11 Jul 1957
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
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jul 11, 1957
Page
1
A Congressional group considers financing the reactivation of Minter Field near Shafter. Air Force testimony and cost estimates have shifted from 1 million to 6 million dollars for radar and support facilities, with about 250 personnel proposed. Minter Field would become a key link in coastal air defense if authorized.
Local Boy Scout Troop 9 departs for Valley Forge for a week long jamboree with scouts from around the world. Scoutmaster Leonard Johnson leads the group aided by Pat Townsend of Bakersfield and Harry Johnson of Wasco. Junior assistants include Wayne Siemens and LeRoy Balzer of Maple Troop.
Norman Stanley, 22, of Wasco, will join the Shafter sheriff substation as the third addition in a year. He finishes basic training in Bakersfield July 12 and begins work July 15 along with 18 county recruits. A Wasco graduate, Korean War veteran, part time criminology student at Bakersfield College, he will work across the region including Shafter Wasco Pond Lost Hills and Minter Village.
Free polio immunizations will be offered to Shafter residents at the Kern County Health Department in the County building on Saturday July 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. The drive aims for 100 percent vaccination of those up to 40 years old as part of a county program.
Dale Proctor of Shafter was named the city’s first dog catcher by the council from seven applicants. The appointment starts July 15, with duties as humane officer under the police department and a pickup truck with a divided cage. Proctor will enforce ordinances on roaming dogs, licensing, vaccinations, and confinement during mating season.
The Shafter Recreation Commission hosts awards night at the Highland Aquatic Center on July 18 ending the summer program for over 1000 youths in the Shafter Rio Bravo Minter Village area. The event features an 8 p.m. swim show, championship trophies for baseball and softball, and graduation for five week swimming students. Barbara Hill and Verna Peters perform in a water ballet duet while Robert Bann serves as master of ceremonies. Outdoor games arts and crafts and a 27 team baseball softball league are also offered by the department.
The fourth evening open air concert will take place at Shafter County Park at 8 p.m. Friday. The band, led by Kenneth Fahsbender, will perform pieces from the audience pop favorites. Admission is free and the public is invited.
Funeral services were held Friday at 2 p.m. in Armstrong mortuary for Bethel Thomas Smith 65 of DeWoody Camp Cabin 15 who died July 1 in a Ventura hospital after a lengthy illness. Rev. Wesley T. Williams officiated with interment in Shafter cemetery. Born July 28 1891 in Arkansas he lived in Shafter many years and was a retired farmer. Survivors include his widow Blanche Smith two sons Clifford Junior and William Bert both of Shafter six daughters Margie Booker Rena McCormick Nehemia Samples Lavon Bonner Delta Vigne and Linda Sue Smith, two brothers, four sisters and 13 grandchildren.
Mark Larson ten son of Mr and Mrs Dick Larson of Shafter helped lower the national AAU Olympic record for the 100 yard medley relay from 1 07 2 to 1 04 9 at a meet in Exeter He swam backstroke with teammates John Van Osder Tack Gallon and Jeff Smith The four boys competed in the 10 and under group Larson belongs to the Bakersfield Swim Club due to no local AAU sanctioned club.
Funeral services were held for Robert Marvin Butler 66 at the First Southern Baptist Church in Shafter with Rev. Sam Wilcoxon presiding. Interment followed at Shafter Cemetery. Butler born April 10 1891 lived in Shafter since 1937 retired farmer and church member. Survivors include his widow Minnie Butler two daughters Rena and Edna Janzen two brothers B F Butler and B B Butler two sisters Della Lackey Bertha Rains Tennie Coursey and two grandchildren.
Roxie Naomi Bryant 59 of 1217 Park Lane died July 9 at home. Funeral Friday at 2 p.m. at Pentecostal Church of God with Rev. Wesley T. Williams and Rev. Jewel T. Rose officiating. Interment in Shafter cemetery. Survivors include husband Loranzy J. Bryant, three sons Sherman, William, and Gene, six daughters Altha Dorton Mildred Goesling Edith Ferguson Marie Collins Thelma Dimitroff Naomi Millard and others. Armstrong Mortuary Shafter in charge.
The Shafter city council reduced the tax rate to 80 cents per $100 of assessed value, an 11 percent cut and the second consecutive year of tax relief. Mayor Adolf Kirschenmann cited uniform county sales tax regulations and efficient city operations as factors. Dissent came from Councilman Marvin Lane who wanted the prior year rate kept for capital outlay and street light improvements. The fiscal 1957 58 tax need is $43 750, down from prior years.
Lee Fields Davis aged 73 of 1023 Alamo Street died July 6 after a short illness. Rev. Sam Wilcoxon officiated at the burial in Shafter cemetery with Armstrong Mortuary in charge. Born February 19, 1884 in Belton South Carolina, he lived in Shafter 14 years and was a farmer and church member. Survivors include his widow.
Two eight year old juveniles admitted entering the homes of Harold Miller and John Jacobsen in Shafter, stealing $109 in cash and jewelry. Their parents were ordered to pay damages and warned of possible foster care if control failed. Police noted the pair lived far apart and disappeared after the burglaries.
Santa Fe railway announces a retime of its Bay Area bound Golden Gate streamliner. Train No. 63 will depart at 4 47 p.m. daylight time on Sunday July 14, with all stops through the San Joaquin Valley advanced 1 hour 15 minutes, arriving in San Francisco at 10 55 p.m. daylight time.
Principal Arthur Johnson of Shafter High reports to Kern County Union High School District on the 1956 57 year. He praises community support and the staff, notes ADA 774.91, 49 seniors plan to attend Bakersfield College, and outlines new course sections for 9 11 grades for superior ability.
Public works head Jack Harris announced postponement of the Central Avenue repaving after tests showed flaws in the paving mixture. Palomar Oil of Bakersfield conducts running tests in three batches to identify and correct the inferior material before rescheduling work.
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.