Yes Virginia the Santa Claus Letter Persists
A long exchange from 1897 in which Virginia O’Hanlon asks if Santa exists and the editor’s reply defends faith. The famous answer, attributed to Francis B. Church, affirms that Santa Claus is real in the hearts and devotion of people, beyond sight or proof.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
Papa
Virginia O’hanlon
Virginia O'Hanlon
New York Sun
Virginia
Francis B. Church
America
All Prisoners May Be Free Before Night
Reporter William L. Ryan writes that authorities hope to free all prisoners before nightfall. Officials consider mass clemency as talks continue with prison officials and state leaders.
It Looks Like A White Yule In Decatur And North Alabama
Snow and mixed precipitation fell across north Alabama with the Birmingham Weather Bureau predicting a shift to sleet and freezing rain, leaving many areas covered as temperatures stayed below freezing. In Miami the Cuba airlift Operation Ransom continued Christmas Eve with 1,113 inmates to be freed, 426 already landed on U.S. soil from Havana via Pan American flights, and planners awaiting resumed flights after night delays.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Decatur
Weather Bureau
Birmingham
North
Alabama
Huntsville
Florence
Northwest
Miami
Fla
Cuba
U.S
Homstead Air Force Base
Florida
San Antonio de Los Banos
Havana
Howe
DCG
Pan American World Airways
Freedom
Fidel Castro
Christmas Publication Pause Announced by Daily
The Daily will not publish on Christmas Day to allow staff to spend time with families. Regular issues resume Wednesday with a note to see DIARY on Page 2.
Christmas Spirit by Inviting Others to Dinner
The suggestion is to invite lonely neighbors and distant relatives to a Christmas dinner. Create an adopted family by including a poor family, a college student, a widow, or a secretary who has no one to share the meal. The gesture embodies turning wealth into generosity and sharing warmth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
L.G
Nuclear blasts detected near Uppsala and other global notes
Seismological data from Uppsala University reports two strong nuclear tests from the Soviet area with a possible third. Other items note Cuban prisoners' talks in Havana, Bay of Pigs release aiding Kennedy, Christmas parole releases in Mobile, and Castro’s peace comments as he offers mothers of freed prisoners a way to join kin in the United States.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stockholm
Sweden
Seismological Institute of
Uppsala University
Washington
Kennedy
Bay of Pigs
Fidel Castro
Havana
United States
Gift Of Peace Best Of All Santa Story
HAL BOYLE retells a Christmas tale where Santa Claus flies toward the U S border with an oversized sack of gifts. A young elf Cluny gifts the world an angel of peace to be seen over every home for one day, ensuring a gentler, universal holiday wish. Santa grants the wish and heads to deliver cheer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hoyle
Mrs. Claus
Santa
Cluny
Wrecks Kill Two In Area
The Decatur and surrounding area reported weekend traffic fatalities totaling three, with two brothers from Cincinnati among the injured. Samuel Lappin, 19, died in Limestone County when a southbound Volkswagen collided with a northbound Oldsmobile driven by Wiley J Broughm, 40, who turned left onto a county road. Joseph S Lappin, 22, sustained a fractured leg and multiple bruises and was hospitalized in fair condition at Decatur General.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Decatur
Samuel
Lappin
Cincinnati
Ohio
Limestone County
Joseph S. Lappin
Decatur General Hospital
Highways Patrol
B. G. Faulkner
Volkswagen
Lappins
Wiley Junion Broughm
U. S. 31
Broughm
Alabama Christmas death toll climbs to 30 with new traffic fatalities
The Associated Press reports Alabama's Christmas holiday death toll reaching 30. Four more traffic victims and a drowning raise totals alongside 13 fire deaths including eight children. Eleven more died in traffic accidents, with carbon monoxide fatalities and other accidents adding to the toll. A railroad worker was crushed, a boy died by a falling log, and a man drowned at Gulf Shores.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Alabama
Gulf Shores
Hartselle Market Closed Four Times by Police
Hartselle police, acting on Mayor Grady Long's request, closed the new Hand-D-Way Market four times Sunday. James McDonald, a meat department employee, was arrested on the first closure, and Elbert Tankersley was arrested on the remaining three closures, authorities said.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hartselle
Hartsele
Grady Long
James McDonald
Meat Department
Elbert Tankersley
H'Selle
Also Mentioned on This Page
Adele
New York, N.Y
By William L. Ryan
James
Athens
Lawrence White
Lawrence County Sheriff's Office
Robinson's
Ady
Scatur
North Pole
Santa’s
Luis Entriargo
Mobile
Hal Boyle
Old Saint
Reindeer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Old Boy
Conder
Vixen
Angel OF Peace
Debbie
Jan
Joe Walker
Stratford Rd
By Ken Reynolds
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!