Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, Aug. 30, 1923 -- HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD FAST BEING COMPLETED -- It will be of interest to those interested in the affairs of the High School, and especially those interested in the athletic side, that with the completion of the work now being done on the field, the local High School will have one of the best athletic fields in this section of the State.

A quarter-mile track has been laid off and a layer of cinders is being put down; inside the track is the foot ball field. Around the track is a newly painted white fence which attracts considerable attention; the goal posts are painted in the school colors, maroon and myrtle. It is interesting to note that all the work has been done by the boys of the High School, who have worked hard for several weeks with splendid results. Coach Miller designed the field and has been working along with the boys, and will be able to present to the crowds who attend the games this season a very attractive place.

HOLD SUSPECT IN BENLD FIRE -- Deputy Sheriff Frank Friess on Monday arrested Fred. Lonzeratta of Benld on suspicion of having had something to do with the big fire at Benld on August 19, when the skating rink and the office of the Benld Enterprise were destroyed. The man is at present being held at the county jail, it being believed that he is mentally deranged.

Mr. Schmitt of the Benld Enterprise has started to rebuild the structure destroyed by the fire. Chas. Mergendollar of Staunton has the contract and work was started this week. Schmitty has been promised a rush job and hopes to be back on the job with both feet in a very few weeks.

Thursday, Sept. 6, 1923 -- BURNED AT NO. 14 -- Wm. Shannon, face boss at No. 14 mine, on Friday afternoon at about 1 o'clock sustained burn wounds when a quantity of gas was ignited and flared up. Mr. Shannon's injuries are about the face and hands and while not considered serious, are quite painful. He is getting along as well as may be expected under the circumstances and his many friends are a unit in wishing him a speedy recovery.

THREE KILLED BY McKINLEY CAR -- Accident Occurred Thursday Evening Just South of Staunton -- An automobile-lnterurban collision which occurred just south of our city Thursday evening at about 9:30 o'clock resulted in the instant death of three persons. Those killed wore Geo. P. Dieteman, aged 56, his wife, Gesine, aged 37, and their son Roland, aged 14, all of Mt. Olive.

Mr. and Mrs. Dieteman and their son were returning from St. Louis in a Ford truck. They had gone to the city to do some shopping preparatory to the opening of school. Besides the boy who was killed there are five other children, who were at home at the time of the tragedy. The oldest of these is 16 years of age and the youngest is a mere babe of several months.

The accident was witnessed by passengers who were in the smoker of the interurban train and statements made by them correspond with those of Motorman Wahler. The driver of the automobile attempted to cross the railroad tracks when the interurban was about 300 feet from the road crossing.

It will never be known whether Dieteman saw the car and heard the whistle and hoped to beat it over the crossing or entirely failed to observe the car. At any rate he continued his course. Those who saw the accident say the automobile truck seemed to stall when it reached the crossing. Probably he became confused on the crossing and killed the engine.

Motorman Whalen applied the brakes of the interurban but the car failed to stop. The speed had been materially reduced as the street car plowed into the automobile and sent the truck and occupants into the ditch along the road.

The bodies of the unfortunate trio were horribly mutilated and death in each case was instantaneous. Coroner Mercer was immediately notified and permitted the bodies to be removed to the undertaking establishment of A.J. Meyer at Worden, from whence, following the inquest on Friday morning, they were removed to their home at Mt. Olive. The jury rendered a verdict that death resulted from Train No. 71 striking the automobile truck, same being accidental. No one was held responsible.

Funeral services for the three victims were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Becker's undertaking parlors at Mt. Olive. Rev. Hofhenke officiated.

The five children who survive are Wilmer, Filemnie, Gilbert, Vernon and Kenneth.

AUTOMOBILE INVESTIGATOR HERE -- W. J. H. Fahrenkrog of Bunker Hill, who is automobile investigator in this vicinity, visited Staunton Tuesday, looking up violations of the laws in regard to automobiles. He found that but very few trucks in our city are equipped with mirrors as provided by law and has asked us to call attention of all owners and drivers to the fact that such mirrors must be provided or fines will be imposed. Mr. Fahrenkrog will be back in Staunton in a reasonable time and prosecutions will take place at that time if the mirrors have not been installed.

Thursday, Sept. 13, 1923 -- GUN CLUB FORMED BY LOCAL MEN -- At a meeting held at the Fischer Insurance office on Tuesday evening a local gun club was organized.

Officers chosen were as follows:

Geo. H. Luker, President.

C. C. Fischer, Secretary.

Chas. Blackwell, Treasurer.

A grounds committee, comprised of Geo. H. Luker, Tony Safco, E.C. Luker, M. Kapilla and Chas. Blackwell, was chosen and these men yesterday morning looked over several sites offered and selected a location on the mound, just east of Staunton, where traps will be erected and shoots conducted regularly.

Orders have been placed for the necessary paraphernalia and it is hoped that the first shoot may be held Sunday afternoon.

Anyone interested in this sport is invited to confer with the above officials for more information. Another meeting will be held on Monday evening at the Fischer offices to which anyone interested is invited.

WORK MAKES PROGRESS -- Work on the construction of the new addition to the city hall, to be used in housing the fire engine and equipment, is progressing nicely this week. The bricklayers have started to put on the brick veneer which will cover the outside of the building. The interior is ready for the plasterers and it is expected that in a few more weeks the structure will be ready for occupancy.