A collection of news clippings from local papers in the period of 1913, January through June.
See also, 1913, Marion News Clippings, July – December.
January 1913
Miss Susan Ferges, 85, died Monday at her home seven miles northwest of here. Her death closed the life of one of the section’s peculiar, though very honorable characters taking one who for many years had been well-known and held in the highest esteem of all acquaintances. Among the relatives left to mourn are Sheriff M.L. Duncan and Mrs. Shannon Holland. She was born in North Carolina and came to this section with her parents when she was very small, the trip being made overland. They settled on the Ferges farm and it was there she spent her remaining days. After the death of her parents and other members of the once large family, she and her brother, Fletcher Ferges, lived alone, both unmarried. Her death leaves the old gentleman on the farm alone. Although living to the age of 85 years, Miss Ferges never once in her life was on a railroad train, street car, or in an automobile. She never in her life attended a show and though for more than fifty years Williamson County held its annual fall fair in this city, only seven miles distant from her house, she never attended a fair. She was a very hard-working woman and always kept herself busy in her housework and around the farm. She was educated and was a reader. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at the home and the body will be laid to rest in the family burial ground nearby. Egyptian Press 16 Jan 1913
Aged Groom Wants Divorce
“Ah,” snarled Uncle Johnnie Dempsey, a 91 year old Creal citizen here Saturday when interviewed by a Post representative, “she is an old cat and the devil himself could not live with her.” That was his cause for seeking the aid of a Marion attorney in filing a bill for divorce in the Williamson County Circuit Court. “Yes, we married six weeks ago in Clarkson, Mo., but we didn’t live together but three days. She was cross as a cat and I just couldn’t stand her. Well, you’d see a fussy one if you saw her,” said Uncle Johnnie as he started to move slowly away headed for the I.C. station where he planned to get a train home. The aged citizen was here Saturday and sought the aid of an attorney. The attorney told him he would be obliged to wait a little longer. “But I want a divorce right now – just as soon as I can get it,” said he. When questioned as to the cause of his hurry, he made no reply. When asked if he had plans on marrying again right away, Uncle Johnnie didn’t hear the question. He is 94 years of age [91 given earlier]; born the year Illinois became a state. Six weeks ago, he departed from his home in Creal Sprinqs and the first news that came from him was the announcement from Clarkstown that he had been married at that place. His bride was Mrs. Mandy Folly, a dashing widow, 41. She had been married but once before, while this made Uncle Johnnie’s third venture. They lived together but three days when a bitter storm rolled high on the matrimonial sea and dashed their bark to splinters. Egyptian Press 16 Jan 1913
B.F. Smoot of Marion was bitten by a mad dog. The dog was captured and slain and has been pronounced a true mad dog. The injured man, Rev. Smoot’s only brother will be hastened to St. Louis or Chicago to undergo the Pasteur treatment. A “mad stone” was applied Thursday afternoon and is said to have “stuck.” Egyptian Press 20 Jan. 1913
Left atone and destitute by the acts of a drunken husband and suffering as a victim of the great white plague, Mrs. Mike Russo has found she has only one thing to do, to accept the help proffered by friends and the county and return to her native land to die. With her children she will leave Sunday for New York. There she will sail for Italy. She believes she will live to reach the old home she left years ago and when a girl to come to America. Her husband, Mike Russo’s crime, the slaying of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Anna Manfredo, was preceded a few weeks by the death of the slain woman’s husband, Veto Manfredo. Veto was the father of Mike’s wife and the slain woman was her stepmother. Mike received a life sentence. A story afloat among the Italians is that more than a score of years ago. Veto deserted Mary and her mother in the old country and came to America to make a fortune. Here he forgot his marriage contract and his little black eyed daughter and married another woman, an American. She proved to be untrue and to keep from slaying her, he left her. She later