Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, Dec. 6, 1923 -- TWO KILLED AS TRAIN HITS BUS -- Chris Rigoni and Pete Delpazzo are Dead and Six Others Hurt -- The worst automobile accident on record in this part of the state occurred at the East Mill street crossing of the Wabash railroad in our city Sunday evening at about 7:40 o'clock, when Wabash fast train No. 2 ploughed into a bus carrying a load of eighteen passengers. Chris Rigoni, driver of the bus, was killed outright and Pete Delpazzo sustained injuries to which he succumbed a short time later. Other injured were: Bert Pironi of Worden, probable internal injuries; Mrs. Anna Stefani, bruises and shock; Mrs Mary Delpazzo, leg broken, shock and possible internal injuries; Ida and Madeline Delpazzo, bruises, shock and lacerations; D. Mecca and Frank Pacotti, both of Worden, bruises and lacerations. Others in the bus who escaped unhurt were: Mrs. Chris Rigoni, Mary Rigoni. Jackie Rigoni, Kate Rigoni, Stella Rigoni, Frk. Stefani, Albert Stefani, Rene Delpazzo, and Mrs. Francis Rodeghiero of Worden.

According to reports, Rigoni, who was one of the drivers of the Staunton-Livingston Motor Transportation Co. and part owner in the concern, picked up his passengers near his home on East Mill street, the entire party desiring to go downtown, some to go to the show, others to attend a dance. The party had proceeded only about two blocks when the fatal accident occurred and the exact facts in the case will possibly never be known as the only man who could tell why the bus was stopped on the tracks, the driver, is dead. It is surmised that Rigoni killed the engine just as he reached the tracks, but as the Wabash has a double track through this part of the country, he probably figured that his machine was in the clear. The train, according to Engineer Fred Dodson of Decatur, was traveling at a rate of about 40 miles an hour and struck the front end of the bus, turning it completely around and reducing it to a mass of debris. How any of the occupants of the vehicle escaped unhurt and that not more were killed outright is miraculous. The crash caused by the collision soon brought a crowd of spectators to the scene and a number of the local physicians administered first aid treatment to the injured, who were later taken to the St. Francis hospital at Litchfield on the train which hit the bus. Delpazzo died just as he reached the hospital.

Coroner Walter Jacoby of Carlinville on Monday evening conducted an inquest at the City Hall building, the following serving as jury: L. B. Dillingham, W. B. Aschbacher, C.W. Weis, Aug. Stille, Max Baum and Harry Kuehnen. After examining the witnesses an open verdict was rendered, stating that Rigoni came to his death by being struck by Wabash train No. 2. An inquest over the remains of Delpazzo was held at Litchfield and resulted in a verdict similar to the one rendered here.

A watchman is maintained at the East Mill street crossing until 6 o'clock in the evening, but as this happened later he was not on duty. The view at the place where the accident occurred is partly obstructed by buildings until one is almost on the tracks, especially as regards observing trains from the south.

DOUBLE FUNERAL YESTERDAY -- A double funeral service for the two victims of the accident was held yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the St. Michael's church, Rev. Father J.A. Duval officiating. Interment was at the St. Michael's cemetery.

Rigoni at the time of his tragic death was 36 years, 4 months and 8 days old. For the past several years he was engaged in the bus business in our city, being one of the owners of the bus line operating between Staunton and Livingston. He is survived by the widow and the children mentioned in the above account of the accident as the nearest relatives.

Delpazzo was employed as a miner at No. 2 mine and had been in America since 17 years. He was a member of Local Union No 720.

Besides the widow and the three children who were with them in the bus at the time of the accident, they have one daughter who is attending school in Italy. He also leaves a brother, Mat Delpezzo of Los Angeles, Cal. His age was 40 years. 3 months and 7 days.

MT. OLIVE QUITS IN SECOND HALF -- Score at the Time was 38 to 0 and Another Record might have Resulted -- The Mt. Olive high school foot ball squad was the attraction at the local field on Thanksgiving afternoon and they gave the only exhibition of its kind seen in this part of the country this season–they quit during the second half of the game. At that time the score was 38 to 0 and there is no telling what the final results might have been, had not Mt. Olive proven themselves to be quitters.

The weather on Thanksgiving day was abominable and Coach Miller called the Mt. Olive officials and suggested postponing the game until more favorable weather prevailed. His suggestion brought forth the reply that Mt. Olive intended to play even though they were compelled to use boats in which to get about the field. Coach Miller told them to come on.

The Mt. Olive aggregation are known to be slow performers and they probably figured the wet field would give them an advantage, but their calculations went awry and when they found themselves hopelessly defeated, they quit, claiming dissatisfaction about some decision of the officials. Mt. Olive's standing as true sportsmen has slumped to an extremely low level in our city as a result of their action at this game.

POINTS -- The Staunton high school foot ball team during the season just closed scored a total of 474 points against their opponents' 23, as may be seen from the following figures:

SHS Opp

Western 7 0

Carlinville 26 20

Cleveland 10 3

Benld 18 0

Virden 9 0

Litchfield 113 0

Girard 20 0

Gillespie 233 0

Mt. Olive 38 0

Please note that in the list of vanquished appears Carlinville, who is now out shouting from the tree tops that they are state champions. Carlinville may claim that they are the champions, but no one in this part of the state believes it and the challenge to come on and prove it is always open. Carlinville's prattle sounds to us like what the Indian chief described as "Umpah."