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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1928
Page
1
Reported Christmas Day incidents include a fatal crash near Sayre involving Joe Vance and Roy Bryant, with Vance en route to marriage. Other injuries and deaths from shootings, fires, and railway accidents across nearby towns are noted, including a missing suspect after a raid and a severed finger from a shotgun discharge.
George Dormer twenty one year old hunter was killed when shotguns in his hands discharged while he posed for a photograph. The accident happened about three miles north of Athens after a Christmas day hunting trip. Funeral services were held at the home of Theo Dugger near Elkton Road and crowds from Limestone County mourn the Dugger family.
An arrest was not made on Christmas Day as the county remained unusually quiet per sheriff’s office attaches. The forces of Sheriff B E Davis reported no incidents requiring arrest on the holiday.
Ninety two thousand letters were handled in five days during the Christmas period. Most mail consisted of Christmas cards. Mr. Crawford said only six or seven parcel post packages remained at post offices on Christmas day and gifts for Decatur residents were delivered with few exceptions.
Fixtures for the Albany station of the Decatur post office arrived from Indianapolis, Indiana, and installation began today. Removal from the Second avenue quarters may occur without delay, with removal date set for January 1. The Albany station is at the corner of First avenue and Moulton street, West.
The City of Decatur will publish its 1929 license schedules in Thursday's Decatur Daily. The copy has been prepared and given to the newspaper, and the schedule appears earlier than usual for the public's convenience.
One man Charlies King 28 died in the blaze and Paul Ocklair 40 suffered burns. Victims Mr and Mrs Arthur Alex Ner 67 and 55 were found dead on the fourth floor corridor after attempting to escape by using a mattress and improvised rope. Lucien G Curtis 20 was trapped in his room. All residents were from Akron.
Mrs Joseph Lorenzo 21 carries her newborn and a four year old down three flights of fire escape to safety. Elric St Louis and Ferdinand Gingras make repeated trips to help patients, narrowly escaping when stairs collapsed. They improvise a rope from torn bed clothing to aid evacuation. Most patients go to Ottawa hospital. Building damage estimated at 75000 dollars.
In heavy fog two volunteer firefighters were killed and eight injured when their apparatus plunged off a embankment while rushing to a Heidelberg Pittsburgh blaze at the Carnegie Refining Company plant. The fire, started yesterday, endangered the 20 acre site and nearby homes amid multiple explosions. The loss is estimated at 500000. The deceased are Adolph Sennett 30 and Joseph Depetro 45.
On Christmas Day inmates at Morgan County Jail were served chicken with no turkey. Deputy Sheriff Alvin Bud Daery and staff arranged the meal as part of a holiday program for the prisoners.
American business posted a strong 1928 with higher profits across sectors. Net earnings for 229 corporations in ten months rose 21 percent, led by gains in chemical, iron and steel, and machinery groups. Ford and oil sector weaknesses temper the year’s gains. Continued on Page Six.
Decatur plans to expand its trade area beyond a 25 mile radius as 1928 ends with a record holiday rush. Merchants credit the year long trade day campaign with attracting hundreds of thousands in Decatur commerce and expect continued growth in 1929 as highways completed in 1928 boost accessibility.
J Ogden Wells 52 year old Cooper-Wells executive and civic leader was found dead in his Lake Boulevard garage in St Joseph Michigan. Doctors report monoxide fumes caused the death with an accident finding and no inquest to be held. The body was discovered by his chauffeur at 8 15 this morning near the car with a wrench on the running board and the hood raised.
Paxton expresses gratitude for sympathy from Decatur residents after J Ogden Wells death. He notes Wells built a good organization and that the firm will carry on as he would have wanted, outlining future plans for Cooper-Wells & Company.
The Daily states that starting January 3, 1929, all advertising copy must be in the newspaper offices by 5 PM the day before publication. The management seeks cooperation from firms individuals and corporations to publish a carefully planned and attractively displayed paper for Decatur merchants and residents.
The Christmas gathering for 66 children at the Y M C A featured a decorated room, a Christmas story by Miss Frances Mason, and carols led by Miss Elizabeth Malone. Gifts were given to all children with Santa Claus in attendance. Miss Lucy Bell of the West Church Street community house praised the organizing groups for making the event possible.
Reynolds and Dan Morrow, identified as Lacey's spokes, were treated at Beenvolent hospital after a collision on the north Bee Line highway just across the Tennessee river Tuesday evening. The Morrow car, stopped on the highway about 7 pm, collided with a car driven by W. C. Heidt of Decatur, who was uninjured. Occupants of the Morrow vehicle suffered lacerations and bruises.
President E. B. Garner reminded Decatur Rotary Club members that the meeting will be held Friday at noon at the M. M. A. He urged full attendance from all members.
Charles Camody treated at the Benevolent hospital for a head wound said to have been received when he fell. He recovered quickly and was able to leave the institution.
Death struck Christmas night in Cullman county as a Louisville & Nashville train wrecked a coupe carrying Mrs. D. D. Robinson and her sister Mrs. A. E. Rich of Steppville. Both women died almost instantly, funeral plans set for Thursday at Mt. Zion Church, three miles north of Cullman.
William Franklin McGwier died at his residence 618 Wales Street at 10 50 am after an illness. Funeral services will be held at the residence at 2 30 pm, conducted by Rev J D Wallace and Rev R Tyler with burial in the city cemetery under Brown directing. The Masons will preside at the grave. He leaves two sons J A and W C McGwier five grandsons and one granddaughter.
Mr and Mrs Prank Westmore hhine on the Bel Line highway north of here were sufficiently improved to leave the hospital and return home in Athens to spend the Christmas holidays.
Sara Berta Warnix died in hospital from a fractured skull after being struck on the Bee Line highway south of here. The collision involved a car driven by J. H. Patterson that hit Warnix and another woman injured in the same incident.
Strong possibility of a congressional inspection trip to Muscle Shoals Alabama from the Eighth district as Congressman Almon presses for President elect Hoover to visit the Shoals area. The incoming administration leader may acknowledge benefits of regional development during his South American voyage.
A fragmented report notes Fairview Baptist Church will skip both morning and evening services. It mentions Rev. dy% and the pastor son with Mrs. and relatives in B county visiting until after New.
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