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 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1941
Page
2
Rush lives near the Savannah River with his wife and 14 children. He builds chairs from ash and white oak using simple tools, supplying low rockers and stools for neighbors and a Boston family after holiday visits. The year’s crop troubles add to their need to buy food, while the craft feeds the family.
The dispatches note Japanese coastal assaults and Hongkong defense with local British and civilian resistance amid ongoing World War II pressure. Soviet forces press toward Orel while Moscow center mobilizes in a widening battle. The U S War Department recommends 75 decorations including Capt Colin P Kelly Jr for leadership during a dramatic trans Pacific bombing campaign in early war months.
President 40 reports George and other lawmakers urging unified strategy amid scattered fronts. George warns an over-all Allied plan requires American involvement in major theater, stressing routes from South America to Africa and the Middle East as potential lifelines for Far East forces.
The piece details how decoy ducks lure flocks along routes and into ponds. Alfred H. Penton of Providence demonstrates the craft using wood cork rubber or canvas materials.
Churchill joined President Roosevelt for a press conference before the war council session. The meeting at the White House lasted one hour forty five minutes and its results were kept secret. Churchill appeared confident as he stated that Nazi reverses in Russia and U S entry into the war had shifted the tide against the Axis.
Alabama report notes fair to good cattle conditions with poor pasturage effects. Supplemental feeding advised. milk production declines seasonally despite better prices and cheap feed. Temperatures mostly above normal after an early day, with late week heavy rain and locally excessive precipitation. Farm work limited to routine chores for the season.
Harry Dorsey delivering a liquor order from a drug store was held up and robbed of 38 dollars in Kansas City. After the gunman fled he returned 1.50 to the clerk saying there is change for you, a final odd twist to the crime reported tonight.
Attorney General Biddle said the FBI has arrested 2 944 enemy aliens since the war began an increase of 58 since Saturday. The announcement listed 24 alien enemy hearing boards with 32 districts previously chosen and 36 boards to be selected. Board members will be paid 1 a year and will hear evidence and decide on internment parole or release.
British Middle East headquarters reported British imperial troops captured Aixs air base at Benina and the Barce stronghold near Bengasi while cutting off retreating German forces south of Bengasi. Mussolini’s command warned of constant attacks as Italians near defeat. Meanwhile Soviet forces claimed gains on the Moscow and Leningrad fronts with recaptured towns and advances, and China urged full mobilization amid broader East Asian hostilities.
War Department orders cancel all Christmas leave for British RAF cadets and U S air corps personnel at Hargrove Van De Graaff airport. Cadets and officers must remain on post with no visitors. four day plans reduced to one day then canceled. A special Christmas dinner will be held at the Alabama Institute of Aeronautics cafeteria. gifts may be mailed. No flight instruction Thursday. new 7 a week schedule to follow.
Across the Pacific theater a Japanese attack pressed against American lines north of Da Mortis near Manila. Hong Kong saw British marines recapture central positions while Kowloon fringe skirmishes continued. Wake Island fell to Japan with losses, and Malaya reported only minor skirmishing while Rangoon air battles claimed nine bombers. Dutch forces sank transports near Borneo and attacked a tanker west of the Indies.
Superior Judge Gordon Thompson paces guard duty in San Diego on a cold night. He brews coffee and serves cupcakes to soldiers but declines both, saying he does not drink coffee or eat cake. The moment underscores a curious clash of formality and military routine.
New York trading saw a slow recovery after early losses as Japanese gains in the Philippine invasion thrust supported key issues. Leaders posted modest gains while some steel and aircraft stocks lagged. cotton futures held a narrow range ahead of a shortened pre-holiday session. New Orleans cotton closed steady with bids around 16.70 to 17.47 and Chicago dairy and eggs markets showed mixed to easy tone amid holiday effects.
Nineteen Red Cross chapters in South Alabama report nearing or meeting the $535 750 state campaign goal. Autauga and Wilcox report quotas met or near, Conecuh shows $1 750 quota with $2 000 raised, while Elmore and Covington chapters push toward multi thousand targets. A donor gifted $25 merchandise ticket.
The article argues the conflict centers on Europe with Berchtesgaden as a symbolic axis of Hitlerism. It stresses smashing the Axis in Europe as the main goal, while other theaters are secondary and cautions against weakening European efforts for the Far East. It notes uncertain Hitler plans, possible Spain Africa moves, and Petain’s potential resignation under German pressure. Allied satisfaction: Germany weaker than in Muscovite campaign.
Mrs C W Kelley and aular daughter were moved to the home in a Brown ambulance yesterday from Hamil's Clinic. Frank Liles, 504 BE Moulton St., is recovering well at Baugh's Infirmary after an operation. Mr and Mrs Olen Sanders will spend Christmas in Birmingham with her parents, Mr and Mrs Co L Gillilan. Mrs Mary Karter of Nashville will visit relatives here during the holidays.
In San Francisco the picket line by welders lasted only briefly during their bid for recognition as an independent union. Bay area shipyards and defense plants reported normal operations as talks continued. Heber J. Brown said he would seek mediation from a war labor board via Senator Thomas. Seattle welders voted against striking in solidarity with San Francisco workers.
Coast guardsmen hunted today for the bodies of five Black people who drowned yesterday when their boat overturned on a three rivers lake near McIntosh. R H Radcliff of Mobile identified the victims as Fred Bush Roy Levenson Roosevelt White Edward Jones and Bill Rocker.
A statewide conference of Alabama traffic officials is set for January 7, called by James F. Brawner director of public safety. The meeting will study enforcement methods and ways to improve traffic law observance with more than 100 officials invited including judges sheriffs solicitors mayors and police chiefs.
Two youngsters in Fort Scott Kansas will get their mother for Christmas after Mrs Pearl Lalastaire was released from hospital today. Physicians declare her completely cured of a long respiratory ailment following more than five years of treatment.
The piece notes that while the Reds report colossal destruction and capture of war material, Hitler may still retain significant striking power though not the same force as the mobile army that advanced into Russia last June.
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.