A collection of news clippings from local papers in the period of 1913, July through December.
See also, 1913 Marion News Clippings, January – June.
July 1913
Frank Butts and his wife agreed to leave town before sundown and never come back. He was arrested for running a house of ill fame in which his wife was the inmate. They stated they would go to Colorado and begin life anew….Egyptian Press 10 Jul 1913
Friends of Fred Eubanks who eloped Monday to Paris, Tennessee with Gertrude Fuller and was married there, on Tuesday evening gave him the round that is usually given the young fellows who are foolish enough to go and get married. They dressed him up in a kimono and marched him about the city accompanied by the military band of which he is a member. On the band concert platform on the public square, bedecked in his kimono, he was forced to undergo the ordeal of making a public speech after which he was taken to Trues confectionary on west Main Street where he was forced to “set ‘em up” to the whole bunch. Young Eubanks and his bride will have poor cause to forget their wedding…. Egyptian Press 10 Jul 1913
The Marion State and Savings Bank has let the contract for the big five story brick bank building which is to be erected on the old Bainbridge building site, the contract being given to English Brothers of Champaign, Illinois. Members of the firm are sons of the late E.C. English of Anna, husband of Miss Belle Robertson of this city….Egyptian Press 10 Jul 1913
Ezra Dillon, the ex-city dogcatcher, is going to quit Marion for a while. He wrote, “I am taking my little baby and will seek another country. I have got tired of paying alimony and it is not appreciated.”… Egyptian Press 14 Jul 1913
When you get off the Interurban car now at the “Y” you are in Energy, not Fordville. The government, on petition of the citizens of this enterprising little town, has changed its name. It corresponds to the grade of coal produced by the Taylor Coal Company mines and the only place in this country where you can buy “Energy” coal is at Energy, Illinois….Herrin News 17 Jul 1913
Jeff Maxey has recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital and be in this city Wednesday before the grand jury. He received a slit across the abdomen which caused his intestines to fall out and an hour before receiving medical attention he rode in a buggy from his farm to Johnston City and walked about there holding his intestines in place with his hands….Egyptian Press 17 Jul 1913
Later – The Frenchman who slashed Jeff Maxey was completely exonerated by the grand jury Monday…. Egyptian Press 21 Jul 1913
Jacob Kobler, 65, a German farmer living five miles east of here, died Thursday. He was born in Germany. Twenty five years ago he moved to this county from Trenton, III. He leaves a wife and children: Jake, Mrs. Annie Frye, Dan, Albert, Mrs. Clara Krugery, Miss Selma, Miss Bertha And Miss Freda. Burial At Davis Prairie….Egyptian Press 28 Jul 1913
A large number of Marion residents attended the funeral Wednesday of Herbert Sprague, a leading farmer of Fredonia in Jackson County. A pathetic incident occurred at the funeral. Mr. & Mrs. Sprague owned a collie dog. The dog realized his master was dead and during the funeral would not leave the casket. It sat at the head and its moans and howls a number of times made it difficult to hear the minister. It was necessary for the undertaker to pet the dog constantly to keep it from howling. It is said after the body was taken to Carbondale and buried and the relatives returned home, the dog which had been left at home, was found watching for their coming. It ran down the road to meet them and his cries could be heard a great distance….Egyptian Press 28 Jul 1913
Barney Hutchins, known as “Stinkfinger,” was killed Monday by a train a short distance from the water tank in the north C. & E.I. yards of this city. A companion, Floyd Bradley, was slightly injured. The men had gone to sleep on the track. Barney had made a bed on the track and one of the rails was a pillow. Most of the fragments of the body were picked up by the passenger train crew. Persons living in the neighborhood later picked up a bucket full of remains. Hutchins was a brother of Melvina, a police character with whom the police have had a lot of trouble And Joe Hutchins, a character. The body was taken to Benton for burial….Egyptian Press 31 Jul 1913
