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Decatur Daily in Decatur, Alabama

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This newspaper page contains 29 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.

Newspaper

Decatur Daily

Location

Decatur, Alabama, United States of America

Date

Dec 26, 1940

Page

1

Decatur Area Escapes With No Accidents

In a holiday report from Decatur Alabama no fatal or serious crashes were recorded despite heavy traffic. Police noted wet slippery roads but most motorists exercised care. Christmas events included a Benson Field alumni game, a Salvation Army toy distribution for 1102 local children at the Armory, with 902 white and 200 black children served and gifts for 25 white children at county points. The Armory program featured Mayor Harrison, prayers, carols, and Santa distributed presents under Salvation Army supervision led by Adjutant Longino.

Alabama Decatur State Highway Patrol Benson Field Huntsville Salvation Army Santa Claus Armory T. R. Harrison Homer Britton R. M. Harwell Edwin Wyle

Holiday highway crashes claim three lives in Alabama

A Birmingham holiday highway crash killed Cecil Leroy Tucker, 21, and injured more than twenty others across Alabama. The report notes several other fatal or serious incidents en route to year’s end, with ongoing investigations and continued page two coverage.

Birmingham Ala Alabama Cecil Leroy Tucker Birming

Bombed London life revealed in Milo M. Thompson piece

Milo M. Thompson writes from New York about experiences in London during heavy bombing. He describes four outcomes for buildings after a blast and recounts being bombed out along with many colleagues. The narrative continues on the next page.

Milo M. Thompson New York London Associated Press

Relief costs may be cut as defense jobs rise

Washington reports senators view increased employment under the defense program as a path to cut relief spending. Congress allotted 975 million dollars to the WPA for the current year but may need a supplemental option to extend relief to July 1. Senators Adams Austin Ball weigh impacts on non defense outlays and regional needs.

Washington Congress WPA Adams D-Coro Appropriations Austin R-Vt Ball R-Minn Middle West East Far West Roosevelt

Britain to reduce meat ration in January

London reports Britain will cut meat ration from one shilling tenpence per person per week to one shilling sixpence early in January. The change may include adding pork, tripe, kidneys, liver and sausages to rationed items. Service members are expected to see proportional cuts to civilian allowances.

London Britain Lord Woolton

Governor Dixon and Son Plan Mobile Duck Hunt

Governor Dixon and his son Sam Perry a University of Alabama student left Mobile early for a Gulf coast duck hunt. They were to be joined by Norville Leigh Mobile probate judge and Clark Kelly. Alabama's capitol closed for Christmas observance with many state workers returning home.

Montgomery Dixon Sam Perry University of Alabama Mobile Gulf Norville Leigh Clark Kelly Alabama

Georgia tank company mobilized to Fort Benning

Army orders announced by Adjutant General Marion Williamson call for the mobilization of a Georgia tank company on December 26 to proceed to Fort Benning and join a new tank battalion.

Atlanta Georgia Fort Benning Marion Williamson

British Help Urged On Washington Policy

Over 150 prominent Americans urge President Roosevelt to commit to defeating the axis powers and reject appeasement. The open letter, signed by editors, lawyers, educators, actors, and religious and labor leaders, calls for full use of war resources and warns Britain’s endurance is vital to global victory.

Washington White House Roosevelt Foreign Affairs Herbert Afar Louisville Courier Journal William H. Agar Columbia University Frank Altschul New York Henry Breckenridge John Stewart Bryan College of William and Mary Lewis W. Douglas The Mutual Life Insurance Company New Deal

Well Known Woman Dies in Decatur at 79

Mrs. Sarah P. West, a well known Decatur resident, died after a prolonged illness at 2 a.m. at her home 802 Jackson Street. She was 79. Funeral at 2 p.m. Friday at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. J. A. Chambers and Rev. C L. Dobbs officiating. Burial in City Cemetery directed by Brown. Survivors include two sons F. H. Wells and George S. Wells. five grandsons Horace I. Wells Cullman Harry E. Wells Tuscaloosa Charles and Thomas Wells Columbus Georgia George Wells Decatur. three granddaughters Mrs Kirby Morrison Mrs Robert Hicks Columbus Georgia Mrs Leonard Nelson Decatur. a brother George Redding Decatur. four great grandchildren. Members of the Missionary Society of Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church will arrange flowers.

