Hello Joe

Joe Cenatiempo is listed as owning/managing 2 businesses

Joe's Place ~ 9800 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis Missouri
&
Hi-Pointe Auto Supply Co. ~ 1008 McCausland Ave., St. Louis Missouri

Both addresses still exist today, however I doubt they are the same buildings as back then, but I don't know. You can look them up online.

I am not sure what happened to either of these businesses once he got out of jail. But there is record of him owning Hi-Pointe Auto Supply Co. from 1926-1928.

Being that he was in jail from January through March he received several letters. I am going to post them in order month by month. He must have gone to jail shortly after the article was written about the sentencing.

Here are January's letters

In the letters he gets, I noticed some interesting things:
 1. Cousin Margaret says 'much love from my mother and dad and all', which tells me she comes from a bigger family than just one brother as my Grandmother Margaret did so this Margaret is not my grandmother. Plus my grandmother Margaret would have only been 11-12 yrs old at this time. Leaving only 1 Cousin left.
The oldest child of Joseph and Louisa Cenatiempo, Margaret born in 1904 from a decent sized family making her 24 yrs old. YAY! a mystery of mine solved! And here is her letter, the oldest letter in the box.

2. The return address is 1020 Forest Ave., St. Louis Mo. ~ the same address most of these other letters come from. Bill Cenatiempo (which never heard of until these letters), and a "Little-Bit" that I think I know who she is now. Most of their letters were mailed together, however I don't believe they were "together". Little-Bit talks about her soldier boyfriend Richard. And at times they both talk about working at the shop, which seems to be the Automotive Shop. So this tells me that "Little-Bit" is a younger lady. One envelope has on the return address Miss R. Cenatiempo from 1020 Forest Ave. Margaret had a sister named Restituta she was born in 1908 making her at this time 20 years old. Which does seem appropriate and with a name like that I can see why she would be called "Little-Bit". See for yourself and correct me if I am wrong.

as always these doc.'s are in the photo album for closer views, but if you click on them in here they get pretty big. Also, I think of the language of the time, and the stories these letters tell are entertaining and somewhat humorous! I love to look at these and imagine who was writing and what they might be wearing, dressed in those days of old, and hear them speak these words. It's like taking a step back in time. I hope everyone loves to read these as much as I do. Enjoy!

You're In Violation, Sir!

The cigar box I received came from a farm out in Leslie Missouri which apparently was share cropped with the Cenatiempo's and the Nowak's, which I honestly have no other information about this farm. But this is what I do know.

Ok, so we have Joe Cenatiempo who lived with his parents as of the 1910 census, in St. Louis on Graham St. You can look back at my post called 'Welcome Home' to see the record. From what I can tell this home served as a boarding house and was also shared with other Italian immigrants during that time. One of the immigrants was named Bill. Joe's parents were Frank and Rosa Cenatiempo. Apparently he owned an entertainment establishment/saloon called Joe's Place at the age of 21. Joe's place was fined in 1928 and Joe was put in the St. Charles County Jail for 42 days for being in violation of the Volstead Act. The Volstead Act went into effect making it illegal for anyone to manufacture, sell, purchase, drink, or possess alcoholic beverages. Prohibition has a significant impact on East St. Louis as well as the nation as a whole. "Black Leg" mobsters saw opportunities for enormous profits and opened illegal "speakeasies."

This article lists 'John Santiempo' as the employer. Being that Joe is the one that spent time in jail for this, I am pretty certain that was a typo in the newspaper. You can click on the article for a closer look or check it out in the blog photo album to be able to zoom in even closer.

Joe was put into the St Charles County Jail to serve his 45 days as punishment. During that time he received letters from friends and family. Which is pretty much what was in the cigar box. A lot of letters to Joe. Most of the letters though, come from an address on Forest Ave in St. Louis, from Bill (Cenatiempo) and a female who seems to be a young lady by the nick name 'Little-Bit', and also from 'Cousin Margaret'. All the letters from these three names come from the same address on Forest Ave. If anyone has any additional information on who these people are, please tell!

