06 Apr 1956
Page 1
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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Apr 06, 1956
Page
1
Reports from Washington list a large joint Allied naval and air exercise named Medflex to be held from 21 to 20 tests protecting sea and air lanes in the Iranean region. Participants include France Italy Britain Greece the United States and Portugal.
A Jamison tragedy near Farmington West Virginia on November 13, 1954, killed 16 workers when a mine blast and subsequent fire occurred in Jamison Coal and Coke Co. No. 9 seam. The U.S. Bureau of Mines blamed improper firing and nonpermissible use of explosives in methane air mix, noting several deaths occurred underground and above ground as rescue efforts were hindered by fires. The report found violations of state and federal mine safety rules and stated some hazards were already known. Recovery extended into May 1955 despite ongoing fires and safe shutdowns.
Grafton's Military Manpower Committee chaired by Loren A Hoffmann will meet tonight at 7 30 in the Selective Service Board offices Post Office Building. The half hour session will cover an upcoming public meeting and Armed Forces Day with representatives from the Fairmont army recruiting station led by M Lgt Ralph Lee Reed who handles the Grafton army office.
Counsel for 14 year old Tommy Williams prepared to appeal a first degree murder verdict and life sentence after a 12 member jury found the seventh grader guilty of beating playmate David Powell to death on February 9. Judge McKee set April 11 for a new trial motion.
A smoking red hot lava flow crept about 3000 feet down Mount Etna on the second day of its eruption in Sicily, with observers noting ongoing activity from the crater and surrounding areas.
Summersville West Virginia reports the body of Lee Ford, once linked to a $900,000 bank funds misapplication case in Fairmont, was found near a coal mine west of Summersville. Ford, 40, had faced charges with John Manchin and pilot affiliation with Hammond Brick Co. His death is attributed to a heart attack, occurring about four to five hours before discovery by Peter Creek Coal Co. workers. He had been staying in the area for a contracting job removing gob piles. The case tied to First National Bank of Fairmont involved checks drawn without sufficient funds, with FBI confirming the write-offs. Ford’s body was returned to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, for family burial.
The executive committee of the West Virginia American Legion meets in Fairmont tonight before the 1st annual spring conference. Department Commander Chester Phillips of Elkins will preside as J Gordon Shanklin FBI Pittsburgh head speaks. Dr Charles M Wells Graton chairman religious emphasis also speaks.
Commander Harold L. Murphy of Veterans of Foreign Wars announces a meeting tonight at Memorial City Post 3081 hall to plan the annual Memorial Day observance. Gus Gianakos of Taylor County No. 12 American Legion Post serves as assistant chairman with the job alternating between the two groups. Ona C. Jefferys, longtime secretary, is the third executive of the committee. City officials say committee heads will be named tonight.
A United Mine Workers local in Monongalia County denounces top officials endorsement of Robert H. Mollohan for governor. Local 1958 President Roy Hayhurst states members and wives can vote as individuals for candidates they support.
On a sea voyage to Monte Carlo, Grace Kelly's father, millionaire Olympic rower John B. Kelly, offers plain counsel about weddings. He jokes he dislikes weddings and voices pride in his daughter's upcoming marriage to Monaco's Prince Rainier. He advises honesty and being herself while letting others handle the details.
The Clarksburg Non-Partisan Assn Inc reports strong local support for better city government. Membership cards have reached about 7,000 people as volunteers note enthusiastic response and rapid growth of the organization.
In Davenport Iowa two thieves attempted to rob a store safe two days before its scheduled opening. Police arrived unannounced and arrested the men who were working on the safe by candlelight.
In Chicago four representations of Eastern and Western railroads met to consider asking the Interstate Commerce Commission for a higher freight rate. Harry C. Barron, chair of the Western Traffic Association, said Southern railroads would not participate, citing revenue needs. The ICC had granted a 6 percent increase earlier, with low maximums on certain commodities, and the railroads had sought a straight 2 percent rise.
Esther Reed of Beckley was named Mrs West Virginia here on Thursday and will compete in Florida for Ms America next month. The Five Day Forecast from UNITED PR Virginia predicts warmer temperatures early in the period then cooling, with showers Friday ending Saturday morning and total precipitation around one inch.
Tornadoes hit the Southwest with one person killed and four others injured as a car crash on a rain slick highway added to the disaster. Port Arthur and Brean faced damage while 109 homes and several warehouses were destroyed. Red Cross reported 46 deaths and thousands left homeless across 12 states.
Grafton residents learn Earl R. Carruthers of Blueville is appointed official weather reporter for WS Weather Bureau. He succeeds Fred Zinn and delivers the daily forecast. Yesterday’s high reached 67 and low around 30. At 1 PM today the temperature was 60 and rain was noted at noon.
SAN FRANCISCO A plans were announced Thursday for a sizable expansion of a former sardine plant in Richmond California. The plant will be used to process whales, signaling a shift in industrial focus and capacity.
A Jeannette youth, 17, was arrested by Trooper Parks and Deputy Sheriff Gibson after an attempted armed robbery of Artie Mayle in Morgantown. Mayle said the youth forced him to stop for a car theft, but a passing motorist aided officers. The suspect, held in Taylor County jail, gave shifting stories about his destination.
United Nations reports indicate renewed clashes as Egypt accuses Israel of a deadly blaze killing 42, while Dag Hammarskjold conducts last minute talks before departing for Palestine to seek urgent peace efforts amid mounting Middle East tensions.
President Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles met at an early morning White House conference to review the tense Middle East situation.
Sen. Estes Kefauver moved into New Jersey to press his bid for the 26 national convention votes while Gov. Meyner’s state Democratic group faces pressure. Kefauver plans most of five days in New Jersey ahead of the April 17 primary as Adlai Stevenson campaigns in Florida and Illinois.
Tense actions unfold as Egypt accuses Israel of killings while a cease fire is pledged. Dag Hammarskjold plans a peace mission with talks slated in Rome and Moscow while UN and Belligerents seek a rapid halt to clashes on the Gaza Strip. Maj. Gen. Burns cancels Rome trip awaiting Hammarskijold.
About 20 assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses with over 1,600 ministers will convene at Grafton high school auditorium tonight at 7 for a three day circuit assembly. Leaders from New York and other areas will speak, with seven named speakers. Saturday sessions begin at 9 am and run through the evening. Sunday starts at 9 am, with a public meeting at 3 and final sessions at 6.
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