100 years ago: Fractious mule’s kick sends miner to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
100 years ago, April 22, 1926
Sam Phillips, 53 years old, is in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital seriously injured with a probable skull fracture received yesterday morning when he was kicked on the head by a fractious mule in the Taylor mine where he is employed. The accident occurred shortly before the miners started their day’s work.
Phillips, who is one of the old and experienced drivers, was engaged in hauling men from the bottom to the face. While on one of the trips the mule he was driving became unruly and started to kick.
Phillips, who was standing on the usual place on a chain, fell when the animal started to kick and was caught between a pit car and the mule. One of the animal’s feet struck the man a stunning blow at a vital spot on the left temple of the head. He was rendered unconscious and other miners riding in the car rescued him from further blows by the frantic animal.
Phillips was rushed to the top where a physician rendered first aid and ordered him removed to the hospital in Schwarz’s ambulance. He was still unconscious when taken into the hospital and it was some time before he partially regained his senses. His condition is reported serious.
The entrance to Taylor Mine was northwest of the present-day O’Fallon Fire Department Headquarters on Taylor Road.
75 years ago, April 19, 1951
Burglars who forced open the front door of Schaefer’s Electric at 306 South Lincoln avenue, early yesterday morning, stole six televisions and a radio valued at $1600, according to LaVerne Schaefer, proprietor.
The front door of the establishment was forced open with a crowbar or other heavy instrument. No one reported seeing the thieves who worked after 3 a.m.
Herman Hemmen, night policeman, reported that the door was secure at about 3 a.m. when he made a round. At 4 a.m. he found the door jimmied open, the catch torn off.
Chief of Police Nick Hemmer at once sought the co-operation of the sheriff’s office and state highway police.
Schaefer said five of the televisions were 17-inch and one 10-inch. Four were Hallicrafters, one Meck and one Motorola. The radio was a clock-radio combination, two of the television sets were combinations.
50 years ago, April 22, 1976
Ed Fulton, band director at O’Fallon Township High School for the past four years, will resign his position with the high school effective May 28. Fulton is accepting a position as educational consultant and head of the school accounts department with Haplin Music Co., Alton.
Fulton said that the pressures from the band directorship at OTHS and the lessening of his family life were the main reasons for the decision to move.
“Everyone at the high school and in the community has been great and back the band and its functions 100 per cent. Whoever takes my place will be coming into one of the finest educational institutions in the area,” Fulton said.
Four years ago Fulton began his work at OTHS with 80 members in the marching band. Today that number has grown to more than 140. However, Fulton credits the work in the grade school for the growth of his band in the high school.
Among the highlights of the OTHS band under Fulton’s direction are: a trip to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia; marching for the Illinois State Fair opening parade; performing twice by invitation at the St. Louis Arena; performing at Kiel Auditorium by invitation; marching by invitation for the past three years in the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale homecoming parade; the only band invited to perform at the POW Awareness program in St. Louis last year; and appearing in numerous homecoming parades throughout the area. Fulton also added music theory, music appreciation and music history to the curriculum at the high school.
Before coming to OTHS, Fulton was a music teacher in the O’Fallon District 90 grade schools.
Edward A. Fulton Junior High School on Kyle Road in O’Fallon is named after him.