Sorgen, Carl B. 1904-1989, Carl Sorgen Studios

Carl B. Sorgen, professional photographer for Marion, Williamson County and the Marion Daily Republican through the 1950’s and 1960’s, was born in Carbondale, Illinois on August 5, 1904, to Paul Sorgen and Nellie Barber. He grew up and attended Carbondale schools.

On October 10, 1936, he married Miss Hester Louise “Dink” Davis of Marion, the daughter of Hester Louis “Heck” Davis and Georgia Stapleton. “Heck” and his wife operated Davis Market located at 1005 E. Main where Small’s Grocery is now located today. The Davises resided on S. Grey Street nearby. “Heck” also was Marion Chief of Police in the early years of the 1950’s. Continue reading

Edwards, Charles “Yobbie” 1915-1968

Charles “Yobbie” Edwards was a WWII veteran, deputy sheriff under two Sheriff terms and served as Marion Chief of Police from 1954 to 1967. He was born in Galatia on October 1, 1915, a son of Delmon Lee Edwards (1887-1923) and Myrtle Miller. Four years after Charles was born, his father, Delmon, filled out his WW I registration card and noted that he was 27, he was married, had four children and lived on E. DeYoung in Marion working as a self-employed teamster which probably meant he had his own truck. Continue reading

Mad Stone, A Pioneer Folk Remedy

Mad stoneAfter reading the following article that appeared in the Egyptian Press on January 20, 1913, about the use of a “mad stone” to diagnose and cure rabies, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to figure out what it was, so here is what I found out.

F. Smoot of Marion was bitten by a mad dog. The dog was captured and slain and has been pronounced a true mad dog. The injured man, Rev. Smoot’s only brother will be hastened to St. Louis or Chicago to undergo the Pasteur treatment. A “mad stone” was applied Thursday afternoon and is said to have “stuck.” Continue reading

1993, Marion’s First Female Police Officer

Marion Woman Finally Working as Police Officer

Dawn Williams (now, Tondini) can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to be a police officer.

As a baby she loved to dress up in her father’s police hat, and his leather slapstick was her favorite teething ring. When she learned to read, she turned first to her dad’s police training books.

Her ambition became reality recently when the 27 year old was sworn in as the first female patrol officer in the Marion Police Department. She has worked as a dispatcher for the department since April 1992, and was a member of the police auxiliary for 1 ½ years before that. Continue reading