Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

August 26, 1954

Lewis County Schools reported that 1,024 students had enrolled for the 1954-1955 school term.

Two young men who had been detained in the Lewis County Jail since August 18 as suspects in a café burglary were released due to insufficient evidence.

Lightning struck the television antenna at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Turner. At the time of the incident, Mrs. Turner was at home, engaged in sewing in a bedroom that was the only area of the house that remained undamaged. The television set was completely destroyed, with all wiring and the grounding components incinerated. Additionally, windows in both the living room and kitchen were shattered, a substantial four-foot square hole was created in the living room ceiling, and all light fixtures on the north side of the house were dislodged from their electrical boxes, along with the main electric switch.

Fire Chief C.A. Ricketts held a fish fry for all members of the Hohenwald Fire Department. The Herald added that “The department displayed that they were able to take care of any situation, whether it be fighting fire or consuming golden-brown fish, hush puppies, slaw, and what have you.”

Funeral services were held for William Downey, 83; Alfred Parsons, 70; and for John Scheiwiller, 73--one of the early Swiss settlers.

“The Pace that Thrills,” starring Bill Williams and Carla Balenda, and “Santa Fee Stampede,” starring John Wayne, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

August 27, 1964

Kenneth Kistler was elected present of the Lewis County unit of the American Cancer Society.

Six members of the Lewis County Youth Leadership Council attended the state convention of the organization in Nashville. Those attending were James Adair, David Adcox, Melody Brackeen, Dorine Loque, Gerry Pollock, and Craig Turnbow.

Hohenwald received a total of five points on a state-wide basis during the 9th Annual Tennessee Telegraphic Track and Field Junior Olympics. Jimmy Kimble was the first-place winner in the Intermediate Division of the 100-yard dash at 10 seconds.

Lynn Brown completed Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, TX.

James Clifton graduated recruit training at the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center at Cape May, NJ.

Army Private Georgie Stephens was scheduled to leave for a tour of duty in Germany on September 5.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Faulkner announced the birth of their daughter, Jennifer.

Funeral services were held for Leroy Pennington, 52.

“Young and Willing,” starring Virginia Maskell and Paul Rogers, and “The Dream Maker,” starring Tommy Steele, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

August 29, 1974

Both the B & O Pharmacy and Jack’s Jr. Mart were burglarized on August 26. Entry was gained into the B & O Pharmacy by prying open the back door; only narcotics and drugs were taken. The front window was broken at Jack’s Jr. Mart; only small items that could be reached from the window were taken. A third business, the Snip, Snap, and Bite Café had a screen slashed and a rear window broken, but it is believed that the would-be burglars were scared off before they could enter the building.

Herman Jernigan and James Paulino, who were friends in Honolulu before WWII and survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, met in Hohenwald after being separated for 33 years. It came about when Paulino, a business manager for Diamond State Shows which played at the 1974 Lewis County Fair, walked up to City Policeman Jernigan and asked where the Western Union office was in town. They each said they looked at each other, knowing the other looked familiar; and after asking a few questions, they realized they were both stationed together in the Army in Hawaii.

Kenneth Seiber enlisted in the United States Army.

Maurice Clift graduated from Navy recruit training at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL.

Mr. and Mrs. James Stowe announced the birth of their son, James Bart.

Funeral services were held for Myrtle Denton, 82; Cheslie Grimes, 54; and for George Savage, 74.

“Sleeper,” starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, and “Mark of the Devil Part II,” starring Erica Blanc, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In theater.

August 30, 1984

Attorney Larry Dorning represented a client in a precedent setting court case in which the client sued a Paris, TN tavern for the death of her daughter. This case set a precedent to hold a tavern legally liable for a customer’s actions once they left the establishment. The tavern was allegedly owned by musician Hank Williams, Jr.

Vickie Hooper won the senior division of the Fairest of the Fair at the South Central Area Fair on August 28, 1984. Angenette Trull was the first runner up; Vickie Stultz was second runner up. Sonya Rainey was selected as the Junior Fairest of the Fair. Carmon Bates was the first runner up; Sherry Robbins was the second runner up.

The South Central Area Fair announced that a mud wrestling match would take place on August 30 between the Chicago Knockers and the “world famous” Hohenwald Assassins “ranked no. 1 in this area by the World Mud Wrestling Council of Hohenwald.” The local tag team consisted of “Kid Kelsey,” “Wild Bill Townsend,” their manager “Terrible Tiny” Tom Rippeto, and their body guard, the “Bloodthirsty White White Knuckles Hankins.”

The Volunteers, a baseball team of 9 and 10-year-old boys in Kirkwood, MO, coached by former resident Albert Ricketts, won the Missouri State Championship, and defeated Kentucky to become the National Champions.

Funeral services were held for Mable Hinson, 48; and for Fannie Skelton, 88.

“Gremlins,” starring Zach Galligan, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

August 25, 1994

A new basketball court was under construction at Memorial Park; the project was funded by the City of Hohenwald at a cost of approximately $20,000.

Lewis County Schools enrollment had a 6% increase over enrollment at the close of the previous school year.

David Jones was hired as LCHS band director.

Miranda Morrow made a hole-in-one on the first hole of the Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club while playing one week previously. Her total score for the nine-hole round was 38.

Spears Food Mart advertised a Grand Opening planned for August 25 through 28.

Eric Calvin and Kim Street announced the birth of their daughter, Erica Nicole Calvin.

Funeral services were held forJohnnie Bittle, 42; Ova Dabbs, 84; Billy Kilpatrick,; Flora Leonard, 85; Nelle O’Guin, 84; and for Alyne Wheeler, 80.

August 26, 2004

The National Guard 771st Maintenance Company was welcomed home with a parade on August 21 led by local law enforcement. Main street was packed with people to wave and cheer for the soldiers as they marched by. Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Ray had obtained special permission to escort the troops all the way to Lewis County from the Kentucky state line. The parade was also joined by a group of local veterans on motorcycles. The crowd later moved to the National Guard Armory for a short, but touching ceremony.

Jaydee Brewer, of Wayne County, was crowned Fairest of the Fair at the South Central Tennessee Area Fair on August 23.

The Emporium was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Captain James Hobbs was called to active duty for deployment to Kuwait.

Jeremiah Helms completed Navy basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Command.

Funeral services were held for Leonidas Ringenberg, 78; Agnes Roder, 60; Mac Talley, 52; and for James Wildman, 78.

In area news: Vermont officials captured fugitives that led law enforcement on a 200-mile chase through Lewis County, TN; AL; and MS. The couple was captured in Kirby, VT. Six charges were placed by the Lewis County Sheriff after the high speed chase that took place one week earlier.

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.