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 39 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 06, 1948
Page
2
Merchants in Decatur decide regular Thursday afternoon closing through 1948 except December. July 4 falls on Sunday so July 5 is a holiday closing. Labor Day September 6, Armistice Day varies, if J Day is a holiday stores may close August 14. Thanksgiving Day closures and Christmas week hours noted with specific early closes and reopening. New Year’s Day closures listed.
Funeral services for H. C. Abshire, longtime Decatur contractor, will be held at Brown's chapel with Rufus Underwood officiating. Interment at City Cemetery. Abshire died at Decatur General Hospital after a brief stay. He built many local landmarks and was active in business for 50 years. Surviving are two sisters Mrs. Tom Ralston and Mrs. Coral Getchell, one niece Mrs. Douglas Hall, plus other relatives. Pallbearers include Robert Nelson, Carl Doss, Hubert Sandusky, Charlie Clark, O. N. Troup, and Louie Namie.
The News reports Nicholson a Scottish detainee who gave a false name under questioning and faced a three month sentence plus a $99 fine after a court martial. He was released to the U S in 1946 and later discharged from the Army two months later. He collected $1,257.31 in back pay plus travel and readjustment allowances totaling over $3,000. He toured the country on these benefits and expressed fear of further trouble with authorities. He claimed he surrendered to a newspaper to avoid a supposed Army cover up in Southampton and sought repaying the government or moving to Canada from Niagara Falls Ontario.
Discussion in Congress centers on a meat rationing program and whether price ceilings are needed. Ives supports no price controls while Murray favors rationing with controls. Wiley remains open but skeptical that a single bill can spark a meat supply miracle.
London January 6 A cinema blackout threatens Hollywood new releases in Britain as authorities impose a 75 percent tax on earnings. The Cinematographic Association cited about ten American films awaiting release in the West End as theatres struggle to stay open.
Decatur markets show No 1 soft wheat at 3.04 and various corn prices from 2.20 to 2.41 per bushel. Nashville cattle and hogs move mixed with steers and heifers mostly steady, beeft cows 14.50 to 18.50, hogs up to 27.00 for best barrows, vealers 28.00 to 36.00, lambs 23.00 to 25.00, ewes 8.00 down, calves 150 set steady.
Atlanta January 6 report shows the North Georgia live poultry market firm with short supplies and stronger demand. Most birds weigh 2 to 3 pounds with few over 3 pounds. fryers FOB farm sold yesterday at 35 to 37 cents, many on last week commitments. Fryers picked up today bring 36 to 37 cents, mostly 36 to 36 1 2 cents.
In New York on January 6 cotton futures declined sharply as liquidation from commission houses and New Orleans bidders met limited support. Traders cited possible congressional cuts to foreign aid reducing exports, and news of a 50 000 bale Japan purchase disappointed markets. Late quotes showed March at 35.58, May 35.49, July 34.56 per bale.
Stock market leaders fall as overall indices drift lower. Bond activity remains quiet with small price shifts. Cotton prices ease in New Orleans during liquidation.
Chicago markets show wheat weak with liquidation, corn down on weak demand, oats mixed after fair interest. Fusury futures advance 50 cents to 1.00 higher, peaking at 28.00. Cattle steady to 50 cents higher, top price 41.25, a new record.
Three Morgan county men join the armed forces with the local Army recruiting station announcing new enrollments. One is a former Decatur policeman who served ten months with the Decatur police force and will be joined by his wife Kathleen Braswell and son Glenn upon permanent assignment. James A. Whitten, son of Mr and Mrs Howard Whitten, Hartseler, entered infantry after stints at Marion Institute and U S Military Academy at West Point. Fleetwood M Stinson, son of Mr and Mrs Bert George Stinson, Falkville, enlisted in the Air Force after attending Falkville High School.
Beehive chaos erupts in Belton Texas when bees escape from a stalled transport truck near a school during noon recess. Students flee into the yard as teachers and staff swat bees from hair and clothing. about 300 children are stung and several sent home or treated at school.
