Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

December 16, 1954

The main headline for the week was “Record Crowd is Expected For Parade.”

Three Hohenwald men were arrested for the theft of seven turkeys, valued at $20 each. The birds were stolen from the Nelson turkey ranch three miles from town. The men were in jail under a $1,500 bond each.

Bad weather was interfering the construction of the factory building on Forrest Avenue and the Piggly-Wiggly store on Park Avenue South.

The following births were announced: Kenneth Ray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Miller; Stephen Harold, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mitchell.

Funeral services were held for Emma Grimes, 76.

Advertised specials at U-Tote-‘Em Super Market included three boxes of Jello for $0.25, two cans of Oceanspray cranberry sauce for $0.35, and fresh coconuts for $0.10 a piece.

“Massacre Canyon,” starring Audrey Totter, and “Red River Shore,” starring Rex Allen, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

In area news: A roadblock of cards headed towards Alabama on Highway 98, resulted in two individuals from Hohenwald and Summertown being arrested for hauling 60 gallons of white whiskey in their car.

December 17, 1964

The following members of the Panthers football team were named to the TVC team: Alvin Durham, Bobby Harwood, and Tommy Mann. Wilson West freshman coach of the LCHS football team was named coach of the year. The Panthers were undefeated in conference play and held a 5 to 5 record for the season. The Panthers were declared conference champions.

Christmas lights went up in Hohenwald this week, thanks to efforts by the Civic Club. The club had voted to use funds contributed by local merchants to purchase new street decorations. However, the amount raised was only enough to decorate one intersection of town. As a result, the club repaired existing decorations and replaced bulbs to brighten the streets for the 1964 holiday season. Looking ahead, they planned to gather materials to create new decorations for 1965.

John Edwards, Jr. was elected worshipful master of the Hohenwald Lodge 607 F&AM.

Jerry McLemore was appointed chief lab director at Lewis County General Hospital. The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Collinwood with a score of 36 to 23. Jo Ann Malone led the girls in the scoring department with 13 points.

William C. Rogers was selected as Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Month at Sondrestrom AB, Greenland.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dickerson announced the birth of their daughter Salley Sain.

Funeral services were held for Annie Long, 69; Billy McCann, infant; Albert Quillen, 78; Mary Sewell; and for Lura Treadwell, 86.

Jack Sealy advertised fireworks for sale at 48 Cash Grocery, three miles north of Hohenwald on Highway 48.

“Kisses for My President,” starring Fred MacMurray and Polly Bergen, and “Ring of Treason,” starring Bernard Lee, were the Friday and Saturday night movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

December 19, 1974

The main headline for the week was “Natural Gas Shortage Threatens Economy.” Hohenwald faced a significant reduction in its natural gas allocation for the remainder of December 1974 through March 1975, with approximately 50 percent of the supply cut by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. Officials projected additional cuts throughout the rest of 1975. Reasons cited by the pipeline company included faster-than-expected depletion of reserves, hurricane damage to wells in the Gulf, delays in connecting wells to transmission lines, and federally-regulated pricing.

Mayor Dol Willis warned that the natural gas reduction would eliminate the entire supply for local industries and decrease the supply for commercial businesses, schools, and churches by 30 percent. While residential gas usage remained unaffected, residents were urged to conserve gas so that the surplus could be redirected to help sustain industrial operations.

Walter Darden was appointed wholesale manager in the Hohenwald office for Petrolane’s LP-gas division.

The City of Hohenwald announced an Open House would be held at City Hall on December 29, so all residents could visit and look at the new, modern facility.

Nancy Sharpe, a member of the LCHS band, was named as a member of the 1974-75 all Mid-State Band.

Rodney Walker graduated from Navy recruit training at NTC, Orlando, FL.

A man was charged with murder in the death of a cab driver for Sharp’s Cab Service.

The last of four jail escapees from Lewis County Jail turned himself into Sheriff G. Y. Bennett, bringing an end to a three-day manhunt. The men escaped by ramming a jail cell door, and fled the courthouse grounds in a stolen car. One was recaptured at the home of his parents, and the other two were apprehended after being spotted walking across the golf course.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Clifton with a score of 67 to 59. Ricky Morrow dominated the boards with 35 points and 31 rebounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bennett announced the birth of their son, Gerry.

Funeral services were held for Thomas Adkins, 27; Joe Brewer, 38; and for Ruth Wix, 63.

