A century ago: Fire destroyed O’Fallon livery stable on Second Street

It may seem hard to imagine now, but at one time there was a large livery stable for horses and storage on the south side of West Second Street, just east of Cherry.

It was on the site of present-day O’Fallon Winsupply (Winnelson Plumbing), just west of O’Fallon City Hall. And a century ago, on Sept. 20, 1923, it was hit by a spectacular fire, despite the owner’s numerous precautions to prevent such a thing.

Here’s how the O’Fallon Progress reported the blaze:

“Fire, of unknown origin, damaged the livery stable of Edw. N. Thomas on South Second street (now just called Second Street) last Thursday night to the extent of about $2,000 and for a while threatened surrounding properties in one of the most treacherous conflagrations in this city for several years.

“The blaze was discovered at 9 o’clock and had made considerable headways in the south portion of the large barn before it was seen by neighbors.

“An alarm was turned in and the fire department responded promptly but by the time the firemen arrived the second floor was like a seething furnace, the flames having been carried along the inside of the roof the entire length of the building, which runs from Second street to within a few feet from the alley.

“The firemen experienced considerable difficulty in fighting the flames, due to a dense smoke which arose from a large quantity of hay stored in the barn. By heroic work on the part of the firemen the fire was extinguished before it could spread to nearby buildings.

“A corrugated tin roof, which covered the structure, prevented the flames from spreading to Budina’s confectionery, Moonlight Hall, Cohen’s Store and other buildings in close proximity to the barn.

“Shortly after the arrival of the fire department the flames were under control probably due to the efficient and modern motor equipment which on several occasions saved O’Fallon from a serious conflagration.

“Mr. Thomas carried a large line of building material and his greatest loss was on lime and cement, which was ruined by water.

“A number of horses were safely taken from the barn while the flames were raging above.

“Mr. Thomas was out of the city at the time of the fire and was not aware of the blaze until his return late at night. Just what caused the fire has not been learned and probably never will.

“The owner received several loads of hay a few days before but all precautions were taken to guard against fire. Mr. Thomas is known as exercising every possible method of preventing fires, no electric wiring being permitted in the hay loft. To gain access to the second floor it was necessary to use a ladder which was stored for that purpose therefore it could not have originated by some careless person going into the loft.

“The damage to building and stock is estimated at $2,000, partly covered by insurance.”

75 years ago, Sept. 30, 1948

S/Sgt. Howard “Scout” Davison, brother of Miss Dorothy Davison of this city, had the distinction of shaking hands with President Harry S. Truman at Denver, Colo., last week.

Davison is a patient in Fitzsimmons Veterans Hospital at Denver, undergoing treatment and operations for a shattered left arm received in the Pacific Theater during the war.

As it happened, Mr. Truman stopped at the hospital for an inspection of the institution while on a speaking tour. “Scout” Davison, in relating the incident to his sister by letter, told of how the head of the U.S. government came to him and without formality extended his hand to the local war veteran, which he eagerly grasped, whereupon the chief executive wished for him full recovery of the injury.

Davison has been hospitalized for the arm injury since April 1945, during which he has undergone some 20 operations, including bone and skin grafting. He is scheduled to undergo several more operations in the near future.

50 years ago, Sept. 27, 1973

Young adults in the O’Fallon area will be able to purchase and/or drink beer and wine starting Monday when the new state legislation permitting 19-year-olds that right goes into effect.

O’Fallon Mayor Gary Mackey said that although the city ordinance has not been changed the state legislation automatically goes into effect for cities under 25,000 in population. Mackey said that no council action is really necessary.

The drinking law at the present moment states that persons under 21-years-old cannot drink but that ordinance will become null and void after midnight, Sept. 30.

Some area tavern owners are looking forward to Monday with anticipation.

Carvil Clark, owner of Carvil’s Restaurant and Lounge, thinks the law should be changed back but feels since the law is going into effect Monday that kids should be able to go all the way.

“If they want to drink, why not give them the whole ball of wax. I’m opposed to letting 19-year-olds drink, but if it’s the law, I think they should be able to drink anything,” Clark said.

Clark also thinks the new law will be trouble but feels the law was bound to come. “They can get married, serve in the Army and go into debt, why not let them drink?” Clark asked.

Don Nickolson, owner of the Idle Hour, sees one of the brighter sides to the new law. “They’re drinking now anyway. At least now they’ll have someplace to go. I’m glad to see that they’ll be able to do it out in the open for a change,” Nickolson said.

Mrs. Myrtle Mehochko, owner of the Tornado Inn, concurs in Nickolson’s feelings. “I think it’ll be alright if the kids behave themselves. It’s better to have them sit in a local tavern and drink a beer than have them running and hiding in some back streets and drinking or going out of town to find some stuff,” she said.

One of the employees at Cliff’s Tavern said she doesn’t know what to expect on Monday. “It’s a little scary. You don’t really know what it’s going to bring. There are enough problems already without having this starting up. I wish it was still 21,” she said.

“That’s when my troubles will start,” said Peter Sanborn, owner of the Tiki Lounge, “because we’ve had trouble with minors here before.”

Sanborn said minors have tried to get served alcoholic beverages before and thinks the problem will grow with the new law going into effect. “What’s going to stop somebody 21 from buying hard liquor for a kid 19? If they want to drink the hard stuff, they’ll find a way to get it,” Sanborn said.

Having two separate bars may be one way to alleviate some of the problems that will accompany the new law. Sanborn thinks. “But it’s still going to cause problems.”

Whatever the case may be there should be a little larger crowd in the local pubs this Monday. Even if it’s just to watch Frank Howard and Dandy Don on the television.