The Barn

In April of this year a woman by the name of Sherry, left a comment on this blog. Saying that she had some interesting 'stuff' for me! By the kindness and consideration of this woman's heart I am able to share this information with our family. And here I am glad to bring it to you all! I hate to think about what might have happened to these things she gave me had I not had this blog as a communication link. This woman in rural Missouri (Leslie/St. Clair area), was able to get these things to my mother, whom then brought the package to me during a visit all the way here to Florida! 
Here is the beginning of this great find.

On this farm out in rural Missouri there was a barn. And for some reason, that doesn't matter, the owners decided to tear down the barn in April of this year. However before they did, Sherry decided to rummage through the barn and see what was in there. And thank goodness she did because she found what I feel is a Cenatiempo Treasure! Here is a few pictures of the barn before they tore it down.

Inside the barn she found an antique "Flick and Flock" Cigar Box. Which just alone is a great antique because most Flick and Flock Cigar Boxes were destroyed before WWII. Anyways...Here is the first time I saw this box, and it was through a picture she sent me and my mom.

Wow! I couldn't wait to look inside this treasure box! Once in hand, I started carefully opening envelopes and unfolding these old papers is when I found out some very interesting things that I never knew before. I am going to go through this stuff in the best chronological order that I can. However, I know there are more stories that go along with this stuff. And that other family members have more information other than just what I am sharing. Please share with us in the Comments section!

The purchase of a place they called at the time a "Roadhouse" more of a Speak Easy of its time.

And then the Grand Opening of 'Joe's Place'....

It's noted to be just down the street from St. Johns Station. Which during that time period was a Post Office location. Then housed train cars and now holds public transportation buses, I believe. Next, this story is about to get interesting. This Joe is the first son born to Frank and Rosa Cenatimepo. But before I share more, does anyone else have any neat stories about this place or about Joe himself? 

*Also note that I have placed these pictures into the blog photo album for a closer look.*

Picture Update

Today I just added more pictures to the blog photo album. So that hopefully now if anyone goes into the album you can see a bigger picture and even zoom in on details. I hope it works!

Also, I am waiting (patiently, haha) for some more information from a cousin. And I am very excited about the newest stuff I have been compiling. Doing more of my own homework in the mean time for future posts, when I can. Hopefully I can get this 'new stuff' published soon!

Enjoy.

A Young Boys Tragedy

This entry is about a young boy....


John Matthew Cenatiempo ~ born in 1937 was shot and died in September of 1953. He was the son of Carlo and Lorraine Cenatiempo. He died at the young age of 14 and I am going to try to recap how this happened. My sources are from a few family members (Thank You) and a couple of newspapers.


These articles were copied from the paper for the most part, so excuse the misspellings or any mixed words.
I tried to correct as much as I could.


Note: At this time if you have any additional information please post it in the comment box below.


Sept 22 1953:
Local Police Nab Trio 4th Fatally Shot Pal Found Dead in Ditch Near Glenarm After Robbing Tavern. Four Edwardsville police Jack Hartungmen, John Boda, Melvin Trebing and Maxwell Bratten apprehended three alleged teen-age gang members who burglarized a station at Divernon approximately 15 miles south of Springfield. early Tuesday morning A fourth youth identified as John Cenatiempo 14 of 5015 St Louis avenue St., shot and killed by Virgil Boblitt owner of the burglarized combination station located on U S Highway 66 The other three alleged gang members gave their names to authorities as Jeanette 15, Kenneth Cole 15, and William Camp 16, all from St Louis Camp who acted as spokesman for the three at Edwardsville police headquarters. The four decided to burglarize the tavern and he followed Cenatiempo into the after he had broken out a window in the place Mrs Virg Boblitt wife of the tavern owner said she was asleep in their room when she heard the bell on the cash register ring I nudged my husband and he got out his 38 caliber pistol and looked through the window she said He saw two persons at the register and I heard them say "Let's get out of here!". As they ran for the door he shot three times and then fired another shot as they ran for the awaiting car. She said, "We found blood on the drive way after the state police car arrived at about 1". Mrs Boblitt said the thieves got only a few pennies from the filling station. They got about _____ from the tavern register. Camp when apprehended had _____ and the rest was found in the car. The three surviving said they dumped body beside the highway near Glenarm because his eyes were closed and he wasn't breathing. A few minutes before dumping the body they had tried to get (Local Police Nab Continued from Page 1) help at the View Motel 100 yards from the body was found. But when the called police for an ambulance the three carried him back to their car and left Police ties said the car a 1950 model Buick was stolen from St Louis State Albert Scherba and Tom Diew said they picked up the trail of the fleeing car at Litchfield. They said they chased the automobile at speeds up to 90 mph. Other state Lubre, John Kable, William Bueltner, Bob and Norman up the chase at Hamel. The police were about a quarter of a mile behind the fugitives when the bandits machine spun from the highway and landed upright in a ditch The three abandoned it and ran into the lands of Edwardsville in the vicinity of Mooney hill Marvel of Edwardsville route 3 came into the local police station about 6 am in Tuesday and told Night Ben Holtz who was the police radio while Chief Hartung and other members of his staff were joining  the all-night search that his dogs were barking which was unusual. Spanholtz relayed the information to Hartung who took up the chase in the vicinity of the County Highway Department age on Marine road. They were about to call off the manhunt after daybreak when they caught the on Marine road one-half mile beyond the county garage walking toward Manne. The fugitives said they were lost and thought they were headed _____. St Louis State's Attorney George P of Sangamon county said a warrant was issued in charging the three with burglary and larceny which carries a penalty of one year to life in Illinois. He said the Sangamon county grand jury would be re- called in October and asked to indict the three.


