Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

October 13, 1960

Former resident James Spann purchased the Vidette Printing Corporation, publisher of The Hartsville Vidette. Spann was connected with printing and editing of newspapers for most of his life, having worked at the Lewis County Herald and later founding and publishing The Hickman County Times.

The Lewis County Quarterly Court was investigating the feasibility of building or renting a building to be used by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Three prisoners escaped from the Lewis County Jail and stole a vehicle parked at the Court House to make their getaway. The men escaped by removing a set of bars in the jail. One prisoner was captured in Hickman County, and the other two were picked up in Franklin.

A Hohenwald Housing Authority was appointed to make application to the Federal Government for homes to be built in Hohenwald under the Public House Authority. E. M. Adcox, Bob Harwood, Cordell Hull, Fred Kittrell, and J. H. Warf were appointed to serve as commissioners of the Housing Authority.

Paul Burklow won the Club Golf Championship at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

The Penny Brothers Circus was scheduled to come to Hohenwald on October 18 under the sponsorship of the Lewis County Jaycees.

The “Oak Grove News” column reported that “If you have not seen Mrs. Mamie Davis’ and Rosa’s dahlias, you should drive by and see them. It is such a pity that Mr. Jack Frost will soon kill them.”

China Clayton was honored for his 60th birthday with a dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Clayton.

Funeral services were held for Melvin Brown, 79; William Mitchell, 75; Sherman Rhinehart, 57; and for Benjamin Rochelle, 62.

“Stop! Look and Laugh,” starring the Three Stooges, and “30,” starring Jack Webb, were the Saturday night double feature movies at both the Highlands Drive-In and the Strand Theatre.

October 15, 1970

Lewis County Hospital closed October 10. Doctor W. C. Keeton released a formal statement that read, in part, “Due to many factors….the hospital has not had the daily census that was been necessary to pay the personnel, actual operating expenses and make payment on bonds to the County. In fact, during the past year the cash income of the hospital has been less than 100 dollars more than the cash expenses per month. This leaves practically no money to make the bond payment and no money to take care of any improvements or major breakdowns in equipment…. We regret that we have been forced into this position and we hope the best for each and every citizen of Lewis County…”

The Quarterly Court appointed Horace Lawson, W. B. Lester, Judge A. B. Nicholson, J. W. Turnbow, and J. H. Warf, Chair to a Lewis County Hospital committee to “enter into agreements and conditions as would be necessary and advisable for the operation of the local hospital.”

The Lewis County Quarterly Court passed a resolution to pay the sheriff a salary of $500 per month in lieu of fees and passed a resolution stating that any compensation paid to a deputy sheriff or deputies would be paid from legal fees earned by said deputy.

Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol rode Lewis County school buses on October 12 to check for traffic violators. Troopers carried walkie talkies to radio in violations so that arrests could be made. THP would ride the buses periodically throughout the year.

Hamm’s Market on Highway 20 was broken into during the night. Entry was gained by breaking the glass of the front door. Burglars took about 80 cartons of cigarettes and $200 in food stamps, in addition to a small amount of change.

Lightning struck and killed a charolais cow on the Brandon Duke Farm in Swiss Colony.

Joey Hensley won the Fire Prevention Slogan Contest sponsored by WMLR and Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company.

First place winners in the Bicycle Rodeo sponsored by the Lewis County Civic Club were Michelle Bunch, Gena Hinson, Jimmy Hinson, and Kenneth Staggs.

Funeral services were held for Jesse Carroll, 53; Kate Jackson, 82; Rayburn Sanders; William Shannon, Jr., 61; Susie Skelton, 70

“The Liberation of L.B. Jones,” starring Lee J. Cobb and Anthony Zerbe, and “Skullduggery,” starring Burt Reynolds and Susan Clark, were the Friday and Saturday double feature movies at the Highlands Drive-In.

October 16, 1980

A portrait of Meriwether Lewis, painted by local artists Jimmy and Linda Griner, was unveiled in a ceremony held at Meriwether Lewis National Park in connection with the Country Arts and Crafts Festival. The portrait was presented to the Lewis County Historical Society for permanent display at Lewis County Public Library.

