Glimpses of Hohenwalds Past

April 9, 1953

The City of Hohenwald, having received numerous complaints, reminded residents that it was against the City Ordinance to allow chickens to run at large.

A. M. Rasbury retired from Hohenwald Bank and Trust. The Herald reported that Rasbury had been “one of Hohenwald’s leading business men” for over 50 years, having operated Warren and Rasbury, and served as County Court Clerk in addition to later holding a position at the bank.

A crime laboratory, a 16-ton mobile unit sponsored by Great Central Insurance Company, was scheduled to visit Hohenwald on April 24th.

Jane Anderson, Glenn Floyd, and Gail Lester attended the Annual 4-H Congress in Nashville, TN.

Bobby Pollock was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Air Force.

Dalton Beatty, John Davis, and Earl Hinson volunteered into the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Sizemore announced the birth of their son, Maury Douglas.

Funeral services were held for Ella Hensley, 60.

“Wagons West,” starring Rod Cameron, and “Bomba, the Jungle Girl,” starring Johnny Sheffield and Karen Sharpe, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre. The Strand also advertised a special midnight show titled “Spooks on the Loose.” This April 23rd event featured living nightmares, a hilarious graveyard revue, and Satan’s daughter “burned alive before your eyes.”

April 11, 1963

M.V.A. Motor Company of Hohenwald was selected as one of the nation’s outstanding Ford dealerships and was awarded Ford Motor Company’s Distinguished Achievement Award.

Coordinators of the Lewis County Rook Tournament announced that Parker Brothers, manufacturer of Rook game cards, volunteered to present trophies in the April 15th tournament.

The Palm Sunday paper sale held by local Shriners raised $1,410 for the Junior League Home in Nashville.

The Hohenwald Methodist Church announced the building would undergo a facelift to the front exterior.

Elmo Lawson was honored by his coworkers at Tennessee Liquefied Gas Company with a fish dinner held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Duncan.

Plans were underway to organize a men’s softball league in Hohenwald with about nine teams expected to enter play.

Hollis Nutt caught a 10-pound largemouth bass while fishing at Napier Lake.

Boyd Humphries caught an 11 ¾ pound largemouth bass while fishing at Napier Lake.

The following births were announced: Dawn Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Darden; and Billy Gene, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Chapman.

Funeral services were held for Benjamin Curtis, 26; Theresa Curtis, 19 months; Victoria Curtis, 5 months; William Curtis, 23; Whitney Hickerson, 64; and for Lytle Nutt, 67.

Lillian Breece advertised a Grand Opening for Breece’s Department Store on East Main Street for April 13th.

“No Man is an Island,” starring Jeffrey Hunter and Marshall Thompson, and “Wichita,” starring Joel McCrea and Vera Miles, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

April 12, 1973

The Lewis County Quarterly Court approved a request to open a nursing home facility in Lewis County. Appointed to the Board of Directors for the facility were James Blocker, Malcolm Dobbins, Robert Harwood, James Hughes, W. B. Lester, Clyde Tharpe, and J. H. Warf.

The City of Hohenwald authorized the formation of an Industrial Development Board. Elected as officers of the board were Robert Gafford, chair; Hershel Spears, vice-chair; R. B. Lane, secretary; and Bill T. Lawson, treasurer.

Perfection’s Bay Bee, a horsed trained by Wayne Tharpe Stables and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kimbrough, was named the 1973 National Lady Amateur Champion.

The LCHS Senior Class of 1973 would present the senior play, “Headin’ for a Weddin’” on April 13th.

Eleven businesses placed ads in the paper, including full page, to congratulate Harold Sublett on the opening of his new photography studio.

Funeral services were held for Deborah Dickey, 19; Jerry Gray; and for Horace Whitehead, 62.

Joe’s Discount advertised a Grand Opening on April 12th for their new store in Hohenwald.

“The Curious Female,” a rated X film starring Angelique Pettyjohn and Charlene Jones, and “Super Fly,” starring Ron O’Neal and Carl Lee, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

April 14, 1983

First Citizens Bank announced that the FDIC has authorized the bank to purchase approximately 250 loans which belonged to the former Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company.

Michael Spitzer was named as LCHS Principal for the 1983-84 school years. Spitzer had previously served as LCES Principal.

The Sheriff’s Department, after receiving a tip, raided a property off Highway 20 near the Lewis and Lawrence County line where they found 40 marijuana plants growing in a greenhouse.

Timmy Carroll and his coon dog received fourth place all over, highest score in opposite sex, and highest score for a female Treeing Walker in the 1983 St. Jude’s Coon Hunt.

Students in Martha Edward’s third grade reading class wrote President Ronald Reagan and received a personal reply containing photographs from Reagan.

An article ran on a tornado that hit the West Prong of Cane Creek on March 21, 1932, destroying the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanfield Hinson. The entire family was seriously injured. Neighbors built the Hinson family a new home and completely furnished it at no cost to the Hinsons. Other homes in the county were also heavily damaged by this tornado.

Mr. and Robert Atkinson announced the birth of their daughter, Crystal Renee.

Funeral services were held for Robert Hensley, 66.

“Eddie Macon’s Run,” starring John Schinder; and “Girls in Bondage” were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 15, 1993

Sheriff Larry Hensley was shot while he and four deputies were responding to a call on the night of April 10th. Hensley had been wearing his bullet-proof vest, but was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt for surgery to remove two shots that entered his body. Although the Sheriff’s Department returned fire, no injuries were sustained and the assailant was taken into custody.

Cordell Hull, owner of Hull Insurance Agency for 29 years, retired after selling the business to Bob Markus of Lawrenceburg.

Mayor Guy Nicholson announced that the City of Hohenwald would be purchasing a new fire truck.

Kathy Keeton was the winner of a bunny cake given away at E.W. James and Sons. She guessed 2,727 jelly beans in the gallon jar at the store to win the cake.

Gene and Wanda Driggers, Jr. announced the birth of their son, Garth Edwin.

Clara Miller was honored for her 100th birthday with a celebration held at the Woman’s Club of Nashville.

Claudia Anderson was honored with a surprise birthday party given by the Older Adult Fellowship of Hohenwald United Methodist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Shanes celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a celebration hosted by their children.

Funeral services were held for Henry Coble, 62; and for Giovannina Turner, 65.

April 3, 2003

LCHS students Lindsey Shannon and Sky Nicholson were selected to attend a Junior Statesmen summer school for community leaders.

Two Lewis County residents were arrested on warrants out of Hickman County with charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, and theft of property.

Cissy Riley was named 2003 Teacher of the Year at LCES.

Kenny Durham was hired to be in a Gilly Gilman music video would air on Country Music Television.

David “D J” Peluso was deployed to Kuwait with the U. S. Army.

James Hinson was serving in Iraq with the U. S. Marine Corps.

WSMV meteorologist Tim Ross visited the kindergarten classes at LCES.

The following births were announced: Lily Marie, daughter of Marty and Shondra Carroll; and Braden Riley, son of David and Nikki Baxter.

Funeral services were held for Charles Staggs, 63.

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.