22 Dec 1938
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 20 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Helena Independent
Location
Helena, Montana, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1938
Page
1
Helena shoppers crowded the decorat ed stores as Christmas greetings filled the air in a holiday mood. Stores stayed open later for three evenings to finish last minute gift buying with plentiful stocks and strong expectations of a two to threefold rise in holiday sales.
James Marks was named president of the Helena 25 Year Pioneer Club at the fourth annual meeting. Arthur Kayahn as vice president Sylvia Sproule reelected secretary Lante Holker assistant secretary Myrtle Burr historian George White custodian Catherine Curtis Fred Schopter membership. The club formed four years ago. Minute Reinigeerrat cut birthday cake. dancing and entertainment followed.
A grand jury indicted several Russians on espionage charges accusing them of stealing plans. The case outlines alleged covert operations and intelligence methods employed to obtain sensitive materials. Investigators pursue additional suspects as the legal process proceeds.
Federal grand jury indicted Hefis Salich and Mikhail Gorin on charges of transmitting naval intelligence reports to the Soviet Union. Salich, a former Berkeley officer, and Gorin, Intourist manager, face up to 200 years if convicted. Bond set at $25,000. alleged conspiracy began in September 1936.
Washington reports the federal crop board projects 1939 winter wheat at 485 million bushels, the smallest since 1936, with an 18 percent drop in planted acres to about 46.17 million and poor prospects in the Great Plains. A.A.A. aims to limit planting to around 3 million acres to curb a surplus, with compliance affecting maximum benefit payments.
In Los Angeles on December 21 William Spinelli, 50, confessed to police that he killed his 43 year old wife Rose last December, cut up her body and burned remains in a backyard incinerator. The confession followed days of collecting circumstantial links, with two children accusing their father and pointing investigators to the crime.
Fort Smith Arkansas December 21 two gunmen raided the Ting station at night taking 15 in receipts but left John Bracken 19-year-old employee with 92.50 he was saving to buy his mother a Christmas present The robber who laughed said you can keep it and remember us by it
A blonde 36 year old woman, Mary Schuch, walks into Drexel State Bank on the South Side and demands $3,008 under threat of nitro devices. An armed accomplice outside with a machine gun supposedly waits, but authorities and bank staff proceed calmly as the incident unfolds. The note is handed to R J Neal, who drafts and authenticates the withdrawal before guidance defers to bank President Poffenberger. Police report the suspect is captured and identifies herself, claiming the event was a bluff due to ill health and desperation.
Kingston Pa December 21 The four day search for 19 year old Margaret Martin ended with the discovery of her burlap wrapped body under a bridge near Keeler’sburg Wyoming county State police said Major William A Clark appealed for renewed efforts as clues were scarce The girl disappeared en route to a street job appointment with a man who telephoned offering a job Authorities speculated about a white slave ring while noting she was an honor graduate of a business school The body was found by 19 year old trapper Anthony Rezykausky who spotted a hand protruding from the hag as he slid down the creek bank to set his traps The location was near a dirt road and the discovery ended the long search.
New York December 21 Dr Frank H Vizetelly noted lexicographer and defender of modern slang died early today at Fifth Avenue hospital of pleurisy and pneumonia He had been reading since December 2 and for years served Funk and Wagnalls as reference editor and editor of The Standard Dictionary He was famed as the world’s leading word sleuth and sought new terms while discarding obsolete speech trends.
Washington Dee 21 AP Talk of a senate expression against a presidential third term reappears after 11 years with changed circumstances. The 1928 no third term resolution aimed at Coolidge was driven by rebels aided by Democrats. Now party lines and philosophy shift as Rush Holt frames a reply to Roosevelt term talk.
Joseph Mich December jury convicts Bern Patricia Dull an office wife of manslaughter in the October 17 shooting of attorney William Holbrook at Harbor Michigan. Verdict read with judge Mark Taylor to sentence tomorrow morning. Defense plans motion for a new trial and delay. Proceedings lasted about five and a half hours with two housewives and ten farmers on the jury. The case ends a nine year affair. Holbrook had separated from his wife and four children.
New York December 21 federal authorities heard from a former associate that F Donald Coster Musica planned to ship between 1 000 000 and 2 000 000 rifles to fighting Spain. The witness Benjamin Simon 49 described the supposed scheme and the alleged bold swindler as McKes son and Robbins Inc president and a former counsel and spy hunter.
Montana state highway commission awarded ten highway and bridge contracts totaling 908635.74 dollars. The bids come from firms including Untot Construction of Great Falls, H. E. Nesbitt Company of Payette Idaho, and J. L. McLaughlin of Great Falls. Work covers grading surfacing drainage and multiple bridges on Plains Elmo and Columbus Falls Whitefish roads across Sanders Lake Flathead and Winthrop counties.
Washington reports Daniel C. Roper, in his final press conference as secretary of commerce, predicts continued business improvement through 1939. He cites stronger purchasing power, durable goods demand, rising automobile sales, and renewed trade momentum as key factors shaping the hopeful outlook. He notes his long public service since 1892 and his witness to eight presidents.
Montana Power company announces the regular quarterly dividend of 1.50 per share on its outstanding preferred stock 8 series. The dividend is payable February 1, 1939 to stockholders of record at close of business January 14, 1939.
I M Brandfort Montana welfare chief said the social security board approved federal grants for January February March. Robert W Benely Denver regional rep outlined Montana quarterly totals: Old age assistance 460473.15 aid to dependent children 6318625 aid to needy blind 2910 36. January portion to be paid soon to state treasurer. January February balances for needy blind sufficient for payments.
Lima reports Argentina refused a completed draft on continental solidarity and defense, declaring it a military alliance. Argentine leader Ruiz Morano pressed instructions from President Ortte, insisting their own resolution promotes cooperation against aggression and prioritizes continental threats. Delegates scramble to persuade Argentina as remonstrances loom.
In Great Falls a Christmas traffic crash killed 85 year old Mrs. A J McCarmick of Farmington and seriously injured Mrs. A W Bailenger of Great Falls. Four others sustained minor injuries including 14 year olds Lee Jenkins of Butte and Lorraine Elley. John McCormick, son of the deceased, drove the car bearing his mother and three daughters to escort them home from the Grauline academy for holiday travel.
Congress weighs an emergency relief appropriation as WPA funds edge toward depletion by February 7. Williams warns WPA may cut relief January 26 and shut down 12 days later unless additional money is approved. Lawmakers optimistic funding will pass soon amid broad support from leaders on both sides.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.