August 1913
H.O. Felts, 44, of Johnston City who was an inmate of the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane at Anna for three years, held as an incurable lunatic, now is in Mayfield sanitarium, Taylor and West Belle Place, convalescent after a surgical operation which the physicians say has restored his faculties. W.N. Felts said while skating twenty years ago his brother fell on the ice, receiving a hard knock on the head- Seven years ago he was knocked down by a large piece of timber falling on him. Later he became nervous. He was taken to the asylum where he remained six months. He was released and three years ago was taken back. Dr. William H. Mayfield was urged by the Fete family to attempt an operation. Examination of the man’s head showed an indentation of the skull. An operation on August 2 revealed a piece of skull was pressing on the brain. Bone the size of a half dollar was removed. Felts is now anxious to return to his wife and children and to take up his occupation of carpenter. (The article also says he is of Marion, Illinois)….Egyptian Press 11 Aug 1913
September 1913
Mrs. Josephine Bulliner, 60, wife of Monroe Bulliner, died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Roy Sanders. She leaves children: Noah, Mrs. Mary Sanders, Mrs. Ora Smith and Mrs. Cora Sanders. She also leaves her husband with whom she had not been living for six or seven years….Egyptian Press 4 Sep 1913
Deputy U.S. Marshal Dick Odum left Monday for Danville with Tom Strunk who has been given a promotion from the Williamson County jail to the federal jail. Strunk, the bad Kentuckian, is charged with white slavery. He was living with a woman not his wife. It is through her story he will be arraigned on charges of violating the Mann Act. He has a reputation as a man killer, having killed three men in the south….Egyptian Press 11 Sep 1913
The new Marion Hospital located in the Thorn Place Club House is open to receive patients….Egyptian Press 11 Sep 1913
Deputy Sheriff Gentry, accompanied by Coroner Strike as Special Deputy, arrested 13 bootleggers at Johnston city Saturday….Egyptian Press 25 Sep 1913
October 1913
Lydia H. Gulledge was born 20 Jun 1862 and died 18 Sep 1913, married John T. Gulledge 23 Dec 1883. They had five children, three living: Myrtie Moore, Louie & Emma. Also survived by brothers & Sisters: Roland McAnally, Thomas McAnally, Jessie McAnally, Mary Tippy, Lucretia Harris and Nannie Phillips. She was ready to go. Just a while before she died, she called for her brother to sing a song as she wanted to go to sleep. The song was, “My Savior Will Soon Call Me Home.” She tried to help him sing and then smiled and went to sleep and in her last moments told her many friends to hush and listen. EP 2 Oct.
The Williamson County prisoners on Wednesday morning moved their home. They bade their old jail quarters goodbye and without tears in their eyes marched slowly but not sadly over to the county’s new $40,000 structure just completed. They were all highly pleased with the change notwithstanding that in a way their freedom will be less and their chances for escape practically at an end. Sixteen men – twelve whites and four blacks – were marched on Wednesday morning about 10 o’clock from the old county jail through the public square and to the new jail building. About twelve guards watched over them while they were enroute.
Breaks for liberty were slightly expected but not a move was made by a prisoner. They are all now housed in the new jail and they declare they like it fine. The whites have been placed in one compartment and the blacks in another. It is the plans of the sheriff to segregate them. There are two other compartments, besides the special cells, that are unoccupied. Each compartment has a capacity for twenty four prisoners. Sheriff Duncan on Tuesday moved his family into the jail and they have their home just about arranged.
The sheriff on Wednesday at dinner served his first meal to the prisoners. After being locked up in the new jail, the prisoners, to a man, shook hands with their old jailer, G.W. Sisney, and told him goodbye. While they were glad to leave the old building, they regretted losing Jailer Sisney and his good wife for they have grown to think much of them because of their kindness. However, they will find Sheriff Duncan and his family all they could hope for. EP 2 Oct.
