50 years ago: Vandals set fire to O’Fallon Park baseball bleachers
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 125, 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
125 years ago, Dec. 8, 1899
“In the case of Dr. Frank Varney of O’Fallon against Michael O’Hare for $300 for surgical services, judgment was rendered in the County Court Wednesday in favor of the doctor for $30.
“As the doctor’s costs were $31.85, he is out $1.85 on the transaction.”
100 years ago, Dec. 4, 1924
“The TC-5, Scott Field’s largest dirigible, was damaged about $15,000 and in the neighborhood of $17,000 worth of gas escaped when the ship was thrown against a steel girder as it was being moved from the hangar last Friday morning.
“The large bag was damaged so badly that its contents of 170,000 cubic feet of helium gas escaped.
“An official inquiry was immediately started and close inspection revealed that it would be possible to repair the damage. About two weeks will be required to place the ship in shape.
“The monster ship was being pushed out of the hangar by a squad of soldiers, preparatory to making a flight to Springfield, Ill. While being taken from the hangar a gust of wind caught the shin and threw it against the girder tearing a long rent in the bag. The bursting caused a loud report that could be heard for some distance, escaping gas throwing some of the men nearby for some distance, but none was injured.”
75 years ago, Dec. 8, 1949
“Two youths, 17 and 20 years old, hailed into Justice of the Peace J. T. Holliday’s court Monday night by Chief of Police Nick Hemmer, learned to their sorrow that law and order must prevail when they were fined $6.40 on a charge of ‘trespassing,’ and ordered to pay for 24 gallons of pilfered gasoline.
“Before the court assessed the fine the lads were lectured by the court and the chief of police that “Crime Doesn’t Pay,” inasmuch as the court stated, they could be penalized on a more serious charge. At the conclusion of the admonition the accused promised to mend their ways and adhere to a good citizen policy.
“The incident involved night thefts of gasoline from trucks belonging to H. & H. Truck Service while on the parking lot of the Oscar Munie garage, the youths being taken into custody by Chief Hemmer early Sunday morning when their car was detected in the vicinity of the parking lot by Night Officer Herman Hemmen.
“Leniency was decided by the court when the past record of the lads revealed they had not been in trouble before.”
50 years ago, Dec. 5, 1974
“Mayor Gary Mackey is taking steps to prevent further damage of park facilities similar to what happened last Saturday at the park when vandals set fire to the bleachers section at the main baseball diamond at the O’Fallon Community Park.
“Although damage was not extensive, Mackey stated that measures have to be taken to prevent further damage.
“’We want people to use the park but we don’t want the park abused,’ Mackey said.
“Parking is no longer allowed in the park area. Parking is permitted on the perimeter of the park and along side streets.
“’People can drive through, walk through and play in the park. We don’t want people parking in the park for the park’s sake and for the safety of the people using the park,’ Mackey said.
“Mackey said at Monday’s City Council meeting that he and the park board have been considering the restriction on parking for some time and the idea is nothing that came at the last minute.
“’We’d eventually like to close the road going through the park to make extra room for picnicking and for the safety of those using the park,’ Mackey said Monday night.”