Thursday, June 4, 2026

5/31/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, May 31, 1956   Vol. C570


LOCAL NEWS


SHIPPENSPORT CONFESSES - ROMANDO GONE


East Farewell – Monica Shippensport has confessed to taking the Flower Show budget estimated to be $3,000.00. Her partner, Romando, (strangely, only one name) is still missing. Miss Shippensport it seems was the unwitting accomplice of an elaborate scam that involved a whirlwind romance, a naïve young woman, lots of money, a scoundrel and a broken heart that ended with the scammed holding the bag and in jail.

            It all started last year around Thanksgiving when Miss Shippensport first met Romando. She said she met him in the Lost Oasis Bar after she got off work. Romando presented himself as a South American horticultural expert and started talking with Shippensport. She mentioned she was involved with the annual flower show, then he started making small talk. One thing led to another and the next thing Miss Shippensport knew she was being escorted around town by an elusive but very handsome foreign stranger. They became quite an item and were seen celebrating New Year’s Eve together at a local party. Miss Shippensport is said to have confided with a friend that she was hoping that the relationship would go further. Well, it certainly went further, on or around January 2nd Romando presented Miss Shippensport with a proposal. Not the proposal she was hoping for though, he said that with his experience and her budget they could put on the most fabulous Flower Show ever. All she had to do was give him the entire budget and so he could purchase some exotic South American flowers. Then she could go back to the Town Council and ask for more money to put on the show. Miss Shippensport, smitten by Romando, let her heart block her good judgment and handed over the cash to Romando in late January. She was able to postpone meetings of the committee because of the bad weather at the time so no one was able to question her actions until late February. When confronted with the fund dispersal, she explained the Romando was only going to use a small amount and he had promised to return the rest.

            It was in early April when Miss Shippensport went to Romando’s apartment and found it empty. Frantic, she started to look for him in all their usual places but to no avail. Thinking something nefarious had happened to him she went to the police. The police mounted a short search for him but soon realized the true nature of the crime. Bulletins were sent to surrounding towns and major cities in the area but they were not expecting to find Romando. “He is long gone, I bet he has left the country. If he was really from South America, I bet he is back there living high on the hog with our money,” said police chief, Ed O’Malley.

            Unfortunately for Miss Shippensport, she is under arrest for taking the money and will have to stay in jail until her hearing because she cannot raise the bail of $300.00. She is understandably upset and says her heart is broken and her pride has been severely damaged. Her hearing is scheduled for later this week. She has profusely apologized for her actions and has said she will accept what ever consequences that are handed down to her.   


Last known photo of Romando


SPORTS


TRAVELERS WIN GREAT GAME


East Farewell – The Travelers won one of the best played games, if not the best game, of the early season. The red hot Travelers (13-3) faced an equally incendiary Mountain View Explorers (12-4). Both teams had been enjoying winning streaks and both were playing top notch baseball. The leading hitters in the league were going against the two best pitchers in the league. Something had to give. The pitchers were the ones who took control. It wasn’t until the fourth inning that either team mounted any offense and it was not until the fifth that any runs were scored. Both pitchers, Joe Nagy for the Travelers and Joe ‘Freight’ Trane for the Explorers, were sharp from the start and kept up the pressure till the end. Only a few let downs for each let the power of the best hitters in the league show their stuff. Explorer’s biggest bat, Bobby ‘Hammer’ Taxen smashed a Nagy fastball out of the park in the fourth and Traveler’s Johnny Cloos clobbered a Trane curve for a two run homer in the sixth. That was the difference in the game. The Travelers prevailed 2-1 with Trane throwing a four hitter and Nagy throwing a three hit gem. With this win the Travelers are in sole possession of first place in the league.

            Next week the Travelers go on the road to Corning where they play CGW for the first time this season. The game begins at 3:30 in Corning.


 NATIONAL NEWS


IKE READY TO CAMPAIGN – KHRUSHCHEV DENOUNCES STALIN – DEAD SEA SCROLLS DECIPHERED – BUS SEGREGATION IN ALABAMA UNCONSTITUTIONAL


President Eisenhower displayed a touch of campaign fever when he told a national conference of Citizens for Eisenhower that he will campaign for a second term “as cheerfully, as energetically, as enthusiastically as it is possible for me to do.” 

