80 YEARS AGO

JULY 30, 1942

Well, it was grand while it lasted — the pseudo-boom that was laid on Marion’s doorstep Friday by a long distance operator who didn’t know the difference between Merriam and Marion.

A phone call from a government official asked that an immediate survey of possible housing be made and that the gas and city offices be open Monday evening to handle business for a government plant (kind not announced) that was to go in somewhere in the vicinity.

A corps of canvassers covered every street in town by Saturday morning and turned in the full information requested. Then the town settled down awaiting Monday evening. But, Monday evening came and went — and with it the realization a grand mistake had been made someplace.

It appears the call was meant for Merriam, where a large expansion of a defense plant was to start this week.

Mrs. C.J. Ecker entertained Friday afternoon in honor of Donald’s 9th birthday. Those invited were Donald and June Schlotz, Jimmie Cook, Marvin Wunsch, and Monty Frazier. Mrs. Ecker was assisted by Virginia Hungerford and Eilene Ecker.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Miller and Dickey returned home Thursday from Viola, where they had been harvesting wheat on their farm. Mr. Miller returned to Viola on Monday to do his plowing.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Herbert visited on Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Herbert, at Peabody. They went to get Diana and Billy Jean, who had been with their grandparents for several days. Just before starting home, Billy Jean fell from a tree and broke her left arm.

Edna Rupp entertained at dinner Sunday in honor of the 6th birthday, which was Saturday, of her niece, Marlys Rupp. Places were marked for Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rupp, Marlys and John; Dora Pollitt; Dorothy Pollitt, and Ruth Jo Willming.