A look back at historic events in O’Fallon from 1948 and 1973

In March 1948, “bingo” was apparently a forbidden word for newspapers mailed through the post office. Here’s what the Progress had to say about the matter back then.

“According to the post office department the word ‘B - - - o’ must not appear anymore in the newspaper, especially, of course, in respect to advertisements and items regarding ‘B - - - o’ parties. In connection with this ruling, the Macoupin County Inquirer ably tells about it like this: A long time ago some reformer got a postal ruling or law through that no advertisement of gambling can be mailed through the post office and B - - - o is gambling, just as much as matching pennies, or playing bridge for prizes. Now ain’t that the darndest thing? Everybody’s doing it, but you mustn’t mention it. There ain’t no harm in a B - - - o party, at least 99 people out of a hundred feel that way, but we are so nicety-nice, so full of purity and silliness and false piety that it can’t be mentioned. There’s too much hypocrisy in this country, partly because reformers pass too many laws, such as the one about B - - - o. So when you want an advertisement in this paper, or a news item for that matter, don’t try to call it a B - - - o party. Call it a card social, or an auction party, or a prize fight, or something else. You mustn’t say the naughty word.”

75 years ago, March 25, 1948: At a meeting Tuesday night, the O’Fallon Fire Department unanimously decided to purchase a resuscitator of the most modern type, available in case of drownings and similar tragedies.

50 years ago, March 22, 1973: O’Fallon Township High School varsity basketball coach Rex Davis has been dismissed as coach and physical education instructor at OTHS by unanimous vote of the school board after hearing complaints from the administrators about lack of improvement in his teaching activities.