100 years ago: Chicken thieves strike in O’Fallon
100 years ago, July 15, 1926
With spring chickens about ready for market, reports are beginning to come in that the chicken thieves are starting their nefarious work of invading hen houses.
One of the first to report the loss of choice chickens is William Coupin in the south end of the city where sneaks entered the hen house and depleted a flock of White Leghorns.
George Herzing, also of the southwest end went into the yard of his home one morning recently and found an entire flock of young springers prone on the ground. Investigation revealed that they were all dead, evidently having been poisoned.
The police are keeping a close watch for prowlers at night and with the assistance of other citizens who are keeping an eye on their property we will not be surprised to learn that someone was apprehended or received a charge of buckshot.
75 years ago, July 12, 1951
Many dog owners are failing to live up to the quarantine still in effect, Chief of Police Nick Hemmer said and he threatened to arrest those who fail to keep their pets confined.
Hemmer said often dogs are permitted to roam the streets late at night.
Terms of the quarantine require all dogs to be inoculated against rabies and to be either kept on a leash or in an escape-proof enclosure.
50 years ago, July 15, 1976
Two of the best promoters of the city of O’Fallon, Carvil and Dorothy Clark, owners of the O’Fallon Sports Bowl and Carvil’s Restaurant, have announced they are going to retire at the end of the month and settle down to a somewhat normal life.
The bowling alley and restaurant, which the Clarks have owned for 19 years, was the first bowling establishment in this city when it first opened Aug. 10, 1957. The restaurant was built in 1967. At that time, the business was owned through a partnership including Harvey Klingel, Bernard Taylor and Clark.
In 1963, the Clarks bought out the other partnerships and assumed sole ownership. Carvil’s has been the center of activity in the city for many years with most civic and organizational functions held there.
Over the years, groups such as the Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters, Business and Professional Woman’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Southview Merchants Association, O’Fallon Jaycees, church groups and high school clubs have held meetings and dinners at Carvil’s. For three years, the Sports Bowl has been a host of the Belleville Women’s Association tournament—an event which brings more than 1,500 women to O’Fallon.
Carvil’s has brought many personalities to his establishment over the years including Congressman Mel Price, then Lt. Governor Paul Simon, St. Louis sports editors Bob Burnes and Bob Broeg and former St. Louis baseball star Dal Maxvill. Carvil, who attended Cleveland High School in St. Louis and played some semi-pro football, believes that his interest in sports led to his establishment of the bowling alley.
And the Clarks are appreciative of the support the city has given them in their business.
“The city’s been good to us and we have shown our appreciation by giving the city a good place,” Carvil said.
The new company buying the bowling alley and restaurant is JOSHCO Inc. headed by John Costello, president; Mrs. Dorothy Fisher, vice president and Helen Costello, secretary-treasurer.
The bowling alley will keep the present Sports Bowl name but the restaurant will be changed to “Costello’s.”
Carvil said he and his wife plan to retire but also plan to help out with the changeover for a while.
“It’s not easy to stay away from a place you’ve been around 12-14 hours a day for 19 years. We’re not going to disappear although we are going to settle down,” Carvil said.
The O’Fallon Sports Bowl was located at 502 W. State Street. Despite what the article said, it wasn’t the first bowling alley in O’Fallon.