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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Aug 06, 1946
Page
1
A local column reflects on Decatur life underscoring shared community ties and everyday routines. The piece highlights neighborhood events, stories of residents, and familiar places that shape daily life in the area.
Partly cloudy this afternoon tonight and Wednesday with scattered thundershowers. Warm with a high near 87 and a low around 70. Local notices include hospital discharges, visitors, church activities, school plans, and ongoing store renovations. Community events list prayers at Central Baptist and county school discussions.
A Gulf Mobile and Ohio petition to discontinue Deer Park train stops prompted debate at the Alabama Public Service Commission hearing. A Washington county delegation brought a fiddler to testify but he backed out at the last moment. officials said Deer Park station is profitable and trains passing through pose a hazard while the railroad argued insufficient local business to justify stops.
Hugh B Miller, chief of public relations for Alabama in the Veterans Employment Service, will be in Decatur Wednesday and Thursday to discuss veteran work programs. He will address Civitan at noon Wednesday and Kiwanis at noon Thursday, then meet local employers Thursday afternoon. His WWII heroism earned Navy Cross, Purple Heart, and a Gold Star.
Lawence county Sheriff Ben Corum Deputy Oscar Fretwell and state officers reported seizure and destruction of two large stills a 1000 gallon and an 800 gallon plus 50 gallons of molasses near Brushy Creek road in Bankhead national forest Sunday 11 o clock A 1941 Chevrolet stored there was also taken Elbert H Cheatham of Moulton was arrested after the raid charged with possession and manufacturing of a still placed in Lawrence county jail on $750 bond
About 3500 textile workers in the Huntsville area canceled a sympathy strike called by State Labor Commissioner Emmett Brooks. The walkout was to begin yesterday in solidarity with a stoppage at the Huntsville Ice and Coal company that began last Tuesday.
Missouri voters in the fifth district faced a high stakes Democratic primary as Rep. Roger C. Slaughter sought renomination despite President Truman’s opposition. The feud echoed 1938 partisan clashes and highlighted Truman’s stance on White House proposals as he prepared to vote in Independence.
Decatur council approved paving Fifth Avenue East from Sixth Street South to Ninth Street South after residents protested against extending to 11th Street South. About 40 attended a hearing. two blocks were dropped from the plan. Project cost about $5.50 per front foot plus curb and gutter. Grant Street resurfacing and other street work were also approved or discussed.
Walter M Bailey 42 died Sunday after a heart attack. A Decatur grocery employee at Carl's on Bank Street, he was a member of a pioneer family. Funeral services were held at Central Baptist Church with Rev Paul Roberts and Rev Joe Gomes, burial in City Cemetery. Survived by wife son John Walter sister Mrs Curry brothers Edgar and Herman. Pallbearers named.
The Decatur city board of education announced a contract let to D. W. Osborne to paint the exterior woodwork of Bibb and LaFayette Street schools. Work starts immediately and should finish by the opening of school. Doors will be gray and windows and cornices white. Other woodwork to be painted consistent with past colors.
A proposed special eighth district primary next month seeks a Sparkman successor. George C. Johnson of Athens and Col. Jim Saliba of Florence are early entrants. Johnson, Limestone County solicitor and WWII veteran, plans to announce candidacy for the vacated seat.
Judge Robert T. Simpson of Alabama declines to enter the congressional race for the eighth district. He recalls a failed bid a decade ago and says he does not intend to campaign, noting his current duties on the Alabama supreme court.
McCorvey says Democrats could legally pick a nominee before November 5 while Sparkman delays vacating his post. State Senator James A. Simpson retires from a runoff race, clearing the way as Col. Jim Saliba of Florence announces a bid for the Sparkman vacancy if Sparkman wins a Senate seat.
Johnson states he will announce his candidacy for the eighth district seat at the proper time, signaling future political bid. Page 2 coverage notes the formal statement and focus on representing constituents.
Eleven year old Melissa Woodring, daughter of former Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring, recovered after a single dose of curare, with doctors noting rapid improvement and disappearance of paralysis. Her brother Marcus died July 19 from poliomyelitis. the family praises the treatment amid caution from medical authorities.
Mrs. T. B. Brindley of Hartselle died after a five month illness at 5 25 this morning. Funeral services will be held at 4 oclock Wednesday at the Brindley home conducted by Rev. O L Millican and Rev. Frank Aldridge. Burial will be in Hartselle cemetery with Drinkard directing. Survivors include Dr. Brindley of Decatur Mrs. Sam Wheat of Decatur and Mrs. Sidney Francis and Mrs. John Horton of Hartselle and four granddaughters Mary and Margaret Frazier Ann Wheat and Gene Brindley Horton. Pallbearers are Sidney Francis John Horton Sam Wheat Edwin Frazier Dr W H Lovelady S J Evans.
Final rites were held at 2 P M for J B Sandlin 33 who died after an extended illness at his home in Hartselle I The service was conducted by Rev Woodfin K Groves and Rev R N Moore with interment in the adjoining cemetery Pallbearers included Terry Aycock Sam Anders Shirley Summerford Hance Sandlin Solon Hughes and Stanton Morris
Rep Frank Boykin of Mobile filed with the Secretary of State an expense report showing 5138 spent on his unsuccessful campaign for the late John H Bankhead seat in the Senate. He noted 2050 in contributions and the remainder from his own funds.
Conferences were underway to resolve a work stoppage at Goodyear Decatur Mills after a Friday night shutdown. W S Pierce of the Labor Department was mediating between Goodyear management and Local No 88 of the Textile Union as police protect shift changes. The union admits the strike is unauthorized while plant 1 runs on a limited schedule and plants 2 and 3 are idle. The dispute arose over firing a worker labeled by management as supervisory. the union disagrees.
The Decatur city board of education announced authorization to purchase 40 fire extinguishers for use throughout the district. The units are metal tanks with hand pumps and rubber hoses, similar to those used on many military reservations. The board plans to add chemical extinguishers to each building as they become available.
The Bunker Hill owned by Tony Cornero sails seven miles off Long Beach to offer wide gambling, with 50 sacks of silver dollars onboard. District Attorney Howser vows to close it by all means, while Cornero declares state jurisdiction void and piracy threats if interfered.
William Heirens confessed to strangling Suzanne Degnan in her bedroom, dismembering the body in a basement, and scattering parts in sewers. Heirens described the act as done in a daze after drinking with friends prior to the January murder.
Bill Baldwin reports Gid Purtle secured a second mortgage on his home and proceeded with a bold, risky move described as steak in. The terse note captures a local figure defying norms with a dramatic financial step.
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