16 May 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
New Castle News
Location
New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 16, 1939
Page
1
Philadelphia police crack down on a murder-for-insurance ring dubbed the black widows case. Thirteen women and eleven men are jailed as investigators pursue the scale of the operation, which allegedly claimed 34 lives and targeted husbands to collect insurance payouts.
New Castle awaits another class of graduates as the town notes green 1939 dinks on the streets. Firework sales for Independence Day have been restricted by city ordinance, with a new state law enacted by Governor James easing the ban. Residents report cooler weather last week with rain and early May temperatures ranging from 46 to 54 degrees and daily precipitation of about half an inch from May 10 to 16.
Daily weather report for the 24 hour period ending 5 p m Monday shows max 70, min 40, no precipitation, river stage 48 feet. Historical note for the swine date two years ago records max 44, min perypertaire with 8 inches precipitation.
The Greater New Castle Association plans to name an executive vice president within a few days. Norman E. Clark, president of the association, announced after a joint meeting at The Castleton where the board, advisory council, and candidates were discussed. A board sub committee and a large candidate pool have been involved in interviews. CGD. Smith Jr chaired a transportation committee report to the group.
Harrisburg reports the Pennsylvania Senate voted 30 to 17 to repeal the 1937 gasoline licensing act, clearing the bill for Gov. Arthur H. James to sign. The measure, already passed by the House, would remove a one dollar pump fee and save an estimated $173,024 for the 1937-39 biennium.
Three youths, James Barnett 21, Howard E Boyle 19, and Richard Groter 19, were sentenced to life terms for first degree murder in the slaying of Martin Fink, a 44 year old Turtle Creek confectioner, during a holdup last November. Visiting Judge W Waller Braham of New Castle ordered testimony after pleas were entered, with sentencing carried out at Western penitentiary in Pittsburgh.
In New York on May 15 police hunted six armed robbers who stormed a Harlem Consolidated Edison office and escaped with receipts totaling between 10,000 and 15,000 dollars. Clues are sparse as investigators pursue leads across the scene and suspect hoax or disguise.
Harrisburg May 16 The Pennsylvania House approved three administration liquor bills ending a wave of controversial measures. Debate centered on small business burdens from higher license fees. Curran Royer license cap and Breatherick Lyons beer control passed. both would create district boards with three members. A $500 bond requirement for license appeals drew opposition from Rep. Continnad On Pate Two.
Lord Halifax planned a Paris trip to discuss a French plan for a mutual assistance pact among Britain France and Soviet Russia. The proposal aims to facilitate Anglo Russian negotiations and draw the U S into the European anti aggression front.
A bill to repeal the Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal Board laws was introduced in the Senate by Senator Len Montgomery Crowe of Monroe. The measure seeks to repeal 1913 acts on canal construction and maintenance from the Ohio Beaver junction to Lake Erie and to amend provisions on waterway depths and branch canals, removing the canal board's authority.
New York May 16 Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt wife of the president moved about the New York World's Fair with little attention from crowds. She paid her own admission and roamed for a free hour before a luncheon address, with only two stall girls quietly following at a respectful distance for several minutes.
A May 16, 1999 death record lists several individuals including Mrs Adai Stockman 40 of Brinton Avenue Rev Henry J Bucklegram 76 of Fairmont Avenue Thomas Oliver Law 62 of New Cassue D R 3 Mrs Arthur C Weir 36 of Wame UI Jotn lath Aels 96 Pulaski Two and Mrs Joseph M Smith 82 of Harbor.
Sarasota Florida May 16 a Manatee county grand jury will investigate the mysterious death of Potter D Orsay Palmer 84 heir to a Chicago hotel fortune He died of a cerebral hemorrhage after a picnic fight with Kenneth Nosworthy Nosworthy surrendered to the sheriff and was released without charge The sheriff noted no clear link between the blow and the death and witnesses said Palmer appeared unharmed afterward The investigation aims to determine the actual cause and securing facts for the death question Bradenton in Manatee County adjoining Sarasota County
Swedish aviator Carl Backman, 25, started a light single engine monocoupe flight from Bangor to St Johns and then toward Stockholm. He said his craft can fly about 4,000 miles on a tank and uses five gallons of fuel per hour.
Fred Snite Jr., 28, long strapped to a 10000 pound respirator since infantile paralysis, travels from New York aboard the Normandie in a special railcar trailer. His parents, nurses, a physician, and inventor Denis Scanlan accompany him as he heads toward Lourdes for spiritual and possible physical relief. The voyage includes a stop at Le Havre and a plan to attend the New York World's Fair then return to Chicago.
The City of New Castle sues Lawrence County the Industrial District and Shenango Township over Cascade Park and Municipal golf grounds. The case rests on voluminous exhibits with testimony largely transcribed. City officials presented agreements with concessionaires and introduced agreements readied by Councilmen J Leon Fink and Dosigh D Alexander.
Reverend T. Williams will preach a memorial sermon Sunday evening at the First Congregational Church on Reynolds Street. Members of the Martha Washington and Star of Wales lodges, under the True Ivories of America, will attend the service honoring the deceased.
In Quebec May 16 the Empress of Australia arrived hours late as government patrols were reduced and the royal program rearranged. Icebreaker McLean docked offshore while Montcalm, Driud, and Bernier entered port for inspection. Continued on page FWD.
Federal agents stated 15 year old Mary Hombra confessed the kidnap tale was a hoax. She said she entered a black sedan voluntarily and later fled near Columbus. She had previously claimed three men forced her during a carnival walk from Wheeling Island.
Members of the newly organized Regular Army Reserve Post No 3 will meet Friday in room 202 past office J building to plan an outing for Saturday May 27. The session starts at 7:30 o clock and is open to all reserve members regardless of active or inactive status.
WPA painters have begun interior wall work at the Torn public library. An elaborate scaffolding plan lets painters proceed without hindering library operations. Before painting, workers cleaned the main lobby ceiling and walls.
London May 16 The first batch of Britain's conscription army numbering about 40 000 to 50 000 men will be called up on July 1 The balance of 300 000 men affected will be called up in two month intervals as announced in the house of commons today.
George Sietert Jr liquidating agent for Keystone National Bank died early today at a suburban hospital from a cerebral hemorrhage after an auto incident while driving through Sewickley. Local police reported the crash occurred near the Sewickley area, with investigators treating it as a fatal driving accident.
Reinforcements bring Kentucky National Guardsmen to about 900 at bituminous mines in Harlan county as operators reopen seven mines under guard in defiance of UMWA head John L. Lewis. Some sources hint at a peaceful settlement, but Harlen operators remain firm on not signing with the union.
Phoenix authorities hold 22 year old Robert M Burgunder a Tempe State Teachers College student without bond on two counts of murder. He faces a preliminary hearing next Monday after entering a not guilty plea at a brief hearing. Burgunder is accused of enticing Elis Moury and Jack Paterson to demonstrate a car and then shooting them both dead.
A fragmented piece describes Arthur Mometer tending a garden, hoping seeds will sprout, and observing with a microscope for signs of life. The narrator notes his hopeful soul, routines of afternoons spent inspecting soil, and a shadow of curiosity about plants and possible weeds as he pursues evidence.
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