Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

January 24, 1952

J.T. Peery, Southern Bell Telephone Company Manager, announced that a new dial system was scheduled to go into operation in Hohenwald at 9 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 1952. The dial cutover would be completed at a cost of $161,000. Customers were urged to use their new directories after the switchover as all telephone numbers would be changed at the cutover.

The Lewis County Civic Club began preparations on a picture book of Hohenwald and Lewis County that would be used in “selling” our town and county to prospective industry and businesses.

The Herald reported on more losses for the LCHS Panthers, “Our basketball teams continue to wallow in the murky regions of defeat as they dropped a pair to Centerville here last Saturday night and duplicated the feat at Lobelville on Tuesday night of this week. Maybe we will have better luck in some future year.”

“Hunt the Man Down,” starring Gig Young and Carla Balenda, and “I Shot Billy the Kid,” starring Don Barry and Robert Lowery, were the Friday and Saturday night films showing at the Strand Theatre. January 25, 1962

Numerous questions were being asked about the contract between Drs. Gains, Akin, and Smith for the operation of the proposed Lewis County Hospital. The contract was read in full at the meeting of the County Commission and a copy was available for public inspection in the office of the County Court Clerk. The substance of the agreement was that the county would build and equip the hospital not to exceed $200,000. The hospital would then be leased to the doctors who would agree to operate it, even if operated at a loss, at their own expense.

Kittrell Motor Company reported being broken into over the weekend with nothing being taken. Fred Kittrell reported that a deposit had been made on late Saturday and there was no money in the safe, had the burglars been able to open it.

The annual Mother’s March on Polio was scheduled for January 29.

Master Sergeant Arthur Haley arrived for duty at the Air Defense Command base in Greenland.

Birdie Turnbow and Edwenia Milam were recognized for ten years of service with Genesco.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Brown announced the birth of their daughter, Lisa Faye.

Mrs. J. F. Richardson was honored for her birthday with a dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Darden.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith celebrated their 60th anniversary with a surprise supper at the home of their daughter, Iva Odom.

Funeral services were held for Teena Cotham, infant; Sam Mayberry, 70; Howard Prince, 50; and for William Vandiver, 73.

“Upstairs and Downstairs” and “Dragstrip Riot,” starring Yvonne Lime were the Friday and Saturday movie at the Highlands Drive-In and the Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

January 27, 1972

Leo and Nell Greengrass attended a pre-campaign Heart Fund workshop in Nashville.

A Beginner’s Knitting Class would be held each Thursday night in February at the Hohenwald Bank Community Room.

The Cadette Girl Scouts met on January 24 and planned a bicycle trip to Cane Creek, weather permitting.

Frank and Ruby Scott announced their purchase of Hill’s Grocery from Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hill. The business, located at 415 Buffalo Road, would now operate under the name of Scott’s Mini Mart.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Venner announced the birth of their daughter, Apryl Lee.

Mr. and Mrs. Logan Vaughn celebrated their 50th anniversary with an open house reception at their home.

Funeral services were held for Fannie Byrn, 56; Paul Duncan; Harry Leland, 74; Elizabeth McKerlie, 77; and for Hazel Lancaster, 52.

“Making It,” starring Kristoffer Tabori and Marlyn Mason, and “Murphy’s War,” starring Peter O’Toole were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

January 28, 1982

Lewis County Civil Defense received new equipment that would be used by the unit in keeping records on weather and also by the search and rescue group.

The Big Brothers Committee reported that $1,638.10 was collected during their December drive which was used to help approximately 44 families/176 people in Lewis County.

Boston Industrial Products hosted a meeting with Dana World Trade to initiate the sale of their hose and flat goods products to international customers.

Dwight Staggs joined the staff of Columbia State Community College as a computer analyst and programmer.

Roy McDonald was promoted in the U. S. Air Force to the rank of master sergeant.

A vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot at the Henry I. Seigel plant.

