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1942 in Michigan
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1942
1942
Events from the year 1942 in Michigan.
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Top stories
The Associated Press polled editors of its member newspapers in Michigan and ranked the state's top news stories of 1942 as follows:Treason Trial Michigan's Top News Story of '42 The Herald-Press December 31, 1942 IV-6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37017465/treason_trial_michigans_top_news_story/ Newspapers.com
Stephan treason trial. Max Stephan, a German-born Detroit tavernkeeper, was convicted of treason on July 2; the jury deliberated for only one hour and 23 minutes. In April 1942, Stephan harbored and fed at his tavern a German pilot who escaped from a Canadian POW camp.Max Stephan Found Guilty as a Traitor Detroit Free Press July 3, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37021416/max_stephan_found_guilty_as_a_traitor/ Newspapers.com On August 6, Judge Arthur J. Tuttle sentenced Stephan to death by hanging.Stephan in Death Cell; Boasts 'I Won't Hang' Detroit Free Press August 7, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37021148/stephan_in_death_cell_boasts_i_wont/ Newspapers.com He was the first man convicted and sentenced to death on a federal treason charge since the Civil War. In July 1943, nine hours before the time set for his hanging, President Roosevelt commuted his sentence to life in prison.Stephan Saved By FDR Detroit Free Press July 2, 1943 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37021840/stephan_saved_by_fdr/ Newspapers.com The Stephan story received 197 of a possible 230 points in the polling.
Republican election victory. In the November 3 statewide elections, Republicans won sweeping victories. In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Homer S. Ferguson narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Prentiss M. Brown by a margin of 28,057 votes out of 1,189,966 votes cast. In the gubernatorial race, Republican Harry Kelly defeated Democratic incumbent Murray Van Wagoner. (183-1/2 points)
Saginaw Bay boat rescue. A 30-foot fishing boat capsized on August 2 in Saginaw Bay. After all aboard were presumed lost, several of its occupants were rescued. (112 points)
Train-bus collision. On October 28, a passenger train collided with a DSR bus, cutting the bus in half at the middle doors, at a grade crossing in western Hamtramck where the Grand Trunk tracks meet Caniff. The over-crowded bus carried 45 persons, of whom 16 were killed and 27 others injured.Probe Begun in DSR Bus-Train Crash Fatal to 16 Detroit Free Press October 29, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37022429/probe_begun_in_dsr_bustrain_crash/ Newspapers.com (111 points)
FDR visit. On September 18, President Franklin Roosevelt visited Detroit war plants, including Ford's Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti and the Chrysler Tank Arsenal in Warren.Roosevelt Cheered on Detroit Stop Detroit Free Press October 2, 1942 1, 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21446929/roosevelt_cheered_on_detroit_stop/ Newspapers.com (107 points)
Record industrial output. On December 26, the Detroit Board of Commerce reported that the city's industrial output of wartime materials and civilian goods had set a new record in 1942. The 1942 output was approximately $4 billion, nearly double the prior record of $2.1 billion set in 1937. The city also added 150,000 workers to its factory payrolls in 1942 and saw the average work week grow by 27% over the prior record year.Detroit's War Output Dwarfs 1937 Detroit Free Press December 27, 1942 II-8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37049829/detroits_war_output_dwarfs_1937/ Newspapers.com (95 points)
"Home front" activities - The state's "home front" activities, including gasoline and oil rationing, civil defense, and blackouts. (62 points)
Oakland County murder spree. Dominic Piccone, a 21-year-old man who had been recently released from prison, killed three farmers in Concord and Oxford, Michigan, and abducted a fourth man during a 24-hour crime spree on April 1.Hunt Mad Killer Near City; 3 Farmers Slain, 1 Missing Detroit Free Press April 2, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37020497/hunt_mad_killer_near_city_3_farmers/ Newspapers.com One day later, Piccone was captured, confessed, and was sentenced to life in prison.Slayer of 3 Sent Back to Cell for Life Detroit Free Press April 3, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37020768/slayer_of_3_sent_back_to_cell_for_life/ Newspapers.com (42 points)
Sojourner Truth integration - The Sojourner Truth housing project was built for African-American families in a white Polish neighborhood in Detroit. On February 28, a crowd of 1,200 whites organized to bar black families, leading to a clash between white and black groups."The 1943 Race Riots", Detroit News, February 10, 1999 More than 1,100 police officers and 1,600 Michigan National Guard troops were mobilized and deployed to guard the six African-American families who moved into the housing project. Eventually, 168 black families moved into the homes.Sojourner Truth Housing Proj The police arrested 220 people, and 40 people were injured in the conflict.Dominic J. Capeci, Jr., and Martha Wilkerson, "The Detroit Rioters of 1943: A Reinterpretation", Michigan Historical Review, Jan 1990, Vol. 16 Issue 1, pp. 49-72. (41-1/2 points)
