Salvation Army
There has been a continuous branch of the Salvation Army in Marion since 1904, and prior to that time there had been several attempts to maintain a post in the town. It would always lapse and after a few years be revived again. Captain Roy Marshall, who came in 1912, was here through the 1913 flood period, and who was first to come to the rescue of the flood sufferers, speaks of just such emergencies as the army's opportunity -its special mission. A hall is maintained and street meetings are the phase of army life with which the public is familiar. There are always willing contributors, people hit the drum with coins who do not contribute to the churches, and who feel that the Salvationists are doing a work overlooked by the churches -special efforts for the poor of the community. A person mush show some honesty of purpose before he is enrolled in the Salvation Army Corps, and while the captain must keep strict record of all business transactions, no local record of historic nature exists. There are ruled and regulations governing the army, and Captain Marshall has always cooperated with the Marion Federated Charities better than some of his predecessors. The Salvation Army captain does not become a street preacher from the financial standpoint, and he must take in sufficient money to meet all current expenses, his personal bills, hall rent and incidentals, and he and his wife working together may claim $12 a week after all expenses are met -the condition, they must get the money from the street corner contributors. There are few millionaires in the Salvation Army. About thirty members are enrolled in Marion, the only post in Grant County, although street meetings are sometimes held in other towns. The War Cry is the official organ. The local post reports to Indianapolis. An inspection officer comes every three months. The Salvation Army was organized in 1874, in England, and when its founder, General William Booth died in 1912, funeral ceremonies were conducted in Marion for him.
Centennial History of Grant County, Indiana 1812-1912
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914