1864, A Shooting Affair in Marion Illinois

Posted on by December 27, 2013

Confederate FlagThe Hon. James D. Pulley, owned one of the first businesses in Marion and was apparently a strong Southern sympathizer. In 1841, Pulley built “Our House”, a saloon, on the west side of the Public Square. His attempts in 1861 to promote efforts to secede from the Union early on in the Civil War landed him in “hot water” on more than one occasion, including charges of treason. To later save face, Pulley was involved with R.M. Hundley in the raising of the unsuccessful 128th Illinois Infantry.

This post is composed of two articles, the first notes the dismissal of treason charges by a Grand Jury in June 1864. The second article notes an incident in which Pulley takes exception to his name being disparaged and confronts the source, resulting in a shootout in a Marion alley the next month. Continue reading →

1897, Fatal Shootout at Freedom Church

Posted on by December 27, 2013

Fatal Affray at a Church

Marion, Ill., July 17, 1897 – A shooting affray (fight) occurred at Freedom Church last night, in which Isham J. Price lost his life. For several months a feud existed between Price and the Hamptons. The men met at the church and without words the fight began. Sylvester and Earnest Hampton, 22 and 17 years of age, shot Price several times, killing him. The Hamptons were arrested.

(Chicago Daily Tribune, Sunday July 18, 1897, Page 13)

Cox, Eugene L. “Gene” 1919-2009

Posted on by December 27, 2013

Gene CoxEugene L. “Gene” Cox was born and raised in Marion, the son of Harry L. and Mabel Cox.  The family home at his birth on March 26, 1919, was at 108 W. Goodall Street. Gene’s father, Harry, was a partner in the Cox Hardware family business on the Public Square with his father, Thomas A. Cox, who founded the business.

When the 1920 census was taken the family was still living at the W. Goodall address and Gene was only 9 months old. According to city directories, the family was still in place in 1922 but by 1927 had purchased a home at 306 E. College Street. Continue reading →

Cox, Owen J. 1902-1975

Posted on by March 23, 2017

Owen J Cox 1902-1975Owen J. Cox was born at Carbon Hill, Illinois on April 18, 1902, the son of James E. Cox and Maude Woodley. Coming to Marion as a child with his parents, most of his life had been spent in this community where he became a prominent figure.

Owen was married at Union City, Tennessee on April 25, 1920 to Elizabeth L. Norman

After working in the coal mines early in his life and spending several years in the advertising department of the Marion Daily Republican Continue reading →

Cox, Clarence C. 1893-1937

Posted on by January 28, 2014

Clarence Cox 1893-1937Clarence C. Cox was born October 31, 1893 in Grassy Precinct, the son of Thomas A. Cox and Nancy Catherine Rendleman and moved to Marion with his parents when eight years old.

Clarence Cox was always active in athletics. He graduated from the Marion Township High School in 1913 and while in high school captained both the championship track team and football team. Continue reading →