13 Dec 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 13, 1948
Page
1
A garbled OCR item mentions a pumpkin papers check and a circus style meet. It lists names and locations in a fragmentary news snippet with unclear actions or outcomes. The readable parts point to a meeting or event involving individuals likely in a local scene, but specifics are obscured.
Washington dispatch reports the United States seeks a strong non Communist Western Europe as Mme Chiang Kai shek’s mission is viewed as a failure. A North Atlantic military alliance is drafted to deter Russian aggression, with Ottawa and London coordinating security talks and Western leaders weighing Europe’s postwar defense. Oregon flood toll rises as Willamette and Columbia rivers swell, four dead, hundreds displaced, Vanport memory casts shadow over the flood response.
In a case from Huntington, Flora Coates won 9651 in Cabell Circuit Court for injuries from a fall at a Montgomery Ward store on April 28, 1947. The Supreme Court granted an appeal in another in case and declined docketing a Mercer Circuit Court decision on a Bluefield zoning permit.
Two Philippi men were treated at City hospital after a 1940 Chevrolet sedan collision on U S Route 50 near White Front restaurant around 9 p m. Donald Wilson thirty one drove the car and Dowell Proudfoot thirty two rode with him. Wilson had bruises and shock amid minor injuries while Proudfoot suffered head lacerations and additional bruises. State Trooper E N Duckworth investigated.
Charleston dispatch reports December 13 that November liquor sales, at $4,099,821, were 1.6 percent higher than the previous year but failed to sustain gains seen in September and October. A commission spokesman offered no clear explanation if this signals a temporary dip or a downward trend, noting more varieties available than last year. The total for the fiscal year to date is $19,601,906, up from $18,249,074 in the prior year through five months.
Ruth Farnsworth a 27 year old San Francisco beauty was found unconscious and nude in a jungle near a curio shop in Guam after vanishing Saturday night. Authorities say she was assaulted by a gang of sex fiends and left in a bush behind the shop. A $1000 reward was posted for her attackers by the shop owner. Farnsworth remains in critical condition as a search continues.
Five people died and 12 were injured when a flash fire swept the fifth floor of the Victoria Hotel in Chicago. Deputy fire marshal Otto Dahl credited two bellboys, Sanders Davis and Rudolph Taylor, for raising the alarm as hotel surways containment likely prevented a larger disaster. Named victims included 25 year old William James Keane in whose room the fire started.
Washington dispatch reports a large soft coal stockpile capable of about 40 days of national use, prompting talk that John L. Lewis might call a mine shutdown to trim above ground reserves. Industry officials cite two factors for the surplus: households delaying filling bins and a drop in coal exports.
John F Rauscher pioneer resident of West Grafton dies at 12 28 AM after a brief illness. He operated Rauscher store and was a longtime farmer, last surviving family member, survived by eight nephews and ten nieces. Funeral services set for St Augustine church with burial in Mount Calvary cemetery.
Graf ton merchants announce extended evening hours beginning December 18 with most stores staying open until 9 p m for holiday shoppers. A few start tonight, but the majority will observe the change next Saturday. Christmas Eve hours remain 6 p m to allow employees home time. City lights and decorations enhance a festive district as carols fill streets and a community Christmas tree is planned this week.
West Virginia formally cast its eight electoral votes for President Harry S. Truman today. The actual voting took only a minute or two while attendant ceremonies in the governor's office occupied over half an hour. The group voted by voice, with James M. Mason Jr. of Charles Town nominating Truman and Rolla A. Johnston Sr. of Parkersburg seconding. The Barkley motion was by Dr. H. H. Farley of Logan, seconded by Mrs. Bird Forney of Fairmont. Mrs. Mary Vonson Clark of Huntington was elected president and Mason secretary. Other electors present included Gordon P. Fought, Dr. Chester R. Ogden, and R. D. Bailey. The ceremony was witnessed by Lee Truman.
Weekend shootings drew police attention as Webster County authorities identified a woman found dead near Tioga. Alice Propps, 38, of Tioga, shot to death, was tentatively identified. her common law husband Orval Curtis, a coal miner, was detained for questioning.
Baltimore on December 13 reports that Baltimore and Ohio railroad employees will be furloughed this week due to softened business. President Roy B. White declined to estimate how many will be affected, saying workers would be let off in all departments but expected to return by January 1. The action relates to the railroad's contract with the Brotherhood of Railroad Inmen.
Reported fighting within 50 miles of Nanking and eight miles from Peiping as Chinese Communists gain strength. Washington officials question Chiang Kai-shek's leadership while Secretary Marshall and President Truman face criticism over Mrs. Chiang's Washington mission. Allies move toward a North Atlantic military pact as U.N. debates continue in Paris.
A gas line beneath the floor exploded Saturday evening at Gus Bolliger’s residence on West Boyd Street causing 75 to 100 dollars in damage. The fire damaged walls and furnishings before firefighters led by Ray Osborne extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported. The home sits near the fire station.
Taylor County Board of Trade members will meet Friday night at 8:30 with the organization’s new executive secretary Jack R. Nuzum. All members and directors are urged to attend. Nuzum begins duties Wednesday this week.
President Truman urged Congress to raise cabinet officers' pay from 15000 to 25000 annually and boost top government salaries. Budget Director James E Webb said higher wages are needed to attract capable officials and proposed sets for undersecretaries assistant secretaries and heads of independent agencies to overhaul the pay structure. Congressional spy investigators pursued a typewriter linked to 1930s secret papers as part of the Red espionage probe, with House Un-American Activities officials delaying a noon session while awaiting a possible announcement from Acting Chairman Mundt.
City Hall reports no successor named for E. Guy Kuhn who resigned from the City Planning Commission. Kuhn will relinquish his post as supervisor of Taylor County schools to rejoin the Regular Army on January 17.
The Supreme Court directs Judge W Merle Watkins to appear for the opening of the January term and show cause why he should not act in the divorce proceeding between Michael Mayfield Stump and Mary Stump. Stump alleges custody of the child Michael Mayfield Stump, third, while Mrs Stump allegedly took the child out of state on September 28 and has not been heard from. The court also refused an appeal from Anna Lee Cochran in a Raleigh county divorce and reversed another desertion divorce by the Supreme Court on October 28, 1947.
In Paris Russia warned the West of no compromise as Andrei Vishinsky accused Britain and the United States in the United Nations General Assembly closing moments. John Foster Dulles led the U S delegation but Vishinsky challenged every Western case. The assembly adjourned amid tense rhetoric and a warning of wrecking international cooperation. See NO COMPROMISE page 6
The 531 electors meet in state capitals to cast ballots for president. Truman’s win with 304 votes, Dewey 189, Thurmond 38 across 28, 16, and 4 states sets expectations for the joint session on January 6. Tennessee may switch one elector from Truman to Thurmond.
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