100 years ago: A Memorial Day message of patriotism and duty
100 years ago, June 3, 1926
Memorial Day was fittingly observed in O’Fallon with the rendition of two programs in honor of the soldier dead of all wars.
The morning program was at the Shiloh Cemetery and the afternoon in the City Park. Both were under the auspices of the Fire Department Memorial Association who for the past several years arranged for the observance due to the advanced age of the few remaining Civil War veterans.
At 9:30 o’clock in the morning the fire department, several Civil War veterans, ex-service men of other wars and citizens went to Shiloh in automobiles where a program was carried out at the cemetery.
Rev. J. A. Ishmael, pastor of the Baptist church, delivered the address selecting as his subject, “In Memory.” In this he touched on the various phases of Memorial Day, not forgetting that it is the obligation of American citizens to respect the soldier dead of all wars, who so valiantly went forward at the call of the colors.
He also stated that we, and the generations who will follow should cherish the ideals so nobly exemplified by our forefathers who fought and died in preserving the flag of our great nation.
In the afternoon the day was observed in this city with a parade which started from the City Park, at 2 o’clock. Headed by the O’Fallon band and with the three surviving Civil War veterans, ex-service men, school children and others in line, a short procession was made through the city, terminating at the City Park, where a program was enacted.
Rev. Frank E. Harris, pastor of the Methodist church, delivered the principal address. He dwelled on patriotism and our duty, using as his subject “The Call From the Great Beyond.”
He spoke on the soldiers of Democracy, liberty and freedom and humanitarianism. He said that from these men, who now rest in eternal peace in the Great Beyond comes the call and challenge to us to hold high the ideals and standards for which they went forward to give their lives and all, that the stars and stripes may float over the nation which protects us and our loved ones.
He said for this reason it is essential that we devote our attention to Memorial Day, not alone for the soldier dead but all those that have crossed to the Great Beyond.
Other numbers on the program were music by the O’Fallon band, songs by the high school quartette and Evangelical church choir, remarks by Jerome Munie, invocation by Rev. F. J. Langhorst, Gettysburg Address by Ed. Boyce.
The program concluded with a silent tribute of 30 seconds to the heroic dead, a selection by the band and benediction by Rev. J.A. Ishmael. O’Fallon’s surviving veterans who attended the services are J.J. Cocker, S.S. Beedle and George Hilt.
75 years ago, May 31, 1951
A veterinarian will be on hand in the O’Fallon Fire Department engine room from 1 until 3 p.m. Friday for the purpose of vaccinating dogs against rabies, it was announced today by Mayor Henry M. Hesse.
Vaccination of dogs and cats is required under terms of a county-wide quarantine imposed last week.
Dr. William Kyle of Lebanon agreed to be in O’Fallon the two hours to give residents of O’Fallon an opportunity to have their pets immunized. He will vaccinate dogs and cats and furnish the owners with metal tags for a charge of $2.
The quarantine was imposed to stop the spread of rabies in the county. Five cases were reported in the past month. The quarantine will remain in effect for 90 days after the discovery of the most recent case of rabies.
Dr. Kyle asked that persons bringing their dogs to be vaccinated keep them on a secure leash. The quarantine requires that all dogs be vaccinated and be kept either in an escape-proof enclosure or on an indestructible leash.
Edwin Hesse, city clerk, stated that dog licenses are due now. Licenses for male dogs cost $2 and females $4.
50 years, June 3, 1976
A petition for a zone variance for the O’Fallon American Legion Post for construction of a new building in conjunction with their present one floor structure was granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The building is located at Washington and Penn and is now a basement meeting room and bar. The Legion plans a second floor over the current structure. Zoning variances were needed because it is a non-conforming use built in a residential area.
Additionally, the new building will be 10 feet wider, necessitating a variance in building setback requirements.
Permission was granted after work on the building was stopped by Zoning Administrator Dave Horton who reported structural steel was erected prior to obtaining the variance and needed building permit. Horton had given permission to begin site preparation and foundation work in anticipation of appeal board approval.
A question of delay in holding the appeals board meeting was explained by the fact that the planning commission did not complete its recommendations until April 20. The May 27 date was the regularly named time for the appeals board meeting. It had earlier held a special meeting April 1.
Testifying in favor of the zone variances were Robert Haukapp, 109 East Adams, commander of the American Legion, and Alderman Leo Lugge of the organization’s building committee. The Legion, it was explained, will spend some $175,000 on the new building. The new structure will be 50 by 100 feet and have a meeting room available for dances and similar activities on the second floor. The building will be of steel and stone construction with an open glassed stairway.
The two American Legion witnesses said they foresee little problems with parking in the area and the organization will furnish 40 parking places on its blacktopped parking lot.