The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune from Chillicothe, Missouri • Page 1

News Notes OF LOCAL Happenings Cfntttcotfje Congtttutton-Crtbune MRS. 1HCKLIN IN HOSPITAL Mrs. T. L. Htcklin.

Chillicothc RFD 3. underwent surgery March 27 at Uestv.uch hospital in Kansas She is improving satisfactorily. AT ZON'K IVtEETIN'C J. P. (June) Morgan, district governor.

and Arhe Howard, international representative, lust attended 'A Club zone meeting at, TAKES THIRD J. shearer won third place in an a a talent content at Braymer Wednesday night. He played piano First and second places went to home talent. FELIC1E ANN SHY Mr. and Mrs.

Paul R. Shy of Kansas City announce the arrival of a Tii pound daughter. Fehcie Ann, on April I. Mr. and Mrs.

Shy have another daughter. Mary Tyler, 15 months old, HAS PLASTIC SOKGEKY Cinda Lou McCrary. 2-month-old daughter of Mr. arid Mrs. Marshall McCrary, EreckenridKe.

was dismissed from Children's Mercy Hospital March 30. She was admitted on the for plastic surgery. CONDITION IMPROVING John Henry, three 'week old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence of 424 Elm Street, is improving at the Chllllcothe Hospital.

Mr. Cummings is employed at the Parkview Service Station. CAR Fire yesterday afternoon damaged the interior ot an automobile parked in front of the Chillicothe hitch school. Fire Chief Virgil Ltndsey said flames somehow got started in the car feat. The call came at 3:40 p.m.

RETURNED WEDNESDAY Mrs. F. A. Gardner returned Wednesday from a four months visit in Madison, Wisconsin, St. Louis and Saline, Kansas.

She visited her daughter. Mrs. Edward C. Brandt in Madison: r. daughter.

Mrs. Morris Smith in Salina and her sister. Mrs. I'. C.

Sample in St. Louis. ENTERED HOSPITAL Mrs. Dora May Humphreys entered the Chillicothe Hospital Wednes- a for medical treatment. Mrs.

VOL. LX1 DAILY EDITION CHILLICOTHE. MISSOURI THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1954 FOURTEEN PAGES' NO. 77 Government Reveals Island Is Destroyed By H-Bomb Blast Fireball from Explosion Could Swallow Much of New York City, Film Shows. By ELTON C.

PAY AP Military Alfairs Reporter WASHINGTON. April 1. government disclosed today details of the world's first hydrogen explosion--a searing and crushing that wiped out an island in the twinkling of an eye and spawned a gigantic fireball big enough to en- the heart of New York City. The official motion picairc film of the thermonuclear test in November 1952. conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission and Defense department at Enlwetok Atoll, was made public--in somewhat censored form--by the Federal Civil Defense Administration.

That agency said it "firmly believes it Is necessary for the American public to know the facts about the destrtiKiveness of nuclear weapons." it quoted from the speech of President Eisenhower be- for the United Nations Assembly last December which -said, "clearly, if the peoples of the world are to conduct an Intelligent for peace, they must be armed with the significant facts of today's existence." Awesome us It was. the 1952 test Probe of McCarthy- Army Feud May Be VT. JOHN VV. CUNNIFF, son of Mrs. Ethel E.

i is disbursing specialist with the 3d Infantry Division in Korea. The 20-year-old soldier entered the Army last June and completed basic training at Fort Hiley. S. Army Photo) (Continued on Page Seven). (Continued on Page Four) Mailing Costs for Newspapers Boosted 10 Per Cent Today A rise in publishing costs for The i i i and thousands of other newspapers and magazines became effective today with a 10 per cent increase in second Class mailing rates.

The boost is the last of three staggered 10 per rent increases which Congress authorized four years ago. According to the Associated Press, Postmaster General Summerfleld. taking note of the increase at news conference Wednesday, said It Postorttce depart- from second class will boost the ment's revenue mnil by about 5 million dollars ti year. The- first 10 per cent hike became effective April 1. 1952.

and the second on the same dr.te last year. One-Act Plays on Month's Rainfall All in Eight Days Coldest Day in March Was 12 Above on 5th. In contrast with many drouth months in the last year and a half, rainfall exceeded the normal amount here last month, as it did the same month of 1953. all of it this March fell in eight days' time along In the latter part of the month. Precipitation amounts to 3.35 inches.

