Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Thursday, Aug. 16, 1923 -- FOUND DEAD ALONG HARD ROAD -- A man, who according to papers on his person was Frank Siest of Glen Carbon, was found dead along the hard road about 100 feet north of the I. T. S. crossing Just below Staunton yesterday evening shortly after 5 o'clock. Mr. Best, a teamster, was driving along the road and saw the man lying there. The man had been shot in the head and a revolver was lying nearby. Whether it was a case of suicide or whether he was murdered is not known. The body was taken to Worden and the case turned over to the Madison county authorities.

Thursday, Aug. 23, 1923 -- BENLD NEWSPAPER DESTROYED BY FIRE -- Early Morning Blaze Destroys Dance Hall and Adjoining Print Shop -- The office of the Benld Enterprise, owned and operated by W. L. Schmitt, a former Staunton boy, early Sunday morning was destroyed by fire which had its inception in a dance hall which adjoined the printing office.

The fire was first discovered on the northwest corner of the dance hall and by reason of the fact that both buildings were of frame construction, the flames spread rapidly and soon had found their way to the printing office. Both buildings, the one housing the newspaper and the one used as a dance hall, are burned to the ground and are a complete loss. A number of people who gathered after the alarm of fire was given assisted Mr. Schmitt in removing some of his machinery. The linotype machine and a job press were removed from the building but it is not yet known whether they have been damaged to any considerable extent or not.

Mr. Schmitt on Monday afternoon informed the writer that he intends to re-build just as soon as possible and is at present figuring with contractors for that purpose. He will not miss an issue of his paper, Mr. Preston of the Gillespie News having offered any necessary assistance and until such time as the new building is ready for occupancy the Enterprise will be printed at Gillespie.

The Staunton Volunteer Fire Department was notified of the fire and as soon as a crew could be gotten together, went to Benld with Staunton's new truck but the fire had gained so much headway that there was little to be done toward saving the above two buildings. The large hotel building just across the alley south of the print shop had also started to burn and the fact that this structure was saved was no doubt due to the presence of the Staunton fire fighters. As it is, the window frames on the north side of the building were burned out.

Mr. Schmitt just recently bought the building destroyed by the fire and although he is pretty well protected by insurance, his loss will be a considerable one.

The cause of the fire is not known, but it is thought by some to have been due to incendiarism.

HORSE KILLED IN AUTO CRASH -- A horse owned and driven by William Abert, Hamel farmer was shot Sunday night at 8 o'clock after having two legs broken when it figured in an automobile accident with a car driven by H. Ford of Belleville.

The accident happened at the Hamel school and is said to have been due to another autoist's stopping on the hard road in violation of state traffic laws.

Mr. and Mrs. Abert were driving toward home. The automobile of Mr. Ford, a big Oakland was being driven south. Ford, his wife and three other persons, Miss Alice Ford, Elmer Ford and George Hamor, were headed southward for Edwardsville.

Abert was driving without a light on his buggy and when he arrived at the automobile which was blocking the road, turned to the left to pass the machine. A moment later Ford's automobile plowed into the horse.

It was knocked down and had to be shot a short time later. The Aberts had a narrow escape from injury. The Oakland was badly damaged. Mrs. Ford escaped with several cuts about the face and head but none of her injuries are considered as serious.

STAUNTON MERCHANTS WILL PUT ON BIG "DOLLAR DAY" -- Promises to be Biggest Merchandising Event Ever Held in our City -- Saturday, September 1, promises to be a gala occasion for the people of Staunton and vicinity, for on this day a group of some eighteen or twenty merchants of our city will put on a "Dollar Day."

No doubt everyone is familiar with the meaning of Dollar Day, but for the benefit of any who might be in doubt, let us say that it is an occasion where the merchants make special efforts to offer big values in merchandise, selling the same for $1.00.

The group of business men who are going to put on this Dollar Day, the first one ever held in Staunton, are a bunch of live wires and have made thorough preparation for the occasion. Purchasers will find many attractive bargains among the $1.00 items and there also will be offered numerous tempting combinations. Among the lines of merchandise to be represented will be dry goods, gent's clothing and furnishings, groceries, hardware, automobile tires, tubes and accessories, battery supplies, etc., so that there will be bargains for everyone.

There is at present in course of preparation a large four-page circular which will be distributed in considerable quantities throughout this territory. To the householder and citizens this big event will mean the saving of many dollars of the cost of necessary supplies, therefore save up as many dollars as you can between now and September 1 and then drag them in and make them do full service while this bargain event is in progress. When you see what the little old wagon wheel will buy for you at the Staunton merchants' "Dollar Day," you will have a new and greater respect for your iron men.

Take our advice and arrange to attend this big sale. Your money will stretch like rubber. Come early and be sure to get your share of the big bargains which will abound.