Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, February 8 , 1923 -- VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED -- At a meeting of those interested in the organization of a volunteer fire department in our city, held Friday evening, the first steps toward perfecting an organization were taken. Dr. C.P. Stuttle was elected president and Harry R. Kuenen secretary. A by-law committee comprised of H.O. Panhorst, Anthony Safko and Paul D. Weiss was named and Ralph "Cotton" Soapes and Clem Haferkamp were appointed as extra drivers for the new fire truck. Chief of Poice Safko is also fire chief and he has been asked to name two assistants, so that there will always be some one available who is trained in the manipulation of the equipment.

Another meeting is to be held at the Council Room in the City Hall on Friday evening and at that time the report of the by-law committee will be received and other business transacted. Application for membership are still being received and all those interested are asked to attend this meeting and make application.

INSTALLING NEW EQUIPMENT -- The bulk of the new equipment for the local electric light plant arrived early last week and most of it has now been placed in position and will be ready for operation just as soon as the new switch board can be installed. City officials state that approximately two weeks may lapse before all the work is completed. Quite a few of our citizens have visited the plant to look at the new machinery and all are enthusiastic in their praises. Approximately $18,000 are being spent for this equipment, but when the same is tuned up and in proper operation Staunton will have a mighty fine municipal plant which will give its patrons excellent services.

DIED OF SCALD WOUNDS -- George Skertich, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John Skertich, who reside at 415 E. 7th Street in our city, on Wednesday of the past week succumbed to scald wounds sustained earlier in the day. One of the other members of the Skertich family accidentally spilled some hot water,which fell on the child, severely scalding it about the body. Coroner Jacoby conducted an inquest and interment took place Thursday morning, funeral services being conducted at the St. Michael's church. Besides the parents, the little one, who was only 1 year and 29 days old, is survived by several brothers and sisters.

GILLESPIE SCHOOLS RE-OPENED -- The Gillespie public schools on Monday morning resumed their sessions after having been closed since Feb. 1 on account of a lack of funds. A special election was held Saturday to raise the levy for school funds and this was carried by a vote of 1128 to 196. The rate is now 3 per cent for educational purposes and 1 per cent for building purposes. The constitutional limit is 2 per cent for educational and three-fourths per cent for building purposes and the consent of the voters is necessary before these levies may be increased. Although the passage of the increased levy does not make any funds immediately available, it gives the school officers a near margin of which to borrow at their banks.

A PECULIAR ACCIDENT -- Dr. D.L. Bley and his driver, Ed Lloyd, on Monday evening had a peculiar experience as they drove down the Caho hill on the hard road north of Staunton. They met another car and just as the two machines passed one another, something struck the windshield on the Bley car, demolishing it. Mr. Lloyd sustained several slight cuts from flying glass, but fortunately no one else was hurt. It presumed that the wheels of the passing car threw a small rock in such a manner as to hit the windshield and break it.

COMMENTARY -- Once more the Star-Times feels called upon to say a few words regarding the cindering of the south approach to the hard road. After waiting for several weeks about half of the job was finally put in and since then several more weeks have elapsed during which time absolutely nothing has been done. When this proposition first came up we understood that the entire stretch from the hard road to the former Eccles' corner was to be cindered. However nothing has been done on that portion of the road from Fritz's corner to Eccles' corner. Why not? Surely it cannot be on account of a lack of funds as the money is ready, waiting to be used for this purpose. It appears to the Star-Times that it is about time to quit passing the buck and settle down to business. One can hardly blame people for being reluctant about giving financial aid to any so-called local improvement, because we have never yet seen one put through in the proper manner. Some one always gums up the works. The money is there, the teamsters can be secured, so if there is any reason why the job should not be done at once, we'd like to know what it is. Let's get this work done or else let's have a real explanation of the delay.

PNEUMONIA AND INFLUENZA DONT'S -- Reports to the state department of public health indicate a decided increase in the numbers of pneumonia and influenza throughout the state. Health Commissioner Bundesen, Chicago, says: "Unless the people take common-sense precautions to maintain their health resistance to the germs of these diseases they may be stricken."

Dr. Isaac D. Rawlings, director of public health, calls attention to the following "don'ts" which were issued by the Chicago department of health.

Don't live in the dark.

Don't shut the sunshine out of your home.

Don't exclude the fresh air.

Don't go into crowded places.

Don't associate with people who sneeze and cough in your presence.

Don't use common towels.

Don't overtax your physical powers.

Cut out evening entertainments.

Be in bed by ten o'clock. Get nine hours sleep.

Don't fail to sleep with every window in your bedroom open.

Don't fail to call your doctor for yourself or any member of your family at the first sign of illness. Better be safe than sorry.

Don't allow your home to become damp, chilly or uncomfortable. See to it that it is kept at a temperature of at least 68 to 70 degrees all the time.

Don't fail, if possible, to walk to your work in the morning and to your home at night. The open air exercise will be of decided benefit.

Children in the family where there is a case of influenza are not allowed to attend school, and must remain on the premises. This means that they must not associate with other children in the neighborhood.

It is important for your own and others safety that you learn to cough, spit or sneeze in a safe manner. Cough or sneeze into your handkerchief, or better, a soft paper napkin which can be burned; pocket handkerchiefs so used should be thoroughly boiled.

Do not visit a home where there is a case of influenza, and thus save carrying the infection back to your own family.

Keep your feet dry and warm. Avoid sudden chills and drafts, undue exertion and exposure.

And finally—don't forget the importance of having plenty of fresh air all the time, whether at work or play, asleep or awake.