Felts, Melvin L. 1924-2001, WWII Veteran

Melvin L. Felts 1924-2001Melvin Lee Felts was born October 17, 1924 in Pittsburg to Troy Felts and Vivian Williams. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1942 and entered the navy on July 15, 1942. While serving in the U.S. Navy, his parents were employed in a Chicago war plant and his brother, Floyd E. Felts, was a machinist’s mate in the Navy.

In 1945, he was awarded a bronze star and cited by Admiral W.F. Halsey for outstanding service in action against the Japanese. Continue reading

1950, The Murder of Paul Rametta

Scene of Rametta murder in Dec 1950Paul 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

Pillow, Earl H. 1889-1918, WWI Casualty in France

Earl H. Pillow 1889-1918Earl 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

1900-1908, The Tragic Ends to Three Jordan Brothers

Anyone who has lived a reasonable amount of time will likely agree that there are times when life doesn’t always appear fair. Worse yet, there are times when it appears just downright cruel. Such may be the case for the Jordan family who lost three of their four sons, two to murder and one to an accident. Continue reading

Hudspeth Barber Shop 1904-1951

Hudspeth Barber Shop 106 N. Market ca 1910The following post originally titled “An Early Marion Barber Shop” was taken from a Glances at Life article written by Homer Butler in which he interviewed W.T. Hudspeth about his early barber shop business in Marion, Illinois. The date of the articles publication is May 4, 1951. It is an informative article about post turn-of-the-century business life on N. Market Street. W.T. Hudspeth passed away in January of 1981 and Homer Butler in May 1982. Continue reading