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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 12, 1916
Page
4
Hitt Lumber Company announces transfer of a local mill to Mobile to capitalize on Gulf coast water rates. H. H. Hitt confirmed the move effective immediately. The company recently opened a $100,000 Chattanooga box factory as part of its expansion.
In Morgan County court Emily Thomas a Negro woman faced trial for allegedly stealing a lavalier from Mrs W E Steed wife of Decatur Water Supply Co manager The jewel valued at 25 dollars passed through several hands after being given as payment on an insurance policy Solicitor Melvin Hutson urged conviction Maj Hal Long defended The jury was deliberating at noon with many Decatur notables in attendance
Roy Griffin was acquitted of assault and battery on Carrie Tapscott near Hartselle after a motion to quash the indictment over a spelling error. The defense argued the name Tabscott vs Tapscott and the court accepted the motion to quash leading to the acquittal by the jury in the law and equity court.
The Morgan County law and equity court began selecting a jury for Walter Draper charged with the capital murder of a Black woman. One prospective juror was excused for opposition to capital punishment as the panel weighs views on the death penalty. Draper allegedly shot the victim about thirty miles up the Tennessee river.
Alestair W Edwards opens a modern tailoring shop at 819 Bank Street in the old Muller Bros building. Mr Piligian will offer tailored suits at moderate prices with cleaning pressing and repairing for both ladies and gentlemen.
The Bohemian Girl presented at the Masonic theatre drew good crowds and praise as a revival of the favorite opera. Joseph F. Sheehan and Robert A. White earned notice in key roles with Miss Mirth Warren and Elaine De Jellem in others. Annette Weber made a notable debut as Arline, while the chorus boosted the production with polished numbers and strong performance.
An unconfirmed Decatur report cites Morgan county businessmen W. A. Bibb of Decatur J. S. Davis of Trinity Pierce Pattillo of Hartselle and F. Frank Clark of Falkville as likely candidates for the county board of education. Friends urge them to announce, believing the county will be well served.
Istanbul dispatch reports British sorties against besieging Turkish forces at Kut El Amara repulsed. War office confirms annihilation of several small British groups that refused surrender.
Jan 12 a violent shock was felt and heard at 6 o clock in the morning in Cincinnati with no accompanying male persons reported. Reports from surrounding areas suggest an electrical storm or an explosion elsewhere, but all accounts indicate no such explosion occurred.
Sofia Jan 12 Two allied aircraft assigned to attack German planes during a raid over Salonika camps last Friday were destroyed. Severity bombs were dropped on the Salonika fleet and enemy planes were brought down according to today’s report.
Montgomery January 12 The Birmingham tax amendment to raise the tax rate to 1.50 per hundred was defeated in the December 27 election by 27 124 to 18 664 official returns show Secretary of State John Purifoy announced after tabulation in Governor Hendersons presence.
The Famous Players Film Company debuts a five-part photo adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper starring Marguerite Clarke in dual roles. The production marks a decisive triumph for the company after years of pursuit by other studios.
The Morgan County National bank reelected its five officers at the directors meeting held last night at the bank on Second avenue and Johnson streets. The officers named are G. A. Hoff president, Wm. Ob. Skeggs vice president, F. A. Bloodworth cashier, A. H. Hoff assistant cashier, and E E S Graves teller.
In remembrance of the tender at tensions in our hour of trial and bereavement we desire to thank our friends for their ministrations. We shall hold with us always an affection gratefulness. John Edminson Ernest Edminson Mrs Lester Reese
An unavoidable delay postpones the film Inspiration at the Delite theatre today. In its stead patrons will see The Death Lock, a western Alaska filmed production. Inspiration will be released at a later date.
Frank J. Davis, popular probate official in Decatur, announces candidacy for judge of the new inferior court. He faces B. P. Wallace Squire Eugene Ferris Tom Williams and T. D. Wilkinson. Davis expects a strong campaign and is seen as a surprise entrant.
Governor Charles Henderson announces a January 18 1916 election to decide a proposed amendment allowing issuance of 1.5 million dollars in five hundred dollar bonds to retire the floating state debt. The measure directs bond terms, repayment schedule, and use of proceeds with publication and posting requirements.
Section 8 sets a fine range of 50 to 100 dollars for anyone who mutilates defaces removes or destroys a notice posted under this act as cited in record N 22 312 1916.
In Decatur’s high school scene a spelling bee ends with Walter Chenault spelling enshrine and Beulah Halbrooks prevailing. The piece also recalls humorous classroom moments and a farmer giving cherries to Irwin Reese, plus quick student quips about water and mud.
New Decatur discusses building a stronger school system with a focus on homegrown education. The School Improvement Association applauds the spelling bee and urges community support to elevate the town’s schools to rival state standards.
The school resumes basketball practice under Mr. Carter after courts were damaged by a holiday storm. Boys show promise of quick play, with hopes for two or three strong teams. Girls plan to organize soon as ample material exists and practice starts next week. Baseball season is anticipated with early workouts to field a fast team.
The spelling bee at the High School auditorium drew over two hundred attendees. The School Improvement Association raised a nice sum and attendees felt they got good value for their money. The contest pitted business and professional men against High School pupils in a notably heated competition.
Miss Mabel Parker withdrew from school while Miss Beulah Price visited the school Monday. Miss Lillian Alexander resumed duties after a Birmingham visit with her mother. Absences cite the death of a grandmother for Kathleen and Annie Fay Almon.
Alumni notes list several local students visiting home for Christmas. Ponsonby Kyle from Auburn, Allison McNeil from Alabama, William Nix from the University, Cooper Adams en route to Auburn, Lamar Eyster and Leo Mainard from Alabama, Roy Murphree class of 1915 studying at Alabama, and Joe Woods home from the University for the holidays.
Quotations reveal a casual Upper-Mebane crowd exchanging quips about sleep walking, bed time payments, farm life, trench discipline, and admonitions during a domestic vignette. Names such as George Todd Elliott Petty Mr. Carter Butler Warren Lady and Miss Godbey appear in light banter.
Tennis Harris and Erskine Chenault are in a restaurant when a waiter misidentifies them as two fried smelts, prompting a lighthearted exchange about their lookalikes and siting.
A lighthearted exchange references a camel lasting eight days without water as a humorous benchmark. Harold chides that the tale is not impressive, suggesting that Charlie Brown's storytelling would outdo it. The snippet captures playful banter and character voice.
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