Herrin’s “Whistling Joe,” the most noted whistler in that town, fell dead Monday morning at his home. Joe Jenkins, 59, a miner, came to Herrin from Kentucky a number of years ago. He leaves a wife and several children. He was a genius as a whistler and was known all over town for his whistling abilities. It is said he was a very hard drinking man until the Hart revival there a few weeks ago when he was converted. He was 58 years old Tuesday of last week. He was formerly a blacksmith and a few years ago served on the police force here. Burial was at Johnston City. EP 2 Oct & HN 2 Oct
Louisen Gondisskis, a Russian, 66, living in the camp near New Virginia mine, died suddenly Wednesday night. He is aid to have been here a few weeks. EP 6 Oct
Sheriff Duncan arrested 21 bootleggers at Johnston City Thursday. EP6 0ct
The body of John Tunisi who died in a St. Louis hospital was brought here for burial Sunday in the Catholic Cemetery. He leaves a wife and two children. HN 9 Oct
John Sanders, 22, was captured Tuesday at the home of his mother, widow of the late Lum Sanders, one mile south of Whiteash, being a deserter from the U.S. Army. EP 9 0ct
John Parker, charged with a crime against his 15 year old simple minded daughter, was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years. EP 9 Oct
Mrs. Louis Dell’era’s brother and his wife arrived here last week from Cuggiono, Italy. They will reside in this city. HN 16 Oct
Mrs. Emma Caireti of Cuggiono, Italy, arrived this week to join her husband who has resided in this country twenty years. He had not seen his wife in six years, the last visit back in Italy. HN 16 Oct
Abraham Moake, 76, a veteran fiddler, died Saturday at the home of his brother, Anderson Moake, 1 ½ miles south of Carterville. A resident of Texas, he died while on a visit with relatives. He planned to go to Carterville Saturday and take part in the Old Settlers Fiddling Contest at the Carterville Fair. On account of his height, six and one half feet, a casket has been ordered from the factory. EP 16 Oct
Sheriff Duncan has placed a ban on needless jail visiting. Since removing the prisoners to the new jail and taking charge of them himself, the sheriff and his family have been greatly bothered by the constant flow of visitors coming to the jail. It is found that unless visiting is prohibited he and his family will have time for nothing but receiving jail visitors, the most of whom do not want anything of importance. The sheriff has declared henceforth none but prisoners’ attorneys and other persons who might need to see them on important business will be allowed in the jail. EP 20 Oct [In November, the sheriff set aside Wednesday as visitation day.]
Next Sunday, 19 Oct, Woodmen of the World and Woodmen Circle will unveil at Johnston City three monuments of deceased members. At the City Cemetery, the monuments are of George W. Brisco and Jennie Wring. At the Masonic Cemetery, the monument is of Thomas M. Hubbard. EP 20 Oct
Eleven men from Johnston City were sentenced to thirty days in jail for bootlegging: Ray Hartwell, son of Al Hartwell, a Marion saloonist who recently went bankrupt here; Robert Duncan, Joe Campo, Pete Kosovage, Sam Balloro, Jim Lusick, John Casper, Charley Mitchell, James Davis, John Farinbaker and J.W. Craig. Though there are now about three dozen prisoners in the jail, there is plenty of room. EP 20 Oct
Dallas Vincent, aged 28 years, has eloped with my daughter, Alma Carey, aged 14 years. They left Herrin Tuesday evening probably enroute to Texas. I will pay a reward of $50 for the return of the couple or I will pay a liberal reward for any information leading to their arrest. Wire or write George B. Carey, Herrin, Ill. HN 23 Oct
Charley Marshall of near Oak Ridge Mine is in jail for wife abandonment He was in jail before for assault. His wife scraped together enough money to pay him out and, going to the jail, gave it to him. That night he engaged in a game of craps and lost it. He had to remain in jail several more days until his wife could manage some more. She did so and got him out. This is the wife he is now in jail for deserting. EP 23 Oct
Mrs. Lillie Findley was awarded damages of $1,358.50 in her trial against her sister-in-law, Mrs. Murphy, and mother-in-law, Mrs. Findley, for alienating the affections of her husband. The judgment was against Mrs. Murphy. The elder Mrs. Findley was found not guilty. EP 27 Oct
Rischo, the Johnston City Russian, was sentenced to 14 years for the murder of a fellow countryman who died from wounds inflicted by someone he caught robbing him on a hot summer night as he slept on a porch. Judge W.W. Clemons passed sentence on him and almost broke all precedents when he said: “You have been found guilty of a charge of which I have my serious doubts you are guilty, but it is not within my provinces to do anything else but to pass sentence on you.” EP 27 Oct & 6 Nov
November 1913
