Military parade marks Hitler’s birthday
Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany gathered the most headlines during the week of April 17-23, 1939, as World War II marched closer.
The week began with the news that Hitler was calling for
Military parade marks Hitler’s birthday
Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany gathered the most headlines during the week of April 17-23, 1939, as World War II marched closer.
The week began with the news that Hitler was calling for a meeting of the Reichstag on April 28, where Hitler would address President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s telegram that urged Germany not to invade any of a list of 31 countries.
Following this, the Fuhrer returned to Berlin to celebrate his 50th birthday, while Germany’s modern fleet of ships headed toward the Strait of Gibraltar where French ships were patrolling.
On the 20th, a massive military parade was held in Berlin for Hitler’s birthday.
“Forty thousand soldiers, tanks, motorized equipment and artillery passed by in a parade which lasted four and one-half hours while air squadrons roared overhead,” read the Galesburg newspaper that day.
The SS Paris, a French ocean liner, grabbed the attention of many as the ship burned and sank while at dock.
“Two persons were killed and two others seriously injured in the night-long fight against the flames,” read the Register-Mail, “which firemen said spread from two widely separated parts of the ship.”
“Investigators said preliminary investigations strengthened belief the 34,000-ton liner deliberately was set afire.”
The United States also worried about the possibility of a coal strike, as the newsprint of the 20th announced that the United Mine Workers of America would strike on May 4 if a new contract could not be worked out by that time. If it occured, 130,000 workers would be out and practically every industry in the United States would be affected. Negotiations continued through the week, with a belief that President Roosevelt would get involved if a deal could not be worked out.
“Two meeting of the Galesburg city council were held before a jam-packed audience in the chambers at the city hall Monday night,” read Tuesday’s paper.
“Four newly-elected aldermen chosen in April took their places, along with four councilmen re-elected. The entire session lasted almost two and a half hours, and included oratory, allegations and parliamentary tangles which moved the crowd to applause and cheers.”
Uncertainty remained around a Works Progress Administration project in Galesburg. A “northeastern storm water disposal extension” sponsored by the Galesburg Sanitary District had been shut down 65 days ago as of the 22nd due to an exhaustion of funds. At the time of the shutdown the project was to resume after 45 days.
The project included extension of drainage lines, a dredging of Cedar Fork, and “construction of certain sewers to relieve present sewers in the Grand Avenue and Pine Street region now overtaxed by sewage from the Court Creek area.”
The delay was caused by a wait by state and federal agencies to approve the funds to pay for the labor. The materials were already purchased.
Blood was spilled yet again in Boone’s Alley again during the week, resulting in the death of a 49-year-old Alpha man.
According to Galesburg Police, Walsh and his son, who had worked as coal miners and wallpaper hangers, had been shopping at O.T. Johnson’s and decided to stop at Murphy’s Tavern on Boone’s Alley to get a drink before going home. The Register-Mail described the action that followed.
“As they left by way of the side door at the west of the building they were approached by two men, one of whom struck the elder Walsh, knocking him down in such a manner that his head struck the bumper of an automobile parked along the curb. One of the assailants then struck young Walsh in the mouth, cutting his lips, and both then fled west on Simmons Street and north through the alley to the west of the Casino Tavern.”
He never regained consciousness and died on the night of 17th. Lyle P. Owens, 27, South Kellogg Street, turned himself into police saying he was the man who fought with Walsh. He told police he and a friend passed the younger Walsh and his wife first on Simmons Street, who was cursing. Owens claimed he turned to hear what was said and the elder Walsh brushed against him, saying something about “hogging the sidewalk.” Owens claimed Walsh struck first and then Owens knocked him down. He claimed the younger Walsh then attacked him. The men fought and according to Owens, the elder Walsh was accidentally knocked into the parked car’s bumper by his son while getting up.
Owens was charged with involuntary manslaughter and released on bond. At the inquest, the two men continued to present conflicting stories, and the coroner left the verdict open.
Finally, during the week it was announced that John H. Cox had purchased Brown’s Business College located at the corner of Simmons and Cherry streets. Cox had been principal of the school for over 20 years. He told the Register-Mail that all the current faulty would remain employed and t