Our Town: Drunken Oklahoman wreaked ‘tornadic’ mayhem in town in 1923
On April 9, 1923, a tornadic Oklahoman banished himself from O’Fallon after ripping through town and redecorating the jail in City Hall. Here’s how the Progress reported it.
“Dave Meyers pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct in Justice Asbury’s court Monday morning and drew a fine of $28.00 which he paid. After this formality Meyers departed stating that he would leave O’Fallon and return to his farm in Oklahoma.
“Meyers is said to have started a disturbance in Sam Taylor’s saloon while intoxicated. He was ejected and after reaching the outside air decided to change the sidewalk into a warpath. The walk was crowded and pedestrians scattered into every direction.
“Meyers, with an open pocket knife in his hands, extended his hunting grounds too far when he crossed the path of Officer Tiley where he ran amuck. After being lodged in the city bastille the man continued his warpath methods by tearing down a stove and demolishing the interior decorations of his cell. T
“his resulted in the heavy fine and to avoid a reoccurrence Meyers said he would leave for the west.”
75 years ago, April 22, 1948: Joseph T. Bertot, operator of the Star Bakery, purchased the corner property at State and Cherry streets (southeast corner), formerly occupied as a service station, from the New Era Oil Company, of Belleville. Contractor A. Fitzgerald immediately started work on alterations and on the erection of an 18 x 30 addition for a baking room. Mr. Bertot expects to move from his present location on West State Street (present-day Dance Station building) as soon as the new quarters are completed. The building now occupied by the bakery was recently purchased by Richard Foy who expects to move into the bakery quarters as soon as they vacate. Bertot is now sole owner of the bakery, his partner, Mr. Bancho having gone to Collinsville where he entered the candy business.
50 years ago, April 19, 1973: Alderman Gary C. Mackey scored a victory in Tuesday’s City election by winning over incumbent Mayor Roy R. Smith and one other candidate. Mackey, now serving the Third Ward, polled 894 with Smith receiving 823 and the third candidate, Robert F. O’Brien, 451. Two other incumbents were downed in the election. Second Ward Alderman Loyed B. Cavins was defeated by Robert E. Seipp 327 to 175. Clifton Joseph, township tax assessor, defeated Fourth Ward Alderman Clyde Pitt in a three-way race. Joseph piled up an impressive 319 votes to 174 for Donald L. White. Pitt trailed with 120 votes. In the one other city-wide contested race, Robert M. Brown retained his post as treasurer with 1172 votes over his opponent William H. Koch who received 959. City Clerk Robert E. Bode was unopposed and rolled up a vote of 1127. Two incumbent aldermen without opposition were George Henken in the First Ward who polled 372 and Joe Hubbard of the Third Ward, 519. The referendum on the ambulance tax calling for a maximum expenditure of 25 cents per $100 calculation for furnishing ambulance service went down to defeat 1,161 to 924.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 8:57 AM.