Communist party Boss Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin as a mass murderer who was plotting the complete liquidation of his old Politburo colleagues. Stalin was accused of planning to wipe out former Foreign Minister Molotov and Politburo member A.J. Mikoyan among others. Stalin’s death on March 5, 1953 was attributed to natural causes.

Two more Dead Sea scrolls have been deciphered and revealed clues to a legendary buried treasure worth countless millions instead of dealing with Biblical subjects. The scrolls were found beside the Dead Sea in 1952. If the treasure exists, it includes 200 tons of gold and silver. 

In Alabama a three-judge panel in federal court ruled that racial segregation on city buses in Montgomery violated the Federal Constitution. But the court took no immediate action to issue an injunction against enforcement of city and State segregation laws. That will come later.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 


Thursday, May 28, 2026

5/24/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, May 24, 1956   Vol. C569


LOCAL NEWS


WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FLOWER SHOW?


East Farewell- Lots of questions have been buzzing around town about the absence of the Flower Show this year. It was only in its fourth year but it was not held this year and people are asking questions. In the previous three years it was a successful event and quickly becoming a tradition in town but this year after announcing the dates and theme the event was not opened. The committee that was responsible for scheduling only met once late last year. Committee chairwoman, Monica Shippensport, had stated that the show was going to be scheduled for late March or the first or second week of April and things were moving along smoothly. It is rumored that around last Thanksgiving Miss Shippensport met an attractive but mysterious companion. Friends said the secretive companion went by the unusual name of Romando, only one name, like Liberace, and no known hometown. Everyone likes companionship during the holidays and the couple was seen about town enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately for the Flower Show Committee Miss Shippensport started to neglect her responsibilities and with the hustle and bustle of the holidays meetings were postponed and rescheduled. The New Year rolled around and the rescheduled meetings were held but there was one glaring absence, Miss Shippensport. Also missing, Romando. The other thing that turned up missing was the budget for the Flower Show. Without the budget the committee was unable to make any plans for the show. Focus was pointed to finding Miss Shippensport and Romando. Late last week Miss Shippensport appeared at the East Farewell Police Department and lodged a complaint against Romando. The case became more complicated when she explained that Romando had absconded with the funds from the Flower Show budget and left her alone in a restaurant in Corning. She said she had advanced him the funds because he had told her he was very involved with the Philadelphia Flower Show, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. He promised to arrange connections with members from the Philadelphia show committee and bring bigger and better exhibits to the East Farewell show. Miss Shippensport also stated that she had become romantically involved with Romando.

            Needles to say, the police have a lot of questions. Not the least of which is where is the money? They also want to talk to Romando. Miss Shippensport is cooperating with police and has been remanded to her home and promised not to leave town. For the moment she is claiming to be a jilted lover who was scammed by her suitor. The police are not convinced. While Romando remains at large the total sum of money involved is estimated to be $3,000.00. The investigation is ongoing and the situation is far from being cleared up. The biggest loser is the townspeople of East Farewell and the surrounding communities because they have been deprived of one of the favorite events of the year.

            “We are trying to sort through this and there are a lot of questions that have to be answered,” said police chief, Frank Needles. “We have a lot a unexplained goings on and we still don’t know where the money got to. Mr. Romando is being sought and we have asked for help from neighboring police departments as well as the Philadelphia police department. We are hoping they will be able to give us some insight into this gentleman, we don’t have any information on him but on first look it seems he is your run of the mill conman who sucked in one of our citizens and stole lots of money from the town.”

Scene from the 1953 Flower Show


SPORTS


TRAVELERS CONTINUE HOT STREAK


EAST FAREWELL-The Travelers continued to streak through the league winning another three games in their last four games.  That makes their record 12-3 in the still young season.  More impressive is the fact that they have only let their opponents score an average of 3 runs a game with three shutouts.  The top three batting averages in the league are all Travelers; Bobby Watson, 1st base, .304, Anthony Dimero, right field, .311, and Johnny Cloos, center field, an astounding,.323.

