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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 30, 1955
Page
2
Patrol tally shows 32 dead and 286 injured from rural traffic accidents in eleven months of 1955 across Morgan Limestone Lawrence and Cullman counties. December not counted. Police notes call the figure shameful and urge safer driving.
Decatur Post Alabama Highway Patrol reports higher totals across deaths injuries property loss economic loss and wrecks for 1955 than 1954 in the first 11 months. Injuries reach 286 versus 252, deaths up by two, and property damage surpasses last year by 71000 with 79 more accidents investigated.
The report shows the number of accidents for January through November in 1955 compared with the same period in 1954. 1955 totals are 123, 103, 151 for the listed months in parentheses, indicating year over year changes.
The Patrol notes 172 more incidents than 1954 and property damage up to 418 from 364. Major causes remain speeding, wrong side driving, and failure to yield, accounting for about 72 percent of violations. 38 percent of arrests in 11 months were for driving without a license. Economic losses total 3.63 million versus 3.41 million the prior year across Cullman Lawrence Limestone Morgan.
In 1800 the world output of tin was 8 300 tons and by 1953 reached 175 000 tons, marking a dramatic growth in global tin production over the 153 year span.
The Kentuckian with Burt Lancaster at 1 00 3 07 5 14 7 21 9 28. ROXY features Hold Back Tomorrow with Cleo Moore John Agar and Cartoon Carnival at 1 00 3 40 6 20 8 42. Bowline shows Three Stripes In The eeee 7 00 Ranch frames Francis In The Navy with Donald O Conner Martha Hyer at 6 45 9 00. Hatfield Rage At Dawn with Randolph Scott at 7 00 9 00. Starvue screens Kyber Patrol with Richard Egan Dawn Addams at 6 30 9 00.
Members of the Apes Club are reminded of the annual New Year’s Eve Party Saturday at 11 p.m. at the Athens Masonic. Mrs. C. B. Waite, recently ill, is reportedly improving at her home, 1010 4th Ave., SE. The Feilds and their son Ricky returned to Drakesboro Kentucky after holidays in Decatur. Jim Young of Tuscaloosa visited Marion Counts in Decatur. Sarah Jane Wyatt stayed with Betty Randall and attended the Cotillion Club Dance. Carter and Evans of Decatur joined by Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Woods Jr. of Russellville to attend the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Baren Nance and family returned to El Paso after holidays with Mrs. Nance and sister Mrs. James W. Wilson at 1519 Wadsworth St.
Dismissals listed include Mrs Millard Sims and infant son in Athens Mrs H E Richardson and infant son in Athens Baby Boy Bates in Athens William R McMahon in Elkmont and Mrs Milton Witty in Elkmont Admissions feature James Earl Wilbanks in Rogersville
Lawrence County Hospital lists patients including Bernice Harris Crane of Moulton, Lilly Pearl Mahathy of Decatur, Gertrude Randolph of Moulton, Ray Hatton of Town Creek, Wanda Lee Haley of Decatur, and others such as Randall Brice Curry, Otis Gentry, Rory Cole Waters, Cleo Bradford, C. D. Cowart, Audrey Dodd Watkins, and Lemar Gray. Several entries show room numbers or counts.
Decatur General Hospital entry lists James Tidwell and Mrs Willis Franks in Decatur with addresses on Jackson Street and Sheridan Avenue. The list includes Mrs Ellis Lane Huntsville Mrs Lawrence P Terry Apt 10 Sheridan Apt Lillie Milam Hartselle and Master Charles Albert at 1419 Locust Street.
A compact listing includes Bobby Randolph Paula Lamon G W Hughes Warren Dunnavant David Sloan Martha Dale Braswell with street addresses 109 W Market 208 4th Ave 1618 Danville Rd 1019 18th Av SE 418 Sherfian St 1504 Grant St. This appears to be a directory snippet or notice of residents and their contact points.
Baby William Hughes born to Mr and Mrs Radford Hughes of 1219 5th Ave SE. Mrs M H Pope and infant son Montgomery. Mrs Ray Bullard and infant son 720 4th Ave SE. Mrs Ira Oden and infant daughter Eva I. Mrs James Call and infant son 910 9th Ave SE. Admissions A L Whitten Somerville. Baby Lakin Lambert son of Mr and ie.
