Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

March 25, 1954

The City of Hohenwald and the Police Department warned citizens that traffic laws would be strictly enforced due to a considerable increase in traffic due to the fact that a large number of people working with a gas line had come to Hohenwald. Because of this increase, in addition to careless violations by citizens, the traffic laws would now be strictly enforced and violators would be arrested.

Hassell Kelley, salesman for Kittrell Motor Company, was awarded membership in the “100-50” car club, Chevrolet’s national honor organization for retail salesmen. The 100-50 car club was open to those who sold more than 100 cars during the preceding year.

B. T. Everett, Sr. announced that he had dissolved his partnership with Glen King, and from this point forward King and his sons would own and operate U-Tote-‘Em grocery store.

Ernest Rasbury was named chair for the Lewis County Cancer Crusade.

The following births were announced: William Gary, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Treadwell; and Barry Don, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Beatty.

Funeral services were held for Pearl Baker, 75; Samuel Chessor, 31; and for Samuel Flowers, 69.

“The Plainsman,” starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, and “Million Dollar Kid,” starring the East Side Kids, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highland Drive-in Theatre.

“Raiders of the Seven Seas,” starring John Payne and Donna Reed, and “Sioux City Sue,” starring Gene Autry, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

March 26, 1964

The L. & N. Railroad announced that a new, combined rail-truck service for less-than-carload freight was now available to Hohenwald. This coordinated operation was provided by the L. & N. Railroad through its piggyback service and the Hohenwald Truck Line. Hohenwald customers shipping or receiving freight in less than carload lots would be able to ship or receive small lots to and from any point on the L. & N. or its rail connections; in addition, there would also be free pickup and delivery of goods.

A resident was killed in a night club shooting at the 64 Club located approximately 2.5 miles east of Waynesboro on Highway 64.

Mrs. J.C. Crain won first place in the Sweepstakes Needlework Contest in Newport, TN for her crocheted sweater that received first place in the Lewis County Fair.

The following births were announced: Debra Kaye, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Barber; and Robert Wade, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Peery, Jr.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. J.D. Bates; Noah Grinder, 73; Gerald Skelton, 31; and for Jeffery Thompson, infant.

Simmons Grocery advertised that the store and its complete stock of merchandise, including good refrigeration equipment was for sale.

“Cattle King,” starring Robert Taylor, and “Diary of a Madman,” starring Vincent Price were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

March 28, 1974

Former resident Susan Hinson was named the 9th annual Eufaula Pilgrimage Queen in Eufaula, GA.

Maurice Burgess was named chair of the Palm Sunday Paper Sale that was sponsored by the Lewis County Jaycees and the local FFA Chapter.

A mock disaster drill was held at the Lewis County Airport with “patients” being taken to Lewis County Hospital for “treatment.”

The Lewis County Jaycees announced that they would sponsor a canoe race on Buffalo River on June 6.

Dave Mason graduated from the U.S. Air Force radio equipment repairman course at Keesler Air Force Base, MS.

Mack McClain was promoted to Vice President in charge of sales at Industrial Products, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant.

The following births were announced: Brandon Corey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Rinehart; Matthew Terrell, son of Lt. and Mrs. Terrell Booker; and Jeremy Ryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ricketts.

Martha Bullion was honored for her 84th birthday with a surprise birthday dinner held by Mr. and Mrs. Logan Grover.

Leonard Jackson was honored for his birthday dinner with a dinner attended by friends and family.

Funeral services were held for Lyman Collier, 72; Fred Davis, 65; Arnold Moore, 80; and for Claude Nutt, 58.

“Bora Bora,” starring Haydee Politoff, and “Pajama Party,” starring Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

March 29, 1984

The Lewis County Herald celebrated its 85th birthday, having begun the publication in February 1899. To honor the occasion J.M. Criswell of South Central Bell presented Hulon O. Dunn, editor and publisher of the paper, with a decorated birthday cake. Mr. Dunn and his family have published the Lewis County Herald since his purchase of the paper on March 1, 1956.

James Weatherford was hired as the new Assistant Extension Agent for Lewis County.

Carlton Dickey, Jr. of Hohenwald was selected to show eight oil paintings and three pastel drawings at an exhibit focusing on contemporary art in America held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Kenneth Harris placed first in Green Belt Free Sparring at the Southern American Karate Championship in Murfreesboro.

