20 Oct 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Oct 20, 1939
Page
1
The alliance bloc hailed a new Turkish pact as a diplomatic win in the fight against Nazism. The accord, coupled with economic and diplomatic pressure, strengthens hopes of strangling the Axis and advancing the broader war effort.
The article outlines wartime shifts as Britain France and Turkey sign a mutual aid treaty while Nordic states reaffirm neutrality. It notes German restraint, Italian neutrality, and rising sabotage risk in Austria Czechoslovakia and Poland. It also reports Mrs Enoch Wrather Sr on trial in Nashville for family murders.
In Falls City Nebraska a gunfight between Ralph Asendorf and the Kleckinger family ends with Asendorf dead and Burke? Fledgling details. Joan Kleckinger, once linked to Asendorf, lies critically wounded after being shot in the back when she screamed. Burdett Kleckinger and son Guy Kleckinger rush to a neighbor for help. Guy is shot in the side and the blast fatally wounds Asendorf as he falls.
War correspondent Webb Miller reports on General Maurice Gamelin's defensive strategy on the western front. He notes French and British troops prefer a static stance while Hitler concentrates on submarine warfare and air raids. Miller highlights Gamelin’s method of small but costly attacks with strong artillery support, drawing heavy German losses with minimal Allied casualties.
President Roosevelt outlined that his ban on belligerent submarines covers waters within three miles of the coast, while noting territorial waters may extend further based on circumstances. He said enforcement rests with the armed forces and copies were sent to Navy, Coast Guard, and Army.
Secretary of State Cordell Hull outlined a broad push to expand U S markets worldwide with a focus on Latin America. He announced plans for a reciprocal trade treaty with Uruguay and negotiations with Argentina Venezuela Chile and Cuba. Belgium trade terms are being revised and a Latin American conference with Treasury experts is set for Guatemala next month.
Ohio’s market bureau reports the 1939 grape crop may be four and a half times larger than 1938. On Lake Erie islands growers lack buyers and risk losing much tonnage if markets are not found soon.
Dayton man Hugh McDonnell a 62 year old Spanish American War veteran chased youths who shattered his front door. He later suffered side pains and died as heart ailment suspicion grows. authorities note Halloween prank linked to death.
Edward T. Snediker aged 74 a longtime Montgomery County Common Pleas judge died Thursday after decades on the bench.
Governor John W. Bricker traveled with the Ohio State football team to Minneapolis for Saturdays game against Minnesota, accompanying the squad on the trip.
Washington reports House support for lifting the arms embargo through a cash and carry plan. An UP check of 60 Democrats showed at least 13 now favor Roosevelt's proposal, with 15 to 20 vote margin expected if voted now. A 21 vote shift would reverse last session's 214 to 173 embargo vote led by Rep. Vorys.
Connie Swaney aged 37 of Chillicothe was jailed in Scioto County on automobile manslaughter charges for a hit and run death of Wade Church in Franklin Furnace on Oct 17, 1937. Swaney denied the charge after authorities said a source described the accident.
A 29 year old Newark salesman admitted plotting to burn his car to appear dead so his wife could collect a $3000 double indemnity. He was jailed without charges, with possible civil liability for pine tree damage. He planned to flee to Texas.
U S Senator Robert A Taft told a Warr en speech that Congress neutral ity action aside the United States remains safe from attack and involvement in the European war He forecast cash and carry passing by a two to one vote and urged focus on domestic issues next year.
Carl Lechler a 50 year old former police ambulance driver who shot his wife five times in front of City Hall Aug 10 was sentenced to life. He sought the death penalty claiming the verdict of guilty with mercy was wrong and told Judge Day he was disappointed in the outcome.
Dr. Herbert John Burgstahler was inaugurated as the eighth president in the 98 year history of Ohio Wesleyan University. The colorful procession included clergy, 75 students, and reps from 190 colleges in gowns and hoods. Bishops Lowe Kern and Hughes participated, with McConnell to address a religious convocation Sunday.
Police identify a decapitated man found in a swamp near New Castle Pennsylvania. Today's breakthrough comes with the discovery of the victim's head in an empty gondola car of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. The head, a young man with sandy hair, was wedged in the car hopper and buried under leaves.
Adjutant General Gilson D. Light announced a test mobilization of the Ohio National Guard scheduled for November, possibly on Armistice Day November 11. The drill aims to evaluate readiness and coordination across units in the state capital Columbus.
Warren N Herron aged 66 died suddenly during a heart attack at his home 49 Franklin Ave. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 PM at the home with interment in Union Street Cemetery. He leaves widow Olive Bellows Herron and five children Esther Bigley Darrell Elizabeth Dwight Doris M Currey and Ruth Herron four grandchildren one brother and an aunt. He was born October 17 1873 in New Marshfield and was a member of the First Methodist Church and carpenters union.
In Cheshire Gallia County a two month old infant, child of Mr and Mrs Albert Shoemaker, was found dead in bed this morning with investigators believing suffocation caused the death. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results.
Robert Bush, 22, held on an indictment for theft, slugged a deputy sheriff and escaped Gatlin County Jail last night. He was not retaken by officers. Cincinnati report notes Democratic National Committeeman Charles Sawyer opposes the Bigelow old age pension plan ahead of the November election.
Clarence Lou of Cleveland died early today when his truck overturned on U S Route 42 in fog and caught fire.
Former Democratic State Chairman Francis W. Poulson denounced the Bigelow old age pension and initiative amendments at a state wide Democratic meeting in Steubenville. His remarks came after the Democratic state central committee failed to act when only 14 of 44 members appeared.
In Oxford 2000 Miami University students defied police during a riot over events on campus. Two freshmen painted numeral 80 on a water tower and threatened to tear down the village jail. University President A H Upham urged calm as police detained a student tied to the demonstration. The stolen town hall cornerstone was later recovered on a nearby farm.
A naval inquiry was started today into a mid air collision that sent two bombing planes into a flaming crash yesterday and killed four young fliers.
In Pittsburgh the SWOC via CIO blamed long term tech gains for lagging re employment in steel. Production rose 100 110 percent since Europe war began while district jobs grew only about 4 percent. Irvin Works shutdown and plant closures threaten 10 000 jobs, with 5800 still employed due to temporary tin plate demand from 1939 crops.
Unidentified German aircraft flew over the Firth of Forth area in Scotland but dropped no bombs. Air raid warnings sounded, all clear signals issued within an hour, and British planes engaged as fighters. Residents watched from streets while air defenses intercepted the raids.
Col John C Volka resigns as commandant of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home at Sandusky. Appointed March 31 1936 by Gov Davey his tenure has been investigated for months under the Bricker administration.
The 25 ton Byrd antarctic expedition snow cruiser trip across Ohio starting Sunday has been postponed, state highway department officials said today.
The Columbus up state Democratic Party committee sponsoring a referendum on the civil service reorganization act today filed 5182 supplemental signatures for the petitions.
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