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Richardson of Rogersville at Athens Limestone Hospital on Thursday. A daughter followed for Mr. and Mrs. Millard Leroy Bogle of Hillsboro 1 at an unnamed hospital.
City upgrades include grading and gravelling for parking lots to serve 500 cars near shopping areas, removal of 700 trees, erection or replacement of 500 traffic signs and 650 street markings, and Welcome signs at Decatur entrances. A 29 acre tract near Highway 31 North becomes a park serving 300 daily picnickers and 200 tourist cars monthly. Mayor Summer notes sewer surveys, Southeast Decatur work at 160000 cost, four lane Highway 31 extension, and bid opening for Wilson Street project.
This year saw 91 injuries from accidents with January leading at 17, May 11, and July 13 while November had four. Police revenue totaled $80 295.54 with fines of $51 525.70 and meters $28 048.85 plus the office meter 720 99. Violations and complaints rose on thefts and break ins, and 2 500 calls were answered in the first 11 months. New hires Louis Landers and Frank Shafer Jr boosted staff to 22. nine officers were laid off in December. A 1955 Ford was purchased for the police department.
Two cars collided on a sharp blind curve four miles west of here yesterday. The crash involved a 1955 Ford driven by Dave and caused about 750 dollars in damages.
Decatur retailers will close Monday to observe New Year’s Day. George LaBoon of the Chamber announced the shut down. Post office, city clerk, banks, and Morgan County Courthouse offices will also be closed Saturday noon to Monday. some offices resume Tuesday.
The safety council predicts 420 deaths over the three day New Year weekend, surpassing the 407 toll set in 1952 53. Arizona Illinois Michigan and Wisconsin mobilize National Guard while Texas deploys highway patrols to arrest every moving traffic violation through January 2.
The report shows TVA area electricity at 1.22 per kWh and national average near 2.70, with Decatur residents paying about 0.85 per kWh. Gas lines were extended to Fairview school and Morningside additions, 325 new services added, gas cost per thousand cubic feet about 40.25. Water pumped in 1955 reached 1.7755 billion gallons with a peak day of 7 million on Aug 15. George Godwin called it a year of expansion.
Multiple blazes struck the city including the Baur building housing Murphree and Crump and the Sterchi Brothers store with losses around 50 000 and 30 000 respectively. Fire gutted Farmers Gin Co main building causing about 100 000 damage. Arson suspected in several cases though not proved. Fire department faced cuts then partial rehiring under an economy plan amid 1955 Underwriters Association review.
James J Waldrop, 40, of Moulton, was identified in a Highway Patrol report. Patrolman Roy Thomas led the investigation into the incident.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bonnie Delle Spencer 64 who taught at the Presbyterian Church in Athens will lie in state at the church from one until service time conducted by Revs. Paul Dickenson and Earle Trent. Interment in City Cemetery directed by McConnell Service Funeral Home. Surviving husband C. W. Spencer three sons Charles T Harold H and Winston P all of Athens one sister Miss Bessie Smith and two grandchildren Pallbearers listed.
The Decatur Alabama Employment Service reports unemployment rose to six percent in March 1954 due to large scale layoffs in northern auto plants. Many locals returned home and registered jobless. By mid September jobless rate fell to 4.3 percent and the area left the critical list. The designation signals government contract emphasis but Morgan County lacks textile plants.
The Army plans to expand Redstone Missile Center as the Army Ballistic Missiles Agency with Maj. Gen. John B. Medaris directing. The unit may launch missiles on European or Alaskan sites and test firing could occur at Redstone. A Defense Department ban limits open discussion of Redstone plans and German V-1 V-2 veterans work at the site.
Conference regulations hold SEC members responsible for recruiting acts by alumni supporters and friends even when school representatives are not involved.
Euel Garrison sells Garrison's Cleaners to Charles H. Pigg a Tennessee native and WWII Korea veteran. Sale includes plant and name. price undisclosed. Garrison to devote time to a nearby boat and motor business after 29 plus years in cleaning, with 23 employees at the shop in North Alabama. Pigg, 40, formerly Nu-Way cleaners partner and Semmes Motors office manager, will move to Hartsville with his family.
