News Articles about Willisville, Illinois
1896-1929

19 Jan 1896
Miners Want an Advance

Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat

Percy, ILL, January 19. - The miners at the Willisville mine are out on a strike for an advance of 2cents per box. The Willisville mine is operated by Dr. Krause and Fred Randte, of St. Louis and M.A. Ceed, of Woodlawn, Mo. The mine has been running day and night to fill orders. President Krause was here today and expects an early settlement of the strike.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, Mon Jan 20 1896, page 2

21 Jan 1896
Miners Return to Work

Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat

Percy, ILL, January 21 - The miners' strike at the Barnard and Willisville mines has been declared off. The Willisville miners returned to work for the same price they were getting before they came out. The Barnard employees resume work at a reduction. The strike is still on at the Randolph mine, which has been closed down since December 15.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, Wed Jan 22 1896, page 3

30 Jul 1897
To Assemble at Willisville Mine

Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat

Percy, ILL, Jul 30. - The coal mining situation was discussed at considerable length here today, but no formal action was taken. The visiting miners went to the Willisville mine, about four miles south of here, this morning, for the purpose of inducing the miners there to join the strike. It is said that they did not meet with success. They returned here tired and hungry this afternoon. A collection was taken up by the local committee, which resulted in securing enough for their supper.
They expected reinforcements tonight and will return to Willisville early tomorrow morning, and endeavor to intercept the men as they go to work and persuade them to quit work.
The Willisvile mine is incorporated in the name of the Willis Coal and Mining Company, and it its main office is located at No. 921 Holland building St. Louis. Manager C.H. Kraus, of the company, is here looking after the interests of the company. The mine employs a large number of men and should they decide not to quit work tomorrow serious trouble is anticipated.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, 1897

18 Jan 1899
Killed in a Blast Explosion

Mrs. Anna Davis, of 2705 North Ninth street, received a telegram yesterday from Percy, ILL., notifying her of the death of her half brother, George Peek, who was killed by the premature explosion of a blast in the Willisville mines near that city. Directly after the receipt of the telegram Mrs. Davis left for Percy, and will return to the city with the remains. Peek was a man of 29 years single and had been at work at Willisville for the past six months.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, Wed, Jan 18, 1899, page 10

13 Apr 1900
Percy Miners Working

Republic Special

Percy, ILL, Apr 13 - The mines are all working here, as the operators and miners signed the scale, and everything is in harmony. Percy has five coal mines: Goalby, Rosborough, Barnard, Little Muddy, and Willisville. A St. Louis firm will shortly begin operations in opening up another mine near the Willisville plant.

The St. Louis Republic, 14 Apr 1900, page 7

21 Mar 1902

Carbondale officials believe that one of the gang who have been operating throughout southern Illinois in burglarizing banks has been caught in the person of Thomas Williamson, charged with robbing the Willisville post office last Tuesday night.

Bureau County Tribune, Vol 30, No. 35

28 Mar 1902

At Springfield, Ill., Attorney William Williams, tried on the charge of robbery the postoffice at Willisville, Perry county, was convicted and sentenced to two years in the Chester Penitentiary.

Bureau County Tribune, Vol 30, No. 36

16 May 1903

Revolver Duel in the Dark Lasted for Several Minutes
ONE DETECTIVE REPORTED MISSING
Engineer Shot While Passing Willisville In Retaliation
for Firing by Nonunion Trainmen Upon a Coal Mine
Special Dispatch the Globe Democrat

MURPHYSBORO, ILL, May 16 - The Mobile and Ohio strike situation is practically unchanged. During the week since the strike was instituted sixteen freight trains have passed through Murphysboro, whereas from twenty-six to thirty-five trains passed through the city each day previous to the strike. Nonunion trainmen fired upon a coal mine at Willisville yesterday afternoon. The conductor on the next train that passed through that place was caught by a crowd and giving a beating. A light engine was fired upon at the same point. A bullet inflicting a flesh wound in Engineer Hackney's arm. Last night a detective in the yard here fired upon a crowd of men on Seventeenth street and the fire was at once returned. Bullets flew fast for several minutes. Revolvers were used and in the darkness it was impossible to note the injuries. The detectives reported one of their number missing this morning and say the shooting was brought on by insulting words shouted at them. This is denied.
A special train carrying United States deputies arrived at 3:50 this afternoon. Engineers and fireman on the Mobile and Ohio refused to go out on their engine tonight because of danger from shots fired at the engine. Two engines have been fired upon since the strike began.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, 17 May 1903, page 1

27 May 1903

Boycott Strike Breakers
Several hundred pounds of provisions were purchased at Alto Pass for the nonunion and United States Marshals in Murphysboro, as the business houses in that city, including hotels, refuse their wares at any price to any other than strike sympathizers. J. B. Biringer of Alto Pass sold some strawberries to a United States Marshall in Willisville and was admonished not to repeat the transaction.

Warren Sentinal-Leader, Volume 4, Number 14, 27 May 1903, page 3

23 Jul 1904

Illinois Girl Drowns in Cistern

Iva Ashley, 11 years of age, daughter of George Ashley of Willisville, near here was found dead in a cistern at their home. The cistern was almost full of water.

The Carrollton Democrat, 29 Jul 1904, page 12

9 Aug 1904

Jack Graves was shot and killed at the Undyke saloon in Willisville by David Griffin, the bartender, whose home is in Percy.  Graves was attempting to hold the city Marshall, who was being pounded by Graves' brother, when Griffin drew his revolver and fired.  Graves was a miner employed in the shaft of the Willisville Coal Company.

The Quill, Vol 13, No. 16
8 Sep 1905
IN THE NEW FEDERAL COURT
Patrick Bobinger was Before the Court Thursday.
A Notorious Character who is Under Arrest on Charge of Postoffice Robberies

DANVILLE, Ill, Sep 8 - Patrick Bobenger, charged with postoffice robberies, was arraigned in the federal court Thursday morning and entered a plea of not guilty. Attorney Walter Lindley was appointed to defend him. He will be tried next Thursday.
Bobenger is the person alleged to have robbed the postoffice at Willisville and also the one at Cobden. He is the person also who is believed to have laid the plans for the blowing up of the Murphysboro jail a few weeks ago. It will be recalled that he was taken from the jail a few hours before the prison was blown up and removed to Cairo from which place he was brought to Danville. When he entered his plea of not guilty Thursday he declared to the court that he was "an orphan and that he has not been able to make many friends." He was taken into court by Deputy United States Marshall Doug Williams. The federal grand jury returned six more indictments Thursday.

The Champaign Daily Gazette, Number 7068, 8 Sep 1905, page 6

10 Nov 1905

During an altercation in a saloon in Willsville, a mining town.  Andrew Moyer, aged 21, was fatally shot by an Italian bartender named Casefoz.  Meyer, it is alleged, entered  the saloon with two companions and demanded that the bartender treat the crowd.  The demand was refused and Moyer started to go behind the bar, when the Italian fired two shots, one of which entered his antiagonist's neck.
Bureau County Tribune, Vol 33, No. 44

17 Nov 1905

During an altercation in a saloon in Willisville, Andrew Moyer, 21 years old, was fatally shot by an Italian bartennder named Casefose.  Moyer entered the saloon with two companions and demanded the bartender treat the crowd.  The demand was refused and Moyer started to go behind the bar, when the Italian fired two shots, one of which entered Moyer's neck.  Casefose was lodged in jail at Pincneyville. St. Anne Record, Vol 16, No. 27

30 Oct 1906

Girls Head Blown Off
Miss Lona Nifang, 15 years old, was killed at Willisville by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of Don Derrington.  The top of the girls head was blown off.  The girl's mother, Mrs. Polly Kerstine, was visiting in St. Louis at the time of the accident.
The Quill, Vol 15, No. 28

