Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

April 22, 1954

A four-month-old girl who had been kidnapped in Newport, KY was found in Hohenwald. Billie Marie Kemplin had entrusted her children to a babysitter identified as Betty Eglee. Upon returning from work, Kemplin discovered her three older children alone and the babysitter, along with the infant, missing. The babysitter had hitched a ride with a truck driver to Nashville. There, she met a couple at a hotel restaurant and falsely claimed to be Betty Miller, stated that the child belonged to her. The couple, who did not have children of their own, agreed to adopt the child. Two days later, after being released from a Nashville jail for vagrancy, the babysitter joined the couple in court where they were granted temporary custody by the Circuit Judge. The rightful mother, accompanied by the FBI, quickly traveled to Hohenwald on April 21st, where she positively identified the child and asserted, “She’s mine... I’d know my own daughter anywhere.” At the time of local press, the babysitter had not been apprehended.

The City of Hohenwald asked residents to call City Hall if they had a spare bed that they would be willing to rent to construction workers working on the industrial building, adding “The construction people are still arriving and places for them are scarce. We would like to keep as many as possible in Hohenwald…”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol began using five radar speed control units. In a 27-hour test period conducted in Hohenwald, officers issued 971 warning tickets to violators.

MLEC purchased the Poore property on Park Avenue South, consisting of home and old theatre building, for its future office site. MLEC customers could pay their bills at the new location after May 1st.

Betty Talley was named valedictorian of the 1954 LCHS Senior Class; Patty Jean Davis was named salutatorian.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Spears announced the birth of their son, Howard Edward.

Funeral services were held for Melger Haley, 52.

DeFoe’s Frozen Food Locker advertised that they had Tennessee River catfish for sale at the price of $0.65 a pound.

“The Neanderthal Man,” starring Robert Shayne and Dorris Merrick, and “The Marshal’s Daughter,” starring Lauria Andrews and Ken Murry, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre. The Strand advertised an adults-only 3D late show on Saturday, April 24th titled “Side Streets of Hollywood.” Admission was $0.60 which included the cost of the 3D glasses.

April 23, 1964

The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars announced that a War Memorial monument would be unveiled and dedicated on Memorial Day.

Earline Ethridge retired from Southern Bell Telephone Company after 33 years of service.

Ordie Cothran and Kenneth Kistler were named co-chairs for the annual Cancer Fund Drive in Lewis County.

The following Hohenwald F.F.A. members received awards at the sixth annual Middle TN F.F.A. awards dinner in Nashville: Billy Brooks, Alvin Durham, and Bobby Sims.

Charles Hinson caught a seven-pound largemouth bass while fishing at Highlands Lake.

The LCHS Panthers football team defeated Parsons in two games held April 16th. The first team won 38 to 20 with much of the touchdowns scored on passes. The second team won 21 to 14, bringing spring practice to a close with three wins and no losses. Players and coaches were treated to a hamburger supper at Monroe’s Café following their return home.

The following births were announced: Debra Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bates; Stacy Dawn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lawson; Bobby Gene, son of Mr. and Mrs. Waco Lay; and Tana Teresa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Moon.

Funeral services were held for Manuel Kimbro, 71; Terrance McCullough, 64; and for Willis Mash.

“Black Zoo,” starring Michael Gough and Jeanne Cooper, and “Quantez,” starring Fred MacMurray and Dorothy Malone were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

April 25, 1974

Mayor Dol Willis signed a proclamation declaring May 1974 as Lewis County High Blood Pressure Month.

Fire chief Ernest Pollock requested that residents refrain from following the fire truck during emergency responses. Doing so hindered firefighting efforts by obstructing access to the scene, impeding the connection of essential equipment, and creating unnecessary congestion. Residents were also reminded that there was a City Ordinance prohibiting following fire trucks, and Chief Pollock had requested the police department to enforce this ordinance.

B&O Pharmacy was broken into with only drugs being taken. Entrance had been gained by breaking a pane in a back window, and then unlocking it and opening the window.

Scott Bobo, Chris Cantrell, Walton Dunn, and Steve Edwards were selected as delegates to Boys State, with Tim Lyell and Ricky Morrow serving as alternates.

Lydia Cothran and Doris Whitehead were chosen as delegates to Girls State, with Diana Davis and Lorna Schmittou serving as alternates.

Jack Turner was presented with a life membership in the V.F.W. by District Seven Commander Hollis Nutt.

Jerry Chandler was a member of a squadron which earned the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Funeral services were held for David Atkins, 25; Dwight Lindsey, 24; Edna Moore, 85; Lona Shipman, 83; and for Flossie Skelton, 67.

