across South Third Street from the old electric light plant.

The building has been remodeled into an up-to-the-minute transforming station.

J. H. Fletcher of the Allen and Garcia Co., of Chicago, has been in charge of the work since its inception. His company is an engineering corporation whose business it is to contract for the installation of such work. Mr. Fletcher has superintended the work successfully and from the time the cut over was made Tuesday evening, he stayed steadily on the job all night Tuesday night to see that everything went along smoothly, which it did. No one was the wiser except those in charge, when the change was made from the old to the new, it was done so quietly and inconspicuously.

From this same line, Donnellson is also receiving electricity and a branch line has been run over to Panama and to the mine there. The Hillsboro company is now supplying 19 towns and cities with electricity. Five distinct plants are producing the current for the 19 places. These plants are now located at Hillsboro, Collinsville, O'Fallon, Eldorado and Gillespie. Eventually, it is the intention to eliminate all but two of the plants, at Hillsboro and Collinsville. They will be connected properly and supply the juice for the entire 19 towns and possibly more.

Montgomery News

Aug. 11, 1914

PRISONERS ARE FROM EAST ST. LOUIS

Two of the prisoners in the Hillsboro jail, arrested June 23 at Panama, when one robber was shot and killed, have been identified as two East St. Louis youths. The fellow who gave his name as Edward Williams is Cyrus Cofield and the fellow who gave his name as Matthew Falon is George M. Curtis, and both are well known to the police force of East St. Louis where they have records. The mother of Curtis came here Sunday to see her son.

Montgomery News

Aug. 18, 1914

SUES SHOAL CREEK COAL CO.

Thomas Fortune Burke, by Keefe and Sullivan of East St. Louis, his attorneys, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company, of Panama, for $3000.

The declaration states that on Aug. 28, 1913, the plaintiff was operating a motor car run by electricity in the defendant's mine, and through the negligence of the company, the supply of electricity was not properly regulated, as a result of which, the motor he was operating ran and struck against a number of empty coal cars which were thrown against certain props adjacent to the track, causing them to fall against the plaintiff, whereby his legs were broken and crushed and his body greatly bruised, mangled and wounded, causing him to be permanently injured.

PANAMA RESIDENT DIES

James Cole died at his home in Panama on Thursday of last week, death being due to his aged condition. Deceased was well known and highly esteemed in that community. The funeral services were held Friday afternoon.

Montgomery News

Aug. 21, 1914

SUES FOR SUDS

The Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, by M. J. McMurray, its attorney, has sued Tom Coquatto for $313.06 worth of beer the plaintiff claims Tom got and never paid for. The suit is brought in the circuit court to the November term.

Mr. Coquatto is a saloon keeper in Panama and as his name indicates, came from the vine clad hills and sunny slopes of the land where the spaghetti bushes and citron groves flourish.

Montgomery News

Aug. 25, 1914

WHO WAS TO BLAME?

Mrs. Mitchell of Panama, who is recognized here as being one of the best and most careful automobile lady drivers in this county, visited Litchfield last week and while there, unfortunately ran over the foot of a Litchfield lady who stepped from the walk to the street, directly in front of Mrs. Mitchell's car.

The Litchfield Daily News, in speaking of the accident, says: "Carelessness on the part of a woman driving a big touring car, was responsible for slight injuries to Mrs. Jacob Walker, Friday afternoon." Then the News tells of the accident and says: "The car was not moving at an excessive rate of speed. Mrs. Walker failed to see it because of a raised sun-shade, etc. etc." We are not acquainted with the facts in the case but we can't help but wonder if it wasn't really carelessness on the part of Mrs. Walker in stepping from the walk to the street without looking to see if a vehicle or auto was coming in her direction. She had been talking to a friend on the side walk and turned and stepped into the street in front of the auto and the accident which befell her is one that dozens of women in this country narrowly escapes every day simply because they won't look out for themselves. One can stand on any prominent corner in any city in the county for an hour and see the women crossing the streets, talking and laughing but never looking to the right or left to see if they are in danger. They expect the auto drivers to do all the watching and it is a wonder more accidents do not happen.

We have seen women stand on a street corner, apparently waiting for an auto to pass, and when one gets within range, they almost break their necks crossing the street in front of it and when about halfway across, they turn and run back to where they started. The experienced auto driver has become so accustomed to these actions that they take no chances where a woman starts across in front of them and give her a wide berth as no one can tell what way a woman will run.

