100 years ago: The cornerstone is laid at a new church in O’Fallon

Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 125, 100, 75, and 50 years ago:

125 years ago, Sept. 22, 1899

“Grand Dance given by Zanin Giacinto, Saturday evening Sept. 30, 1899, at Zanin Giacinto’s Hall, Alma, Ill. Good music will be in attendance. Ed. Begole floor manager. Admission 25 cents, Ladies free. Lunch extra. Everybody cordially invited to attend.”

(Alma, later known as Carbon, was an unincorporated coal mining town once located north of Highway 50, just west of Venita Drive in O’Fallon.)

100 years ago, Sept. 18, 1924

“Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock the Evangelical congregation will observe the cornerstone laying with impressive services, marking the $25,000 improvements and alterations on the edifice which are underway at present.

“A large number of visitors from nearby cities are expected to attend the services which will be held on the lawn in front of the church. An appropriate program is being prepared by Rev. F. J. Langhorst, the pastor. The St. Paul’s band of Belleville will furnish music while the Ladies’ Aid Society of the church will serve refreshments.”

(The congregation is now known as the O’Fallon United Church of Christ, still located at the northwest corner of Cherry and Adams Streets.)

75 years ago, Sept. 22, 1949

“O’Fallon has two veteran school custodians who were accorded recognition for their services at an informal luncheon at Township High School Thursday evening. The honored guests were William Whitehead, Township High janitor and Richard Titter, janitor at the grade schools.

“The two veterans, who are brother-in-laws, are beginning their 25th year in their respective positions.

“Guests at the luncheon, served by the Home Economics department, were members of the two school boards, faculties and the wives of the honorees. The two men were each presented with 25 silver dollars as the gifts of members of the school boards and the faculties, as a token of esteem for their services. After the luncheon, cards were enjoyed and a general good time followed.

“In their long years of continuous service to the schools the two custodians saw many pupils come and go, winning the respect of many due to their untiring interest, not only in their work but in the welfare of the pupils as well.”

50 years ago, Sept. 19, 1974

“An O’Fallon man was killed late Friday afternoon after the car he was driving was struck by a Southern Pacific train at the Oak street crossing.

“Killed was Merrill Willey, 57, 126 East State St., owner and operator of the Colonial Lounge. He was the only person in the car.

“Witnesses stated to O’Fallon Police that Willey, driving south on Oak St., crossed the tracks as the westbound train approached the intersection.

“The train, operated by engineer Joe Behnke, 44, of Flora, Ill., was traveling approximately 35 miles per hour according to police. The train was pulling approximately 90 cars.

“Willey was pronounced dead at the scene by deputy coroner Terry Yeryar.

“The engineer declined to make a statement to police until first making a statement to his company officials. An inquest has been scheduled.

“Willey is survived by his wife Hazel, nee Meyer; a son, Merrill and a daughter, Kathy, both at home; and a brother, Meredith Willey, North Hollywood, Calif. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the St. Clare Church with the Father Edmund Lugge presiding. Burial was at the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.”