15 Feb 1955
Page 1
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 22 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Feb 15, 1955
Page
1
Fragmentary OCR text provides unclear phrases with repeated words and no identifiable names, places, dates, or events. The readable content does not yield a coherent news item or notice to summarize into a proper headline and summary.
Charles Smith, a city police officer, is placed in charge of City Traffic forces this morning per police chief J. B. Whitmire. Eugene Slater moves from traffic to patrol car duty. The column also notes various community notices and upcoming meetings.
An American search plane sighted wreckage on Mt Vettore about 60 miles northeast of Viterbo. Officials were unsure if it is the DC6 missing since Sunday with 21 passengers and 8 crew, including 4 Americans, on the Brussels to Belgian Congo flight. Fog and high terrain hindered identification.
Formosa China celebrates a bloodless gain of the Tachens as Red China rests on the initiative in its west pocket war with Chiang Kai-shek. Nationalists likely restrict operations to defences on outposts from Nanchishan to Quemoy while Mao and Chou denounce U S aggression and vow to wipe out imperialists.
A Romanian resistance band barricaded itself in the Romanian legation in Bern after a 2 a.m. assault killed chauffeur Aurel Setu. Swiss police cordoned the area as gunfire accompanied screams. The group demanded the release of five political prisoners, while authorities pursued peaceful surrender.
Paris observers warn that right-wing Socialist Christian Pineau faces a slim chance to form a new government as France endures a 12 day political crisis. Pineau pledges Mendes France style methods and a similar program, while Mendes France’s ouster still colors Coty’s search for a viable nominee.
Secretary of State Dulles will address the Foreign Policy Association tomorrow night to clarify U S policy on Formosa defense. Press officer Henry Suydam said the department has not received Humphrey’s letter but implied the questions will be discussed in the address.
A House debate emerges over a Selman Shumate bill to inspect coal shipped from Tennessee and Kentucky for Alabama use. Walker County representatives push for a public hearing to study amendments while TVA plants may face added costs from stricter inspections.
Gov. James E. Folsom posted two $200 rewards at the request of Lee County solicitor W. B. Venters for the capture of a party or parties who killed Lee County man George W. Strickland and for five Georgia-escaped convicts who kidnapped Alabama Highway Patrolman E. L. Hancock. Strickland was found in a lake near Auburn after being last seen January 1, with hands bound and possible strangling. Hancock was seized near Camp Hill February 2, forced to ride in a stolen car, then released unharmed. one suspect Henry S. Armstrong is linked to a $4,000 Opelika supermarket theft. The other four named are C. H. Bartlett, Harlan Estes, Bobby Funderburk alias Bobby Henson, and John L. Hoytt.
In Montgomery the special session begins with minor matters on the agenda while Gov Folsoms road program remains stalled in committee. Speculation swirls over possible undue pressure claims as lawmakers consider speeding the legislative schedule to advance the administration road initiative. A House voice vote clears a resolution for an extra Thursday meeting to hasten action.
Senator Sam Engelhardt signaled he may detail charges against Gov. James E. Folsom as the highway improvement plan faces Senate floor consideration. The Legislature waits on Finance Committee action on the mailbox roads proposal with a public hearing set to continue. Leadership hints at Thursday and Friday sessions to push action, while an opponent warned against rushing. See STATE on Page 2.
A wave of fires and explosions yesterday and today left at least 15 dead nationwide. In Richmond Virginia an oil lamp sparked an apartment blaze killing three. A subsequent business district fire damaged three buildings with about 250000 in losses. In Port Monmouth New Jersey two brothers died in a bungalow fire while a father was away. Michigan fires claimed five lives including a Pontiac Township mother trying to save her child. A two year old girl died in a separate blaze.
In Haleyville and Double Springs Alabama frightened workers walked out at the local telephone exchange after a rumored bomb threat following Friday night’s blast that damaged the roof and downtown. The outage cut Haleyville from outside lines while Double Springs locals could talk locally. W. J. Holladay of Alabama Telephone Co. reported the shutdown to regulators and police. A small group of night shift workers left at 6 p.m. and hoped for restoration today. The company serves 12 northwest Alabama communities with 5,400 subscribers.
Athens city council postponed action on a new city hall contract until Friday night due to Alderman Walter Gordon's absence. A special meeting was scheduled, with definite action expected then.
The Tennessee River reading at Keller Memorial Bridge was 17.69 feet, down 0.63 feet in 24 hours. Yesterday’s high reached 50 and the low was 33. This morning’s temperature was 37 with fair and warmer conditions. Today’s high 62, tonight’s low 38. tomorrow’s high 65 with partly cloudy skies.
Synthetic diamonds announced by General Electric researchers imitate natural diamonds and may not lower prices soon. At present they cost more to produce, but could offer a secure, home grown supply for industry and national defense. The process uses high pressure and heat to create carbon crystals indistinguishable from natural diamonds.
Four municipal officers may face new indictments after demurrers were sustained. Gibbons and Willoughby of Falkville were charged with willful neglect and malfeasance, while Decatur Mayor Summer and Police Commissioner Higdon faced similar accusations. Demurrers upheld previously. law permits reindictment within 12 months. Complaints involve fine money handling and confiscated liquor disposition.
Examination of witnesses for the plaintiff continued this afternoon in the case of Chemstrand Corp. et al vs The Maryland Casualty Co. The suit seeks 2500 in insurance for damaged household equipment moved during transit. The insurer contends the policy does not cover such damage. The Grand Jury sits at the Courthouse with about 100 cases on docket. Judge Lynne instructed jurors to probe liquor traffic and seek indictments for prohibition violations when supported by evidence.
In Redlands California a husband Rolland C Beckham 35 hid in a closet as police with a warrant arrived to find him over his murdered wife Charlene Beckham 32 stabbed in the shoulder and chest with a butcher knife. Their three sons Rolland Jr 12 Jimmy 8 and Ward 4 watched in fear as one called police saying Daddy is beating Mama.
Athens Dr. A. J. Dupuy elected chairman of the staff for the coming year at a meeting of the hospital executive committee. Other officers named include Dr. C. V. Mayhall as vice-chairman and Dr. J. S. Crutcher as secretary.
Birmingham reports that Albert Fuller 35 formerly chief deputy sheriff at Phenix City will be tried first for the slaying of A L Patterson last June 18 Arch Ferrell former Phenix City solicitor faces murder charges alongside Fuller The return of key witness James Ray Taylor from Florida cleared delays and allowed prosecutors to set trial sequence with a 36 man venire and 12 jurors to be chosen from it
The first atomic test of 1955, postponed 24 hours by the Atomic Energy Commission due to unfavorable weather. Winds could spread the cloud toward the Enteente Panaca Pioche area in east central Nevada, risking radiation. AEC and Defense officials will meet to decide on a dawn shot tomorrow. About 1,100 personnel and planes prepared for the test from Yucca Flat.
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.