It fell this way: .50 of an inch. March 18-19, 1.12 on the 23rd and 24th, and 1.73 on the 24th and 25th. Until the rain of March 18, there hadn't been rtny measurable moisture In nearly throe weeks --since .32 on Feb. 27. Seven days (luring the month, the temperature fell below 20 degrees.

The lowest was 12 above zero March and the highest reading was 65 last Saturday. March 27. The low mark, Incidentally, was colder than any time in February. The coldest day of that month was 14 degrees. Meanwhile.

April arrived in Missouri with a coot shrug of her shoulders for those looking for showers. The weatherman sees nary a sign of moisture for the state--only fair and warmer. The mercury may reach Into the OOs Friday, but it won't last, with another mass of cold air surging down from western Canada. This is expected to hit the state about Friday night. Lows tonight Tomorrow Will Be Big Day of Festival, With Many in for Music.

Commercial contests today ushered in the Chillicothe division of the Northwest Missouri Spring Festival, with public speaking and the one- act plays scheduled this evening at the high school, it was announced R. E. Houston, co-manager. A student monitor staff of about 100 has been appointed to aid those from visiting schools as well as from here during the three-day festival, Principal George Newbolt said. School officials have been busy today i i chairs, pianos and other equipment from room to room in preparation for the events to conic 1 For instance, the commercial contests were held today in the gymnasium, i the stage curtains drawn.

Beginning at 3 p.m., the tables, typewriters, stands etc. had to be moved out and sfcr.gr; for the one-act plays moved in and set up to be on time for the first play scheduled at 6 p.m. The commerce tests will be taken to Muryvllle for grading and the results will be announced when available. The results of the other contests huld here will be announced the events' conclusions. It has been estimated that more than 2.000 students will be in Chillicothe the festival's three-day period.

Houston described this Boston Lawyer Is Named As Counsel; Kefauver Fails in His Effort. WASHINGTON, April 1 1 )--The Senate Investigations Subcommittee today appointed Samuel P. Spears, a Boston lawyer, as special counsel for its investigUtion of the charges Sen. McCarthy (R-Wis) and high army officials have aimed at one another. Sen.

who will preside at the public and televised hearings, told a news conference he believed the unanimous selection had broken a log jam and would permit start of the inquiry within 10 days. Mundt said Sears will start work Monday "and I hope the hearings will start the following week." Mundt said the selection was made by "another unanimous vote, all six members of the committee voting 'aye'" at closed door session. Just a few moments earlier, Sen. Kefauver (D-Tenn) had made an unsuccessful move to get the Senate Armed Services Committee to take over the investigation of the whole McCarthy-Army row. Kefauver made his motion at a closed-door session ot the armed service group, but not enough senators to do business were present.

Sen. Hendrlckson (R-NJ), acting chairman, made this point and Ke- IERRY LITTON WINS SUB-DISTRICT CONTEST Litton, entered In tonight's pubiu sper.klnt; contest at the Ch.Ihcothc school, yesterday won a similar contest in Cameron against contestants from four other schools. Litton, speaking on "Farming: A Challenge and an Opportunity," won a sub-district contest between vocational agriculture departments of this general area. He thereby valued the vmht to represent this sub-district at the district finals in Mary, ille on April D. with the winner irom there advancing to the state.

Litton represented the Chillicothe high school vocational agricul- department and was accompanied to Cameron by M. a Crabtree. director. are expected to range from the 40s In the northwest to 30-35 in the southeast. The local rain table: 1953 1954 Jan 09 .77 Feb 1.64 1.35 March 4.79 3.55 (Continued on Page Six.) Calvary Baptists Have 'Youth Week" Young People to Fill Official Posts.

Ench year during the first week in April, the Calvary Baptist Church observes "Youth Week." The purpose of "Youth Week" is to give 1 the church an opportunity to use its young people in all the official positions of church life. This program is promoted by the Tram- the THE SIZE OF THE NEW SCREEN at the Ben Bolt theatre is illustrated in this photograph by the relative sizes of the persons and the 17-inch TV screen. Here, Artie Kempt', manager, points out features of the giant new Magni-Scope screen to Charles Truesdell, chief projectionist. The wide screen was put into use for the first tune Sunday with the showing of "Roman Holiday." School Elections Highlight Vote in State Next Tuesday Several Towns, Districts, Seek Higher Levies; Elect Officials in Some Cities. (Continued on Page Six.) Ave.

1.40 1.60 2.39 Rev. Elmer Goss to Leave Calvary Church Will Go To Jefferson City on June 27. The Riv. Elmer Goss yesterday tendered his resignation as pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. Mr.

