These are some highlights from the News Journal on April 22, 1931:
National headlines
• ‘Two Women To Attempt Atlantic Flights’
“NEW YORK (AP) — A race between two women fliers, each determined to be first of her sex to make a solo hop across the Atlantic, was in prospect today. One of them is an American, Miss Ruth Nichols of Rye., N.Y. who has flown a plane slightly more than 210 miles an hour, the highest speed ever attained by a woman. The second is a Canadian, Miss Edith Elizabeth McColl of Galt, Ontario.” (Editor’s Note: Amelia Earhart would be the first woman — and the first person after Charles Lindbergh — to achieve the feat, in May 1932.)
• ‘Byrd’s pet dies’
“Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd is mourning the death of his canine pal, Igloo, who accompanied him to the North and South poles. When Admiral Byrd learned that Igloo was suffering from acute indigestion, he canceled speaking engagements and planned to hasten to Boston. Mrs. Byrd wired him, however, that the dog had died and he decided to fulfill his engagements, returning to Boston a week later to bury the dog.”
Locally
• ‘Rainfall Booms County Creeks, Flood Fields’
“Heavy rains drenched Wilmington and Clinton County Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. In several sections of the county it was said that the rain was the heaviest felt in several years.” two inches of rain fell in Wilmington between 1 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday and rain was especially heavy in Clarksville, Westboro and Midland City.
• Mrs. A.C. Stone was hostess to members of the Progress Club — with her sister, Mrs. Anna James, as assistant hostess — at her home on East Locust St. President Mrs. C.E. Stanton presided. Mrs. E.L Lacy gave an interesting paper on Historic St. Augustine.
• Upcoming at the Lamax Theatre was the premier of “Dracula” starring Bela Lugosi. At the Murphy Theatre was “Dishonored” with Victor McLaglen and Marlene Dietrich along with comedy short subjects and news reel.
• Motor Sales Inc. advertised “Low Ford Prices” of $430 to $630 with “bumpers and spare tire extra at low cost.”
