50 years ago

december 4, 1958

A 34-year-old Peabody mother died almost instantly last Tuesday night as she tried desperately to save the life of her 11-year-old son who had been overcome by cyanide fumes in a grain storage building in Peabody. The victims of the double tragedy were Mrs. Ernest Shank and Alec Joe Shank.

Winners at Cash Day in Marion Wednesday won some big prizes, with a total of $230 awarded. William Bredemeier of Marion won $100 and Joseph M. Sklenar won $105. Herman Schlotthauer won fifth place of $25. The other two names called were not present to receive their money.

A Florence construction worker, Joseph Clyde Roberts, 34, was shot to death at a downtown intersection Friday afternoon by a young woman he had been keeping company with for some time, Mrs. Rose McCoy, 31.

Mrs. Charles Heerey Jr. was guest of honor at a layette shower Friday evening at the city building. Hostesses were Mrs. Richard Bredemeier, Mrs. Ralph Richmond, Mrs. Carl Stovall, and Mrs. Bill McKibbin of Wichita.

Mrs. Jack Helmer, with the assistance of Mrs. Leon Mills, took a group of children to the gym Nov. 26 to see Smiley Burnette and celebrate Kendall Jay Helmer’s fifth birthday. Returning to the Helmer home afterward for refreshments were Shirley Ann Helmer, Brenda Foth, Terry Frans, Mike Good, Jimmy Criswell, Danny Frickey, Brad Case, Mark Rathert, Timmy Anderson, Mike Williams, Bruce Mills, Lloyd Behrendt and Alan King.