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This newspaper page contains 25 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1944
Page
4
The notice outlines second class mail matters for the Baily Telegraph, listing cities and West Virginia rates for mail service. It states publication terms and urges associations to use the paper for republication of news, with details on rates and carrier payment.
The text recalls wise men from the east seeking the newborn king in Bethlehem and praising the Prince of Peace. It quotes Matthew 1 1 2 and alludes to celebratory carol imagery of a bright glory around the feet.
A reflective piece on Christmas meaning, spiritual freedom, and humane hope across nations. It contrasts the Messiah’s gift with human free will, urges peace on earth, and cautions against wartime hate while urging daily good will among individuals and nations. It ends with a critique of nominal church affiliation versus genuine observance.
Reports on the western front are fragmentary due to military censorship. German counter-offensive claims persist with uncertain gains as observers speculate on outcomes. Some say a major battle or breakthrough may unfold, affecting Allied positions and future maneuvers.
The article argues the German army faces imminent defeat and may be forced to accept unconditional surrender. It warns that a decisive struggle could break German morale and resources, urging belief that the Axis will yield and urging readers to support the cause.
The article notes Kentucky Senator Happy Chandler claims the Atlantic Charter exists though few have seen it. It argues the charter’s principles fueled sympathy rather than binding nations, with no nation joining the United States prior to war and questions about its practical effect and visibility.
A Navy poem expresses troops abroad during Christmas wishing for peace and reunion. It asks God to speed peace, keep loved ones safe, and restore freedom, with a pledge to return home next year to celebrate together. The verses reflect wartime loss, hope, and faith guiding soldiers and families.
A collage poem contrasts Christmas scenes at home with wartime foxholes and seas, urging care for troops and loved ones. It blends tender holiday imagery with stark war imagery and satirical jokes about news and politics.
Baron Joseph van der Elst presents The Last Flowering of the Middle Ages in a two column format with 112 pages of Flemish painting history. The book begins with Margaret of York and the Duke of Burgundy and surveys Memling van der Goes Pieter Bruegel and their contemporaries with attention to guild standards and craftsmanship.
Quippy wartime column riffs on shifting borders from Poland to Russia and East Prussia to Poland. It mocks national loyalties and linked occupation moods while lampooning officials and wartime figures with satirical, dark humor.
Forty years ago the Norfolk and Western railroad carried more passengers than since its construction. Mrs. Alice Rickman died at her parents home on Pearls street. L Proffit traveled to Floyd county Virginia. The Salvation Army delivered 175 baskets to the needy. Sidney Warden returned home from medical college in Rich. Mr. and Mrs. W H McKhany and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hoge headed to Hoge's Store Virginia for Christmas.
The Bluefield area reflects a wartime Christmas with soldiers abroad and families at home. Christmas scenes, local shopping notes, a tale of a lost tree, high holiday prices, and a mayor’s tale frame a season of sacrifice and cheer.
More than 500 Christmas packages were given to needy children at the Community Christmas Tree program. D. H. Williams, civil engineer of Walton Sudduth company, left for his home at Charlotte Court House to spend the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Wood and daughter Laura were in Wilmington, Del., spending Christmas with Mr. Wood's parents.
More than 2 000 packages were given to children on the Community Christmas Tree list as association exercises were held using Ramsey and Municipal auditoriums. The Highland avenue home of H Sandia in Bluefield Virginia was badly damaged by fire and water. Charles Scott returned from Harvard to spend Christmas with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Charles M Scott.
Kathryn Burns, star of M G M films, talks about living in Bel Air with Lt. John Shelton away at war. She describes her prewar furnished home, recent work to vent stress, and her dog Throckmorton with neighbor Maureen Tripoli. She recalls her arc from child star to leading roles and the studio control over her career and radio appearances.
The speaker vents about Paramount M G M and 20th Century Fox turning down film roles including Padre and State Fair while noting a yearly blow up pattern with Louis B Mayer. Leaves fall outside as war bond drive encourages public support and donations.
A fragmented note hints at hens discovering masons’ brick wages and mentions swap days after Christmas with a few days remaining before the event.
City Manager Emory Mitchell announces no collection on Monday Christmas day. If weather and streets permit, Monday pickup will occur Tuesday. The note includes a non sequitur about cedar trees, not related to the service change.
McDowell county residents will attend Christmas church services today and tomorrow as war news keeps faith. Welch area churches offer midnight masses at St. Luke’s Episcopal and St. Peter’s Catholic, with Holy Communion on Christmas Day and carol singing from choirs. Other churches hold morning sermons, pageants, and vesper services, with no Christmas Day services at the Methodist church.
Pfc Alexander Adderton son of Mr and Mrs Adderton Superior was killed by enemy action in Italy on November 6. The family learned of his death from the war department after he entered service in June 1943 and had been overseas since January. He graduated Graham High School and was with a cavalry outfit. The Adderton family formerly lived in Bluefield Virginia.
Hundreds of McDowell families will receive a Christmas dinner funded by the Salvation Army's annual Cheer fund. About two thousand dollars had been raised yesterday, and instead of Christmas baskets, merchandise checks are being mailed to deserving families in need.
Lt. Robert H. Powell Jr the only ace fighter pilot from Mc Dowes county arrives in Welch tonight to visit his parents Mr and Mrs R H Powell of Thorpe. Powell has shot down several German planes and helped destroy many more on enemy airfields after 21 months in England and about 2 1/2 years in service. He is a Gary High School graduate who attended West Virginia University before becoming an aviation cadet.
Thirty five selectees from Welch board 3 will depart the day after Christmas for Huntington to be inducted into the armed forces. They have passed physicals and await active service. About 50 men will be called in January for re physical examinations and induction, exact number not disclosed.
McDowell county jail inmates will receive ham with all the trim mings on Christmas Day. Jailer H. C. Dykes announced the menu which includes mashed potatoes and cranberries. A special Christmas religious service will be led by Rev. L. W. Hedrick and his church choir at 11 oclock.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM today for Willie F E Jones 43 of Avondale who died Thursday night after a long illness. Interment will follow in Crane Ridge Cemetery. The note mentions how good weather at gatherings can turn stormy once home.
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