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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 31, 1952
Page
1
Local churches announce sermons by Dr. Charles T. Cook in London and O C Lambert in Decatur. The Church of God state camp meeting convenes in Birmingham through the week. Weather records show eight straight days of 100 degree highs ending yesterday with a 93 noon reading and 0.08 inch rain. Hospitals report several dismissals and two hospitalizations at Baugh Wiley clinic.
Miss Boonie Hendricks sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's club of Athens won the Limestone county Maid of Cotton title at the annual contest in Athens. Second place went to Miss Mary Helen Williams, sponsored by the American Legion, with judges Adine Maxwell Harry Higdon and Elizabeth Park Beam Guard.
The Atomic Energy Commission reports progress in developing atomic weapons and confirms two new foreign uranium sources in South Africa and Australia. Additional uranium may come from Canada and U S sites nearing initial production as expansion pushes capacity beyond design levels.
U S Air Force says 63 B 29s returned to bases in Japan after a large raid against the Oriental Light Metals plant near Sinjiju in North Korea. The 1242 acre factory was destroyed by 630 tons of bombs, with five additional bombers hitting nearby targets. General Van Fleet visited the western front as rains ended.
This afternoon a drouth area was officially declared by Secretary Brannan per Julian Brown state administrator of the Farmers Home Administration Brown telephoned The Decatur Daily at 2 30 announcing the action Bran nan official declaration spurs measures for affected farmers in the state
W. J. Williams of Decatur Transit has been appointed chairman of the Decatur Rotary Club safety committee. The club has adopted safety as a major project for 1952 53 with Rotary International backing a nationwide safety campaign as a key national issue.
Montgomery chiropractor Dr J D Hogan Jr, one of 14 independent elector candidates, proposes naming Gen Eisenhower for president and Sen Sparkman for vice president in the November election. He says the move is serious and reflects admiration for Eisenhower and support for states’ rights. Hogan cites no plan for other electors.
Athens fire department has fought multiple grass fires this week amid hot weather. On Brown's Ferry Street outside the city, two acres of Johnson grass and weeds burned. two city trucks saved nearby buildings. Last Friday a fire at the Jim Beasley farm north of Athens destroyed 300 to 400 bales of hay. A burning carcass dragged by a dog through a clover field sparked pasture damage on several farms in Oakdale.
The nude, decapitated body of a young brunette was found in a dry creek bed west of Yukon Oklahoma. Investigators seek a blood smeared car and potential clues from anyone who might identify Brunette X. Autopsy plans stalled due to pathologists’ absence. letters R A T carved on chest. hands cut off. one foot severed. victim estimated dead about 24 hours.
General Douglas MacArthur today accepted the chairmanship of Remington Rand Inc. the New York based maker of business machines and electronics. James H. Rand Jr announced the move saying the post had been offered nearly three years ago. Salary had been unofficially reported at about $100,000 a year with MacArthur retaining his Army rank on an unassigned basis akin to Eisenhower at Columbia University.
The Agriculture Department designated Alabama Georgia Kentucky and Mississippi as disaster loan areas due to severe drought and heat. The Farmers Home Administration will ease credit for farmers needing feed and hay, with eligibility based on substantial losses and inability to obtain credit locally.
No immediate relief for parched southern farm lands and parts of New England. Temperatures above 100 F were forecast for northern Alabama for the 13th straight day as the hot humid belt stretched from Eastern Texas to Tennessee and Virginia. Crop damage ran into millions as dry weather persisted despite a cool Midwest air rush. Massachusetts and Connecticut moved to seek relief from the costly humidity.
Morgan county sheriff and coroner rushed to an abandoned well after children reported a skull. Using a mirror to light the depths, coroner Morrison announced that it was a red rooster, matching the color observed.
Six year old Barbara Nitsche arrived safely with her German war bride mother Mrs. Palmer A. Legg of Danville after a mix up at Birmingham airport left the child unsupervised overnight. Stewardess Patricia Prinzborn cared for Barbara until the mother reached the airport at dawn and they were reunited. Patrolman M. P. Braswell later confirmed the Leggs were home near Danville.
Washington reports the national campaigns will be the most expensive and best financed in U.S. history. Officials say total costs will run into the millions as campaigning costs rise and races are fought with elaborate organization and wide funding.
Decatur's Community Chest budget committee will meet next month to hear agency requests for aid as leaders push toward completing annual fundraising plans. John G. McGehee was named drive chairman, with focus on financing public service groups. The piece notes broader federal campaign spending questions and party fundraising context.
Washington notes the 1953 Agriculture Conservation Program will stress long term soil and water conservation on farms. Secretary Brannan says aid will target practices farmers would not undertake on their own, shifting from established standards to conserve land for future production goals and population growth.
City streets superintendent Joe Elliott announced Lee Street drainage work will begin shortly after Armco Drainage and Metal Products of Atlanta confirmed shipment of tunnel lining and materials. Contractors will start once the materials arrive, ending delays from prior flood relief holdups on the flood prone Lee Street area.
The Willie Echols case, charged with second degree manslaughter in 1947 death of Nella June Maples, moves to the jury after testimony and closing arguments. The state says Echols fled and was intoxicated. he disputes awareness of the incident. Morgan County docket follows with 35 cases under Judge W H Long.
Ballistics tests show two weapons were used in the phantom sniper case. Investigators matched a bullet from Mrs. Vona Lawman’s hip to one of the two guns, while other bullets found at two homes did not match. Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Hopkinson called the yard shooting at Mrs. Lauman intentional, while the stray bullets from hunters may explain the others.
Thieves targeted churches during services in Decatur area last night and Tuesday. Police report a Brock and Spight wholesale grocery burglary on Bank Street with entry via a plank and a broken door lock. A W. W. Wright home on 904 Eighth Avenue was also entered through a bedroom window with a small cash loss.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge says Sparkman’s selection signals Democratic inaction on civil rights while Senator Richard Nixon argues Sparkman is not a Southern candidate and pro Truman. Lodge blames Truman era policy for 1948 split. some Southern Democrats hesitate on Stevenson Sparkman ticket.
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