Our Town: Coal mining huge in O’Fallon ‘til 1960

Until 1960, coal mining was a major part of O’Fallon’s economy.

But it was a dangerous job.

Here’s an incident from the morning of April 21, 1926 at Taylor Mine which was just northwest of Taylor Rd. and Venita Dr.

Fifty-three-year old Sam Phillips who was “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.”

75 years ago, Apr. 24, 1941. A quota of 66 young men of the Selective Service in District No. 1, of which O’Fallon is a part, departed from Belleville Monday morning for the Army Induction Center in East St. Louis. Among the group from our city were Howard Davison, Harold Schaeffer, Mathew Kanaska and Virgil Scheibel.

50 years ago, Apr. 21, 1966. The Bank of O’Fallon will play host next Wed. to “Someday” the Grand Champion Steer of the 1965 International Livestock exposition held in Chicago. The animal will be in a specially constructed trailer at the bank’s parking area. In case of rain the animal will be shown in the bank’s lobby.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Our Town: Coal mining huge in O’Fallon ‘til 1960."