100 years ago: Pickpockets took advantage of O’Fallon Homecoming crowd
100 years ago, Aug. 27, 1925
Pickpockets took advantage of the vast crowd at the Home-Coming celebration Saturday night by operating in the City Park where several successful “touches” were made until one was arrested. After the vigilance of the police became known no more complaints were received.
The man arrested gave his name as John Collins, 50 years old, of Louisville, Ky. He was held in the city jail until Monday when Officer Warhoover took him to Belleville where he was given a hearing before Judge Weber of the county court. Collins denied that he was a pickpocket but the court took the evidence and sentenced him to one year in the county jail in addition to a fine of $100.
Collins was taken into custody while he was in the act of picking the pockets of Julius Guttersohn several hours after the Mardi Gras parade had disbanded at the City Park.
While Guttersohn was being jostled in the crowd he felt a hand being inserted into one of his pockets, and turned quickly as the thief started to run. Guttersohn raised an outcry and Alderman Fred Gill, who was nearby was in time to catch the man, who proved to be Collins. He was arrested by Officer Tiley and lodged in jail.
Later the police learned that several others at the park had been ”touched” one of whom was Dr. E. Trippel, who missed a pocketbook containing $41. Bert Moergen had also been touched for $5. Leo Simpson, of East St. Louis, reported that he was robbed of his diamond stud and Ed. Midgley, of Lebanon, was relieved of $6.00.
Midgley said he had more money on his person but had taken the precaution of distributing it among his various pockets, having had the experience of being “touched” at a previous home-coming celebration.
The police believe that Collins had an accomplice as none of the missing articles were found on his person as he had only 50 cents and a cheap wooden whistle when searched, which indicates that the man picked pockets and then turned the spoils over to another party.
All the pocketbooks were found near the free parking grounds on North Third street. Several contained identification papers, but the money was missing. One pocketbook was badly torn and the police are holding it with the hopes that the owner may be able to identify it.
The City Park was located on East Washington where the fire station and District 90 offices are today. North Third Street is present-day Jefferson Street.
75 years ago, Aug. 24, 1950
Parkview Gardens, O’Fallon’s latest sub-division, platted east of Community Park by the heirs of the late Augusta Willard, was approved at a meeting of city council. The heirs recently sold 15.7 acres of the farm to the Homecoming Association which is to be eventually developed for additional park recreation.
The new sub-division, designed for home building purposes adjoins the park grounds to the north and east. A complete sewage system and water lines are to be installed.
An extension of Hilgard street has already been completed from the B. & O. tracks to connect with U.S. 50 to the south. Extensions of Second, Third and Fourth streets have also been made through the site which comprises 72 lots which are available to prospective home builders.
Rumors are that a number of lots have already been sold and one party bought one of the larger plots for the erection of a duplex apartment as an investment.
50 years ago, Aug. 28, 1975
The Miss O’Fallon Contest Friday evening turned out to be a sister act when Paula Moomau was named Miss O’Fallon 1975 taking over the throne held by her sister, Sherry, Miss O’Fallon 1974. Both are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Vic Logan.
The 16-year-old Paula burst into tears after being named the new Miss O’Fallon. Her sister Sherry placed the crown on her head and handed her the bouquet of roses. The extreme heat in the OTHS auditorium Friday evening drained the girls both physically and emotionally during the evening’s performance. However, Paula was still able to react to her award.
“I was really surprised to hear my name called. I’m very happy,” Paula said.
Paula performed a jazz dance to the song “Road To Alaska.” The O’Fallon Booster Club were Paula’s sponsors.
Donna Kendall, 17, daughter of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Robert Kendall, was named first runner-up. She will be a senior at OTHS this fall. She performed Claude Debussy’s “Clair De Lune” on the piano for her talent. She was sponsored by the O’Fallon Lions Club.
Second runner-up went to Janet Nelson, 16, daughter of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Haywood Nelson. Janet played and sang “Blowin’ In The Wind.” She sang one verse in French. She was sponsored by the O’Fallon VFW.
Third runner-up went to Melissa Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hanson. Missy performed a hula dance for her talent. She was sponsored by the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Fourth runner-up went to Michelle O’Toole, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Toole. Michelle, sponsored by the American Legion, sang “Bless the Beasts and the Children” for her talent.
Barb Adamick, 16, daughter of Lt. Lol. and Mrs. Frank Adamick, was named Miss Congeniality of the pageant. Miss Congeniality is an award voted by the girls in the pageant and given to the one girl who was the most pleasant and easiest to get along with.
The family act continued in the Prince and Princess Contest when Kristi and David Nast were named winners of the contest. Stacey Lynn Short was named Miss Bicentennial as runner-up in the contest.