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 43 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1961
Page
2
The section details December 27 weather with sunset at 4 45 p m sunrise next day at 6 54 a m and Moonrise at 10 06 p m. It notes the Moon in apogee at over 251000 miles. It lists visible planets Saturn and Jupiter, Saturn setting at 6 04 p m and Jupiter about 545 million miles away.
The Tennessee River reading at Keller Memorial Bridge this morning was 17.47 feet, down 0.54 feet in 24 hours, with sea level at 551.77 feet. TVA lake stages include Pickwick 409.6, Guntersville 593.2, Whitesburg 59.0, Wilson 507.1 feet. High Monday reached 42 degrees, low 27 in the night, 38 at 9:42 a.m. Forecast calls for sunny and warmer, with increasing clouds and a chance of showers Wednesday or Wednesday night. Winds light, then southerly 8 to 15 mph Wednesday. Today’s high near 52, tonight’s low 37, Wednesday high 57.
Flood conditions across west Alabama forced more than 100 families from their homes for Christmas as the Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers rose, flooding low-lying areas in Marengo Greene Pickens Choctaw and Sumter counties. The Warrior River crested near 67.2 feet Monday and then eased slightly, with evacuees staying in shelters amid brief relief from subfreezing weather.
A compiled hospital roster shows patients and relatives in Hanceville Holly Pond Cullman and nearby towns. Names include Wendell Baggett Nuss McClure Aderhold Scott Bryan Miller Chaney Alldredge Chambers Jones Sutton Regnett Human Kilpatrick Parker Mann Bynum Childers Thompson Roberts Gable Askea Thomason Tilley Giles Kilgore Garner plus others from Addison Falkville Killen and surrounding communities.
A compilation of names and addresses appears, listing Mrs Hessie Sharpe Somerville Miss Debbie Bogan 1007 5th Ave SW and others including Mrs Faye White Cullman Mr Howard Russell Hartselle and Miss Phyllis Bogan 1007 5th Ave. The list includes dozens of individuals with street addresses across Alabama towns such as Decatur Slocomb Town Creek Eva Hillsboro and Somerville.
A list of names and addresses appears under Bank Street admissions and related entries. Individuals include Mrs. Redding Morgan of Decatur master Billy Jacobs of Courtland and R. F. West at 1604 Chestnut Street. Others named are Garland Ward 118 Memorial Street NW Mrs. J. H. Fuller Courtland Mrs. Wilburn Hayes 925 Lamar Joe Joseph Jr. 509 West Moulton Street and Harry Lang Moulton.
A compiled list names numerous individuals and their street addresses including Mrs. Richard K. Lee Murphree Apts Mrs. Chester Kubina 513 Ewell Mr. Malcolm Smith 606 Sherman St and others across several towns and homes. The document reads as a registry or notice listing residents and contact points with names such as Master Gary Wayne Evans Hobson Eugene McCurry and Miss Deborah Kay Ferguson Athens among many entries.
Market notes show inch middling cotton at MOO 8 Decatur OH. Cottonseed 45 per ton. Milk Grade A 6.54 per cwt. manufactured milk 3.20 per cwt. Pulpwood 1350 per cord. Poultry notes. No 2 Yellow Shelled Corn 1.18. No 2 Yellow Far Corn 1.00. No 2 White Shelled Corn 1.25. No 2 White Ear Corn 1.11. No 2 Oats .65. Milling Wheat 1.75. Cattle activity slow. slaughter steers 23.00-24.50. feeders 23.50. calves 32.00-36.50. Hogs active, higher. No 1-2 230 lb 17.25. 200-250 lb 16.75-17.00. sows 13.50-14.50.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose .73 to 721.60 as rails and steels led gains while utilities fell on profit taking. Ford edged higher, Chrysler and GM gained slightly amid auto sector news. broader blue chips lagged with mixed performance across markets and bonds.
Poultry quotations show broilers and fryers steady with light average weights. Ready to cook demand fair to good but uneven in some areas. Estimated slaughter today 901000 head versus 360000 last Tuesday. Delivered plant prices 1544-16 cents. on plants 19-20 cents for fob.
In Birmingham, trade for eggs was described as short of fair to good demand. The brief AP dispatch notes buyers showed modest interest while sellers faced limited buying speed with available supplies.
Infant son listed for Hillsboro mother Mrs Charles E Hazle and infant daughter noted with Mrs John Nelson on Buena Vista Circle. Also listed is Master Ricky Oneal Wright and James Ferry King tied to 1022 16th Ave SE.
