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 27, 1940
Page
4
Public notices and Associated Press content from the Decatur Daily publication pages. Details reference distribution through Tennessee Valley Printing Co. and W. R. Shelton with news dispatch credits and republishment rights noted.
A Decatur Texas column surveys Christmas cheer and New Year’s plans, praising careful travel and public safety. It discusses advertising season attitudes, the upcoming National Guard mobilization, and optimistic business prospects for 1941. The piece also commends Old Santa’s visits, the Blue Gray game publicity, and the mayor’s idea for a Confederate reunion game.
A fragmented note suggests the American mix size has fallen from about five to 3.8 and mentions a baby born every thirteen seconds in the United States, while a casualty or issue is implied by a shove into a pile.
The weather forecast remains uncertain about whether Christmas week will be mild or cold. A separate note hints that payrolls for new recruits are ready for distribution on January 2, while Army life should feel less difficult once in service.
The Decatur area saw no serious accidents or fires during the holiday period. Authorities commend the public for careful travel as many people hurried home and back to work, noting the unusually good safety record for the region.
Since fall you hear cotton short talk yet Morgan county near 4000 bales short of 1939 ginnings while Limestone county leads by about 3000 bales. Law rence county figures not found but likely similar. Since 1929 crash we’ve warned of bad times, but facts dispute the doom and loom of a legendary short cotton crop.
The piece mocks Ireland as naive for not aiding Britain, arguing its neutrality allows German submarines to disrupt British shipping. It portrays Ireland as likely to fall under Nazi influence if Britain loses, calling into question Ireland’s judgment and its willingness to cooperate with neighbors.
Christmas passed merrily in Decatur and Morgan counties with Salvation Army aid reaching 1,127 children who otherwise might have been overlooked. In Decatur 902 white children were assisted, ensuring many families had a brighter holiday season.
London reports strong Goering air force buildup near key takeoff points as Hitler aims a continued assault to neutralize British air power and clear the way for an invasion across the channel. British planners, confident in home airfields and trained manpower, anticipate preinvasion airfield demolitions by mid February and a concentrated effort against England despite shortages.
A reflection on home life testing whether Christ is present in homes and whether Christian culture reaches beyond professed faith. The author recalls a Hindoo boarding a ship who said he loves Christ’s teaching but has not found Christ in Christians’ lives, urging readers to examine hospitality, love, and beauty as signs of faith.
Dr Clendening answers height questions through his column and reviews the book Short Stature and Height Increase by C J Gerling. Heredity versus environment is discussed with notes on growth spurts, ductless glands and diet, plus posture and devices, with cautious optimism about attainable height.
A sermon-like reflection notes that homes should reveal Christ through flowers and books and that people seek truth and beauty. It contrasts abundant signs pointing toward Christ with a shortage of faithful following, recalling the Wise Men who followed a star to worship the Holy Child.
The editor notes Dr Logan Clendening provides seven pamphlets at 10 cents each. Send 10 cents in coin and a self addressed stamped envelope with a three cent stamp to Dr Clendening in care of this paper. Topics include Three Weeks Reducing Diet Indigestion and Constipation Reducing and Gaining Infant Feeding Instructions for the Treatment of Diabetes Feminine Hygiene and The Care of the Hair and Skin.
Western Cuba reports 11 dead and 150 injured after a cyclonic disturbance last night. Officials fear later counts from outlying districts could raise the toll as rescue and relief efforts continue today.
A collage of cartoon captions and gags about shorthand recruits peeling potatoes in a mess hall and a poet laments word choice for seasons. Jokes touch on pride and miscommunication, including a quip about the sun never sets and a lawyer settling aestate.
Hartselle’s Thursday Afternoon Club hosted husbands at a Christmas gathering at Mr and Mrs Houston home. Festive decorations, turkey dinner, a 4 Christmas tree gift exchange, and lively games filled the evening. Members listed include Sim F Orr R T Puckett H Brown and many others.
A gay crowd of high school girls gathered at the home of Miss Anne Speake for an informal supper and later enjoyed a theatre party Those in the group were Misses Roberta Clarke Bevelye Barcliff Virgina Claire Bailey Virginia Smith Hal Jean Blair Sarah A Bennett Martha Lillian Gwendolyn and Nelle Payne and Anne Speake.
Miss Hal Blair entertained at her Main Street home with a spend-the-night gathering. Attending were Zelma Speake Gwendolyn Payne Nelle Payne Martha Whitman Sarah Bennett Hal Blair Virginia Smith Vera Bailey and Bevelye Barift.
Miss Margaret Payne returns from the University of Alabama to spend the holidays with her parents, joined by numerous university and college students visiting in the area. Guests include Peggy Sue Putman from the University of Alabama, Helen Smith from Alabama Polytechnic, Elna Grisham from Alabama College, Billy Don Mitchell from Alabama, and others from Maxwell Field and nearby towns. Families hosting relatives include the Paynes, Kolys, McClanahans, and Sharpleys, with visits spreading to Birmingham, Gadsden, Florence, and Decatur.
A sign board proclaims the idea that the method to remove an enemy is to turn them into a friend. The note reflects on clearing up misunderstandings as the intended meaning behind the quotation.
Morgan County church announces Sunday services led by Pastor John F T Brown with superintendent J D Russell. Church school at 10 am and sermon on Luke 12 35 48 titled Jesus Requires Faithfulness. Golden text urges to whom much is given much is required. Everyone is invited.
Attorney General Jackson announced a criminal proceeding to be started in Milwaukee in early January against four parties in a music and radio broadcasting contract dispute. The move follows months of conflict over song copyrights, with the music loving public seen as the potential loser.
A brief note promoting Decatur Daily Want Ads highlights daily updates for changing interests. It encourages readers to check the classifieds for current listings and opportunities across services, jobs, and items for sale.
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.