            The latest run started with a win over Erie, 6-0, home runs by Cloos and Brown and three double plays.  That was followed by a thrashing of Albany, 10-3. That was highlighted by Johnny Cloos hitting for the cycle, a single, double, triple and topped off with a homerun.  The next game was a rare loss to Slate Mountain, 0-3.  The Travelers bounced back at home this week with a solid win over Monticello, 4-2.

            This could be a record setting season if this pace keeps up.  The best record the Travelers have ever had was the magical season of 1943 when then went 82 and 28.  The Travelers are on a record to pass that number this year. Their fortunes will be tested next week when they play the also red hot Mountain View Explorers with pitching ace, Joe ‘Freight’ Trane and league leading slugger, Bobby ‘Hammer’ Taxen. The Travelers will counter with their own ace, Joe Nagy, and all time hit leader, Johnny Cloos. The game begins at 1:30 on Saturday at the ball park.


 NATIONAL NEWS


FRENCH TROOPS BATTLE MUSLIMS - MORE YOUNGSTERS LIKE IKE – NBC SIGNS MORE RELIGIOUS PROGRAMMING – ROBESON CALLED TO TESTIFY


Thousands of battled-dressed French troops and special police swoop down on Alger’s Casbah area (Arab area) in an unprecedented raid for rebel suspects and arms. Arms were seized and 4480 Muslims were detained for questioning.

For the first time since New Deal days, America’s younger voters express a preference for a Republican candidate for President. Whereas 20 years ago two out of every three voters in the 21-29 age bracket favored Franklin D. Roosevelt, present indications are that Dwight D. Eisenhower would receive nearly as large a proportion in their vote in an election now. In another Gallup finding - If an election were held this week with President Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson - Eisenhower would lead at 62% and Stevenson - 35%.

NBC radio signs its fourth paid religious program. The policy of permitting religious groups to buy airtime was adopted less than three months ago. The network had presented such programs free of charge. The new program is “The Voice of Prophecy,” a program associated with the Seventh Day Adventists. Also NBC presents “A Portrait of Fred Allen” on the network’s “Biographies in Sound.” The presentation was a devoted tribute by some of his closest friends. Cardinal Spellman, Tallulah Bankhead, Jack Benny, Jimmie Durante and Uncle Jim Harkins and other appeared on the broadcast. Jack Haley served as narrator.

Negro singer Paul Robeson, the baritone with passport troubles, is subpoenaed to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Robeson’s passport was revoked in 1950 on grounds that his traveling abroad would not be in the interest of the United States. He was awarded a Stalin peace prize in 1952.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.




Thursday, May 21, 2026

5/17/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, May 17, 1956   Vol. C568


LOCAL NEWS


IT IS OFFICIAL- IRON WORKS TO STAY- AT LEAST UNTIL 1959


East Farewell-After weeks of public questions, cancelled news conferences, rampant rumors and fretful hand wringing the Iron Works has announced that they will not be closing, moving or downsizing in any way, at least not until 1958.  Charles Lumeier, company president, made the announcement to the public and press on Tuesday.  The announcement sent a wave of relief through the East Farewell community.  The Iron Works is one of the largest employers in the region as well as a huge source of tax revenue for the town.  The Iron Works will continue to supply rails for the Mighty Keystone Railroad as well as many other special iron orders for other transport systems and building firms.  Lumeier was very enthusiastic about the announcement, trying to put to rest the rumors and innuendos about the solvency of the company. He was slightly less enthusiastic when asked for the plans out past 1958, when the union contract comes up for renewal.  “We are concentrating on the here and now and making the best product for the best price as well as serving the community.  When that time rolls around we will be prepared to face that situation.”

            East Farewell has been in the rumor mill since the news broke three weeks ago about the possible shut down of the Iron Works.  The IW has been a part of East Farewell since East Farewell was founded in 1913.  Originally, East Farewell was a tourist destination that was designed and financed by the Lawson brothers with the blessing and support of the Mighty Keystone Railroad.  The railroad needed a terminal halfway between New York/ Philadelphia and Chicago to supply rails and track supplies.  East Farewell offered a prime location as well as a bucolic getaway for the railroad executives and high ranking employees.  The Iron Works was finished in 1915 and has been a stable and productive member of the community ever since.