 One of the youths John Cenatiempo 14 was fatally shot by the owner of the establishment The three survivors including a 15 year-old girl were apprehended by Edwardsville police on Marine road about 7 after an all-night search in cooperation with state police.


 The three St Louis _______ are shown in the Edwardsville Intellegencer newspaper Sept 22 1953 at the Edwardsville police station with their captors Left to right they are Kenneth Cole 15, William Camp 16, and Jeanette Basye 15. A companion identified as John Cenatiempo 14 also of St Louis fatally shot by the proprietor of the burglarized establishment Policemen in the photo are1 left to John Boda Melvin Trebing Chief Jack Hartung and Maxwell Bratten Sr.


 EVENING TELEGRAPH YEAR Serving fie Heart of the Rock River Valley for More Than a Century Number 225 Dial DIXON ILLINOIS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24 1953:
Some residents of the housing project In the foreground were SLAIN YOUTH'S FATHER APPEALS TO OTHER DADS Closer to He Appeals At Coffin of Boy Burglar By Associated Press ST. LOUIS - Carlo stood by the casket of his 14-year-old fatally shot during a and made a plea for other fathers to closer to their don't know now what was said a factory now it's too Johnny Cenatiempo was fatally wounded Monday night when surprised during a burglary of a station at 111. Three teen-age fleeing in a stolen car from state dumped his body in a roadside They were captured a few hours described as intelligent by his school teachers was in mechanics and it was the father's dream send him to college to become an can't just lay down a set of rules and then practically divorce yourself from a child Cenatiempo said in an interview at a funeral home takes a lot more than that. You've got to be a buddy with them. Take an active interest in everything. The father said he tried to do just that when the an only began to drift away from his family last winter.Johnny was booked for juvenile delinquency by burglary and larceny early this year. There were other arrests, said he tried to trips with his son to the airport and to such events as the automobile show so that they could see more of each. But the boy wasn't had already become closely associated with undesirable peers the father said I made my move too late.

