A look back at historic O’Fallon events from 1904, 1948 & 1973

In February 1904, E.W. Bradley was traveling with a friend on a freight train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad that ran through O’Fallon. Bradley worked for the Sells & Downs Circus as a snare drummer. His friend was in charge of cattle being transported on the B&O.

Somehow, Bradley fell from the train as it passed through town, losing both his feet. The train stopped, and the conductor wanted to take him to the County Farm in present-day Swansea — a poor house that included a hospital. But Dr. Franklin Varney had other ideas. Realizing Bradley wouldn’t survive the trip, he took the man to his “sanitarium” in O’Fallon and treated him there, saving his life.

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

Bradley had little money and no relatives closer than Kansas City. The merchants and citizens of O’Fallon took up a collection to buy him a pair of artificial feet in St. Louis. Not only that, but they also arranged for him to get his old job back at the circus in Philadelphia and paid for his rail fare to get there.

75 years ago, April 1, 1948: The State Theatre was crowded to capacity with children at the Easter party Saturday afternoon. This was the 18th year that the American Legion Auxiliary sponsored the affair. An excellent picture program was enjoyed by the youngsters who were presented with gaily colored eggs in addition to 30 special awards.

50 years ago, March 29, 1973: The three candidates for mayor of O’Fallon were speakers at a joint meeting of the O’Fallon Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs Monday night at Carvil’s when some 200 persons heard answers and observations on subjects ranging from the new (Rock Springs) park, sidewalks, and a community building and ambulance service. The candidates were Mayor Roy R. Smith, alderman Gary C. Mackey, and Robert O’Brien. Russell O. Warma was master of ceremonies.