Montgomery News

Sep. 8, 1914

TONNAGE OF COAL HOISTED

R. W. Sauerbier, county inspector of coal mines, has prepared the following record showing the number of tons of coal hoisted during the year ending June 30, 1914.

Mr. Sauerbier states that the records show an increase in coal hoisted in this county amounting to forty per cent within the last four years and Montgomery county is now one of the big coal producing counties in the state.

Shoal Creek Coal Company, Panama 540,075

Peabody Coal Company No. 14, Witt 517,782

Peabody Coal Company No. 10, Nokomis 366,071

Peabody Coal Company No. 11, Kortkamp 318,625

Hillsboro Coal Company, Hillsboro 316,402

Peabody Coal Company No. 15, Taylor Springs 297,427

Peabody Coal Company No. 12, Witt 170,889

Clover Leaf Coal Company, Coffeen 95,763

Nokomis Coal Company No. 1, Nokomis 78,805

Farmersville Coal Company, Farmersville 35,414

Total 2,738,254 tons

Fatal accidents - 10

Non-fatal accidents losing 30 days or more - 64

Montgomery News

Sep. 22, 1914

SUES FOR $10,000

M. J. McMurray, administrator of the estate of John Guminski, deceased, by Theo. R. Bland and David Biggs, his attorneys, has sued the Shoal Creek Coal Company of Panama, for $10,000.

The suit is for the killing of John Guminski in the company's mine on Sept. 19, 1913. The declaration avers that deceased was 30 years of age and was earning $75 a month, that the defendant mine elected not to come under the provisions of the compensation act and therefore is shut out of the defenses of "assumed risk" or "contributory negligence." The declaration further avers that the entry into which the deceased was sent to work was in a dangerous and unsafe condition, the roof thereof being without the necessary props and was loose; that because of the necessary caps and timbers the roof fell on the deceased, killing him. The deceased left Victoria Guminski, his widow, and one child, Locyan, born after his death.

SHOOTING AT PANAMA

Steve Vicena, a foreign coal miner of Panama, is in jail charged with trying to kill John Urda, another coal miner.

From the information secured by Sheriff Kiggins, as we go to press, it seems that John Urda lives with his wife on a small farm near Panama, and on Saturday night, Urda saw three men prowling around the place. He loaded his shotgun and when the men tried to enter his place, he fired on them. The three men returned the fire, shooting a half dozen shots with revolvers at the house but injuring no one. The shot from Urda's gun, however, punctured Vicena's face in a half dozen places and peppered his right arm but did not seriously injure him.

He went to a physician and said his injuries were inflicted by his "buddy" while they were rabbit hunting. The trouble apparently dates back several months and the State's Attorney and Sheriff are trying to probe the matter to the bottom.

Montgomery News

Oct. 2, 1914

THE PANAMA MURDER CASE

The trial of Frank Sandoski, charged with murdering a man named Petroski in Panama on April 2, last, is going on in Greenville as we go to press. The details of the alleged murder were published in full at the time it occurred. Sandoski claims he dropped his revolver and it was discharged, killing Petroski, who was his friend.

Hill & Bullington of this city are defending and Frank Ramey is helping prosecute. We understand that the defense claim the alleged crime was committed in this county, and not in Bond.

Montgomery News

Oct. 6, 1914

FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER

Frank Sandoski, who was tried last week at Greenville for the killing of a man named Petroski at Panama on April 2, was found guilty of manslaughter.

Montgomery News

Oct. 13, 1914

DAMAGE SUIT

Frank Ramey filed a damage suit in the circuit court Monday morning. George Misek sues Joe Kish for $2500. Misek claims Kish assaulted him at Panama some time ago and beat him up so badly that he had to be taken to the hospital.

Montgomery News

Nov. 3, 1914

COAL MINER KILLED AT PANAMA

James Hancock, a coal miner employed at Panama, fell into the shaft Sunday at 8:20 o'clock and was instantly killed.

Mr. Hancock was putting timbers on the cage and he accidently gave the engineer the signal to lower the cage. He then pushed a car loaded with props into the shaft, thinking he was pushing the car onto the cage. The load of props and the unfortunate man, fell to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 370 feet.

The deceased leaves a wife and several small children. He was about 40 years old and stood very high in the estimation of everyone who knew him. Coroner W. A. Gray went to Panama Monday morning to hold the inquest.