John Cleveland Justice of Austinville died Saturday at 2 p.m. Funeral services are planned. Mayor H. R. Summer cites a sixth class insurance rate keeping premiums down, saving Decatur residents about 100000 annually. Decatur firemen attended training at the University of Alabama and local drills and inspections were conducted at Fire Station No. 2. Further details on fire damages this year were not available.
Figures from Chessar's agency show a total county labor force of 19 790, with 18 930 in agricultural nonagricultural domestic work or self employed. April 1954 waged and salaried workers totaled 11 730, while AES data recount 860 unemployed by end of November, 40 percent below September.
Funeral services for Mrs. J. R. Wallace 63 will be Saturday at 2 30 p m at Forest Chapel Methodist Church where she was a member She died this morning at 9 a m at her home on Hartselle 2 The Rev John Phares and the Rev W J Alston will officiate with interment in the adjoining cemetery Peck Funeral Home in charge Survived by her husband J R Wallace and one son
The funeral for justice a longtime Louisville and Nashville machinist, died after five months illness at Colbert County Hospital Sheffield was conducted at Brown Funeral Home Chapel by Rev Jack William. Survived by wife Maggie Justice four daughters in law nieces nephews and many grandchildren with interment at City Cemetery arranged by Brown Funeral Co.
Markets list hogs at 180-230 pounds trading between 8.75 and 10.50 per unit. Cows fetch about 11.00 as documented. the report notes broader price ranges across weights.
Prices edged up in early trading with a steady mix of gains and losses. Aircraft stocks rose, oils and chemicals advanced, while motors and steels were mixed. Sears Roebuck jumped on heavy volume, General Motors opened lower after a rally day.
Prices paid in a 24 hour period include wholesale grades with deliveries at 60 percent quality whites large 57 percent and mixed large 55-60 percent medium 52-57 percent small 49-50 percent sta 56-57 percent nearby large 61-63 percent medium 54-60 percent. Sue Mekal seen weak with cautious stocks for immediate needs only.
New York AP reports cotton futures mixed with May at 33.96 and July at 31.89 while nearby contracts showed gains and losses around the day. Market notes describe uneven advances with some afternoons seeing gains of up to 40 cents and others slipping.
Nashville market reports cattle sales with 150 head listed. Supplies focus on steer and heifer lots. A 56 head shipment appears as a choice offering priced at 1081 units.
Dennis L. Wallace of Hartselle is survived by four grandchildren and four sisters including Mrs. Emma Bullard and Misses Lola Mae Nola Day and Wilma Sparkman, all of Hartselle. four brothers R L Sparkman of Decatur G O Sparkman and C C Sparkman of Hartselle and Dan Sparkman of Decatur.
William Henry Moody 74 a lifelong Antioch Baptist Church member and Decatur 2 farmer died after a heart attack at his home. Final rites by Rev Otis Golden scheduled for Saturday at 2 30 p m atendship Baptist with burial in Friendship Cemetery. Survived by wife Maude Estelle Moody six sons seven daughters two brothers and two sisters. Body to lay in state this afternoon at 3 30. Brown Funeral Co directed. Pallbearers named Paul Collier Bruce Lemmond Percy Sharp Oneal Sharp Atley Grantland Fred Robinson.
Construction on Tinville Road opened March 1 by John Sandlin aims for 60 to 70 homesites by year end 1956. two houses completed. Brookhaven opened Dec 19 by E. K. Gregg with 266 homesites. Other divisions Greenacres Betty St Stratford and McGwier added. Fairview partly replatted. Buena Vista and Wilder Place contain remaining homes as inflation rises. average home value around 11 500. Major sites include Coca Cola plant 350 000 remodeling Sears Roebuck 35 000 and Dobson's Fuller Super Market 70 000. Ingalls Ship Building expansion exceeds 100 000, due March per John Kopp. Three churches announce large builds Episcopal parish house 87 500 annex to First Methodist 84 000 9th St Methodist 100 000. School program of 1 500 000 ends year with Walter Jackson Elementary Lakeside Negro High School and renovations at Gordon Bibb Riverside Elementary.
Market brief notes 1875 steer and heifer sales at Ne eed geet with calves few, prices around 25 for calves. Then classifieds list two rental homes 3 rooms and 4 rooms plus bath and appliances, a lost money item at Kroger’s Store and a late notice of a house for sale. Also a vacuum cleaner ad and a rumor of a market closure January 2.
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