The Iron Works in East Farewell


SPORTS


TRAVELERS GET SHUTOUT BY MINERS


East Farewell- In a rare stumble the Travelers were shut down and shutout by arch-rival Slate Mountain Miners, 3-0. There was no pep in the team or in the bats that were so intimidating last week. Not only did the Travelers not score a run, they did not get a hit until the fourth inning. Miner’s pitcher, Gene Ford, was remarkable, pitching the entire game and only allowing four hits and no runner advanced beyond second base. The rookie pitcher was only in his third start for the Miners and looked like he was a seasoned veteran. Throughout the game he rarely went deep in the count and whenever he gave up a hit he seemed to buckle down even harder for the next batter. The Travelers struggled to connect with his fastball and fell for his high outside curve all day long.

            The Travelers pitcher, Danny Lane, pitched a good game but let up a two run slam in the third to Miners big bat, Harry Topper. Things started to get away from him in the eighth when he let three straight hits fall in for the third and final run. The defense was fine but not stellar. The Travelers did not turn any double plays for only the third time this year but they did not commit any errors.

            It was quite a surprise for the fans to see such a lackluster performance from their beloved team. No excuses or explanations were given by the team or the coach after the game. The next game is home against the newest team in the league, the Monticello Vikings. The game begins at 1:30PM at the ball field.


 NATIONAL NEWS


IKE CALLS COMMUNISM A GIGANTIC FAILURE – STEVENSON WINS IN FLA & OREGON –MEADOWS MARRIES


At a commencement at Baylor College in Waco, President Eisenhower said European Union seems “nearer now than in centuries” to a union and called communism “a gigantic failure” but said “even this mighty nation is not wholly immune” from its threat.

Adlai Stevenson gets a close victory over Tennessee’s Senator Estes Kefauver in the Democratic Presidential primary in Florida.  More primary - Stevenson does it again in Oregon with a victory over Kefauver in their Oregon write-in test.

For its first year of operation ending July 1 -Disneyland will write-off $3 million and still show a substantial profit. Revenue from rides, attractions and concessions plus daily attendance are nearly matching early predictions.

TV wife Audrey Meadows of “The Honeymooners” weds Washington real estate agent Randolph Rouse. Jackie Gleason wasn’t invited. A Gleason aid did say the comedian received a telegram saying: “Dear Ralph - so sorry, but I’m becoming a bigamist today, marrying Randy Rouse. Love, Alice.”  The ceremony was performed by the bride’s father, Rev. Francis James Meadows Cotter. Meadows and Gleason will continue to appear together in shows this fall.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 


Thursday, May 14, 2026

5/10/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, May 10, 1956   Vol. C567


LOCAL NEWS


SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN EAST FAREWELL


East Farewell – It was a long cold winter and at some points it seemed like it would never end but with the warm spell last week all the snow has finally melted and the sun has been shining brightly. Buds have appeared on the trees and the certain spring sign, the restaurants have started putting their tables out on the sidewalks again, letting people dine al-fresco and people watch. The longer evenings also made the evening dining almost Paris like. All along Main Street and Lake Shore Drive different shops have stayed open longer and taken advantage of the beautiful weather. The Lake Front Plaza has once again become a prime meeting place. Even the Fun Pier has shown signs of getting ready to open. Owner, Sam Lendel, has scheduled the Fun Pier opening for the weekend before Memorial Day. “We are going to have a ‘sneak’ preview for all the folks in town and give a special discount at the gate,” said Lendel during an interview at the pier last week.

            Strolling down Lake Shore Drive has replaced shoveling off Lake Shore Drive and everyone is much happier. This year several new shops have opened on the Drive. There is a new art studio, Framed, where local artists can show their works. A new café opened, The Coffee Cup, and a wonderful little clothes shop, Arleen’s, opened at the end of the block. All the new building in and around town have brought a lot of new people in town. The new look around town has added a fresh appearance to the Lake Shore Drive and everyone seems very pleased about the new look.

