06 Jul 1949
Page 1
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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jul 06, 1949
Page
1
The Sentinel reports a record four day holiday accidental death toll with 711 killed nationwide. Traffic fatalities reached 655, drowning 296, and other incidents 140. The 1941 Independence Day high was 628, with 161 deaths in a four day Christmas period noted as the heaviest ever.
Arguments on defense motion by T Warren Messick to set aside the 99 year verdict in the Lee Scott murder case were postponed to 4 0 a m Friday. Scott was convicted Saturday of first degree murder for slaying Dana Weaver in the Christ Episcopal church parish house kitchen on May 8. The jury fixed a 99 year sentence in the state penitentiary.
Timothy P Beacom and his son J Patrick Beacom of Fairmont have purchased the Mannington Times. Beacom, a retired Hearst newspaper executive, will oversee editorship and management while his son becomes publisher. The younger Beacom also serves as president and general manager of WYVW radio in Fairmont. The paper remains a weekly.
Miss Rohrbough and Miss Moscar share victory in the Miss Grafton Sentinel Charm Contest. The event at the Mjios Theatre drew local interest as judges selected the two winners to represent the Sentinel and the City of Gratton in the North South football game festivities in Charleston. Rejecting other candidates, Diane Poe was named alternate and Miss Rohrbough’s illness would trigger her replacement.
Charleston reports the 1949 distribution of state school funds totaling 36,946,963 with Kanawha receiving 3,677,522 and Pleasant 132,542. Raleigh and McDowell top other counties with 2,048,782 and 2,000,544 respectively. The formula, using general fund and general school fund revenues, governs allocations across all counties.
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan urged quick ratification of the North Atlantic Pact as a shield for free men against embattled, greedy Communism. He warned that Communism is the sole threat to world peace and its final target is the United States, portraying the treaty as a warning to would‑be conquerors and a means to deter armed aggression. See RATIFICATION page 4.
Maryland fisherman Earl Nelson was shot and killed near Chesapeake Bay as authorities dispute whether the incident occurred in Maryland or Virginia waters. Virginia officials say he was crabbing illegally. Maryland sources cite eyewitnesses placing him in Maryland waters near Crisfield. The fatal shooting halted by a Virginia deputy and investigated by both states.
In dense haze near Charleston a private pilot Charles Ellis III of Lynchburg ran low on fuel as visibility dropped to one fifteenth of a mile. Capital Airlines Captain R L Bryant guided Ellis to Huntington field, with Ellis following Bryant in for a safe landing.
Willian G. Lias, head of the Wheelin Downs Racing Association, says he is through with rackets and will devote his interests to the race rack and his family. He testified in a federal trial that his profits from bootlegging and other activities prior to 1942 funded later ventures, and a jury acquitted him of evading $1 million in income taxes. He expressed gratitude to God and said he bears no grudge against the U S government. He declined to say if Zellers Steak House would reopen, noting it was once a plush nightclub tied to gambling upstairs and closed over a year ago with assurances it could not operate on legitimate profits.
Federal judge denies motions to dismiss the perjury counts against Alger Hiss and orders a jury to begin deliberations. The panel of ten men and two women will decide after the defense and government rested and after a brief recess.
A three and a half year old, Robert Cleer TL, died early today from a rare leukemia believed to be the first case in Tay- Hor County. He had lived at 862 Maple Avenue and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bo Cleer. He had been ill since May 15 and had been treated at Rockingham Memorial Hospital and University Hospital in Charlottesville. Funeral services are set for Friday at 9:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harrisonburg.
Associated Press reports no immediate relief from the summer’s longest heat wave spanning from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic. Scattered showers offered only temporary relief while heat deaths and prostration climbed. Crop losses exceed 50 million dollars as drought roils the Midwest and Eastern states. relief arrived only in Pacific coast and northern border areas with cooler air affecting Minnesota Michigan and Wisconsin.
Cripps today banned further commitments for purchases in the dollar area except where urgent national interests are established. Sterling area reserves stood at about $1,Galano,000 after a six month drop. He pledged no devaluation and kept standstill in dollar dealings through September as ERP funds are distributed. He and U S secretary Snyder plan talks this weekend with Canada represented, followed by British dominions finance ministers next week. The sterling area includes all British countries except Canada, the Anglo Egyptian Sudan, Burma, Iceland and Iraq. The problem extends beyond the UK and involves partners in the dollar world.
Graftonians endured a heat wave with a 95 degree high as the week’s three day stretch of high temperatures continued. Local observer W D Myers noted last year’s peak at 98 in August and other hot readings in July. Downtown readings exceeded 100 in several spots with 6 pm still 92. No relief forecast as warmth and humidity persist. Crops and gardens suffer from drought and nightly temps fell to 60.
Attorney C Hicks Friedman, with 25 years in practice, is held for court on charges of conspiring to influence a criminal court jury last May. Alderman William Redmond set bond at 1000 dollars. Friedman is among five accused in the juror-fixing attempt linked to Ben Husick who pled guilty to attempted larceny at a Wilt kin sburg bank.
The government moves to convict Iva Toguri D AQUI N O Tokyo Rose of eight wartime treason acts without seeking the death penalty. An all white jury of twelve clears the way for opening statements and early testimony in San Francisco. The minimum penalty on conviction would be five years in prison and a ten thousand dollar fine.
Mrs. Minnie Virginia Glenn Harr 74 of 1120 West Main Street died this morning after years of ill health and a two week serious illness. A Taylor County native and widow of Charles R. Harr she was a Harmony Grove Baptist member. Born August 13 1874 to George E. Glenn and Hariet Florence Glenn she leaves several children including Mrs. J B Mahattey and Mrs A R Bartlett of Grafton Charles Ernest Harr and James M. Harr of Prestsbury plus two deceased children. Also surviving are brother E R Glenn of Clarksburg sisters Mrs George Evans of Grafton and Mrs T A Chamber of Morristown Pa. ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements appear on page four.
A meeting of the Taylor County Board of Trade directors will convene tonight at 7 30 p m in the trade board offices Executive Secretary Jack R Nuzum announced today The entire membership of the board is invited to attend the meeting.
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