Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

July 23, 1953

Blank Peoples of Huntsville, AL was the winner of the 1953 Chevrolet car that was given away by the American Legion Fred E. Lomax Post 127 in a drawing held July 11th. The newspaper reported, “Mr. Peoples, we understand, celebrated his 20th birthday on the day he won the car.”

The Conservation Department announced that they had released 250 small-mouth bass in the Buffalo River, and 250 fish in Swan Creek.

Curtis Devore completed an advanced training course at with the Army at Fort Jackson, SC.

The following births were announced: Virginia Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Young, Jr.; Stephen Douglas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Clifton; and Connie Jo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Skelton.

Funeral services were held for B. A. Thornton.

“Stars of Texas,” starring Wayne Morris and Paul Fix, and “It Happens Every Thursday,” starring Loretta Young and John Forsythe were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Strand Theatre.

In area news: the newspaper reported the story of a 13-year old girl and 17-year old boy from Centerville, TN who eloped to Corinth, MS while their parents thought they were going to the movies. The couple had been dating for six months before their marriage. The girl was quoted as saying, “I told my folks we were going to Mississippi, but they didn’t believe it.”

July 25, 1963

About 2,000 people attended the 5th annual horse show in Hohenwald. The newspaper reported that it was “the largest crowd ever” up to this point for a horse show in town.

Reverend John Taylor was named to serve the Hohenwald Methodist Circuit, succeeding Reverend A. B. Ferrell as the circuit preacher.

The yards of Mrs. Adelle Ashton on Court Street and Mr. and Mrs. Coy Sisco on West Linden were selected as Lawns of the Week by the Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up committee.

A child received minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle on Pine Street.

A child was reported as being treated for typhoid fever at Lewis County Hospital.

A flash flood brought 3.16 inches of rain to Hohenwald with most of it falling in an hour’s time on July 20th. The rain, which was too much to drain off the streets, flooded several businesses in town, but caused only slight damage as most merchants were able to get to their buildings in time to move low stored merchandise.

John Brown enlisted in the U. S. Air Force.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dye announced the birth of their son, Jeffery Brian.

Funeral services were held for Grady Blackwell, 56; Robert Finerty, 72; Ethel Hickerson, 69; Douglas McNabb, 54; and for William Morton, 85.

“Dr. No,” starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, and “My Six Loves,” starring Debbie Reynolds, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 26, 1973

A Hohenwald construction worker was charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of a resident in the Little Swan community.

The newspaper reported that the Swiss Colony Community had the largest garbage heap in the county, “As a rule it is good to be number one, but on this occasion it is disgusting…. It is along a main road in the community and the residents don’t like it at all, as one told us, but we just don’t know what to do about.”

Lucille Barazsu was elected president of an Arts and Crafts Guild organized

The following births were announced: Virginia Chantell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James DuBose; Amy Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Clifton; and Gregory Dale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob McDaniel.

Funeral services were held for Samuel Duncan, 47; Anna Peery, 65; and for James Jones, 49.

“Hot Box,” starring Andrea Cazan and Margaret Markoo, and “Innocent Bystander,” starring Stanley Baker and Geraldine Chaplain, were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

July 28, 1983

The former president of the defunct Hohenwald Bank and Trust Company was formally charged with 11 state and criminal counts, including 8 counts of aiding and abetting the passing of bad checks, 1 count of concealing bank transactions form other officers and directors of the bank, 1 count of making false entries on bank records, and 1 count of taking bank property or bank funds.

Lewis County Bank received a Certificate of Authority from the State Commissioner of Financial Institutions and was scheduled to open on August 1st.

James Beasley completed combat training at Fort Dix, NJ.

Marie Larkin retired from Genesco after 34 years of service.

Mary Baxter placed first in sparring at the Bushido Karate Championship held Nashville.

The following births were announced: Joseph Aaron, son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Clayton; and Donnie Ray II, son of Donnie and Vickie Poole.

Funeral services were held for Virgie Dixon, 69; Guyton Gray, 35; Iva Rodgers, 31; and for Larry Rodgers, 37.

“Trading Places,” starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, and “Airplane II,” starring Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty, were the weekend double feature at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

July 29, 1993

A large group of residents, joined by representatives from Perry and Hickman Counties, met on July 22 for an information meeting regarding solid waste disposal. Those speaking at the meeting pointed out that all counties have landfills and very few of them have trouble with them.

A school expansion plan was presented at the Chamber of Commerce meeting by the Superintendent Dennis E. Whittenberg. The proposed expansion would alleviate overcrowded conditions in each school and allow the county to be in better compliance with the Better Education Program as far as the classroom teacher-student ratio was concerned.

Construction was underway for a running/walking track around the LCHS football field.

Joshua Mercer completed the first phase of obtaining a private pilot’s license by making three solo takeoffs and landings at the Lewis County Airport. The newspaper noted that this took place on his 16th birthday, adding that Mercer could fly before he could drive and that “Joshua became one of the youngest to accomplish the skill of piloting an airplane.” In a time honored tradition, his shirt tails were cut off by Instructor Paul Bridges.

Joshua Holley caught a five-pound bass while fixing at the Adcox home on Darbytown Rd.

Donnie Barber caught a largemouth bass while fishing with a purple worm for bait.

Amy Williams was selected to compete in the 15th annual state finals of the Tennessee Miss T.E.E.N. Pageant in Nashville on September 4 and 5.

Mike and Laura Webb announced the birth of their son, Lucas Jordan.

Edith Woods was honored for her 88th birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends at the Lewis County Manor.

Funeral services were held for Frances Churchwell, 69; James Cottrell, 75; and for Grady Leigh, Jr., 66.

July 24, 2003

A murder conviction was overturned when recently developed evidence showed that a convicted resident was not present during the 2000 murder of James Shelton at the Village Lane Apartments on Buffalo Road.

Ophelia Green and the Register of Deeds office was featured in the “A Closer Look” column.

The City of Hohenwald purchased six new Ford Crown Victoria police cars for the Hohenwald Police Department to make possible a vehicle for each member of the department.

The sixth annual Fraternal Order of Police Pro Roughstock Rodeo was scheduled for July 16 at Memorial Park.

A wreck on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Lewis County near mile marker 396 resulted into people being lifeflighted to Nashville. The Lewis County Fire Department was called to help with the extraction of the passengers which took 35 minutes.

Wayne Mathis was recognized for 25 years of continuous service with the City of Hohenwald, and Faye Holt was recognized for 20 years of continuous service.

A human interest story ran on Gena Henderson Escue, 94, and the enjoyment she had working in her garden planting vegetables.

Korbin Hinson was crowned King in the three to five-year old division at the Wishing Upon a Star Pageant in Dickson.

Funeral services were held for Gary Gifford, Sr., 58; Larry Qualls, 34; Clarence Melton, 84; Albert Poore, 84; Ben Tiller, 96; and Sharon Whitaker, 54.

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.