18 May 1918
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1918
Page
1
Morgan County begins a Red Cross drive Monday aiming to reach a $10,000 quota. Coordinators plan Sunday services to boost support and collection efforts across the county.
Pittsburg May 18. Explosions at the Oakdale plant of the Aetna Chemical company cause heavy casualties with hundreds injured. Initial estimates list fatalities from 80 to 170 as reporters describe the scene where 500 workers were present. Citizens rush the wounded to hospital.
London reports 13 Sinn Fein leaders including Countess Markievicz among those arrested in Dublin over a German plot claim. Simultaneous Dublin raids followed alleged German propaganda in Ireland as conscription rumors swirl. Paris notes a German raid on outskirts. London cites heavy cannonading on Flanders front amid Irish recruitment push.
Tonight and Sunday see kickoff events led by prayer sermons and speeches from W. Mallin Canadian war veteran and Captain Blackwell as Decatur and Albany host mass gatherings. Major Bassett urges uniform turnout as Morgan county targets 10000 toward the regional quota. Hartselle and county precincts expected to contribute strong totals.
Washington May 18 war department lists 39 names. Twelve missing in action three killed in action three died of wounds four died of disease five wounded severely nine wounded slightly two prisoners and one wounded. Major Alexander Rasmussen of Sherwood Oregon reported dead. Only two southern soldiers listed Private John Peepee of Holly Grove Louisiana died of disease and Ceeyan Gainsvill
Private W. Mallin, a Canadian veteran who lost a leg at Ypres when gas was first used, speaks at Decatur City Hall at 8:30 p.m. in support of the Red Cross. He will describe Red Cross work on the battle front based on his experiences. Public invited.
The local exemption board ordered the May draft of 115 white men to Camp Sevier Greenville North Carolina. They depart May 28 at 11 45 a m on a special Southern Railway train. The train will carry selectmen from Lawrence Lauderdale Colbert and Jackson counties. No call for negro selectmen has been received and no notices issued to colored men.
The Daily announces J. N. Powell of Falkville as a candidate for state senator. Powell born in Morgan county trained as a lawyer after studying at home. He intends a full district canvass and plans to abolish the fee system and many offices while cutting county and state expenditures.
Memorial services honoring Confederate dead will be held Sunday at City Cemetery under the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The 2:30 p.m. program includes Doxology, prayer by Dr. Shell, solo by Miss Ruth Banks, reading by Miss Fannie Johnson, address by Dr. H. R. Thompson, a male quartet, a chorus of schoolgirls, a salute by the Home Guard, grave decorating, and benediction by Dr. Long.
An American air unit notes limited fighting in France on May 18 with reconnaissance and intermittent artillery. Two German planes were shot down within a minute by Captain Peterson of the American aviation corps, while aerial activity occurred north of Toul and Lorraine. General Pera reports.
Provost Marshal General Crowder announced May 18 to June 6 as registration days for all men who turned 21 since last registration. The period marks the first anniversary of the 21 to 41 draft enrollment, with an estimated 800,000 new volunteers added for military duty.
Major Loughlin Watt, late chaplain to Gordon Highlanders and Black Watch, delivered a stirring address at a Council of Defense meeting in a Masonic theatre. His benediction drew tears as women urged America to act now, while the hymn Blessed Be the Tie That Binds closed the event.
The Albany Board of Commerce endorses a Twin Cities to Tri Cities interurban road. Col J W Worthington warns a road is impracticable during wartime and may skip Florence Sheffield and Tuscumbia. Meeting plans call for Decatur or Albany hosting booster talks with local clubs aiding the drive.
A large Albany crowd gathered at Wheeler Park for Liberty Loan ceremonies as Mrs. B E Preuit raised the two star Spangled flag under Old Glory. Rev L F Goodwin opened with prayer and the Community Singers performed The Star Spangled Banner.
Geneva report states Vienna rumor that the Von Seydeler cabinet has resigned and that the minister of railways is to form a new Austrian ministry.
Valdosta Georgia May 18 Two of the three negroes implicated in the murder of Hampton Smith and the assault and wounding of Mrs Smith near Barney were lynched by their captors last night after they had confessed.
May reports from Constantinople Berlin and Paris note Bolshevik gains in Baku and Ukraine while Finland’s counterrevolution ends and Kiev Odessa declare serge. A Polish contingent lands in a French port to join the Allies as insurrections intensify across Ukrainia.
German airmen bombarded Belgian hospitals in Calais on Thursday night killing 10 people and wounding 2 others, a Belgian official statement said.
Morgan County selectmen recently called to the colors will assemble at the Masonic theatre at 1 PM for speeches by Red Cross representatives a military man and an attorney. A similar meeting will be held in Hartselle Sunday afternoon at 4 PM with the same speakers under the Morgan County Council of Defense.
President Wilson in New York urges national patriot support by backing the American Red Cross campaign to reach its $100,000,000 goal. He dedicates time to boost the drive and encourage donations across the country.
Amsterdam reports Lieutenant Bogartz of the German air service credited with downing 36 Allied airmen was shot down by a British aviator in combat. The German division secretary said the British pilot caused Bogartz's death.
Commencement exercises for Decatur public schools begin Sunday with a sermon at First Baptist Church by Rev. J. C. D. of Columbia Tennessee. Activities run May 19 to May 24 including recital by Miss Hicks, Day exercises, declamation contest, and annual address by A. Thomas of Alabama. All events in the school auditorium. Admission to friends of education urged.
A British destroyer was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine on May 18 in a hostile sea action. The official report notes a new weapon or tactic used in the attack.
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