100 years ago: High comedy and braggin’ rights as veterans whip Rotarians

100 years ago, Aug. 20, 1925

“Stars” galore is right when it comes to base ball material in the ranks of the H. Edward Fischer Post.

This was attested Sunday when the war veterans met the Rotary Club in a benefit game on the local diamond, easily defeating the Rotarians by a 19-9 score, in a game which was filled with comedy to amuse the crowd of spectators who came out to see the fun.

The Rotary Club, composed principally of “has beens” went good for the first inning when they managed to push one run across by the first batter up who struck out and continued to circle the bases after the catcher dropped the ball. The Legion played a star game throughout but along about the third inning the Rotarians began to weaken from old age and fright.

One by one they started to drop out to be replaced by new material, most of which was taken from the high school ranks. But as new players came in the Legion clamped down to the game and stopped run-making insofar as the Rotary Club was concerned. The eight other runs just happened, scorer Felton Koch taking pity on the “has beens.”

In all the excitement the Rotarians kept a stiff upper lip but how they continued to battle for nine long innings is beyond us. Sale of rubbing alcohol was considerably enhanced the next day with new supplies still coming in. Sunday’s game was for the benefit of the new home-coming park and playgrounds and a handsome sum was realized which was turned over to the Association.

Next Wednesday afternoon the Legion will meet the O’Fallon Business Men’s Association in a similar benefit game and some more fun is in store for the spectators.

Mayor Ralph Kampmeyer has declared a holiday and requests all business houses to close at 2 o’clock for the battle which starts at 3 o’clock. While no extra-inning game is expected some fans assert they will take their lunch along as they have every reason to believe that it will be one of the longest games ever staged on the local diamond.

While the Legion has been doing all the challenging so far rumors were current yesterday the O’Fallon Fire Department has flung a challenge at the war heroes to meet the veteran fire fighters in a match game. The date for this battle is to be announced later.

Home-Coming Park was the original name of O’Fallon Community Park, which, at the time, was owned by the O’Fallon Homecoming Association. The American Legion members were veterans of World War I.

75 years ago, Aug. 17, 1950

Julius Schalter, city mail carrier on the north side is taking a forced vacation as the result of an accident while delivering mail when a parcel post package dropped on his left foot, fracturing the big toe.

50 years ago, Aug. 21, 1975

The city of O’Fallon has been contacted by the Illinois Department of Public Health advising the city that the O’Fallon Memorial Pool is not conforming to minimum sanitary requirements for swimming pools.

In a letter addressed to the city, the public health department listed five areas where the pool is not in conformance with the requirements. The list request the following corrections be made: maintain a chlorine residual; modify floor for better drainage in the men’s bathhouse; restrain chlorine cylinders; provide operable flow meter in wading pool and submit monthly reports to the public health office.

The department stated that the chlorine residual problem and the monthly reports should be corrected immediately. The other problems are asked to be corrected by the next season.

Craig Hangsleben, manager of the swimming pool, was not at the pool when asked for comment Tuesday.

Paula Adams, assistant manager at the pool, would only say that the department was “picking at little things.”

An inspection of the pool was made July 22 by public health officials. The report from that inspection was the basis for the letter. The pool has also failed to apply for its yearly license according to the report. According to state law, pools may not operate without one.

Mayor Gary Mackey said the letter would be turned over to the park board for further investigation.