60 years ago
april 18, 1946
The Rock Island crossing at Highway 50N was the scene Tuesday at 4:29 p.m. of the worst disaster to have occurred here in recent years. The fast northbound Rock Island Rocket plowed into a transport cab with heavy semi-trailer attached going east just at the point where a 60 gallon auxiliary tank of fuel oil was attached. A sheet of flame leaped high in the air mushrooming and enveloping the two diesel engines of the train, while the blazing truck cab was hurled to the right approximately 130 feet. The driver, 18, was pulled from the side of the burning cab by Jack Summerville and Bob Ecker and died a few hours later in Marion Hospital. A passenger, 22, was hurled ahead of the wreckage, his clothing blazing, and died instantly.
Mrs. F.E. Good entertained at dinner Monday evening in honor of Ernestine's birthday. The following were guests: Janice Meisner, Roberta Newsom, and June Avery.
Lucy Burkholder, city librarian for 21 years, tendered her resignation as city librarian to the library board last Thursday morning, effective May 15. She has been appointed librarian at Abilene, and will assume her new duties June 1.
Returning serviceman Bill DuVall is employed with Case and Son in the insurance business.
Eight boys and their teacher, Miss Nadine Merilatt, from the Clark school came to Marion on the "Doodlebug" from Canada Wednesday and spent the day. The school includes Frankie Stika, Howard Stenzel, Don Kline, Martin Klenda Jr., Bobby Kline, Charles Meisinger, Larry Fisher, and Benny Klenda. Richard and Patsy Meysing were unable to accompany them because they are ill with the measles. Patsy is the only girl in the school with nine boys.
Dr. O.C. McCandless was at the school April 16 to give the junior high students their third scarlet fever shot.
