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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1954
Page
1
Tornadoes tore through northeast Nebraska last night killing four children and injuring at least 18 people. The Weather Bureau confirmed two tornado reports with three more unconfirmed, as damage disrupted phone service and hindered checks.
A senior class of 60 will receive diplomas at 8 o'clock tonight at Fairview High School Cullman County. Dr. E B Norton president of Florence State Teachers College will deliver the address. Westminster Presbyterian Men postpone tonight's dinner meeting until June 7 due to the commencement exercise. Local families and out of town guests attended Trinity Methodist homecoming. See DIARY on Page 2.
Decatur police chief J B Whitmire reports four break ins and thefts in the area over the weekend. Incidents include a Standard Oil station burglary on US 31 near Pryor Field and thefts from The Market Basket and Spur service station. Authorities investigate with Limestone officials and local officers.
Cullman County Sheriff W. C. Waldrop said Leroy Golden, 47, was brought home from Jefferson-Hillman Hospital in Birmingham in critical condition after a fence post strike. Rayford Waldrop was arrested on assault with intent to murder and released on a $2,500 bond after appearing before Judge W. M. Scott.
One of three Decatur brothers remained in Morgan County Jail after last week’s arrest by sheriff forces on transporting charges. A woman and one man were released for insufficient evidence while another man was released on bond. The four and the wife of one man were stopped on Keller Bridge. ten cases of beer and the vehicle were seized.
A man recounts following advice to stand stock still to avoid bee stings. He says he stood still as instructed yet still received stings, noting the paradox of the old tip and its failure in practice.
Sen. Hill accuses President Eisenhower of breaking the TVA Act in not reappointing Gordon Clapp as TVA chairman. The Alabama Democrat says the move signals a shift against TVA and claims the power monopoly seeks to sabotage the agency from within. Hill notes campaign context and cites Eisenhower’s broadcasts about TVA.
D. C. Clemons, 19, was arrested after an altercation at his home near the Limestone Madison County line left Levi Fletcher and Jim Henry Collier with fractured skulls. Fletcher was listed in poor condition and Collier in fair at Huntsville Hospital. Clemons said knives were drawn and he used an axe in self defense. he faces assault with intent to murder charges, pending possible change if a death occurs.
A Sunday raid by Morgan County sheriff's deputies and a Trinity officer destroyed a 500 gallon box type still located two miles west of Decatur near the old Trinity dirt road. The operation involved law enforcement personnel and ongoing details were noted in the report.
Sen. Monroney disputed Sen. McCarthy's claim that the 1946 Reorganization Act authorizes him to obtain secret data from federal workers. He said the act does not permit bypassing executive orders or other committees and rejects McCarthy’s assertion of inherent hunting license for broader investigations. Monroney warned McCarthy’s conduct usurps other committees' prerogatives amid a White House clash over classified disclosures.
Geneva reports new Western expectations that top foreign ministers may depart Indochina talks, handing remainder to deputies. Dulles had returned to Washington four weeks earlier, Molotov left for Moscow for consultations, with more talks anticipated at lower levels on cease fire supervision, prisoner exchanges, and outside reinforcements.
Unconfirmed reports claimed Guatemalan authorities uncovered an armed subversive plot and searched private homes. Four asylum seekers reportedly in El Salvador’s embassy and one in Ecuador’s legation were noted, though no government sources confirmed details.
In San Antonio a Baptist minister wept as his 17 year old son and an 18 year old associate faced murder charges for allegedly beating cafe owner Julian Vega to death with a pool cue on May 21. The pastor framed juvenile delinquency as rooted in parental failure and spiritual forces, urging greater parental involvement.
The campaign for Alabama attorney general drew heat after MacDonald Gallion accused Atty Gen L Garrett of using state workers to aid Lee Porter. Garrett denied the charge in a prepared statement referencing Gov James E Folsom and the parable of the white shirt. Gallion claimed Garrett had clerical staff draft letters signed by Garrett’s father, Clarke County Probate Judge Coma Garrett, to county commissioners.
NAACP leaders from Louisiana Alabama and Mississippi pledged widespread court actions to end segregation. Louisiana reports 21 suits ready to file if courts block the U S Supreme Court ruling with additional suits pending.
President Eisenhower’s program faces key House and Senate tests this week on social security housing and tax revision. The social security bill aims to add millions to the rolls boost benefits and raise payroll contributions. The housing bill faces new Southern Democratic opposition despite general passage prospects. The tax revision would cut taxes by about 1.4 billion in the first year and include a proposed personal deduction boost. The Senate seeks a compromise on housing amid a possible civil rights split.
The Tennessee River at Keller Memorial Bridge stood at 21.51 feet, down 0.4 feet in 24 hours. The TVA says yesterday’s high was 87 at 4 p.m. This morning’s temperature was 80 with a partly cloudy, warm pattern through today tonight and Tuesday. Highs: 90 today, 70 low tonight, 84 Tuesday. widely scattered thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon.
The Highway Patrol reports four accidents and two minor injuries during Memorial Day weekend in the district. Seventeen statewide deaths include nine in wrecks and eight in drownings as officers attribute fewer crashes to cautious driving under the Alabama Safety Council slogan Slow down and live. A morning crash on U S highway 31 near Hartselle caused heavy damage to a 1954 Ford driven by Isaac Dolphis Ryan and a 1951 Nash driven by Curtis D Walker from Birmingham, each with about 400 dollars in damages.
Traffic fatalities reached 258 by Monday as Memorial Day travel peaked. Additional deaths included 51 drownings and 41 from other causes, with four children killed by Nebraska tornadoes. The report notes a possible record depending on the homeward trek.
Weekend arrests in surrounding counties were very light. Limestone County Sheriff John Sandlin reported three arrests for reckless driving public drunkenness and assault with intent to murder. Lawrence County Sheriff Franklin Smith logged five cases with three charged under prohibition law.
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