Lead stories in the Suffolk News-Herald 61 years ago…

Diphtheria case reported here

One more diphtheria case has been reported in Suffolk, according to Dr. H. D. Crow, Health Officer for the Suffolk-Nansemond, Southampton and Isle of Wight counties.

The stricken child is 3 years of age and has been hospitalized. This brings the number of diphtheria cases to two here in Suffolk and one was reported recently in Carrsville.

Preventive treatment, says Dr. Crow, by immunizing children against diphtheria tremendously lessens the danger of having this disease. It is recommended he added, that toxoid be given very early in life. The Health Department, he says; advised that two doses of toxoid be given between six months and one year of age, and a third dose be given very early in life.

Excess whiskey causes $100 fine

Walter Rawles, Day Street, noted and appeal to a 60 day jail sentence and a $100 fine plus court costs, imposed by Judge W. S. Holland in Police court this morning. Rawles was found guilty of violating the State ABC act by purchasing legal whiskey in excess of a gallon.

Another alleged ABC violator, William Cherry, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $100 and costs to the court. Cherry also noted an appeal. He was convicted of selling legal whiskey in excess of a gallon.

Hugh P. Weatherley, RFD, 1, Suffolk, was assessed a $50 dine and costs for reckless driving and ordered to pay an additional $10 fine and costs on a charge of driving without an operator’s license. Weatherley noted an appeal on both accounts.

Quentin Brown, was also fined $10 and costs for driving without an operator’s license.

Two War Fund Committee meet

Two committees will meet tomorrow for the purpose of explaining and discussing plans for the Suffolk-Nansemond War Fund drive, which will begin November 20 through November 30, according to Dr. N. G. Newman, co-publicity chairman for the drive.

The Retail committee, with Elmer Ehler, chairman, will meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning in the office of the Retail Merchants Association and the House to House committee will meet tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. in the Circuit courtroom in the Municipal building.

During tomorrow afternoon’s meeting, Chairman Jack Nurney will preside.

Suffolk man heads western state hospital

Dr. David L. Harrell, Jr., a former Suffolkian took over the superintendency of the western State hospital in Staunton, succeeding Dr. J. S. DeJarnette Monday.

Dr. Harrell is the son of Dr. D. L. Harrell who now lives here shortly after his birth.

He attended the Suffolk schools and received his A. B. degree from Elon College in North Carolina in 1926. He received his M. D. from the Medical College of Virginia in 1930 and served his internship in the hospital division of the Medical College, completing it in June, 1931. During the summers, he spent quite a bit of time at Suffolk’s Lakeview hospital.

In July, 1931, he joined the staff of Lynchburg State Colony as second assistant physician and was made clinical director and first assistant physician in 1934. During that time the Medical center at the Lynchburg State Colony was approved by the American College of Surgeons.

Reserve Militiamen entitled to stripes

Brigadier General S. Gardner Waller, adjutant general of Virginia, in a memorandum to Capt. Thomas Kivlghan of Suffolk, states that officers and men of the Virginia Reserve Militia who have served one year are entitled to wear a service stripe on the left of the sleeve, and thereafter an additional stripe for each full year of service.

The award of this stripe is on recommendation of company and unit commanders. In addition to having been in the service for one year each man must have attended at least sixty percent of the drills, assemblies or parades conducted by his respective command.

-Compiled by Jennifer