“Savage Sisters,” starring Gloria Hendry and Cheri Caffaro, and “Phase IV” were the Friday and Saturday movies shown at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

December 20, 1984

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners met in a special session on December 18 to approve the resolution concerning the construction and appropriation of funds for a basement under the National Guard Armory. Capital outlay notes were approved, not to exceed $61,159, the estimated cost for construction of the basement.

Michael Spitzer resigned his position as LCHS Principal in order to enter the practice of law on a full-time basis.

John Warrington was promoted in the U.S. Air Force to the rank of Senior Airman.

Brandi Skelton was chosen as one of the Christmas Princesses at the Tennessee Twirling Institute baton competition in Nashville.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Battle Ground Academy with a score of 58 to 52. Kathy Dye led the team in scoring with 24 points.

Gina Murphy was the winner of a Cabbage Patch Doll given away in a drawing held at Mercer Food City.

The following births were announced: James Adam, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Wright; and David Aaron, son of SFC and Mrs. Billy D. Sharp.

Morrow’s Bi-Rite and Food Town advertised that this week was the last week to register to win a Cabbage Patch Doll. Last week’s winner was Jo Page Hinson.

Funeral services were held for Inez Bell, 69; Winfred Howell, 77; and for Jack Taylor, 83.

“Missing in Action,” starring Chuck Norris, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

December 15, 1994

A special Army van outfitted with an exhibit entitled “Day of Infamy” visited the LCHS on December 9, 1994. The exhibit focused on the human element of conflict during World War II and was toured by students in World History, American History, and Tennessee History classes.

Richard Tate was named minister for Piney Baptist Church.

Tommy Carroll was elected worshipful master of Hohenwald Lodge 607 F&AM.

The LCHS Panthers basketball team defeated Culleoka with a score of 81 to 51. J. R. Smith was the top scorer for the team with 14 points.

Joe Churchwell grew a purple top turnip that weighed 6.75 pounds. The turnip was planted in August and picked on December 11.

LCHS Basketball Players of the Week were Billy Berg, Jeremy Conner, Niki Loveless, and Loretta Webster.

An article was published about Trace McKone who was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Haitian-Cuban refugee feeling this past summer.

The following Tiger Cubs received patches for participating in the Scouting for Food drive held on November 18: Steven Durham, Kevin Lay, and David Sharp.

Mrs. James Crain was honored for her 81st birthday by her husband and family with a dinner at Calhoun’s restaurant in Nashville.

Funeral services were held for Irene Brawner, 77; Lillian Breece, 73; Lorell Crowell, 81; and for Dillard Taylor, 22.

December 16, 2004

The next phase of construction on Highway 412 East from Lewis to Maury County had been pushed six months into the future due to environmental permit issues and Right of Way problems. TDOT planned to start assessing late charges against Tennessee Excavating.

Local law enforcement sought information due to a rash of burglaries involving six area businesses and government offices.

Dr. Mark Landis and family would be leaving Hohenwald for the Marshall Islands to embark on medical missions trip.

Middle Tennessee Fence was featured in the Chamber Spotlight column.

Sonny Shroyer, best known for his role as Enos on the television show The Dukes of Hazzard, was scheduled to visit Hohenwald on December 10 to support the newly established Longview Foundation. The foundation aimed to educate rural communities about the effects of methamphetamine use. Shroyer was set to speak at a public meeting at the National Guard Armory, where residents could learn more about methamphetamine awareness and prevention.

Marlene and Skip Zacher of Osh Kosh, WI were presented a “Key to the City” by Hohenwald Mayor Bob Burklow during the December meeting of the Lewis County Historical Society. Mrs. Zacher was the great-grandaughter of early Swiss settler Fred Pribblehorne who was buried in Swiss Cemetery.

The LCHS Lady Panthers defeated Battle Ground Academy with a score of 29 to 26. Micah Anderson was the lead scorer for the team with 13 points.

The LCHS Panthers defeated Fairview with a score of 72 to 43. Michael Crease led the team in scoring with 25 points.

John and Lezlee Beard announced the birth of their son, Hudson Cotton.

Edd and Phyliss Sharp would celebrate their 40th anniversary on December 17.

Funeral services were held for Gloria Henson, 70; Lemmie Hickerson, 73; Edith Petty, 80; Tommie Southall, 77; and for Mary Wallace, 64.

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.