20 May 1931
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 31 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
The Mobile News Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1931
Page
1
J M Johnson, who arrived in Mattoon with Mrs Bowers and her two daughters, confessed to killing them. He admitted setting fire to the house and taking the victims in his car where he killed the mother with a shot and beat the two girls with an automobile crank.
The Chamber of Commerce board endorsed a manufacturers committee resolution opposing extending city limits to Three Mile Creek. Annexation was seen as harming Mobile industrial district growth and burdening existing firms. Directors urged attendance at Thursday's 1 PM membership forum at the Battle House hosted by Rotary. Daylight saving discussion also noted.
Allen C. Holland liaison officer for Mobile chapter No 7 Disabled American Veterans of the World War has been released from U S veterans hospital No 27 at Alexandria Louisiana and returned to the city to handle ex service men claims. He maintains offices at Littleton's gymnasium 304 Conti street.
Alabama potato demand remained brisk with prices steady as Baldwin county carriers sold nearly all offered cars. Daily shipments rose across states including Alabama 221 Florida 231 Louisiana 74 South Carolina 32 to push national total to 898 cars while rainfall could curb digging today and tomorrow. W. D. Hull reports on local markets.
Charlotte Nash Nixon-Nirdlinger, former St. Louis beauty queen and Philadelphia theater magnate’s wife, is acquitted of manslaughter in the March slaying of Fred G. Nixon-Nirdlinger in their Nice villa citing self defense. The courthouse drew large crowds as the brief trial concluded with a 10 minute jury deliberation and a defense emphasis on her self defense plea.
Solon lawmaker Tidwell condemns Alabama legislature as a joke while urging action. He warns of split partisan lines and laments governor’s trust, though hopes retrenchment continues. Ways and Means advances license fee shifts and proposes salary-control measures. subcommittees to shape inheritance and governor salary bills.
A massive fire at the American Tar Company plant three miles south of Fairfield Birmingham began with an explosion early today and burned for six hours. Tar and pitch in six tanks released after the blast continued to burn, leaving steel buildings in ruins and more than 100,000 gallons of flammable liquid released. District manager F. G. Owen and superintendent J. B. Roper declined to estimate damage.
Washington May 20 The American Federation of Labor urged metal trades councils to organize the unorganized to stop unjustified wage reductions. It accused shortsighted employers and bankers of pressuring for lower pay and said collective action would help more workers resist cuts.
Federal investigators prepare affidavits charging six Prentiss County residents in a conspiracy to intimidate federal officers tied to the slaying of Clyde Rivers U S deputy marshal and lawman. Affidavits reportedly target alleged ringleaders. murder charges to be filed when Rivers ton case wraps up.
In Montgomery on May 20 the senate temperance committee voted to indefinitely postpone Senator Craft’s horse racing bill, ending its path that would have allowed parimutuel betting under fair associations in Mobile and Montgomery. Teasley warned against Montgomery prospects and the panel also rejected Hooton’s bill repealing the $50 reward for informers in moonshine cases.
J. L. Johnson and Ed Kelly were detained at Mobile police headquarters on general charges tied to a countywide chicken theft ring. Detectives White and Pearson reported the pair admitted selling stolen poultry to a Dauphin Street store, claiming they bought the towels in Lucedale Mississippi.
A lightning bolt struck a radio in the home of A. L. Bell at Roberts and Hunter avenues on Tuesday night. The front porch area was scorched but no injuries were reported as occupants extinguished the minor blaze.
Monroe park in Mobile long used as a recreation center will be sold at public auction on June 26 in front of the courthouse. The sale covers all but the railroad company shops portion of the park as announced by Mobile Light and Railway Company officials.
George Voigt of New York was eliminated in the fifth round of the British amateur championship by Syd Roper of England, losing by one hole after winning a morning match against Bernard Darwin.
Dr. Richard A. Hail of Robertsdale Alabama pleaded nolo contendere in federal court to selling morphine and was fined 250 dollars plus two years probation. A hospital treatment note and probation leniency due to age and rehab were cited. Others pled guilty to prohibition violations and received fines and probation.
