60 years ago

july 12, 1951

The most devastating flood in the long history of Marion hit the community early Wednesday morning, receded somewhat that evening, then came up again Thursday to complete the wreckage. The entire business district and hundreds of homes in the Valley were inundated with up to six feet of water. Damage was estimated at half a million dollars. Florence also was hit badly by the flood. Reports say its entire business and lower residential district areas were flooded—in some cases “up to the ceilings.” Six- and seven-foot water marks are common.

The airplane belonging to Leo and Orville Scharenberg and Kenneth Hett was badly damaged Sunday in the early morning windstorm.

Girls’ athletic director, Pauline Best, announced two girls’ softball teams, the “Wildcats” and “Speedball Queens” have been formed and are ready for regular games every Thursday evening at the ballpark. Members of the Wildcats team are Doris Meredith, coach; Billy Hiebert, captain; Nancy Keazer, Judy Coons, Kay Navrat, Carmen Siebert, Carolyn Merrill, Connie Long, Linda Johnson, Lois Strong, Wanda Johnson, and Marguerite Hyde. Speedball Queens are Laura Jane Bredemeier, coach; Noretta Starkey, captain; Nila Hoopes, Carol Starkey, Wanda Propp, Margie Bernhardt, Janet Priddle, Judy Thatch, Patricia Dixon, and Pauline Minear.