Mrs Reba Morrow 29 of Frost Street Hartselle died Sunday at 1 45 am in a Birmingham hospital Funeral services were set for Liberty Hill Baptist Church near Phil Campbell at 2 pm with Ollie Linkous and Rev Joe Hughes officiating Burial was at Liberty Hill Cemetery with Highsmith Funeral Home Russellville directing Survivors include husband Joe V Morrow of Hartselle a daughter Dena Mariece a son Bann Arden all of Hartselle her parents Mr and Mrs Dennis Freeman Phil Campbell a sister Mrs Doris Mahaffey Decatur and grandparents Mr and Mrs A J Freeman Phil Campbell and Mrs Lula Cox Phil Campbell
Kathy Jo Ledbetter three month old daughter of Mr and Mrs Tom Ledbetter Lacey's Spring died Monday at 11 15 am in a Decatur hospital Funeral services will be today at 2 pm from Waldermose Christian Church conducted by Rev C H Stewart Burial will be in Waldermose Cemetery Survivors include parents two brothers Thomas Edward Ledbetter and Ricky Dale Ledbetter Lacey's Spring one sister Doris Ann Ledbetter Lacey's Spring grandparents Mr and Mrs Ola Slater and Mrs Evie Ledbetter
Jessie R Miller died Sunday at his Decatur residence after a 16 year illness. Funeral services were conducted at Enon Baptist Church Lawrence County with Revs. C G Redding and Harrison Nelson officiating. Burial followed in Morris Chapel cemetery with Gunthorp Brown Service Funeral Home in charge. Nephews served as pallbearers. Survivors include his widow.
Producers specify grade and size ranges for white produce. Large fruit mostly 41 to 50 with most 41 to 44 while medium runs 35 to 40, mostly 35 to 38 and small 29 to 35, mostly 29 to 34.
In Nashville Tennessee cattle runs reached 500 head while hogs showed fairly active demand with prices a dollar higher. Lead cattle 210 lb sold around 17.75 for 1 2 grade and most 200-250 lb hogs brought similar gains. Sows held steady to firm and sheep and lambs moved higher with choice slaughter lambs at 17.00 to 17.50.
A series of birth notices from Cullman and Decatur area hospitals records newborns to families including Aldredge Freeman Scott Nuss Ader and Owens with dates in late December and hospital names Bank Street Cullman Cullman Hospital Decatur General Hospital and Decatur General Hospital noting boys and girls born to listed parents.
Athens police report 35 arrests during the Christmas weekend. Speeding led with 15 cases, followed by public drunkenness 11, no driver's license four, driving while intoxicated two, and single counts for possession of firecrackers resisting arrest and making unnecessary noise with a vehicle.
Athens sheriff’s force logged 14 arrests over the weekend including eight for public drunkenness two for assault and battery two for speeding one for abusive language and one for highway intoxication.
The Athens area report states the Selective Service System in Limestone County announced list of 41 persons. Details on ages and classification were not provided in the fragment.
Mrs Eric Miller Decatur three daughters Mrs Ola Kee num and Mrs Zola Keenum both of Moulton 2 Mrs Christine Martin Hammond Ind three sons John F Miller Camden Tenn Onnie and Joe Miller both of Hammond three sisters Mrs Mollie Ledlow Kalamazoo Mich Mrs Minnie Hill Hartselle and Mrs Ida Hill Danville 2 three brothers W D Miller Decatur John Miller Danville 2 and Lonnie Miller Cullman and 21 grand children
Mrs Minnie Leona Smith died after several months illness. Funeral services were held at 2 30 p m at Sherman Street Church of God with Rev Fr Dismukes officiating. Burial followed at City Cemetery under Gunthorp Brown Service Funeral Home. She is survived by L Sullivan Decatur two sons George W Smith Birmingham and C F Smith Riverside Calif 21 grandchildren and 25 great nieces and nephews
Oakdale at Wallace's Grocery 8 45 to 9 00 Sardis Springs at Clem's Grocery 9 20 to 9 40 Johnson Junior High School 9 50 to 10 50 Pisgah at Pisgah's Grocery 11 00 to 11 20 Kere I i School 11 25 Pinedale at Harris and Dixon 11 20 Ardmore School 1 30 to 2 30 Ardmore at Bogg's Store 2 40 to 3 30
One person was slightly injured in a two car collision about 8 37 p m Sunday 2 8 miles east of here on Mount Tabor Rd Treated at Hartselle Hospital and released was Mrs J C Morgan 32 Huntsville who reported sprained back The mishap occurred when Marvin Leo Hopper Hartseller who was driving a 1952 Buick was making a left turn and J C Morgan was attempting to pass in a 1955 Plymouth Both vehicles were traveling north Approximately $400 damage was done
Cuban refugee Roberto Marrero says Fidel Castro's government built an underground missile launching pad in Pinar del Rio Province with help from Iron Curtain experts. He reports a guarded site and a 60 day missile training course completed by Soviet and Czech instructors.
