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 19 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 28, 1939
Page
4
A nostalgic yet forward looking column urges Decatur to build on past heritage while pursuing growth. It cites river use and a proposed freight terminal, predicts city population growth to 50 600, and notes leadership needed to realize opportunity. Also reflects on national politics, holidays, and safety through speed limits.
A weary narrator says a persistent man, described as a respected negro, cornered them in the office seeking a Christmas present after claiming he might be dead next year. The man insists on his holiday gift and replies affirmatively when asked about saints going home. The exchange reveals a tense social scene.
The Tuscaloosa News attacks Alabama party leaders for pressing a unit rule and dictates for the Democratic national convention. It condemns an office holding clique for openly shaping policy and defying the people, urging accountability and public input.
A Decatur pastor created a brief ten minute Christmas Day home service. He distributed a simple program with a scripture reading a prayer and an old carol to observe at a set time on Christmas morning. The service aimed to remind all that Christmas is more than a Santa visit.
The Boston College team faced a racial incident as Lou Montgomery, a Black halfback, withdrew from a Cotton Bowl trip to Dallas, sparing embarrassment for his team and school. The move contrasted with contentious actions pressuring universities to admit Black students, highlighting social tensions surrounding college athletics and race.
The article sketches a Washington briefing where politics are cloaked as national defense. It notes budget cuts, tax shifts, and defense spending as leading agenda items for an imminent session, with figures like O Mahoney and Wallace shaping proposals and treaties under pressure from campaign year dynamics.
A humorous scene shows two women discussing a free parking lot. One shopper is skeptical about shopping at the store while the other casually offers to buy something someday. The dialogue reveals casual consumer behavior and light banter.
Dr Logan Clendening outlines how sulfapyridine, a dye once used for infections, emerges as a broad spectrum remedy for pneumonia and other diseases. It is orally administered, reduces fever within 24 to 86 hours, and has notable but non fatal side effects. The note credits Prof Gerhard Domagk with the drug’s discovery and mentions broader progress in infectious disease control.
A collage of quips and quotes from Decatur residents includes reflections on bravery, God, aging photographs, taxes from Latin, and playful banter among nurses, youths, and a visitor. The mix showcases small town humor and everyday concerns during hard times.
A speaker recalls John Bull as a kind face but notes nonpayment on due notes. The subtler memory includes Francois, a trusted friend, and a reminder that the deal was not honored when it came due. The fragment hints at a financial dispute and lingering disappointment.
Fire department records show nearly a fire daily in December while temperature ranges from 26 to 56 degrees. Tennessee Valley Country Club plans greater activities next year under M R Rankin. Ninth avenue west paving eyed after council hearing. Speeding defendant fined 13 dollars 60 cents. Wheeler Park Kiwanis Christmas tree can be lit this week. Rev Duncan and Hunter visit relatives. Emerson Webb and Exina Carroll visit Clara Bryant. Pearl Dekle of Georgia visits Mrs H R Speake. Prof W W Benson and Bernard Benson trip to Florence. Junior Chamber reopen talks to bring Minneapolis Millers for spring training.
In Warsaw Indiana Francis M Crip bought a horse described as gentle and kind He took the animal home and it kicked him A jury awarded Crip 275 in damages from the seller based on the misrepresentation of the horse as safe to handle.
Punched lines reveal a strained exchange about paying debts and past failures. One speaker vows to support another and pray for success while noting a failure to settle an old loan. The fragment hints at marital tension and unfinished business.
A brisk Walter Winchell on Broadway excerpt riffs on showbiz snatches and airline miscues. It notes Mrs Orson Welles delaying a Reno trip, reporters gathering at a flying field, and Arch Murray inheriting cash leading to a bank spree with multiple signed checks.
A man recalls dreaming Hitler died and attending the funeral as a grim joke. The exchange leads into satire on Pravda and Izvestia, with Gedye noting a pun about truth and news, and Silas Bent’s newspaper crusading described through anecdotes about the St. Paul News and a cafe society tale, concluding with a farmer and a New Yorker exchange.
A rescued London Times dispatch notes life in wartime Berlin remains active despite general blackouts. Tolischus writes Berlin cafes stay crowded even during air raid restrictions. References to British naval command and a sensational Reno divorce rumor appear amid fragmented text.
A Columbia Journalism School tour of a city newsroom reveals the night editor delaying work and trading barbed remarks with an office boy, shaking the students’ view of famed journalists and shattering their illusions.
A collection of lines from varied figures including Jack Miley reflecting on his rise from taxi to influence, a Finnish attaché criticizing lies around war, Jose Lavardo describing a dramatic shipyard blaze, Franklin Gregory’s playful Garner tribute, and Heywood Broun contemplating mortality with stoic calm.
Morgan County residents and relatives plan holiday visits across Florida and nearby towns. Notes include Ryan and Bagwell families in Dover, Delmer Briscoe and others visiting, university student Noah Seals with his parents, and several social calls and guest stays across Cullman Hartsgelle and Birmingham.
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.