27 Jan 1907

DESPERADO DIES IN CHESTER PEN
PATRICK BOBINGER WHO ROBBED POSTOFFICES AT COBDEN AND WILLISVILLE IS NO MORE
HE WAS IN JAIL HERE
Bobinger Believed to Have Concocted
Plan to Blow up Murphysboro
Jail - Real Name of Man
Never Learned
The word has reached this city of the death at the Chester prison a few days ago of the man known here abouts as "Patrick Bobinger". The man was serving a sentance for robbing the postoffices of Cobden and Willisville in the summer of 1905. Bobinger was brought to Cairo and incarcerated in the county jail here. Bobinger was also the man who it was believed concocted the plan to blow up the Murphysboro jail an attempt which came near being succesful in July of that year. Just what the fellows real name was he refused to disclose, he having assumed that name when first arrested, but it is known that his name was only an alias. It is stated that on his death bed at Chester pen (his death was due to consumption) he was asked to reveal his real name and the whereabouts of his people, if he had any but he refused to give any information of himself whatever.
Bobinger was a desperate character and of powerful build, being over six feet tall and weighing more than 200 pounds. His arrest was made by Illinois Central Officer Briggs and Stivers, the charge against him then being the drawing of the gun on an Illinois Central freight crew south of Carbondale on Jul 4 1905, the trainmen having attempted to put him and companion off the train. That connection of Bobinger with the post office robberies developed later and he was taken before the federal court at Danville where he was given a sentance of 8 years.
It was while he was confined in the Jackson county jail that the plan of jail delivery was hatched although the night before the attempt was made Bobinger was removed to the Cairo jail. He is thought to have planned the scheme however it will be remembered that the failure to explode the third charge of nitroglycerin placed at the jail door leading to the street frustrated the scheme and within a few seconda after the first charges had wrecked the interior of the jail, the prisoners were covered by the gun of Sheriff John R. Thorpe.
Bobinger expressed undying hatred of Sheriff Thorpe and Special Agent Briggs and stated that he would kill them both after his prison sentence was completed. Both of these officers will no doubt rest easier now that the man Bobinger is no more
The Cairo Bulletin, Volume 39, Number 35, 27 Jan 1907, page 8

10 Jul 1907

Killed by Fall of Slates
W. P. Helfer, mine inspectdor for the Missouri and Illinois Coal Company at the Willisville mine, was killed by a fall of slate. He is survived by the widow and several children.
Warren Sentinal-Leader, Volume 8, Number 21, 10 Jul 1907, page 3

23 Apr 1908

Former Resident Killed
Davenport relatives have received word of the tragic death of Fred Marcus Christian Eggers, formerly of this city. Mr. Eggers had been living in Willisville, Ill, and owing to the shutting down of the mines had been over to Percy, Ill, looking for employement. On the way home, it seems, he was struck by a freight train and killed. His funeral took place in Willisville Sunday, under the auspices of the Miner's union. Mr. Eggers was born July 12, 1878, and lived in Walcott before coming to Davneport. Here he was a painter. He married Miss Hulda Westphal, daughter of W.A.F. Westphal, the well known building contractor, three or four years ago and soon afterward they moved to Illinois. Mrs. Eggers was at Cora, Ill, at the time of Mr. Eggers death and was so prostrated that she was unable to go to the funeral. She writes the sad details from there. A father, John Eggers, lives at Lake Park, Iowa, and three brothers also survive. A little son is left with the mother.
The Rock Island Argus, Volume Fifty-Seventh Year, Number 161, 23 Apr 1908

11 Dec 1908

Illinois Towns Visited by Safe Crackers Contribute to Large Fund
Murphysboro - Bankers and merchants of Murphysboro, Ava, and other towns are raising a reward of $5,000 to offer for the apprehension of the men who have been robbing banks, post offices, and stores in this neighborhood.  Other towns visited in which safes were blown  are Vergennes, where a bank was robbed and a merchant named Kimmel was killed; Tamaroa, Percy, Waltonville, Willisville, Etherton, Odin, and Hurst, the robbers battling with citizens in the last three places and Waltonville.
The Patoka Register, Vol 2, No. 7

16 Oct 1910

Four Italians Wounded in Fight
Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat
WILLISVILLE, ILL, October 16 - Pete Scaloni, Manual Cargo, James Brusino, and one whose name in unknown, Italians of Willisville, were wounded in a street battle last night. Brusino and Cargo were shot through the neck; Scaloni is seriously wounded a ball entering the mouth and coming out the back of the neck. The Italian whose name is unknown escaped, and is thought to be wounded.
St. Louis Globe Democrat, Mon, Oct 17 1910, page 13

24 Oct 1910

ITALIAN PRIEST HERE
Officiated Yesterday at St. Joseph's Church
Father Gillen at Willisville, Ill.
Father Gillen of St. Joseph's Catholic church exchanged pulpits with Father Senese of Willisville, Ill., yesterday morning. Father Senese is a young Italian priest who has been in this country about 5 years. He speaks English very fluently. He performed both masses yesterday morning and left in the afternoon for his home. Willisville, where he is located, is a small mining town north of Murphysboro on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. Here are located a large number of Father Senese's countrymen and because of this fact Father Senese was assigned to the parish. Father Gillen returned yesterday afternoon from Willisville and resumed his duties at St. Joseph's church.
The Cairo Bulletin, Volume 42, Number 305, 24 Oct 1910

16 Jan 1911

BLACK HAND CAN NOT TERRORIZE FATHER SENESE
Despite Threats Father Senese Will Not Obey Orders to Leave Willisville, Ill.
READS WARNING TO FLOCK
Letter Containing Grewsome (sic) Omens Strikes Fear Into Congregation
Despite threats of death which he believes to have come from the black hand society, the Rev. Father E. Senese refuses to depart from Willisville, Ill, near Belleville. He has conferred with Bishop Jansen of the Belleville Diocese and with the Italian Consul in Chicaog. The letter which has caused some friends to advise him to flee came to him in the mail Christmas day. It was in Italian and read:

Beware: Unless you leave Willisville
shortly after Christmas you must die.
You are at our mercy. Go!

Inclosed with the letter were a pasteboard dagger and drawings of black hands, skulls, and bombs. One picture was that of a heart with a knife thrust through it.
Willisville is an Italian mining town. Father Senese went there from East St. Louis, where he was assistant pastor of St Henry's Church.
He read the letter at his Christmas services. It struck terror to many members of the congregation. Though Father Senese would not listen to advice that he run away from Black Hand vengeance, he consented to consult Bishop Janssen. In a short time the priest has developed his Willisville charge from a poor mission to a flourishing congregation. His mother recently came from Italy to keep house for him. So far as he knows, he has no enemies.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, Mon, Jan 16 1911, page 1

21 Jan 1911

Priest Defies Black Hand
Willisville, Ill , Jan 19 - Although the Black Hand Society has threatened to kill Rev. Father E. Senese unless he leaves Willisville, the priest has declined another post offered him by Bishop Janssen.  "I have but one life to give for my faith" the priest declared.  "If the saints of old gave theirs, why should not I?"  The priest's death threat came as a Christmas gift, but was not made public until he conferred with Bishop Janssen and the Italian consul in Chicago.
The Saturday Blade, Vol 23, No. 35

25 Jan 1911

BLACK HAND MYSTERY CLEARED
Willisville Italian Claims He Sent Threatening Letter to Priest In Fun
Willisville, Ill., Jan 25. - The "Black Hand" mystery at Willisville, which for the past month has baffled municipal, state, and federal authorities, has been solved. Mayor Thomas Jeremiah on Sunday afternoon arrested Lorenzo Marino, who has signed a written confession, and is now confined in the county jail at Pinkneyville.
He admits he wrote the "Black Hand" letter to Rev. E. Senese, telling him if he did not leave Willisville he would be murdered.
The letter which was received by the young priest on Christmas eve, was scrawled in Italian on white paper. Pictures of a skull and crossbones and a black hand were on the paper and a dagger cut from card was enclosed in the envelope.
The letter told the priest that if he remained in Willisville he would meet a violent and sudden death.
Mayor Jeremiah and postal auhorities never abandoned the case until the guilty party had been apprehended.
After Merino's arrest he signed the following confession:
"I Lorenzo Merino, on or about the night of December 22 1910, while intoxicated, did write a letter to Rev. E. Senese, with certain drawing on it, and a piece of cardboard inside representing a dagger. This letter was written only in fun. I also state that no one else took any part in this matter, or even had I talked to anyone on the subject pior to sending same. LORENZO MARINO"
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume Twenty Third Year, Number 22, 26 Jan 1911

4 Feb 1911

Safety of Priest is Assured by Arrest of Illinois Black Hand.
Du Quoin, Ill , February 4 - In the confession and subsequent arrest of Lorenzo Marino, the Willisville (Ill) Black Hand, federal authorities and Perry County officers are confident they have obtained a clew (sic) which will assist them in breaking up the operations of the Black Hand gangs which have been terrorizing Southern Illinois for the past two years.
Marino is now in the custody of federal officials, and efforts will be made to bring his case to speedy trial. The confession of Marino to the effect that he wrote the Black Hand letter to Rev. E. Senese, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Willisvile, the day before Christmas, while intoxicated, and without any serious intent, has greatly relieved the fear and anxiety of the Catholic Priest.
The letter demanded that the priest either leave his parish or prepare to meet his death. With the assurance of the federal, state, and village authorities that his life would be protected in any event. Rev Senese announces his determination to remain there and await the outcome notwithstanding the fact that he was tendered another church by Bishop Janssen of Belleville Diocese.
St. Louis Globe Democrat, 5 Feb 1911, page 13

9 Feb 1911

Pinckneyville - Lorenzo Moreno, the Italian, was has confessed to being the author of the Black Hand note recieved by Rev. E. Senese pastor of the Catholic church at Willisville, southeast of here, was placed in the Perry County jail at Pinckneyville for safekeeping.  Reports here are that feeling against Moreno at Willisville is high, and it  was deemed best to get him out of town.  Rev. Mr. Senese is with relatives in  Chicago.