Montgomery News

Nov. 17, 1914

GRAND JURY INDICTMENT

An "omnibus" indictment is found against Cyrus Cofield alias Edward Williams, George Curtis alias Matthew Falon and Harry Gaddis alias Harry Day. The three aliases are charged with entering forcibly the dwelling house of Ernest Everett on June 23, 1914, and stealing 30 handkerchiefs, 6 pairs of socks, two 20 dollar bills, two 10 dollar bills and five 5 dollar bills. The witnesses are Ernest Everett, George Little, Jake Evans, Mancil Coyle, Charlie Pullen, Charles Bills and M. T. Kiggins.

George Curtis and Harry Gaddis, together with their aliases, are also indicted for breaking into Walter Mitchell's house with intent to commit burglary. The witnesses are the same as on the other indictment.

SHOT IN THE REAR

A Panama Italian coal miner, while out hunting with eight or ten other Italians, 7 miles south of Panama, was shot in the north end Sunday, while he was headed south. The whole backside of his system was filled with number 4 shot and it is said that when Dr. Everett treated him, the fellow spilled shot all over the doctor's office. It is even hinted that Dr. Everett had the companions of the injured man, pick him up and shake him as they would a salt cellar and the shot fairly rained down on the floor. While the Italian's injuries are quite painful and he will stand up to eat his meals, he will recover.

A BIG CLASS

About 20 applicants for naturalization papers were examined Tuesday, and 15 of them were admitted to citizenship. Among those admitted were, Mike Pretnar, Henry Kehus and Sufen Lunk of Panama.

Montgomery News

Nov. 20, 1914

CIRCUIT COURT

The case of Anton Nagalil against the Shoal Creek Coal Company, was tried Monday afternoon and resulted in a verdict of $700 for plaintiff. Plaintiff's shoulder was crushed and his arm was broken in the Panama coal mine by a fall of slate. He claims he was permanently injured, although he is able to work some.

Montgomery News

Dec. 1, 1914

CIRCUIT COURT

Wednesday, the case against Cyrus Cofield alias Edward Williams and George Curtis alias Matthew Falon indicted for burglary and larceny, was tried. Harry Gaddis alias Harry Day, was indicted with the other two, but there was no evidence against him and State's Attorney Major entered a nolle to his indictment. There is another indictment, however, against Gaddis, for breaking into Mitchell's store in Panama, and stealing a lot of goods. Cofield and Curtis were charged with breaking into the residence of Dr. Everett in Panama on the night of June 23, 1914, and taking $70 in money, a gold watch, a revolver, a lot of handkerchiefs, socks and napkins. The case was vigorously fought by L. V. Hill. McLin Brown was appointed to defend Gaddis, but when the evidence failed to connect his client with the alleged crime and when a nolle was entered as to him, McLin gracefully tangoed out of the case and left Vene Hill to tread the wine press alone.

There was only one slight circumstance that seemed to fix the guilt of Cofield and Curtis. Some of the telltale nose rags stolen from Dr. Everett were found in their possession. These were positively identified by Dr. Everett's wife. It seems she had mended or patched two of the handkerchiefs and she recognized her "handwriting" with the needle. She also identified a napkin with a patched hole in it which was found in the possession of the defendants. This napkin, she explained, had been used by her over the mouth of the family vinegar jug and the fumes of the acid had eaten a hole through it which she had patched. Warning to burglars: Don't burgle a residence where the housewife patches the family handkerchiefs and napkins!

A funny thing happened in the course of this trial. The defendants had six or eight witnesses here from Panama to prove their good character. These witnesses all testified that the defendants had an excellent reputation for honesty in and around Panama. But the young men had been in East St. Louis for some months and State's Attorney Major called up the chief of police of that city when the court adjourned for supper and quoted scripture to him. He said, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." And just as the defendant's last witness had testified that the two young men had a character for probity around Panama above reproach, six stalwart East St. Louis policemen got off the ten o'clock interurban car and filed into the court house!

The defense was taken completely by surprise and consternation was so thick around them that you could cut it with a knife! The policemen all swore they knew the defendants well and that their reputations in East St. Louis for honesty was bad - very bad. They had been arrested in East St. Louis repeatedly and were under constant surveillance by the police. It took until after midnight Wednesday night to conclude the case and the jury was sent out to consider their verdict. The court went home to snatch a few hours rest, but at 6 o'clock Thursday morning he was sent for and a verdict of guilty was returned and Cyrus Cofield alias Edward Williams and George Curtis alias Matthew Falon ate their Thanksgiving dinner at the Sheriff Kiggins beanery.

