A look back in time – December 1986

35 Years Ago

Around Town

December 14, 2021 - 9:51 AM

Auctioneer Ralph Smith asked for a higher bid as he sold a pick up truck in the parking lot at the Walton Foundry. “A lot of memories went down the drain Monday,” said Gene Walton, reflecting on a personal property dispersal auction sale at the foundry. Walton, whose father R. C. Walton purchased the foundry in 1938, was associated with the foundry for 35 years, much of the time as its owner. The foundry, weakened by declining oil-related markets and other financial problems, closed earlier this year. Gray iron castings had been a stable industry in Iola since the turn of the century.

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Kelly Welch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Welch of rural Moran and a senior at Kansas State University, has been named a Rhodes Scholar. He was one of four selected from a group of 12 candidates from six Midwestern states for the prestigious honor. Welch will go to England and Oxford University in early October.

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Dr. Lyle F. Schmaus, who practiced medicine in Iola for nearly 50 years, died today at his home at 1020 N. Jefferson. He was 87. Dr. Schmaus came to Iola in February, 1933, and closed his office in April, 1982. During that time he assisted with the birth of more than 2,000 babies, a part of his practice he gave up after a heart attack in 1960. He was honored by the community on July 8, 1979, which was proclaimed Dr. Lyle Schmaus Day by the mayor. He served as a physician in the U.S. Army for four years during World War II.

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A survey of eight industries made by the Register discovered they employ 1,196 and some expected to increase their employment in the year ahead. Some of the employment totals reported: Gates Rubber, 235; Miller and Son Dress Co., about 240; Intercollegiate Press, 78: IMP Boats, 48; Trade America, Inc., 22; Columbia Metal, 43; Klein Tools and TOP-USA, 137.

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Sharon Cheung will become a U.S. citizen Dec. 18, when she is naturalized in Kansas City. She and her husband, Paul, have operated the China Palace restaurant for nearly a year. She is a native of Hong Kong who immigrated to the U.S. in 1980. The couple moved to Iola in December of 1985.

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