100 years ago: Bible study crowd wins bragging rights, chicken dinner for O’Fallon men
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
100 years ago, May 29, 1924
“What is believed to be an unusual achievement for a single meeting of a Bible class was attained by O’Fallon’s Forward Movement Bible Class at the Opera House last Sunday morning when 211 men turned out to attend the meeting, the last of a series in a competitive attendance contest with a similar class at Lebanon.
“A chicken dinner at the expense of the losing class was the stake and as a result of Sunday’s meeting the O’Fallon members will enjoy a spread furnished by the Lebanon class, the meal to be served at some future date.
“On the same Sunday Lebanon had an attendance of 54.
“O’Fallon won by a handsome majority on the total attendance, defeating the Lebanonites by more than 3 to 1.
“No special inducements were offered to secure a large attendance for the final meeting but much credit is due to the officers of the local organization who worked hard for a ‘free feed.’ The meeting was inspiring in that men from all walks in life were in attendance — professional and laboring men being well-represented.
“The class was presided over by president Wm. Reidelberger, Jr., and Rev. F. E. Harris. Miss Robertson, of Belleville, rendered several splendid vocal selections. She was accompanied on the piano by Miss Bertha Boetcher, a former O’Fallon girl.
“The organization, which is non-denominational, had its inception some months ago and has grown rapidly, being open to men who do not attend Sunday school. The class will continue to function during the summer months and men who do not go to Sunday school regardless of religious affiliations, are invited to attend.”
75 years ago, June 2, 1949
“Memorial Day was fittingly observed jointly by Shiloh and O’Fallon on the historic Methodist church grounds in Shiloh at 10 o’clock Monday morning under the sponsorship of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the village board of Shiloh.
“A parade, headed by the O’Fallon school band with village officials, ex-servicemen, auxiliaries, school children from Shiloh and O’Fallon and gold star mothers in line, preceded the solemn program which was attended by a large assemblage.
“George Wood, president of Shiloh Village board, delivered the welcome address and then turned the program over to Robert S. Wessel, Commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Children from the Shiloh and O’Fallon schools participated in the program in addition to vocal numbers by the O’Fallon Choral Singers under the direction of J. E. Hinchcliffe, Sr., with Mrs. Theodore Warma, as pianist.
“Rev. Carl Fritz, pastor of O’Fallon Methodist church, delivered the principal address. In this he stressed the duty in honoring our heroes of all wars who so willingly gave their lives in the perseverance of our nation under a free democracy. He also paid a glowing tribute to the perpetuation of America’s patriotism and traditional observance of Memorial Day and the sacrifices necessary to keep Old Glory waving over the land of the free, which, as he expressed it, “is being recognized by many other nations the world over.”
“’America’s Democracy is working,’ he added.
“The program was concluded by a firing squad from Scott Air Force Base, taps and a moment of silent prayer.”
50 years ago, May 30, 1974
“Southwestern Bell will place a new No. Two Electronic Switching System (ESS) into service June 1 in O’Fallon.
“’The No. Two ESS is an electronic computer capable of doing a mammoth job of switching calls,’ said Jim Zaring, local manager for Southwestern Bell. ‘It also has a very small number of moving parts, cutting down on the high cost of maintenance. It will accommodate the large present and future calling growth resulting partly from the new shopping center in Fairview Heights (St. Clair Square) very well.’
“O’Fallon area customers with the 632 prefix also now have Touch-Tone (push button dialing) capabilities as well as Zero-Plus calling. ‘With Zero-Plus, O’Fallon customers can now dial their own credit card, bill to third number, person-to-person and collect long distance calls,’ Zaring said.
“Zaring said O’Fallon customers should also make a note of their new local Repair Service number. Customers with telephone equipment trouble should now dial 611.”