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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1961
Page
1
A prayer-like reflection urges keeping childlike wonder and recognizing divine presence among us. It asks for eyes to see and ears to hear the angelic chorus proclaiming the good news that Christ is born. The tone is reverent and devotional.
William Priest of Moulton reported the theft of a 1950 Buick with a Lawrence County plate. Bradford Street and Moulton Street W at 5th Avenue saw damaged pay phones Friday night. Bettie Haynes’s car on Old Moulton Road was hit and run damaged early Saturday. A 1960 Chevrolet driven by Judn Winton was rear ended by James Mason on Danville Road while turning onto Eleanor Drive. Decatur Post Offices will close Christmas Day with full box service and parcel deliveries. Morgan County Jail Christmas menu features roast turkey and sides. Harry L Tooker of Decatur to lead Alabama amateur radio operators. Robert C Parker named to Auburn University agriculture dean’s list with 2.94 GPA. See diary on page 2.
Pilgrims in Bethlehem prepare for Christmas ceremonies as Cold War strains mount. In Berlin a U S commander defies East German guards prompting Soviet denouncement. Far East combat, a catastrophic Italian railway crash and holiday efforts for orphans mark a tense peace season. American and Allied troops distribute toys to West German children amid relief efforts. President Kennedy will send Yuletide greetings to West Berliners and Europeans via television.
An old editor note hints history may recall a tense moment inside the Bethlehem inn. A son insists on profits and blocks rooms for a poor young couple from Nazareth, while the kind innkeeper father weighs mercy against business.
Rescue crews chased to stranded people as a massive December blizzard swept Missouri Iowa and Illinois then pushed toward Maryland and the Northeast. Drifts reached 14 feet with 17 deaths reported dozens of vehicles stalled and thousands of travelers aided by farm houses and gymnasiums sheltering evacuees.
The author notes anger is common to all and cites Saint Patrick and Seneca. It advises controlling rage by aiming anger at wrongs such as deceit and tyranny, citing biblical guidance to be angry at the right things, in the right way, and at the right time. Lincoln and forefathers are referenced to illustrate righteous anger.
Rep Gilchrist announced Saturday he will seek election in May to the State Senate representing Morgan and Lawrence counties. The 34 year old Decatur attorney and Hart selle resident has served two terms in the Alabama House and chaired the Cotton Study Committee.
Alabama may restore the full legislative appropriation for public schools for 1961 62 marking a shift after years of shortfalls. Revenue Commissioner Guy Sparks cites rising tax collections and a new out of state corporate audit program as factors.
The pace of traffic deaths over the Christmas weekend rose about 20 percent from last year. At the 26 hour mark more than seven deaths per hour were reported. The National Safety Council projected 500 holiday fatalities for the period ending Monday midnight, with records set in prior years at 609 and 706 for three and four day spans respectively.
The bodies of three International Red Cross representatives Georges Oliver Nicole Vroomen and S S Smedding were found buried in shallow graves after their ambulance was struck by bazooka and machine gun fire amid clashes between UN forces and Katangan rebels. UN official George Ivan Smith said the vehicle was hit in crossfire.
Harold Michelson, chairman of the Retail Merchants Association, said Saturday that most Decatur stores will be open Tuesday during regular hours as the Christmas gift exchange continues and shoppers spend Yule money.
AP News features Potimus the innkeeper anxious but glad to have his son Joel home after seven years in Jerusalem and the bazaar. Joel urges higher rates during the census rush as Bethlehem, a city of David’s house, draws Caesar’s officers and other travelers to the inn. The pair clash over plans while the cook reels from a kitchen dispute.
Pilgrims from rich to poor arrive by plane and donkey in Jerusalem for Christmas observances. About 10 000 are already in the city with thousands more expected from Israel and abroad. The Holy Nativity ceremonies begin Sunday with Roman Patriarch Alberto Gouri leading a Bethlehem procession to mark the season.
CATANZARO Italy AP A Christmas throng aboard a tail-end rail car snapped loose and plunged 100 feet into a rocky gorge near Catanzaro Calabria killing 69 and injuring 27 seven critically Fire fighters and police labored in rain to recover bodies as villagers from Severia Manelli to Catanzaro headed to work school and the holiday market were aboard the secondary line train.
In our annual Christmas Eve issue we publish over 750 letters to Santa from local children. The letters are forwarded to the North Pole for St Nick to consider. The Decatur Daily will not publish on Christmas Day.
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