Warren County Democrat, Vol 23

23 Apr 1912

Tornado Death List is Placed at 53

Full reports from districts in the path of the devastating tornado that swept over Illinois and Indiana Sunday place the dead at 53 and the injured at 200.  The death toll may be increased from 15 to 20, as many of the injured are in serious condition.  Rescue parties are sending reports from isolated districts, and their stories add to the record of horror and desolation.  Hospitals are filled with scores of people suffering from fractured skulls as a result of being struck by flying timbers.  Southern Illinois was the heaviest sufferee from the wind.  Wires are still down, and communication is meager.  Bush, Willisville, Ill and Morocco, Ind were almost completely destroyed.

The Day Book, Vol 1, No. 179

23 Apr 1912

At Willisville the coal company's buildings and two rows of twenty five houses were swept flat to the ground, several miners were killed.
The Champaign Gazette, Number 9093, 23 Apr 1912

25 Apr 1912

STORM LOSS A MILLION
Tents Rushed to Towns to Aid Sufferers

Springfield, April 25 - Tents were rushed yesterday from Springfield to the towns and cities in south western Illinois that suffered the most in Sunday's $1,000,000 cyclone which killed 100 persons in this state, Indiana and the lower Mississippi Valley. Bush last night was a city of canvas, having been the first community to receive the temporary shelters sent by Governor Deneen to relieve the homeless survivors of the Storm
At Willisville the funeral were held of the three persons who died when the giant wind struck that village. Two others of the injured are expected to die. A search of the town showed that of fourteen houses that stood in a row not one vestige remains. They were wiped away as completely as is a slate mark by a wet sponge. Thirty other houses were so wrecked that occupation is impossible.

Galena Daily Gazette, 25 Apr 1912

8 Oct 1912

DuQuoin, Oct 8 - The town of Willisville, in the southwest part of Perry county, is soon to have its first bank.  The institution will be known as the Farmers' and Citizens' bank, with a captial stock of $10,000.

Urbana Daily Courier,

17 Oct 1912

BAZAAR AND CHURCH FAIR WELL ATTENEDED

An enjoyable time was spent by all those who attended the Bazaar and Church Fair in St. Henry's hall yesterday afternoon and evening. The following articles were given away.
Doll, donated by Sisters of St. Mary's hospital - Rev. E. Senese, Willisville, Ill....

East St. Louis Daily Journal, Twenty Fourth Year, Number 247, 17 Oct 1912

11 Dec 1912

DuQuoin-- John Campanella was arrested on the charge of having slain Joe Leo at Willisville. Charles Rogers of Willisville was also taken in to custody.

East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume Twenty Fourth Year, Number 294, 11 Dec 1912

4 Jan 1913

Miner's Death a Mystery
Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat

DuQuoin, Ill, January 4. - Wesley Bann, the 20 year old son of Martin Bann, residing at Willisville, southwest of DuQuoin, was killed in the No.1 mine at the Willis Coal Mining Company at Willisville this morning. Bann's death is shrouded in myster as there were no marks on his body to indicate his having been the victim of an accident.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, Sun Jan 5 1913, page 11

7 Mar 1913

SHAUMBERG SUSPECT AT WILLISVILLE
HELD FOR IDENTIFICATION BY POLICE

A letter was received this morning by Chief of Police Overmire stating that a man is being held at Willisville, Ill., as a suspect and it is thought the man might Otto Shaumberg, the skeleton key burglar who shot and killed Detective James J. Arnold February 10. Chief of Detectives Robert Wetzler said this morning that he would send a man to Willisville today to see if the man being held is Shaumberg.

East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume 25th Year, Number 56, 7 Mar 1913

21 Jul 1913

SEVERAL HURT IN A RIOT
Americans and Italians Clash at Willisville, Ill
DuQuoin, Ill, July 21 - As a result of a race riot between Americans and Italians at Willisville, southwest of her, continueing for several days, several participants have been wounded some seriously.  Edward Beisner, a son of Chief of Police Beisner, is in a Murphysboro hospital, suffering from bullet wounds, and several other persons were shot and slashed.  The trouble is the outgrowth of a murder several months ago in which two Italians figured.
The Rock Island Argus, Vol Sixty Second Year, No. 237

15 Sep 1913

JUDGEMENT FOR $1,250
John Salerno was given a judgement of $1250 by a jury in the circuit court Friday against the Missouri & Illinois Coal Company. Salerno was caught under a fall of coal and slate in the company's mine near Willisville and asked that he be given $4000.
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume Twenty Fifth Year, Number 218, 15 September 1913, page 2

18 Oct 1913

TEAGUE HEADS BAPTISTS
Willisville, Ill, Oct 18 - Rev. M. Teague of Duquoin was reelected moderator of the Nine Mile Baptist Association at it's meeting Friday in Willisville, Ill Rev. S. W. Danburg of Duquoin was elected clerk. This association reports 208 conversions for the year.
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volue Twenty Fifth Year, Number 247, 19 Oct 1913

15 Nov 1913

Wets Will Contest
DuQuoin, Ill, Nov 15 - Following the elections of last week  in which the "drys" were victorious in several southern Illinois towns comes the announcement that in five  towns "wets"  will contest the elections.  The towns are Willisville and Pinckneyville in Perry county, Baldwin and Percy in Randolph county, and Metropolis in Massac county.  The "wets" contend that the women recently enfranchised to vote in Illinois, had no right to vote on the saloon questsions and that the vote of the men in each instance was suffiicient to place those localities in the "wet" column.  The "wets" will also attack the constitutionality of the women's votes.  The "wets" at Pinckneyville, the county seat of Perry county, are of the opinion that some of the women who voted there were only 15 years old, and on this ground hope to have the election declared invalid.  
The Rock Island Argus, Vol Sixty-Third Year, No 25

8 Dec 1913

SEVENTEEN SALOONS
In Perry County Put Out Of Business
Duquoin, Ill., Dec 8 - As a result of the recent election in Perry county, seventeen saloons closed Friday night -- ten at Pinckneyville and seven at Willisville. Following the election the wets in this and Randolph county took a test case to the Randolph county court, but Judge Schuwerk sustained the election and decided the votes polled by women did not nullify it. Duquoin now is the only wet oasis in Perry county, and the only wet town in Illinois Central between Christopher and Lenzburg. It has twenty four saloons..
Mr. Carmel Daily Republican, Volume 13, 8 December 1913

30 Apr 1914

Illinois Mine Body Meets
Springfield, Apr 30 - Ready to proceed with the work of investigating and recommending partial revision of state mining laws, members of the newly created state mining investigatation commission met here, organized and will at once take up their new work. Officers chosen were: President Thomas Jeremiah, an operator of Williville, secretary, R. J. Wilson, a miner, of Marissa. The commission includes in its personnel three operators, three miners and three disinterested persons. Its investigations will form the basis of a report to the next general assembly.
The Monmouth Daily Atlas, 30 Apr 1914

18 Aug 1914

BOY PRISONER IN BOX CAR
Willisville, Ill, Youngster Liberated in East St. Louis
Stephen Leduga, 10 year old son of Andrew Leduga of Willsiville, Ill., was found asleep in a box car in the freight yards of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company in East St. Louis yesterday. The boy told police he crawled into the freight car in Willsville Sunday afternoon and went to sleep. When he awoke, he says it was dark and the car was moving.
Dazed and frightened by the unexpected trip, he cried himself to sleep and was awakened a second time when a policeman aroused him. The police telegraphed to Willisville and a ticket was telegraphed back by the boy's father. The boy returned home last night.
St. Louis Globe Democrat, 18 Aug 1914, page 5

