Glimpses of Hohenwald's Past

March 11, 1954

The FFA, under supervision of A.O. Ramey, informed the newspaper that the Rabies Clinic in progress in Lewis County had come to a halt due to the fact that the serum had been exhausted and extensive telephoning over the state and south failed to turn up a supply.

Willie Devore, Elva Griner, and Jeanette Shanes were each presented pins for having reached ten years of service at General Shoe.

The following births were announced: Morris Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald King; and Donald Austin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Dabbs.

Funeral services were held for Henry Connor, 53; and for Elizabeth Rawdon.

H.L. Rasbury & Son advertised a $0.15 grab bag sale, with each bag containing merchandise that sold higher than the sale price of $0.15.

“Wild Stallion,” starring Alain Emery and Laurent Roche, and “Laramie Mountains,” starring Charles Starret, were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Strand Theatre.

March 12, 1964

Mayor W.C. Keaton signed a proclamation naming March 1964 as Red Cross Month in Hohenwald.

Con Men posing as MLEC men were in the area. The men preyed on an unnamed 93-year-old, retired school teacher, “inspecting” the wiring in her house against her will and then charging her $75 in cash. When she refused, the men threatened bodily harm. MLEC offered a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men.

A windstorm with gusts estimated at 60 to 70 mph passed through the county on March 5. The winds flattened a chicken house belonging to R. N. Dorning.

An opening ceremony and open house for Hillview Haven, a nursing and convalescing facility in Lewis County, was to be held on March 15th.

The Hohenwald Western Auto dealer store, owned by C.R. Bell, announced the opening of a new catalog order center as an added service for customers in this area.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spears hosted a homecoming at their home in Swiss Colony.

Mr. and Mrs. James Massey announced the birth of their son, James Merrick.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ammons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception held by their children.

Funeral services were held for Ida Craig, 82; Leondas Johnson, 81; and for Ollie Osborne.

“The Haunted Palace,” starring Vincent Price, and “The Caretaker,” starring Robert Stack and Polly Berger were the Friday and Saturday movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

March 14, 1974

The City of Hohenwald announced that a two hour parking limit on various streets would go into effect on March 20. Persons violating the parking limit would be punished with a fine of $2.00 for each two hours over the limit and would be towed if parked more than 24 hours.

The LCHS Panthers won the Region 5 “S” Championship, defeating Mt. Pleasant with a score of 52 to 51. Ricky DePriest scored the winning basket from just inside the foul line with a minute, 17 seconds left in the game.

Randy Carroll and Ricky DePriest were named to the Region 5 All Tournament basketball team.

Stephen L. Johnson received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point.

Ina Webster was the top cookie seller during the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale in Lewis County; she sold 134 boxes. A total of 1,056 boxes were sold in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Warren announced the birth of their son, Daryl Glen.

Funeral services were held for Eliza Hinson, 54.

Agnes Overbey advertised the selling of IGA Food Store to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Homer Gilliam.

“Hell Up in Harlem,” starring Fred Williamson and Gloria Hendry, and “Scorpio,” starring Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon, were the weekend movies showing at the Highlands Drive-In Theater.

March 15, 1984

Mayor Nicholson signed a proclamation naming March 24 as Muscular Dystrophy Association National Guard Appreciation Day.

A disturbance at a local game room sent one person to the hospital where he was treated for stab wounds.

Preliminary reports of the Census of Agriculture showed that the number of farms in Lewis County increased from 225 to 243 since the 1978 agriculture census. All land in farms totaled 38,272 for an average of 162 acres per farm in the county.

Pickard Griner retired from the Hohenwald post office after 36 years of service. Griner was presented a plaque of appreciation and a wallet from his fellow employees.

Boyd Humphreys was elected president of the Sportsman’s Archery Club.

Brian Goodman graduated from the Army quartermaster and chemical equipment repair course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

The Hohenwald Lions Club and Mickwop Productions announced that they would present a musical comedy show entitled “Scraps” on March 23, 24, and 25 and the LCES auditorium.

The following births were announced: Jasmine Holt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Cotham; and Rachel Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robin York.

Kenneth and Agnes Hinson celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a catfish dinner aFuneral services were held for Sylvia Alley, 92; Grady Campbell, 63; Charlie Churchwell, 80; and for Morgia Terry, 90.

“Warriors of the Wasteland,” starring Giancarlo Prete and Fred Williamson, was the weekend movie showing at the Highlands Drive-in Theatre.

March 17, 1994

The City of Hohenwald hired J.P. “Pete” Harris as an independent meter reader in a six-week pilot test program to determine the effectiveness of outsourcing the meter reading job.

Brown’s Variety celebrated their 25th year of business. Burrell and Lynn Brown purchased the store in 1969 from Mrs. C.E. Bastin who owned the business with her late husband. The variety store was originally owned by Johnny Scheiwiller who began the pressing shop and variety story in a different location in town during the early 1900s. Scheiwiller sold the business to Reece Bell, who in turn, sold the business to the Bastins. The Browns stated that the most popular items sold at the variety story were Icee drinks, electronic items, greeting cards, and toys.

The Alpenrosli, Hohenwald’s German Chorus, announced that they were holding a drive for new members. The group sings in English and German, but no knowledge of the German language was necessary to join.

LCHS students selected to attend the 1994 Boys State were Cory Bunch and Joel Heady. Alternates were Justin Hildenbrandt and Brian Denton.

Ricky Hensley was awarded the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer of the Year award for efforts made to council clients at Buffalo Valley through devotion classes and inspirational singing.

Verna Caruthers was featured in the Teacher Feature column.

An article ran about Ridgetop Bed and Breakfast that highlighted the business ran by Bill and Kay Jones.

Joe and Frances Zirkle announced the birth of their daughter, Cheyanne Marie.

Robert and Pat Baxter celebrated their 25th anniversary with a reception at the Fellowship Hall of Blondy Church of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Breece celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception at the Lewis County Senior Citizens Center.

Funeral services were held for Ruth Malone, 77; Brennan Schmittou, infant; and for James Sisco, 86.

March 11, 2004

Flora, a 22-year-old African elephant, was welcome to the Elephant Sanctuary on March 3. An article ran showing pictures of her arrival.

Ronald Tatum of Hohenwald Animal Control was featured in the “A Closer Look…” column.

Mark Sigler was elected president of the Tennessee Association of School Psychologists.

Sallie Pollock was named LCMS Teacher of the Year.

Brittany Bain and Derek Duncan were named LCMS Students of the Week.

The following births were announced: Andon Shane, son of Shane and Dasha Lowery; Jaden McClain, daughter of Jeremy and Kayla Harris; and Adilyn Joy, daughter of Brian and Christa Staggs.

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Page celebrated their 60th anniversary with a reception at their home.

Funeral services were held for Mary Bates, 90; Robert Cotton, 71; James Davis, Jr., 51; Josh Frazier, 25; Kenneth McCann, 67; and for Robert Tuttle, 78.

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.