The LCHS Panthers baseball team defeated Marshall County with a score of 13 to 3. Leading hitters were Travis McKissack and Tyler Bell who drove in three runs and one home run each. Both had two hits for the day.

Vickie Hooper caught a 5.75-ounce largemouth bass.

Bluford and Karren Warren announced the birth of their son, Jonathan Andrew.

Larry and Shirley Bennett announced the birth of their son, William Larry, Jr.

Funeral services were held for Nellie Ellis, 92; Robert King, 69; and for Wiley Webb.

“Making Out” and “Sophomore Sensation” were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

March 31, 1994

Over 200 attended a kick-off dinner held for the Lewis County Education Foundation. The Foundation, a concept of the local Chamber of Commerce, was established to receive and invest money to support education-related projects such as scholarships and dropout prevention programs.

W.C. Keaton was elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Association. The number of Fellows is limited to one-third of one percent of lawyers.

The Lewis County Public Library asked residents to donate $20 towards their “Bucks for Automation” fundraising project in order to raise the $7,500 needed to automate the library so materials could be checked in and out with computer software.

Joe Paul Bryant was presented a plaque by Darrell Hinson from the Hohenwald and Lewis County Fire Department in appreciation for his years of service and dedication to the department. Bryant was scheduled to leave for missionary work in Russia in April 1994.

The LCHS Panther baseball team began their season with a 10 to 8 victory over Columbia Academy. Jason Herring pitched for seven innings and struck out four batters.

John Webb graduated from warrant officer candidate school.

The following births were announced: Jesse Cole, son of Scotty and Tammy Carroll; and Ashton Taylor, daughter of Stan and Lori Smith.

Ollie “Sug” Thomason was honored for her birthday with a party hosted at her home by the Adult Ministries of the First United Methodist Church.

Wesley Morton was honored for his 62nd birthday with a celebration attended by friends and family at his home.

Leonard Wedel was honored for his 85th birthday with a party held at the home of Jack and Dot Collier.

Henry Spears was honored on his 94th birthday with dinner held at the Community Building in Memorial Park.

Charlie Thompson was honored for his 96th birthday with a celebration attended by family and friends.

Funeral services were held for Sarah Parker, 69.

In statewide news: The Tennessee Highway Patrol announced that they would issue citations for possession or use of radar detectors in commercial motor vehicles effective April 1.

March 25, 2004

Plummer Vaughan was inducted into the Tennessee Concrete Association Hall of Fame at an annual awards banquet held on February 14 in Franklin, TN.

Oliver Technologies announced an expansion that would add approximately 30 jobs by June 2004.

Celebrities George Jones and Loretta Lynn reached agreements with Sweetwater Falls for private label bottled water contracts. Jones’s label would be known as White Lightning and would be distributed widely. Lynn’s label would be used for her dude ranch and other facilities in Humphreys County.

A local resident went missing after the boat he was fishing in on the Buffalo River capsized. A Tennessee Emergency Management Agency-led search was ongoing at press time. The son, who was also fishing at the time of the accident, was able to get out of the river.

KeyComp was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Christine Tharp was named LCMS Student of the Week.

Habitat for Humanity of Lewis County was organized.

Gasoline prices continued to press upward and onward across the state, and the newspaper reported that Lewis County was “among the highest in the state.” The average price of unleaded gasoline in Hohenwald was 1.67. Lawrence County was at an average of 1.66 per gallon, Fairview at 1.59, Henderson County at 1.63, and Nashville at 1.72.

Betty Burns was honored for 10 years of continuous service at Highland Corporation.

Wynter Warren was recognized as Outstanding Youth of the Quarter by the South Central Tennessee Workforce Board.

The following births were announced: Anna Kate, daughter of Scotty and Kay Duncan; Cameron Lee, son of Casey and Misty Skelton; and Gabriel Travis, son of Jackie and Tim Cotham.

Vivian Keeton was honored for her 90th birthday with a surprise party held at the Memorial Park Community Building.

Paul Spears was honored for his birthday with hundreds of Karate students singing him happy birthday at the 2nd Annual C.T. Patterson Memorial US Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate Championship in Nashville.

Funeral services were held for Johnny Adkins, Sr., 59; Grady Brown, 60; Della Hinson, 89; Mary Hinson, 68; Michael Holder, 56; Ellen Mathis, 77; and for Jack Williams, 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.