12 Oct 1914

ILLINOIS MOB KILLS ITALIAN WHO SHOT TWO
Riot Feared in Willisville as
Result of Street Fight Sunday Night
Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat
AVA, ILL, October 12 - A race riot between Italians and Americans is feared at Willisville, a mining town north of Ava, as the result of the lynching late today of Albert Piazza, a poolroom owner, who shot Andrew Adams last night in an attempted hold up.
Piazza and his brother Sam accosted Adams on the street last night. Adams drew his revolver and shot Sam Piazza killing him. Albert Piazza then fired on Adams, seriously wounding him. Will Cooper, who was passing along on the opposite side of the street, ran to Adams' assistance and was also shot by Piazza.
A crowd gathered and many shots were fired at Piazza as he attempted to flee. He escaped unhurt, but was caught by city authorities.
This afternoon the city marshal of Willisville departed for Pinckneyville, the county seat, with his prisoner, intending to put him in jail there. When near Percy he was stopped by a mob of 500 or 600 Americans and his prisoner taken away from him. Piazza was then fired upon by the mob and seventy six bullets entered his body.
Adams and Cooper were rushed to Murphysboro on a special train to the hospital, where it is stated they are probably fatally wounded.
Great excitment prevails in Willisville tonight. Trouble between Americans and Italians has been brewing for some time, but this is the first fight in which lives were lost.
The mines at Willisville are operated by the Willis Coal and Mining Company, with headquarters at St. Louis.
St. Louis Globe Democrat, 13 Oct 1914, page 1

13 Oct 1914

Killing in Willisville
A race riot between Italians and Americans is feared at Willisville, a mining town north of Ava, as the result of the lynching of Albert Piazzia, a poolroom owner, who shot Andrew Adams in an attempted hold-up.  The cause of the trouble seems to be of several years duration.  A man by the name of Will Cooper is wounded in addition to Andrew Adams and they both were sent to hospital at Murphysboro that night.  Reports are that Cooper and some Italians had trouble a few years ago & Cooper has felt that he has been in danger ever since that time.  Cooper was accosted by Piazzia and his brother, Sunday night and he called to Adams, who was passing by for assistance and then the feud started.
Daily Free Press

14 Oct 1914

Inquest fails to identify memebers of mob who killed Piazza at Willisville
Percy, Illinois, October 14 - Willisville is quiet and there is no excitement here.  Coroner Devine assisted by State Attorney Riess, held an inquest and no evidence could be found identifying any of the masked crowd who lynched Albert Piazza.  The jury returned a verdict that Piazza came to his death on October 12, 1914 by bullet wounds he suffered from a mob of unknown persons, after being taken from the officers about one mile south of Percy.  The body of Piazza was taken to Willisville, where it will be buried today.  His brother, Sam Piazza, who was killed in the fight Sunday night, was buried there yesterday.  The body of Andy Adams, who died in the Murphysboro Hospital was brought to Willisville.  There is considerable excitement in Willisville and several deputies have been sworn in to keep the peace.  Cooper, the other fellow wounded in the feud Sunday night is improving at the hospital at Murphsboro and is expected to get well.  The Italians are leaving Willisville and going to Murphysboro by lots as they are fearful of the Americans at that place.  They are leaving their families behind and will send for them when they get work.  Piazza's body was buried today with over a hundred bullet holes in it.  Even his shoes were perforated with bullets.  He was shot while in the buggy and after the officers were ordered out.  He was still handcuffed and the officers were taking him to Percy preparatory in lodging him the jail at Pinckneyville.
Daily Free Press

15 Oct 1914

Cooper Fourth Victim
Will Cooper died at 2:45 this morning, the fourth victim of the battle at Willisville, Sunday between himself and Adams and the two Piazza brothers.  The bullet which struck Cooper is thought to have been poisoned.  At the undertaking firm of Roberts and Sons it was learned that all post mortem indications point to a loaded bullet.  The body turning black as it does in case of such death.  It was found that Cooper did not even posses a pocket knife at the time of the trouble and though he was a powerful man in stature was unable to cope with the armed Italians.  Cooper was shot in the left side in a spot not far from that in which Adams was struck.  He had lived in Willisville for sometime, was about 25 years of age and unmarried.  The corpse was taken up on No. 2 of the M. & O. Wednesday afternoon for internment.
Daily Free Press

15 Oct 1914

Murder at Willisville
Sunday night the Village of Willisville, not to be outdone by the big powers in Europe, had a little war of their own.  One man was killed and one was seriously wounded.  One of which it is thought will die.  The fight occurred about 9:00 Sunday night.  Albert Piazza aged about 23 and his brother Sam, aged about 19 fought Andrew Adams and Will Cooper.  Sam Piazza was killed.  His brother was placed under arrest after the fight.  Cooper and Adams were placed on the Mobile and Ohio accommodation and were taken to Murphysboro Hospital.  Andrew died Monday night.  Monday officers arrested Albert Piazza, placed him in  a buggy and started to Percy to take a train for Pinckneyville to place him in jail.  When near Percy they were halted by a body of men, the prisoner was taken over from the officers and literally shot to pieces.  It is said over 100 bullets were fired into his body.  Excitement is high at Willisville and a race riot is feared.
Illinois Herald

16 Oct 1914

TROOPS TO SUPPRESS RIOTS
 Sptingfield, Ill., Oct 16 - Gov. Dunne early today hd not received a report from Adj't Gen. Dickson, who went last night to Willisville with instructions to mobilize the state militia at Carbondale for the suppression or rioting which Italian Consul Dallagno of Chicago wired Gov. Dunne were directed against Italians of the mining camps around Willisville. Trouble started with the killing of an Italian miner Monday.
The Day Book, Volume 4, Number 17, 16 Oct 1914

16 Oct 1914

DUNNE ORDERED TO PROTECT COLONY
Instructs Military Company to  Be in Readiness to Go to Willisville
Springfield, Ill, Oct 16 - The Italian Consul at Chicago last night wired Governor Dunne asking for aid because of threatened violence at Willisville, Ill, where an Italian was killed on Monday.  The governor immediatly wired the sheriff of Perry County for information and wired the captain of the nearest company of the Illinois National Guard at Carbondale to have his company prepared to move at a moments notice.  The governor also send Adjutant General Frank Dickson to Willisville to investigate.
The Rock Island Argus, Vol Sixty-Third Year, No 311

23 Oct 1914

Duquoin - The funeral of Andrew Adams, who was shot by Albert Piazza at Willisville, was held In Willisville. Adams died In the Murphysboro hospital, where he and Will Cooper were taken after the rioting In Willisville, in which Piazza was mobbed. Adams was twenty-three years old and was to have been married to Miss Bessie Kerr of Willisville in November.
Cook County Herald

23 Oct 1914

DuQuoin - Troops stationed at Carbondale who had been ordered held in readiness for riot duty, will not be needed in Willisville.  Mayor Thomas Jeremiah of that town notified Governor Dunne.  Governor Dunne issued orders to the militia at the request of the Italian Consul  in Springfield.  The Willisville authorities say they have the situation well in hand.  The two mines, which has not worked since the riot, in which four lives were lost, resumed operations and conditions are expected to become normal soon.
Bureau County Tribune, Vol 42, No 8

24 Nov 1914

Three Illinois Mines Closed
DuQuoin, Nov 24 - The Willis Coal & Mining company has announced that two of its large mines at Sparta and Willisville, southwest of here, will be closed for an indefinite period.  The Willisville mine employees nearly four hundred men, while a smaller number are employed at Sparta.  The Missouri and Illinois mine at Willisville, controlled by St. Louis interests has  also suspended.  The Percy mine of the Willis company will be operated to supply the Mobile & Ohio railroad contract.
Urbana Daily Courier, Vol 24

31 Dec 1914

Labor Leader Jailed
Chester, IL Dec 31. - Allen Russell, a labor leader of Willisville, Ill, who was arrested in Henrietta, Okla on a charge of murder in connection with the lynching of Albert Piazza by a mob of coal miners near Willisville, October 12, was placed in jail here today. Four others are held here under a similar charges.
Edward Beisner, an alderman of Willisville, one of the prisoners is endeavoring to obtain his release on bond through habeas corpus proceedings. The case will be argued Monday.
The lynching of Piazza, an Italian miner, was followed by a day of general fighting between American and Italian miners in which two Americans and Piazza's brother were killed. The Italian consul was instrumental in bringing about a grand jury investigation. The Springfield News, 1 Jan 1915, page 4

16 Jan 1915

Willisville - The Willisville coal mines south of Sparta have reopened. These mines employ about 300 men and shutdown several weeks ago, when a race riot broke out and two Americans and two Italians were killed. In the reopening, both Americans and Italians got their old jobs back.
Coal Age, Vol. 7 Coal & Coke News