Looking down Main Street from Lakefront Plaza


SPORTS


TRAVELERS UNLEASH BIG BATS AT ALBANY


Albany- The Travelers took their longest road trip last week when they visited Albany for the first time. The Albany Senators were added to the league over the off season and have only been in existence for three years. They are a young team and have not had a lot of success in their short history. The Travelers came into town and showed the boys how to hit the ball. The big bats unleashed a mighty 10 runs in the lopsided victory on Saturday. The Travelers own Johnny Cloos was the highlight of the game as he hit for the cycle, a single a double a triple and a homerun. His hot bat was only part of the display the Travelers put on as they managed to bat around in two different innings and defensively were able to hold the Senators to only nine hits and three runs. They also turned two double plays.

            Cloos started the game off with a triple in his first at bat, he was driven in by Ernie Silver who was replacing Dimero in right. That was the beginning of a long day for Senator’s pitcher, Joe Rollins.  He struggled through seven innings giving up fifteen hits and eight runs. Reliever, Tom Franz, was able to finish the game allowing only three hits but two runs. The Senators are still trying to find their footing, having only won one game this season so far.

            The Travelers hitting spree was spread out throughout the lineup with everyone in the lineup reaching base at least once. While Cloos was the big blaster Dunham, Watson and “Little” Billy Sweet all added dingers to the scorecard. Cloos’s homer added three, Dunham, Watson and Sweet’s added two each and the last run came off good old baseball, a double by Francis, a sacrifice bunt by Dunham and Cloos’s single.

            The Travelers come home next week to face Slate Mountain. The Miners are currently tied with the Travelers for first place in the standings. While it is still early in the season, both teams are playing at the top of their games and the game should be exciting. The game begins at 1:30 on Saturday at the ball park.


 NATIONAL NEWS


VIOLENCE IN GREECE – SATCHMO CHATS UP PRINCESS MARGARET – PRINCESS GRACE DINES WITH FRANCO – WELK TO SHOW ROCK & ROLL – HITS THIS WEEK


Violence continues in Greece as Britain hangs two Greek Cypriot extremists despite anti-British and anti-American riots sweeping the country. Anti-British riots have already taken three lives and there is a call to sever diplomatic relations with Britain.

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, breaks theatrical protocol before Princess Margaret telling the audience “We’ve got one of our special fans in the house and we’re really gonna lay this one on for the Princess.” A gasp went over the crowd at Empress Hall in London. The Princess didn’t seem to mind at all. Performers are not supposed to mention members of the royal family when playing before them. 

Honeymooning couple Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco lunched with Spain’s Generalissimo Franco in Pardo Palace. All members of the Spanish government and their wives attended.

Lawrence Welk signs to do a second TV show. Welk says this show will concentrate on the “Rock and Roll” audience and will feature “unknown” performers. 

Pop music this week - “Heartbreak Hotel” - Elvis Presley, “Hot Diggity” - Perry Como, “Blue Suede Shoes” - Carl Perkin, “The Magic Touch” – The Platters, “A Tear Fell” - Teresa Brewer “Ivory Tower” - Gale Storm, “Long Tall Sally” - Little Richard, “Rock Island Line” - Lonnie Donegan, “I Want You To Be My Girl” - Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers, “R-O-C-K” - Bill Haley and the Comets, “Eddie My Love’ – The Fontane Sisters, “Moonglow (Theme From Picnic)” - Morris Stoloff


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 


Thursday, May 7, 2026

5/3/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, May 3, 1956   Vol. C566


LOCAL NEWS


IRON WORKS TALKS TO TOWN COUNCIL


East Farewell – The Iron Works management and the Town Council held meetings last week to discuss the Iron Works announcement of a possible move. The Town Council wanted more details and possible dates, if any, of the possible move. Before the meeting apprehension around town was extremely high and rumors were rampant. The Council was understandably concerned not only with the possibility of losing the largest employer and taxpayer in town but also losing a town icon. The Iron Works has been in town since the founding of East Farewell. In fact, it can be argued that the Iron Works was the reason that East Farewell existed at all. If the Iron Works were to leave a large part of the town would lose their employment. Not only the workers at the plant but also all the people that support the Iron Works in one way or the other.

