1941 in Michigan

none 1941 1941 Events from the year 1941 in Michigan. 3 Top stories The Associated Press polled editors of its member newspapers in Michigan and ranked the state's top news stories of 1941 as follows:Editors Select State's Biggest News of 1941 The News-Palladium December 31, 1941 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36967292/editors_select_states_biggest_news_of/ Newspapers.com Ford strike. A 10-day strike by the United Auto Workers closed the company's Rouge plant, the world's largest factory, from April 1 to April 11. Following skirmishes on the picket lines, injunctions, and court hearings, Ford signed the industry's first contract granting workers the union shop and providing a checkoff system for payment of union dues.Ford Strike Called; Rouge Plant Tied Up; 80,000 Workers Are Affected; U.S. to Take Action Detroit Free Press April 2, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36978374/ford_strike_called_rouge_plant_tied_up/ Newspapers.comFord Plant Opens to Prepare for Work After Picket Lines Dissolve and Troopers Disappear Detroit Free Press April 12, 1941 1, 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36978237/ford_plant_opens_to_prepare_for_work/ Newspapers.com The Ford strike dominated the voting with 203 out of 240 points. Conversion to Arsenal of Democracy. The rapid transformation of Michigan's industrial might from the production of automobiles to the production of airplanes, tanks, and guns. New plant construction included Ford's $18 million dollar Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti,Ford Begins Work on Big Plane Plant Detroit Free Press May 15, 1941 11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37013875/ford_begins_work_on_big_plane_plant/ Newspapers.com the Chrysler Tank Arsenal in Warren,Army Gets First Tank at Chrysler's Detroit Free Press April 25, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37014152/army_gets_first_tank_at_chryslers/ Newspapers.com and the $20 million Hudson Naval Ordnance Plant in Center Line.Gun Factory Dedication Cheers Knox Detroit Free Press October 29, 1941 II-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37014427/gun_factory_dedication_cheers_knox/ Newspapers.com (134 points) Sault Ste. Marie bridge collapse. On October 7, a 330-foot bascule bridge from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, collapsed under the weight of a passing 35-car freight train. The locomotive crashed through the span, resulting in the death of the engineer and brakeman and a two-day closure of the Soo Locks. The closure halted the shipment of iron ore from the Iron Range for use in defense industries.Bridge Wreck Blocks Soo Locks The Escanaba Daily Press October 8, 1941 1, 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36977945/bridge_wreck_blocks_soo_lock/ Newspapers.com (120 points) Feud between Governor and Legislature. Democratic Governor Murray Van Wagoner butted heads with the Republican-controlled Legislature. Van Wagoner exercised his veto power 35 times, and the Republicans lacked sufficient numbers to override the vetoes. Republicans retaliated by delaying the effective dates of many laws. (118 points) McKay trial. The fraud trial of Frank McKay, former member of the Republican National Committee, and 11 others in Detroit federal court on charges that he participated in a $500,000 liquor fraud ended when Judge Arthur F. Lederle declared a mistrial on July 12. The jury had deliberated for 32 hours over five days without reaching a verdict. The jury foreman and two other jurors stated that they believed something was amiss and that the holdout jurors had been bribed or tampered with.Court Dismisses McKay Jury; U.S. Attorney Promises Probe Detroit Free Press Arthur Carstens July 13, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36977630/court_dismisses_mckay_jury_us/ Newspapers.com (116 points) Detroit corruption convictions. A one-man grand jury investigation by Wayne County judge Homer S. Ferguson (later a U.S. Senator from Michigan) pursued government corruption and resulted in (i) the May suicide of indicted contractor Abe Smith by jumping from the 14th floor of a Chicago Hotel,Housing-Graft Trial Will Go On Despite Suicide of Builder Detroit Free Press May 21, 1941 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36988793/housinggraft_trial_will_go_on_despite/ Newspapers.com and convictions of three Detroit city councilmen (John F. Hamilton,Plea of Guilt Is Submitted by Hamilton Detroit Free Press May 9, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36988943/plea_of_guilt_is_submitted_by_hamilton/ Newspapers.com Robert G. Ewald,Ewald Plans to Appeal His Conviction Detroit Free Press September 20, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37012046/ewald_plans_to_appeal_his_conviction/ Newspapers.com Harry I. Dingeman) for taking bribes in connection with the $8.3 million dollar Herman Gardens public housing project; (ii) the conviction of former Detroit Mayor Richard Reading for protecting the numbers racket; (iii) the April convictions of Wayne County's former prosecutor Duncan C. McCrea, sheriff Thomas C. Wilcox, and 23 others for conspiring to protect vice and gambling operations;McCrea, Wilcox, Garska and Staebler Guilty with 20 Others on Vice-Graft Plot Charges Detroit Free Press April 29, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36987983/mccrea_wilcox_garska_and_staebler/ Newspapers.com and (iv) the June conviction of police superintendent Fred W. Frahm and three police officers for graft in connection with a baseball gambling operation.Frahm Convicted of Graft in Baseball Pool; Three Other Former Policemen Also Guilty Detroit Free Press June 28, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36987696/frahm_convicted_of_graft_in_baseball/ Newspapers.com (106 points) Hank Greenberg. Detroit Tigers star Hank Greenberg made headlines for his involvement in the military draft. In March, Greenberg sought a deferment due to flat feet, a chronic backache, and infected wisdom teeth,Hank Awaiting Board's Ruling on Deferment Detroit Free Press March 15, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37012524/hank_awaiting_boards_ruling_on/ Newspapers.com but he was placed into Class 1-A in April and inducted into the Army in May.Hank Is Kept in 1-A; Faces May 7 Call Detroit Free Press April 19, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37012941/hank_is_kept_in_1a_faces_may_7_call/ Newspapers.comPvt. Hank Off to Camp After a Hectic Day Detroit Free Press May 8, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37012744/pvt_hank_off_to_camp_after_a_hectic_day/ Newspapers.com Without Greenberg, the Tigers (who had won the pennant in 1940) dropped to fourth place. Greenberg was discharged from the Army on December 5,Hank Declares He's Ready for Baseball Now Detroit Free Press December 6, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37013117/hank_declares_hes_ready_for_baseball/ Newspapers.com but he immediately re-enlisted after Japan's December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor.Greenberg to Re-Enlist Detroit Free Press December 10, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37013323/greenberg_to_reenlist/ Newspapers.com (99 points) Fishermen stranded on ice floes. A March 15 blizzard with 50-mile-per-hour winds stranded more than 19 ice fishermen and a woman when the storm broke up an ice field near Skanee Point and swept ice floes into Lake Superior. The last five fisherman were rescued on March 18.Blizzard Blocks Guard Hunt for 16 Adrift on Floe The Battle Creek Enquirer and News March 17, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36968930/blizzard_blocks_guard_hunt_for_16/ Newspapers.comFinal Group Rescued from Floe in Lake Lansing State Journal March 18, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36969156/final_group_rescued_from_floe_in_lake/ Newspapers.com (66 points) Tie (49 points each) between: The November 8 murder of Ada Loveland Torrance, a wealthy 65-year-old widow from Kalamazoo, while on honeymoon in Monterrey, Mexico. Her husband, a tropical disease expert and explorer, was charged with murdering her by a blow to the head and then staging an automobile accident to conceal his crime.Husband Jailed in Death of Rich Kalamazoo Wife Detroit Free Press November 14, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36968055/husband_jailed_in_death_of_rich/ Newspapers.comDress Is Clew In Torrance Death Case Detroit Free Press November 23, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36968280/dress_is_clew_in_torrance_death_case/ Newspapers.com The January 5 murder of 32-year-old Mary Jane McCarthy witnessed by 500 persons. She was struck by a shotgun blast fired by her estranged husband as she ran down the church aisle during a public ceremony of reconciliation at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Grand Rapids.Grand Rapids Woman Murdered in Cathedral The Ludington Daily News January 6, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36967749/grand_rapids_woman_murdered_in_cathedral/ Newspapers.com The Detroit Free Press editors rated the top news stories of 1941 in the State of Michigan as follows:Dramatic Ford Strike Biggest Michigan News Story of 1941 Detroit Free Press Allen Tenny December 28, 1941 40 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36965926/dramatic_ford_strike_biggest_michigan/ Newspapers.com Ford strike. Detroit corruption convictions. Conversion to Arsenal of Democracy. Sault Ste. Marie bridge