Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, June 21, 1923 -- GEORGE L. BOND KILLED BY TRAIN -- Leslie J. Ore had Lucky Escape when Auto was Hit by Train -- George L. Bond, age 25, was almost instantly killed and Leslie J. Ore slightly injured when an automobile in which the men were riding was struck by a Clover Leaf train, northeast of Alhambra Thursday afternoon at about 3:15 o'oclock. Both men were employed as salesmen for the Brubaker & Smith garage and were calling on farmers in that vicinity, endeavoring to interest them in the purchase of tractors.

According to information we were able to secure, Mr. Ore was driving the car at the time. The road crosses the tracks twice within a comparatively short distance at the place where the accident occurred and after making the first crossing the road runs along near the track. The Ford coupe in which the men were riding was headed in a westerly direction and the train which struck them came along from the rear. Mr. Ore stated that he did not hear the train whistle if it whistled at all and that he was unaware of the presence of the train until the engine was almost upon them. In the next instant it was all over. Bond was thrown a distance of about 100 feet while Ore and the car were hurled about 50 feet. Ore was not rendered unconscious by the force of the impact and started to look for his companion as soon as he could get to his feet.

Bond was bleeding profusely from a number of wounds about the head, face, arm and leg and with the assistance of the train men, Ore helped place him on a stretcher and onto the train. Among the passengers was a physician who upon examination found him to be dead. Ore sustained a cut on the back of his head and another in the back and was bruised about the hip, ankle and chest, and although his wounds are healing nicely, he is at present confined to his home, finding it difficult to get about due to a general soreness.

Coroner Mercer of Madison county was notified shortly after the accident and an inquest was conducted at Alhambra Friday morning at which Ore was one of the principal witnesses. The jury returned a verdict of death being due to being accidentally struck by a Clover Leaf train. The remains of Bond were brought to our city Thursday evening and the funeral was conducted Sunday afternoon from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Bond.

Members of the Brubaker & Smith garage force on Saturday went to the scene of the wreck to bring in the car in which the men were riding and when they reached the scene of the accident found that practically everything which was of any value had been stolen, in fact all that remained was the badly twisted frame and the bent up fenders. All other parts had been taken.

MOTOR CYCLE DEPUTIES ON THE JOB -- As was reported in our last issue, the county board of Supervisors at their last meeting decided to employ two motor cycle deputy sheriffs to patrol the hard road through Macoupin county. During the course of the past week Walter Johnson, formerly chief or police at Mt. Olive, and Walter Stiff, formerly chief of police at Staunton, were appointed for this work, and on Monday of the current week entered upon their duties.

The men are supplied with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and on Tuesday received a 4-cyl. Henderson motorcycle built especially for police work and the two men are now riding the hard road in quest of traffic violators. On Monday they made their first arrest, a man from Sawyerville, who was charged with driving an automobile while intoxicated.

Both of the deputies appointed for this work are known to be fearless in law enforcement work and they will undoubtedly make traffic along the hard road much more safe than what it has been for the past several months. Drivers of motor cars are warned to observe traffic regulations and to comply with the law which demands that drivers of cars dim their headlights when they approach another machine. Also, kindly remember that the speed limit is set at 30 miles and don't step on 'er too hard unless you wish to help pay the deputies' salaries.

WILL LEAVE SATURDAY -- Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Hopper will leave Saturday morning on an automobile trip of several months' duration through the western country. They will go out via the Northern route and after reaching the coast will motor south through California and return to Staunton via the Southern route. They will make the long journey in a Dodge business sedan which has been specially equipped for the purpose and they plan to camp along the way, a full and complete camping outfit making them independent of hotels. The car is fitted up so that it will make ideal sleeping quarters. Mr. and Mrs. Hopper will be away for several months and we join their many friends in wishing them a very pleasant trip.

MET WITH ACCIDENT -- Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gray. Mr. and Mrs. Robt. McCoid and little daughter and Will Clark on Monday afternoon started on an automobile trip to Collinsville. A short distance below Hamel, however, their car turned over and they were compelled to forego the balance of the trip. All occupants of the car were shaken up somewhat, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. Mrs. McCoid sustained bruises and cuts about the face. The car was quite seriously damaged.

Thursday, June 28, 1923 -- BARN ON FIRE -- The barn on the place of J.C. Runge on East Pearl street was discovered afire Monday afternoon shortly after 2 o'clock. When discovered, the blaze had gained considerable headway and the fire apparently was burning fiercely on the inside of the building. The Staunton Volunteer Fire Department responded promptly to the call and in a short time had the fire under control. The roof was destroyed and the interior of the barn suffered considerable damage. About $100 worth of special bee food, stored in the building, was destroyed and the total loss is estimated at $500. What caused the fire is not known. Only good and prompt work on the part of the fire fighters prevented the flames from spreading to the near-by house and other buildings and the boys are to bo commended for the excellent work done.