75 years ago

feb. 12, 1948

A 38-year-old institution, Marion Mutual Telephone Co., went out of existence this week when Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. took over the company. The price for the company, consisting of switchboard, lines, and equipment in the town of Marion, was reported to be $7,000. Rural lines continue to be owned by the farmers but will be connected with Bell’s switchboard.

Marion schools were dismissed Wednesday noon and will remain closed through the rest of the week because of the need to conserve gas. The thermometer this morning stood at 8 above.

Ground school at the airport welcomed a new deluxe Luscombe to the flight line this month when the plane was flown from Dallas by Virgil Wiebe and Bill Utting. Members of the class pictured with the plane are Utting, Bob Ecker, Bob Kasper, Oliver Unruh, Leo Scharenberg, Bernard Meysing, William Silhan, Melvin Jewett, Norman Plenert, Calvin Janzen, Jesse Richter, and Carroll Christiansen.

New Hope School, 8½ miles southwest of Marion, burned to the ground Monday night. The origin of the fire has not been determined. What will be done for the rest of the term has not been determined.

The KFH Ark Valley Boys will be in Marion on March 17 for two performances in a big spring show planned by the chamber of commerce.