Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

August 19, 1954

All schools in Lewis County would open for the new school year on August 23. Rural schools would start at 8 a.m., the Hohenwald Elementary School would begin at 8:15 a.m., and students at LCHS were to report for school at 9:30 a.m. Schools listed for the 1954-55 school year were: Buffalo Valley, Garrett, Gordonsburg, Hohenwald Colored, Hohenwald Elementary, Kimmins, Lewis County High School, Macedonia, Napier, Sweetwater, and Ridgetop Colored.

MLEC announced that a local substation would be enlarged to serve the “ever-increasing electric loads being added by members.” An interruption of electric service would occur on August 20th.

The Herald reported that “the football boys of LCHS, coached by Mr. Harold Reed, are fast getting into shape for the 1954 season, which will open on the local field, Friday night, September 3 with the light, but fast Hay Long High boys of Mount Pleasant.”

Funeral services were held for Andrew McCann, 45.

Advertised specials at U-Tote-‘Em Super Market included a quart of Purex for $0.16; bologna for $0.25 a pound; two cans of Van Camps tamales for $0.29; two cans of Van Camps Spanish rice for $0.25, and a ten-pound bag Acro plain or self-rising flour for $0.62.

“Riders to the Stars,” starring Herbert Marshall, and “Man from Sonora,” starring Wayne Morris, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

August 20, 1964

Boy Scouts of Hohenwald held a bonfire and camp. The following scouts received awards and honors: Ronnie Brackeen, Thomas Burlison, Tim Gowder, Tony Harris, Douglas Miller, David Roth, Larry Sisco, Danny Turnbow, Terry Warren, and Doug Wicks.

Kenny Graves was named chair for the “53 Minute March on Cerebral Palsy” in Lewis County.

Jerry Hickerson arrived for duty with a Tactical Air Command unit at England AFB, LA.

Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sanders announced the birth of their son, Alton Charles Jr.

Funeral services were held for K.W. Barber, 80, a veteran of the Spanish American War; and for John Burns, 70.

Puckett & Webb advertised that they were the “Home of FARAH Jeans and Casuals.” Clothing items on sale included bobby socks, two pairs for $0.87; boy’s short sleeve sport shirts, $1.69 each; and one table of women’s shoes for $1.79 each.

“The Evils of Frankenstein,” starring Peter Cushing, and “Gun Fight at Comanche Creek,” starring Audie Murphy, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

August 22, 1974

A Lewis County resident was arrested and charged with murder in relation to the death of his step-child, following an incident in which he allegedly set fire to his residence.

Super D Drugs announced that it was now authorized to accept payments for telephone bills.

Eugene Durham was named minister for the Main Street Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant.

Shelly Carroll was the first-place winner in the girls division of the Tiny Tot Review, age 1-3, at the Lewis County Fair. Tracy Curtis placed second; Heather King placed third. Lisa Churchwell was the winner in the Tiny Tot Review, age 4-7. Stephanie Keeton placed second; Jerri McCann placed third. Christopher Sheets was the first-place winner in the boys division of the Tiny Tot Review at the Lewis County Fair. Robert Brewer placed second; Perry Choate placed third.

Van and Carole Ward announced the birth of their son, Phillip Adam.

Funeral services were held for Frances Fleig, 7; and for Mrs. Jessie Petway, 85

Jiffy Mart advertised that regular grade gasoline was 50.9 cents a gallon.

“Walking Tall,” starring Joe Don Baker, was the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday movie showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

August 23, 1984

1,400 persons signed up at the General Labor Survey held by the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. Of this number, 538 were unemployed; 300 of the unemployed were women.

LCHS Lady Panthers basketball team members Kathy Dye and Shalene Grinder participated in the AAU Junior Olympics games. The team they participated on finished in second place; all team members were presented with silver medals.

Tammie Cotham completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL.

The following Junior High cheerleaders from LCMS attended a camp in preparation for the fall football season: Melanie Brewer, Starr Clifton, Deanne Garner, Missy Hensley, Sonya Lowery, Heidi Schwendimann, Ronda Tiller, and Michelle Williams. Cindi Baxter was the sponsor for the group.

Terry Carroll hit a hole-in-one while playing in a golf tournament at Green River Country Club in Waynesboro. The feat was accomplished on a 170-yard hole.

David and Irene Hiscox and their tractor rig were featured in the August edition of Overdrive, a trucker magazine, as the Tractor-Trailer of the Month.

Mack Holt was named winner for the President’s Award of Gold Bond Building Products.

The following births were announced: Rebecca McClain, daughter of Danny and Connie Jackson; and Betty Ellen, daughter of David and Jo Ann Seiber.

Funeral services were held for Mary Delk, 70; James Johnston, 64; Ed Long, 70; and for Cleamon Wisdom.

“Bachelor Party,” starring Tom Hanks, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

August 18, 1994

An accident on August 11 resulted in a cattle stampede after a car pulled out onto Highway 412 and struck a cattle trailer carrying 195 calves. Twelve calves were killed in the incident.

The South Central Area Fair was advertised to run August 29 through September 3.

Stephanie Hubbard won World Tiny Lovely Lady in a beauty pageant held in Alabama.

An article was reprinted from the July 14 edition of the Fort Campbell Courier about Leslie Carroll accepting an Installation Contracting Excellence Award on behalf of the Fort Campbell Directorate of Contracting.

Brant and Katrina Chessor announced the birth of their son, Blake Kal.

Violet Thompson was honored for her 92nd birthday with a party at the home of her son, Paul.

Don Johns was honored for his 40th birthday with a cookout at his home.

Mr. and Mrs. George Davis, Jr. celebrated their 50th nniversary with a reception held at the Oak Grove Community Building.

Funeral services were held for Hester Gandy, 73; Walter Gray, 64; and for Maxine Poore, 75.

August 19, 2004

An excited crowd welcomed home the 771st Maintenance Company at Fort Campbell on August 12. Hundreds of anxious family members waited for the arrival of the plane that brought their loved ones home.

The Lewis County Commission voted 10 to 8 to adopt a 26 cent property tax increase. The Commission also voted 13 to 5 in favor of placing a wheel tax referendum on the November ballot.

A burglar led law enforcement on a pursuit through four counties including Lewis, Lawrence, Wayne, and Lauderdale, AL. During the pursuit, the man drove between 65 and 120 miles-per-house and activated pyrotechnic smoke devices to elude officers. Local officers had to back off the pursuit due to low fuel and it was reported that the man was able to get away from police in Hardin County.

Several hundred marijuana plants were eradicated and destroyed in Lewis County by the Sheriff’s Department and the Governor’s Drug Task Force.

Don Johns competed in Retriever Hunt Tests in Horicon, WI and Lapeer, MI where he compelted qualifying scores with the dogs Rebel’s Major Mosby and Cosmic Jett Stream.

The Lewis County Jaycees were featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

The Hohenwald Police Department recognized the following employees with service awards: Mike Simmons, 25 years; and Kevin Carrol, 5 years.

Corbin Carroll caught a 30-pound catfish while fishing with Joe and Darrin Garner.

The following births were announced: Hayley Amber, daughter of Clay and Brandy Sickel; and Madison Shevon, daughter of Brian and Elissa Maze.

Funeral services were held for Oscar Gray, 65; Thelma Hatmaker, 69; and for Bertis Yates, 86.

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.