“More than 100 houses were wrecked and several persons injured by a tornado which swept this city and Pittsburg, a small town six miles northeast of here, at 5:30 Tuesday morning. The property damage is estimated at more than $100,000, but is far as known no lives were lost.
It was first reported that two persons were killed at Pittsburg. Details of the amount of damage at that point were lacking for several hours, owing to the blowing down of telephone and telegraph wires. Heavy damage to farm property was done between Marion and Pittsburg. Continue reading
“William J. Bryan’s itinerary through Southern Illinois was a grand success from a political standpoint. He was met at every point by large and enthusiastic crowds. At Benton and Marion the crowds were estimated at 10,000 people; at Cairo 18,000 people came out to hear him; at Murphysboro over 12,000 and he was received with rousing ovations at every point he stopped at. His reception in Egypt would indicate that the people of this section will repudiate McKnleyism in November and vote for the man whose loyalty to American institutions and to the people is unquestioned.” Continue reading
Marion, ravaged by a $2.22 million 1963 fire loss, suffered a $150,000 fire Sunday, August 9, 1964, which destroyed five businesses and professional Sites.
The fire, which raged through false ceilings and a roof, resisted firemen’s efforts for five and a half hours.
It destroyed the J.V. Walker and Sons Clothing Store, Cline-Vick Drug Store, Household Finance Corp., and offices of Attorneys, J.C. Mitchell and Kenneth Hubler and Dr. Howard C. Dibble. Continue reading
