Today in History

Oct. 12, 1933, in The Star: Another lengthy statement regarding labor conditions at Profile Cotton Mill in Jacksonville appears in today’s edition from mill owner W. I. Greenleaf. Among many points, he states he has no objection to paying the minimum wage of 30 cents per hour and, as to child labor, “always have been sincerely opposed to the working of children and nothing could please us better than to have in our employ no one except those who are physically sound, normally intelligent and 18 or more years of age.” Also this date: The Alabama State Highway Department will advertise for bids tomorrow for paving the Anniston-Gadsden highway with a bituminous [oil-based] surface, according to a letter received by County Revenue Board Chairman J. D. Henry. Work could begin as early as mid-November.

Oct. 12, 1983, in The Star: Meeting last night at Oxford City Hall, the Calhoun County Economic Development Council pushed for a countywide meeting to break the financial logjam that’s preventing progress on the Golden Springs/ I-20 interchange. It was 1977 when the Federal Highway Administration first approved a state request for the interchange. Also this date: Dr. Crandall J. Kennedy, D.M.D., announces the opening of his practice of dentistry at 5 Allen Parkway across from Oxford Family Practice, according to an advertisement.

History on Oct. 12 in
1870 — Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Va., at age 63.
1933 — Bank robber John Dillinger escaped from a jail in Allen County, Ohio, with the help of his gang, who killed the sheriff, Jess Sarber.
1960 — Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev disrupted a U.N. General Assembly session by pounding his desk with a shoe when a speaker criticized his country.
1968 — The summer Olympic Games opened in Mexico City.

Sunday's birthdays: Comedian-activist Dick Gregory is 76. TV reporter Chris Wallace is 61. Actor Hugh Jackman is 40. Country musician Martie Maguire (The Dixie Chicks) is 39.Actor Kirk Cameron is 38.Actor Marcus T. Paulk (Moesha) is 22.