John Miesch graduated from U. S. Navy boot training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, FL.

The LCHS Pantherettes were ranked second in the district following a 42 to 38 defeat over Perry County and a 58 to 54 victory over Collinwood. Melinda Murphy led the team in scoring in the Perry County game with 22 points. Kenda Lawson was the top scorer for the team in the Collinwood game with 16 points.

An “On to St. Louis Scratch” Bowling Tournament was held at Swiss Colony Lanes with 60 people participating. First place winners were Bryan Lane, first class; Frank Scott and Charlie Rogers with a tie, second class; Chet Beckett, Ronnie O’Guin, and Suzanne Dyer with a three-way tie, third class; and Judy Whitworth, fourth class.

Pebble Skelton was honored for her 86th birthday with a dinner held at the home of Patsy and Braden Hinson.

Funeral services were held for Gwennie Bullion, 93; Edith Kemple; and for Mary Poag.

“Working Girls” and “School Girls” were the weekend double feature at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

January 23, 1992

The Lewis County Commission voted to place the wheel tax referendum on the ballot in the Presidential Primary Election in March following the receipt of a petition bearing signatures of 653 valid voters in Lewis County who opposed the county-wide wheel tax passed by the Commission. Revenue generated from the additional wheel tax would be used to fund the construction of a new jail.

The Tennessee Workers Credit Union announced that the Hohenwald office would be closing on January 25. Except for all this convenience, all credit union services would continue to be available to residents by mail and by telephone.

Don Holt, TN Dept of Personnel Commissioner, presented Governor Ned McWherter’s 21st Century Schools program to county officials, commissioners, and citizens at the Lewis County Court House on January 16.

ASI Ambulance Service announced that they had assumed the administration of Helpline, Lewis County’s 24/7 telephone counseling service.

The Lewis County 9-11 Board of Directors announced that E-911 planners would soon begin assigning specific addresses to every house and business in the county. Residents were informed that they were to expect to be notified of their new address by mail in early 1992.

The LCHS Panthers defeated the Hampshire Hawks with a score of 80 to 53. Lee Burklow was the top scorer for the team with 30 points.

The first annual Lewis County Jr. Pro Hawks football and cheerleader banquet was scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 25 at the middle school cafeteria.

A number of descendants of the late J.C. Peeler family were the weekend guest of Sara and Walter Darden.

The following births were announced: Kayla Marie, daughter of Anthony and Karen Frazier; Adam Nicholus, son of Bruce and Christina Gray; Kaleb Lee, son of Bobby and Karan Kilpatrick; and Ellarlene Chacie Danielle, daughter of Danny and Tina Warden.

A memorial service was held for Robert Siler, 64; and a funeral service was held for Wilson Stephens, 73.

January 24, 2002

A one-time Lewis County resident named to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s “Most Wanted” list in 2001 was apprehended in Sevier County after officers received a tip as to his whereabouts. The man had been indicted by the Lewis County Grand Jury in 2001 on charges of two counts of rape, two counts of incest, three counts of child abuse, and two counts of aggravated sexual battery by an authority figure. He also faced 21 counts of similar charges in Williamson County where a trial was slated for March 2002.

A trial slated for the man charged in the November 2000 shooting death of Hohenwald Police Officer Alan Ragsdale was reset to September 2002 due to a motion filed by his defense lawyer.

Marine Lance Corporal Bobby Fuller deployed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Hampshire with a score of 56 to 42. Britiny Tenison was the top scorer for the team with 20 points. The Lady Panthers also defeated Parsons Riverside with a score of 68 to 56. Autumn Brewer was the top scorer for the team with 19 points.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Riverside with a score of 76 to 54. Brad Page led the team in scoring with 29 points.

Travis and Tammy Bunch announced the birth of their daughter, Destiny Paige.

Funeral services were held for Louise Crain, 88; Jean Dutton, 62; Soule Humphreys, 99; and for Josephine Jackson, 80.

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.