Dodge death mystery. On August 13, 1942, 43-year-old John Duval Dodge, playboy son of automotive pioneer John Francis Dodge, died from a 10-inch skull fracture after a quarrel with his wife and a violent scuffle with police.John Dodge Dead; Mystery Deepens; Autopsy Ordered Detroit Free Press August 14, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37048567/john_dodge_dead_mystery_deepens/ Newspapers.comHunt Dodge Murder Clews Detroit Free Press August 15, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37048795/hunt_dodge_murder_clews/ Newspapers.comHow Dodge Suffered Fatal Skull Fracture in Police Station! Hurled Self from Arms of Officer Detroit Free Press August 23, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37049101/how_dodge_suffered_fatal_skull_fracture/ Newspapers.com The death was ultimately ruled to have been accidental.Dodge Death Is Declared Accidental Detroit Free Press August 28, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37049237/dodge_death_is_declared_accidental/ Newspapers.com (40 points)
Other stories receiving points included:
A July ban on NBC radio's broadcasts of weekly concerts Interlochen national high school band after a protest by AFL Musicians Union leader, Jimmy Petrillo, that the student musicians were not members of the union.Werrenrath Will Probe Music Ban Detroit Free Press July 17, 1942 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37050726/werrenrath_will_probe_music_ban/ Newspapers.comMy Boys Gotta Eat, Says Petrillo, Explaining All Those Sour Notes Detroit Free Press August 30, 1942 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37050581/my_boys_gotta_eat_says_petrillo/ Newspapers.com (37-1/2 points)
Dismissal of fraud charges against Frank D. McKay (34 points)
The August 14 crash of an Army B-24 heavy bomber at a farm in Baltimore Township, 15 miles north of Battle Creek, killing the crew of four officers and five enlisted men.Salvage Crew To Work Today At Wreck Scene The Battle Creek Enquirer and News August 16, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16629749/battle_creek_enquirer/ Newspapers.com (28 points)
A July picket by 3,000 CIO union automobile workers shut down the Pontiac motor division of General Motors in order to organize a mass picketing of Oakland county food stores in a jurisdictional dispute between the CIO and AFL. The action halted war production in the Pontiac division.Workers Quit, Plant Is Idle The Lansing State Journal July 31, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37059075/workers_quit_plant_is_idle/ Newspapers.com (27 points)
Development of synthetic rubber by Michigan industry (22 points)
The November 14 victory of the Michigan football team (ranked No. 6) over Notre Dame (ranked No. 4) by a 32–20 score. The Wolverines rushed for 319 yards and scored five touchdowns. Michigan's 32 points were the most allowed by a Notre Dame team since Army scored 36 points in 1916.Wolverines' Five Touchdowns Beat Irish, 32 to 20 Detroit Free Press November 15, 1942 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37051641/wolverines_five_touchdowns_beat_irish/ Newspapers.com (20 points)
"Pontiac's car-pooling plan spreads" (16 points)
Great Lakes freighters haul record tonnage (14 points)
The War Labor Board, established by President Roosevelt's executive order in January 1942, settled wage disputes between unions and automobile companies. (11 points)
On November 28, the Detroit Tigers hired Steve O'Neill as the team's manager, replacing Del Baker.O'Neill Replaces Baker as Manager of Tigers Detroit Tigers November 29, 1942 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37019046/oneill_replaces_baker_as_manager_of/ Newspapers.com (10 points)
Office holders
State office holders
thumb|135px|right|Gov. Murray Van Wagoner
Governor of Michigan: Murray Van Wagoner (Democrat)
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan: 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: Bert D. Chandler
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: Sam Street Hughes
Mayor of Dearborn: Orville L. Hubbard
Mayor of Saginaw: William J. Brydges
Mayor of Ann Arbor: 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 1942.
Company1942 sales (millions)1942 net income (millions) Headquarters Core businessGeneral Motors DetroitAutomobilesFord Motor CompanynanaFord was a privately held company until 1956. Accordingly, its financial results for 1942 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
1942 Detroit Tigers season – The Tigers compiled a 73–81 record and finished in fifth place in the American League. The team's statistical leaders included Barney McCosky with a .293 batting average, Rudy York with 21 home runs and 90 RBIs, Virgil Trucks with 14 wins, and Hal Newhouser with a 2.45 earned run average.1942 Detroit Tigers Statistics Sports Reference LLC Baseball-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1942.shtml
1942 Michigan Wolverines baseball season - Under head coach Ray Fisher, the Wolverines compiled a 17–9 record and tied for 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 George Harms was the team captain.2012 Record Book, p. 13.
