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
Jun 18, 1948
Page
1
A brief column highlights everyday life in the local area with notes on residents, upcoming events, and shared concerns. The piece emphasizes community spirit and familiar landmarks while inviting reader input and participation.
Cloudy with scattered thundershowers and southerly winds forecast for today and tonight. Decatur reported a high of 84 and low of 72 with a trace of rain. Local residents and church events fill the diary from Hindustan to Decatur, including sermons, hospital updates, travel plans, and revival preparations.
A private plane en route to St Louis from West Palm Beach landed at Decatur County club about 4 30 P M when its fuel ran low. The occupants a man and wife unknown to staff. Tennessee Valley Flight Service supplied fuel and the plane departed about 5 P M. No damages reported.
Residents west of Decatur organize a vigil after a nocturnal big cat terrorizes the Pleasant Hill area. They invite men to Lowery's store on Moulton Road to bring guns and hounds for a patrol and hunt. Rumors swirl about the animal’s identity from mountain lion to bobcat, with one theory that a captive animal escaped years ago.
Washington reports that government efforts to break the contract deadlock between John L. Lewis and soft coal operators failed. Conciliator Cyrus Ching will report to the White House. a new inquiry board may be convened to address pensions and terms of a new work contract.
President Truman lands in Washington vowing more vetoes as Congress nears adjournment. He criticizes the housing bill, accuses the Senate of delaying postmaster confirmations, and plans to press his campaign across the country. The arrival at Union Station marks the end of a broad touring effort.
The first cotton bloom in the area was received in The Daily Office late June on the Lawrence farm of R P Debman. Clarence Loosier grew the cotton planted April 7 and bloom appeared June 15 near Courtland.
Mount Carmel Pennsylvania June 18 The DC 6 operated by United Airlines plummeted during an attempted emergency landing killing 43 aboard including Earl Carroll Beryl Wallace and Venita Varden. Witnesses described a fiery impact near coal hills as rescue crews sifted charred wreckage in a lifelike scene.
In Birmingham on June 18 a black man identified as Willie Mack, about 33, was shot and killed by two detectives investigating a burglary at Maring-Crawford Motor Co. The suspect allegedly refused orders to halt and tried to draw a pistol. A night watchman reported being fired upon. four or five shots were fired. Police recovered a pistol from the dead man. The incident marks the eighth killing of a Black person by law enforcement in the area since 27.
Senate and House conference members failed at first meeting to agree on a 4 million dollar TVA steam electric plant funding. Disagreement centers on starting construction for a 54 million dollar plant at New Johnsonville Tennessee with the House opposing funds. The panel adjourned to reconvene later to reconcile differences.
Nashville reports Rep. Estes Kefauver and TVA supporters expect the House to restore the Johnsonville steam plant appropriation. Kefauver says they have gained several former opponents’ commitments as telegrams push backing from Tennesseans. Whitaker urges rapid public pressure via telegrams to representatives.
In Birmingham on June 18 a street car motorman I E Johnston 55 was robbed of $40 by two masked men. One carried a shotgun and the other a pistol. The assailants demanded he stand with hands up and warned they would shoot if he moved. They fled after taking money from the box. two passengers in the rear escaped unmolested.
Germans rushed to spend old marks before reforms take effect in the U S British and French zones. Officials said each German could trade in 40 marks for new ones worth 30 cents. The U S delayed on pipe exports to Saudi Arabia amid home shortages. The article notes Western German currency plans and broader postwar diplomacy across Europe with Russia Yugoslavia Bulgaria and Israel region tensions.
About 50 premium cruise visitors are due to dock at Decatur Harbor around 2 P M with two boats already arriving yesterday An informal banquet is set for 6 30 P M at the Country Club featuring Decatur barber shop quartet and pianists Bill Schelbe and Flip Timberlake Visitors will ride special buses guided by W J Williams to the Country Club where facilities will be available The welcoming committee includes John White Guire LaBoon Eddens Summer Rutledge Rice and Barrett Shelton The Deestur Daily plans to present issue copies at the Country Club
Mrs John L Sirmons of 711 Fifth Ave W was found unconscious around 3 PM Thursday at her Decatur residence after a reported heart attack. Neighbors said she regained consciousness briefly and remained under oxygen treatment with Brown's ambulance staff assisting.
In Birmingham the states rights campaign committee of Alabama formed to push a states rights platform and pledge Southern delegates to oppose Truman unless he disavows civil rights. Ex-Governor Frank Dixon presided as the plan calls for a Philadelphia caucus July 10 and a July 17 Southern delegates convention in Birmingham if unsatisfied.
Birmingham reports an opening class of 50 for the first term of the new Alabama dental college. Dean Joseph F. Volker announced the session to start in September or October. Applications must be filed by August 17. Dean Volker will return in about two weeks to finalize plans.
Herbert Brownell says Dewey picked up 25 delegates overnight in three unnamed states boosting hopes of a first ballot win. Taft and Stassen aides discuss a behind the scenes deal to sway nominations with conditions that could stall any agreement. Vandenberg is noted as a potential switch if balloting shifts.
In Norman Oklahoma three African American applicants seek admission to the all white University of Oklahoma graduate programs arguing for equal facilities after a U S Supreme Court ruling. They are G W McLaurin Mauderie Hancock Wilson and Helen Maxine Holmes seeking degrees in school administration social work and commercial education.
In Washington the House approved a delayed-action draft bill 283 to 130, sparking Senate Armed Services opposition. Senator Glen Taylor urged blocking tactics and a conference to fight an immediate draft, delaying final action until after a February 1 threshold and possible presidential proclamation.
Washington reports the House passed a compromise bill admitting 205 displaced Europeans to the United States over the next two years. The measure, sent to the Senate, passed 266 to 133 after a voice vote, with a conference group drafting final text. Rep. Fellows notes refugees begin arriving next fall due to transportation readiness.
The report describes a tense session as Taylor pressures for action on a draft law while Gurney signals delaying tactics. Taft vows to return in summer to push a conference draft. House and Senate conferees named to negotiate terms. A motion to send the bill back to armed services was defeated 283 to 125. Senator Wherry foresees breaking a one man filibuster and proceeding to adjourn Saturday night.
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.