Ooss has received a call from the Memorial Baptist Church In Jefferson City, which he will accept on June 27. He came to Chillicothe from the South Side Baptist Church in St. Louis in April. 1951. THE WEATHER MISSOURI--Fair and warmer this afternoon and tonight: generally lair and wanner Friday turning colder late this afternoon: low to- niglil 40 northwest to 30 to 35 east: high Friday in CDs.

Official Temperatures Yesterday's Maximum 45 Yesterday's Minimum 23 rrifipilutiun p. None MRS. GEORGE CONSTANT IS DEPUTY CIRCUIT CLERK Mrs. George Constant. 1121 Monroe street, today began duties as deputy circuit clerk and recorder, succeeding Mrs.

Calvin Tolle, who, with her husband, Is moving to farm for permanent residence. Mrs. Constant served at the of- fier once before, according to Herb Danielson, clerk and cx-otficlo recorder. Mrs. Tolle had served since November 1, 19G2.

Leaders Will leach To Give Information on Instruction of Youth. Outstanding church leaders of Missouri will be in ChillicotliH Tuesday, to help train religious leaders and those who want to learn more about lending children at vacation church school and Sunday school. Tlie conference will start at 9:30 a. m. at the First Christian Church.

Mrs. Burt Butler of Chillicothe is in charge of arrangements for this Leader of the 5-person team will be the Rev. T. A. Jaegur.

director uf (Continued on Page Four) ing Union Deparernent of church. "Youth Week" was first observed by the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis, in the fall oi 193G. The first Youth Week observance in Calvary Baptist Church was in the spring of 1952. The following young people have been elected by the church to assume the offices and duties listed with their name: Youth pastor, Lyle Buck; Sunday school superintendent, Jerry Jackson: Training Union director, Mary Ann Mason; Women's Missionary Union president, Lois Mason; B.

W. C. president, Barbara Akers; Young People's director, Opal McGuire. Brotherhood president, Rex Meneely; treasurer, Bobby Sam Pyrtle; clerk, Fred LnUcy: pianist, Joyce Parker; choir director, Doris Gastineau; song leader, Putty Buck; deacons, David Pyttle, chairman, Max Meneely, Harold Akers, Larry Niehaus, Gary Thomas, George VanDeventer. Ushers, Vernon Gastineau, chairman, Beverly Ann Goss, Beverly Meneely, Jennie Jackson, Carolyn Acree, Jack Hopper, Larry Boyd; circle chairmen, Connie Vahrenberg, Doris Akerson, Sarah Atkins.

A social will be held in the educational building in honor of the young persons immediately following the evening service. To Appear on Mccy 15; Lions Club Speaker Predicts Woman President. A return engagement of the Horace Heidt snow will be presented here May 15, it was announced to- d.iy by Lloyd Turner, president ot the Chillicothe Lions Club, sponsors of the event. Heidt, his orchestra and talent I show appeared here two years ago. Walt Plant, advance agent, said this morning that auditions for the Heidt talent show wii'' be held in Chillicothe prior to th'e engagement May 15, when two shows will be The auditions will be open to the public at no charge and the date will be announced.

Those wanting to audition for appearances with the show must be at least 14-years old, Plant said. The Heidt program will last approximately 214 hours. Preliminary plans for the event were made last night at a ladies night meeting ol the Lions Club. The club's program was presented by 'Mrs. Waitie Delma Gordon of Chicago, who gave a humorous talk on the topic, "Woman--Man's Was Unsettled in the Neighborhood That Night Asking about damage to crops from big freezes of the weather in North Missouri, County Agent Frank Miller has been rewarded with various kinds of information.

One former told him he had sowed oats early every sprjng for years, whenever possible, and had lost only one crop. That, he said, was in a freeze in the dark of the moon the night before a school election. "He didn't say," Miller observed, "whether the damage was WHS from the 'dark of the moon, the freeze or the school election. CContinued en Page Three). on School Elections County Superintendent Cites Procedure for Gatherings April 6.

Annual school elections will be held next Tuesday in the various school districts of Livingston County. Information as to the procedure, tax levies and other matters has been prepared for schools under Conviction Ends Three-Day Trial Edwin Stockwell Receives Life Sentence for Slaying Oi Neighbor Last Summer. A Circuit Court jury yesterday afternoon found Edwin G. Stockwell guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The 56-year-old defendant heard his sentence with no outward show of emotion, although members of his family present were moved to tears.