The meetings were not open to the public but the meeting notes will be released early next week. Unofficial remarks have been that the Iron Works was only exploring options in case of an economic downturn. 

The current economic situation is very favorable for the Iron Works. They currently supply a large portion of the rails that are being used by the Mighty Keystone Railroad’s expansion to the west of East Farewell. The Iron Works has always been a main supplier to the railroad from its founding in 1913. It was specifically built by the railroad to accomplish this task. It was later sold to Charles Lumeier to avoid monopoly charges by the government.

The prevailing attitude from an informal survey by this paper shows that most people feel the Iron Works will stay and this is just a ploy to get a possible tax break. “The IW has always been here and it will always be here. Why would they leave?” said local restaurateur, Charles Wenz. “They are an integral part of the community and they will always be here.”

 

Inside the Iron Works


SPORTS


TRAVELERS GROUND EAGLES


Erie – The Travelers played their first road game against the Erie Eagles on Saturday and showed why they are the defending champs. They crushed the hapless Eagles 6-0. The Travelers took control early and starting pitcher, Joey Alfred, pitched the season’s first shutout. The Eagles were unable to get on the board and were only able to squeeze out 5 hits throughout the entire game. The Travelers scored two in the first with Cloos driving in Dimero with his fourth dinger. His blazing start set a league record; he is the first to hit four home runs this early in the season. The rest of the Travelers were not going to be left out, though, in the third Art Archibald and Billy Sweet were able to tag Eagles pitcher, Ray Felt, for a double and a single and then right fielder, Ralph Francis, smacked a base clearing triple but ended the inning there. Traveler’s defense also played a big part in keeping the Eagles at bay, they were able to turn three double plays to continually snuff out any threat posed by the Eagles. The Travelers finished the scoring in the eighth with another two run smash by catcher, Joey Brown. The team looked like they were in midseason form with this impressive showing. They will continue their road trip next week in Albany.


 NATIONAL NEWS


LOTS OF OIL – HAMMARSKJOLD RETURNS TO NYC – MAMIE GETS A SPECIAL TUNE – CARS ON A BEAM – CLIFT RETURNS – WINS TO RECREATE BALL GAMES


Plenty of oil - National petroleum reserves currently are the highest in U.S. history

U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold returns to a chorus of praise and certainty of Security Council approval for his Middle East negotiations on Israeli-Arab peace. 

Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower goes to a Congressional Club party and comes away “with a song in my heart.” The song, titled “Mamie,” was written especially for the club’s midday breakfast by Slim Willett of Abilene, Texas. He’s the composer of the Perry Como hit - “Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes.” “Just like a rainbow brightens a rainy day, Mamie can smile and her winning smile makes it a brighter day…” 

Henry Dreyfuss, a leading industrial designer says automobiles of the future will hover a few feet off the ground, and it will be possible for a motorist to reach a destination with that aid of “an IMB card which will keep you on the beam.” He predicted that it will be possible in the future ‘to talk a letter into a typewriter or dictating machine and get a neatly typed letter out the other end.” 

He dropped out of site for nearly 3 years. On May 12, 1953, Montgomery Clift completed work in the film, “From here To Eternity,” and went to New York and dropped out, as far as Hollywood was concerned. This week, he’s back in Hollywood and has begun work on MGM’s Civil War movie from the novel “Raintree County.” 

WINS, New York which normal broadcasts Yankee games, will re-create about 20 games of other major league teams when the New York team is not playing. The first will be next week with a broadcast of the Cleveland Indians-Boston Red Sox game at Boston. Re-creation consists of reading the plays form a wire ticker from the ballpark and presenting it moments later from the WINS studio.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


Thursday, April 30, 2026

4/26/1956

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, April 26, 1956   Vol. C565


LOCAL NEWS


IRON WORKS MAY MOVE


East Farewell- In a shocking and surprising announcement today, the East Farewell Iron Works announced it may be moving its entire operation to new location.  The new location was not officially disclosed but many sources indicated that it will be out of state.  The management has not indicated that the move has been set, it is still in the discussion stages and no final decision has been made at this time.  The management has emphatically stated that these are only preliminary discussions and it is entirely possible that no move will take place.

