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Newspaper
The Daily Mail
Location
Hagerstown, Maryland, United States of America
Date
Jul 07, 1944
Page
4
Hartford July 7 death toll from the Ringling Brothers circus blaze rose to 159 with 250 injured, many in grave condition, as investigators probe origin and fire officials face heavy bail. Most victims were children. state police say no performers died. The disaster scorched the main tent, forcing a three hospital handling of victims.
Cpl. James O. Bush of Hagerstown is the only local airman known to join the B 29 raid on Japan last month. He writes that the action marked the first time he and the group saw combat, with the mission launched from China and led by a major. Bush notes a Life Photographer rode aboard and promises forthcoming magazine photos. He entered service in 1943 and has been overseas four months. His wife Betty Houghton lives with her parents on Laurel Street.
London endures new blast raids as German flying bombs strike again and casualties rise. Prime Minister Churchill’s report on devastation spurs a grim yet resolute mood as residents resume work under the constant threat. The public embraces his stance that civilians must adapt to the new weapon without paralyzing fear.
Phoenix, July 7. A preliminary FBI check after the Santa Fe Chief wreck 20 miles west of Flagstaff found no evidence of sabotage. Agent R. P. Kramer said the scene tour completed yesterday ruled out deliberate damage. Also today Gladys Mae Bitner, by attorney C. K. Hartle, filed for divorce from Earl Clinton Bitner in court.
Joseph J. Barron, 32, former Company B Maryland National Guard, was seriously wounded on June 18 during the invasion of France. His mother received word from the War Department a day earlier via a hospital in England where Barron wrote to tell her not to worry. He had been employed as a carpenter by Jonaritenour prior to enlistment. letters may be sent to APO 561 care Postmaster New York City.
Sheriff John B. Huyett said he will seek warrants for a man seen dumping refuse along Paramount road. County officials vow strict enforcement under state law to end roadside rubbish and remind residents to use the city dump.
Governor Herbert R. O Conor invites members of the Board of Election Supervisors to a state conference at the Emerson Hotel in Baltimore next Tuesday noon to discuss the soldier voting law and plan how every eligible armed service member can vote in the coming general election. County supervisors expect to attend and participate in the discussion. MUSCLES STRAINED C. Welles Little, U S Commissioner and attorney to the Board of County Commissioners, who strained his chest muscles Monday evening during a violent coughing attack, is back at work feeling improved.
Pfc Lloyd T. Guessford aged 23 was killed in action on June 7 during the Normandy invasion. A former National Guard Company B, Hagerstown, he was born in Williamsport and lived there. Surviving siblings include Mrs. Florence Toston and Mrs. George Teach, plus John and Russell Guessford. His wife Connie and daughter Barbara Ann live in Bethlehem, Pa.
The New York Central ironworks engineering department donated the first bronze for a plate to be used on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam, then under construction at Philadelphia. Local workers and Herald-Mail office are collecting bronze, with the first twenty pounds to be melted for the plate engraving ship statistics.
The Reed brothers Mark E Ben and William of Hagerstown Williamsport caught 18 bass at Snyder's Landing Potomac near their clubhouse. One bass weighed 2.5 pounds and the second largest 2 pounds in a record catch recorded Thursday.
First early potatoes planted late in April are being harvested this week in Washington county with growers reporting about a half crop due to a recent dry spell.
Judge Joseph D. Mish, who underwent a 2 ton sillectomy in a Baltimore hospital earlier this week, arrived home yesterday and expects to be confined for several days. Secretary Stimson said after touring Fifth Army front lines that American troops show an inestimable quality and desire to engage the enemy and the future of the war is safe.
London report says Soviet forces near Wilno as 10 miles away, with Berlin dispatch noting major advance toward Latvia and Lithuania. Moscow confirms Red Army pushing on a 350 mile front, nearing the Lithuanian border and the Viliya river west of Wilno, threatening Kaunas.
Washington county surpassed its Fifth War Loan quota five days before the drive end, with subscriptions totaling 2,855,569.75 against a 2,850,000 goal. Chairman John D. Holiday praised the county and supporting agencies for the strong community effort.
Henry B. Everhart age 20 a Hagerstown High School graduate served as tail gunner with the 11th AAF Liberator group stationed in Italy. He received the first Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for meritorious aerial achievement during sustained operations against the enemy. The 15th Air Force group conducted daylight precision missions from France to Romania.
A government weather observer forecasts temperatures over 100 degrees if today matches yesterday’s 41 degree range. With yesterday’s high 97 and low 62, the heat is expected to persist for the next 24 hours with no relief.
