Glimpses of Hohenwalds Past

April 16, 1953

Bisbee’s Comedians, featuring Boob Brasfield, held a 3-day performance at the Kittrell lot on West Main on April 16th through 18th.

Dorothy Hinson was named Valedictorian of the 1953 LCHS Senior Class. Dorothy Floyd was named Salutatorian.

W.L. Kittrell was presented a Public Relation Award by the Oil Industry Information Committee.

A request for a blood donation was issued on behalf of Dennis Talley who was a patient in the VA hospital. Talley had a rare blood type and blood of his type was scarce.

Ollie Spears completed his Army basic training at Fort Jackson and was assigned to Camp Stoneman, CA.

Funeral services were held for Clyde Ammons, 41; J.A. Dunkin, 85; and for Joseph Parsons, 62.

Donald Duck ketchup was on sale at U-Tote-Em for $0.13 a bottle, and oleo was on sale for $0.19 a pound.

“Calvary Scout,” starring Rod Cameron and Audrey Long, and “The Hidden City,” starring Johnny Sheffield and Sue England, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive in Theater.

“Kansas Pacific,” starring Sterling Hayden and Eve Miller, and “Desperado of the West,” starring Allan Lane, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

April 18, 1963

D.D. Humphreys, Sr. retired after serving as Clark and Master of Lewis County for 20 years. R. W. Jones, Jr. was appointed to succeed Mr. Humphreys.

Former Lewis County Resident E.B. Dyer, Jr. was presented the Outstanding Performance Award during the Soil Conservation Service Award Banquet held in Nashville.

Glen Hinson completed Navy basic training.

Funeral services were held for Loyd Clayton, Sr., 62; Arthur Dailey, 74; and for James Rasbury, 59.

Advertised specials this week at Piggly Wiggly included pork roast for the price of $0.21 a pound, and three cans of yellow cream-style corn for $0.33.

“Ladd: a Dog,” starring Peggy McCay and Carroll O’Connor, and “Wind across the Everglades,” starring Burl Ives and Gypsy Rose Lee, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In and Strand Theatre.

April 19, 1973

One hundred people participated in the Lewis County’s first Walkathon, receiving a total of $1,381.85 in pledges for the March of Dimes Drive.

James Crain was appointed chair for the Lewis County American Cancer Society Crusade.

The following LCHS sophomores ranked in the upper ten percent of the nation when taking the National Educational Development Test: Alec Blocker, Lora Brewer, Scott Bobo, Christ Cantrell, and Stephen Edwards.

McDowell-Purcell Construction Company of Nashville was constructing a canoe base and ramp on the Buffalo River for the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts Council. Mr. and Mrs. Dick Grimes donated the land for the facility which would be named Grimes Canoe Base after them.

Funeral services were held for Clarence Alley, 96; Donna Bailey, infant; Vernice Calton, 68; Roy Carroll, 65; Vernon Coble, 35; Lucille Garton; Osby Hinson, 43; Ruthie Johns, 62; Neal Mitchell, 57; Andrew Pace, 74; and for Glen Williams, 51.

Spare ribs were on sale at Baxter’s Bestway for $0.49 a pound, and cabbage was on sale for $0.15 a pound.

“Kill them All and Come Back Alone,” starring Chuck Conners, and “Man in the Wilderness,” starring Richard Harris, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In.

April 21, 1983

Lewis County Community Credit Union received its charter from the Tennessee Department of Banking.

Two Mt. Pleasant residents and two Lewis County residents were injured in an accident which happened on Highway 99 East, near Swan View Restaurant when a dump truck collided with a pickup truck. The passenger in the dump truck was pinned in the wreckage for approximately 2.5 hours while rescue squads from Maury, Hickman, and Lewis Counties worked to remove the person from the vehicle.

The monument to the war dead from Lewis County was moved from the library grounds and relocated on the Court House lawn. The names of those from Lewis County who lost their lives in past wars would be engraved on the monument.