became a victim of tuberculosis and Veto nursed her until she died. He then married the woman Mike slew in November. She bore him three children. His daughter came from Italy and he found a husband for her, Mike Russo, also a new arrival to this country. The wedding celebration lasted three days and Veto’s wedding present was a house and lot here. Veto, then a victim to the disease that caused his unfaithful wife’s death and after lingering many months died last October. Now Mary is going back to her mother in Italy. Friends contributed half the money and the county the other half. Veto’s three children who were left orphans when Mike slew their mother have been given out among other Italians here. Egyptian Press 20 Jan 1913
February 1913
Nancy Lavonia Deaton married Phillip J. Rogers 6 Oct 1907 and died 2 Feb. 1913 after lingering 21 days. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Deaton. She leaves her husband, the infant of three weeks, son Phillip Lavern, 2, parents and five brothers. When she saw it was God’s will to take her, she had the little young babe brought from another room and placed in her arms, telling it she hated to leave it behind. She then placed her arms around her husband’s neck and hugged and kissed him goodbye. She died in her husband’s arms. She fought bravery against death wishing to live for the sake of her children and husband. She died shouting the atones of God and proclaiming her undying rath in him. Those at her deathbed had never seen a more pathetic, but at the same time a happier death. She was 24 years, 5 months and 11 days old. Burial was in Rose Hill. EP 6 & 10 Feb 1913
Clarence Boyd, son of Josh Boyd of Carterville, is said to have committed a robbery last week at the home of “Black Bill” Crain who lives south of Carterville in the Hampton settlement. With a full quart of whisky, he treated Black Bill and his wife liberally and within a certain rime they are said to have been “snowed in” full to the brim. He took $1.15 from the pocket of Back Bill. Tied to a string around Mrs. Cram’s neck was a key to the trunk. He cut the string, took the key and found $41.00 in the trunk. The next morning when they awakened from their jags they found out, what they found out. Boyd was arrested at Carterville on Saturday. The money in Black Bill’s pocket was merely his tobacco money, but the $41.00 was Mrs. Crain’s burial fund she had been saving the last few months, having been led to believe a number of months ago that she was not long for this world. Egyptian Press 20 Feb 1913
March 1913
Fifty years ago this Saturday morning, Constable D.B. Jent, then a boy of seven years, arrived in Marion. He came from Tennessee with his parents, brothers and sisters. The trip being made in one of those old time wagons resembling greatly a prairie schooner, drawn by oxen. He states they arrived in Marion about ten o’clock in the morning. He will never forget the day nor Just how the village square looked when they drove onto it and he peeped out over the edge of the wagon bed at the two tall buildings, now the White and Bainbridge buildings which were then new and which are the only ones of those then on the square that are still standing. The family went on through the village and settled on a farm north of here. Constable Jent is one of those old residents of this section whose recollections of small as well as great events has been keen and he tells some very interesting stories of those early days. Editor’s note: And don’t we wish someone had written those stories down.] Egyptian Press 3 Mar 1913
April 1913
Beverly Bradley, 74, died Thursday and was buried in Cocke Cemetery. He was born in this county and most of his life was spent in Johnson County. He leaves a wife and children: Mrs. J.N. Walker of Marion, Mrs. T.M. Smith of Missouri, being by his first wife. His other children are Henry, Everett, Ray, Etta Lyerle, Altha Baker and Lora, also brothers: Marcus, Jasper and Wess Bradley. He was a member of the Latter Day Saints. Egyptian Press 3 April 1913
County Sheriff Duncan has eleven members in his family. One has had the measles, one now has the disease and the balance of nine is exposed. “It will be some hospital at our house when the rest of us have them.” Elsewhere it says Guy Duncan, son of the sheriff, is confined to his home with measles….Egyptian Press 7 Apr 1913 [Editor’s note: This family was the first to later occupy the new sheriff’s quarters and county jail, now our historical museum. I would imagine they were crowded in the three bedroom quarters.]