NOTES FROM A CITY EDITOR'S, several days ago in this space we expressed a desire to re-some answers to juvenile vandalism. Here are some replies to that. A Dixon resident In f your column of Sept 22 you dis-cussed juvenile delinquency and seem to grope for a cure. In a recent issue of the Chicago Daily News an column is devoted to the subject with an absolute attitude of helplessness. What can we do says the author with confessed weakness. There is plenty the alert parent can do. For one thing obedience at home and at school, two respect for the property of others respect for the law of the country and love of rights for rights sake. The writer contends that a repetition of the Ten Com- in the home or in the school would be a deterrent and finally a cure of much crime The discontinuance of religious instruction in the school was a step backward and a bad one. Those persons responsible for it did our country harm. The spiritual strength of a nation develops a real patriotism and a nation is no stronger than its spiritual strength. The Ten Commandments are the base of all law Obedience to them insures obedience to all law Let us as parents teach this law .Father Says It Was Too Late Carlo Cenatiempo stood by the casket of his boy fatally shot during a burglary and made a plea for other fathers to get closer to their sons. I know now what was said Cenatiempo a factory foreman. But now it's too late. Johnny Cenatiempo was fatally wounded Monday night when surprised during a burglary of a station at Divernon 111 Three companions fleeing in a stolen car from state police dumped his body in a roadside ditch. They were captured a few hours later Johnny described as intelligent by his school peers was interested in mechanics and it was the father's dream to send him to college to become an engineer. You just can't lay down a set of rules and then practically divorce yourself from a child. Cenatiempo said in an interview at a funeral home Thursday. It takes a lot more than that. You've got to be a buddy with them. Take an active interest in everything a boy does. The father said he tried to do just that when the boy an only son began to drift away from his family last winter. Johnny was booked for juvenile cy early this year. There were other arrests. Cenatiempo said he tried to arrange trips with his son to the airport and to such events as the automobile show so that they could see more of each other. But the boy wasn't interested. He had already become closely associated with undesirable peers the father said I made my move too late. U S Offers to Return MIC to Rightful Owner to our children m the home We are true to our country in war A nation as strong as is the individual. Let us teach our children the fundamentals of character. The rule is summed up in 10 short. You asked for an answer. This is mine XYZ. Another observation from Somewhere recently I read this and it inspired enough to pass. You don't keep a boy from idling on the corner by haranguing him. You help him set up a workshop and build a canoe. You don't keep a girl out of the back seat with horrified of the pit. You roll up the nig for a dance. you ask What can be done about vandalism by youthful I am a mother of two children 12 and 15 We live m an uptown apartment where we can see what actually goes on. It has always continued to amaze me that there are so many children running the streets at all hours One night for example we were awakened about 2 by loud and filthy talk we got up to see what was going on. There were probably a half- dozen youngsters ranging In age from about 12 to 16 What are their parents thinking of children of that age out until 2 in the morning. I have come home from work at 1 p.m and seen groups of about a dozen youngsters racing up and down the streets One time the whole group ran across the street. In front of a line of traffic then joked about almost getting hit. All of kids use the hall of our apartment building as race the front door throwing papers marking them in a nice way to stop and tried to explain that someone to clean up all the but they hack and run calling back very language I think discipline begins at home but maybe a 10 o'clock would help get those off the who have no crime at home.

Elaine and Beverly's information:

Just remember their dad telling them that John (Johnny) Cenatiempo robbed a filling station dressed like an older man when he was just a kid and whoever shot him felt so bad because he was just a kid.

Mike's information:

Carlo was my dad's brother. My dad was Bennie. I followed Johnny around like a little puppy when I was a small child. I have spent many good times in Carlo's basement piddling with his camera stuff and just listening to him. I also serviced my car, and my dad's cars, in Carlo's garage. Many times. He and I also worked on Uncle Eugene's cars from time to time.

I remember like yesterday when Johnny died, and when Carlo and Lorraine divorced. Both tore up our family because we loved them so much. 

Carlo came to my dad's funeral and comforted me when I really needed a lift. I will never forget his kindness to me and my young wife and 6 month old baby during that very difficult time. Carlo was a great guy. Really. I want you to know that. We named our youngest child after him, Carla. And, she shares many of his good traits (and some not so good, too.) 

Thanks so much for the provided information. I hope this was interesting to at least a few.

The next entry will hopefully be about Cenatiempo Bootlegging. If anyone has any info they want to share, get it to me! 

Ciao for now,

Nina

Information Needed!

Here is a plea for anyone with any information or stories pertaining to these subjects.


1. Who was the owner of "Joe's Place" (Roadhouse) in 1927 ~ of course it was Joe Cenatiempo, but which one?
 I have my hunches but not for certain.


2. Anyone ever hear of 'Bill' Cenatiempo living at 1020 Forest Ave., St. Louis Mo.? Or a young Miss nick-named "LittleBit" living at the same address? Or anyone else who lived at this address?


3. Who owned a farm that was share cropped out in Leslie Mo.?


4. Knowledge of John Cenatiempo who was involved in a crime in 1953?


I can't wait to find out more, and confirm the latest stuff I have! If anyone has any knowledge of any of this, even if it's little, please email me with any stories. With out this information I am kind of at a stand still of anything else I have making any sense. But it will be so interesting to see what is out there that I just don't know, yet. And I can't wait to post more stuff. But with a little more information and your help it will help in making the story fit together.


