15 Dec 1939
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 22 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
New Castle News
Location
New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 15, 1939
Page
1
Snow blankets Panewc as Christmas shoppers bustle through stores and stations. Ambitious displays light up shops while holiday gifts lie in wait for youngsters. A local accident at Canonsburg ends in tragedy as a merchant dies from home boiler asphyxiation, prompting safety calls.
United States weather statistics report 24 hour period ending 3 pm Thursday. Records show maximum and minimum temperatures with no precipitation. Data includes regional figures such as Semipenative and AR.
Washington dispatch notes a naval clash between the German pocket battleship Graf Spee and three British cruisers near Uruguay may test the Panama conference neutrality declaration. Signed by 21 Pan American Union members, the plan covers operations within a safety band off North and South American coasts.
London speculates on the fate and location of a German fleet sighted after an aerial clash over Heligoland Bight. Four German and three British planes were shot down in the battle. Reports claim a battleship cruiser and destroyers and submarines headed south, with no confirmation yet.
Germany must decide by Monday whether Admiral Graf Spee will stay in Montevideo under internment for the war or leave the harbor. Berlin reports indicate if the ship cannot gain harbor extension, it may attempt escape. A final Uruguayan decision is awaited with possible secret orders to the captain. The fate of the Graf Spee hangs on the Montevideo stance and naval actions nearby.
Ice on Route 19 two miles south of Portersville caused a five car collision injuring ten people. Victims include W J Limbric and Mrs Limbric of Pipesburg, Ruth Matthews and others from New Castle. One injury a broken pelvis at Memorial hospital in New Castle. Truck driver William F Rogers of New Bedford involved. An earlier crash near Butler reported with no injuries.
On opening day of a four county Pennsylvania deer season a 19 year old was killed and two injured. George Horansky of Youngstown Westmoreland county died from life threatening back and abdomen wounds after being struck by stray bullets while patrolling a field near Pigeon Forest. Warren and Naomi Hoover of Houtzdale were in a car when a stray bullet grazed the man’s arm and struck Naomi in the chest. Another group returning from a Newell hunt expedition were injured when their car skidded off the road and plunged into an embankment north of Taciana.
Capetown dispatch reports the 200 ton German freighter Adolf Leon hardt was scuttled by its crew after being intercepted by a British warship. The incident was officially announced today as news services note the event from Capetown. President Roosevelt arrived at Hyde Park for a four day stay at his Hudson River home.
Upton Close notes that America should have used naval power to protect shipping in World War I instead of deploying ground troops. He links Russia Finland tensions to a possible Kremlin clash, claims Stalin’s murder of army chiefs sparked a looming internal collapse, and traces European conflicts back to Roman rule.
Heavy German patrol activity continued on the western front between the Vosges mountains and the BiLes river. German reconnaissance groups penetrated near the BiLes and in no man s land, triggering fighting with French forces in a Vosges forest. Casualties occurred on both sides as a war ministry spokesman confirmed recent German troop movements observed by the French.
A Moscow radio broadcast reports a French Turkish mutual air pact to raise an army in Turkey to oppose Russia. The force would be under French command and include 400,000 French, 80,000 British, and 5,000 Turkish troops, with high level cooperation noted.
Almost every county and city official attended the Epworth club holiday dinner on Thursday night. The event featured remarks by prothonotary and other officers, with a turkey dinner, a Dan Potter orchestra, and solo performances by Florence Thompson and Martha McCreary.
Threenational News Services reports Japan may permit foreign traffic on the Yangtze River in China as a concrete step to ease the diplomatic deadlock with the United States. Foreign Minister Nomura called the move fundamental. relations grew tense after the US abandoned the 1914 treaty and Ambassador Grew criticized Japanese policy.
New Castle residents attended a Christmas party hosted by the Lions Club. Guests included local residents and event organizers, with attendance noted as a community gathering promoting fellowship and support. The article mentions L. Yogan as committee chair and references George Washington as part of the extended coverage, continuing on page fourteen.
A damaged British cruiser is reported in a chaotic scene with unclear details. The account mentions an exit and protests, with powers and actions described in fragmented terms, leaving the exact cause and outcome uncertain and needing confirmation.
Washington reports Finland agreed to pay estimated 25 million dollars toward World War I debts. Treasury official Henry Morgenthaler noted a ceremonial payment, while the total overdue balance remains unsettled amid postwar financial adjustments.
A Belgian freighter sank after striking a mine with one crewman killed and others wounded. One crew member was rescued and two were reported missing, with ongoing efforts to account for all aboard.
International News Service reports costs of the 1948 Dauphin county grand jury probe and three court trials in Harrisburg will exceed $103,400. So far costs total $95,492.25 for the probe and the trials of former Highwave Secretary Rey E. Brownmiller and James P. Fork, Pittsburgh Treasurer and Insurance associate.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain arrived in France today and will spend several days inspecting the British expeditionary forces on the Western Front. He will assess conditions and discuss the crisis with Allied leaders during the visit.
A fireman Rabinevity of Mercer Street and White aged 28 are listed in the death record. Also noted is Owen Francis M. Morshimer of 445 Whippa Street.
German crew members work to accelerate ship repairs amid potential harbor departure. The entry notes thirty six crew killed in sea battle are buried today as MONTEY TDK 64 Deg 15 hints at maritime conflict details.
Fragmentary OCR reads about charges and a New Deal era debate with mentions of a scapegoat and Sony rageverk. Names and places are unclear. A reference to Ohio and a possible American item appears among garbled phrases.
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