Defense Attorney R. B. (Dick) Taylor said afterwards he would decide whether or not to file for a new trial after he had studied a transcript of the case. Stockwell was tried for the shotgun slaying of John Tucker last August 26. Closing statements by both sides ended and the jury retired to deliberate at 2:50 p.m.

They returned their verdict an hour and 46 minutes later, at 4:36 o'clock. During this time, Stockwell was allowed to sit with his family in a front row of the courtroom. The findings of the jury were read by Circuit James W. Davis, who commended trie panel for "strict 'attention" paid during the progress of the three-day pro- KANSAS CITY, April 1. School levies hold the spotlight as Missouri voters go to the polls next Tuesday in municipal and school district elections.

Never before in the state's history has the educational needs of many little Missourians depended on the decisions of their elders. Increases in school enrollments. hikes in cost of operations and the need for more teachers 10 carry the pupil load is the reason. Then, too, there is the shortage of teachers, which calls for salary increases to keep teaching positions filled. Public interest has been heightened by the controversy over Gov.

Phil M. Donnelly's veto of the 9U million dollar school "bonus" from state funds last summer. Many school districts, having benentted for the last two years from, such an appropriation, had counted on it again. In some instances the governor has been blamed entirely for the need to raise levies. The levy increases sought range from a few cents to nearly $2,000.

but it is not an accurate basis of comparison since property assessments practices vary from commun- Men Eat, Spill Things, But Get Church Ceiling Painted The lollowing article was written by "One Who Was Present." an observer at the second men's church-painting work effort at the First Methodist Church. At the earnest insistence of the women (God bless 'em the Men's Brotherhood of the First Methodist Church decided--again--to decorate the room in the church basement for the primary department ol the church Sunday School. Starting out with their usual mistakes, the Brotherhood, without consulting him. appointed Jou Shy, as "Agitator." The "Agitator" contacted Mrs. Archie Campbell as to color scheme.

"Pale green" was the answer. The "Agitator" suggested to Mrs. Campbell that (knowing how men loathe to paint a ceiling) as the ceiling had been painted years ago, it might be omitted. The answer was a firm "No! Pale green ceiling." So, the "Agitator" contacted Charles Hapes with instructions to "Clear the decks for action!" by clearing all debris (scats, chairs, etc. i from the room.

"Will do," said Charles. When the "Agitator" arrived at the church about 4:45 with three gallons of paint (which he knew wasn't enough by about four gallons, but Nichols promised to bring more, which he i he found Charles Hapes had carried out instructions--he, Doc. Kinnison and McNeil had "swabbed the decks." Knowing that the Brotherhood had been through this "Operation (Continued on Page Six). School Annexation Proposal Fails Blackburn Issue Loses by 26-27 Vote. A proposal to annex the Blackburn rural school district in northwest Livingston County to the Jnmesport district was defeated, 27 to 26, Monday, according to official information brought today to Howard Leech, county superintendent of schools.

J. F. Jackson, clerk of the Blackburn board, advised that 27 votes were cast against the measure and 26 were in favor of the change. A majority vote was required for approval. Mr.

Leech said that under state laws the annexation issue cannot be presented to the voters again for two years. Blackburn, in the extreme northwest corner of the county, encompasses about lOVi square miles. It has an assessed valuation of $203,820 and a school tax levy oi 65 cents on the $100 valuation. Blackburn had an enrollment this year of 12 stildcnt.i. The district has been sending most of its high school students to Jamesport.

The James- his direction by Howard 11 8 1 county superintendent, and appears below: By law, the annual meeting is to convene at 2 pjn. The first order of business would be to elect a chairman and a secretary for this meeting It would be proper for the president of the school board to act as temporary chairman until the chairman for the meeting was elected. In case the president of the school board is not present, any eligible voter could act as temporary chairman. Any qualified voter would be eligible to be elected chairman of the meeting. The secretary of the meeting is to keep an accurate record of the business that is transacted and, when it is signed by the chairman, present it to the clerk of the school board, who will put it -in the official records of the board.

The school board of a 3-dfrector district has the authority to levy 65c on the hundred dollars assessed valuation. Any amount above 65c must be authorized by the voters. Notices of the annual meeting have been posted in five public places in each district, so that everyone can read them. Each notice contains a copy of the budget for operating the school for the next year. This port district school tax levy year is $2.

this LAYMEN TO CONDUCT HOLY WEEK SERVICES Early-morning services, conducted by the laymen of various Chilli- cotlie churches, will be held during Holy Week at the Ben Bolt theater, it was announced today. The services, sponsored by the Chillicothe Council of Churches, will begin at 7.15 and close by 7:45. The first will be held Monday, April 12 and the last on Saturday, April 17. Short talks by laymen, prayer, singing and scripture reading, will be included worship in the early-morning (Continued on Page Seven'. CContinued on Page Six).

given by Prosecuting Attorney J. P. CJune) Morgan, the Defense Attorneys Taylor and R. L. Somerville, Judge Davis spent nearly two hours reading instructions to the jurors.

