Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 125, 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
125 years ago, Oct. 6, 1899
“Tuesday morning a very sad accident occurred at Alma which resulted in the death of a brakeman on the local (train).
“The unfortunate young man was P. H. Bain, of Howell, Indiana. He was engaged in coupling a car at the time of the fatal accident. When the cars came together, the link instead of going into place turned to the side and struck Bain.
“He uttered one loud cry and several parties who witnessed the accident, which occurred almost opposite the Alma Saloon, ran to his assistance but he was too severely injured to talk. He was placed on the caboose and brought to O’Fallon at once for surgical aid.
“Dr. Varney was sent for and arrived shortly afterward in time to witness the man’s death, which occurred on the sidetrack here about opposite the depot. The remains were placed on the accommodation (local passenger train) and taken to Kurrus’ Morgue in East St. Louis, where an inquest was held.”
(Alma was located in what is now western O’Fallon, west of Venita Drive between Highway 50 and the railroad.)
100 years ago, Oct. 2, 1924
“The question of public park and playground for O’Fallon is now assured. A deal was consummated last week between the trustees and Edw. N. Thomas for a 20-acre tract of the Atkinson land which is now the property of the O’Fallon Home-Coming Association.
“The purchase price was $500 an acre. The site is an ideal one for a public park, the location being the most appropriate within the city limits. It is situated south of the new East Park Place and fronts the newly-paved Lincoln Trail (Highway 50) for a distance of about 650 feet.
“Mr. Thomas acquired the land recently when he purchased the Atkinson farm, a portion of which is to be laid out in a new subdivision within the next few weeks.
“The Home-Coming Association is now in conference with a landscape artist who will in all probability begin this fall in transforming the site into a modern park and public playgrounds, such as are in vogue in the larger cities. The work will require several years. Immediate steps are to be taken to start on the preliminary work before cold weather sets in. The first project will be the planting of trees and the grading for driveways.
“Efforts will be made to have the grounds in shape for next year’s Home-Coming in the new park. This, however, will depend on the preliminary work and weather conditions.
“In the meantime, Mr. Thomas will be busy in getting the surrounding territory in shape for the sale of lots and predictions are that the south side will become an attractive site for the building of new homes. It is an ideal location, especially since the new concrete road is completed and with the O’Fallon-Shiloh hard road passing through part of the land, which touches on South Lincoln avenue.”
(This was the beginning of Community Park. The 20 acres mentioned is the original west part of the park.)
75 years ago, Oct. 6, 1949
“A noteworthy civic endeavor for the convenience of the public was taken by Fischer-Sollis Post No. 137, American Legion when announcement was made yesterday that the organization has decided to sponsor, finance and erect new street signs in the city.
“These new street markers are to be in blue and old gold, which incidentally are the colors of O’Fallon Township High School. Work of making the signs by Legion members is now under way. Erection of the first set is to begin on South Lincoln Avenue the early part of next week.
“Action to sponsor the project was taken when the Legion learned that the city was in no financial position to make the expenditure for that purpose at this time, though everyone is aware that it is a necessity.
“Many of the markers at street corners have long disappeared after being up for years. This, it is pointed out, has been confusing for the many new residents from other cities coming to O’Fallon to live.
“A spokesman for the Legion stated yesterday that the organization will appreciate any assistance that is tendered by citizens in completing this civic improvement.”
50 years ago, Oct. 3, 1974
“Keck’s Southview Market is part of the “Stick-To-It” pricing program that provides that packages will not be repriced on their shelves.
“The program was announced by Tom-Boy, Inc., wholesale grocery supplier in the area. A number of other grocery warehouses have also announced similar programs.
“This policy means that Tom-Boy stores will not reprice packages that have already been priced marked. When a price goes up, the new stock at the higher price will be put in the back of the shelf, and the merchandise which is on the shelf at the lower price will be moved to the front.
“If a price decreases, all merchandise will be remarked at the lower price. Any items on which the price is going to increase will be marked with tags indicating what the new price will be. This gives customers a chance to buy whatever merchandise is on the shelf at the lower price.”
Local News
Comments / 0