            The Iron Works has been in East Farewell since the town was founded in the early part of the century.   The Mighty Keystone Railroad first set up the Iron Works to supply rails for its westward expansion.  In 1913 the Iron Works was sold by the Mighty Keystone Railroad to a local business group headed by Francis O’Sullivan.  The business was spun off from the main railroad under pressure from anti-monopoly forces in the government and O’Sullivan’s group received very favorable terms in the sale.  Along with the factory and trained, IWU union labor force, O’Sullivan received an almost continuous order for rails from the railroad.  The business thrived and expanded through the following decades.  As recently as 1955 work was so plentiful that an extra shift was started and an additional 100 workers were added.

            There are many reasons for the move, all are pure speculation because the management will not comment, range from the increased price of raw materials to labor costs (the labor force went to a union shop in 1947) to local pressure on the quality of Lake Charles water and the air in town.  East Farewell has become an increasingly popular resort town in the past decade and concern for the quality of life has become very important to the local economy and population.  

The Iron Works has been an integral member of the East Farewell community and many families have deep ties to the “Works.”  If the Iron Works were to move a major employer in the town would leave and the town’s economy would be severely impacted.  The Iron Works is also the second largest corporate tax payer in town as well as the third largest land holder.  As of this edition, the Town Council was planning to meet early next week with the Iron Works management to discuss the possible move and what options the town has.

“This could have disastrous effects on the town,” said Tom Connelly, Town Council President. “We cannot afford to lose the essential member of our community.  The town would be pushed to the edge of collapse if the Iron Works were to pull out.”

        East Farewell Iron Works


SPORTS


TRAVELERS START OFF STRONG BEHIND HOT OFFENSE


East Farewell- The Travelers baseball team is off to its best start ever.  They have won eight of their fist nine games and have only allowed seven runs in all eight games.  In their latest win the Travelers bested the Corning CGW 5-0.  The offense continued to display versatility as all nine team members got hits.  Johnny Cloos seems to be back in shape after a late season injury last season.  He had three hits including a home run, his third of the young season.  The defense has been extremely stingy so far this season and this game was no exception.  The super infield of “Mean” Richie Lane, Dale Dunham, Artie Archibald and Bobby Watson continue to stymie other offenses, this season they have already turned 6 double plays in the early season.  There has been a one hitter and three shutouts so far.  The fans have been showing their support by selling out all home games so far this season.  This promises to be record setting season for the Travelers and an exciting and entertaining one for the fans.


 NATIONAL NEWS


SMOKING CAUSES CANCER – CAPITOL RECORDS CELEBRATES 14TH BIRTHDAY - COLUMBIA QUITS ON 78s


Scientists who experimented with tars from burning tobacco say that lung cancer could be reduced by 75% if people did not smoke cigarettes. But a spokesperson for the tobacco industry said their evidence is inconclusive. The scientists served on a panel at the 47th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Atlantic City.

Capitol Records celebrates 14 years and unveiled its Hollywood Capital Tower on Vine Street. Glenn Wallachs, the company’s President said in an interview - “Sometimes it doesn’t seem possible that 14 years have elapsed between the release of the first Capitol record and the opening of the Capitol Tower. Or that it’s been a decade and a half since Johnny Mercer and I discussed our Capitol plans in a Hollywood record store.” “It’s so easy to remember when the company’s floor space was just 40 by 100

feet. But sometimes it doesn’t seem possible that all this happened in only 14 years: that since “Cow Cow Boogie” became a hit, our humble war-born independent has become an international organization, one of the world’s major producers, manufacturers and distributors of phonograph records.” 