A bobcat leapt from a tree and attacked a bus on a Tennessee highway near Chattanooga early today. Driver Herschel Cram veered to avoid the animal as the creature struck the vehicle, leading to a fatal outcome for the bobcat.
Thirteen people including a mother and six children were flown toward Kodiak for hospital care after being rescued from a stranded peninsula. Ten aboard the wrecked cannery tender Spencer faced frost bite and exposure but are not in serious condition. Three rescuers from the Navy tug Mataco survived a capsized boat and reached shore during a daring salvage.
The January Plain Talk alleges FBI chief J Edgar Hoover urged White House to permit arrest of a Russian led spy ring that stole atomic data but the ring’s leaders were not touched. The article names Arthur Adams as the undercover Russian and traces data from Oak Ridge and Los Alamos through Brooklyn and New York shops to the Soviet embassy.
Despite steel shortages the United States refines over 5.2 million barrels daily, up from 4.71 million in 1945 and 3.86 million in 1941. The wartime shift from coal to diesel on railroads rose 182 percent 1941 to 1947, with independent local dealers less affected as stockouts loom.
Funeral services for Jefferson C Clemmons 82 will be Wednesday at 2 P M at Jones Chapel in Moulton Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery Mutual Service directing The retired farmer died Monday at 1210 P M at his residence in Moulton Surviving are the widow one son C J Clemmons Moulton one daughter Mrs P T Neely Decatur one sister Mrs Mattie H idon Priceville and several grandchildren.
President Truman made a surprise Capitol visit to a birthday luncheon for Sam Rayburn of Texas observing his 66th birthday. He went to a private room in the House wing with Secret Service protection and planned a Capitol Hill trip the following day.
The opening gavel signals a confrontational session as Republicans insist on tax cuts and spending cuts, while the White House pushes to defend or adjust the Marshall plan and inflation controls. Key figures include Taber Knutson Vandenberg Taft and Truman advisers amid debate over a 40 billion budget and a 5.6 billion tax cut plan.
Brooklyn Baseball Club president Branch Rickey announced the organization would assume control of the Brooklyn Football Dodgers of the All-American Conference immediately and support the grid team for the coming season.
The First National Bank of Tuscumbia sues C V Mizell et al in county court with Judge W H Long presiding. Jury includes L E Bibb H A Brown J L Bryan A J Garnett J G McClanahan Asa B Smith James W Thompson Dean S West J Chris White 5 Sr Emmett Williams Thomas W Willingham Sidney J Wright. Other notes list judgments and continued cases with several parties and amounts awarded or pending.
A smokehouse about 20 feet from Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ryan’s Priceville residence burned to the ground this morning. Neighbors and school boys battled the flames. much meat lard and canned goods were lost. The Ryan home was saved by wetting the side toward the smokehouse as wind favored the opposite direction. Several gas tanks near the blaze were removed.
Six teenagers from Geneva Alabama aged 14 to 20 were arrested in connection with disturbances at Geneva High School on Christmas Eve. Sheriff W P Register said they were spared jail with a stiff lecture. the youths come from well known Geneva families.
Scout Troop 94 held a Monday meeting at their regular place with six members present and one new member welcomed. Four visitors attended as Mr Millard Owens appointed Jack Lee and Jack Lenz to the food committee, followed by a short hike and a 30 minute period before adjournment.
The NAACP board reported 50,000 Richmond area black voters, up from recent months, ready to vote despite poll taxes. Walter White noted Eleanor Roosevelt pledged to back a UN rights report by W E B Du Bois. Thurgood Marshall outlined an all-out plan against segregation in all its forms.
Local notices report newborns and patients at Decatur General including a son for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Schrimsher and individuals such as James F. Sandlin Hiram Wright Inez Bush and C O Howard. Fire calls at G W cafe and two blazes on Newcomb Street and Moulton Street. Community events include roll calls drills at the armory and Junior Chamber supper. Sugar Bowl notes reflect Decatur players and the St John’s pageant rehearsals. Stadium fund progress and local meetings at the Willoughby manse Elks and Southside Baptist church.
