A look back at historic events in O’Fallon from 1936, 1948 & 1973

This week we recall the Great Student Strike of 1936. It originated from a rumor that Supt. J. Emmett Hinchcliffe, Sr. would be rehired by the Grade School but not by the High School Board. Since 1921, Hinchcliffe had been head of both the O’Fallon Grade School and High School and his annual salary of $2900 was paid jointly by both school boards. On Friday morning May 8, 1936, about 200 students who had gathered on the high school grounds refused to enter upon learning there was truth to the rumor. Only about 22 went to class. After school started, the students, ignoring Hinchcliffe’s pleas not to strike, marched in parade formation toward downtown carrying banners with slogans like “We Want Hinchcliffe” and “We Want Education, Not Gossip”. The parade disbanded in the Woman’s Club Park by the railroad for a meeting where it was agreed they would refuse to attend school until they were assured that Hinchcliffe would be rehired. To that end, a student committee was selected to confer with Board President John Schneider. The students remained in the park through the early afternoon entertaining themselves with songs. The High School Board met Saturday afternoon and again that night after which Schneider announced that Hinchcliffe would be rehired. Members of the High School Board wouldn’t comment on their previous decision not to rehire Hinchcliffe but several stated that they had good reasons for the decision. Throughout the strike, Hinchcliffe made no statement. The students had won.

75 years ago, Feb. 26, 1948: O’Fallon’s Boy Scout Troop Committee announced that a new section is being added within the Boy Scouts to be known as an air squadron.

50 years ago, Feb. 22, 1973: Richard Virgin was named principal of the LaVerna Evans School effective with the 1973-74 school year. He is currently principal of Kampmeyer School.

This story was originally published February 20, 2023 at 12:00 AM.