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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1939
Page
6
After a two day holiday, local merchants say Christmas business in Iton was the best in years. Stores report receipts higher than last year, some stock exhausted, and last minute demand for Christmas tree lights. Sunday and Christmas Day were quiet for churches and homes, while shows drew crowds and automobile traffic was light with no serious county accidents.
The piece outlines federal spending plans and deficits for the coming year. It notes Roosevelt hints at farm benefit levies while opposing blocs push against new taxes. It cites a projected $3 billion deficit next year and a current debt near $41 billion, with options to raise the debt limit, raise taxes, or cut spending.
Secretary Hopkins says sustaining high 1940 production hinges on stronger domestic demand or rising foreign orders. He calls 1939 better than 1938 across industry trade and agriculture, but warns against relying on abroad destruction to spur U.S. demand. Notable 1939 gains include higher purchasing power, $70.0 billion income payments, retail sales up 8 percent, manufacturing up about 25 percent, and peak construction since 1930 with exports stable.
Agnes Bowen White wife of Charles J White a railroad conductor of Cumberland died Christmas morning at her home in Cumberland Justice Hoye G White Sr and George R White brothers in law of the deceased plan to leave tonight for Cumberland to attend funeral services tomorrow morning
J. T. Stanley a 37 year old Black miner from Samar was found frozen to death yesterday in Mullens authorities reported Corporal R D Glatt details.
H. G. Berthold, once manager of the Imperial Ice Cream plant in Grafton and former district supervisor in Charleston, died of a heart attack at his Charleston home. He left Grafton in 1926 and is survived by his widow and two sons.
Mrs Stella Jacques 42, nurse, pleaded innocent to three counts of assault with intent to kill in Worcester Mass. after a shooting at a Christmas dinner injured her estranged husband Benjamin Jacques 42 and host Edward Hiertzler 37. Jacques surrendered. police say motive tied to alleged affairs and friendship with Mrs Hiertzler.
Police charged Junior Simmons of Grafton with speeding after his truck struck a small child on West Main in front of Busy Bee restaurant. The child was frightened and taken to Dr. T W Heironimus Jr for examination and found uninjured. A hearing before Mayor P F Gillispie is set for tomorrow at 9 o'clock in municipal court.
A Dublin district court ordered two men William Cleary and William Gordon held for trial on charges of taking part in a raid on a Dublin fort that yielded a large arms and ammunition loot. Police say the raid was by Irish Republican Army members during a holiday flareup amid prison riots in London Derry and ongoing IRA activity.
The passage traces Roosevelt era politics with figures like Wallace and Morgenthau. It notes shifts from Republican to Democrat alignments, careers in farm publishing, and cabinet entry timelines. It references Perkins and Hopkins, highlighting health issues and the reshaping of administration roles.
Ira N Kelley aged 48 interior decorator and former Grafton resident died Sunday at Brueton's Mill after a ten day illness. Born February 2 1891 he was son of the late Albert R Kelley and Mary J Jones Kelley. Surviving: son Paul A Kelley Pittsburgh brother Roy J Kelley California sister Mrs Ann Custer Detroit. Funeral at Bartlett Funeral Home McGraw avenue Wednesday at 2 pm with Rev Durward Brown of St Paul's Methodist Church officiating. Burial Bluemont cemetery.
Providence reveals that adults often fail to hear high frequency sounds beyond 12 000 cycles. Prof Edward H Kemp Brown University notes many over thirty struggle with tones above 10 000 cycles and warns this deafness can foretell future loss of ordinary hearing.
West Virginians faced a deadly long weekend as the state logged 17 fatalities. A miner frozen to death near Lamar marked the 17th death, with six auto deaths in Charleston and Lick Branch. Fires, asphyxiations, a train strike, a train auto collision, a fall, and a self-inflicted death are among the listed causes.
Judge Hurd concluded that at the expiration of the basic agreement the situation was not a strike or lockout but a state of inertia. C. F. Taplin, attorney for the coal company, said an appeal was expected.
Hitler elevates the captain and his guide to major with gifts to soldiers on watch. As he departs, Spicheren village near German lines hears the customary Christmas music while a patrol enters the town to ring bells.
Thomas Owens son of Mrs Bes sie Owens Monroe of 10 East Main Street has enlisted in the regular army for three years. He joins the service troop of the 13th cavalry at Fort Knox Kentucky for six weeks of recruit instruction including close order drill gas mask drill rifle drill map reading and tactics.
Police raided three establishments on Latrobe Street. Albert Wren was arrested for permitting liquor sales and posted a 51 cash bond. Benjamin Landsbury posted 101 for appearance at 3 pm. Sam Fisher at Liberty Lunch faced no formal arrest, pending later hearing. Edgar Martin was fined 10 and costs for drunkenness.
Henry George Slack, 47, of Dry Branch, died in hospital after being struck by a car. The incident occurred in Charleston on December 26, with medical authorities listing fatal injuries from the crash.
A Pruntytown girl, Parmajee Tucker, was seriously injured when Woodrow S. Knight lost control of his car at the corner of Franklin and West Main streets and crashed into a telephone pole. She received multiple cuts and bruises and dental injuries, taken to Gratton City hospital for care. Police blamed the icy spot claim on the curve, but officers found no slippery area. The driver escaped with only minor injuries.
Aream of mixed reaction followed Roosevelt’s action on Vatican relations. Critics questioned formal diplomatic recognition while supporters cited constitutional rights. The piece notes that Taylor would have ambassadorial rank without an official title and would be paid from the State Department fund if he requests salary.
The Associated Press reports that the three day Christmas period caused at least 593 deaths from accidents and violence. Traffic led with 397 fatalities, Illinois tallied 60, and New York 39 deaths. State totals span Alabama to Wyoming, with Tennessee and New Mexico among states reporting fatalities from exposure.
Last rites were held at 11 o'clock this morning at the Bartlett Funeral Home for Mrs. Jane Louise Kern 77 of Barbour County Infirmary died Saturday from complications Captain Charles G Robey Salvation Army officiated Burial was in Bluemont Survivors include two brothers Garfield and George Butcher of Fairmont and a sister Mrs Laura Virginia Punk of Berkeley Springs
Merle Vernon McVicker infant, son of Merle J and Evelyn Freeze McVicker, died at his Knottsville home from complications. Born November 12, the baby passed away at the parental residence. Private burial services are planned under G. T. Bartlett.
Charleston leaders announce George Ward of Mill Creek will become banking commissioner on January 1 after his third term renewal. Ward, previously president of the Bank of Mill Creek, has served under Governor Kump since 1934 and was reappointed recently. The governor’s office has been notified as Ward’s resignation awaits formal steps.
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