News Articles about Willisville, Illinois 1900-1920

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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 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

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 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

1 Jan 1915 Labor Leader Arrested Chester, Dec 31. - Allen Russell, 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 charge. Temple Daily Telegraph, Temple Tex, Vol 8,  No. 45

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

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

9 Apr 1920 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

Compiled by Joel S. Russell