Happenings In Our City and County for the start of 1939

At the start of a new year, I always find it interesting to look back in our past history and see what was taking place in our home town during that time period  Let's take a look back 80 years ago to the first few months of 1939 and see what was going on in our town and county.

 A downtown scene from 1939.  Marion was a busy and bustling place during this time.  The Court House always the center of the activity, whether for business or visiting.

In the first issue of the paper on Jan. 6, 1939 it is reported that there were no arrests during the New Year's holiday. New Years Eve and the day following passed uneventfully in the city and county with no arrests, no accidents nor violations reported. Many private parties were held Saturday night but the revelers were calm and quiet.

Perfect weather greeted the arrival of 1939 with a temperature of 66 being reported in the afternoon. A bright sun shone all during the day.

1939 Tax Levy ordinance for the City (partial list)

The Board of Council of the City of Marion, Ky., do ordain as follows: (1) That an advalorem tax of Seventy-five Cents be, levied on each One Hundred Dollars of value of all real and personal property in the city of Marion, Ky., excepting shares in Bank and Trust Companies. (2) That an advalorem tax of Twenty Cents be levied on each One Hundred Dollars of fair cash value of the shares of all Bank and Trust Companies in the city of Marion. (3) That a poll tax of One Dollar and Fifty cents be levied on and shall be collected from every male resident of the City of Marion, Ky., who is over twenty-one and under the age of seventy years.

Polio Drive

The drive against infantile paralysis annually undertaken at the time of Pres. Roosevelt's birthday, begins in the city and county Monday according to Mrs. Edwin C. Frazer, chairman.

One half of the funds, so raised will remain in the county and be used here. It is at present planned to sell chances on a cake, to place receptacles in the schools of city and county for donations and to canvass residential and business sections. The campaign this year carries the slogan of “March of Dimes”. The quota is one and one-half per cent per capita and it is estimated that there are about 11,300 persons in Crittenden County. This would set the county quota at $169.50. Homer McConnell is treasurer.

Dorothy Riley, Piney neighborhood, will appear at a specially arranged chapel program at Fohs Hall next Tuesday morning for the purpose of assisting the local committee in its drive for funds to combat infantile paralysis. Miss Riley is a victim of the disease and has been materially aided by the treatments made possible through funds collected from past drives. At one time Miss Riley was unable to walk but treatments at Louisville were made available for her and she is decidedly improved, being able to walk with the aid of crutches. She told Mrs. Edward Frazer, drive chairman, that she would do anything she could to assist members in the campaign.

Rural Electrification Is Favored All Over the County

From all parts of the county come reports that rural Electrification is the foremost thought in the minds of county residents. A party headed by W. R. Cruce consulted with Area Engineer Hardin, Morganfield, for preparatory to perfecting plans for rural electrification in Crittenden County. Appointed groups were formed including, County Agent Shelby, Tom Board, Hiram Parish and Jack Shepherd. George Conditt, Chapel Hill, Hiram Parish, Dycusburg-Frances; Howard Hurley, Sheridan, I. W. Cook, Hebron, Frank Hill Shady Grove, Marion Brantley. All members of the appointed groups have reported progress in the respective districts and that all consulted are in favor of and want improvement.

Within the near future Cruce said meetings will be called to sound out sentiment of rural residents of the county preparatory to perfecting plans for establishment of the system. It is much needed and I believe that it can be accomplished without unnecessary delays. It is proposed to form a county organization and to include in the project as many lines as possible to serve the greatest number of residents.

So another year begins for the residents of Marion and Crittenden County with it's hopes, dreams, disappointments and happy moments to then become memories of our forgotten passages of time