Columbia Records announces it is pulling-out of making 78rpm records and wants to concentrate on 45’s.  The 78rpm single has been on a steady decline and received a push to oblivion early this year when several record labels, led by RCA, upped their prices on 78’s from 89 cents to 98 cents. Columbia says that no more than 25% of the label’s new single releases will be issued automatically on 78’s and that the proportion would diminish further as the years goes by. All record companies say the decline in 78 sales during the past few years has forced up the cost of production and besides using more raw material - the disks were more difficult and costly to handle because of breakage problems. Besides, radio stations and jukeboxes have virtually completed conversion to 45’s.  One area the 78 single still shines is with country & western and rhythm & blues releases. Here it is reported, the consumer still has the old-fashioned one-speed (78) phono player.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.


 


Thursday, April 23, 2026

4/19/1956

 EAST FAREWELL NEWS


Thursday, April 19, 1956   Vol. C564


LOCAL NEWS


IS THE FLOWER SHOW GOING TO OPEN?


East Farewell – Many questions are being asked by both townspeople and vendors about this year’s Flower Show. It was supposed to open this week but no plans have been announced and the Director, Monica Shippensport, has not made any public statement or for that matter has not been seen in public for several weeks. This would have been only the fourth year of the show but the previous shows have all been very successful. Announcements made by Miss Shippensport in late January indicated that the Show would be held during the second week of April, slightly later than the other shows but the reason given was that there would be more blooming flowers available at that time. When vendors were asked they said they felt the later date was not really necessary because they were able to force blooms and they liked the early dates because it would brighten up the gray February days. Undaunted Miss Shippensburg stuck to her original schedule and declared the dates to be April 14th to 25th. That appearance for the announcement was the last Miss Shippensport was last seen in public with her new suitor, Romando. There has been some speculation that Romando was not the most respectable character and was from out of town. No other information was given about Miss Shippensport relationship with Romando. The question that everyone is asking is where is the Flower Show? The next question is where is Monica Shippensport? The police have said they will start an investigation but it is clearly evident that there will not be a Flower Show this year.  

:Past photo of the Flower Show


SPORTS


TRAVELERS MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW


East Farewell – The Travelers are ripping through the league early in the season. They have yet to lose a game and their latest victims were the Ondita Cougars and curveball ace Sam ‘Cat’ Caterno, 3-1, on Saturday. Big hits have been the Travelers modus operandi and this game was no different. ‘Cat’ was perfect for the first three innings but in the fourth Johnny Cloos led off with a 3-2 smash out of the park which seemed to rattle Caterno because he then gave up a double to Dimero and a single to Archibald, scoring Dimero on a bad throw home from center fielder Frank Houser. Caterno settled down and went back to his mystifying curve and kept the Travelers off the board until the ninth when a rare reliever, Joe Reynolds, threw a low outside fastball to Francis and he sent it over the left field fence into the stands. Traveler’s pitcher, Danny Lane was very strong allowing six hits, walking four and letting in only one run. The defensive side was brilliant once again turning two double plays and a beautiful run saving strike from right by Tony Dimero.

            The Travelers stay at home next week when they host Corning. The game begins a1:30 on Saturday.


 NATIONAL NEWS


GRACE KELLY AND MARGARET TRUMAN ARE MARRIED- NOT TO EACH OTHER – THEIVES HIT THE WEDDING - NEW STAMP HONORS GRACE’S WEDDING


Prince Rainier III takes on his new bride - Grace Kelly - The Princess of Monaco. Afterwards, they sailed in their honeymoon yacht a dozen miles down the Monte Carlo coast to spend the night in a quiet harbor under a starry sky.

Grace Kelly can still remain an American citizen, even after she assumes the title of Her Serene Highness Princess of Monaco.

Jewel thieves make several hauls from a swank hotel housing grace Kelly’s wedding guests in Monte Carlo. Mrs. Maree Pamp, a Philadelphia society woman - and one of Grace’s bridesmaids, reported $10,000 worth of jewelry missing from her room. Last week, another Philadelphia social figure had some $45,000 in jewelry stolen from her room at the Hotel de Paris.

Monacan officials report the sale of the special stamp issue honoring the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III was a big success. It more than took care of Monaco’s share of the wedding bills. The sets of eight stamps priced at $2.38 pre set brought in about $571,000 from buyers around the world. 

Also married this week - Margaret Truman marries Clifton Daniel Jr. (of the New York Times) in a simple ceremony in Independence, MO.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.