21 Dec 1939
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 31 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1939
Page
1
The Cleveland Federation of Labor urged reallocation of Ohio Legislature seats in 1940 to increase urban representation. A labor leader said the current setup gives a minority of farmers ruling the state and ignores urban relief needs.
Mrs Goldie May Worthington 53 died this morning at St Francis Hospital Columbus after a surgical operation She had been moved from her Buchtel home earlier this week She leaves husband George Worthington two sons Carl L and Walter A of Buchtel a daughter Mrs Cora May Scoppler Columbus two brothers Carl Coakley Lancaster and Ben Coakley Newark and one sister Mrs Maude Smathers Buchtel Funeral arrangements are not complete
The article notes the carol It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, a late 19th century creation with American origins. Dr Edmund Sears of Massachusetts wrote the words as a poem in 1849 and Richard S Willis of Boston composed the music two years later.
President Roosevelt said he would deploy army soup kitchens in Ohio if local relief failed to prevent starvation. Ohio leaders, including John Owens, reported the pledge, noting it would be run under the Federal Works Administration. Owens criticized Governor Bricker and outlined relief costs and conditions in a three page statement.
Three submarines and at least four warships reportedly cluster in the Atlantic near Port Everglades as the German freighter Arauca seeks refuge after escaping a British cruiser. Observers from shore and Amherst College coach M. J. Kennedy counted the subs about three to four miles offshore. Nationality of the submarines could not be determined.
New York District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey expected to seek custody of Louis Lepke Buchalter after his narcotics conviction. The racketeer was found guilty of conspiracy to violate federal narcotics laws in an international smuggling ring estimated at ten million dollars annually.
Ohio's 125,699 aged pension recipients should receive December checks in time for Christmas. The total $2,868,475.78 was mailed by December 19, per the state auditor.
President Roosevelt ordered two United States Health Service experts to Finland to direct and aid the battle against typhus.
Soviet Russia presses a major offensive on the Karelian Isthmus and in Central Finland as Finnish defenses hold with heavy Red army losses. Swedish reports describe large casualties in Salla while Britain intensifies air power efforts and plans a new multi gun trench plane to counter the Messerschmidt.
Gallia County enters the new year with a balanced budget, no salary reductions, all bills paid, and a comfortable general fund balance. Auditor E. D. Keeler credits a pay-as-you-go policy and cash-on-hand before purchases or contracts, adopted by the county commissioners and auditor two years ago.
Community Welfare Association directors reviewed results of the Chest drive reporting a shortfall of 1314.27 needed to fund participating agencies. Allotments were deferred to the January meeting, with several contributors not yet responding. Advances were made on a percentage basis to urgent agency needs.
Washington reports that a British destroyer fired two shots across the bow of the German liner Columbus before it scuttled. Captain Daehne’s account and diplomats’ efforts in 21 republics signal possible new violations of the Western Hemisphere safety zone.
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Elena paid a state visit to Pope Pius in Vatican City to extend Christmas greetings from Italy. It was the second such royal papal audience since 1870, with reports that the pope may soon return the royal visit.
The drive posted a total of 11 660 73 today toward a 12 975 00 goal with final January disbursements to be set by the board. Checks were forwarded to agencies on a percentage basis to cover November and December expenses, with contributions from A and P Tea Co and a Junior Chamber sponsored dance. Parkersburg Coca Cola Co joined firms whose employees averaged at least one dollar per employee.
Stalin marked his 60th birthday with the inauguration of Stalin prizes in arts and sciences and 4 150 scholarships. The Supreme Soviet executive council awarded him Hero of Socialist Labour and the Order of Lenin as personal Birthday gifts.
Germany protests to Argentina over internment of Graf Spee crew as shipwrecked mariners. The German ambassador reportedly delivered the protest in Buenos Aires. Berlin reports Captain Langsdorff died by his own hand, amid mixed official and public reactions to the sinking and subsequent scuttling news.
Columbus report says John C. Fisher, U S meteorologist, avoids a firm forecast for tomorrow the winter solstice. He predicts continued cloudy cold conditions with possible light snow flurries as a storm over Ontario moves eastward uncertainly.
Rep Robert Ramspeck says confidence in the National Labor Relations Board hinges on removing Chairman J Warren Madden and Edwin S Smith from the panel He proposes a new board with reappointed William M Leiserson and two Wagner Act amendments to include employer petitioning for elections and limit the board's control of the bargaining unit The remarks align with AFL President William Green who met with House committee counsel about NLRB witness appearances.
British reports state Germany is extending the Siegfried Line from its southern tip toward Lake Constance opposite the Swiss border, expanding defenses eastward.
Washington estimate shows the Christmas tree and floral greens trade added about 10 million dollars to farmers this year. The Agriculture Department says the seasonal industry helps supplement income and supports soil conservation efforts.
Seamen from the US heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa testified to conflicting versions of the Columbus scuttling after the 32,000-ton liner was run aground and burned near the Delaware Capes. Captains Daehne and Batt offered differing convoy claims, while sailors said two US destroyers briefly convoyed the Columbus from Vera Cruz before the Tuscaloosa took over. The hearing opens to determine if Columbus survivors are distressed seamen and whether any posed as military agents for internment.
Washington reports Christmas mail reached peak volume with an expected 600 percent rise over normal. Postmaster General James A Farley cites confidential city estimates. full reports arrive in a month. He projects an extra $10,000,000 in costs and staff up by 100,000 to 500,000 across the Post Office.
Langsville resident Bensom L. Grapes age 84 died in a Gallipolis hospital. Funeral services set for Saturday at Langsville Church at two o'clock with Rev Harley Bolton officiating. Interment Miles Cemetery. Survived by wife, a brother W. J. Grapes of Cheshire, four sisters, a half-brother Denver Grapes of California, and a half-sister Ethel Jackson of Rutland.
Argentina accorded hero honors to Captain Hans Langsdorff, the suicide commander of the scuttled German battleship Graf Spee. Reports say a pre suicide letter to the German Embassy criticized Hitler’s order to sink the ship instead of facing a British cruiser squadron.
Columbus report shows stronger Christmas shopping with sales tax stamp sales rising to about 45 million dollars in 1939, up from 39 million last year said state treasurer Don Ebright.
White House Secretary Stephen T. Early announced Col. Charles A. Lindbergh has resigned from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The move ends Lindbergh’s long service on the aviation board amid ongoing policy discussions and national urgency over air research.
President Roosevelt reportedly weighs new excise and income tax increases to raise about 500 million dollars for national defense, with Morgenthau opposing further consumer taxes. Proposed changes include middle bracket estate and income rates and select manufacturers excise taxes, while corporation taxes stay fixed.
Charles Garner, 19, in Missouri confesses to three additional murders beyond his life sentence. He claims responsibility for drowning his wife, killing a youth under a freight train, shooting Alvin Collingham in York Nebraska, and poisoning Clem Hall, father of his employer. Authorities review the confession for confirmation and possible accommodation.
Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes denies issuing a challenge to Gov. John W. Bricker to debate the Ohio relief situation. The denial came in a telegram to L. A. Ripley, secretary of the Cuvier Press Club, who offered to arrange suitable accommodations after a radio commentator claimed Ickes had challenged Bricker.
The Libbey Owens Ford Glass Co distributed Christmas bonus checks to 7 495 employees totaling 2 percent of their past year compensation.
Thirteen years after Richard Gray then 18 stepped on a needle the same needle is found in his writ now discovered in Findlay Ohio authorities report. The old needle linked to medical records triggers renewed health concerns for Gray who has carried the incident in his file.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.