collapse. DSR strike. A strike by Detroit Street Railway workers closed the city's mass transportation system for five days from August 20 to August 25.DSR Strike Is Called By AFL Detroit Free Press August 20, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36987337/dsr_strike_is_called_by_afl/ Newspapers.comDSR Runs Again; Workers to Hold Election Detroit Free Press August 25, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36987160/dsr_runs_again_workers_to_hold_election/ Newspapers.com McKay trial. CIO convention. The national CIO convention, held in Detroit in November, was marred by fistfights between contingents loyal to John L. Lewis and Philip Murray. Hank Greenberg. Feud between Governor and Legislature. Defense strikes. Prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, strikes were called against Michigan defense industries, including Dow Chemical in Midland and Great Lakes Steel Corp. Other stories that narrowly missed the cut for the top 10 stories included: The November 3 murder of Wandamay Wheatley, a 20-year-old teletype operator. She was raped, beaten, and left in a thicket five miles south of Saginaw.Girl Murdered Near Saginaw The Escanaba Daily Press November 6, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36969867/girl_murdered_near_saginaw/ Newspapers.com Winford W. Smith, a 35-year-old taxi driver and father, confessed days later to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison.Saginaw Killer Given Life Term in Prison The Ludington Daily News November 13, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36969738/saginaw_killer_given_life_term_in_prison/ Newspapers.com (47 points in AP poll) The October 7 railroad crash in which a speeding freight train jumped the tracks and crashed into Lansing's Grand Trunk station, killing one boy and injuring at least 13 others.Starting Probe To Learn Cause of Wreck Lansing State Journal October 8, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36970439/starting_probe_to_learn_cause_of_wreck/ (31 points in AP Poll) Michigan's October 25 football loss by a 7-0 score to Minnesota.Minnesota Edges Out Michigan on Second-Period Score, 7 to 0, as Crowd of 85,753 Looks On Detroit Free Press John N. Sabo October 26, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35796134/minnesota_edges_out_michigan_on/ Newspapers.com Prior to the game, Michigan was ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll and Minnesota No. 1. (27 points in the AP poll) The marriage of 23-year-old Anna Laurine Dodge, a former $18-a-week telephone operator and daughter of a tugboat captain, to a plastic surgeon who she met 18 months earlier as a patient. Dodge had married Daniel Dodge in 1938 and inherited $2.5 million when he drowned while on their honeymoon.Daniel Dodge Widow Weds in a Surprise Detroit Free Press January 31, 1941 1, 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36976752/daniel_dodge_widow_weds_in_a_surprise/ Newspapers.comYoung Dodge Widow Weds Surgeon After A Secret Courtship The Battle Creek Enquirer and News January 31, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36976892/young_dodge_widow_weds_surgeon_after_a/ Newspapers.com The October 23 drowning deaths of six crew members when the tugboat America sank in 19 feet of water to the east of Belle Isle. The tugboat sunk while assisting a grounded freighter, B.F. Jones.Diver Takes Victim from Sunken Tug Detroit Free Press October 24, 1941 1, 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36977101/diver_takes_victim_from_sunken_tug/ Newspapers.com Office holders State office holders thumb|135px|right|Gov. Murray Van Wagoner Governor of Michigan: Murray Van Wagoner (Democrat) Lieutenant Governor of Michigan: Matilda Dodge Wilson/Frank Murphy (Democrat) Michigan Attorney General: Herbert J. Rushton (Republican) Michigan Secretary of State: Harry Kelly (Republican) Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives: Howard Nugent (Republican) Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court: Edward M. Sharpe Mayors of major cities right|thumb|135px|Sen. Prentiss M. Brown right|thumb|135px|Sen. Arthur Vandenberg Mayor of Detroit: Edward Jeffries (Republican) Mayor of Grand Rapids: George W. Welsh (Republican) Mayor of Flint: William Osmund Kelly Mayor of Lansing: Max A. Templeton/Arthur E. Stoppel/Sam Street Hughes Mayor of Dearborn: John Carey Mayor of Saginaw: John W. Symons, Jr./William J. Brydges Mayor of Ann Arbor: Walter C. Sadler/Leigh J. Young Federal office holders U.S. Senator from Michigan: Prentiss M. Brown (Democrat) U.S. Senator from Michigan: Arthur Vandenberg (Republican) House District 1: Rudolph G. Tenerowicz (Democrat) House District 2: Earl C. Michener (Republican) House District 3: Paul W. Shafer (Republican) House