100 years ago: Belleville man stiffs O’Fallon hotel, gets ‘free’ stay in county jail
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
100 years ago, Feb. 19, 1925
“When John F. Fyans, of Belleville, departed abruptly from O’Fallon without paying a hotel bill he evidently did not consider that it would lead him into a mess of trouble. At any rate he is now a lodger in the county jail held under bond of $500 for the grand jury on charges of fraud preferred by H. A. Moody, proprietor of the Central Hotel of this city.
“Fyans came to O’Fallon about a month ago and established himself in business by soliciting the surrounding territory for photo enlargements. He made the Central Hotel his headquarters.
“While in this territory he drove from one farm place to another and collected photographs for the enlargements, collecting $1 on the order, the balance to be paid when the pictures were delivered, it is said. After thoroughly working the territory the solicitor disappeared without settling for a room at the Central Hotel.
“Moody started an investigation and found stacks of photographs in the man’s room which were never sent to a concern to be enlarged. This aroused his suspicion and he reported the case to Chief of Police Tiley. Acting on a tip the officer learned that the man was working the territory adjacent to St. Jacob.
“Officer Tiley wired the authorities at that place and the solicitor was arrested but was released before the local police arrived. Officer Tiley doubled back over the National Trail and finally located Fyans in the Leland Hotel at Collinsville. He was arrested and taken before Judge Geary in East St. Louis for a preliminary hearing and held for the grand jury on charges of fraud.
“The local police examined the room occupied by Fyans in the Central Hotel and found a stack of photographs, many of which no doubt are highly treasured by the unsuspecting citizens who entrusted them to the solicitor. A number of these indicate that the man also worked the southern part of the county in the vicinity of New Athens, the name of that city being written on the back of several photographs.
“The authorities are endeavoring to learn whether the solicitor made any attempt to deliver enlargements on orders entrusted in that territory or whether he deliberately collected the $1.00 with the intention of defrauding the customers.
“The local police believe that the man’s intentions were alright but that he became addicted to drink and probably failed to remember where the photos belonged, driving from one territory to another. This again brings home the fact that it pays to deal with business firms that are known, especially in the picture enlargement industry, where fraud has been practiced ever since the advent of photography.”
(The Central Hotel was located at the southwest corner of First and Lincoln, where Steven Mueller Florist is now. It was destroyed by fire in 1953. Fyans was released from the St. Clair County jail on April 2, 1925, without being charged after he made arrangements to pay his $20 hotel bill. He stated that he had no intent to defraud, that no demand had been made for payment before his arrest, and that his absence from the hotel was only temporary.)
75 years ago, Feb. 16, 1950
“With more television sets going into O’Fallon homes, owners may well heed a warning to be on the lookout for a new racket which has developed with the popularity of video.
“Reports from nearby St. Louis have it that in several cases strangers, posing as government inspectors, called at homes and removed television sets after claiming they were “dangerous” and had to be taken away for adjustment as a safety precaution. Of course, there was to be no charge connected with the service.
“Later, however, the owners learned with regret that with the disappearance of the men were also their TV sets.”
50 years ago, Feb. 20, 1975
“The LaVerna Evans PTA met last Thursday evening for an informative discussion with two members of the Pupil Personnel Services group.
“Mrs. Rhonda O’Farrell, school social worker, explained her daily role in working with children and parents; the way the referral system works; and how she is able to help those children with adjustment problems, cope with their environment, and, hopefully, produce “needed changes in their lives.
“Mrs. Mary Bailey, school nurse, told of her responsibilities which include keeping complete medical records for each student; supervising vision and hearing screenings; acting as a resource person for science projects; and keeping up-to-date in all facets of public school health.
“Following the discussion period, parents viewed a colorful and varied art display throughout the school. Miss Ida Crosbie, art instructor, has been introducing students to the many and varied art medias, and has many interesting projects planned for the remainder of the school year.
“The group is planning a Nostalgia Hop for Saturday, March 15, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Evans featuring Moe Harvey, disc jockey from WIBV. Come dressed in the fashion of your high school era and win a trophy! Admission is a donation of $3.00 (tax deductible). The dance is open to the public.
“The next meeting will be held March 20 at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a presentation by Media Specialist Kent Mandrell. Members of the school board and those seeking election or re-election to the board have been invited to meet with our group at this meeting.”