31 Aug 1939
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 29 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Aug 31, 1939
Page
1
German reports say a pause in crisis talks with Britain exists but no break in negotiations. Hitler may press for Russian aid to force Poland toward Berlin while Russia and Poland face a tense standoff amid mobilizations.
Los Angeles Apg 31 The district attorney says death in the gas chamber will be sought for De Witt Clinton Cook 20 year old printer and confessed killer of Anya Sosoyeva former Follies dancer Cook pleaded guilty to a murder charge and will face court tomorrow for degree determination Sosoyeva was killed last February on the campus of Los Angeles City College Delia Bogard a 17 year old dancer was struck down and robbed (Continued on page eight)
The Grafton Sentinel invites Mrs. Ralph Newson of 203 Lincoln Street to tonight's film double bill featuring Blondie Takes A Vacation and The Beachcomber with Charles Laughton at the Dixie theatre or Torchy Runs For Mayor with Glenda Farrell at the Strand theatre.
London imposes censorship on all press reports and halts telegraphic and telephonic links with Europe. By 2 p.m. EST New York received Paris Rome Berlin and Moscow dispatches with no sensational events. Messages to Britain must be in English or French and codes or cipher signatures are banned.
Polish sources say German patrols crossed into Poland at multiple points and a German bomber flew over Silesia chased by Polish fighters. Danzig reports speak of intensified Nazi activity, with communications cut between the Free City and Gdynia and Nazis occupying Danzig railway stations.
Principal Torlock Rasmussen announces first day arrangements for the 1939-40 term at Grafton High. About 870 registered, with expectations of surpassing last year’s 904 peak enrollment on Tuesday. Returning students go to their rooms at 9 A.M. newcomers report to the auditorium for general instructions.
L A Smith, active in state Lutheran circles, was reelected secretary of the Luther Brotherhood of the West Virginia Lutheran synod during the meeting held this week at the state Four H camp at Jacksons Mill. E F Joathin of Charleston was named president of the brotherhood.
WPA officials announced the Spruce Street project will start Tuesday morning with a crew of 31 men assigned. The work includes black topping curb and sidewalk construction, contingent on property owners supplying materials, and the city of Grafton sponsors the project.
The London stock exchange will close tomorrow, shortening the trading week by one day. Transportation systems will be heavily used evacuating children from London, making normal dealings difficult.
Midnight tonight is the deadline for motorists with license serials under 100000 who failed to renew under the new state law. Corp Fred Strader of the Grafton state police warns that those who do not apply will face another operator's test before a trooper, regardless of driving history. Reports say hundreds have not yet applied.
Pope Pius XI escalated a fresh peace effort by sending notes to representatives of Italy France Germany Poland Britain and discussing with Yugoslavia Hungary and Romania. Cardinal Maglione conveyed the pope's insistence on a pacific solution to Europe's crisis to avert disaster.
Rome reports the division of the Italian Army into two commands led by Crown Prince Umberto and Marshal Graziani. Umberto is noted as inspector of infantry and a staff member, while Graziani is a top Ethiopian war commander and former viceroy of Ethiopia. The fascist press argues Europe’s crisis involves sharing world wealth between Germany and Italy, amid warnings Poland could trigger a broader conflict.
Senator Rush D. Holt of West Virginia was stranded in Copenhagen for a week due to war threats. He waits for the freighter Mormabawk’s return to resume travel after attending an inter parliamentary conference in Oslo. Holt said no accommodations are available before September 5.
William E. Boyles Sr of 1312 West Pike Street Clarksburg retires after 42 years with the Baltimore and Ohio. He spent 16 years in Clarksburg shops and has 50 years as a machinist including work in Grafton Weston and the Clarksburg shops. He expects a substantial pension and notes younger men seek starts.
The Rev. E. F. K. Roof, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, was elected president of the West Virginia synod of the United Lutheran church during Luther Week’s closing session. C. A. Pilson of Fairmont was chosen treasurer, with Rev. Alvah K. Jones of Red House and L. A. Smith of Grafton named to the executive committee.