District 4: Clare Hoffman (Republican) House District 5: Bartel J. Jonkman (Republican) House District 6: William W. Blackney (Republican) House District 7: Jesse P. Wolcott (Republican) House District 8: Fred L. Crawford (Republican) House District 9: Albert J. Engel (Republican) House District 10: Roy O. Woodruff (Republican) House District 11: Frederick Van Ness Bradley (Republican) House District 12: Frank Eugene Hook (Democrat) House District 13: George D. O'Brien (Democrat) House District 14: Louis C. Rabaut (Democrat) House District 15: John D. Dingell Sr. (Democrat) House District 16: John Lesinski Sr. (Democrat) House District 17: George Anthony Dondero (Republican) Population Companies The following is a list of major companies based in Michigan in 1941. Company1941 sales (millions)1941 net income (millions) Headquarters Core businessGeneral Motors DetroitAutomobilesFord Motor CompanynanaFord was a privately held company until 1956. Accordingly, its financial results for 1941 were not made public. AutomobilesChrysler AutomobilesBriggs Mfg. Co. DetroitAutomobile parts supplierS. S. Kresge RetailHudson Motor Car Co. DetroitAutomobiles Detroit Edison Electric utilityMichigan Bell Telephone utilityKellogg's Battle CreekBreakfast cerealParke-Davis DetroitPharmaceuticalREO Motor Car Co. LansingAutomobilesGraham-Paige AutomobilesBurroughs Adding Machine Business machines Sports right|thumb|135px|Rudy York Baseball 1941 Detroit Tigers season – The Tigers compiled a 75–79 record and finished in fourth place in the American League. The team's statistical leaders included Barney McCosky with a .324 batting average, Rudy York with 29 home runs and 111 RBIs, and Al Benton with 15 wins and a 2.97 earned run average.1941 Detroit Tigers Statistics Sports Reference LLC Baseball-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1941.shtml 1941 Michigan Wolverines baseball season - Under head coach Ray Fisher, the Wolverines compiled a 24–8 record and won the Big Ten Conference championship.2012 University of Michigan Baseball Record Book University of Michigan 2012 August 9, 2017 22, 70 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/bsb-recordbook-2012.pdf March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120456/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/bsb-recordbook-2012.pdf dead Bill Steppon was the team captain.2012 Record Book, p. 13. American football right|thumb|135px|Byron White 1941 Detroit Lions season – Under head coach Bill Edwards, the Lions compiled a 4–6–1 record. Byron "Whizzer" White, who later served on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1962 to 1993, led the 1941 Lions with 338 passing yards, 240 rushing yards, 158 receiving yards, and 24 points scored.1941 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1941.htm 1941 Michigan Wolverines football team – Under head coach Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a record of 6–1–1, outscored opponents 147 to 41 and were ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll. Fullback Bob Westfall was selected as a consensus first-team player on both the 1941 College Football All-America Team.https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1941fbt.htm 1941 Football Team Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan July 17, 2017 1941 Western Michigan Broncos football team - Under head coach Mike Gary, the Hilltoppers compiled an 8–0 record, shut out four opponents, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 183 to 27.Football Records: Annual Results Western Michigan University July 17, 2017 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204948424 1941 Michigan State Spartans football team - Under head coach Charlie Bachman, the Spartans compiled a 5–3–1 record.1941 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 16, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1941-schedule.html 1941 Central Michigan Bearcats football team - Under head coach Ron Finch, the Bearcats compiled a 4–3 record.Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide Central Michigan University July 17, 2017 100, 109 2015 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf October 26, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161026171041/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf dead 1941 Michigan State Normal Hurons football team - Under head coach Elton Rynearson, the Hurons compiled a 0–5–2 record.2015 Eastern Michigan Football Digital Media Guide Eastern Michigan University Football July 17, 2017 162, 170 http://www.emueagles.com/custompages/football/2015/2015EMUFBGuide_072215small.pdf Basketball 1940–41 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team – Under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wolverines