American football
right|thumb|135px|Julius Franks
1942 Detroit Lions season – Under head coaches Bill Edwards and Bull Karcis, the Lions compiled a 0–11 record. The team's statistical leaders included Harry Hopp with 258 passing yards, Mickey Sanzotta with 268 rushing yards, and Elmer Hackney with 12 points scored.1942 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1942.htm
1942 Michigan Wolverines football team – Under head coach Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 7–3 record and were ranked No. 9 in the final AP Poll. Linemen Al Wistert and Julius Franks were selected as All-Americans.https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1942fbt.htm 1942 Football Team Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan July 17, 2017
1942 Michigan State Spartans football team - Under head coach Charlie Bachman, the Spartans compiled a 4–3–2 record.1942 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 16, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1942-schedule.html
1942 Central Michigan Chippewas football team - Under head coach Ron Finch, the Chippewas compiled a 6–0 record, shut out three opponents, held five of six opponents to fewer than seven points, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 93 to 21.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
1942 Michigan State Normal Hurons football team - Under head coach Elton Rynearson, the Hurons compiled a 3–3–1 record and were outscored by their opponents, 81 to 64.2015 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
1942 Western Michigan Broncos football team - Under head coach John Gill, the Broncos compiled a 5–1 record and outscored their opponents, 66 to 37.Football Records: Annual Results Western Michigan University July 17, 2017 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204948424
Basketball
1941–42 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team – Under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wolverines compiled a 6–14 record. James Mandler broke Michigan's single-season scoring record with 230 points in 20 games for an average of 11.5 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
1941–42 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team – Under head coach Benjamin Van Alstyne, the Spartans compiled a 15-6 record.Michigan State Spartans School History Sports Reference LLC SR College Basketball July 17, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan-state/
1941–42 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team – Under head coach Buck Read, the Broncos compiled a 12-8 record.Western Michigan Broncos School History Sports Reference LLC SR College Basketball July 17, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/western-michigan/
1941–42 Detroit Titans men's basketball team – Under head coach Lloyd Brazil, the Titans compiled a 13-8 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
1941–42 Detroit Red Wings season – Under head coach Jack Adams, the Red Wings compiled a 19–25–4 record, finished fifth in the NHL, won the first two playoff rounds, and lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1942 Stanley Cup Finals. The team's statistical leaders included Don Grosso with 20 goals and 53 points and Sid Abel with 31 assists. Johnny Mowers was the goaltender.1941-42 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics Sports Reference LLC Hockey-Reference.com July 17, 2017 https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DET/1942.html
1941–42 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team – The team compiled a 2–14–2 record under coach Ed Lowrey.College Hockey News July 17, 2017 Michigan Team History https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/teamHistory/Michigan/31
1941–42 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team – The team compiled a 3–6–3 record under coach Elwin Romnes.College Hockey News July 17, 2017 Michigan Tech Team History https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/teamHistory/Michigan-Tech/33
Other
Chronology of events
1942 in the United States
Births
January 1 - Dennis Archer, Mayor of Detroit (1994-2001), in Detroit
January 14 - Dave Campbell, Major League Baseball infielder (1967–1974), in Manistee, Michigan
February 19 - Paul Krause, NFL defensive back (1964–1979) and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, in Flint
March 16 - Roger Crozier, goaltender for Detroit Red Wings (1963-1970), in Ontario
March 25 - Aretha Franklin, singer known as the "Queen of Soul", in Memphis
April 11 - Jerry Hodak, television weatherman in Detroit (1965-2010), in Detroit
July 10 - Sixto Rodriguez, singer-songwriter who was the subject of the 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary film Searching for Sugar Man, in Detroit
July 20 - Mickey Stanley, outfielder for the Detroit Tigers (1964–1978) and 4× Gold Glove Award, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
August 8 - James Blanchard, Governor of Michigan (1983-1991), in Detroit
October 18 - Willie Horton, baseball player for the Detroit Tigers (1963–1977), in Virginia
Deaths
June 17 - John W. Smith, mayor of Detroit from 1924–1928 and again in 1933, at age 60 in Detroit
December 8 - Albert Kahn, architect responsible for, among other things, the Packard Automotive Plant, Highland Park Ford Plant, Ford River Rouge Complex, Burton Memorial Tower, Fisher Building, Hill Auditorium, Hatcher Graduate Library, and William L. Clements Library, at age 73 in Detroit
See also
History of Michigan
History of Detroit
References
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