100 years ago: An O’Fallon home destroyed by fire and a narrow escape from certain death
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
100 years ago, Feb. 28, 1924
“Fire, believed to have started from a spark from a chimney, gutted the two-story residence of J. G. Hall on East Penn Street in the northern part of the city at 7:40 o’clock Tuesday morning.
“The roof and the greater part of the second story were consumed or damaged by the flames. The rooms on the lower floor were considerably damaged by water and the loss is estimated at $3,000, covered by insurance.
“Brisk northeast winds fanned the flames which had spread over the entire roof before the arrival of the fire department, which made a quick run to the scene.
“The Halls were on the lower floor of the home and were unaware that their residence was on fire until informed by Miss Dorothea Davison, a neighbor.
“Miss Davison discovered the fire when she left her home on her way to teach school. She turned in an alarm and then notified the Halls.
“The fire department ran several lines of hose to battle with the flames also using the chemical apparatus to subdue the blaze which had an unusual start and it is surprising that the home was not completely destroyed and that the flames did not spread to nearby residences.
“Miss Clara Hall, a daughter, had a narrow escape from being burned to death.
“When the fire was discovered she ran upstairs in an effort to save some valuable papers which were in her room. She procured the documents but when she attempted to leave the burning building her passage to the stairway had been cut off, the flames eating their way down the walls. She ran back into the room and raised a window, where several who had gathered witnessed her danger.
“She was brought to safety by a young man who elevated a ladder and rescued her from the burning room. His name could not be learned.
“James Taylor, Sr., Alfred Mayer, Sr., and Mr. Hall were also trapped in a room where they had gone to remove articles of furniture and clothing. The men continued with their work unmindful of the flames that had spread from one room to another with lightning rapidity.
“When they attempted to leave the room, they learned that the passageway to the stairway was ablaze cutting off the means of egress. They ran back into the room and climbed through a window onto the lower part of the roof, from where they could get onto the ground.
“Neighbors and friends assisted in carrying out considerable furniture when it became evident that the home was doomed.
“Practically all the clothing and furniture on the upper floor were destroyed by the flames or ruined by water, which was played on the blaze for more than a half hour.
“Mr. Hall has been a man of misfortune within the past few months.
“He was employed at the Devil’s Hole (coal) mine west of here when the concern went into the hands of a receiver and had a large pay due him when the shaft closed down.
“Later he procured employment at the Fallon Coal Company’s mine which closed down temporarily pending a wage adjustment.”
75 years ago, Mar. 3, 1949
“With Tuesday being the final day for filing for office in the April 5 township election, plenty opposition has developed for the office of collector and that of constable.
“One tax collector is to be elected for a four-year term with four candidates in the race.
“Emil Feucht, who now holds the office is a candidate for re-election. Others who filed for the same position are George Alexander, Howard E. Davison, and Harry A. Hillen.
“The office for constable also promises to be a spirited affair.
“Three are to be chosen for a four-year term with six candidates filing for the position. They are Chief of Police William F. Morton, Nicholas Hemmer, Theodore W. Darner, Ervin B. Trame, Henry L. Porter, and Joseph L. Brewer.
“A supervisor, town clerk, assessor, and justice of the peace are also to be elected.
“No opposition has developed for these posts, all the present incumbents having filed. They are B. E. Funk, for supervisor; William C. Ahrens, for town clerk; Charles H. Dressel, for assessor; and James T. Holliday, for justice of the peace. All are for a four-year term.
“For justice of the peace three are to be elected, but Holliday is the only candidate for the office.”
50 years ago, Feb. 28, 1974
“Getting gas in the Metro-East area is getting harder by the day. Why? Because it’s getting towards the end of the month and the amount of gas in the station’s tank is low and allocations won’t be coming around for a couple of days.
“Because of that, a number of stations are closing early or not opening at all to save the little gas they have left.
“The Clark Station in O’Fallon has been closed by noon for the past week because allocations of gas to the station have been cut drastically.
“On the other hand, however, Fred’s Standard station recently received a 13.3 percent increase in its allotment for the month and the station says it’s assured of making it through the month with the additional gas.
“The O’Fallon Gas and Oil Station and Reno’s 66 Station both reported that there is enough gas in their tanks to make it through the month.”