Observers view the self starter proposal as a trial of Governor Folsom's political strength. He calls it a test, labels opponents as hindering progress, and cites special sessions and legislative limits as central to the plan. The measure would restrict self convened sessions to two per term and ten days, while the governor could still summon sessions as needed.
About 340 votes were cast by noon in Decatur in the statewide election to decide whether the legislature should have power to convene itself. Readings by location include Morgan county courthouse 40, Carnegie Library 29, city hall 27, Braswell's store 29, Namie's store 32, Johnston Street fire hall 32, Howell's Funeral home 30, Shippemiee store 25, Kimbrough's near Grant and Spruce 21, J W Pipkin residence 22, and the Armory 33.
The gubernatorial order allows up to 36 days in special sessions and has been used twice since January 20. The measure No 1 on the ballot proposes a constitutional change, with four other questions including DeKalb county property tax, Marshall County gasoline tax, and Etowah and Calhoun county school tax authorizations.
Twenty four jet propelled P-80 Shooting Stars with speed warning devices are set to take part in the Miami All American air maneuvers. The 4th fighter group will fly from Andrews Field to Maxwell Field with an overnight stop, then complete the trip to Miami for the Friday opening.
James H Williams, 79, died at 3 a m at his residence 122 Seventh Avenue W Decatur after moving from Detroit eight months ago. He had been in ill health. Survived by his widow two daughters Miss Don A Williams Decatur and Mrs Gordon Symons Detroit one son W J Williams Decatur two brothers Alfred and Richard Detroit and two sisters Mrs Mae Clifford Detroit and Mrs. [unreadable] . Funeral arrangements were to be announced by Brown's Funeral Com.
President George L. Berry and other officers of the International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union of North America AFL were re-elected without opposition for four-year terms, announced today from Pressmen’s Home Tennessee.
The FBI opened an inquiry into an attempted export of about 65 000 pounds of TNT from a Jersey City pier to Palestine in violation of arms shipment bans. Explosives packed as industrial machinery were seized during loading aboard the Palestine bound freighter Executor. Shippers identities pending. NYC police found related crates in a Bronx warehouse with stencil links to the TNT shipment.
Jefferson county Alabama chapter of the Red Cross protests the national goal of 75 million dollars for 1948. Preston Haskell Jr vice chairman says the board reduced its budget 15 percent and seeks economy without harming services. The national quota, three times the local expectation, was set for the March 31 drive in Birmingham and suburbs with about 550000 population.
Evans, son of a clergyman, and Payne, a leading Boy Scout and UGA sophomore, are linked to a car smashing incident. A fifth youth, Ulysses S. Seal Jr., 18, was charged with larceny from an auto. Detectives recovered fender skirts and hubcaps from garages at the Payne and Seal homes. Seale is described as a pre-medical student at Emory University.
Dispatches report guerrillas who attacked Konitsa have been driven from heights around Bourozani bridge. Greek troops move across the Aoos river to trap rebels withdrawing toward the Grammos mountains. In Philiates area army units contact rebels near Palamba close to the Albanian border, about twelve miles north of Philiates.
In Baltimore a federal grand jury probe into war contracts held by the Garsson brothers and former Rep. Andrew J. May was opened by a special assistant to the Attorney General. He said the inquiry would take five to seven weeks, while Judge Chesnut noted the unusually long timeframe. The Garssons Henry and Murray and May were convicted last July on bribe charges related to payments totaling 5 635 07 dollars, with convictions now on appeal.
In a brief session the Decatur council approved a title clearance for lot 54 block 11 addition 3 for R W Orr and Douglas Orr and company and authorized sale of lots 2 4 6 block 6 addition 4 to A P Johnson. Councilmen Speake Dillehay McRae and Poole attended.
In Aberdeen Maryland a dispute over a southbound express unfolded when a motorist crossed blocked Pennsylvania railroad tracks. State police Corporal John Lane said the driver argued after his car jammed the crossing, a train carried the vehicle a mile down the line.
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.