The Mertz P T A annual meeting re elected Mrs E E Griffith president and elected L C Grouty vice president Mrs Sam Rowell secretary and Edward Grigg treasurer. The group reported a 100 percent membership increase and praise for its welfare work from Mobile charitable institutions.
Walter Thomas a black truck driver was arraigned in recorder's court on a charge of reckless driving and fined zero dollars plus costs of 50 days' hard labor. Evidence showed negligence after his truck struck W G Duncan on March 12 at Springhill avenue and Kennedy street, injuring Duncan with a broken leg and arm.
The case of James T. Kelly charged with driving while intoxicated was called in the records court and reset for May 22. Detectives Walter Burch and Richard Lincoln took Kelly into custody after a report by M. Blackman that Kelly in a rented car was intoxicated and collided with Blackman’s vehicle at Washington Avenue and Gorgas Street.
James Bolton was sentenced to sixty days of hard labor after a Wednesday conviction on petit larceny. Police testimony stated he stole a bicycle from G A Binet of the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company.
A strong wind and heavy rain struck Mo le Wednesday noon causing minor damage. Lightning struck two trees between Dauphin and St Francis streets, toppling one. no serious damage reported early evening.
Frank J. Paciga a Worcester seaman confessed to Chief Burch and Los Angeles detectives that he and Harry Gould fatally choked William E. Fuller a Los Angeles window trimmer on April 30. Paciga said they entered to rob Fuller took $32 and bound him, Gould admitted his role.
Two people were slightly injured and several others shaken after a crash at Augusta and Marine streets. Cars involved belonged to J R Mc Daniels, Liggett's drug store employees, and K Spartling of Atlanta. Mrs McDaniela and her baby were hurt lightly. her husband narrowly escaped when their car overturned. Both vehicles damaged.
The house local legislation committee postponed Representative Grove's seawall bills for another week. A substitute seawall measure, prepared by Senator Craft and Representatives Taylor and Sossaman, is expected for introduction soon. The panel favored a bill allowing county treasury funds to pay attorney fees for defendants lacking funds and approved another Sossaman bill permitting school board condemnation of property for school sites.
The Big and filling station dispute remains unresolved as attorney A J Kearley denies an agreed settlement of 16500 for condemnation litigation. County officials Dr Matt Boykin and James Shelton reiterate that R M Harold agreed to move the station for a right of way and paved connection. The circuit court jury had awarded Harold 18000 in a previous verdict.
Chicago May 20 John Fac tor known as Jake the Barber surrendered to government authorities and was held for arraignment before a United States commissioner on an alleged five million dollar swindle in England awaiting further proceedings.
New York May 20 Ralph Barton famed illustrator of New Yorker Vanity Fair Liberty and Harper's Bazaar was found dead at his Hast Sith Street home a gunshot wound in the temple the revolver in his hand Police called the death a personal crisis Barton 39 had suffered a prior heart attack but had seemed to recover He was known for his satirical cartoons and book illustrations.
Plans for the annual tarpon rodeo in waters near Dauphin Island will be discussed at 6 pm Wednesday at the Cawthon hotel. L G Adams says I T Quinn will attend to help set a date and outline preparations. The event aims for higher success with many registrations and boats rented already.
Salvador Martinez, a Spanish claimant, testified he helped sink the Rose Murphy in November 1927 and denied any deal for compensation. He said New York insurers paid hotel and meal costs while in the United States, and he sought the court’s mercy. The cross examination was to cover the destruction details and Martinez’s motives.
Madrid reports Antonio Luque Jurado received life imprisonment for looting a Catholic church during the recent incendiary riots. Two others received long sentences after a court martial conviction for similar offenses. A convent near Pamplona was reportedly set on fire by a mob in Tasalla. locals stopped the blaze with some shots fired.
AGreer company branch at Plateau near the paper mill was burglarized Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Goods valued at about $250 were stolen, including many cigarettes, after a rear door was forced open. Thieves used a truck.
Thunder showers and cooler conditions expected tonight into Thursday across Alabama with possible coastal showers near Mississippi. Regional outlook indicates rising river levels on the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers tonight through Thursday, with standard observations recorded at 7 am on May 20, 1931.
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