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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1940
Page
1
FBI enters investigation as Santa Rosa scene reveals another ransom threat to Marc De Tristan Jr. Parents alerted, extortionist eludes capture after a cabbage patch trap failed. A mysterious man in a black overcoat attempted to abduct the child and fled into darkness.
In Bern Switzerland on December 20 reports say French leader Petain plans a concession to calm German anger over Laval’s removal as vice premier and foreign minister. Fernand De Brinon carried German views to Paris and outlined a purge that could target Laval’s foes, possibly including interior minister Marcel Peyrouton. Continued on page eight.
The Grafton Sentinel invites Mrs Forest Crane of 15 Luther Street to tonight's screenings. Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum featuring Sidney Toler plays at the Strand Theatre, while Beyond the Nile with Bill Elliott runs at the Dixie Theatre.
Douglas O'Hearn a promoter of the National Deposit of America was arraigned in Buffalo on a charge of fraudulent use of the mails. He was released on $1,000 pending a hearing. O'Hearn claimed every citizen had $231 coming and could issue checks against this sum with no cash required.
All commissioned officers of the West Virginia National Guard were summoned to Charleston on December 28 for an instruction class ahead of active service early in January. Brig Gen William L Horner said a representative of the fifth corps area adjutant general would teach a new personnel administration system and offer guidance on induction. About 150 officers from the 150th and 201st infantry regiments will attend in uniform, with sessions in the House of Delegates chamber at the state capitol.
New York December 20 Biggest news of the week in trade circles the Dun Bradstreet weekly review said holiday buying was shaping up to the best volume in a decade. Store traffic was at capacity in many large cities and retail turnover in units was often the heaviest since 1929. Dollar volume over last year rose 6 to 9 percent, with gains clustered in the south and middle west.
Bethel Vermont police held three boys aged 11, 11, and 15 in connection with the bludgeon slaying of 73 year old Jennie Kendall on Sunday. The youths confessed entering the home with robbery as motive and beating the woman when she discovered them. State's Attorney Black said grand jury action could be possible but would be discussed with Attorney General Jones due to the youths' ages.
Berlin reports the Vichy cabinet shakeup signals an anti Axis pull in France and a possible split over a French German peace. Laval’s removal exposed counter forces around Petain who favored a German led order, while Italian reverses shifted support among French leaders.
London report says a low flying German raider dropped bombs on the London district but caused little damage and no casualties. One bomb struck an empty air raid shelter during alerts. Government communique calls the raid inconsequential as poor weather limits RAF activity against the axis.
West Virginia's 1939 double-decker truck ban is headed to the U S Supreme Court after Philadelphia Detroit lines and Delaware firm win permission to appeal. A three-judge federal panel upheld the law recently, dismissing an injunction against enforcement. The case centers on interstate commerce and state trucking regulation.
British naval vessels bombarded the vital port of Valona with nearly 100 tons of shells on Wednesday night in Adriatic sea operations aimed at Italy. Light and heavy units of the Mediterranean fleet were engaged in the Adriatic operations.
President Roosevelt said nothing had been decided about revising the defense commission setup. He noted no announcement was guaranteed after today’s conference. Reports of a three man group were dismissed as newspaper stories while a possible high command including Knox Stimson Knudsen was only one option among several under consideration. He did not finalize any plan.
Charleston dispatch reports Dr. Charles H. Harrington 79 died after lengthy illness. native of New York City and former pastor at Rochester Holley Andover Cortland Sunbury Pa Weston before serving Calvary Baptist church in Charleston. Survived by second wife and daughter Jennie M. Harrington.
Diplomatic reports from Bucharest indicate Marshal Edward Smigly-Rydz of Poland escaped internment in Rumania after fleeing German invasion. He was reportedly smuggled aboard a coastwise ship bound for Turkey, after multiple earlier attempts to leave.
An earthquake centered in New England and felt from southern New England to Montreal rattled heavy buildings and woke thousands. Harvard Observatory professor L Don Leet estimated the tremor lasted 30 seconds near Lake Ossippee New Hampshire around 2 27 29 a m EST.
Berlin dispatch reports an imminent news release signaling further cooperation among three power pact nations. Officials withheld contents, but speculation points to a response to Roosevelt's aid Britain plan and to consolidation within the French government after Marshal Petain addresses the nation on radio.
Chicago raid on the German American Bund yielded a loose leaf volume claiming 1500 to 2000 members in the army navy air force or marines. FBI agents study records to verify active status and cross check names with naval and military lists while William S. Devereaux declined comment.
Los Angeles reports Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen learned that Ducks Unlimited has no salaries or expenses for officers. The program relies on voluntary membership with about 25 000 national subscribers. Bergen McCarthy Vallee and others joined after hearing the story.
Wheeling dispatch reports city detective Leslie Harris arraigned O. M. Bancroft, 40, of Midlands, on a charge of receiving money under false pretense. Bancroft allegedly solicited advertising from merchants across the state for a mine workers time book that was never printed.
William P. Buckner a 32 year old Broadway playboy is granted parole nine months after being sentenced to two years for mail fraud and conspiracy. The warden's office did not disclose plans but he is expected to travel to New York to join his wife Adelaide Moffet and their two month old son whom he has never seen. Buckner and two others were convicted over manipulation of defaulted Philippine railway bonds.
Sam de Long Jr 18 will be returned to Huntington for arraignments on a federal kidnapping charge involving 20 year old Durse Wilson in Cincinnati last week FBI agents arrested de Long in Pittsburgh Wyatt 17 and Edward Williams 16 were arraigned on abduction charges and jailed in Cabell county with 25000 bond each.
Washington date shows Arming America urging auto plants to begin test production of parts for a long range bomber fleet. Initial educational orders valued around 20 million dollars were approved by the War department and Defense commission to train managers in manufacturing the complex components. Continued on Page five.
Officers Don Taylor and William Smith hauled a broken pushcart to police headquarters yesterday. Four hours later a dairy company manager reported a theft of his safe and $185 inside. Thieves abandoned the 300 pound safe in the street, apparently deterred by the load.
Four West Virginia postoffice and public building projects were halted as part of President Roosevelt's curtailment of non-defense spending. The Bluefield postoffice and courthouse extension and remodeling were $175,000, the Charleston federal building remodeling $125,000, Martinsburg postoffice and courthouse $425,000, and Ronceverte postoffice $75,000, among about 200 nationwide delays.
Libyan port city of Bardia remains fiercely defended as British forces press a mobile assault. About 20,000 Italian troops hold the encircled frontier post behind a network of tank traps, mines, and machine gun emplacements. British tanks and carriers continue to mop up toward Tobruk, with Rome hinting a decisive test may come at Tobruk under Marshal Grabiani.
Athens reports renewed assaults on Valona and Krionero with RAF strikes on Valona. Greek troops advance along the coast from Palermo Bay toward Chimara, tightening lines around Klisura and Tepeleni. British forces claim heavy bombing of Valona with near 100 tons of shells hitting military targets.
Mrs. W. L. Tucker at 33 West Main Street notes the film The Lost Squadron starring Richard Dix is now showing at the Opéra House theatre.
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