Here's my email: nina_gibbons80@yahoo.com


Wishing favorable answers I remain,


Yours Truly

Pictures and Artifacts

Here are some pictures I have of the older Cenatiempo family. I love old pictures! If anyone has anymore I would love a copy to add to the collection. I wish I had more. 
Scan and send them to my email: lafamiglia.cenatiempo@gmail.com
I am not sure of some of the people in the pictures. I have a few cards sent from Italy. A lot of my collection of pictures and artifacts I received from other family members. A big thank you to those who have contributed! So this is what I have to share today.

St. James The Greater : School and Church

St. James The Greater Catholic School and Church

The church was founded in 1860. In the early 1900's this church became known as the Immigrant Church. Some our Cenatiempo family attended church and school here. And I would like to share some of the class photos and some of the church organizations and other information of the time that I have. I like the story told about Benny and the cow. 

Also notice that I have posted some death certificates in the "Photos to Share" album link on the right of this blog. Feel free to share the pictures and information! 

Welcome Home!

When Joe, Frank, Ben, and Mike arrived in America. They didn't all travel all at once together to this new land. From what I have found, Frank arrived first. Although he may have brought with him his older brother Joe. According to the dates though, Frank arrived in 1902, Joe was married (in Italy) in 1903 and his first child was born in the America by 1904. I am not for certain Joe's exact arrival date. For sure the first recorded Cenatiempo address was Frank and Rosina Cenatiempo: 1316 Graham St., St. Louis MO. Next we have Ben Cenatiempo going to his brother Joe's residence after arriving in the U.S. in 1904. Which means that between 1902 and 1904 Joe moved to his recorded address as being Joe and Louisa Cenatiempo: 4276 Ashland Ave., St. Louis MO. The first recorded address of Ben and Anna Cenatiempo: 4312 N. Broadway, St. Louis MO. And last to move, little brother Mike at the young age of 19 in 1907, which at that time seemed to live with one of his brothers for some time, then returned back to Italy to marry his bride Flora in 1910. Then he came with her back to the U.S. to reside as Mike and Flora Cenatiempo: 5128 N. Broadway, St. Louis MO. So after 8 years (from 1902-1910), they are all together again! Here are the maps of their addresses. Some of the addresses are still standing today! If you live close by you may want to take a stroll down memory lane.

The address on Graham St. was listed in the 1910 census as having 10 people living there and their occupation. Very interesting I think. Here's the list:

Graham

1316

Borelli

Jo

boarder

M

W

14

Italy

Italy

Italy

Stacking /Steel Works

374/3A

Graham

1316

Calcheillo

Michelo

boarder

M

W

23

Italy

Italy

Italy

Laborer/Quarry

374/3A

Graham

1316

Cenetiempo

Frank

head

M

W

33

Italy

Italy

Italy

Lamplighter/Street

374/3A

Graham

1316

Cenetiempo

Joseph

son

M

W

3

Missouri

Italy

Italy

374/3A

Graham

1316

Cenetiempo

Margaret

daugh

F

W

2

Missouri

Italy

Italy

374/3A

Graham

1316

Cenetiempo

Mary A

daugh

F

W

11mos

Missouri

Italy

Italy

374/3A

Graham

1316

Cenetiempo

Rosa

wife

F

W

24

Italy

Italy

Italy

374/3A

Graham

1316

Matweiller

Michelo

boarder

M

W

25

Italy

Italy

Italy

Stacking/Steel Works

374/3A

Graham

1316

Mazzarello

Bill

boarder

M

W

18

Italy

Italy

Italy

Laborer/Steel Works

374/3A

Graham

1316

Mazzarello

Mike

boarder

M

W

22

Italy

Italy

Italy

Laborer/Foundry

374/3A

What's your name again?