Actors unions threaten a strike next week potentially shutting Broadway theatres and Hollywood studios. Eleven unions under the Associated Actors and Artists of America vote in New York and Hollywood on whether to force the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees to revoke its charter and exit the actors field. Sophie Tucker, head of the American Federation of Actors, appears Labor Day at the Imperial Theatre for a rehearsal of Leave It To Me as the show Prepare to reopen.
Rev Truman B Lawler of Northfork is chosen as principal speaker for the Currey family 24th annual reunion at Harmony Grove Baptist Church next Sunday. His address follows a noon basket dinner at 2 p m after an 11 o'clock morning program with a report by F J Smith on the Currey Cemetery and Memorial association. E C Currey of Fairmont serves as association president and F J Smith as treasurer.
Dessie Woods of Grafton becomes supervisor of the WPA sewing room replacing Mary Marks of Flemington who retired under the 18 month continuous service furlough. Sixty eight WPA workers also retire, and 119 new assignments take effect tomorrow.
The $20,000,000 Nazi liner Bremen left New York for an Atlantic crossing after a two day detention by American authorities to check for armaments. The 898 foot vessel carried no passengers on its departure and steamed down the Hudson with the band playing but muted farewells as crew members shouted a Nazi salute.
Warsaw reports near general mobilization as President Moscicki orders all reservists under 40 to the colors. Poland expects armed strength to rise from 1.5 million to over 2 million as Hitler’s stance sharpens tensions with Britain and France. Crowds bid farewell to civilians marching to enlist amid church services and wartime slogans.
Mrs Clarissa P Cantacuzene 39, once married to Prince Michael Cantacuzene, was found dead in a New York apartment from illuminating gas. Thomas Curtis identified the body. Cantacuzene, a Russian nobleman, and his family once connected to Julia Dent Grant.
The 723 foot passenger liner America stood on the ways at Newport News Shipbuilding for christening by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. The $17,000,000 ship, largest built in an American yard, drew high officials and guests for the launch. Designed to be a sister ship to the Manhattan and the Washington, its keel was laid August 22, 1938 and it is due for delivery spring 1940 with room for 1,219 passengers and 629 crew.
Premier Daladier summoned the French cabinet to an urgent 6 p.m. Elysee Palace meeting after a conference with British Ambassador Sir Eric Phipps at the War Ministry. No reason was given by authorities for the meeting.
A six member defense council led by Air Minister Hermann Goering assumes supreme authority over German economics, military policy, and government administration. The move signals a consolidation of power amid the Poland dispute, with Hitler granting the council near total control for the duration of foreign tensions. Other members include Rudolf Hess Wilhelm Frick Wilhelm Keitel Walther Funk and more.
Philadelphia August 31 delegates at the Loyal Order of Moose 51st annual convention urged larger old age pensions and unemployment compensation. They removed the word dictator from rituals, elected Predi W Zabel of Aurora Illinois as supreme governor, succeeding Justice Roy H Williams of Ohio. Zabel appointed U S Senator M M Neely of West Virginia as chief justice of the supreme forum.
Two former reform school inmates at Pruntytown and Chillicothe pled guilty to transporting a stolen automobile in interstate commerce. Leon Steele, 19, of Grafton and George Nelson, 20, of Cincinnati were sentenced to three years each in federal prison. The case was heard by Judge Harry Watkins in U S district court in Fairmont following the theft near Gillespie Pennsylvania.
Britain orders full naval mobilization and calls up the rest of the regular army reserve and supplementary reserve. Royal Air Force volunteers are being mobilized to near war strength. Evacuation of millions from London and danger zones begins, with the stock exchange to close. officials stress no certainty of war, while diplomacy with Hitler continues.
Paris reports rising war fears as Aug. 31 dispatches quote French sources urging peace while Germany’s leader weighs next move. Across the Rhine, French officials say the army is on alert and Paris imposes blackout rules through police action, with further details promised on continued pages.
Arlean Moore invites guests to attend tonight's presentation featuring Roy Rogers and The Next Door at the Opera theatre on 257 Grand Street. The event includes a double feature and promises an engaging program for attendees.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.