The Juvenile Court reminded parents that there was a city-wide curfew in place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m., Friday through Saturday unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Janice Hennessy was elected president of the Explorer’s Club which was a young adult division of the Boy Scouts of America.

Odes Newton completed Air Force basic training.

Greg Brewer found a tagged balloon in a tree at the golf club that had been released in House Springs, MO, as part of a Weekly Reader’s Writing Balloon Contest at High Ridge Elementary School.

Waymer Staggs and George Brown caught 17 bass, weighing a total of 40 pounds, while fishing at Laurel Hill Lake.

James and Alisa Noble announced the birth of their daughter, Clesha Lanae.

Iva Odom was honored for her birthday with a surprise party by her daughters Wanda Hinson and Melinda Williams.

Dutch Clayton was honored for his birthday with a dinner held at his home.

Funeral services were held for Roberta Bradford, 73; and for Darryl Burton, 24.

“The Entity,” starring David Labiosa and Barbara Hershey; and “Visiting Hours,” starring Michael Ironside and Lee Grant, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

April 22, 1993

Hohenwald was featured on the WKRN Channel 2 News feature “2 On Your Side Hometown Tour of Middle Tennessee.” WKRN news anchors broadcasted live on location in Hohenwald during the 12:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. news. The newscast featured special reports on the character of the town, as well, as the essence of the people.

Captain Charles Sealey retired after 21 years of service with the Hohenwald Police Department.

Walker Droke was named the new pastor of the First Pentecostal Church.

Bert Moore III was named president of the Lewis County Bank.

Big John’s Restaurant was celebrating its 20th anniversary, having opened its doors for business on April 23, 1973. Owner Jim Hensley was quoted as saying, “People told me a fast food restaurant would never go in Hohenwald. Now, twenty years later, we have seen that Big John’s not only made it, but has continued to prosper as many other fast food restaurants have followed the lead of Big Johns’s…”

Kaye Tatum was featured in the Lewis County Schools’ Staff Feature column.

Danny White caught a 19 ½ inch white channel catfish while fishing at the ponds between Hohenwald and Linden on Hwy 412.

Cassandra Carroll, Wanda Fuller, and Bo Whitehead were named LCMS Terrific Students of the Week.

Debbie Odom, Martha Potts, and Alice Tubbs served as judges for the TNN television show entitled “Be A Star” on April 15 in Nashville.

Tony Barber was elected president of the Lewis County Jaycees.

The following births were announced: Tamra Marie, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Timothy Wachtstetter; Garrett Catherine-Marie, daughter of Drs. Patrick and Trina Peery; and Kenley Jade, daughter of Ken and Crystal Crowell.

Mr. and Mrs. Sherrel O’Guin celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary with a dinner held at the home of their granddaughter.

Funeral services were held for Harold Angst, 90; and for Glenn Cooper, 61.

April 17, 2003

City Mayor Guy Nicholson signed a proclamation declaring May 2003 as Foster Care Month.

Vandals shot business windows and vehicle windshields throughout different parts of town, including South Maple, East Main, Beverly Avenue, West Main, and South Park. Nine reports were filed by city police detailing windows shot by what appeared to be a BB gun.

A candlelight vigil would be held at the Lewis County Court House on April 18 to show unity and support for the service men and women. This activity was conducted by the American Legion Post 127.

Mary Cothran was named Teacher of the Year at LCIS.

Ralph Choate resigned as curator of the Lewis County Museum of Local and Natural History, a position he had held since 1997.

Wade Qualls caught a 2.25-pound crappie while fishing in a pond in Hohenwald.

Jonathan Odom and Bobby Smith were both recognized for 15 years continuous service with Eaton Corporation.

The following births were announced: Brookly Chyenne, daughter of Gary and Candi Holt; and Elijah Lee, son of Jeremy and Lanitha Warnken.

Bessie Edwards was honored for her 80th birthday with celebration held in the private room at Logan’s Steakhouse in Cool Springs.

Funeral services were held for John Anglin, 74; and for Mattie Emler, 79.

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.