Ok, this post is about names. For some this may get confusing, so pay attention lol.
Now obviously, our ancestors and even current family members are named Joseph or Margaret. Could they not think of anything else? Or maybe it was because they are/were Catholic, that must be it! That maybe partly true, I suppose. Going WAY back in time to like the 13th-15th Centuries the Roman church had a lot to do with Italian names. Then you get the Italian "family traditions" that take hold, turning it into just that---a tradition, out of honor and respect to the elders in the family. Which I have found to help me out in tracing back the family tree. Thank goodness for traditions! I think though that the move to America created a pathway for new traditions to take form, letting go of old one's. Kind of sad in a way, but I am sure it was freeing for most.
Here I am going to go through our family's naming tradition that took hold in Southern Italy as far back as the 1700's.

Many traditions, perhaps centuries old, have been handed down from generation to generation. Italian culture, as the world knows, centers on family traditions. Actually, traditions vary by location. Our family brought with them traditions from southern Italy. There is a fine line between traditions and politics, and families would follow the traditions, as that was the rule. If you did something breaking the tradition, it was not viewed as politically correct by the older generations, or sometimes even by your peers.

The following are examples of Cenatiempo family traditions, as they existed when the children of the transition generations were growing up as the first generation in the United States. Generally, family and friends worked along traditional lines. There would be serious ramifications if they broke tradition. Occasionally people did break tradition as they assimilated into American society and this pained the elders, but it resulted in a slow evolution of acceptable behaviors.

Here are the Naming Traditions:

In existence for centuries, the naming tradition is widely manifest in Italian culture. This tradition is rooted in respect to our heritage. The recognition of our family heritage and ancestors is ingrained in the value system and everyday life of peasant families.

I don't know how many family members realize the true traditional significance of their names. Once I figured it out, I was excited to realize why most of my family were given the names they have. It was almost like finding a last piece of a puzzle. It tied all this confusion together and confirmed most of the family information I have. And possibly created a path to explore generations even further back!

Although by the second generation born in the United States this tradition isn't maintained fully, some branches of the family did try to maintain the Cenatiempo name tradition. I believe that this family tradition would have been completely accepted and applied to more generations had our family married other Italians. But thanks to new world freedoms, some traditions ended and new ones began. Which makes us truly who we are today, Americans.  Anyhow...here's how it goes.

1) First-born son

The first-born son is named for the paternal grandfather. In our family, you can see the application of this naming tradition. The four brothers of our transition generation named their first born sons Joseph (Giuseppe in Italian). Because their fathers name was Joseph (Guiseppe) Cenatiempo.

2) First-born daughter

The first-born daughter is named for the paternal grandmother. If the first-born daughter is also the first child, either she may be named for the paternal grandmother or she may be given the feminine derivative of the paternal grandfather's name. In the Cenatiempo family we see the name Margaret named after their paternal grandmother being Margherita Napoleone.

3) Second-born son

The second son is named for the maternal grandfather. Thus, in Joseph's (the oldest of the 4 brothers) clan, the first born son and daughter are Joseph and Margaret after the paternal grandparents (Joseph's parents) and the second born son John after the maternal grandfather (Louisa's father).

4) The second-born daughter

 is named for the maternal grandmother. Thus in Joseph's clan, the second-born daughter is  Restituta (Ruth) named after her maternal grandmother (Louisa's mother). Since Restituta was a twin I am not sure where they got the twin sisters name.

5) Other naming conventions

Aside from these conventions, children were named in many ways. There were aunts and uncles to be named after as well as a multitude of saints, godparents, and friends. Naming a child for a person was often out of honor and patronage.

6) Breaking the naming tradition

In Italy, many people continue this naming tradition. It is, however, a general convention and not a steadfast rule. While it may help us to learn about our ancestors, for example, it is not a guarantee. 

Profiling the Wives

So here are the wives of each of these buona ricerca giovani (handsome young men). Remember to feel free to message me with any additional information or corrections. You can click on each profile for a closer look.

 

Profiling the 4 original Cenatiempo brothers

Welcome home boys! To the land of endless dreams. The land of life and liberty. In my own imagination I picture some sort of exhilaration, along with a nervousness and newness of life maybe. But maybe their hardships were just beginning, after all they really had no source of stability. Trying to make a way for generations to come in the best way they knew how.
This information is accurate to the best of my own ability. Email me with any corrections or additions. Of course I would like information to be factual and not guesses. So I am trying my best to represent the facts as I know them to be, concerning recorded  documentation.