100 years ago: In a historical first, post offices are closed on Christmas Day
100 years ago, Dec. 3, 1925
For the first time in its history the Post Office department will close all its post offices on Christmas Day. Postmaster John R. Lawrence received the orders recently to this effect, which states that no mail is to be handled and that the post office should remain closed all day. Not even Sunday hours will be in vogue.
This order behooves Christmas mailers to get their packages on the way early enough to be sure of delivery by December 24th. There is one recourse for later senders and that is the special delivery stamp. All special delivery letters and parcels will be delivered upon receipt.
The ruling is new in the annals of the post office department. Usually it is rushed to full capacity just before the holidays and it is considered that postmasters, clerks and carriers are entitled to a holiday.
The idea of closing is an experiment. Two years ago post offices were closed at noon, and last year they kept Sunday hours. Closing entirely in the local post office will mark the first time that a day has gone by without having it open for at least a short period.
City and rural carriers will not make trips on Christmas.
75 years ago, Nov. 30, 1950
The names of 52 men who have failed to report to their draft boards for the pre-induction physical examinations have been listed by the joint office of the three boards in Belleville. They have 10 days in which to report to their boards before being officially declared delinquent and subject to prosecution.
None of them was from the O’Fallon area.
If the selectees or members of their families do not report to their draft boards the names will be turned over to the United States Attorney for prosecution under the Selective Service Act. Board 192 which includes O’Fallon listed four names.
This board takes in Belleville and 16 eastern townships of the county. Board 190 which includes the south half of East St. Louis, Centreville and Sugar Loaf townships had the biggest list – 40 and board 191 which has the north half of East St. Louis, Stites and Canteen townships has eight.
50 years ago, Dec. 4, 1975
A helicopter scheduled to bring Santa Claus to the Southview Plaza Shopping Center crashed in Belleville shortly after takeoff before picking up Santa.
The pilot of the helicopter, Leland Nollau, 49, owner of the Nollau Nurseries of Belleville, is in satisfactory condition at Memorial Hospital with back injuries.
Police reported Nollau’s aircraft’s turbojet engine failed at an elevation of 500 feet. Pilots who examined the crash scene in a field on the northern edge of Belleville said Nollau did an expert job of flying to crash the helicopter in the only clear spot in the area within several miles.
Smoke was seen streaming from the engine before the crash, witnesses said. The O’Fallon Santa Claus arrived by police car 45 minutes late.
Southview Plaza was located at the southeast corner of Lincoln Avenue and Highway 50.