A public opinion meeting would be held October 21 for the future use and development of Memorial Park.

An Open House at Lewis County Hospital was scheduled for October 19 to allow the public to view the “newly enlarged and remodeled facility.”

Horner Furniture Company advertised an Open House for October 19.

Lynda Duncan was crowned 1980 Homecoming Queen in ceremonies preceding the Panther football game.

The LCHS Panthers won their sixth game of the season, defeating Richland with a score of 16 to 13. Clark Carroll led the team’s rushing game with 89 yards in 22 carries. Benny Pace captured a 32 yard pass to give the Panthers the sought after victory.

Kerry Cagle and Jeff James were named LCHS Panthers of the Week.

Ida Skelton was honored on her 82nd birthday with a dinner held at Marshall County Long Term Care Hospital in Benton, Kentucky.

Funeral services were held for Melba Ashworth, 43.

“Blue Lagoon,” starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, was the weekend feature at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

October 18, 1990

Mayor Guy Nicholson signed a proclamation naming October as Pilot Club Month in Hohenwald.

The Lewis County Emergency Communications District Board authorized South Central Bell to begin collecting a monthly service fee for E-911 service for all phone subscribers.

The Lewis County school system received a $105,735 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for asbestos removal from LCMS.

Buffalo Valley received a three-year grant in the amount of $1,085,885 to implement a state-of-the-art treatment program targeting ethnic minorities, homeless, and clients living in rural areas.

Kristy McKennon won a bike by raising the most money in her age division for the annual St. Jude’s Bike-A-Thon held in Lewis County.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 34 to 0. Randal Simmons was the leading tackler for the team with 12 tackles. Brent Johns led the team in rushing with 169 yards on 12 carries.

Oktoberfest activities concluded with a German dinner and entertainment at the Rod Brasfield Playhouse. During the evening, Geraldine Crowell and Alice Scheiwiller were named Queens of the Oktoberfest activities. Six weekends of activities had been conducted in celebration of Oktoberfest.

David Holloway and Kim Taylor announced the birth of their son, James David, Jr.

Elizabeth Weiss was honored for her 80th birthday with a reception held at the Hohenwald Church of Christ annex building.

Estalee Graves was honored for her 90th birthday with a celebration held the Occidental Park Party Room in Columbia.

Funeral services were held for Charlotte Cotton, 56.

October 19, 2000

The Hohenwald Wal-Mart held a re-opening ceremony on October 17. Retired associate Augusta Williams cut the ribbon to officially re-open the store after several months of renovations including the addition of a Pharmacy.

The Elephant Sanctuary announced that the World Premiere screening of the National Geographic/PBS documentary “The Urban Elephant” was planned for November 15 at Belcourt Theatre.

A male who had been missing since October 10 was located at Big Swan Bridge on October 13. It is believed that the resident had an epileptic seizure and fell off the bridge. He was transported to Maury Regional for treatment.

The LCHS Band competed in the Northwest Alabama Marching Classing, finishing the competition with all superior ratings.

The Lady Panther volleyball team won the district 8 A-AA volleyball tournament for the first time ever by defeating the Summertown Eagles. Crystal Willis was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Coach Sandra Thompson received Coach of the Year.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Richland with a score of 29 to 14 and moved into second place in Region 5 AA. Kip Kelsey led the rushing side with 18 carries for 101 yards and 1 touchdown.

Buchanan & Associations was featured in the Chamber Spotlight Column.

The following births were announced: Darby Kalyn, daughter of Todd and Amber Bastin; and Aerial Lynn, daughter of Marty and Marianne Baxter.

Mildred Coble, Rufus Dodd, Charles Sealey, and Vera Weeks were honored for their birthdays with a celebration at Lewis County Manor.

Funeral services were held for Mildred Davis, 85; Mary Ingram, 91; Annie Seiber, 71; and Artie Skelton, 78.