15 Feb 1915

Liquor Cases at DuQuoin Continued
DuQuoin, Feb 15 - Bootlegging cases from Pinckneyville, Swanwick and Willisville have been continued to the September term of the Perry county court by Judge Louis R. Kelly, some because of faulty indictments and others because of the absence or principals and witnesses.  DuQuoin is the only "wet" town in the county.
Urbana Daily Courier

12 Mar 1915

Chester - The trial of Allen Russel, Nelson Osborne, Charles Dllday, Thomas Browning and Edward Beisner, charged with the murder of Albert Piazza on a country road near Percy, 111., is in progress here, following the completion of the jury iate yesterday. Seven laborers, three farmers, one carpenter and one barber are on the panel. Piazza, who killed two men in a street fight at Willisville, October 11, was taken from bis captors by a mob ot 30 men the following day on the way to Plnckneyville and shot to death.
Edwardsville Intelligencer

26 Jun 1915

Percy - The mines at Willisville have been closed down for about 60 days throwing approximately 300 men out of work. At a recent meeting of the miners' union at Percy, it was decided to share up with the men at Willisville. Accordingly about 125 men were given places at the mine.
Coal Age, Vol 7 Coal & Coke News

21 Oct 1915

Danville - Charging that her son, Albert Tiazza, was put to death illegally and that the authorities of Randolph county are responsible, Mariah Valventi Tiazza has brought suit  in the federal court against the county.  She asks $5,000 damages.  Tiazza was being transferred from the county jail at Willisville, Perry County, to Pinckneyville.  A part of the route led through Randolph county.  Just south of the town of Percy Tiazza was taken from the Sheriff, mayor, and a number of deputies by a mob and lynched.  He was single and the sole support of his mother, the latters avers in the suit.
Franklin Reporter, Vol 48, No. 42

4 Nov 1915

TWO ILLINOIS TOWNS GO WET

Springfield, Ill., Nov 4 - Two southern Illinois towns which were captured by the drys two years ago following the passage of the suffrage act swung back on Tuesday into the wet column. Seven other dry towns where the issue was raised voted to continue without saloons. The two places where saloons will be restored are Percy, Randolph county, and Willisville, Perry county. Percy went wet by 38 votes while Willisville tumbled off the water wagon by a majority of 153. Beardstown and Mounds voted to remain wet. The dry towns where the drys won were Grand Chain, Ullin, Coulterville, Baldwin, Metropolis, Thebes and Pinckneyville. The towns which voted on the saloon question were in southern Illinois counties which are under the precinct form of county organization.

The Naperville Clarion, Volume 52, Number 16, 10 Nov 1915, page 2

14 Nov 1916

MOB HANGED HER SON;
MOTHER SUES COUNTY

Case Being Heard in Federal Court Today. Mother is in Italy.
She Asks $5000. Randolph County is Defendent
The Federal Court of the Eastern District of Illinois is getting down to business today. The grand jury was sworn in yesterday afterhoon, with Andrew J. Rendleman of Murphysboro as foreman.
The case of Mrs. Maria Antonia Valenti Piazza vs the County of Randolph, etc., for $5000 damages was called and is now being tried. It is that of an aged woman in Italy suing the county because a mob there hanged her son, upon whom she was dependent for a living. She asks $5,000 for his life. The trial is the first of it's kind in a Federal court in the Eastern St. Louis.
Most important testimony will be the deposition, censor worn, and pathetic, of the aged mother, declaring her son sent her 100 lire a few days before he was kiled. She has received no money since, she declares, and is in want.
On October 12, 1914, Albert and Samuel Piazza fought a revolver duel with two American miners on the streets of Willisville, Ill. Samuel was killed and the two Americans died of their wounds.
Race feeling was high in the town and the sheriff hurried the survivor of the fight, Albert Piazza, towards jail. To reach the county seat he had to cut across a corner of Randolph county. The mob overtook them there. Albert was hanged.
It is said the statutes of Illinois provide that when a person is lynched a relative who can show dependeny for support on the victim can sue the county in wich it happened.
Randolph count's defense will be that a Perry county mob hanged the young Italian and that Perry County is responsible.
Mrs. Piazza's deposition, largely a recital of how she was dependant on her son for support, was received September 6. It has been broken open and shows many marks of the cenaor.
She is represented by Ira Edward Westbrook of the law firm of Hyde, Westbrook & Watson, of Chicago. With him is J.M. Picco of Springfield, Ill., the Italian consular agent.
A large number of person from St. Louis are present, likewise a number of local attorneys.

The Daily Journal, Volume Twenty Eighth Year, Number 269, 14 Nov 1916, page 1

28 May 1917

Willisville Destroyed
St. Louis, May 27 - The village of Willisville, Perry county, Ill , was virtually destroyed by a tornado, according to advices received by the Mobile and Ohio railroad.  There is no lose of life reported.

27 Apr 1918

Man and Woman held for Death of Babies
DuQuoin, Ill, Apr 26 - Pete Tallo, 23 years old, and Mrs. Maggie Chambers, both of Willisville, Ill are in the Perry county jail tonight following the finding of the body of two babies in a pond at Willisville.  The two are charged  with complicity in the death of the babies.
The Cairo Bulletin, Vol 50, No. 117

22 Aug 1918

ILLINOISAN MOURNED AS DEAD HEARD FROM
Letter arrives after Lieut. Ray Bradley's Friends Hold Service
WILLISVILLE, ILL, August 22 - To be mourned as dead only to be found in the thick of the fighting in France is the experience of Lieut. Ray Bradley of Willisville. Several days ago Capt. John Bradley, a brother of Lieut. Bradley, in command of cavalry troops in Texas, was notified by the War Department of the death of his brother. Capt. Bradley transmitted the news to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Bradley, at Willisville. A few days later memorial services were held in the little church in Willisville.
Two days later the bereaved parents received a letter from their son in France, written some time before his death was reported to have occurred. The letter reflected the spirit of thousands of other American lads who have gone overseas -- a willingness to give the suprmem sacrifice.
In part Lieut. Bradley wrote his father:
We rather expect to be in action now very soon, although we don't know
definitely just when we will go up. We are looking forward to the event
with a great deal of anticipation
We are expecting some pretty big things for this summer. I hope and
trust that a son of such a father as you will conduct himself bravely
and honorably throughout the war.
We are fatalists here, you know, and believe what is to happen will
happen, so why worry? I trust and pray that I may get to be with
you all again, but if the Devine One wills otherwise, it is for the best.

However the gloom that prevaded the home of the Bradley family at Willisville has changed to gladness for another letter has just been received from Lieut. Bradley, dated four days after he was reported dead. The letter stated that he had been wounded but was doing nicely and would be able to return to his company within a few days.
Lieut. Bradley received his commission in the officer training school at Fort Sheridan and was assigned to Camp Greene, North Carolina.
St. Louis Globe Democrat, 24 Aug 1918, page 10

30 Aug 1918

MONUMENT TO LIVE SOLDIER
Memorial Shaft to One Thought Dead
Has Become Problem in Illinois
Willisville, Ill. - In this little city a few days ago a modest stone shaft was unveiled in a grove in memory of Lieut. T. Ray Bradley, the first Williville youth to die in France. Hundreds gathered for the memorial services. Capt. John Bradley, a brother, came from a Texas cantonment to attend.
Lieut Bradley, according to a war department message to his father, died of wounds reeived in battle July 19.
Today Willisville is wondering what it is going to do with the monument which stands in the grove--in memory of Lieut. Bradley, the towns first hero. For the young lieutenant's father has received a letter from his boy, informing him that he was ralidly recovering from wounds received in battle July 19.
Meramec Valley Transcript, Fri Aug 30 1918, page 6

4 Sep 1918

U.S. CASUALTIES
Severely Wounded: Private John M. Tallo of Willisville.
The Champaign Daily News, Volume 24, Number 32, 5 Sep 1918

13 Jan 1919

U.S. CASUALTIES
Killed in Action: Roger D. Taft, Willisville
The Champaign Daily Gazette, 13 Jan 1919

13 Feb 1919

Officer Reported Dead Home
Special to the Post Dispatch
DUQUOIN, Ill., Feb 13 - Lieut. Ray Bradley, badly wounded in the Argonne Forest battle and previously reported dead, has arrived on furlough from a hospital at his home at Willisville, southwest of DuQuoin. Lieut. Bradley left with the old Fourth Illinois Regiment. Late in October he was reported dead, and memorial services were held for him in one of the churches at Willisville.
St. Louis Post Dispatch, 13 Feb 1919, page 18