The instructions defined first and second, degree murder, explained the punishment affixed in each instance, defined "insanity" and told the jury what action they could take should they determine this entered into the case. Each side then was given 40 minutes to make final statements to the jurors. Standing room only was available in the courtroom and once during a part of Morgan's statement, Judge Davis was forced to rap for order. The courtroom had been crowded to capacity nearly all the time Stockwell's daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Harverb, fainted nine minutes after the verdict had been read, at 4:45, and the courtroom was cleared while treatment was being given.

A doctor arrived soon afterwards to aid Mrs. Harvert. Stockwell, after speaking to his family and attorneys, was taken back to the county jail by deputies Cecil Campbell and Harry Collier. Charges against Stockwell for the death of his wife, Mattie Stockwell, still are pending. Emery Burton was foreman of the jury.

No Appeal Planned In Fifzgerald Case Life Sentence Imposed For Murder of Wife. No appeal is to be made by attorneys for George Robert Fitzgerald, convicted here January 2 for the first degree murder of his wife, according to a letter received by Circuit Judge James W. Davis. A motion for new trial was overruled by Judge Davis March 20, who then formally passed sentence on Fitzgerald of life imprisonment in the Missouri State Penitentiary. A letter from.

Atty. Lyman Field of Kansas City was received yesterday afternoon saying, "It has been-decided not to appeal the defendant's conviction. Accordingly, sentence may and should be carried out." Mrs. Bernice Uhrmacher, sheriff, said Fitzgerald may be transported to Jefferson City sometime tomorrow. Members of his family were here yesterday to pick up Fitzgerald's belongings, Mrs.

Uhrmacher said. Described as popular with the other prisoners, Fitzgerald has been in the Livingston County jail since August 31, 1953. Former 'prisoners at the jail said "Bob" has been "anxious to get started" on his term at Jefferson City. His trial took place here December 14-18, 1953. The case was heard before Judge Davis and is believed to be the first instance ill Missouri of a capital crime being processed without a jury.

This came about through the request of the Fitzgerald attorneys M'elvin Griffen, prosecuting attorney of Clinton County, represented the state at the trial. Griffen was present yesterday afternoon to hear the Stockwell verdict. Troubles Pile Up for Driver Who Crossed the Yellow Line Officers said William Humphrey Doty, 37, was passing- a transport truck on a hill in a no-passing zone yesterday afternoon when he met another motorist. In getting out of the way, Doty was injured and his car was badly wrecked. None of the other vehicles was damaged.

To add to his woes, Doty received a summons to appear this afternoon in Caldwell County magistrate court at Kingston. He was charged with careless and icckless driving. A state highway patrolman said Doty, driving west in a 1952 Oldsmobile coach, was passing the transport going over a hill. Meeting the approaching car, he put on the brakes; his car skidded off the road on the south side, hit a bank and turned over. The accident occurred one mile west of Breckenridge on U.

S. Highway 36. Doty, whose address is Gl Kings Parkway, Baldwin, N. was treated at the scene by a Breckenridge doctor, then taken to the Chillicothe hospital for sutures of cuts on the forehead. The car was towed to the Fitzpatrick garage in Chillicothe.

There was extensive damage to the front end, right side and top. HALE METHODISTS WILL HAVE "COUPLFS NIGHT" "Couples Night" will be observed at the Hale Methodist Church next Sunday evening at the 7:30 o'clock service. The oldest married couple, the youngest married couple, the longest-married couple, the shortest- married couple, the couple most resembling each other, and the wives of men in service will be given special recognition. A special musical number will be prese ed by the chancel choir, the Rev. Bryan L.

Hansford's sermon topic will be "Do You Have Life?" The average Sunday evening attendance at the Hale church this conference year has increased 350 To over the period of last year. At the morning service the pastor's topic will be "Careful There, Simon!" The Sunday school, which meets at 10 a.m., has shown an attendance increase of 257c over that of the last conference year, reaching the highest average in years. Lenten services are being held at 7:30 on Wednesday evening..