Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

The passing news

Raymond L.S. Patriarca, pardoned last week by Governor Charles F. Hurley of Massachusetts and the Executive Council, spent the Christmas holidays at his mother's home here, but Attorney General Paul A. Dever of Massachusetts said last night the case was "not closed."

Dec. 27, 1938

Charles F. McElroy, director of the State Department of Public Works, announced yesterday that the State Airport at Hillsgrove had been named the "Theodore Francis Green Airport."

In his announcement, Mr. McElroy praised Senator Green for his efforts as Governor and as United States Senator, in making the airport "what those best qualified to judge consider one of the finest landing fields in the United States."

Dec. 28, 1938

You listen to old-time scribblers, and you hear tales of printers in tall hats; reporters who walked miles in midnight marathons in chase of elusive fires, returning to write their stories in a scrawl which frequently drove the aforesaid printers to distraction. Old-time journalists mention dismal, drafty city rooms, where smudged desperadoes going under the title of "printer's devils" dashed here and there with copy. Electricity, factory methods, Twentieth Century speed, airplanes and present day scientific miracles are supposed to have robbed newspapers of all this charm and romance.

From a Journal feature, April 3, 1932, which argued that "modern precision" in journalism had its own kind of romance

Later in a press conference the Chancellor, through Dr. Frick, the new Interior Minister, assured German and foreign correspondents that "the new Government seeks to live in peace and friendship with all the world."

From a front-page story, Jan. 31, 1933, on Adolf Hitler's ascension to the office of German chancellor

Vandalism in Roger Williams Park is apparently more of a problem this year than ever before and because the park staff has been unable to suppress it, the police have taken up the cudgels and propose to act militantly. They may be sure that public opinion is back of them and that many law-abiding citizens of Providence would be glad to have timely examples made of offenders.

Editorial, July 20, 1934

It is announced that the danger zone is bounded by a line from Point Judith to Fort Wetherell and from the latter to Castle Hill Light, and extends 16,000 yards out to sea. A sea target will be towed across the line of fire by the minelayer General Anderson, and civilians will do well to keep a goodly distance from this vessel during the hours from eight o'clock in the morning until six at night, Sunday excepted.

From a Journal editorial, July 24, 1934, warning that coastal defense artillery would be taking target practice

Roger Williams, banished in life, was honored in death by officials of two States yesterday. Rhode Island opened its tercentenary by receiving from the hands of Governor James M. Curley of Massachusetts the formal decree of revocation of the Commonwealth's banishment of Roger Williams 300 years ago.

News story after Massachusetts, in 1936, lifted its ban on Roger Williams, the founder of Providence

Providence Journal Offers Readers a Booklet on Fortune Telling

From the beginning of history fortune telling has exercised a fascination on the human race. From the earliest times the soothsayer wielded an important influence over kings and empires. The stars are said to influence affinities and antipathies, and their indication should be taken into account when choosing a husband or a wife . . . Send today for the NEW BOOKLET which gives information on all these subjects. Enclose TEN CENTS to cover cost and handling.

Item announcing a special booklet offer from The Journal, March 1937.

Twinkie, "the nosiest cat in the world," is going to get herself into trouble at police headquarters here if she doesn't stop looking over the shoulders of detectives while they are writing confidential reports . . . The detectives hope to teach her manners and agree that curiosity isn't such a bad trait in a detective division cat. New Year's Day she gets another feast: Broiled stool pigeon.

From a short feature story in the Providence Star-Tribune, Dec. 27, 1937, during the four months The Trib was published by the Providence Journal Company