19 Aug 1919

RECKLESS DRIVER GETS $10 FINE
Bruce Benjamin of Willisville, Ill. who ditched his automobile in State street near the canal, in an effort to escape arrest following a collision farther downtown, was taken into custody on a charge of reckless driving an was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Brady. He entered a plea of guilty and was fined $10 and costs. George Mitzner also of Willisville his companion entered a plea of guilty in a similar charge and was fined $5 and costs.
According to the policeman, Benjamin was driving east on State street struck a motor car owned by Harvey Tzinburg, a grocer of Thirty-eighth and State streets at that street intersection. Tzinburg's machine was bumped across the street, according to the police report.
East St Louis Daily Journal, Volume Thirty First Year, Number 196, 19 August 1919

21 Oct 1919

PROPOSE CHANGE IN NEW HIGHWAY
At a meeting of the executive committee of the association promoting the highway known as the "Burlington Way", held in St. Louis, the name of this route which extends through southern Illinois, was changed to the "Mississippi Valley Highway" and changes in the route which affect many cities in this end of the state were discussed.
A delegation of citizens of Pinckneyville and Vergennes, Ill., have presented a petition that the proposed route be changed to go from Sparta to Pinckneyville, Vergennes and Carbondale, instead of to Steeleville, Willisville, Campbell Hill, Ava, and Carbondale. The latter cities were given an opportunity to make arguments against the proposed change of route.
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume Thirty First Year, number 249, 21 Oct

9 Apr 1920

CONSTABLE PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGE OF SELLING LIQUOR
Sentenced to Serve 90 Days in Jail Here, Pay License and Fine of $100
Men sworn to enforce the law sometimes violate it, as shown by the case of Ben Dooley of Murphysboro, constable, who entered a plea of guilty in federal court here yesterday morning to a charge of selling liquor without a license. He was sentenced to serve 90 days in the Alexander county jail, pay a fine of $100 and will be required to pay a license of $1,000.Sentence was deferred by Judge English yesterday when Pete Medici pleased guilty to a charge of selling liquor at Willisville, Ill, in violation of wartime prohibition.
The Cairo Bulletin, Vol 52, No. 110, 9 Apr 1920

10 Apr 1920

SENTENCES ARE IMPOSED IN FEDERAL COURT
Several Pleas of Guilty Entered to Various Charges of Violating Laws.
Sentences were imposed in federal court yesterday by Judge English on several persons who had entered pleas of guilty to various charges of violating federal laws.
Pete Medici, of Willisville, who pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of selling liquor in violation of the wartime prohibition act, was sentenced to serve 90 days in the Alexander county jail and pay a fine of $100.
The Cairo Bulletin, Vol 52, No. 111, 10 Apr 1920

21 May 1920

YOUTH CLEANING SHOTGUN KILLS SISTER ACCIDENTLY
Weapon is Discharged and Contents Enter Body of Girl, Five, at Willisville, Ill
DU QOUIN, Ill, May 21 - While cleaning a shotgun at his home late yesterday afternoon, Glendon Jeremiah, 16 years old, of Willisville southwest of Du Qouin, accidently killed his 5 year old sister, Myrtle, who was standing nearby. The whole contents of the gun took effect in the child's body.
The father of the children, John Jeremiah, was recently made general superindetent of the mining and dairy interests at Willisville, of the Willis Coal Co. of St. Louis, succeeding his uncle, Thomas Jeremiah, widely known mine operator, who expired suddenly
St. Louis Post Dispatch, Fri, May 21 1920, page 2

17 Mar 1921

HERE'S A BOSSY WORTH SOME CASH
WILCO FARMS AT WILLISVILLE, ILL, OWN CHAMPION MILK COW
AVERAGES 105 POUNDS
Holstein Cow Establishes Great Record - Pedigree Shows Famous Holstein Pure Stock
Willisville, Ill, Mar. 17 - Establishment of two more state records for milk production by Beaucoup Beulah, prize Holstein cow of the Wilco Farms of Willisville, in Perry county, has been followed by announcement that this animal is the only one in Illinois to hold three state milk records at the same time, made in two different lactation periods.
The three records now adorning the account of this animal whose full name, Beaucoup Beaulah Sir Segis Walker, denotes the fact that she is a grand daughter of Sir Segis, one of the greatest Holstein bulls that ever lived, are as follows:
Produced in 7 days, 784.3 lbs - New Record
Produced in 30 days, 3,223.6 lbs - New Record
Produced in 365 days, 19,542.4 lbs - Last year's record
This premier cow is seven years old. She had a calf on January 23, 1921, and was started on the record breaking test February 1. On March 7, after thirty five days of officia milking, she had given 3,671.7 pounds or an average of almost 105 pounds of milk daily. Her highest day's production was 115.2 pounds.
The Macomb Daily By-stander, Volume 17, Number 88, 18 Mar 1921

17 Mar 1922

The Leon Hypnotic Show company which showed to a fair crowd in Ava Thursday night are billed to show in Williville Friday night, March 17, and in Campbell Hill on Saturday night the 18th.

21 Mar 1922

BODY OF SLAIN MAN IS FOUND AFTER 12 HOURS
F. Campanella, Drink Parlor Owner and Two Mysterious Visitors Suspected.
WIFE AND SON QUESTIONED Fear of Assassination Caused Them to Keep Secret of Murder Until This Morning.
A mother and her 13-year-old son are being held at the police station today following the fatal shooting last night of Charles Lemon, 6900 State street, in the home of Frank Campanella, in the rear of his soft drink parlor at 2005 Missouri avenue. The husband and father of the prisoners disappeared a few minutes following the tragedy and his whereabouts are being sought by the police. Two men seen leaving the place a short time before the departure of the proprietor of the place, Campanella, and who is missing, are declared by the boy held at the police station, Frank Campanella, to have been the slayers of Lemon.
Mrs. Josie Campanella, wife of the proprietor of the saloon, is in most respects non-communicative, the police being unable to secure a tangible account of the shooting from her. She denies knowledge of the events leading up to the murder. The most startling statement made by the woman prisoner is that she permitted a dance in the rear of the saloon during the evening, while Lemon laid in the bathroom, adjoining, a corpse. The revel was permitted in the place long after the tragedy, the woman admits.
Although the shooting occurred shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, the police were not informed of the tragedy until 6:45 o'clock this morning. Asked why she allowed twelve hours to elapse before reporting the death of Lemon, Mrs. Campanella said: "I was afraid of the two men; they would have killed me and my children had I told it." The woman talks in broken English. She was born in Italy.
It developed that Mrs. Campanella had been responsible for the visit of Lemon to her husband's saloon early yesterday afternoon before he has beaten and shot to death. She said she went to his home and induced the man to visit the saloon, desiring that he settle a debt of $75 with her husband. Lemon drove Mrs. Campanella in his automobile to the saloon. This was an hour or so before the shooting. The automobile of the dead man was still standing in front of the Campanella place this morning when the police visited the scene.
Mrs. Campanella admits she heard her husband and the victim of the tragedy talking loudly together a short time before the shooting. She heard the man say something about "alcohol," she said. She further acknowledged that she knew that Lemon was a bootlegger. She said she had heard him talk about his stills.
Lemon was brutally murdered. He was shot in the body three times. His face and other parts of the body are badly mutilated as if the wounds were inflicted by some sharp instrument. The police are puzzled as to what sort of weapon might have been used in addition to the revolver.
The body was lying prostrate on the floor when Sergeant Healy and Patrolman Stanton visited the place early today. He was lying only a few feet from the bathtub. Large pools of blood lay underneath and around him. There was no doubt but that he had been instantly killed. The police say it was one of the most brutal murders they had ever known of.
A revolver was found lying near the dead man's body. It was filled with shells. Apparently, the police say, it belonged to the dead man. He had never been permitted to make use of it. The handle of the weapon was partly knocked off. Apparently Lemon, after a desperate struggle with the odds strongly against him, had managed to extract the weapon from his pocket. Being in close quarters he probably did not have time to draw the revolver in a natural manner. Instead he must have grasped the weapon by the barrel attempting to use it as a club. At any rate a shot from another revolver had all but mutilated the entire handle of the gun. There was a mark on the handle showing it had been struck by a bullet.
The only connected account of the affair secured by the police as to the happenings in the Campanella place yesterday afternoon were furnished by Francis, 1817 Kansas avenue. This young man, however, did not throw any light on the mystery.
Bertrand declared he visited the saloon about 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon. Campanella, his wife and son were all there at the time. He saw the two strange men leave the place after the shots were fired, but he did not see them enter.
"Paperhangers had been doing paperhanging in the place and I thought the noise I heard was the workmen," Bertrand declared. "I was in the saloon about 15 minutes before the shooting. I did not see Lemon. When I left the place, I saw two men coming out of the front door. I did not know them."
Mrs. Campanella, when questioned by the police, said that she had been in the kitchen when the shooting occurred. She said she did not see the slayers. She said she was afraid to tell the police because she feared for her life.
The dead man was 42 years old and lived at 6900 State street. He is survived by a wife and five children. He had lived in East St. Louis for about 15 years.
The police are continuing their search for Frank Campanella. It is believed that he may be hiding in the vicinity of Willisville, where he formerly lived.
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume 34th Year, Number 80, 21 Mar 1922