E.E. Allen, traveling salesman, returned Wednesday evening from Golconda with his small son, Glynn, aged eight years old, whom he took to the madstone at that place. The boy was severely bitten about one arm Sunday by a neighbor’s dog and fearing hydrophobia, he was taken to the madstone. It is said the stone “stuck” to the wounded place more than thirty times. This is claimed to show the dog which bit him was suffering from hydrophobia. The Allens live in Sheriff Duncan’s property in the southwest part of the city. The dog is said to belong to Herman Lagenback, living nearby. The boy was at play in an alley behind his parents’ home when the dog attacked him. He was not playing with the animal his father states. Mr. Allen further states that the same dog on Wednesday night chased a neighbor boy from the street onto the porch at the Allen home. EP 3 Nov
Joe Gualdoni received word Saturday that his aged mother had died in Cuggonio, Italy. His brother, Louis, is over there. HN 13 Nov
Mary Jabo and her husband, Steve Jabo, of Johnston City, were jailed Saturday for bootlegging. The couple virtually broke into the jail, having gone there to visit the woman’s father, John Staller, who was in jail for bootlegging; just a few minutes after a capias (court order) had been issued for their arrest. Mary proved herself to be a real old spit cat and cussed Deputy Sheriff Gentry and the sheriff’s son, Guy Duncan, almost black and blue before they could get her in a cell. “She was a strong talker,” said the deputy “and said some things to me that had she been a man I doubt I could have kept from knocking her down, even if she was a prisoner. She is the worst I ever heard talk.” Mary is the little Russian girl who was prosecuting witness in a dirty case which came up in this county a few years ago and her testimony caused two or three men to be sent to the penitentiary on a charge of rape and incest against her. She is considered by the authorities to be a very tough nut. EP 13 Nov
James Leonard Grant was born 1 Oct 1851 and died 16 Nov 1913 at his home two miles southeast of Johnston City. He married Judith L. Sanders 25 Aug 1878. He was survived by his wife & children: Mrs. Lena Becker, Mrs. Ellen Moake, Lewis W. Grant of Harrisburg, George L. & Ulysses Grant. Two children, H.C. & an infant have gone on before. He also leaves brothers: W.W., W.H., John S. & E.L. Grant all of Marion and sisters: Mrs. Mary J. Sanders of Whiteash, Mrs. Sarah E. Chapman of West Frankfort and Mrs. Martha E. Campbell of Marion. Burial at Hartwell Cemetery. EP 20 Nov
Four bodies have been moved from the Moake family cemetery about a fourth of a mile from Watson mine, three miles northwest of this city, to Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. The cemetery is being abandoned because mining has disturbed the graves. Those removed are relatives of Jack Moake, a well-known citizen of this vicinity: his father buried about five years ago in a metallic vault stepfather [stepmother?] and a sister and brother. One other yet to be removed is a child sister of Rick Perry of this city, buried 70 years ago. Due to mining, the ground has caved in and huge cracks exposed the boxes in which the caskets were placed. Mrs. Moake has been buried ten years or more. Her casket was in a solid stone vault. When the casket was opened it was found to be in a most excellent state of preservation. Those present that had seen her laid away declare that the sight was the same they witnessed the day she was buried. In lifting the casket from the vault it was found to be extremely heavy and it is the general belief that the body has become petrified. EP 20 Nov
Tiring of her quiet rural home, the wife of a well-known farmer living less than five miles from Marion, while in the city delivering produce deserted her home and family in a most unnatural way. Leaving her small daughter sitting in a buggy waiting for her, she boarded a train to meet in Carbondale her “soul mate,” said to be a banker living in a town about the size of Creal Springs and located not more than ten miles from here. Her husband wised up and armed with a warrant and accompanied by a constable, went to Carbondale on the train that was to carry her “beloved” to her. She was arrested for adultery and locked up in the county jail. The banker, all but stooped with age, was at the county seat Monday presumably on business of importance. William Rush, living on the Joseph Hartwell farm four miles southwest of this city, filed suit against Isaac C. Abney, a Creal Springs banker, the charge being alienation of his wife’s affections. Rush wants $10,000 for the love he claims Abney swiped from him. Rush states he has four children at home needing a mother’s care. One of them is a poor little cripple. EP 27 Nov
December 1913
Ray Hartwell, one of the Johnston City men who have finished serving time in the county jail here Friday, on Saturday night brought his best girl down to Marion, secured a marriage license and had County Judge Slater unite them. The judge who sent young Hartwell Into matrimony is the very one who sent him to jail for peddling booze. [His bride is Eva Cook.] EP 11 Dec
(Researched by Helen Lind, published in Williamson County Historical Society, Footprints, Volume 16, #2, #3, #4, Summer, Fall and Winter 2013)