Charley Jacques, an English man living at Johnston City, was killed Wednesday at 12:30 when a huge piece of slate fell on him at the Williamson County Mine south of Johnston City. He was 44 years old and had been living here 11 years. He was an old experienced miner, having worked at such since 9 years of age. He is the fifth in his immediate family to meet death in a mine accident, his father and three brothers having been killed five years ago. He leaves a wife and five children. The piece of slate was about six inches thick and measured four by sixteen feet and he was mashed into a sitting position and his body pressed into a three inch space. Most of all the bones in the body were broken….Egyptian Press 7 Apr 1913
As a result of a carefully laid plan to break up one of the county’s most notorious dumps, 26 persons, men and women, some of them barflies, flunkeys and pimps and some of them “leading lights” in church, were arrested Saturday night by a posse of officers headed by Sheriff M.L. Duncan. The posse was composed of regular deputies, special deputies, Herrin’s police chief and his several able men. The authorities blacked the blind pig’s eye to a finish. The place raided is located a short distance north of Herrin. Five of those arrested, Lee Hardcastle, Joe Garogli, Demick Meze and two others whose names were not secured, were taken to the county jail on charges of being proprietors, bootleggers, etc. Others arrested were: J.W. Gossett, Mollie Woods, Ora Bullard, Charley Burklow, Harry Keifer, Walter Hunt, Lucile Jackson, Blanche Absher, Elmer Lamaster, E. Canida, Isom Dougherty, Rosco Wright, Guy McNeill, Ida Davis and seven whose names were not secured. All pleaded guilty and were fined….Egyptian Press 10 Apr 1913
The Pauly Jail Company of St. Louis which has the contract to furnish the cells for the county’s new jail being built here began Monday morning the work of placing in the cells and other fixtures. There will be twenty four cells in the big cell rooms proper and two others in a different compartment. One of these will be for the insane persons and the other is merely known as a “special” cell though in reality it will be used as a “death cell” in cases where it is needed….Egyptian Press 10 Apr 1913
Another Landmark to Go
The old Burnett property located on the comer of West College Street and South Van Buren Street is soon to be wrecked to make way for three modern bungalows that will be built there by Mayor Burnett. This building has long been a familiar figure in Marion. It is located in the exact center of Williamson County, the center stone being located but a few feet from where the present building stands….Egyptian Press 10 Apr 1913
Marion voted to license saloons. The wets carried the day by just two dozen votes….Egyptian Press 17 Apr 1913
M.J. Perry, truant officer, led Thomas Kelton and Alfred Bearden before Justice J.V. Fowler, charging them with neglecting to send their children to school. Some children have been absent four or five weeks and the parents give mumps as the reason. Perry has had mumps himself and does not believe a case would last that long. “There is something wrong,” he said, “too much mumps.”…Egyptian Press 21 Apr 1913
The body of Mrs. William Welge was disinterred Saturday at Rose Hill Cemetery and on Tuesday will be shipped to Butler, III., the former home. She died almost five years ago. The body was found to be in an exceptionally good state of preservation. The casket is now being encased in an airtight copper lined case for shipping….Egyptian Press 24 Apr 1913
Without any good reason, L.W. Beckwith, general yard master of the Illinois Central Railway in Herrin, took a mysterious leave Thursday of last week. Tuesday of last week he parted with his wife at the station in Carbondale, she going to visit with friends. Friday his wife received a letter from him mailed at Marion, saying he was gone to stay and did not intend to return. He also sent her an order for his time amounting to about $75. “I am tired of being dictated to,” was about the only reason he gave….Egyptian Press 28 Apr 1913
May 1913
John Riddle of Fairoak, Ark., a former police officer here, was in Marion Thursday while on his way to Thompsonville to visit the bedside of his father, Nathan Riddle, who is seriously ill. The old gentleman who lacks but two months being to the century mark was crippled in a fall here at the fair last fall and it is the results of that injury that he is now suffering from. Egyptian Press 19 May 1913
June 1913
