Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, Nov. 15, 1923 -- ILLINOIS TRACTION EQUIPS FAST TRAINS WITH HORNS -- The Illinois Traction System is trying out a sew method of signaling for stations and road crossings and have equipped their fast motor cars used on their parlor car runs with a horn which when sounded, can be heard for a distance of at least a half mile or more. The first instance of the new equipment was noticed upon the arrival here on Saturday morning of the northbound parlor car train at 10 o'clock. The horn which is a loud one, is placed on the roof of the front part of the motor car. If the new method proves satisfactory, all the motor cars will probably be similarly equipped.

Thursday, Nov. 22, 1923 -- OLD-TIME HABIT LEADS TO DEATH -- John Jones, one of the oldest residents of New Douglas, Monday morning at about 6 o'clock died as a result of taking a drink of Lysol, which he mistook for wine. Mr. Jones since many years had been in the habit of drinking a small amount of wine before breakfast and on Monday morning went to get his drink as usual. Mrs. Jones had used some Lysol about the house for cleaning purposes and this, in a bottle quite similar to the one containing the wine, was on the same shelf with the wine. Mr. Jones evidently did not notice the difference in the bottles or their contents until too late and drank a considerable quantity of the poison. He immediately gave the alarm and although medical aid was promptly summoned, it was too late to save the man's life.

Deputy coroner J. E. Marks of Edwardsville conducted the inquest Monday at which statements in line with the above account were brought out. Mrs. Jones was the principal witness and testified that her husband had been in the habit of taking a small quantity of wine each morning as an appetizer and stimulant.

Deceased was 78 years of age and besides his venerable widow leaves four children. They are Mrs. E. V. Hendrickson. of New Douglas; Mrs. T. R. Rogers of St. Louis; Mrs. Lester Cutler and Otto Jones of Gary, Ind.

BOY IS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT -- Laurie Saottini, the 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Saottini, who live north of Staunton on the reservoir road, Sunday afternoon was accidentally shot white manipulating a shot gun. According to information we were able to secure Laurie was scuffling with another lad for possession of the weapon and during the scuffle the gun was discharged. The entire load struck Saottini on the side of his right knee and blew away a considerable portion of the flesh, although the artery escaped injury. Medical attention was at once summoned and the lad taken to the St. Francis Hospital at Litchfield where he is at present getting along as well as may be expected. Unless complications set in, the attending physicians believe that the lad will fully recover and not be much the worse for his experience.

Karl Schott, the lad with whom young Saottini was scuffling for the gun was brought to the local police station shortly after the shooting and is at present being held under a bond of $1300, pending the outcome of the injuries sustained by Saottini.

WORK ON CLUB HOUSE PROGRESSING NICELY -- The beautiful weather of the past several weeks has proven to be of great advantage to Contractor Al. Bethel and his crew of men in their work on the club house at the Oak Hill Country Club grounds. The excavation for the basement has been completed and the concrete has been poured. Quite a bit of material for the side walls is now on the grounds and more is being brought in so that when the foundation has properly set, work may be rushed right along.

Plans are to have the building under roof by the first of the year and if this is possible, the work of finishing the interior may proceed without interference from the weather.

Sunday's ideal weather brought quite a few of the members out to the grounds and golf players were much in evidence. Much work has been done on the local grounds and there is still considerable more in contemplation. If the whole-hearted support and co-operation of the membership can be maintained, Staunton's country club will be the finest in this part of the country. The officers extend an invitation, in fact they urge all members to visit the grounds more frequently so that they may be able to keep in touch with the progress being made.

NEW MINISTER ARRIVES -- Rev. Schoppe, the new minister of the St. Paul congregation, and his wife, arrived in our city Monday and are at present fitting up the parsonage, where they will reside. Beginning next Sunday, services will be conducted regularly.

CAR TURNED OVER -- A young man by the name of Brown from near Old Ripley was injured slightly Sunday night at about 11 o'clock when his automobile was overturned at the Northwestern crossing north of Staunton on the hard road.

According to information we ware able to secure, the accident was caused by the driver being blinded by glaring lights. Two other young men with Brown were uninjured.

BROKE INTO DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- A dope fiend, who gave the name of Guy Perry, Tuesday morning broke into the office of Dr. D. L. Bley in quest of morphine. The man had visited the doctor's office the previous evening and Dr. Bley gave him a shot and told him to he on his way. Tuesday morning when the office boy arrived, he found the fellow in the doctor's rooms and as the boy entered the man ran. He was later caught and taken to the local police station. In a search of his person a bottle of cocaine was found, which he had stolen from the doctor's office.

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH FAIR -- Attention is once more called to the St. Michael's church fair, which will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week. All of the committees and organizations of the church have been busy as beavers preparing for the big event and they have all the preliminary work done and indications are that the event will be a pronounced success. All are invited to attend.