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Newspaper
Garden City Telegram
Location
Garden City, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1961
Page
1
In Southwest Kansas mild weather gave way to light snow tonight while shoppers filled downtown for after Christmas sales at Vogue Shop and other stores. Stork notes two Christmas Eve births at St Catherine Hospital and several more over the weekend, with local traffic deaths tallied for December and the year.
A blaze at P A Burtis residence at 510 West Chestnut caused extensive damage early today. Mr and Mrs Burtis awoke to smoke and escaped onto the roof before firefighters lowered them to safety. A short in wiring is suspected with decorations on the porch likely starting the fire, gutting the living room and furniture and causing smoke and water damage throughout the house.
Fires across Baltimore Nashville and rural North Carolina caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Eight firefighters were overcome in a six story wholesale building blaze. The Maxwell House Hotel burned with guests fleeing into cold air. A log home fire in Yancey County killed Curtis Honeycutt and four family members. In Groton New York a farmhouse fire claimed five lives including May Thayer and two other children.
Ninety Congolese soldiers will wear blue berets to join the U.N. army at Kamina base, marking the first group of over 900 to serve under the U.N. Congo force. They will guard the Kamina base and conduct reconnaissance with Indian, Swedish, Norwegian, and Canadian troops, not to be used offensively against Tshombe’s secessionist government. The move heightens Tshombe’s fears of possible U.N. aid to reoccupy Katanga, as Katanga lawmakers prepare to join the national legislature amid mounting tension.
TOPEKA AP A new winter storm was expected to bring snow to Kansas tonight with snow breaking out in northern and eastern areas by evening. Forecasters warned of possible heavy snow in eastern Kansas especially the southeast corner as the storm follows a mild Christmas day. Highs Monday ranged 40 to 58 and lows 4 to 18 with 8 inches on the ground in extreme northeast Kansas and 1 to 3 inch depths across the northeast quarter.
Three people were injured in a Christmas Day automobile crash near Sublette and are hospitalized in Ulysses for observation. Rev. A. Gerald Whittier, 59, his wife Ruth, and Ruths mother Harriet Cowan, 91, suffered undetermined injuries. The collision occurred about 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway Kildi and a county road. Melvin Combs, 57, of Johnson, drove the other vehicle and his wife Melva was examined and released at Sublette Medical Center.
Cuban refugee Roberto Marrero says Fidel Castro’s government built an underground missile launching pad in Pinar del Rio Province with help from Iron Curtain experts. He reports heavy guard by militiamen who finished a 60-day missile training course by Soviet and Czech technicians.
Christmas messages from Kennedy and other leaders stressed peace and unity amid East West tensions. Kennedy assured West Berliners of U S backing as Brandt praised Berliners’ resolve while Queen Elizabeth II urged patient, determined efforts. Pope John XXIII called for a global church conference as Goan and Dutch tensions rose. A widespread white Christmas and cold snap affected much of the U S and Europe.
Warden J C Taylor says a toxic liquid used in duplicating machines caused the death of inmate Daniel Leon McRae and sickened two others at Leavenworth Penitentiary. The poison liquid, kept locked, was possibly mixed with water. McRae, 21, served five years for voluntary manslaughter and died in the prison hospital. James Luther Hill, 28, Kansas City Kan, held for unregistered firearms, and Walter Harold Pummill, 30, Astoria N Y, held for bank robbery, were reported improving.
Bids on the cab and chassis for the city's new fire truck will be opened at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the City Hall at the start of the regular City Commission meeting. Routine year end matters include cereal malt beverage licenses and permit bonds due for renewal. An ordinance on licensing building contractors is listed for discussion.
New Orleans residents enjoyed a white Christmas as William Nungesser spread six tons of chipped ice on his front lawn and added four more tons Christmas morning. His children Nancy and Billy built a four foot snowman before the sun melted it. City government discussed new ordinances including a city boundary update for 1961, a sewer district along Jones Street near Flam ing restaurant, and a sewer project between Olive and Hower ton near 11th. Two trailer court operators asked about furnishing personal bonds in lieu of the $1,000 Bur. ety bonds.
Washington AP reports Social Security tax rates rise on Jan 1 to fund benefit changes signed into law June 30. Employer rate up one eighth of 1 percent plus the same for employers, and self employed up two tenths of 1 percent. New rates: 3 percent for employees, total payroll 6 percent. self employed 4.7 percent. Tax applies to first 4,800 of earnings, max payroll tax 300, etc. Changes include option for retirement at 62, widows benefits up about 10 percent, minimum benefit rise to 40 dollars, and work incentives by lowering benefit withholding above earnings.
A quirky item lampoons lingering post-holiday sales, with references to Gus Garden and his Pocketbok. The piece reads like a local humor column critiquing consumer overreach and garish discounts after Christmas.
The National Safety Council raised its three day Yuletide death estimate to 689, with 621 traffic fatalities, 83 fire deaths, and 85 misc deaths. Weather and icy roads worsened crashes across the nation during the 78 hour period ending Monday midnight.
AP report notes improved Christmas safety on Kansas highways with only two fatalities from Friday 6 p.m. to Monday midnight versus 18 last year. Weather and reduced travel are cited as factors by a safety department aide. Highway Patrol maintained round‑the‑clock coverage over the holiday period. Governor Anderson urged daytime headlight use and safe driving through Christmas and New Year weekends.
The Coast Guard said the 10 man crew of the disabled dredge Cartagena prepared to abandon ship after the tow line snapped 250 miles east of Nantucket. Cutter Acushnet stood by to pick up the men who planned to use their raft. Heavy seas delayed rescue as the Foundation Vigilant could take over the tow once conditions improve, and plans to drop life gear were canceled.
President Kennedy resumes official duties in Palm Beach while monitoring his father Joseph Kennedy’s illness at St Mary’s Hospital. White House says fever from pneumonia subsided and Gerald reports no back trouble. Edward Kennedy visits and says father “about the same.” Doctor Wade to perform year end back examination. budget review for 1944 fiscal year noted. Caroline and John Jr. celebrate Christmas at the mansion as Walter Newbern reports some improvement in the elder Kennedy’s condition.
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