To wed top American fighter ace Lt Col Francis C Gabreski of Oil City Pa when he returns from Europe in July on furlough Kay Cochran 19 of Grova Rapids Mich becomes his bride. Gabreski shot down his 28th enemy plane to become the leading American ace.
A Louisville and Nashville troop train plunged into a 50 foot gorge near Jellico Tennessee killing at least 13 soldiers and the engineer and fireman. Reports vary with estimates up to 25 dead and 250 hurt as cars burned and rescuers freed trapped survivors. Ambulances took the wounded to hospitals in Lake City, Lafollette and Jellico.
Sgt Carl Watkins Jr of the 90th Infantry Division was wounded in the arm in France after the Normandy invasion. He writes to his wife and parents on Pine Street and is now in a general hospital overseas.
Edward A. Cox, 26, a former member of Zel Smith's dance band from Blue Ridge Summit, was killed in action on D-Day, according to his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Cox. Cox was well known locally before entering the Army.
New York July 7 detectives probe a bold safe raid at police headquarters netting $750 in cash and war bonds. Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine says the act was likely by a dishonest employee.
Allied patrols reached the Caen docks and pushed beyond La Haye du Puits while American forces began a new river crossing on the eastern flank in Normandy. Front line reports indicated German resistance remained whether they held parts of the town at strong points after heavy bombing.
German defenders in northern Italy lash out along the Gothic line as the 5th Army slows toward Livorno Pisa and Florence. Intense house to house combat rages at Rosignano with American troops within ten miles of Livorno fighting for control of the town and its ruined areas mirroring Cassino's brutality.
John F. Noxon Jr a 40 year old lawyer was sentenced to death for the electrocution slaying of his six month old son Lawrence on September 22. Judge Abraham E Pinanski imposed the sentence after Noxon requested to testify and claimed innocence. The execution was stayed pending further action and the judge invoked mercy.
Eleven seventeen year olds enlisted in the Navy this week through the Navy Recruiting Station at City Hall. Sworn in at Baltimore induction center were Edward Lee Elgin of 319 North Potomac Street, Robert M. Whittington of 120 North Mulberry, James W. Smyre of 133 Bay Street, Richard E. House of 716 Spruce, Van B. Kershner of 480 Mitche avenue, Albert C. Gochenour of Highfield, Marvin Hartsock, Edward C. Hedges of Middletown, Frank B. Kesselring of Chambersburg, William J. Adams of Waynesboro, and Albert H. Keeney of Kenmore.
Allied planes damaged or destroyed most German escape and supply bridges at Caen. Only one span across the Orne remained, a pontoon bridge. Three bridges at Caen were put out of action and another near St Andre sur Orne was damaged. German defenses around Caen remained strong with no immediate retreat evident.
Captain F Adlen Norton of the Marine Corps formerly of Hagerstown was killed in action in the Mariana Islands. He had lived in Hagerstown for seven years up to 1937 and later worked for the Universal Credit Company and the Baltimore Office of Price Administration. He had been overseas since early this year and is survived by his wife, residing in Washington.
Chinese army spokesman said Captain Ralph Thompson of American Chemical Warfare Intelligence substantiated charges that Japan used mustard gas against Hengyang defenders. Thompson examined victims and a detailed report is awaited, with communication to American and British governments planned.
London reports that Adolf Hitler shifted field marshal posts in western Europe. Guenther von Kluge becomes high commander in the west, replacing Karl Rundstedt who may receive a new assignment. Rommel gains influence as Atlantic wall defense commander while Rundstedt’s removal is seen as a Rommel-favored victory.
State police and officers in this city and Fred Jerick are checking reports of two escaped German prisoners of war. Ex-sergeants fled Gettysburg stockade Monday and were still at large at noon, with patrols combing the countryside near the city and Thurmont.
Chinese troops counterattacked in Hu nan province lifting the Hengyang siege and pushing 25 miles beyond the main Japanese force along the Han kow Clanton railway. Chiang Kai shek claimed liberation near. Only scattered Japanese remnants remain south of Leiyang as the main Japanese retreat northeast.
American forces opened a single highway as a route to surrender for 10 15 thousand Japanese civilians on Saipan while Marines and Army units pressed the assault on remaining Japanese troops. Civilians in northern Ibanan areas were urged to come forward for protection, food, and water as louder proof of the end of military operations emerged.
About 22 inmates from Roxbury Penal Farm were sent to local farms to harvest and thresh wheat. More prisoners will join farm work as the season grows, under guard supervision. Farmers must post bond to cover wages after last season payroll issues with three county farmers. Solliday notes the wheat crop is unusually heavy due to a spring rainfall.
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