50 years ago

August 28, 1958

The new Fairbanks Morse dual fuel 1600 horsepower engine at the Marion Municipal Power Plant got off to a fine start Friday morning when it was run for the first time. An open house is planned in the near future so the public may see this latest piece of equipment.

The Kaw Theatre will re-open its doors this Sunday evening at 6:45 p.m. with the first show at 7. There will be free popcorn for the first 100 adults who enter the doors. The new management will offer two changes a week and will be open six nights each week.

A resolution passed by the county commissioners Aug. 11 calls for the termination of the payment of bounty on coyotes, wolves, pocket gophers, crows, and predatory animals in Marion County as of Oct. 1, 1958.

Marion stores, offices, and business houses will be closed Monday of next week for Labor Day. The only businesses, which will remain open, are some filling stations and outlying grocery shops on the edge of town, which normally have open hours on holidays.

Mechanic Second Class Darrell Weigart of Marion, member of CB Division 9-52 for three years, was promoted to Second Class Petty Officer Wednesday evening at the weekly drill of the Hutchinson “Seabee” Reserve Division.

A countywide flying club, with possibly two airplanes, is being organized this Sunday afternoon at the Hillsboro airport. Dean Duke, county sanitarian, is more-or-less the “spark plug” of the organization in its formative stages. Organizers state about 20 persons are needed if two planes are to be purchased and membership fees nominal.

The three finalists in the Marion County Fair queen contest are Donna Marie Janzen of Florence, Mary Lou Conyers of Marion and Patricia Berns of Peabody.