Although the route is now seldom traveled, in another summer or two one of the most popular roads in the southeastern corner of the county will be that leading from Elsmore to the Allen-Bourbon State Lake now under construction. The lake will be about 3 miles east of Elsmore and will cover parts of 11 sections of land. The dam now being built will be 1,200 feet long, 250 feet thick at the base and 52 feet high in the center. It will back up Wolf Pen Creek. When the reservoir is full it will be 37 feet deep at the dam and extend approximately a mile to the west.
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Vernon Lee, Richard Jones and Jerry Ulrich head out for the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pa. From there, Ulrich will go on to represent Kansas at the International Scout Jubilee in England.
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A boiler which was installed in Iola’s old power plant about two years ago blew up Saturday night, wrecking the west end of the building and shaking homes in several parts of town. Miraculously, George Baker, fireman, and Clay Archer, operator, were not hurt although they were standing within a few feet of the blast. Jack Fronk, superintendent of the plant, said the blast was a gas explosion, caused by an accumulation of unburned fuel in the boiler and stack which ignited when fresh air was introduced, perhaps through the chimney itself. The boiler and accessories cost $42,369. Arthur Brigham, finance commissioner, said he has conferred with representatives of one company. Several insurance companies are involved.
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There is at least a 50-50 chance that the 1957 session of Congress will appropriate $200,000 with which to start construction of the Burlington dam on the Neosho River.
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The 75-foot chimney at the old power plant which has been a Neosho River landmark for 50 years was knocked down. It was badly damaged in the July 13 boiler explosion and considered a hazard.
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The four-week old Lehigh Portland Cement Co. strike ended when union and company officials signed a new contract. The contract provides a 13.6 cents an hour increase, higher shift differentials, double time for work after 12 consecutive hours, and four weeks vacation after 25 years of service. Sam Dellinger is president of the union local, and Walter A. Viebrock, superintendent of the plant.
