55 years ago

december 22, 1966

The body of a well-dressed 70-year-old man was found early Wednesday morning, lying between the east and westbound mainline Santa Fe Railroad tracks about 3½ miles west of Florence.

He has been identified as Michael F. Kobus of Los Angeles who, with his wife, had been en route to Chicago on the crack streamliner, El Capitan.

It is unknown whether he jumped or fell from the train.

Winners in last Thursday’s weekly drawing for boys and girls were the following: Glenn Bartel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bartel, won the bicycle (he also won a bicycle last year). Janice Bowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bowers won second prize. Third prize went to Susie Lundgren, daughter of Mrs. Bill Razor. Fourth prize was won by Mark Tajchman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tajchman.

One of the state’s most famous palomino parade horses, “Kansas Gold,” owned by Marion Countian Jim Ferrell came to the end of a long and colorful career last week. He died at Ferrell’s Ranch in the northeast part of the county at age 25—equal to age 100 in humans.

The high school vocal mixed ensemble, with Beverly Hoch as soloist, sang several selections appropriate to the holiday season at Monday’s meeting of Marion Kiwanis Club. Cindy Powell, accompanied by Rebecca Herrick at the piano, played a medley of Christmas songs on her trumpet.

Mrs. Ora Kelsey of Marion was the only winner in this week’s Cash Day drawing. She received $5. Others whose names were drawn but were not present were Mrs. Jim McLinden, Cedar Point, $50; Larry M. Moore, Marion, $10; Wencel Vlk, Marion, $5; and L. Edward Davies, Marion, $5.

Members of the Marion High School graduating class of 1956 will have a 10-year reunion Dec. 26 at the American Legion hall. A family social hour is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. In the evening, from 7:30 to 10:30, a dance will be held at the same place with music provided by the “Scoundrels.”