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This newspaper page contains 32 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Aug 23, 1940
Page
4
The article surveys wartime aviation gains and political lines with remarks on Roosevelt and Willkie. It notes Knudsen praising west coast aviation expansion and questions national leadership while campaigns face friction over defense priorities. It references Decatur and Chickamauga plans and regional press content.
The Daily notes a sketch of Indians in Guiana using hand motion and a whistle to lure fish to the surface. The item is framed as an unusual regional curiosity and linked to broader commentary on new methods and ideas in contemporary news.
Trinity highlights its seventh annual program as Morgan County and nearby Tennessee Valley communities consider diversifying incomes beyond a single crop. The piece praises local farm folk for embracing multi source income, noting Tunn y's willingness and community effort in promoting live-LOCK development.
A Daily report notes an unnamed Bell Telephone Company operator in Decatur Alabama received a caller who thanked her after she connected the correct number. The tribute was published as an orchid to the operator.
Encouragement flows from Cullman Harthelle and Gourtland as they adopt resolutions urging construction of a Decatur marine park. Others will join. John Temple Graves penned support from Birmingham. The park would meet local needs by drawing sport enthusiasts and tourists and boosting regional advertising reach.
An eminent American once said nine o'clock marks the turning point for youth success or failure. The piece argues that using nine as a deadline for pleasure drives progress, while staying out late hampers advancement. It warns against accepting overwork as normal and critiques the idea that minimal labor suits the nation.
A column critiques General Herbert J. Brees and army discipline as applied to Louisiana maneuvers. It argues guardsmen faced equipment, training, and weather hurdles beyond their control and questions fault if rain, delays, or misissued hats hindered readiness.
Washington reports a Japanese cabinet leader Naoki Hoshino suggested severing dollar and pound ties to align with Germany, a stance unclear in practice. U S diplomats note undecided voters in New York and Nebraska could swing the election, amid partisan pressure and Strauss-style campaign missteps.
Bruce Barton a friend of Willkie and congressman is very likely to seek the Republican senatorial nomination to run against Democratic Senator Mead. Reports say more than one fifth of New York voters are undecided about Mead and these figures are in Barton’s hands.
A pro Ickes reporter fed a stunt to show stamps were worthless by giving six stamps to an interior secretary ally. At a press conference Ickes objected to earlier questions. The marked transfer went to the wrong man as a photographer documented the moment.
Hopkins has hurried to the Commerce Department after Mr. Noble's retirement. He no longer stays at the White House during office hours and aims to mobilize support amid oblique party shifts and recent administrative clashes.
The civil service commission announced a higher retirement age for under small animal colony attendants in the agriculture department, noting unusual occupations within government include tending reindeers in Alaska.
A brisk mid summer in Alabama saw 152 home loans totaling 235040 reported in July to the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation by insured savings and loan associations. Compared with 93 loans totaling 175130 last July the sector expanded. By August 1 the associations held home mortgage loans on banks totaling 8330620.
Walter Winchell recounts oil booms and gold fever reshaping towns from Mexia to Hollywood. He notes fortunes from land sales and mining, post office hustle, planes with lavish gadgets, and lavish parties by oil magnates, all underscored by the era’s lurid excitement.
An 1829 Tennessee salt drill tale recounts West Virginian Old Man Batey vowing to reach salt and allegedly striking oil. A berserker blast sent a burning black liquid up the Cumberland River, frightening onlookers as they fled in terror.
In Ranger Texas and nearby East land Cisco and Desdemona drought hit villages, population leapt from 800 to 30000 as oil arrived. Lodging costs rose with rooms advertised at 26 dollars and men slept in barber chairs for two dollars a night while water shortages forced drivers to drain radiators and haul water to rooms.
In two years nearly 20 million dollars worth of petroleum was produced within a 40 mile radius of Texas. Oil men spent freely and on Christmas morning Ranger's wealthy patrons became newsboys earning 10 dollars a copy for the Ranger Daily Times. The money was given to the regular newsboys as a Christmas gift.
A period of high crime in East Texas saw a brazen bank robbery by a Santa-dressed band at Christmas and widespread bad checks causing Claus Merchants in Ranger to lose 750000 in a year. Killings were common enough that the Ranger Daily Times earned the nickname Ranger Daily Crimes.
The Texas trading town of Mexia grew from 3,000 to 25,000 overnight after oil arrived, becoming the state's tenth city. Housing demand surged as families slept on porches and rented rooms. kitchens doubled as bedrooms at about $50 weekly.
In Mexia a woman experiences unexpected wealth following the killing of her son leading to community attention and local prayer. The report notes the sudden fortune as a turning point in a sorrowful case and hints at ensuing relief and renewed hope for the family.
In Mexia gambling dens paid peace officers 250 dollars daily for protection. Night spots kept guns in checkrooms. A wave of killings led to a federal and Texas Ranger raid. After seven weeks under National Guard rule, 3000 undesirables were expelled and the town cleaned up.
Col A E Humphreys shaped Mexia as an oil town and wore a brown cult before bringing in wells. J K Hughes, Texas rich man, allegedly arrived with 3 50 in capital. Anne Morgan visited, and Hughes let a gusher loose to show her the oil's look. He estimated losses at a thousand dollars so far.
The Glenn pool near Tulsa yielded a landmark deal as rancher Robert McFarlin and cattleman James A. Chapman leased the field for 700 dollars, then sold their interest to Humble and Standard Oil for 35 million dollars a few years later.
The article recalls John W. Steele known as Coal Oil John who rose from adoption by Culbertson McClintock to wealth after oil was found on their land. He financed a two week minstrel troupe tour aboard a special train, paid high salaries, and hosted a $1000 banquet before later becoming a door keeper with the troupe.
Oil kings race ahead as plans for fast planes emerge. The fragment hints at pioneering aviation ventures in the oil industry with bold plans and rapid development.
The columnist recalls George M. Cohan advising performers to leave audiences laughing. He notes the rule applies to sales as well, suggesting that a cheerful parting keeps doors open for future calls and future orders.
The article extols farm visits for children to see where food comes from and to learn dietary hygiene. It notes faster blood circulation proofs, questions about margarine, and the value of growing vegetables. It mentions seven pamphlets by Dr Clendening available for 10 cents each.
A compact moment of humor and hardship: a seller urges cheer to win prospects, while gags and quips ripple through daily life. A Decatur tale, a drunken misreading, and a street performer’s hopeful act mix in a slice of old town humor.
A storm raged outside when a deafening thunderbolt struck Mr. Allen knocking him from bed. He recovered quickly, yawning and rubbing his eyes as the room rattled with flashes of lightning.
A child asks why people say they go to the far corners of the earth if the world is round. The father affirms the round world idea and explains the seeming contradiction in travel and exploration.
A satirical piece threads a worried husband with his wife in surgery and a quip about forty dollar danger. It shifts to a street vendor exchange where a customer jokes about rain as the coffee tastes like coffee.
A busy person learns that a time budget is hard to live by like a financial plan. Managing hours requires discipline and balance to avoid overcommitment and stress.
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