20 Dec 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Pottstown Mercury
Location
Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1948
Page
1
A December snowstorm crippled the northeastern U S with heavy drifts in New York City. Winds, zero visibility, closed Idlewild Airport, and mobilized 18340 snow removal workers, thousands of plows, and emergency officials to keep streets open as travel slowed.
Newly elected officers of Local 703 Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers were installed for the 1949 term at a Die Caster's club hall meeting. Dee F. Wampler as president, Joseph Mack vice president, John Linderman financial secretary, Sidney Peart recording secretary, Charles H. Noll treasurer, Alexander Corbett warden, Henry L Slade conductor. Gustav H. Schade Jr. retiring president presided. The fund for sick employees grew with $8733 collected the previous Friday plus $200 added yesterday. About 100 members attended.
New York report of five pieces of diamond jewelry valued at $9000 lost from a bag left on a deck chair aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. Moss Magda Therstevens, a former French film actress from Buenos Aires, said the small bag disappeared Friday while en route.
Mostly cloudy and not so cold today with a milder outlook tomorrow. Partly cloudy skies are expected tomorrow with a slight rise in temperature across the region.
Officials record a sweltering day with a high of 98 degrees as heat waves continue to grip the region. Residents brace for more extreme temperatures and seek shade, hydration, and cooling centers.
Java December 19 Dutch parachute troops seized Jogjakarta and interned top Indonesian leaders including Soekarno, Hatta, Agus Sjahrir, and Susarmo. General Soedirman captured but reportedly ill. No confirmation yet. Dutch say forces crossed truces in Java and Sumatra. Indonesian resistance appeared light. U.N. Security Council to meet in Paris Monday to discuss Indonesian warfare at U.S. and Australian request.
A 14 room house at 1011 High street fetched 16700 dollars at public auction Saturday afternoon. J G Ludwick, East Hugh street, bought the three story stone and back house, part of Estella H Wells estate, amid five bidders. The 1910 building now partly converted to two five room apartments. Auctioneer Ralph T Richards commented after.
A High Street shoplifter stole Nancy Schaeffer’s green wallet containing her Social Security card and driver’s license, valuable photos, and stamps. The thief then mailed a taunting Christmas letter, returning the license and card but keeping cash and items, prompting police inquiry with no results yet.
Harry T Engle 66 longtime Ellis Mills department store general manager in Pottstown, dies of heart attack while shoveling snow from his roof at 1043 Queen Street. He was found on the edge of the roof after collapsing. neighbors and Dr Ralph Merkel failed to save him. Engle, a 47-year employee and former errand boy, had been active at the store despite heavy snow chaos across Chester, Berks and Montgomery counties as crews cleared roads and residents shoveled sidewalks. He left a wife Blanche Setzler.
Hoffmansville casket-maker William N. Steffler, 42, dies at noon from uremic poisoning at home after a 13 and a half year struggle since a June 28, 1935 fall that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, and the accident occurred when he slipped from a cherry tree. His father Frank F. Steffler and family doctor Dr. Charles B. Dotterrer described the long battle and care at home.
Rhapsody Diamonds and Stone's Jewelry advertise rings bracelets and watches. Andre Jeweler at 68 High Street promotes Christmas gifts and Art Carved wedding rings. Levin's and Hartenstine's Market offer specials while bathroom scales and office stationery are listed along with election notices for the Pottstown Quoit Club.
Old Man Winter scenic effects enhanced the Pottstown High School Christmas concert in the Senior High auditorium. Over 900 music lovers enjoyed a diverse program directed by William F. Lamb Jr with the Senior High choir and Meistersingers. A highlight was Fred War ing's arrangement of The Night Before Christmas sung by band and chorus. Santa Claus laugh effects by Henry Beyer drew cheers, as the group performed Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, Tchaikowsky O Holy Night, Christmas Is Coming and Polly Wolly Doodle alongside a Negro spiritual.
In a Cape San Antonio area incident, the Coast Guard stated the crew of the Honduran vessel San Luis were abandoning ship near Cuba. The report lists unrelated local business ads including Quick Radio Repairs and piano tuning services.
Dr. Shields Warren head of the AEC medical department said about five U S scientists are going blind from radiation exposure at atom smashing facilities. He stressed they were not working on immediate atomic energy problems.
Two persons were injured in daylong crashes during heavy snowfall in the Pottstown area. Dr Ferdinand Coroniti 38 of Keiser Northumberland sustained deep shock possible rib fractures and possible lung contusion when the car he rode in with five brothers skidded on Route 422 near Baumstown at 12 15 pm. Eva Coroniti 27 of Keiser was driving a 1948 two door sedan eastbound when it struck a center island hidden by snow and slid across the road hitting a guard rail then continued along the roadway.
Harrisburg ordered Pottstown and five nearby communities to build sewage disposal plants by January 1, 1951. The borough faces borrowing constraints of about 406000 dollars, leaving only 20 percent of its debt capacity. A sewer tax would allow revenue bonds outside the debt limit. State Water Board secretary Dr. Noms W Vaux announced the far reaching order along the watershed. Borough manager Dow L Sears said officials would act with other communities to meet the deadline.
Hundreds of youngsters attended Yale town Christmas celebrations over the weekend. The Ine Casters club hosted a Hippodrome party with movies, Santa Claus gifts, candy, and age appropriate presents. Alvin W N Chavin chaired the committee with Robert R Van Horn emceeing. other members named. Four hundred sixty four.
The page promotes Food Specials at Hartenstone's Market with value items. It highlights model planes, leather wallets, Christmas trees and lights, jewelry by Andre and Swone, optics by Dr. Phillips, and various gift items. It notes store hours and nearby shops like Keller's and Hatheld & Shaner, with ads for watches, clocks, and necklaces.
Wilmer M. Guest, 37, of Pottstown RD3, was arrested after a Saturday crash with a car owned by Jon H. Griesemer on Beech Street. Guest, charged with driving while intoxicated, released on $500 bail. hearing set with Justice of the Peace Raymond C. Kelley.
Dr Willis H Price tests a tuck horn as Raymond Batter loses his cap in the river. Mrs Frank Carley and Frank Argue watch Santa Claus. Jacob Bingaman removes storm debris. Cuthbert Naran Jr. tends an injured dog. Nevin Haas plans a Christmas school program. Norman Ellis receives a romantic card and Mariorel Jones advertises a skit.
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