24 Dec 1956
Page 1
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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1956
Page
1
Forecast calls for rain and cold air tonight with a few mountain snow flurries. Temperatures range from the mid 20s to mid 30s, with a high near 57 and a low around 39 reported Sunday. Tygarts Dam Young readings show a high 54 and morning values near 48.
Grafton’s memorable Christmas observances are recalled by historian Charles A. Brinkman. Churches held music and cantatas with Santa gifts, while the First Baptist Church terrace work prompted a court-house wedding festival. A German ball and Wheeling Opera House music capped the celebrations as residents marked a festive season in 1883.
Tragedy struck at several sites over the pre holiday weekend. In Meriden Connecticut a tenement fire killed five family members and hospitalized four others including one in critical condition. A Minneapolis Christmas tree fire killed seven and injured six. An Italian airliner crash killed 21, including two American girls whose parents were among the victims.
A holiday lull in Grafton business will close most shops and offices, while many out of town visitors stay with relatives. Travel remains heavy with Greyhound and Baltimore and Ohio trains operating extra cars and delays. Postmaster Hoffman and staff clear Christmas mail as the post office prepares to close tomorrow. Church services fill Sunday with midnight mass at St Matthias and multiple masses at St Augustine.
In Jerusalem 1700 Israeli Christians began the annual four day pilgrimage through Mandelbaum Gate toward Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. Border tension and barbed wire mark the route as consular officers boycott the procession in protest their diplomats are barred. British and French soldiers arrive in Nazareth for Christmas leave as Jesus childhood ties are recalled.
Minister Ernest L. Robertson frames Christmas as a call to inner peace through the Spirit of God. He contrasts worldly voices with the angels song, urges letting Christ be born within, and notes Christmas as a season of giving and renewed faith. He cites forgiveness, resurrection and the living presence of Jesus in hearts today.
The birth of Christ described with the decree of Caesar Augustus enrollment in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to David's city, Jesus born and placed in a manger. Shepherds witness angels glorifying God and visit the child, then depart praising Him. Mary keeps these words in her heart.
President Eisenhower backs open skies disarmament and UN led safeguards as Pope Pius XII urges unity among free nations to counter Soviet power. Nixon, returning from Austria, proposes admitting more Hungarian refugees and easing immigration rules. He plans to brief a presidential commission on Hungarian refugee issues.
United Press reports the national traffic death toll nears 400 as Christmas travel spikes. Ned H. Dearborn of the National Safety Council urges motorists to slow down amid speeding and drunken driving concerns. Californias toll leads, with Illinois, North Carolina and Texas following. Weather worsens travel overall, causing flight cancellations and rail and bus surges.
Washington reports the Weather Bureau forecasts generally fair weather on Christmas Day with snow flurries likely in northern states from interior New York to the Rockies and along the Pacific Northwest coast. Storm remnants may keep skies cloudy in parts of the East and mountains of West Virginia.
Residents in the Grafton area expect a warmer Yuletide with some precipitation. Weekend skies were dismal with rain, Sunday high 67 and low 39. The forecast calls for a colder night, and Tuesday to be partly cloudy and moderately cold.
Los Angeles resident Colleen Kennedy frantically raced to finish a Christmas gift when a thief stole part of her project. Police kept a single sock as evidence after detaining a man who allegedly attempted to seize a knitting box from her home.
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