100 years ago: O’Fallon’s Redpath Chautauqua promised diverse range of entertainment

Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:

100 years ago, June 12, 1924

“Threatening clouds, intermingled with rain, opened the five-day Redpath Chautauqua in O’Fallon Monday.

“This year’s entertainment is by far the best and most elaborate ever offered in this city and patrons who have been attending the afternoon and evening performances are universal in their praise, the various productions and speakers being above par.

“The programs are diversified and arranged in such a manner so as to please the most critical audience.

“Opening with introductory exercises the Chautauqua swung into motion Monday afternoon with a popular concert by the Troubadour Male Quartette. The same troupe appeared in the evening in a short concert offering. The members have splendid voices which blend remarkably well.

“Judge George D. Alden delivered his lecture ‘The Needs of the Hour’ to a large and appreciative audience. He is an able speaker, being one of the best heard here for several years.

“Tuesday afternoon the Chicago Melody Trio and the Misses Scott and Denny rendered a grand concert which gave splendid satisfaction. “Give and Take” a sparkling comedy production was presented by an able cast in the evening. The audience was held in an uproar and the performance pleased immensely.

“Yesterday afternoon the Glen Wells Company, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Wells presented the dramatic success ‘Atonement.’ This was a distinctive and versatile entertainment in which they demonstrated their ability by assuming two-part character roles. In the evening they offered a diversified program of short plays and readings, all of which were delightfully presented.

“In addition Frank P. Johnson delivered a powerful lecture on the “Basis of Liberty,” embodying the agricultural and economic conditions of this country today.

“This afternoon Bhaskar Hivale, a native of India and educated in American and European schools, lectured on “The New India.” His talk was very interesting and delivered with exceptional force.

“Tonight’s offering will be a feature program by the Great Laurant and Company in a setting of magic and mystery.

“Friday afternoon the audience will hear Geoffrey F. Morgan, on “Success with Ease” and a concert opera by the Montague light opera singers. The same company will close the Chautauqua in the evening by the presentation of “Gretchen in Holland.”

“A distinctive feature of this year’s program is the children’s entertainment in the morning. This number has gained popular favor among the children and the grown-ups as well.

“Some of the entertainers who have appeared are the Misses Scott and Denny, Kelley, the ventriloquist with his talking dolls and Hivale, the Hindu. They had no difficulty in pleasing the audience and their programs went over big.

“This year’s Chautauqua shows a regrettable condition as the 40 business men and citizens who undersigned the guarantor’s list were compelled to make up a deficit of some $13.75 each, the sale of season tickets failing to satisfy the guarantee.

“Prospects at this time for a Chautauqua in 1925 are anything but bright unless some plan can be engineered that will lighten the burden of those who so willingly took the matter into hand by supporting the project to give O’Fallon high-class entertainment. The reason for the failure can be traced to the abnormal conditions this year, unemployment being the chief factor.

“The guarantors met last night after the performance and discussed several plans of which one was tentatively adopted. This will be placed before the audience for consideration tonight and if meets with approval a Chautauqua for next year will be contracted for.”

(The traveling Chautauqua was held in a tent on the grounds of what is now the Marie Schaefer School. In 1924, it ran from June 9 through 13 with adult “season tickets” for the five days costing $2.50 per person. The Chautauqua did come back to O’Fallon the next year.)

75 years ago, June 16, 1949

“Charles Niblock, supervisor of youth recreational activity for the summer months, announced that the play program is now under way. Thus far approximately 150 boys and girls are taking advantage of the recreational facilities under Mr. Niblock’s supervision.

“All that is necessary for any boy or girl of grade or high school age to participate in the program is to report at his office in the Township High gym for registration.

“The office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 noon from Monday to Friday.

“The tennis courts at Community Park have been readied for use. Instructions for beginners in the fundamentals of tennis will be a daily feature Mondays through Thursdays between the hours of 3 to 4 p.m.

“Another feature of the recreation program will be swimming trips to regulation pools. This is to be on a once-a-week schedule, beginning tomorrow afternoon at 1 o’clock and every Friday afternoon thereafter until mid-August. A charge of 45 cents per person will be made to cover the bus fare and swimming pool fee.

“The Junior City baseball league is now under way on a 21-game schedule of twilight play. Games for the week are June 16, Indians vs. Dodgers; June 20, Dodgers vs. Cubs; June 21, Tigers vs. Indians; June 22, Tigers vs. Dodgers; June 23, Indians vs. Cubs.”

50 years ago, June 13, 1974

“Efforts to cut down on through traffic in O’Fallon Community Park are planned by the Park Board that voted to close the road that extends from Hilgard to Parkview on the north side of the tennis courts.

“There have been complaints of cars speeding through the park.

“Park Board President John L. Anheuser said the road will remain open as entrances to the park. They will dead-end in two cul de sacs to provide parking spaces from either Hilgard or Parkview.

“The Park Board has also advertised for bids on a concrete block building at the park to be used for a cooking shelter.

“The shelter is scheduled to be built over the concrete area where food is now served. The concrete block structure will be about 24 by 50. Estimated cost is $8000 with the Homecoming Association to pay $5000 of the cost.

“Bids will be opened at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15 at the park machine shed. Specifications may be obtained at Anheuser’s office at 216 East State street in O’Fallon.

“It is hoped the building will be completed by the annual Homecoming.

“The board also elected Dave Daniels, one of the new members, to the post of secretary. He replaced Leo B. Obernuefemann who died in May.

“The board also discussed a means of getting a road into the new park (Rock Springs Park) so development could be started.”