100 years ago: O’Fallon youth escape detention home, traverse woods, to visit Mom
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 125, 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
125 years ago, Aug. 25, 1899
“An Illinois Central detective swept down on Marissa the other day and had several boys who have a habit of jumping on trains arrested and each was fined $5 and costs.
“The boys in O’Fallon should take warning as there is no telling when some sly detective of the company may be gathering evidence.”
100 years ago, Aug. 21, 1924
“Three small boys, ranging in ages from 7 to 9 years, dependents at the St. Clair County Detention Home near Edgemont, decided to go out and seek the relatives of one of their number when they absented themselves from the home early Sunday morning while the children were being prepared to attend Sunday school services.
“The boys were Randolph Ferris, 7 years old, Clifford Rabel, 8 and Charles Garner, 9.
“After traversing over country roads and timberland they arrived in this city shortly after 9 o’clock Sunday night, going to the Central Hotel (southwest corner of First and Lincoln) where the mother of the Rabel boy is employed.
“Mrs. Rabel immediately notified Special Officer Henry Warhoover who took them in charge and notified Superintendent J. McCaffery of the Detention Home.
“The youngsters, who were still hale and hearty after an all-day tramp, were fed and provided with a bed at the City Hall. All three were barefooted and bareheaded, one of the lads suffering with numerous scratches on the legs, received when he went through a timber. Another was suffering with a bad case of poison ivy and the sting of bumble bees contracted while walking through a patch of weeds. In spite of their misfortunes the lads were happy and chatted with the officers and those with whom they came in contact.
“Monday morning Officer Warhoover, in sympathy with the lads, took them to his home where they were treated to a sumptuous breakfast.
“Later Superintendent McCaffery came to this city to take his charges back. While waiting for a street car at South Second street he was approached by a well-dressed married lady who stated that she is considering the adoption of a child but desired one younger in years. She stated that her husband was the foreman of a construction crew which is installing the light and power line in Shiloh.”
75 years ago, Aug. 25, 1949
“The Chester Mayberry family had the experience of having two cars stolen in less than 24 hours Saturday.
“The 1949 Kaiser 4-door sedan of Mr. Mayberry, a mail carrier on rural route 2, was stolen from the yard of his home at 302 South Lincoln Avenue late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
“Mayberry returned home about 10 p.m. Friday night, parked it within 15 feet from the rear door, taking the precaution to lock it. At 7 o’clock the next morning when he was ready to go on his route, the car was missing. It had not been recovered up to yesterday.
“The same day their son, Bailey Mayberry, arrived home in his 1947 Frazier from Parsons, Kansas, for a vacation visit. In the evening he attended a dance at Community Hall (present day Cavins Center) and when he went to get his car he was in time to see a lone man speed away with it. The theft was also witnessed by Joseph Laquet, superintendent of streets.
“Chief of Police Nick Hemmer, Laquet, Constable Ed. Trame and Deputy Sheriff Elmer W. Lacquet gave chase but lost trace of the fleeing car in Shiloh.
“It was recovered the next morning on a side road in Silver Creek bottoms, south of the east gate at Scott Air Force Base. The right side of the car was badly damaged, evidently caused by brushing a utility pole or similar obstruction.”
50 years ago, Aug. 22, 1974
(Editorial promoting the annual Homecoming and Fall Festival once celebrated in O’Fallon.)
“Welcome visitors, old friends, former residents. Welcome to O’Fallon. The 54th annual O’Fallon Homecoming is at your service. We hope the two-day gala affair in town will help you learn a little about the people, the places and the things O’Fallon has to offer. Sit a spell… take it easy.
“The Homecoming is designed to give the people in O’Fallon and visitors to the city a break from hectic day-to-day business. It gives everyone a chance to sit and relax over a sandwich and cool drink, talk and laugh, meet and chat. The Homecoming is a happy time. It’s a time when people reminisce about the good ol’ days and struggles they went through. They talk about the future plans for the family, the neighborhood and the city.
“The city has undertaken the task to make the 54th annual Homecoming the best ever. It welcomes one and all with open arms to come and get a taste of the good life as it should be. We too wish to welcome all the newcomers, former friends, residents and townsfolk to the celebration. Have a good time.”