“Shaft’s Big Score,” starring Richard Roundtree, and “Bamboo Gods and Iron Men,” starring James Iglehart and Shirley Washington, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

April 26, 1984

Significant rainfall, ranging from 4.5 to 7 inches, occurred within a four-hour timeframe on April 21st. As a result, Buffalo River and various creeks throughout the county experienced rising water levels, leading to damage to more than 50 bridges.

The Lewis County Commission convened a special session to approve House Bill 1629, which established a four-year term for the Lewis County Highway Commissioner. This bill ensured that the commissioner appointed after the death of the previous Highway Commissioner would serve a full four year term without the need to run for reelection in two years at the conclusion of the prior commissioner’s unresolved term.

The TN Aeronautics Commission of the TN Department of Transportation approved state funding for a 1,000-foot extension of the runway at John A. Baker airport, along with fencing, lighting instrument approach, and landscaping.

Norman Durham was one of 132 candidates who passed the Bar examination for practicing law in the State of Tennessee.

Sue Middleton was elected president of the Lewis County Jaycettes.

Judie O’Guin caught a 4.5-pound largemouth bass while fishing at Roan’s Creek in Perry County.

Bob and Debbie Mitchell announced the birth of their daughter, Jennifer Michelle.

Funeral services were held for Lou Hinson, 91; Rufus Lawson, 62; and for Prince Robnett, 75.

“Angel,” starring Donna Wilkes, and “Screw Balls,” starring Peter Keleghan, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 28, 1994

County Executive Terry Bunch signed a proclamation declaring May 3 as National Teacher Day.

Mayor Guy Nicholson signed a proclamation declaring May 8-14 as Nursing Home Week in Hohenwald.

Lewis County was chosen to receive $3,660 in Federal Funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.

A three-dimensional mural of exotic animals was completed on the east side of the Lewis County Museum of Local and Natural History. The mural was painted by Michael Cooper with a special paint from Germany. The mural was donated to the museum by Dan and Margaret Maddox of Nashville.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 24th to officially open the remodeled Lewis County Health Department on North Court Street.

Mack Hinson was promoted in the Army to the rank of Major.

Tony Turner enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Anniken Johansen, Norwegian exchange student at LCHS, served as a page for the Tennessee Senate on April 20th.

Kebrina Davis was crowned queen in her division at the Easter Pageant in Waynesboro, TN.

Arelus Dye of Hohenwald and Tim Dye of New Albany won the two-man scramble golf tournament at the Oak Country Club in New Albany, MS, with a score of 125, 19 under par for two days.

The following births were announced: Ashley Marissa, daughter of Stacey and Jackki Parchment; and Taylor Hampton, son of Kirk and Debbie Elliott.

Bessie Roden was honored for her 82nd birthday with a celebration at her home.

Funeral services were held for Joe Breece, 69; Imogene Brown, 60; Kenneth Edwards, 77; Billy McKinley, 21; Elizabeth Smith, 89; Omer Spears, 87; Steven Treadwell, 20.

April 23, 2004

The main headline for the week was “EMA Director Resigns.” Director Danny Atkinson submitted his resignation at the April meeting of the Lewis County Commission. The entire assembly have a standing ovation to Atkinson for his dedication to Lewis County and its emergency systems since March 1981.

Members of the 771st Maintenance Company were informed that they would not be coming home on May 15th as had been originally planned. Conditions in the Middle East resulted in three Tennessee Army National Guard units having their deployment extended for an extra 90 days.

Harley Davidson of Cool Springs provided a 2004 Harley-Davidson police motorcycle to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department for complimentary use for a period of six months.

A joint effort between the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Swan Conservation Trust resulted in watershed restoration and the planting of trees on the banks of Swan Creek.

The Highway 412 project was included in the Governor’s 2004-2005 Transportation Improvement Program. The proposal included funding for right-of-way purchases for the widening project on US 412 (State Route 99) from west of the Natchez Trace Parkway to east of the Maury County line.

Linda Brewer was recognized for 20 years of service to the City of Hohenwald.

The following births were announced: Courtney Lynn, daughter of Andrew and Brandy Buckner; Hutson Ross, son of Shawn and Tina Frazier; and Christian Kade, son of Brad and Gwen Skelton.

Mack McClearen was honored for his 64th birthday with a celebration held at his home.

Ruby Odom was honored for her birthday with a surprise party held by coworkers at the Lewis County Manor.

Leon Hinson was honored for his birthday with a visit by students from General Assembly.

Funeral services were held for Linda Box, 60; Barbara Covington, 83; Scottie Freeman, 18; Raymond Grinder, 89; Artie Hunter, 70; William King, 91; and for John Nutt, 73.

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.