Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

September 15, 1960

A strike of employees at the Hohenwald Genesco plant caused operations to stop at the factory. A spokesman for the group said the strike was because of the firing of an employee who had 20 years of service at the plant. The group drew up the following list of requirements to be met before the strikers would return to work: re-hire the fired employee, replace the plant manager, restore a system for rating production which had been abandoned, and relax requirements for female employees.

The city garbage collection referendum passed with a vote of 137 to 87. Mayor W. C. Keaton stated that it will take several weeks to work out the details of providing a garbage collection service, from passing resolutions to purchasing equipment, but city residents would be informed as soon as the service was ready to begin.

Customers of MLEC set new records for electricity use during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1960. Total use of electricity increased by more than 34 million kilowatt-hours, with the biggest increase being by residential members who used, on average, twice as much electricity as the national home average.

The Lewis County Herald conducted an informal survey in regards to the parking meter referendum which would be held on September 17. Of the 26 persons surveyed, the vote was 3 to 1 in favor of the meters with 15 saying they would vote for the meters, 5 stating they would vote against, 3 were undecided, and 3 did not intend to cast ballots.

The Alpha Baptist Association was formed on September 4 with nine churches of Lewis, Hickman, and Perry Counties, and members of the Maury Association joining in forming the new group. The first annual meeting for the group would be held October 19 at First Baptist Church in Centerville. At the time of the article, there were a total of 66 Baptist associations in Tennessee.

Mr. and Mrs. Jess Hinson announced the birth of their daughter, Gina Renee.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. W. B. Bailey; Phillip George, 82; and for Seth Springer.

Howard and Ruthie Carroll advertised that Carroll’s Grocery opened on September 1. Located on Highway 99, three miles from Hohenwald, the ad stated they offered a “complete line groceries, feed, gas and oil… Prices are reasonable.”

“One Foot in Hell,” starring Alan Ladd and Don Murray, and “Horrors of the Black Museum,” were the Saturday night double feature movies at both the Highlands Drive-In and the Strand Theatre.

September 17, 1970

The Lewis County Herald reprinted an article about former resident Janie Black Zopfi titled “Letters from Homesick Soldiers Have Beaten Red Cross Worker Janie Zopfi Home from Vietnam.”

The Lewis County Civic Club met in a called meeting to discuss the summer baseball program, problems with the program, proposed future plans, and continued funding of the activity.

Barbara Hinson won the championship flight of the Ladies Club Tournament held at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

Clovis Hinson was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia where he was training for the use of heavy equipment.

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Hickerson announced the birth of their son, Chad Eric.

Walter Amacher was honored for his birthday with a dinner held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. B. Peery.

Mr. and Mrs. Coy Sisco celebrated their 50th anniversary with an open house at the community room of Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company.

Funeral services were held for Walter Brown, 75; David Scott, 53; and for Betty Staggs, 89.

Meriwether Lewis Hotel advertised that it was reconditioned and now open under the new management of C. A. Tutor. “We will rent rooms by day, week or month. We have several rooms available for retired people at a very low rate.”

“Latitude Zero,” starring Joseph Cotton and Cesar Romero, and “Tarzan’s Deadly Silence,” starring Ron Ely, were the Friday and Saturday double feature movies at the Highlands Drive-In.

September 18, 1980

The LCHS Panthers defeated Mt. Pleasant by a score of 26 to 6. Ronald Webster led the team with 149 yards in 20 carries. Tommy Staggs was credited with 13 tackles.

Dianne Williams of the Thursday Night Ladies Bowling League bowled the high game with a score of 222, and Joyce Clayton had the high series with a score of 516.

Hubert and Vernie Brewer grew two green beans in their garden that measured 25.5 inches and 24 inches.

The following births were announced: Jennifer Renee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Edwards; Philip Garlon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harrell Davidson; and Nathan Joshua and Natalie Jean, twins of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Spiess.

Advertised specials at Griner’s Shop Rite included smoked picnic hams for the price of $0.89 a pound, a five-pound bag of Aunt Jemima cornmeal for $0.99, cabbage for $0.19 a pound, a three-pound bag of Red Delicious apples for $0.99, and extra-large nectarines for $0.49 a pound.

“Tender Loving Care” and “Tourist Trap” were the weekend double feature movies at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

September 20, 1990

Mayor Guy Nicholson signed a proclamation declaring October 6 as “Wheels for Life” Bike-A-Thon day in Hohenwald. The annual St. Jude’s “Wheels for Life” bike-a-thon would be held at LCMS on this date.

The South Central Area Fair, sponsored annually by the Lewis County Jaycees, had a record-breaking attendance of approximately 12,000 people. The appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brought in 5,650 people alone, setting a new one-night record. The previous record was 3,000 people during the 1989 fair.

Heidi Schwendimann was crowned Fairest of the Fair during the South Central Area Fair on September 11.

Oktoberfest activities would continue with this weekend’s events including a cookout and live entertainment at the Wilhelm Tellplatz, the High Forest/Oktoberfest Beauty Pageant, and a musical performance by the “German Chorus.”

The Lewis County Soil Conservation District was awarded a $9,000 grant for the purpose of establishing soil conservation practices on severely eroded land and for the improvement of water quality in the upper Trace Creek area.

The Board of Directors of the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club voted to renovate existing structures at the club.

Funeral services were held for Betty Frith, 58; Rollie Grimes, 60; Thomas Luna, 59; Talmadge McClain, 90; and for Velma Riley, 72.