Sarah P. West Decatur Jackson Street Southside Baptist Church J. A. Chambers C L. Dobbs Brown City Cemetery F. H. Wells Georges. Wells Horace I. Wells The Missionary Society of Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church Flowers

Railway Station Fire Causes About 150 Loss

A fire at the railway station around 10 o clock on Christmas night caused an estimated 150 in damage. The blaze, believed started by a cigarette dropped behind a lavatory on the first floor, climbed to the ceiling. Earlier at 8 40 last night a small blaze damaged Mrs Emma Mahaffeys home at 1421 Fifth Avenue South due to a defective flue.

Emma Mahaffey Fifth Avenue South

Plea to doctors to return to rural practice

Dr. Eden J. Carey of Marquette University, in Louisville for the Biennial national convention of Phi Chi medical fraternity, urged turning doctors to strategic rural areas and away from cities where excess medical service harms economics.

Louisville Eden J. Carey Marquette University Phi Chi Medical Fraternity

Winter Keeps Greek March at Slow Pace

Greek forces slow on the Albanian front as snow and cold hinder advance along the Adriatic coast north of Chimara. A captured Italian officer says Bersaglieri units suffer frostbite and heavy losses. Corfu bombings killed 15 and wounded about 30, with British gifts dropped to residents amid the conflict.

Athens Adriatic Chimara Tepeleni Kiisura Bersagnieri Corfu

Plane losses listed in Greek Italian conflict

London dispatch reports Italy suffered at least 39 aircraft losses while Britain reported nine losses in operations from November 7 to December 21. Air ministry news service confirmed the figures.

London Italy Air Ministry

Mrs Heflin Illness Victim Death At Home In Moulton

Funeral services for Mrs. Josie Heflin 55 died at 1 p m Tuesday at her Moulton Route 4 home after an illness of two weeks. Services were held at Moulton Baptist church with Rev. William Wear officiating. Burial followed in the nearby cemetery. Survived by husband C M Heflin a son Clarence of Moulton Route 4 four sisters Mrs J D Key Mrs R F Aston Mrs W H Smith Mrs G W Tucker all of Moulton and a brother Eugene Stubbs of Hartselle. Nephews were pallbearers.

Josie Heflin Moulton Moulton Baptist Church William Wear Brown Decatur J. D. Key R. F. Aston W. H. Smith G. W. Tucker Eugene Stubbs Hartselle

Inmates Send Christmas Greetings to Sheriff and Wife

Morgan county jail inmates show thanks to Sheriff W T Willoughby and Mrs Willoughby for a celebratory dinner. A letter from 49 inmates expresses appreciation and wishes for a merry Christmas and lasting happiness.

Morgan County Jail W. T. Willoughby

Nazis Rushing More Units Into Rumania

Berlin dispatches report a mass Nazi buildup in Romania with 300000 fresh German troops crossing Hungary into the Balkans. Romanian plants will manufacture warplanes, a Galati submarine yard will expand, and Baron Von Killinger is slated to rule Romania as Nazi governor.

Robert B. Parker Budapest Rumania Hungary Balkan Mihai Balkans Bucharest Germany Galati Manfred von Killinger Slovakia Romania Reich Danube Red Army Moldavia Siretu Tur Aso Turkey Osten Greece Bulgaria

McLeod Installed as Kiwanis Club President in Decatur

E. W. McLeod was installed as president of the Decatur Kiwanis Club for 1941, succeeding Garner Pride who led the club through 1940. Judge Selbourn Lynne conducted the ceremony and installed officers including Philip Shanks and R. E. Rogers, with directors named.

E. W. McLeod Decatur Kiwanis Club Garner Pride Kiwanian Pride Selbourn Lynne Pride McLeod Philip Shanks R. E. Rogers John Caddell George Godwin John Harlow Treasure T. J. Cottingham H. R. Davis L. L. Lively Marvin Rankin Lynne Kiwanis Decatur

Grand Christmas Truce Restores Faith Amid War

A World War correspondent recalls Passchendaele and a bitter wartime remark about humanity. The essay contrasts cynicism with cautious optimism, noting a tacit Christmas truce and society’s failing faith in mankind amid mass casualties.

Passchendaele

Christmas Truce Told At Dressing Station Story

Captain C. B. Montague recalls a scene at an emergency dressing station where a wounded British soldier leads a wounded German youth prisoner. The Briton, angered by ongoing killing, lays down his rifle and disarms the boy rather than strike. The moment contrasts war's brutality with mercy.

