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 20 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Nov 16, 1939
Page
3
A Cedar Rapids Citizen laments Soviet fear tactics over Finland and signals support for Hopkins to head the navy. The column notes Capone’s release, O’Hare’s murder tie, critiques the failed court-packing plan, and laments traffic safety at busy intersections in Los Angeles.
Federal agents arrest 28 year old Charles Becicka in Des Moines on an extortion case tied to the Novotny double murder near Shueyville. Becicka pleaded guilty to using the mails to extort and awaits grand jury action while state investigators probe the killing of George and Mrs. Novotny on their 120 acre Iowa farm.
Cedar Rapids enjoyed unseasonably warm weather with Thursday temperatures rising from 32 at 8 a.m. to 62 by 2:45 p.m. The mid November high matched a multi year record, while Wednesday reached 65 at 2 to 3 p.m. and cooled later.
A Cedar Rapids resident notes strict stop rules for motorists at crosswalks with pedestrians crossing under green signals in Los Angeles and reports similar enforcement elsewhere. Iowa cities allow right turns on red with pedestrians crossing safely on green, under state law.
The U S Department of Justice announced Capone was released to his family from the Lewisburg Pennsylvania penitentiary. An informant in Chicago said Edward J O’Hare the slain racing magnate supplied evidence in 1931 that led to Capone’s income tax conviction and potential further murders could follow.
Senator Wheeler warns a rail boom may ease dependence on government loans, while urging broader Interstate Commerce Commission oversight for all transport. President Pelley of the Association of American Railroads argues railroads can meet demand with repair and new equipment. Carloadings peak at 861,198 the week ending Oct 21, with nine months railway income at 854 million versus 205 million the prior year.
Joseph F Pycha proprietor of the Idlewild grocery at 1626 Fifth avenue SE reported a lone bandit entered before six pm Wednesday. A six foot tall man wearing blue glasses produced a blue steel revolver and forced Pycha to the rear of the store before taking the only dollar in sight from the cash register and fleeing. No car or accomplice was observed. most of the day’s receipts had already been taken.
Seventy five Cedar Rapids firms completed their 1940 Community Chest canvass at a luncheon. Forty firms reported increased giving over last year with rises up to 150 percent, notably among industrial employees. Many firms earned Community Chest honor roll certificates.
Reports from captains and workers are being compiled at Chest headquarters for a second update to be presented at Friday noon luncheon. General Chairman Roy E Choate urges campaign leaders to finish assignments and submit reports to prevent confusion during the University of Iowa homecoming weekend. Firms report full data for both employees and executives as of Wednesday noon with honor roll eligibility listed.
Dr Newton argues that even if Europe is shattered by extended war, essential human values endure. He warns property, security, and culture may suffer, but knowledge, science, faith, and love persist, guiding renewal and resilience across nations and generations.
In New York George Lowther Jr. filed a habeas corpus suit to see Eileen Herrick and win permission to court her. A private hearing with State Supreme Court Justice Wasservogel ended in a compromise allowing Lowther access to Eileen and potential marriage if approved. The 20 year old debutante remained in hospital ten more days.
Paris dispatch reports that numerous German generals believe Nazism is outmoded and should be replaced by a reconstruction regime to end the war. They favor a round table with the Allies, with Germany willing to cede Bohemia Moravia Slovakia and Poland and allow Austrian self determination. Germany would keep only the Sudetenland.
Berlin reports say Germany will fight until British supremacy is destroyed as Nazi press argues Britain and France rejected mediation offers. Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop told Belgian and Dutch envoys Germany’s peace reply was disposed of and Germany will intensify hostilities despite winter. The press attacks the Allies, especially Britain, over the peace initiative.
New York accounting review lowers Band Leader Frit Kuhn charges from 5641 24 to 1891 75. The accountant Benjamin Blattner reinterpreted deposits and withdrawals tied to a defense fund, reducing two counts to 674 73 and shifting the case toward smaller sums.
Washington Justice Pierce Butler of the Supreme Court died at age 73 after bladder trouble led to extended hospital care. A Democrat but considered one of two conservative members, Butler’s death shifts the court toward Roosevelt appointees while he left surviving wife Mary and children Paerce, Willa, Frances, Leo, Margaret, and Mrs Edward K Dunn. Born in Minnesota in 1866, Butler was the only Catholic on the bench.
George Bernard Shaw joked that his air raid warden provided a gas mask fitted to his beard, calling it comfortable yet a nuisance to carry around during wartime London air raid warnings.
Washington reports indicate Secretary of Commerce Harry L. Hopkins may be promoted to secretary of the navy if he recovers from illness. President Roosevelt favors Hopkins for his trusted “trouble-shooter” role in expanding the navy, with Jesse H. Jones eyed for commerce and Arthur J. Altmeyer as federal loan administrator if Hopkins moves.
Wile fred Henry Sampica 42, an ex convict with Cedar Rapids ties, was arrested at gunpoint by Dubuque County Sheriff Eisbach and Deputy Westmark four hours after he held up Culver Motors salesman Faud R. Carns. Sampica confessed to the 1938 Pontiac sedan theft and held Carns at gunpoint with tape binding, revealing a string of items taken from the victim and a stash later found in the car. He had previously undergone several Milwaukee tests.
Iowa City traffic chiefs plan a major detour reopening for Highway 261 linking Mt Vernon Solon and Iowa City. Patrols will manage crowds with extra officers Friday and Saturday to ease the Notre Dame game traffic surge.
Admiral Byrd is praised for peaceful exploration with a jab at land disputes. The piece mocks his motives and humorously extols a traffic trophy while describing a comically oversized midget racer and an upcoming expedition with a towing car and two explorers from a finance firm.
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.