Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, April 5 , 1923 -- THIEVES AND HOLD-UP MEN ACTIVE -- Thieves and hold-up men have been uncomfortably active in this vicinity during the past week, two visits having been paid to the property of the Stolze Lumber Co. in our city and on Monday morning M. Katz of Benld was held up and robbed of about $1100 in cash and merchandise by a party of three men.

The first robbery at the Stolze Lumber Co. occurred during the night from Friday to Saturday, at which time the glass in the front door at the office was broken out and an entrance effected. A quantity of change, was taken from the cash register. On the following night someone stole the carbeurator, manifold, distributor and other parts off of the Maxwell truck which the company had standing in their yards. In neither instance has a clue been obtained to the identity of the guilty parties.

During the night of April 6 someone gained entrance to the rear of the shoe shining parlor on South Union street and made their get-away with a small amount of cash from the register as well as some cigars and cigarettes.

Monday morning at about seven o'clock, Mr. M. Katz of Benld, father of A. Katz of Staunton, opened up his store in our neighbor city and a short time later two young men came in and asked to see some suits. After looking about a bit the fellows bought a suit of clothes and a pair of shoes, their total purchases amounting to $80.

They tendered Mr. Katz a $100 bill in payment and he went to the cash register to get the change. The fellows followed him and after he had opened the register, struck him over the head, the blow rendering him unconscious. They then robbed the register of its contents, about $1020 and made their escape. Mr. Katz lay on the floor of his store unconscious, where about an hour later he was found by one of the clerks. Other members of the Katz family were asleep upstairs and knew nothing of what had happened. Neighbors afterwards stated that they had seen the two young men enter the store and that a third remained outside in a large automobile.

Mr. Katz had the above considerable sum of cash on hand by reason of the fact that he had not been able to go to the bank Saturday afternoon and had done a considerable business during the evening hours. He brought the money down with him from upstairs and had planned to deposit it as soon as the banks opened Monday morning.

Mr. Katz was unconscious for several hours after the hold-up but is now getting along as well as may be expected. A large portion of the loss is covered by insurance. Up to the present the authorities have no clue toward the apprehension of the guilty parties.

COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL IS AGAIN ACCREDITED -- Official communication has been received from the State University to the effect that the Staunton Community High School is to have accredited relations with them for this year and next. This action follows an inspection made a few weeks ago, and means much to the high school; in fact, the news will be received with considerable pleasure by all who are interested in and looking toward educational advancement in Staunton.

It will probably be remembered that the high school was removed from the list of accredited high schools last year because of serious deficiencies in equipment and crowded conditions; thus, it may be considered a noteworthy achievement for it to have regained the required standard in so short a time.

It must not be assumed, however, that the High School has reached a state of excellence and that therefore nothing further remains to be done; nothing could be farther from the truth. The criticisms and recommendations made by the inspector shows that the work has only begun.

Among the favorable items mentioned by the inspector was excellent discipline and spirit of the entire school; another was the training, efficiency and harmony of the teachers; a third was the well-balanced course of study offered.

Numerous criticisms with recommendations for improvement were made; there is need for greater and better library facilities; more room for science and commercial work; a better co-operation by parents with a view of better attendance; and most of all, a special need for a modern fire-proof building to meet the needs of our school children.

That the High school is fast becoming a dominant factor in our community may be seen when one learns that the enrollment is nearly two hundred; there is no question but that with a modern building with necessary conveniences, this number would be nearer three hundred.

Much improvement and advancement has been made, but the greater work still lies before us; at the present time, the citizens of Staunton have the chance to provide their children with the educational needs which they should have; will we reach out and grasp the opportunity now, or shall we side-step the issue longer?

FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SEE 'THE THIRD ALARM" AT LABOR TEMPLE SUNDAY -- The management of the The Temple Theatre has invited the members of the local Fire Department as guests at the matinee performance of The Third Alarm which will be shown on that theatre on next Sunday, matinee and night.

"The Third Alarm,"directed by Emory Johnson, promises to be of great Interest to the boys of the local department as it shows the change the last decade has made in fire fighting equipment and methods.

While "The Third Alarm" has been invested with truly magnificent love interest and stupendous dramatic thrills, it also shows what hazards the fireman confronts, how he struggles manfully to support his family, how he goes to his duty, no matter how great the danger. and how, in the end, the public is all too likely to forget what a fine and noble work the fire-fighter has achieved. At no time does Mr. Johnson become preachy. "The Third Alarm" is first of all entertainment, but in the development of his homely theme, Mr. Johnson has gone far beyond the mere individuals with whom he has told his story and shows the noble and unselfish instincts which actuate the average fireman in the pursuit of his duty.

In the cast are such well known players as Ralph Lewis, in the role of the veteran fire-fighter; Johnnie Walker, Ella Hall. Richard Morris and others.