30 Dec 1961
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 17 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Middletown Journal
Location
Middletown, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Dec 30, 1961
Page
1
Esley H. Sproat a 64 year old Nebraskan farmer died alone in his farmhouse ten days before his will was found. Neighbors broke in and discovered the body under 13 blankets. Executor George Hastings says the estate worth $250000 to $300000 goes to the United States.
The United States barred the Soviet commandant Col. Andrei Solovyev and his top political adviser from the American sector of Berlin in reprisal for Red moves to restrict U S officials in East Berlin. The move, aimed at pressuring the satellite regime to ease access for Americans, marks the first time a Russian commandant has been banned from West Berlin. The ban follows two incidents at Checkpoint Charlie involving East German guards and U S officials, including Maj Gen Albert Watson II cancelling a meeting at Soviet HQ and Howard Trivers being stopped for not identifying himself.
Paris reports that President Charles de Gaulle vowed to pull most French forces from Algeria and seek peace with the nationalist movement. Riots erupted in Oran as broadcasts were interrupted by extremists. Bombs hit radio towers in Bordeaux and other cities, while violence claimed two youths and a marine.
The Chinese Communists shelled the Nationalist-held Quemoy Islands for the third consecutive odd-numbered day, but the attack was very mild. The week’s shellings ended a 104 day lull.
A short wry quip notes that residents of glass houses attract curiosity and neighborly interest, playfully suggesting fragility and visibility shape everyday life. The line echoes a folk saying about transparency and how locals react to others’ weaknesses.
Salvage crews with heavy equipment battled rough seas to recover two wrecked big trucks and the bodies of two riders after a collision on Seven Mile Bridge. Missing are Thomas James and WB Easterling, presumed dead. The crash sent a flatbed and a tractor trailer into the Atlantic and Gulf, with witnesses aiding in evacuations.
In Stanton California a gunman cried a stickup as ten patrons sprang from stools. Five shots rang out wounding three men slightly while the attacker, bloodied, fled through a back door into a car minus his gun and shoes.
The Associated Press reports New Year celebrations face Sunday blue laws across several states. Liquor sales are restricted on Sabbath in Maine Pennsylvania Washington Ohio Indiana Nebraska Minnesota Michigan Missouri while some venues serve food until 12 01 am New Year Day before cork popping. Broadway theaters plan special Sunday performances despite low expected business.
Dr. A. G. Steinberg of Western Reserve University warned at the AAAS meeting that partial cracking of the genetic code could allow directing mutations and altering genes at will. He cautioned this might enable dubious control of human genetics by political or well intentioned actors, despite potential medical benefits.
Moscow reports quote Walter Ulbricht in Pravda admitting the Soviet troops made the East German regime possible and that defections cost nearly 40 percent of 1961 national income. He says only overthrow of Adenauer could reunify Germany and cites 30 billion marks lost to West recruiting of specialists.
Lisbon mood grows tense as Portugal voices frustration with longstanding ties to Britain and distancing from the United States. Observers expect Premier Salazar to address possible withdrawal from the London pact in the January National Assembly, amid anti British and anti American demonstrations and UN debates over Angola.
Washington reports indicate a Kennedy decision on resuming above ground nuclear tests is imminent within days or weeks. The Pentagon forms a joint task force to prepare atmospheric bursts with potential use of Christmas Island as a testing base, following Soviet detonations and renewed Western resolve.
Manila AP report: Diosdado Macapagal is sworn in as Philippines president, defeating Carlos Garcia in the Nov 14 election. He vows to curb corruption and communism, says the nation faces moral degeneration, addressing about 50,000 at Luneta. Gov. Meyner attends as Kennedy’s rep.
A state circuit court judge in Montgomery permanently bars the NAACP from operating in Alabama, citing out of state registration violations. The ruling, issued after a three day hearing, preserves a right to issue a fuller opinion later and comes ahead of a Jan. 2 Supreme Court deadline. Attorneys pledged to appeal if needed.
In Cordell Oklahoma eight people died in a flaming two car crash described as the worst on record in the state. All seven in one car perished, including five members of an Elk City family. The wreck trapped them inside as the vehicle erupted in flames, occurring 32 minutes after New Year’s holiday weekend began.
Randolph Valdez 23 and his wife Brenda 21 die with their three children Jamie Lynn 3 Carrie Kay 2 and Chesty Lee in a two car wreck on State Highway 152 near Cordell Oklahoma. Also killed James Earl Thompson 47 of Lawton the other driver and sole occupant. Authorities say Thompson lost control causing his car to skid across the highway into the Valdez vehicle. The Valdez family resided in Elk City and Anadarko residents Carolyn Kelin 16 and Tessie Bell were among the deceased, ages and exact relation to the Valdez family listed as unknown.
Secretary of State Dean Rusk told the American Historical Association West Berlin will be defended at whatever cost, while pursuing peaceful resolution. He warned the Soviets not to doubt Western resolve and urged unity with a rising Western Europe partnership despite differing views on colonial issues.
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.