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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 17, 1916
Page
1
Five people are confirmed dead with 30 to 50 missing as floods in North Carolina South Carolina and Virginia intensify. Thousands of workers are idled, factory operations halted, and property damage could reach over 20 million dollars as waters cut off large areas and threaten more loss of life.
Charlotte reports the Catawba River remains high as eighteen men swept away when a Southern Railway bridge collapsed are still missing this morning. Rescue teams scour the swollen waters for survivors or remains.
Early flood reports from the Kanawha valley claim a stage of 31.7 feet at Kanawha Falls 35 miles above Charleston but say Charleston is not expected to exceed 26 to 30 feet. Army engineers caution against sensational readings and deem 30 feet at Charleston non dangerous.
Washington reports after storm repairs to telegraph lines in the storm section of the South expansion, flood damage from North Carolina spreads into Tennessee, Northern Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. The Clinchfield & Ohio railroad suffers severe damage from Salisbury to Morristown Tennessee and from Spartanburg to Asheville North Carolina. Repair trains are dispatched from southern towns and communication with the flood area is being restored.
North Carolina Governor Lock Craig was stranded in Asheville unable to return to Raleigh to direct relief. He stayed in touch via a single telegraph line and received reports of damage potentially totaling 25 million dollars.
Richmond reports the Memphis special halted as Norfolk and Western lines flood west of Roanoke with tracks submerged from five to ten feet. Coal trains loom on bridges to prevent washouts near Ripplehead where major double track work was underway.
Torrential Tennessee River flooding from Chattanooga to Paducah inundates fully a million acres of corn and peanuts. Water depths reach 4 to 15 feet, with losses exceeding $1,000,000. Hundreds of cattle drowned and many families left homeless.
Amsterdam reports Emperor William visited the Somme front as German dispatches claim the Kaiser spent Sunday in the fighting zone listening to the chief of forces directing the opposition to British and French armies. The article notes seven Prussian generals relieved, most from the western front, signaling imperial unease.
Lake Forest Illinois July 17 Members of Will Orpets family said he who was acquitted Saturday of poisoning his 17 year old sweetheart Marion Lambert declined to comment on a report that he had married Celeste Youker his former sweetheart Orpet spent Saturday night at home then with friends in an automobile Miss Youker also was away most of the day and it was said she had gone with an automobile party The Orpet family said he would leave for the northern woods within the week and plans to resume his studies probably not at the University of Wisconsin
Paris reports a fourth contingent of Russian soldiers landed at Brest today to reinforce the allied army on the western front.
Mexico City officials announced that diplomatic talks averted war with the United States. Mexican military commanders ordered volunteers who answered the call to arms to return to their homes as hostilities were imminent.
President Chas H McDowell of Kufaula commends the Decatur Daily for accurate and well handled State Bar association reports during the final session of the lawyers. The Daily’s coverage earns high praise from the bar as the meeting closes.
A Morgan county venire of 55 citizens has been summoned to select a jury for the murder case of Henry Sharp. The trial is set for Thursday over the death of Edgar Willis at Mt. Tabor church during a May 10 service. The case draws wide attention and promises a hard-fought contest between state and defense.
London July 17 procee dings in the appeal of Sir Roger Casement on his treason conviction were heard in the court of appeals. Alexander Sullivan argued the charge scope under indict ment statutes and challenged the definition of adher ing to the king s enemies as given by the lord chief justice. Justices Darling Bray Scrutton Lawrence and Atkin presided.
At Selma Alabama the river dropped to 52.9 feet by 7 am after rising since Saturday. Electric wire repair slicked underwater near the Lu and N railroad bridge fatally shocking Olden Mathhews, the bridge keeper's son, who died when his boat capsized after the shock.
A prospective Chinese laundry owner nicknamed Canton secured an option on a Johnston street building and planned to start washing there soon. The space was occupied but would be vacant shortly. The man left town after offering five dollars to secure the lease and vowed to return, signaling a pawnshop move next.
President signs rural credits bill giving farmers the nation a government loan option for the first time. Washington dispatch notes the bill’s passage and its significance for agricultural financing.
Government report from Chattanooga warns of another river rise starting Wednesday due to heavy rains in East Tennessee and tributaries of the Tennessee river. The river is expected to fall to 12 feet, then climb to 18 feet, near last week’s peak of 19.3 feet.
Paris July 17 German and Russian troops clash in France for the first time since Czarist troops landed. The official communique says a strong German attack against the French sector held by Russians in Champagne was repulsed. Verdun area Fleury reports French progress amid intense Somme bombardment.
Official Petrograd reports cited by the Overseas News Agency claim the Russian offensive through July 1 caused 14,900 officers to be killed, including 17 generals, and 284,000 men. The German side asserts Russian losses total 250,000.
Announcement from the British embassy says no further protests will be lodged against recognizing the Deutschland as a merchantman until word is received from the Foreign Office in London. Washington officials report the move follows delegations and discussions between governments in July.
Washington reports a flood of letters from militiamen drafted for the Mexican service detailing poor food shelter and equipment. Congress, alarmed by the allegations, seeks information from the War Department and warns of echoes of the Embalmed Beef scandal of 1898.
Mr Patterson reports end of conferences over the proposed annexation of New Decatur to Decatur. Committees from both towns drafted and revised a merger proposition, but Williamson advised that mayor and council would likely reject changes, ending further negotiations.
The Decatur committee presented a plan to consolidate Decatur and New Decatur under a single city name. It sets a seven year term for centralized government and funds allocation, preserves separate school districts, and directs revenue use within current limits.
Washington faces postponement of direct negotiations with Mexico as bandit activity and Gen Trevino defection rumors surface. Officials say withdrawal of American troops could be halted if reports are confirmed, with Mexican embassy denials and Navy suspending ship withdrawals.
El Paso reports a huge base camp started at Deming thirty five miles north of Columbus. Army officers hint the camp signals Pershing expedition may return to U S soil. Official line says camp will serve militia and as a secondary base for Columbus. It may accommodate about twenty six thousand men.
Carranzistas looted a ranch near Douglas Arizona owned by E. A. Packard a Douglas broker following a U S government demand that property confiscated from American citizens be returned. The report notes action came amid tensions with Carranza forces in Nogales and surrounding areas on July 17.
July rainfall reaches nine inches per local weather bureau. A further inch fell this morning. The Tennessee River stood at 16.2 feet and began to fall, remaining below danger as crop damage from the flood persisted.
The Alabama State Bar association held its thirty ninth annual session in Decatur with strong entertainment and hospitality. Free automobiles ferried visiting lawyers to a big barbecue at the old beer garden on East Grant street, followed by receptions, dances, and a renowned address on The Legal Reform That is Worth While. Local Boy Scouts aided delegates by greeting trains and handling baggage throughout the event.
Red Roberts pitched superbly for Athens as the locals beat the visitors 8 to 2 after ten innings. Roberts allowed only one hit through eight innings, while the Athens batters rallied in the ninth to tie the game before pulling ahead in the tenth behind Battoris, Roberts, Steadman McCulloch and Stephenson.
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