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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1941
Page
1
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce reports 867 members and an $8,006 budget for 1940 operations, announced at a Town Hall meeting led by Membership Chair E B Pente cost. The gathering also discussed local needs from airport use to hospital improvements and newcomer welcome efforts.
Norwegian sources in London said Admiral Bohn, described as Nazi naval commander in chief in Norway and a friend of Rudolph Hess, killed himself in Oslo after a visit by Gestapo chief Heinrich Himmler. The reports link Bohn’s friendship with Hess, who visited Scotland May 10, to his talks with Himmler. The death occurred at the Grand Hotel in Oslo.
Prajadhipok, 47, last absolute ruler of Siam, who paid about 3 million dollars yearly for a grand court, died of heart disease at his Surrey estate. He abdicated in 1935 after Siamese parliament removed prerogatives and was succeeded by his nephew Ananda.
A group of 119 Americans survivors crossed the Spanish frontier at San Sebastian from the Zamzam. Among freed were Charles McCarthy and Langford Harris of New York. 21 ambulance drivers remained held in France. Pregnant women and missionaries also aboard shared peril and rescue later on.
Governor Dixon authorizes a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Curtis Warren's slayer. Warren, an Altonsville Georgia oil distributor, was found dead in a ditch in Houston County Alabama on May 19. The reward was suggested by Houston Solicitor Keener Baxley.
Eighty two haggard German sailors, rescued from the Bismarck, were forced onto British soil with hollow eyes and silent faces. Officers noted their dazed condition and stark contrast from wartime triumph as they entered captivity wearing patched and borrowed clothing.
Overcast skies and light showers brought some relief to drought regions in Alabama though the Weather Bureau forecast little immediate rain. A trace fell in Montgomery with outlying areas reporting brief heavier showers while forecasters warned the drought persists despite a planned voluntary water usage moderation.
George M. Garth of Courtland, longtime mercantile businessman and planter, died at Benevolent Society Hospital at 3 25 p m after a week’s illness. He was 79 and survived by his widow two sons George M Garth Jr of Memphis W S Garth of Athens a daughter Mrs Kate Garth Shackleford eight grandchildren and a great grandchild Funeral services were held at his home Bonnie Doone Courtland with Rev Ira F Hawkins in charge. He supported Courtland Presbyterian Church and had been active in the community through charitable work and horse breeding on the Grand Circuit. He was born to George Garth of Charlottesville Virginia and Catherine Gilchrist of Courtland.
The State Highway Department lists low bids for projects totaling over 14 miles of road and bridge work at about 375000 dollars. Low bidders include Vandigriff Construction Co. for Reform Millport road in Pickens Lamar counties at 252130 dollars and Mitchell Brothers for Millport Mississippi State line roadway at 71670 dollars. Leo T Barber of Moultrie Georgia bids 45167 dollars for Albertville Rainsville and Rainsville Henagar bridge work totaling 0.0659 mile.
As Memorial Day celebrations continue, the national toll rises to 159 with 110 from traffic accidents. California leads with 21 deaths, while drowning accounts for 26 and train accidents for five. States report varied totals across traffic, drowning, and miscellaneous causes.
State beverage control agents raided a cache of moonshine whisky west of Pratt City near Birmingham. James Brown, a Negro, accompanied the agents and was killed in the first burst of fire. A white man was wounded. Coroner Gip Evans confirmed the fatality and injury.
A reflective piece by Dewitt Mackenzie contrasts returning to Moosehead Lake fishing with the ongoing European war. He argues fishing offers peace and mental clarity, while acknowledging the need to stop evil with a heavy hand if forces threaten. The veteran columnist muses on better past choices and the pull of nature amid conflict.
The author argues the war’s outcome hinges on civilian morale built on a just cause worth sacrifice. He rejects the idea that strength alone wins, noting Napoleon’s maxim is not ironclad. The piece warns Europe’s conflict nears the U S as the crisis could accelerate quickly.
London reports General Freyberg commander of British Imperial forces in Crete is alive and with his troops. German radio had claimed he died in an air crash en route to Egypt and accused him of deserting command.
Roosevelt faces a strike threat by about 12,000 CIO Woodworkers in 52 Puget Sound lumber camps seeking 7.12 cents more per hour to 6.712 cents. Defense Mediation Board Chairman Dykstra pushes for members to accept returning to work pending settlement. Other labor talks report two settlements and a return to work at Phoenix Iron. Strike actions avert at Bendix Aviation and a wage hike reached with Hill Field contractors.
British seamen and survivors describe the German battleship Bismarck as a 50 000 ton super dreadnought larger than expected, with about 2400 officers and men, contrasting earlier estimates of 35 000 tons and 1500–1800 crew. The Hood’s destruction and Bismarck’s sinking followed a fierce naval duel with British forces, including the Prince of Wales.
Seventeen young women gathered for a birthday cake in a Kansas City restaurant searching for the guest of honor Miss Rosalie. Rouen, a coworker, wasn't initially invited and was found at her desk back in the office once the group realized the oversight.
Ernest L. Moore, longtime tenant of 40 acres rented from his brother since 1912, is revealed to have owned the land since the death of their father more than 25 years ago. Moore paid $4 an acre rent for land he effectively owned. The discovery follows legal inquiry after the brother’s death.
Britain presses into outskirts of Baghdad as Iraq seeks armistice after rapid pro axis coup. Crete falls loom. Rashid Ali flees to Iran while German and Italian forces press to join in Crete with Greek and British defenders collapsing. Turkey and Syria face tense choices as French mandate allies plot wider axis advance.
The Tennessee River stood at 17.40 feet Saturday with a stationary level. Highs near 95 and lows around 69 in the past two hours, with a trace of rain. Alabama and extreme northwest Florida expect local showers tonight and Sunday. Coastal winds will be gentle to moderate and variable. Tennessee overall will be mostly cloudy tonight and Sunday with light scattered showers, and a temperature change tonight.
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