Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

August 30, 1951

Three carnival workers were charged with daylight robbery of Lindsey’s Café. They were reported to have ordered breakfast and grabbed the cash box while Mrs. J. C. McClearen was preparing their meals. Two were arrested at the fairgrounds, and the third who hired a cab and headed for Waynesboro was arrested upon his arrival there.

Nelda Hinson joined the WAVES and left for training in Chicago.

Grady Leigh appeared on the WSM radio program “Noon Time Neighbors” along with H.H. Huffines, County Agriculture Agent to discuss day farming.

The Gordonsburg News column reported that “most all the farmers through this part of the county has been very busy cutting tobacco for the last few days.”

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Ed Akers, 74; Ruby Mullins, 34; and for Mattie Rochelle, 54.

Kittrell Motor Company advertised roofing, poultry fencing, nails, and barbed wire for sale.

“Heart of the Rockies,” starring Roy Rogers, and “Night Riders of Montana,” starring Allan Lane and Chubby Johnson, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

August 31, 1961

The National Labor Relations Board Regional Office announced that an election would be held on September 13 to determine if the employees in the plant would be represented by the Boot and Shoe Workers Union. This would be the first such election in the Hohenwald plant during its 21 years of operation.

An eight-barrel moonshine still was destroyed August 25 by Sheriff Alton McLemore and deputy Henry Garrison, assisted by radio dispatcher James Barnett. The still was located on the Big Swan Creek. Two men were arrested, but one escaped.

It was announced that R. K. Roney, Jr. bought out Ben Williamson, Sr.’s half of the Old Black Joe Company, dissolving their partnership. Roney would continue to operate the canning factory.

C. S. Craig resigned his position as manager of the Hohenwald Recreational and Golf Club, effective September 1.

Mrs. Bill Nestor won a General Electric mixer in a contest sponsored by Sharpe’s Service Center for having the oldest working electrical appliance. Nestor’s winning appliance was a waffle iron bought in 1917 in St. Louis, MO.

The following births were announced: Peggy Sue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Owen Springer; Debbie Sue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Griggs, Jr.; and Felix Abner III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Fleig, Jr.

Omer Spears was honored for his 55th birthday with a surprise party held at the Meriwether Lewis Monument.

Funeral services were held for Elaine Hinson, 17; and for Riley B. Qualls, 72.

Bob Lynch Grocery announced a Grand Opening of his remodeled and enlarged store on September 1 and 2. Large baskets of groceries would be given away in drawings held on both days.

“Hondo,” starring John Wayne; and “The Green Helmet” were the Saturday night double feature at both the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

September 2, 1971

Four men were jailed after officers confiscated over 1,000 marijuana plants on a Drake Lane farm. Fifteen law enforcement officers including the Lewis County Sheriff’s Deptartment, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the T.B.I. made the raid.

Dennis E. Gowder, District Conservationist, received a special Achievement Award at a banquet held at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville.

Mrs. Bob Gafford was the winner of the Ladies Club Tournament held at the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club.

Mayor Dol Willis announced that the city was in the process of improving streets. Approximately 7,500 tons of hot mix was scheduled to be used in the city’s road improvement program.

Charles Balcom and George Campbell attended a three-day communications workshop at Abilene College in TX.

Funeral services were held for Robert Edwards, 82; and for Mrs. Clint Grinder, 45.

Weeks Chevrolet-Pontiac advertised a 1962 Olds 88 for $295. An Admiral Statesman “180” air conditioner cost $249.95 at Horner Furniture Co. A 25-pound bag of self-rising flour cost $1.99 and a 10-pound bag of sugar cost $1.19 at Piggly Wiggly.

“The Girl Who Couldn’t Say No,” starring Virna Lisi and George Segal, and “My Lover My Son,” starring Romy Schneider and Donald Houston were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

September 3, 1981

Thirty stalks of marijuana were harvested by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Dept. The stalks were discovered by Buster Wix who was bush hogging his property on Pond Creek Road. Wix notified the Sherriff that the plants were being grown without his permission.

Gregory Hankins completed basic Army combat training at Ft. Jackson, SC.

Gary Don Turner was declared the grand prize winner in the ice cream eating contest held at the South Central District Fair.

James O. Hinson, 65, earned his private pilot license. He received flight instruction from Wayne Bates, Stu Smith, and Paul Bridges.

Funeral services were held for Ovid Baker, 83; John Davis, 77; Robert Flippo, 68; and for Oliver Vandiver, 80.

August 29, 1991

The body shop, Cars Unlimited, caught fire on August 21. Apparently sparks from a welder caught some nearby cardboard boxes on fire. The fire was quickly under control.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cooper hosted a foreign exchange student, Joseph Duran of St. Sadurnid’ Anoia, Spain, for the school year.

The Panther Club held a fundraising dinner at the high school with approximately 200 attending. The meal, which netted between $11,000 and $12,000, helped to make possible the purchase of an additional 214 seats for Panther Stadium.

Tracy Seiber enlisted in the U. S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program.

Nancy McDonald was named the 1991 “Queen of Recruiting” for Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Brent Hill and Sasha Sharp each caught a catfish weighing 3.5 pounds while fishing at Wild Bill’s Pond on the Buffalo River.

The following births were announced: Jason Lynn, son of Tony and Lorie Johnston; Ollin Jerry Kyle, son of Jerry and Karmen Qualls; and Coleman Alan, son of Paris and Judy Thompson.

Funeral services were held for James Hinson, 74; Bessie Mathis, 80; and for Bobby Taylor, 33.

McDonald’s Restaurant, the Craft Show, and Spears Sports Center all advertised Grand Openings.

August 30, 2001

Jim Milan was recognized as Lewis County Teacher of the Year and was presented $200 check from MLEC.

Jessica Ward of Hickman County was crowned Fairest of the Fair at the South Central Area Fair.

A resident was assaulted at his home by two men from Nashville. The resident was life-flighted to Nashville. The incident was under investigation.

A music and craft festival, sponsored by Leadership Lewis, would be held at the Blackburn Farm on September 22. Admission would be $5 a carload.

Anthony Staggs graduated from Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island, SC.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Mt. Pleasant with a score of 26 to 6. Tommy Cagle led the team in tackles with 17.

Louella Morris and Joanne Santana won gold medals at the Tennessee Senior Games.

Lee Ann Ochs won the $10,000 grand prize at the South Central Area Fair. The drawing was sponsored by the Lewis County Jaycees.

Funeral services were held for Mary Antal, 93.

This article was written using local history resources available at the Lewis County Public Library and Archives. Libraries are guardians of history. Visit the library and archives to learn more about our community’s unique past.