100 years ago: Missouri motorist pays the price for hogging Highway 50
100 years ago, May 6, 1926
“Hogging” the road on the Lincoln Trail (Highway 50) proved an expensive pastime last Friday evening for a Missouri motorist, one that he no doubt will remember when he ventures upon Illinois highways in the future.
Henry C. Bade, who gave his home as St. Louis, was arrested by Motorcops Nichols and Sexton and brought to this city to Justice Earl Asbury’s office, charged with reckless driving and endangering the lives and property of others. He pleaded guilty and was assessed a fine of $25 and costs, totaling $27, which he paid.
According to the officers they were patrolling the Trail in a Cadillac touring car. When they neared this city they noticed a Ford roadster ahead which was straddling the black line in the center of the highway. They sounded the horn signifying they intended to pass but the driver ahead continued serenely on his way, remaining in the center of the road.
After following Bade for some distance the officers swung off the hard road and brought him to a stop. He was somewhat astonished to learn that he was playing with state patrolmen when placed under arrest.
Straddling the center of the highways appears to be one of the pastimes of Missourians and more arrests are predicted unless the practice is abated, according to the officers. Recently the editor motored over one of the nearby paved roads and on actual check found six of the so-called “road hogs.” Of this number four had Missouri license plates.
75 years ago, May 8, 1951
Beginning Thursday, June 7, Greyhound Lines will operate again this year a special bus service from O’Fallon direct to Forest Park in St. Louis, for performances of the Municipal Opera, according to C. L. Crum, vice president and general manager of Capitol Greyhound Lines.
Crum pointed out that because of the popular appeal of this service last summer, when it was operated one day each week, it has been decided to operate special coaches to Forest Park for all Tuesday and Thursday night performances.
Buses will be scheduled to arrive at the Park well in advance of curtain time, and will return to O’Fallon immediately after the show.
Tickets are now on sale for all eleven performances of the 1951 season, and complete fare and schedule information on Greyhound’s special “Opera Buses” may be secured at the Wood’s Confectionery.
At the time, Wood’s Confectionery was located at the northeast corner of Second Street and Lincoln Avenue. Owner George Wood would later open Wood Bakery on West First Street.
50 years ago, May 6, 1976
Approval was given for the addition of up to five deputy marshals for the O’Fallon Police Department. The approval was given by the O’Fallon City Council at their meeting Monday night.
The five marshals will bring the total marshals on the department to 14. Chief of Police Darwin Lehmann appeared before the council to make the request.
Lehmann said that the upcoming summer activities in the city and vacations of the regular patrolmen made the request for additional deputy marshals necessary.
The deputy marshal program was instituted by the department more than two years ago to alleviate the extra hours that regular patrolmen were working. Deputy marshals are normally used during peak activity times (weekends, summer activities, emergencies) and are only paid when they work. They also pay for their own uniforms and training.
The council also approved the payment of $1,000 to the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois (MEGSI) for the city’s participation in the program which specializes in drug enforcement in the county.
Chief Lehmann said at the present time it is unknown whether O’Fallon will send an officer to take part in the program.
Corporal Dennis Sheldon recently returned from one year’s duty in the program.
The council also opened bids on a new car for the chief of police. Two bids were received on the car. Schmidt Motors bid $3,480 on a 1976 Omega. The price included trade-in of the chief’s old patrol car. Huller Ford bid $5,898 on a 1976 Granada and offered $968 trade-in on the old car for a total price of $4,929.92.
The council accepted the Schmidt bid as the low bid and awarded the contract to them.