25 Dec 1955
Page 1
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 23 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1955
Page
1
A brief survey of local happenings highlights small events, gatherings, and notable features in the area. Residents share everyday stories and observations that reflect neighborhood life and community spirit.
The American Legion post in Decatur handed out 15 food baskets and holiday goods. Local residents include Miss Madeline Kimberley of Boston as a guest, the Frank Richardsons of Mooresville visiting, and Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Cook of Petersburg with family. Several local notices mention Santa letters, court charges, reunions, and funeral services for Dr. Frank Hall in Gainesville, with holiday greetings from Fort Bliss and Maxwell AFB personnel.
Authorities ordered evacuations in Yuba City Marysville and Stockton as the Feather River breached levees and floodwaters swelled across three states. The Red Cross opened a Stockton shelter while nationwide rain persisted for the ninth straight day and disaster declarations spread.
Christians worldwide focus on Bethlehem and Christmas prayers for peace. In Arab Bethlehem pilgrims and midnight services are planned despite regional tensions after Jordan rioting and a curfew lift. Eisenhower family news as grandchildren sing at the White House while Mary Jean is born at Walter Reed. Queen Elizabeth II gathers at Sandringham with the royal family.
The forecast calls for unseasonably mild weather with a high near 75 degrees. Early Saturday morning readings showed 70 degrees and a Friday night low around 53 as residents enjoy a sun drenched holiday.
Floods flood Marysville and Yuba City with about 12 500 and 8 000 evacuees. Levees hold at Marysville but a 40 yard breach forms south of town. Four dead and widespread damage possible as communities brace for days to come.
The Christmas holiday traffic death toll climbed to 86 by noon with ten five deaths and six in the miscellaneous class, bringing the overall fatality total to 102 as reported by the National Safety Council.
Illinois reported 17 accidental deaths by midmorning Saturday as the Christmas period began. Thirteen deaths occurred in traffic with most in the Chicago area, plus two fires and two from miscellaneous causes.
An Associated Press survey estimates 560 Americans will die in traffic accidents during the three day holiday period from 6 p.m. Friday to midnight Monday. Travel conditions vary with rain on the west coast, fog in central areas, and fresh snow in the north. HOLIDAY on Page 2.
Eight people are dead after a flash flood when the San Lorenzo River overflowed, flooding several streets in the coastal city of Santa Cruz about seventy miles south of San Francisco. Authorities warn of continued danger as residents assess damage on the shoreline.
Morgan County man Barskin Hamilton, 20, of Danville was injured when his car overturned on Old Moulton Rd at 12:40 a.m. He was treated at Decatur General Hospital and released. Police report he lost control while traveling west, struck a bank, and the automobile was a total loss. Patrolmen Billy Watson and Frank Shafer Jr. investigated.
Fred S. Hunt Jr announces Morgan County for the first time funds its own polio care in 1955. He notes prior reliance on national HQ and praise for Beta Sigma Phi's March of Dimes drive the previous year. Dr. Allen C. Rooks will direct the January campaign through the month.
President Eisenhower will stay in Washington over Christmas with no official appointments. Doctors advised warmth and outdoor activity to aid recovery from a heart attack, but the White House said he is unlikely to leave the capital.
Jessie W. Williams age 29 of Salitpa Alabama was injured when a passing car struck him as he was changing a tire on Highway 31 about ten miles north of Decatur He suffered a fracture to the right leg and is in Decatur General Hospital officials said investigators from Decatur police and the Highway Patrol are pursuing the driver of the hit and run vehicle
Word arrived of the death of Frankie Owen aged 16 son of Mr and Mrs Frank Owen formerly of Decatur now in Tullahoma Tennessee He was struck by a car in Tullahoma Details of the tragedy were not available at press time Joe Owen of Decatur is his uncle.
City prisoners numbered fewer than six were released for Christmas after a vacation from jail. Three remained in custody morning as police expected most to return after the holidays. Chief J B Whitmire said the release is a longtime Decatur custom with re arrest for those who do not report back. The Southern Cafe on Vine Street planned Christmas dinners for city prisoners under a city contract.
Tennessee River gauge at Keller Memorial Bridge Saturday morning shows 16.13 feet, up 0.04 in 24 hours, sea level reading 550.43 feet. Friday high 69, low 53. 11 am Saturday 70. Forecast: partly cloudy, windy, warm Sunday with a few showers. Legal waterfowl shooting: Sunday 6:24 a.m. to 4:12 p.m., Monday 6:24 a.m. to 4:13 p.m.
Billie Shaneyfelt and Freddie Segars both 20 of Hartselle were released on 1500 bond after Thursday arrest on kidnapping and rape charges. They allegedly abducted two Hartselle girls ages 16 and 14 last Saturday night after picking them up in a car in See HARTSELLE on Page 2.
Juvenile Judge Maurice Tribell pardoned an 11-year-old girl who admitted to Christmas shoplifting. He filed away the charge after she said her father threatened no Christmas presents, prompting her to fill a bag at a variety store to ensure she received something.
In Miami Mrs John Klefeker told her children John Jr Paul and Ruth they could trim the family tree. John Jr returned with scissors claiming he had trimmed the tree himself and had cut all the branches from the trunk.
Mullenville Co publishers announce the first shipment of the new Decatur City directory replacing the 1953 54 edition. A second shipment is planned immediately as the directories go en route to Decatur.
Rochester police posted signs saying Don’t Cross the Styx in ’56. An innkeeper asked what it meant and cited the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, while patrons debated its meaning with remarks about liberty and biblical reference. The officer explained Styx as the mythological boundary of the dead.
In his 17th Christmas message Pope Pius XII appeals for a three step ban on nuclear arms: renunciation of extent and use, and broad armament control. He warns a partial halt is not enough and calls for international agreement. He also urges colonial freedom and denounces communism.
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.