22 Mar 1922

CAMPANELLA A SUICIDE; MISSING WIFE LOCATED
CAMPANELLA WOMAN APPEARS AT NOON TODAY
24-Hour Search of Police Ended When She Was Found in Attorney's Office.
HUSBAND HANGS SELF IN CELL
Used Shirt to Secure Noose - Had Declared Innocence of Killing Man
The reported disappearance of Mrs. Josie Campanella, whose husband, John Campanella, 37 years old, 2005 Missouri avenue, hung himself in a cell at the police station yesterday morning, was cleared up today when it was learned at the noon hour that he woman had been located after a search of many hours by the police and other officials desiring to notify her of another act in the tragedy which had its beginning when Charles Lemon was murdered in Campanella's place last Monday afternoon.
Mrs. Campanella is under $1,000 bond for her appearance in Justice of the Peace Brady's court tomorrow morning on the charge of being an accessory before the fact in the murder. Campanella had been charged with the murder in a warrant executed by Assistant State's Attorney John Freels. Attorney Joe McGlynn, representing Mrs. Campanella, said this afternoon that his client had been found in the home of a relative. Word of the suicide of her husband was brought to her many hours after Campanella's death, according to the attorney.
Campanella had been accused of the murder of Charles Lemon, 6900 State street. The wife was liberated on furnishing $1,000 bond Friday morning, having been charged in a warrant preferred by Assistant State's Attorney John Freels with being "an accessory before the fact in the murder."
Campanella took his own life shortly after midnight Saturday. He was found with his body suspended from an iron bar in front of his cell. The alleged slayer of Lemon had tied his shirt around his neck as a means to taking his life. He was dead when found by Patrolman McHenry. Twenty minutes previous to the gruesome finding Campanella had refused a drink of water offered him by the police janitor. The body was removed to Niederfeld and Johnson's undertaking establishment. The inquest will be conducted by Coroner R. F. Barker at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Campanella declared his innocence when brought to the police station last Wednesday morning by Lieutenants of Police Bishop and Schrader following his arrest in St. Louis. He declared the crime had been committed by Tony Rolla, 1127 North Ninth street, St. Louis. Rolla proved an alibi and was freed by the police soon after he had been detained. The police felt satisfied that Campanella had been responsible for Lemon's death in the Italian's place of business last Monday afternoon. He had fled from his saloon soon after the murder.
When a warrant was sworn out against Campanella charging murder he employed Attorney Joe McGlynn to defend him, still insisting he was innocent. Both Campanella and his wife were arraigned before Justice of the Peace Brady last Thursday morning. Campanella demanded a preliminary hearing when taken before the court. The case was set for a hearing tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
Although the police were positive Campanella was implicated in the murder of Lemon, there was an element of mystery in the case. There was doubt as to the motive in committing the brutal murder. Lemon, who was also an Italian, had been on intimate terms with the Campanellas for some time. It is said he had been engaged in the manufacture of whiskey. He and Campanella had been talking about alcohol, on the afternoon of the murder in Campanella's salooning to Mrs. Campanella. It was also stated by the woman that Lemon owed her husband $75. He had sought Lemon at his home early Monday afternoon. Lemon brought her to the saloon about 3 o'clock, she said, in his automobile. Lemon never left the place alive. His body was found in a bathroom in the living quarters of the Campanellas on the morning following the murder.
Lemon was killed shortly after 5 o'clock Monday afternoon. There had been a desperate struggle. Persons in the saloon in the front of the building had heard the noise, but thought the commotion was caused by carpenters engaged in remodeling the place. The body of the murdered man was riddled with four bullet wounds. His limbs and face were also terribly disfigured as though a heavy instrument had been used in beating him up.
Campanella, according to his wife, had killed a man in Willisville, Ill., several years ago before they moved here. She said her husband had been set free by a jury on the plea of self-defense. There were nine Italian families which came to this country from Italy 17 years ago with the Campanellas. They all settled in this state. Some of them moved here with the Campanellas from Willisville, it is said. Several murders are said to have been committed in the Italian colony of which the Campanellas were a part.
The exoneration of Rolla, the St. Louisan, who had been accused by Campanella as having caused Lemon's death here last week, was attended by a dramatic incident at the police station last Thursday. Rolla and Campanella were brought together in a room on the second floor. Rolla did not know when he was ushered into Campanella's presence that the latter had accused him. Campanella declared in English: “There’s the man that killed Lemon”. Rolla did not understand English. An interpreter, however, informed Rolla of the charge made by his accuser.
Rolla jumped excitedly from the chair in which he was seated and made a lunge at Campanella. The two men grappled desperately. Rolla dealt several stinging blows to his antagonist's face, giving Campanella a pair of black eyes before four detectives could separate the men. Rolla was freed when he proved he had been with his wife and children at the time of the murder of Lemon. Rolla had been to Campanella's saloon on the morning of the murder, however, and remained there only a few minutes.
Campanella had been confined to cell No. 2 at the police station. Yesterday afternoon he was noticed to be acting queerly. About midnight Saturday the janitor at the station made the rounds of the cells to inquire among the various prisoners whether they wanted anything. Campanella was asked if he wanted a drink of water as he had complained of being thirsty early in the evening. He replied he did not need anything before he went to sleep.
Twenty minutes later Patrolman McHenry made the rounds of the cells. He peered into Campanella’s cell and saw his body suspended. The man's legs were dangling against the cell door. He had tied his shirt around his neck while another portion of the shirt was tied around a cross-bar at the top of the cell door.
The officer cut the prisoner loose with his knife. Sergeant Brennan and others at the station rushed to the scene of the tragedy and it was apparent to all of them that the man was dead.
Campanella has four children, the oldest being 13 years old. The two youngest children were taken from the Campanella home last week by Sergeant James K. Ewing to the humane office, and placed in the dependent children's home. John Campanella, Jr., 13 years old, who was detained by the police for two days following the murder of Lemon, went to the home of his grandparents at Willisville Friday. Another son, Frank, 9 years old, has been living in Willisville since the Campanellas came to East St. Louis.
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume 34th Year, Number 86, 27 Mar 1922, pp 1&2

16 Aug 1922

CREWS FORCED TO SIDETRACK COAL
Striking Miners Compel Trainmen
to Leave Five Cars at Willisville, ILL
By Associated Press
MURPHYSBORO, ILL, Aug 16 - Approximately 150 striking miners forced the crew of a Mobile and Ohio train to sidetrack five cars of coal at Willisville, 10 miles north of here this afternoon which was bound for East St. Louis, according to an announcement tonight by E.E. Norris, vice president of the railroad.
Vice President Norris said the coal had been in storage here since the strike began and that is was being movee to East St. Louis for the use of the railroad when it was fond impossible to bring coal from the nonunion fields of Kentucky through southern Illinois. Several deputy marshals were in the Willisville district, Norris declared, but were unable to cope with the situation.
About 20 cars of coal from the nonunion fields of Alabama were sidetracked from two trains at Percy at the demand of miners last week. Norris said coal in about a dozen cars had been dumped on the track and wooden cars loaded with coal had been burned. The coal was bound for St. Louis
The Springfield News, Aug 17 1922, page 1
17 Aug 1922 SHERIFF TO GUARD I. C. COAL TRAINS
Occurrence at Willisville Yesterday Incites Action to Save City Fuel Supply.
  Sheriff Martin Schnipper, of St. Clair county, has sworn in a force of special deputies and these are now patrolling the right-of-way of the Illinois Central railway at points where there is danger of coal trains being intercepted on their way into East St. Louis. This movement was deemed necessary by the sheriff following the stopping of coal trains in various counties of Southern Illinois by striking miners and their sympathizers.
Mobs have gathered at various points and forced train crews to cut out coal cars from their trains that were bringing coal into East St. Louis from the Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama non-union fields. This occurred at Willisville in Perry county yesterday afternoon. Five cars were cut from a train on the M. & O. railroad there.
An injunction directed against the miners' unions, all their officials, members and sympathizers, has been secured by the M. & O. in the Federal court here and the incident at Willisville yesterday is in direct violation of the restraining order.
United States Marshal White has ordered a force of deputies into Perry county, where he had two men at work yesterday who were unable to cope with the situation. About ten cars of coal have been dumped out near Percy and one load was burned.
Sheriff Schnipper heard that similar action was threatened along the Illinois Central and he decided to place deputies at strategic points to head off this danger. The deputies are armed and divided into squads for day and night duty.
It is declared that if the county officials are unable to cope with this trouble troops will be called for. There is a bitter feeling between the miners and the railroad men because the latter will haul coal from the non-union fields to the south. The miners believe that as long as coal can be gotten into the East St. Louis market they cannot win their strike.

