Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

April 12, 1951

Bisbee’s Comedians announced they would make their annual appearance in Hohenwald with a three-day engagement beginning on April 19. Admission would be $0.60 for adults and $0.25 for children. Their performance was held in a tent located next to the Court House grounds.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile would make its sixth visit of the year to Hohenwald in order to collect blood needed to meet military quotas for blood shipments to Korea.

The Hohenwald Pentecostal Church announced it would hold special services to celebrate their first year having R.G. Jackson as their pastor.

A. M. Witherspoon was honored for his birthday with a surprise dinner hosted by his brothers and sisters.

“Jungle Jim: Mark of the Gorilla,” starring Johnny Weismuller, and “Wells Fargo Gunmaster,” starring Rocky Lane and Mary Ellen Kay, were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Strand Theatre.

April 13, 1961

Mayor W. C. Keaton signed a proclamation to declare the months of May and June 1961 as Clean up- Paint up- Fix Up time in Hohenwald.

Georgia Sublett resigned her position as County Librarian. Sublett had served as Lewis County’s first public librarian since Lewis County Public Library opened to the public in 1951. Freddie Sublett was hired to replace her position.

The LCHS Senior Class of 1961 announced that they would present their Senior Play, “Cookie’s Capers” on April 28.

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Roberts announced the birth of their son, Charles Alan.

Funeral services were held for Boyd Seiber, 19; Ethel Kelsey, 85; and for Joe Spurgeon.

Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sublett advertised that Sublett’s Grocery, on Summertown Highway, was now open for business.

“Savage Innocents,” starring Anthony Quinn, and “Heroes Die Young” were the Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre and the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

April 15, 1971

The Lewis County Commission authorized the sale of $50,000 in capital outlay notes for the construction of a new public library. The Commission also formed a committee to investigate the feasibility of constructing a nursing home in Lewis County.

The walls of the former American Legion and V. F. W. Veterans Memorial Building were razed to make way for the construction of a new public library building.

The Genesco shoe factory was installing new machinery that was expected to provide additional employment opportunities for residents.

Jason Bates caught an 8.75-pound largemouth bass while fishing in a private pond at the home of Hershel Spears.

Mr. and Mrs. Telford Tharp announced the birth of their daughter, Windy Lizette.

Funeral services were held for William Carraway; William Johnson, Jr., 45; John Rice, 80; and for Willie Shrader, 72.

“Which Way to the Front,” starring Jerry Lewis, and “Color Me Dead,” starring Tom Tryon and Carolyn Jones, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

April 16, 1981

The committee on the consolidation of County and City Government reported recommendations to the Lewis County Commission. In additional business, the report on the proposed construction of a new room at Lewis County Library to be used for preservation of historical records was referred to the budget committee.

Employees of Columbia Gulf Transmission Company’s Hampshire section was honored with safety and service awards. R.W. Gibson and R.N. Savage, Jr. were honored with 10-year service awards. Employees receiving safe driving awards were J.E. Anderson; W.H. Hill, Jr.; E.B. Lucas; and M.E. Vaughn.

Samuel Cothran was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army following graduation ceremonies at UT-Martin.

The following students of the Hohenwald Wado-Ryu Karate School placed first in a tournament held in Columbia: Becky Townsend, women’s brown belt Kumite and Kata; Mike Marrero, pee wee Kumite; and Borden Plunkett, men’s green belt Kata.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Barber announced the birth of their son, Dustin Robin.

A memorial service was planned for May 3 to honor the memory of War of 1812 soldiers Alexander Perry, George Perry, and Robert Perry. Ceremonies would include the unveiling of a memorial headstone.

Funeral services were held for Stanley Baker, 64; Lessie Kelley, 90; Jerry Staggs; and for Dabbs Tucker, 76.

Sonic Drive-In advertised a “Bring Back the 1950s” event for April 18. Music from the 1950s would be played, prizes would be awarded every 15 minutes, and medium Cokes were priced at $0.10. WMLR Radio would also broadcast live from the event.

“Private Eyes,” starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway, was the weekend feature at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

April 11, 1991

The U. S. Business Administration approved Governor Ned McWherter’s request for Benton, Lewis, and McNairy counties to be declared disaster areas from the tornadoes and high winds which swept through on March 22.

Mayor Guy Nicholson announced that the City of Hohenwald had begun maintaining a list of all senior citizens in Lewis County. This list would be kept at the Police Department and would be used in times of disaster to see that seniors received aid on a top priority basis if needed.

The Lewis County Chapter of the American Cancer Society announced a “Hee Haw and Howdy Show” to be presented on May 10 through 12 at LCMS auditorium.

The annual Maifest was planned for May 3 and 4 with activities including the High Forest Beauty Pageant, a German dinner/piano concert, a pancake breakfast, and arts and crafts for sale on Main Street.

Ruby Clay was elected president of the Hohenwald Retail Merchants Association.

First place winners in the “Reach for the Stars” talent show held at the Rod Brasfield Community Playhouse were Natalie Stoval, 3-12 year-old group; and Clare Sevier, 13-15 age group.

R. E. McDonald II caught his first fish, a sun perch, while fishing with his mother and brothers at the Natchez Trace Wilderness Preserve.

The LCHS Panthers baseball team defeated Page with a score of 14 to 1. Brent Johns pitched, striking out ten in the five innings and allowing only two hits.

Johnathan Ashley and Randy Stevens were named charter members of the Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity of MTSU.

Funeral services were held for Daniel Beckett, 76; Luther Galloway, 76; and for Peggy Trousdale, 44.

April 12, 2001

The Lewis County Board of Education approved a school system Reconfiguration Plan which involved moving grade levels from one building to another and realigning the school system to maximize the use of existing resources and avoid the need to add new classrooms in the near future. This plan would create a Lewis County Intermediate School.

A property tax exemption issue that had been going on for two years between the Lewis County Property Assessor’s office and the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald was scheduled to go before the 20th Judicial District Chancery Court in Nashville. The petition filed concerned 32 acres out of 112 acres which were not exempted by the Tennessee Board of Equalization.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Bob McLain retired from Dana Corporation after 20 years of service.

Tom Bartoszek was honored for 25 years of continuous service with the Dana Corporation.

Trinity Assembly of God announced the resignation of their pastor, Roger Peak, due to health reasons.

The following students were named LCHS Students of the Month: Jessica Nelson, Lynzie Tiller, Sara Turner, and Jake White.

The LCHS Panthers baseball team defeated Hickman County with a score of 7 to 3. Elliot Hamm opened up the scoring with the first homerun at the new baseball field in the bottom of the second inning.

The following births were announced: Hunter Joseph, son of Tommy and Lisa Owen; and Rachel Michelle, daughter of Billy and Jennifer Dabbs.

Funeral services were held for Thomas Edwards, 81; Lena Frazier, 91; William Moore, 82; and for Walker Rasbury, 74.