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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 14, 1956
Page
1
Local report notes foul play suspected in a death here. The item is part of a generic round of city brief notices and police activity including theft and disorderly conduct cases. Hospital observation in Nashville and local crime docket details are listed among routine community items.
Nine white prisoners, mostly felons, escaped from the Jaurens County public works camp near Dublin Georgia. Authorities widened the search for the fugitives and for D. C. Black near Rentz fifteen miles away. Police believe they fled in two stolen cars, a 1952 Buick with a 1956 Georgia plate J 95327 and a 1950 green Ford club coupe with H J 1953 plates. Black, a 50 year old escape artist, is sought.
Morgan County holds a public auction of delinquent tax parcels on Tuesday June 12 at the courthouse. The list shows 46 parcels and will be printed in The Daily with two more publications before the sale.
The Supreme Court refused to rule on a University of Alabama order forcing the admission of Autherine Lucy and other Black applicants. The university argued Judge H H Grooms lacked authority and that a three judge panel was required. The appeal also claimed trustees were indispensable parties and questioned class action status of the order.
A 320 pound nine foot alligator was killed about 10 miles west of Tuscaloosa near a creek. Lester Johnson of Coker and neighbors dispatched the creature with buckshot.
Weekend storms killed 13 nationwide and injured at least 270 as tornadoes struck Michigan and Ohio. In Cleveland area six died and millions in damage followed, while Flint suffered extensive destruction with hundreds of homes and businesses leveled and 107 injured. Authorities readied flood warnings and civil defense aid as downpours continued.
Dr L H Clemons former Cullman Chamber of Commerce president and civic leader will be guest speaker at the Arab Chamber of Commerce first session tonight at 6 30.
A second Grand Jury opened in Montgomery on charges against Rhonda Belle Martin a 49 year old waitress who signed a statement claiming she killed six family members with poison The suspect already faces murder indictments in Mobile including her mother Emogene and two of her children and is linked to killings from 1937 to 1951 across Biloxi and Mobile authorities note the case involves multiple spouses and a veteran hospital setting.
Senator Sparkman of Alabama says Democrats don’t need the president’s issues to beat Eisenhower in November. Senate colleague Kuchel notes the doctors’ report that Eisenhower is physically and mentally sound. Hagerty outlines campaign plans and says the race will focus on prosperity and a transition toward peace. See Sparkman on page 2.
Decatur area river reading at Keller Memorial Bridge shows 21 469 feet rising 10 feet in 24 hours with sea level reading 555.99. Yesterday's high 87 and low 62. At 8:30 a m today 79, 11 a m 86. Forecast calls for mostly cloudy warm day with scattered thundershowers tonight and Tuesday. High today 65, low tonight 62, high Tuesday 80.
Arthur French of Eastbrook, a turkey farmer, was bitten below the knee by a bear that he had trapped. He loaded his rifle and killed the animal after the attack. Elmer Ingraham, chief game warden, said French will not walk comfortably for a while.
Former Supreme Court justice James F Byrnes urged curbing the court in a U S News article. He warned power intoxicates and must be taken from them, citing a usurpation of power by the Supreme Court. Byrnes, a 1941 42 justice and former senator, secretary of state, and South Carolina governor, framed the issue as a key constitutional tension.
Diane Stacey, five year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Is Tal, was treated for injuries after being struck by a pickup Saturday in front of Curray's Fruit Stand on West Market Street. Police said the accident was unavoidable and hospital attendants reported the injuries were not too serious.
Congress moves toward a House action on a compromise reached by a Senate committee to fund TVA construction. The dispute centers on using TVA power revenues to pay for a new generating unit at the John Sevier steam plant versus requiring an appropriation.
Blue Haven announces the new municipal swimming pool season opening June 2. Pool hours run 1 p.m. to 9 30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9 30 p.m. Saturdays with 1 30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is 20 cents for children and 35 cents for students and adults. Guards listed are Joe Aldridge Don Dublin Anne Carroll and Roberson.
Coroner Lewis Brown suspects Seldon Ledlow was killed before being laid on railroad tracks near Moulton Street crossing in Decatur. Evidence cites head injury and timing prior to the L N train at 10:42 p m. Avery Powers held for investigation as authorities review witness statements.
The Soviet Union announced a 1.2 million reduction in armed forces including the disbanding of 63 army divisions and three air divisions with 30,000 troops in East Germany. Navy cuts include 375 ships and several military training schools. In Pakistan, Chaudhri Mohammed Ali unveiled a five year plan to break up large landholdings, create two million jobs, boost output and raise earnings by 10 percent at a cost of 11.5 billion rupees. In California, a collision sank the Howard Olson near Monterey, killing three and leaving two missing.
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