Paul Rametta Shot Down By Luther Frey, Marion Daily Republican, Dec. 8, 1950
A gun duel which blazed briefly across North Court Street early Thursday evening (Dec. 7) left one man dead as his slayer calmly telephoned police. The slain man was Paul Rametta, Marion truck operator.
Held in the county jail Friday pending a coroner’s investigation of the shooting was Luther Frey, 31, of Marion, ex-convict. Continue reading
Earl Herschel Pillow was born in Shawneetown, Illinois, June 1, 1889. He came to Marion in early boyhood with his parents, Judge and Mrs. George W. Pillow. His education was gained in the public and high schools of the city, graduating from Marion High School in the Class of 1906. He graduated from a business course in Brown’s Business College in 1912.
He was an employee of the Old Ben Mining Company at West Frankfort for six years and was chief clerk for the company when, in answer to his country’s call, he entered the army in April, 1918. On April 29, 1918, he left Marion for Camp Dix, and after eight days there sailed for France. Continue reading
The Hon. James D. Pulley, owned one of the first businesses in Marion and was apparently a strong Southern sympathizer. In 1841, Pulley built “Our House”, a saloon, on the west side of the Public Square. His attempts in 1861 to promote efforts to secede from the Union early on in the Civil War landed him in “hot water” on more than one occasion, including charges of treason. To later save face, Pulley was involved with R.M. Hundley in the raising of the unsuccessful 128th Illinois Infantry.
This post is composed of two articles, the first notes the dismissal of treason charges by a Grand Jury in June 1864. The second article notes an incident in which Pulley takes exception to his name being disparaged and confronts the source, resulting in a shootout in a Marion alley the next month. Continue reading
Leonard R. Rodd was born May 17, 1895, in Marion to the late G.H. Rodd and Melvina Beams. Rodd founded Rodd Realty Company and operated the business in partnership with his son, Dee L. Rodd, at 818 W. Main Street for four decades. Continue reading
Dee Larue Rodd, who resided at 1904 W. Warren Street in Marion, was born September 17, 1921 in Cambria, Illinois to the late Leonard Rodd and Kate Lipe Rodd.
A graduate of Marion High School in the Class of 1939, he attended Southern Illinois University from 1939-1942 and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Flight School in late 1942.
He was married October 11, 1943 to the former Ruth Anne Bowman in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruth was born October 7, 1925 to Virgil W. Bowman and Gladys Butts.
Rodd served in World War II and the Korean War as a combat pilot. A squadron leader, he flew 50 missions over Korea. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals, among several decorations. He left the Navy with the rank of Commander. Continue reading