29 Jan 1924

Girl Sleuth Starts for Big-Time Bandits but Lands in Custody
Matilda Sills, 19, Comes to St. Louis disguised as a Boy.
Matilda Sills, 19 and pretty, admits that she intends to be a regular detective some day, but her plans for a roseate future, in which she had visions of capturing dare-devil bandits and reaping untold wealth in rewards, were rudely interrupted yesterday afternoon when she was taken into custody at Union Station by Officer John Dunn as she alighted from a train that had brought her to St. Louis from Willisville, Ill. The trouble was that Matilda was masquerading as a boy and although she has committed no misdemeanor that brings her within the law, yet the police don't think it's altogether proper for her to be traveling around the country in such a disguise
Matilda is an orphan and for the psat ten years has wandered from city to city, making her way as a domestic. She has resided in Willisville for several months and there met a sturdy coal miner, whose manly physique and masculine qualities won her admiration. She wished to emulate him Coal mining is not exactly an inviting task for a little girl, so when she chanced upon some literature, describing the vast opporunities that are offered to detectives, she signed on the dotted line and was enrolled as a "pupil" in a Kansas City school.
A Born Sleuth
She studied hard, she says, and was convinced that she was a natural born sleuth. She longed to exercise her talents, but really there is not much doind along such lines in tiny Willisville.
Her big chance came Sunday. Her friend was called to Johnston City to attend the funeral of one of the victims of the recent mine disaster. Matilda called at his room and appropriated an entire outfit of men's clothes. Snip went the scissors and her bobbed hair was cut as short as a man's. The trousers were a bit large, but a safety pin performed a satisfactory service. The overcoat fit exactly, as did a pair of new shoes.
Matilda left Willisville yesterday, her only luggage being a sheaf of detective literature that advised her as to proper methods in handling big-time bandits. She hadn't progressed to the tin-star and revolver stage the literature told her, but as soon as she had completed another course of lessons she would be qualified to take her degree in sleuthing
A Heartless Conductor
She studied her credentials carefully while enroute to St. Louis and according to her story to the police, had planned to start out today in search of a bandit-just any bandit - whom she would capture, even though she had no gun, would have her picure in the newspapers and would probably get several hundreds of thousands dollars reward.
But the train conductor spoiled her plans. He thought there was something wrong with Matilda and her make-up. He wired the St. Louis police and Officer Dunn met the train. Thirty cents was her capital, although she said she left $25 in Willisville. Dunn took her to Central Station and the police are now attempting to invest some charitable society in the girls welfare.
But Matilda is not agreeable to such plans. She feels she could be a success as a detective and sees a brilliant future for herself.
"Bandits, hold-up men everywhere and they lock me up" she sighed last night, "That's what i get for trying to work until I graduated. I should have waited for my star and pistol."
St. Louis Globe Democrat, 29 Jan 1924, page 1 & 6

11 May 1924

Organization Greater
Peoria, 11 May 1924 - "Our Organization," Mr. Nesbit said. "Is composed of approximatey 100,000 members, greater in number than ever before. This constitutes about one fifth of the membership of the entire organization of the United Mine Workers of America, and more than double the number of any other district."
Mr. Nesbit's report was referred to the committee on officers reports, which is headed by William Hartness of Canton, and as members includes John Schultz, Benton: A. S. Russell, Willisville: R. A. McAllister, Fairbury: H. M. Rucker, Westville: Bert Reid, Bryant: George Dahn, Belleville, and Mike Reynolds, Peru.
Daily Illini, 15 May 1924

12 September 1924

REVIVAL AT FIRST BAPTIST STARTS SUNDAY
The revival meeting announced for the First Baptist church will begin next Sunday. Careful plans have been made and everything gotten into shape for the evangelistic services to begin Sunday morning. The preaching will be done by Rev. Zech Ford Bond, pastor of the First Baptist church. Mr. Bond has held many meetings in the southland, having conducted services of this character in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, and also in Missouri. So successful has he been in holding revival meetings that the call has come again and again to resign his pastorate and enter the evangelistic field altogether, but thus far he has chosen to remain with his church. Mr. Bond has been pastor of the First Baptist church since April 1, having come to this church from a successful pastorate down in Georgia.
The church feels quite fortunate in having been able to secure Mr. Henry M. Ward of Willisville, Ill., to lead the singing during these meetings. Mr. Ward is a splendid soloist and a capable director. He has been engaged in some successful meetings during the summer and will come to East St. Louis enthused and fired by the spirit of the meetings in which he has been engaged. Mr. Ward will organize two choirs, one the large chorus composed of young people, the other a children's chorus. Those who have a talent for singing are asked to come and join the choir and help in this part of the service. The public is most cordially invited to attend these services. Come to the friendly church and receive a warm welcome.
Would you like me to look for more information about Rev. Zech Ford Bond or other events at the First Baptist church during this time?
East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume 36th Year, Number 255, 12 September 1924

30 Apr 1926

One Killed, 2 hurt in Auto Wreck Occurring in Freeburg
Man is Victim, Wife May Die After Accident
Dominac Pullaro, of Willisville, is Crushed to Death as Car Overturns
3 OTHERS IN AUTO ESCAPE

Driver Loses Control of Machine on Road Hits Tree and Turns Over
Dominac Pullaro, 37, Willisville, was crushed to death and two women were seriously injured when an automobile overturned on the concrete road at Freeburg, at 8 oclock last night.
His wife is in a St. Louis hospital today in a critical condition having been severely injured about the head. Mrs. Tony Tormatore of St. Louis also suffered serious injuries. Three other passengers, including the driver, escaped without a scratch.
Mr. and Mrs. Tormatore visited Pullaro, Tormator's brother-in-law at Willisville last night and were returning to St. Louis when the accident occurred. The Pullaro family accompanied them.
Tormator, who was driving lost control of the car on the road opposite the Freeburg Community High School and the machine crashed into a tree and then turned over. Pullaro was caught beneath the car and was instantly killed.
Mrs. Tormatore and Mrs. Pullaro were injured while Tormatore and two children of the Pullaro's, three and five years old, were unscathed. The women were rushed to a hospital in St. Louis.
A coroner's jury at Freeburg today returned a verdict of accidental death at an inquest over the body of Pullaro.

East St. Louis Daily Journal, Volume 38th Year, Number 120, 30 Apr 1926

22 September 1927

Ora G. Bradley, former assistant cashier of the First National bank of Willisville, charged with embezzling $8,000 of the bank's funds, pleaded guilty in the United States district court in Danville and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He claimed his salary of $90 per month was not sufficient to provide his wife with the clothes she desired and he took the money for that purpose.
The Naperville Clarion, Volume 64, Number 11, 22 September 1927, page 7

22 Jun 1928

Willis Beat Murphysboro
Sunday the Willisville American Legion base ball team defeated the Murphsboro Independants by a score of 6 to 4. Going into the ninth inning the score was a tie, 4-4, but in that inning a hit by a Willisville batsman and errors by Murphysboro decided the game.
The Ava Citizen, 22 Jun 1928

10 Oct 1929

WILLISVILLE, ILL, RAIDS NET STILL AND LIQUORS
A 150 gallon still and a quantity of wine, whiskey, and mash were seized yesterday by agents working under Deputy Prohibition Administrator Arthur E. Hamilton, who staged several raids at Willisville, Illinois.
E. Deme, operator of the places raided, was ordered to appear today before U.S. Commissioner Felsen at East St. Louis.
The officers are also seeking a man, whose name they would not reveal, and at whose place in Willisville they seized six barrels of whiskey, three barrels of wine and a quantity of home brew.
William Gerlitz, 30, a miner of Willisville yesterday put up a $4000 bond after he was charged with possession of intoxicating liguor.
The officers yesterday also raided an alledged home brew joint at Fairmont City, where they seized a quantity of whiskey and home brew, and arrested Kosta Noumoff, 42, of 2542 North Thirty-second street. Noumoff was placed in jail at East St. Louis.

St. Louis Globe Democrat, Thu, Oct 10, 1929, page 17

Compiled by Joel S. Russell