Montgomery News

Dec. 4, 1914

CIRCUIT COURT

Harry Gaddis plead guilty to burglarizing Mitchell's store in Panama June 23, 1914, and was sentenced to the penitentiary.

Montgomery News

Dec. 18, 1914

BOOZE UNBALANCES HIS BRAIN

Jack Strum, a former saloon keeper of Panama, was brought to Hillsboro Sunday charged with being insane. The physicians state that he is charged with booze more than anything else and he will be taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment instead of being taken to the insane asylum.

Montgomery News

Dec.22, 1914

MARRIAGE LICENSES

John W. Sills, Coffeen, age 20

Hazel Vaughn Havron, Panama, age 17

Annual Coal Report for Year Ending June 1915

The Shoal Creek Coal Co. has made the following improvements:

One five ton gathering motor.

Six Draeger helmets, mouth breathing type.

Made a new air course 2000 feet long through solid coal.

Enlarged all air courses.

Removed about 500 railroad cars of dirt from the roads.

Installed an 800 ton capacity coal crusher.

Installed a 300 KW motor generator set.

Installed an electric motor on the fan and an electric pump on bottom of main shaft

Made about 3000 feet of new motor haulage roads.

Reconstructed wire lines in mine.

FATALITIES:

On Nov. 1, 1914, James Hancock, laborer, aged 35, married with 4 children, fell down the shaft and was killed. Deceased and another man were trying to put a car of timbers on the cage. The cage being a little too high to allow the cars to go on, they gave the engineer the signal to lower it, and putting their backs against the car, pushed it into the shaft, the deceased following it in. The signal to stop the cage was not given until it was halfway down.

At 7:00 AM on Apr. 5, 1915, an explosion occurred in the Shoal Creek Coal Co.'s mine at Panama, which resulted in the death of eleven men. They were: John Fritz, aged 45, Italian, married with 3 children.

Joe Stella, aged 32, Italian, single.

Battista Tivan, aged 34, Italian, single.

Louis Stella, aged 40, Italian, single.

Peter Stella, aged 33, Italian, single.

Andrew Saban, aged 32, Italian, married with 3 children.

Dave Thomas, aged 27, married with 1 child.

Joe Mihlich, aged 28, Italian, married with 1 child.

Thomas Fritz, aged 26, Italian, married with 2 children.

T. H. Burns, aged 42, married with 4 children.

Joseph Renner, aged 28, Hungarian, married with 2 children.

NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS:

On Oct. 2, 1914, Frank Omek, aged 34, single, had his leg injured by falling coal, resulting in 35 days lost time.

On Nov. 27, 1914, William Evans, aged 35, married with 3 children, had his arm broken by a jack handle, resulting in 35 days lost time.

On Dec. 2, 1914, Leopold Sebanick, aged 35, married with 2 children, had his arm broken by a falling prop, resulting in 56 days lost time.

On Jun. 11, 1915, William Sloat, aged 60, married with 2 children, had his finger broken by a dropped door, resulting in 45 days lost time.

On Jan. 23, 1915, Dave Thomas, aged 30, married, had his body injured by a pit car, resulting in 60 days lost time.

On Feb. 5, 1915, Pete Ceretto, aged 30, single, had his foot broken by a falling prop, resulting in 40 days lost time.

On Feb. 24, 1915, Liberal Tavan, aged 45, single, had his leg injured by falling coal, resulting in 120 days lost time.

On Mar. 16, 1915, Henry Cruthis, aged 28, single, had his hand broken by a pit car, resulting in 82 days lost time.

On Apr. 12, 1915, Alfred May, aged 19, single, had his thumb broken, resulting in 35 days lost time.

MINE OUTPUT:

26,760 tons of mine run

253,573 tons of lump

267,800 tons of other grades

548,133 Total tons

229,496 tons loaded on rail cars for shipment.

281,415 tons sold to railroad.

2,696 tons sold locally.

34,528 tons comsumed or wasted.

126,675 pounds of explosive used.

223 days of operation.

594 average number of employees.

21 mining machines.