100 years ago: ‘Safety First’ becomes city’s new mantra for Fourth of July fun

100 years ago, July 9, 1925

With reports from many cities of accidents directly due to Fourth of July celebrations it is gratifying to learn that the day passed off in O’Fallon without a single accident, although observance of the day was quite noticeable insofar as noise was concerned.

While the celebration with the banging of high-powered fire crackers and other noise producers was predominant on the eve of the Fourth and continuing through the next day without a single mishap, it indicates that while the citizens maintain the same principle of celebrating they are using more precaution in the practice of “safety first.”

The Fourth was ushered in with the banging of firecrackers and toy torpedoes which continued until noon, when the occasional bang of a firecracker or other noise producer was all that would remind one of the day. Bombardment was renewed at nightfall, followed by pyrotechnic displays in various parts of the city. These illuminated the moonlit sky for several hours, the firing of rockets and Roman candles being the chief amusement of the celebrations. This began to cease about 10 o’clock and aside from the occasional “bang” of a belated cracker the city began to settle into the usual quietude.

The only celebration was the annual firemen’s picnic and dance in the evening. This drew a large crowd which broke up at the midnight hour. The two-day vacation took many citizens over the highways and byways as they wended their way to distant cities to spend the week-end with relatives and friends.

Autoists from other places came to O’Fallon and brought many visitors into the city. An endless stream of autos going in both directions passed over the Lincoln Trail, starting as early as 3 o’clock Saturday morning and ending late Sunday night.

75 years ago, July 6, 1950

Members of the recently organized O’Fallon Boy Scout Troop are departing Friday for Camp Wangelin near Waterloo on a week-end camping trip. They are to be accompanied by leaders Arthur Currall, William F. Morton, Wilson Moore and Elmer Zinkgraf, Jr.

The troop enrolled 21 members between the ages of 11 and 17 years under the sponsorship of the local Kiwanis Club at a recent reorganization meeting to bring Scouting back to O’Fallon. The new troop expects to receive its charter some time next month.

In the meantime a membership contest is being conducted in which the five Scouts who secure the most new members will get a free trip to a big league baseball game at Sportsman’s Park (in St. Louis) where a box seat will be provided for them.

50 years ago, July 10, 1975

If you haven’t noticed already, after a weekend of outings over the holidays, gasoline prices have gone up an average of three cents throughout the area. All gasoline stations in the area reported increases in gas prices during the week and additional increases are predicted in the not-too-distant future.

Hille’s Mobil Station on U.S. 50 in O’Fallon reported that regular gasoline was up to 57.9 cents per gallon - an increase of three cents over last week’s price. And Joe Hillesheim, the owner, thinks the companies don’t really care when the price increases are ordered.

“They (the suppliers) tell us the price we buy the gas for is going up. Then we have to raise our price. The station takes the loss and the companies aren’t affected,” Hillesheim said.

Lloyd Wiemann of Wiemann Ice and Fuel predicts that prices for heating fuels will go up also.

“After September 1, we will be able to get a better picture as to what prices will be like,” Wiemann said.

Wiemann feels the additional $1 per barrel importation tax put in effect by President Ford has caused prices to rise. He also feels that lifting of the price freeze on oil prices will make prices soar.

Wiemann said his fuel oil is selling for 35.1 and 36.1 cents per gallon. This is five cents more than what it sold for a year ago. His LP gas is selling for 27.4 cents which is four cents more than last year’s price.

Congressional leaders have begun to look into recent price increases in gasoline. Illinois Senators Adlai Stevenson and Charles Percy are both beginning investigations into the price increases.