compiled a 9-10 record. Michael Sofiak was the team's leading scorer with 192 points in 19 games for an average of 10.1 points per game.University of Michigan Basketball Record Book University of Michigan 28 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/bkm-through-the-years.pdf 2017-07-17 2018-10-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20181026080859/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/bkm-through-the-years.pdf dead 1940–41 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team – Under head coach Benjamin Van Alstyne, the Spartans compiled an 11-6 record.Michigan State Spartans School History Sports Reference LLC SR College Basketball July 17, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan-state/ 1940–41 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team – Under head coach Buck Read, the Broncos compiled a 10-8 record.Western Michigan Broncos School History Sports Reference LLC SR College Basketball July 17, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/western-michigan/ 1940–41 Detroit Titans men's basketball team – Under head coach Lloyd Brazil, the Titans compiled an 11-10 record.Detroit Mercy Titans School History Sports Reference LLC SR College Basketball July 17, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/detroit-mercy/ Ice hockey right|thumb|135px|Syd Howe 1940–41 Detroit Red Wings season – Under head coach Jack Adams, the Red Wings compiled a 21–16–11 record, finished third in the NHL, won the first two playoff rounds, and lost to the Boston Bruins in the 1941 Stanley Cup Finals. Syd Howe led the team with 20 goals, 24 assists, and 44 points. Johnny Mowers was the goaltender.1940-41 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics Sports Reference LLC Hockey-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1941.html 1940–41 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team – The team compiled a 2–14–1 record under coach Ed Lowrey.College Hockey News July 17, 2017 Michigan Team History http://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/teamHistory/Michigan/31 1940–41 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team – The team compiled a 1–10 record under coach Ed Maki.College Hockey News July 17, 2017 Michigan Tech Team History http://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/teamHistory/Michigan-Tech/33 Other Chronology of events 1941 in the United States Births January 18 - David Ruffin, a lead singer with The Temptations (including "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"), in Mississippi February 15 - Brian Holland, songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Motown's Holland–Dozier–Holland team, in Detroit April 5 - Michael Moriarty, actor who won an Emmy and a Tony Award and starred in Law & Order, in Detroit May 19 - James P. Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamstersz since 1999, in Detroit May 23 - Rennie Davis, anti-war activist and one of the Chicago Seven defendants, in Lansing June 15 - Lamont Dozier, songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Motown's Holland–Dozier–Holland team, in Detroit June 18 - Martha Reeves, Motown star (Dancing in the Street, Heat Wave, Jimmy Mack) and Detroit City Council member (2005-2009), in Alabama October 2 - John Sinclair, jazz poet, writer, and political activist, in Flint November 29 - Bill Freehan, baseball catcher and 11× All-Star, in Detroit Gallery of 1941 births Deaths February 12 - William Barlum Thompson, Mayor of Detroit from 1907–1908 and 1911–1912, at age 81 in DetroitPatriarch of Detroit Politics, Ex-Mayor Thompson, Dead Detroit Free Press February 13, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36979057/obituary_for_william_barium_thompson/ Newspapers.com April 24 - John W. Haarer, Michigan State Treasurer (1913–1916), at age 65 in Jackson, MichiganJ. W. Haarer Dies Suddenly https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-j-w-haarer-dies/123369006/ Lansing State Journal April 25, 1941 1 Newspapers.com April 28, 2023 November 8 - Philip Breitmeyer, Mayor of Detroit from 1909-1910 and a founder of Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD), at age 77 in DetroitRites Today for Ex-Mayor Breitmeyer Detroit Free Press November 11, 1941 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36978902/rites_today_for_exmayor_breitmeyer/ Newspapers.com December 4 - John C. Ketcham, Republican Congressman from Michigan's 4th District from 1921 to 1933, at age 68 in Hastings, Michigan.Former Congressman John C. Ketcham Dies The News-Palladium December 4, 1941 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36978707/former_congressman_john_c_ketcham_dies/ Newspapers.com See also History of Michigan History of Detroit References 30em