Days Gone By In

Stories from the files of the Staunton Star-Times in years gone by.

Thursday, April 19 , 1923 -- IS HIT BY AUTO -- Little Eleanor Jones on Tuesday at about noon was struck by an automobile driven by a tourist. The accident occurred at the southwest corner of the city park. Several of the little one's teeth were knocked out and she was scratched and bruised about the face and head, but fortunately not seriously injured.

CAR RAN WILD -- Car No. 276 on the McKinley System which takes early morning passengers to St. Louis, ran wild for several minutes this morning near Edwardsville, the crew and several passengers wondering what was going to happen. Persons who saw the "runaway" estimated the speed at 50 to 60 miles an hour. When one of the crew was pressed this morning he admitted that the speed was about 40 miles an hour.

A part of the brake control broke, probably on the hill west of the County Home.

The car went around the curve at St. Louis and Benton streets at 40 miles an hour or better. The trolley jumped the wire and was not replaced until after the car stopped.

No stop was made at the Wabash crossing. The motorman was powerless. The car sped down the incline, over the derail and crossing and up the opposite incline.

Some of the "pep" was lost in climbing the grade east of St. John's M.E. church. At the curve at Main and St. Louis streets the car barely missed a truck. The car stopped on the next curve at Main street and Hillsboro avenue.

Then, with the greatest care, the power was applied and the car backed into the Purcell street tracks where it stood until towed into the shop for repair. A special car was sent from Staunton to take the passengers into St. Louis.

Motorman O.M. Stewart and Conductor, J.A. Gilliam, both of St. Louis were in charge of the car. It was the wildest ride they have ever experienced.

Thursday, April 26, 1923 -- FOURTH ROBBERY AT STANDARD STATION -- Holding up the Standard Oil filling station in Staunton seems to be becoming a regular Sunday evening pastime, the fourth robbery having occurred there some time during the night from Sunday to Monday.

Entrance was gained by forcing the lock on one of the windows on the west side and once in the building the thief or thieves pulled the combination out of the safe and then pried open the inner compartments, secured the desired cash. $245.62 was in the safe over Sunday night and this is the amount of the loot secured.

There is always a light burning in the Standard station over night and this was burning Monday morning when the station was re-opened. The culprits evidently concealed themselves behind some oil containers and with the aid of the light furnished them by the Standard, broke open the safe.

Indications are that these jobs are being pulled off by fellows who know their business, as they made a clean job of it. When the station here was robbed the third time, the one at Effingham was entered the following night and the two robberies were perpetrated in just about the same manner, which leads to the conclusion that thieves travelling along the hard roads are the guilty parties.

MRS. FRANCIS BOND WHITE PLAGUE VICTIM --

The great White Plague on Thursday morning claimed another victim when Mrs. Francis Bond, nee Wilkus, was summoned from this life. Death occurred at 8:45 o'clock at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Wilkus, and she attained an age of only 22 years, 4 months and 9 days.

The subject of this sketch was born at Holthausen, Germany, on December 10, 1900, and in March, 1911, came with her parents to Staunton, where on May 8, 1918, she was united in marriage with George Bond. No children were born of their union.

About fourteen months ago she became afflicted with the dread disease, tuberculosis, which continued until the cord of life was severed.

RAIDED ORTIC INN -- Deputy sheriffs Friess, Razor, Blomfield, Cramer and Wilson on Saturday evening staged a raid at the Ortic Inn, the popular road house just south of Carllnville. It's said that the presence of the officers created quite a ripple of excitement among the guests and that there was a mad scramble on the part of the gentlemen to get rid of pocket flasks, in fact the dance floor was given a real soaking as a result of the numerous bottles being dropped upon it to destroy evidence. Officers have been suspicious of the Inn for some time and made the raid in quest of so-called port wine and hip liquor.

COMMENTARY -- That it is possible to clean up centers of lawlessness if the proper efforts are put forth was demonstrated at Benld Sunday evening. Officers from the sheriff's office visited our neighbor city, expecting to find women of questionable character in some of the resorts, but to their surprise found everything quiet. Benld officials had earlier in the day given the "ladies" warning to get out of town and stay out unless they wanted to be taken into charge by county and state officers. State's Attorney Harlan has let it be known that Macoupin county will not permit herself to be the dumping ground for the rabble which is at present being ran out of Montgomery and Sangamon counties.

FIREMEN'S DANCE A SUCCESS -- The dance given at the Struck Hall on Thursday evening by the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department proved to be a complete success from all points of view. One of the largest crowds ever assembled at a dance in this vicinity was in attendance and all appeared to be enjoying themselves.

The members of the Volunteer Fire Department desire to express their thanks and appreciation of the liberal support accorded them and wish to particularly thank Messrs. Struck for the use of their hall, which was given free of charge.

Quite a neat sum was cleared as a result of the dance and this will be used by the boys in buying needed articles and in fitting up their club room when the same is ready for occupancy.