100 years ago: Army flyers thrill thousands at Scott Field with annual show
100 years ago, Sept. 17, 1925
Despite inclement weather and hazy skies, a crowd estimated at 25,000 was at Scott Field Sunday to witness the annual aerial exhibition of aviation maneuvers by army air flyers from half dozen fields in the middle west.
The exhibition was staged for the benefit of the Army Relief Society of which Mrs. J. A. Paegelow, wife of the commanding officer, is president. From the opening review and salute to the burning of the balloon and bombing of a battleship with which the aerial exhibition was closed, the show offered a diversified entertainment with plenty of thrills to hold the attention of the spectators.
While the air men undertook difficult and hazardous stunts there were no accidents. Every type of airship included in the equipment of Scott Field participated in the exhibition, the big dirigibles, TA-4 and TC-7, observation balloons, the various types of airplanes – Curtiss, De Havilland, the Martin bombers – and the little Sperry “fliver.”
One of the most interesting sights was the hook-up in mid-air of a Sperry messenger plane and the army dirigible TC-7, the ship which makes almost daily flights over our city. In this feat the Sperry caught a hook connection on the under side of the big bag and remained suspended from the blimp for several minutes while the ship passed over the crowd for review.
Another interesting feature was the direction of planes by radio. The commands were directed from the radio tower so that they could be heard by the spectators on the ground below and almost immediately (as) each command was given, the planes flying at a high altitude swung into formation in accordance with the command.
One of the pretty sights was the burning of a sausage balloon in mid-air by being bombed by a plane. The show came to a close by the dropping of bombs from Martin bombers onto a specially constructed battleship which was destroyed.
75 years ago, Sept. 14, 1950
Loyed Cavins, operator of the O’Fallon-Belleville Coach Co., was surprised Monday night with a gift of appreciation from the O’Fallon Boy and Girl Scouts for his generosity in furnishing free bus transportation during the summer in getting them to Scott Air Base twice weekly to go swimming.
The presentation was made at the conclusion of Monday’s Kiwanis Club meeting. The gift consisted of two excellent quality sport shirts. Children representing the Scouts were Clarence Eberhardt, an Explorer; Joann Foster, Girl Scout and Dale Barry, Cub Scout. William Morton, Scoutmaster, made the presentation talk, saving the identity of the recipient of the gift until after his remarks were nearly concluded.
Loyed was honored because his cooperation made it possible for the boys and girls in O’Fallon’s Scout organization to enjoy swimming twice a week at the air base. He furnished a bus and driver for each occasion and frequently drove himself.
The Katy Cavins Community Center in O’Fallon Community Park is named after Loyed “Katy” Cavins.
50 years ago, Sept. 18, 1975
By a 7-0 vote, the O’Fallon City Council Monday night approved the controversial cat ordinance requiring the inoculation and leashing of the felines.
Robert Lillie, chairman of the health and safety committee which was studying the ordinance, recommended the approval of the bill Monday night. Lillie said the committee had studied the pros and cons of the ordinance for weeks and arrived at its decision last week when the committee met with Dr. Robert Kern, St. Clair County Control officer and members in opposition to the ordinance.
“I think the ordinance will bring better protection to the city,” Lille said.
The ordinance passed unanimously. Alderman Robert Seipp was absent from Monday night’s meeting.
Last week, Dr. Kern told the committee his office receives numerous complaints about cats including noise cats make and cats in bushes and shrubbery. A total of 69 cat bites were reported to the county office in the first seven months of this year. More than 500 animal bites have been reported. Of the 69 cat bite cases, 27 cats were strays and six were never found.
The new ordinance will go into effect today (Thursday) with its publication in The Progress this week. The main controversy surrounds the leashing of the cats. For weeks the council heard testimony both for and against the leashing of cats.
Cats, according to the new ordinance, must be leashed when not confined within a building. Owners of stray cats picked up by the city will be fined $10 for the impounding of the cat and a $2 a day fee for keeping the cat. Cats not claimed within five days will be destroyed by the city.