Eleven charges were filed by the sheriff's force over the weekend in Cullman. The count includes two for reckless driving, two for intoxication, two for violating the prohibition law, and single counts for highway intoxication, allowing a minor to drive, no driver's license, peace proceeding, and insane.
Lawrence County sheriff’s force arrested fifty two people from December 18 to 25. The top charge was public drunkenness with fifteen arrests. Other counts included nine for violating prohibition and reckless driving, six for driving while intoxicated, five for highway intoxication, two for grand larceny, and single counts for assault with intent to kill, manslaughter, driving while suspended, no tag, no driver’s license, and assault and battery.
Hartselle police reported three arrests over the past week two for public drunkenness and one for violating the prohibition law.
A bomb exploded in a square at a west Colombian city during a Christ child procession killing between 50 and 51 worshippers and injuring over 110. Debris and nails caused further fatalities and injuries. Authorities suspect terrorists aimed to loot arms. Emergency relief and blood drives were organized.
Homeless families after a pre Christmas blaze receive swift aid. Louisa Cahill, seven, is severely burned. Bloomfield and other communities organize fund drives, gifts, and clothing. Andrew J. Francolino of Middletown sends $25 with a grateful note. Fires in Nashville destroy James Sanders and Clarence Lofton households. by Christmas morning they receive money, food, clothing, and furniture promises.
The western central Plains to the northeastern upper Great Lakes saw light rain and then snow in the mountains. Northern areas were mostly cloudy and cold with readings largely in the 20s and below. Desert Southwest and extreme Southern California hit 50s, while Brownsville Texas noted 63 and Corpus Christi 60 degrees as fog shrouded much of the Pacific coast and interior California valleys.
Bobby Joe Huffman, 32, of Birmingham, was indicted by a Lawrence County Grand Jury and released on a $1,000 bond. He was allegedly driving a vehicle involved in a November 26 collision at Courtland that killed Davie Tidwell, 59, of Town Creek, and injured eleven others.
Children attend Mass with families and receive candy before seeing the Christmas tree. The generator failed and the tree lights were out, leaving the scene illuminated only by flashlights.
The Decatur forum welcomes letters to express views with the writer's name withheld from publication when requested. The editor will know the sender's identity, and manuscripts will be returned if desired.
A Decatur union member criticizes a yesterday Autolite article and urges correct union principles. The letter emphasizes longstanding union loyalty and calls for full plant organization, contrasting northern plant pay and worker standards.
Death of Mrs Mary H Garth reported with funeral plans set for Wednesday at noon at Reynolds Funeral Home Chapel Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery Survivors include sister Mrs Lillie B Sales Cedar Lake brother James Coleman Cedar Lake and several other relatives
A fire damaged a square block in downtown Nashville at the Maxwell House site. The blaze origin remained undetermined after the third major fire at the hotel in four years. Built in 1869, the unfinished structure once housed Union troops and Confederate prisoners. Fire Marshal Dan Hicks said the brick and wood building was insured for 1 million dollars.
A Groton New York farm fire killed three of a widow's five children and a farm laborer while a father and his twin stepdaughters died in a separate Detroit area blaze. The deaths occurred during a grim holiday toll as both families suffered catastrophic losses.
Hartselle Fire Department responded to four grass fires during the past week with no damage reported. Two fires were Monday a mile north and south of town on Tabernacle Road. Additional blazes occurred near Bynum's Cafe Friday and on Frost Tuesday.
A 19-year-old Decatur Black man, Carl Samuel Orr, allegedly took his brother Inez Orr's trumpet valued at 158 dollars and pawned it at Bank St Pawn Shop without permission. He was jailed on grand larceny charges.
Two New Orleans youngsters enjoyed a white Christmas as William Nungesser, a seafood cannery owner, spread six tons of chipped ice on his front lawn Sunday night and added four tons on Christmas morning, despite temperatures in the 50s.
Fragments describe a furnished two room apartment with private entrance and bath at 508 W Moulton St with electric heat and a contact number EL 3 3880. Also listed are a nice bedroom with a kitchen near a hospital and a local shop Ira's Book Store at 222 E Moulton St selling Christmas cards and prints from Hallmark and California Artists Brow lock.
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.