Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

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.

August 6, 1953

James Mayberry was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in the Korean War.

Jack Collier was appointed as acting postmaster for the Hohenwald Post Office, replacing Ernest Rasbury who had served since November 1952.

The following news was reported in the “With Our Boys In Service” column: Claude Bates, Jr., John Brewer, and Paul Wiss were serving aboard the USS Wisconsin. Frances Bobo was enroute to the U. S. after serving in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division. Malcolm Rose was serving aboard the USS Helena. Kenneth Beatty was stationed in Chaumont France with the 493rd Ftr. Bomber Squadron. Dalton Beatty completed Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base.

A special death notice ran for Blondy, the small, reddish-brown monkey that Ernest Rasbury won in a bet. The newspaper reported that “All the small fry of the Park Ave South neighborhood are mourning the loss of their little playmate. Blondy wasn’t a native of Hohenwald, but in the little more than a year she had lived here she had many friends. She had probably had thousands of visitors, and like many a spoiled brat, never failed to put on a performance when she had company,” adding that children “asked to see her grave and if they might bring flowers.”

Funeral services were held for Herschel Davis, 70; and for Mollie Sisco, 85.

Hohenwald Barber Shop and Field’s Barber Shop both announced that they would be closing at 7 p.m. effective August 8. It had been customary for both shops to remain open until 9 p.m.

“The Pathfinder,” starring George Montgomery, and “Sea Tiger,” starring John Archer were the Friday and Saturday double feature movies showing at the Strand Theater. “Woman They Almost Lynched,” starring John Lund and Joan Leslie, and “Whispering Smith VS Scotland Yard,” starring Richard Carlson and Greta Gynt, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

August 8, 1963

Claude Ricketts resigned his position as Fire Chief after serving on the fire department for 25 years.

Citizens gathered to discuss the possibility of building an additional ball park. It was noted that at least 22 teams have used the available park in 1963 and more would do so if there were more space. Although money had been appropriated by the county to purchase additional property, residents were organizing fundraising activities to raise the money needed to develop the new property.

Three participants at a horse show held July 30 in Hohenwald were put on probation by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors Association following a complaint filed for their discourteous actions. The three charged attended the hearing and admitted their guilt.

Ted Gower won first place in Junior awards at a model car contest held by Kuhn’s Store in Lawrenceburg.

Jerry Peery was promoted in the Air Force to the rank of Airman 1st Class.

Lawns at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Epley on West Fourth Street and Mrs. H. R. Brady on North Oak Street were named Lawns of the Week.

Tilman Knox of Columbia won the Championship Flight of the Hohenwald Invitational Golf Tournament.

Funeral services were held for John Anderson, 38.

“Island of Love,” starring Robert Preston and Tony Randall, and “Killer Leopard,” starring Johnny Sheffield were the Friday and Saturday night double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

August 9, 1973

The City of Hohenwald and county workers completed a water line project that supplied water to the Lewis County Airport. A spraying company from Kentucky was the first customer loading the lane with water and chemicals to be used in spraying fields in Lawrence and Lewis Counties.

Lewis County Government purchased a modular ambulance for the county owned and operated Lewis County Ambulance Service.

John Barber was the winner of the Hohenwald Invitational Golf Tournament.

Jerry Hensley completed a nine-week ordinance officer course at the Army Ordinance Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

Mr. and Mrs. Osco Riley celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception held at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Paul Tharp.

Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Crook celebrated their 67th anniversary with a reception held at their home.

Funeral services were held for Ava Burns, 43.

“There’s a Girl In My Soup,” starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn, and “Fear is the Key,” starring Barry Newman and Suzy Kendall, were the Friday and Saturday double feature at the Highlands Drive-In.

August 11, 1983

The Lewis County Dixie Youth Minor League All Stars won the Invitational Tournament held at Memorial Park.

Wayne Brewer won the 25th annual Invitational Golf Tournament held at the Hohenwald Recreational and Golf Club.

Four persons were arrested after robbing Holt’s I.G.A. grocery store on Linden Hwy and escaping with approximately $2,000. A van that had been reported stolen in Michigan was used as the getaway vehicle. The robbers were stopped at an intersection when law enforcement happened to also be approaching the intersection. The store owner believed this was possibly the same persons who took $800 from his store six weeks earlier.

Tammy Holt was among thirty girls chosen by Parks Belk Company to model in their annual Back to School Show.

Carlton and Jimmy Reeves held a grand opening for their new livestock barn in Murfreesboro. A number of local officials and residents attended the event.

Funeral services were held for Betty Clifton, 32; Clifton Clifton, infant; Stephen Clifton, 30; Agnes Horner, 72; and for William Vaughn, 87.

“Staying Alive,” starring John Travolta, was the weekend movie at the Highlands Drive-In Theatre.

August 12, 1993

Opposition from Lewis and Perry County appeared strong at a three-hour meeting held at the Hickman County Courthouse to discuss plans to create a multi-county landfill.

A public form held at Lewis Community Hospital was well attended by citizens who expressed their concerns. The CEO of the hospital stated that the hospital was not closing, and pointed out that many hospitals operate several hospitals under one license number.

Keith Mash was named MLEC district manager.

Three residents of American Counseling Systems escaped the facility by climbing over a back wall. Two had been apprehended and returned to the facility, the other was believed to have left Lewis County.

Cordell Hull retired and sold Hull Insurance. Hull was honored with a reception at the Lewis County Senior Citizens Center.

Chris Cantrell was the 35th Hohenwald Invitational Golf Tournament.

Johnathan Coker caught a 6.5-pound largemouth bass while fishing at Laurel Hill Lake.

Mike Webb auditioned for Ed McMahon’s Star Search.

The following births were announced: Trenton Miles, son of Todd and Kim Freeman; and Kala Lynn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Amacher.

Funeral services were held for Guy Cagle, 70; Willie Luffman, 73; Walter Mayberry, 81; James Seiber, 50; Leamon Stutts, 51; and for Hershel Whitworth, 71.

In area news: Two Hickman County residents were indicted for a 1991 murder of a postal employee at the Bon Aqua Post Office.

August 7, 2003

The Lewis County Commission met for a roundtable discussion concerning the search for new monies and the possibility of a lawsuit from the sheriff’s department to increase deputy salaries. County Mayor Kenneth Turnbow opened the meeting by stating that this was not a regular or special commission meeting, but “a roundtable of sorts.”

The Elephant Sanctuary announced that Tina the elephant, longtime resident of the Greater Vancouver Zoo, would be relocating to their facility “in her own custom-built, air-conditioned trailer.”

Barbara Hinson and the Election Commission was featured in the “A Closer Look” column.

A blood drive was being organized to honor the memory of Sergeant Roger Rowe.

A resident was arrested and charged in connection with nine different burglaries.

Hohenwald Medical Center opened on Highway 412 East.

Sue DeNicholais was honored for having in excess of one million dollars in sales with Foxfire Realty and Auction Company.

The following births were announced: Julia Suzanne and Sean MacNeal, twins of David and Jonna Martin; Dawson Michael, son of Michael and Mitzi Runions; and Lillie Grace, daughter of Mike and Sonya Butler.

Funeral services were held for Douglas Boyd, 79; Beatrice Eagle, 90; Leon Gobbell, 80; Freddie Hanberry, 84; Guy Osborne, 82; and for Dennis Talley, 83.