Cash dominates holiday shopping across Southern Illinois
Shoppers rely on cash over credit as Christmas sales rise in 1975 across Carbondale, Marion, Murphysboro, and surrounding towns. Merchants report brisk demand for toys, appliances, and sport items, with crowds at checkout and frequent stockouts. Prices and inflation cited as pressure, yet many stores note higher volumes and confidence in a strong holiday season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lillinos
Eldon Ray
Penneys
Carbondale
Travis Prater
Kmart
Prater
Arthur Nitz
Sears
Anna Clothing
Vienna
Frank Hamra
Anna
Hamra
Marion
Don Pope
Mohr Value
Pope
Murphysboro
Landess Mills
Mills Distributing Co
Gubernatorial rivals campaign in Southern Illinois area
Two candidates for Illinois governor campaigned in Southern Illinois. James Thompson, Republican, outlined a tough two year term needing government reorganization to cut waste and address daily administration, finances, and legislature relations. Governor Daniel Walker also made a Southern Illinois stop with his slate vowing no tax increase and criticizing rivals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Karen Rothe
Henry de Fiebre
Illinois
James Thompson
Thompson
Lems
Michael Howeltt
Dept. of Public Aid
Daniel Walker
Walker
Southern Illinois
Vincent Demuzio
D-Carlinville
Ronald Stackler
Leland Grove
Dept. of Registration and Education
Roland Burris
Chicago
Dept. of General Services and Comptroller
Joanne H. Alter
Richard Daley
Neil Hartigan
Howlett
Daley
Howelett
Richard Cooper
Fire kills Herrin man in Carterville mobile home
Gary Sloan, 30, of Herrin, died early today in a mobile home fire at 103 Locust St in Carterville. Sloan and girlfriend Linda Harper were visiting Sloan’s sister Betty Murphy when the blaze started near a gas space heater. Firefighters found Sloan in the bedroom after a four hour effort. Funeral arrangements are pending.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gary Sloan
Herrin
Locust St
Carterville
Williamson County
James Wilson
Sloan
Linda Harper
Betty Murphy
Menard
Chester
John McCoy
George W. van Natta
Promoters eye Marion for 2000 to 3000 seat country opry
David Ham of Creal Springs described plans for a weekly country music opry auditorium in Marion. Gilbert Productions and Illinois Country Opry Inc. leaders Chet Gilbert and Dick Smith evaluated Marion, with a Petersburg venue already hosting a 1500 seat auditorium. A computer study and regional support are underway, with a decision expected within a week. The concept includes local talent and national Nashville stars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marion
David Ham
Creal Springs
Chet Gilbert
Dick Smith
Gilbert Productions
Illinois Country Opry Inc
Petersburg
Gilbert
Ham
U.S
Illinois Country Opry
Busi
Nessmen
Nashville
Grand jury to get report on Marion hospital deaths
Williamson County circuit court grand jury to be called into session Tuesday to hear results of the Marion Memorial Hospital deaths. State's Attorney Robert Howerton will present findings on the deaths of Brian Schutzzenhofer, 3, and Jimmy Dean Watson, 21, from adulteration of anesthetics with Anectine. The investigation continues with no expected major action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Williamson County Circuit Court
Marion Memorial Hospital
Robert Howerton
Brian Schutzenhofer
Jimmy Dean Watson
Watson
St. Louis
Marion Hospital
Howerton
Grand Jury
Jackson Housing Authority Removes Delinquent Rents from Books
The Jackson County Housing Authority voted to remove unpaid rents delinquent before 1975 from its financial reports while continuing collection efforts. Director David Jansen reported $29,800 in outstanding rents and said audits urged clearer reporting. The board plans annual reviews and may assign debts to collection agencies. It also noted $7,500 and $6,200 grants for a master antenna system and community room equipment at a new Carbondale development.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson County Housing Authority
David Jansen
Authority
Jansen
Ment
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Old West Main Street
Carbondale
Three Herrin Firemen Injured Battling House Blaze
Fire at 900 S. 12th St. damaged the Fisher home. Debra Fisher’s residence engulfed as firefighters arrived at 3:17 a.m. Bill Craig John Miller and Leon Perrine suffered minor injuries. Energy Fire Department assisted. scene cleared by 7:30 a.m. Fire may have started in an oil furnace.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Herrin
Bill Craig
John Miller
Leon Perrine
S. 12Th St
Laverne Kerley
Debra Fisher
Energy Fire Department
Kerley
No Bids Put Out for Anna Jonesboro High Bonds
The Board of Education of the Anna Jonesboro Community High School will readvertise for bids to sell 1.3 million dollars in bonds to fund a new high school. The 17 year bonds will be opened at 7 15 p m December 29 in the high school library after no bids were received at the prior bid opening Tuesday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zwick
Board of Education
Anna Jonesboro Community High School
Karnes Elected 1976 President of Southern Illinois Inc
Rex Karnes of Carbondale named president of Southern Illinois Inc at the annual meeting held at Benton Country Club. Karnes, the group’s secretary, serves as director of area Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Bruce Barnett of Eldorado elected vice president and Jerry Smith of Du Quoin named secretary. C L Musgrave of the Bank of Marion elected treasurer. William Bowlby of Marion becomes chairman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern [Illinois [Inc
Southern Illinois
Rex Karnes
Carbondale
Benton Country Club
Karnes
SII
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Bruce Barnett
Eldorado
Norris City Bank
Jerry Smith
du Quoin
C. L. Musgrave
Bank of Marion
James Howard
Murphysboro
William Bowlby
Marion
Central Illinois Public Service Company
Seed resigns from Southern Illinois Inc after meeting
SI executive vice president James Seed announced his resignation at the Benton annual meeting to devote full time to Lee Enterprises which publishes See Illinois. Seed and his wife Marjorie publish the statewide magazine with 7500 circulation. resignation effective January 1. applications now sought for his replacement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Seed
Southern Illinois, Inc
SII
Benton
Seed
Lee Enterprises
Illinois
Marjorie
Marion
Marion school district bond vote on 1.6 million for junior high upgrade
Marion Unit Two School District residents will vote Saturday on a 1.6 million general obligation bond for a new junior high and an addition to the high school. If approved, the Illinois Capital Development Board would grant about 3.17 million. Polls open noon to 7 pm at four locations and eligible voters 18+ who have lived in the district 30 days may vote.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marion Unit
Illinois Capital Development Board
Longfellow
West Marion
Grassy Townships
Washington
East Marion
Southern
Creal Springs
Stonefort
Pittsburg
Lake Creek
Ted Pauley
Also Mentioned on This Page
Horras
Sydney Appleton
Ross
Ron Williams
Grandpa John’s
Don Smith
Western Auto
Ed Greer
Barney West
Country ‘Opry
Jackson Housing Authority
Blaze
Southern Illinois Inc
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