Baker Borton, the Marion boy who has been with the White Sox 2 years, has been traded to the New York Highlanders. Third baseman Zeider and first baseman Borton were traded for first baseman Hal Chase. Borton first became a member of the White Sox at the end of the 1911 season, but after the 1912 training trip was sent back to St Joseph from which place he was purchased by Cominskey. Until a few weeks ago he was the regular first-sacker on the club. In the 1912 city series between the Sox and Cubs, Borton was picked by many to be one of the best players in either league, but he has failed to live up to expectations after the first month in this year’s race….Egyptian Press 5 Jun 1913
John Logan, 70, a well-known and highly respected colored citizen living on South Liberty Street, died Tuesday of Bright’s disease. He leaves a wife and a number of children, some of whom are living away from here. He has been rated as the wealthiest colored citizen of Marion, the owner of considerable real estate. He was born in slavery and freed at the age of 18.He came to this section soon after being freed and has lived here ever since….Egyptian Press 12 Jun 1913
Mrs. Mary Russo, wife of Mike Russo who was sent to prison for the murder of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Anna Manfredo, is sleeping in a grave near the little town in which she spent her young girlhood days, back in sunny Italy. She died April 25, a victim of tuberculosis from which she had suffered many months before the tragedy. She was buried near the little town of Rionoro, Italy. Her three children whom she took with her to Italy are now living with relatives in Italy. Mary’s mother, Manfredo’s first wife, has custody of one while the mother of her husband, Mike the murderer, has the other two….Egyptian Press 16 Jun 1913
Steve McDonald, Marion junk man, died Monday night at the county poor farm. He was found dying beside the public road south of this city and removed to the poor farm. On Saturday he lost one of his old plug horses. He took the animal south of this city and near the public road he undertook to burn the remains. The next day he went back to complete the job and became ill and grew from bad to worse until Monday when he became unconscious. A farmer living nearby, Albert McInturff, came to Marion and reported his condition. An inquest was held and evidence showed his death was from chronic indigestion from which he had been suffering about a year and which had been termed tuberculosis of the bowels. It is stated he had been practically starving for some time, his meals for months have been scraps picked up from swill barrels and taken away from dogs in back alleys. He saved every penny possible and had been known to brag that no meal ever cost him more than ten cents. For some time he had been batching in a shanty on the west side of town. The place is said to be filthier than hog pens or dog pens. Last winter he batched in a man’s barn in the north part of the city and is said to have worried the neighbors by begging for the refuse from their tables. He was married 16 years ago to a Widow Tolbert but is said to have never supported those depending on him. For the last five years he had not been living with his wife. He has one son, a lad of 14 years. They were notified of his death and came to the city. It is rumored he had money, from $300 to $2100. On his person he carried $7.44. Burial was in the potter’s field at Rose Hill. No funeral services were held….Egyptian Press 19 Jun 1913
Steve McDonald will have another burial. His sisters, who have just learned of his death, are planning on having his body removed from its present grave and buried in a private burial plot in a better casket than that furnished by the county. The death of their relative was learned in a peculiar way. A niece in Herrin on Thursday afternoon went to a photographer’s studio to pick up some pictures. The photographer had wrapped them in an Evening Post in which appeared the account of the man’s death ….Egyptian Press 23 Jun 1913
Sarah Perrello, 24, wife of John Perrello, 31, of this city, a bride of 8 months, has quitted her husband’s bed and board and cast her lot with her husband’s younger and possibly better looking brother, Sam Perrello. John and his brother Joe are offering a $25 reward for the one who stole his bride. Before leaving they gathered all of John’s money and jewelry they could find, about $500. John and Sarah were both from Italy and are fourth cousins. Sarah took the licenses under which she was married and it is expected they will use this as proof they are man and wife. In this instance, Sam would be stealing John’s name leaving him with very little to do with here at home, no wife, no money and no name…. Egyptian Press 30 Jun 1913
(Researched by Helen Lind, published in Williamson County Historical Society, Footprints, Volume 16, #1 and #2, 2013)