C. BE. Montague Tommy

Things Hum at Blanding Camp Florida

Soldiers return from Christmas furloughs while civilian workers resume construction at Camp Blanding Florida a vast training center housing 13000 officers and enlisted men. Additional 1243 selectees arrive next month and the 43rd division comes in March as training resumes after the New Year furloughs with payroll envelopes to be distributed January 2.

Camp Blanding Fla 43Rd

FDR to Talk on War Aid in Nationwide Address

White House secretary said President Roosevelt would be specific about aid to Britain in his Sunday night radio address but would not reveal figures for other nations. The speech, broadcast from 9:30 to 10 p.m., will also cover efforts to speed domestic war material production and comes after the president completed a rough draft on Christmas Eve.

Washington White House Roosevelt Britain Stephen Early T. Early

Post-Christmas Service Arranged at First Christian Church

A special post-Christmas carol service will be held Sunday December 29 at 7 oclock in the First Christian church. The minister will present word pictures based on carols of hope faith and joy and tell each story in simple language. The pastor invites everyone to attend as a sanctuary service of worship and praise.

First Christian Church

Storms Rage Along Coast In Multiple Regions

Storm activity stretches from the Pacific coast to the Gulf of Mexico with 50 mile per hour winds and heavy waves causing damage. Weather bureaus warn of intensified disturbance near Galveston and spread fog grounds planes and slows travel from Florida to New England.

Associated Press Pacific Gulf of Mexico Texas Florida California Oregon Washington New Orleans Brownsville Tex St. Marks Fila Louisiana Rocky Mountain States New England New York Nantucket Channe Atlantic Michigan Indiana

Woman dies in car mishap near Athens

Mrs. Jodie Clem, a respected Hays Mill matron, was fatally injured when struck by a car while crossing the Bee Line Highway six miles north of Athens at 9 45 Thursday morning. The vehicle, driven by 16 year old Gil May Kinzer of Huntsville, swerved into a ditch to avoid her, struck her, and she died en route to Powers Hospital. Kinzer, uninjured, was allowed to proceed after investigation by state patrol. Mrs. Clem leaves a husband and several children.

Jodie Clem Hays Mill Limestone County Bee Line Athenis Julian McNeese State Highway Patrol Gil May Kinzer Huntsville McNeese Clem Kinzer Powers Hospital Athens Young Kinzer Ceed

FILLING STATION BURGLARIZED IN CITY BREAK-IN

The Texaco Filling Station on Fourth Avenue and Moulton Street West was broken into Tuesday night. A small amount of merchandise mainly peanuts and candy was stolen after the rear window glass was broken.

Texaco Fourth Avenue Moulton Street West

Christmas Truce Holds as German Air Raid Fails

British guards double on the Dover coast as a Christmas truism of unofficial respite persists. A single German air raid on Isle of Sheppey caused little damage with no casualties reported. London announces no bombs on the capital since early morning, while RAF activity over Germany remains paused through Christmas.

London Britain Isle of Sheppey Thames Royal Air Force Germany Channel Strait of Dover Eegion

Hitler and Brauchitsch on Western Front at Christmas

German sources say Adolf Hitler and Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch were on the Western front for Christmas but there is no immediate invasion plan against England. They may be at Berlin or along the front when such an attack would begin, with Christmas spent by the top command on the western theater.

Hitler Berlin Adolf Hitler Walther Brauchitsch 2 I England von Brauchitsch German West Wall Settor

Britons Recall German Christmas Talk Amid Invasion Plans

British observers cite a reported Christmas message by Walther Brauchitsch indicating German forces considered invading Britain. The commander in chief reportedly said the ocean would shield a land operation and that German troops were eager for a strike, while British circles noted no visible change in the front and continued heavy weather as a limiting factor.

Walther Brauchitsch Bvé Britain British Isles Bern Nel

Tennessee River Gauge Drops as Cold Front Edges In

The Tennessee River measured 18.28 feet and fell over the past 24 hours with a high of 56 and a low of 52. Precipitation totaled 0.01 inch in Alabama. Showers linger in the far west Friday with cooler, cloudy conditions. eastern and northern areas will see further springlike cooling. Tennessee outlook predicts rain, colder air, and continued cloudy conditions with a front moving in from the west.

Tennessee Alabama

Also Mentioned on This Page

Jackson Eugene R. Jackson East Church Street Red Raiders Uncle Sam Young Jackson Kelly Field Army SR Vasedavic Linon Ochrida Pogradetz Elbasani High Command Corfus Ionian By Dewitt MacKenzie FDR
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