20 Dec 1931
Page 1
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Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1931
Page
1
The Messenger Toy Shop Show at the Majestic Theater drew 1400 children from Athens area and over 2600 county families eligible for free toys. Jane Warner reports a packed house with children eagerly awaiting gifts and a strong charity drive extending to less fortunate families.
The long-time bootlegger Legs Diamond is shot dead after a party marking his latest escape from arrest. The killer’s motive is seen by gangsters as betrayal, reflecting the brutal crime climate linked to Prohibition-era underworld.
Ohio Theater owner BE R Custer hosts four day matinees in Athens where attendees can donate food clothing or toys in place of admission. Proceeds support Salvation Army Red Cross and The Messenger Toy Fund while John Barrymore film The Genius screens drawing large crowds and festive scenes.
Albany dispatch reports police mobilizing crews to trace Jack Legs Diamonds killers. A maroon car seen near the Golster's rooming house after the shooting. A .38 pistol found on church lawn. Investigators seek Marl in Ziegfald beauty Marlon Roberts for questioning after Diamonds spent hours at her apartment during a drinking party before leaving for his room.
Mary Chessman of Youngstown a 1930 Ohio University graduate was killed when the car she rode in overturned into a ditch near Fairfield while en route home for Christmas. Betty Rodewig of Bellaire another 1930 graduate was severely injured. a third girl also hurt.
The report from Logan on December 19 notes two new scarlet fever cases in Murray City under Dr. W B Lacock. Additional cases appear in Starr Township Haydenville and Coonville. Quarantines lift in Murray City as authorities anticipate under ten total cases by Christmas. Water samples sent to Columbus for analysis.
Logan reports a black cat crossing a street led Deputy Sheriff Joe Farbearn to arrest William Walters on a larceny charge. Walters had been wanted for months after a October indictment and had forfeited a $500 bond posted by his mother. He was to be arraigned soon.
Indictments issued by a federal grand jury in Columbus list many Southern Ohio residents arraigned on liquor related charges. The records name defendants from New Straitsville New Lexington Gallipolis and Logan with pleas guilty not guilty and dates for sentencing or hearings set through January 16.
Estelle Taylor announced she would stop divorce proceedings with boxer Jack Dempsey in California. She said forcing a battle in court would be unfair as he prepares for a ring return next summer. Dempsey had a Reno divorce decree. reports cited unresolved property issues and proposed settlements on a home mortgage and two cars.
Government forecasters predicted a mild Christmas week across the Midwest with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above freezing. The West also would see generally mild conditions according to the report from UPI.
Weather bureau reports next week will have a period of light rains Monday night or Tuesday and general rains around Thursday. Temperatures will be moderate at first then turn colder late week with a sharp drop in temperatures through the valley and region.
Cincinnati police pursued a kidnapping case involving Marian McClean a six year old girl. A Newport Kentucky resident reported seeing two gypsy women dragging a child resembling Marian along a street. Detectives searched six gypsy colonies across the Ohio River but found nothing. The search continued.
Pomroy undertaker notes a yearly pattern in hospitals as patients dwindle before holidays then surge between Christmas and New Year for appendicitis operations. He explains overeating and inactivity during holidays as causes and says staff are kept on duty while others take vacations.
A fragmented clipping notes global similarities in conditions with sharp comments on governments in Japan and China. The writer jokes about human nature and intelligence, mentions soybeans and past crop sales, and uses a pointed, informal tone.
In Washington the criticism of President Hoover meets with public resentment when it challenges national interests. Rep Laula T. McFadden, a Republican from Pennsylvania, suggested Hoover had sold out America to international interests. The remark drew swift protests from Democratic leaders and a torrent of criticism from Republican colleagues.
In Savannah on December 19 Dor Raymond V. Harris, a blind physician, and his four year old Swiss dog Tartar received a bronze medal from the National Anti-Vivisection Society. Tartar guides Harris through crowded streets using a two foot handle harness.
Willard Tarkington, 19, was arraigned before Judge Fret Miller on a first degree murder charge in Columbus. He waived hearing and was bound over to the grand jury after confessing to fatally shooting Albert Lape, 33, a taxi driver, during a shop area incident.
POMEROY, Dec. 19. A patrol car chased Rev. John C. Ward, a black minister formerly charged with chicken theft, to the Middleport line. Ward, held on suspected theft, claimed he bought the chickens and paid a man for them. Officers traced nearby poultry losses to Elmer Kautz and Claude Hayes, linking the night’s thefts to Ward’s case.
Belpre residents Dr Wayne Brénaugh and Herman Deenn pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to violate federal prohibition laws when arraigned before Judge Benson W Hough in Columbus. The brief also notes a Senate action approving a large veterans’ appropriation in Washington.
Eugene Tennahill of Doanville is held in Logan jail on a carrying a loaded weapon charge. Investigators seek to link the gun to the South Bloomingdale murder as Sheriff Parbeann and Prosecutor Bowen pursue further details. An associated suspect was released. Tennahill awaits arraignment before Magistrate J P Miller.
Distribution of clothing for Hagk ing County’s needy continues until supply is exhausted. Glouster Council passes highway legislation. Local items include a community Christmas event and the Marian Spyder creature note in the National House approval.
Senate Finance Committee heard Charles Mitchell of the National City Company describe possible steps on war debt relief and European financing. He cited a proposed reconstruction finance corporation to bridge credit gaps and aid German debt payments while noting uncertainty over broader European willingness to pay.
Ralph Porter the eight year old son of Mr and Mrs William Porter was struck and killed tonight in Gale County West Virginia by a motorist Be S McLean an aide to the attorney general office in Charlestown. Mrs Porter was injured and taken to Memphis Hospital in Huntington. McLean was detained by Gale County authorities pending investigation of the accident.
State issued aid vouchers totaling 299 901 to 52 counties eight exempted school districts and ten cities to fund teachers salaries and other purposes. Additional 3400 0808 released for many needs with several towns listed as recipients, including Gallipolis Jeol Weilston and exempted villages.
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