This coming Sunday is Valentine’s Day. In addition to worship, many married couples as well as those who have not yet taken the plunge will celebrate the beauty of their relationship in some special way. (On occasion, however, tragedy sometimes rears its ugly head.)

Feb. 14, 1883—Several young couples were hunting for the “Lover’s Leap,” “Cupid’s Retreat,” and other secluded spots of note that cluster around Breedlove’s Spring near Hartselle today.

May 27, 1885–Roman Puckett was married to Minnie Echols in Pulaski, Tennessee, today.  This city, which is just over the Alabama state line, is one to which couples in love frequently resort in order to have a quiet ceremony witnessed by only a very few people.

Oct. 10, 1904—Louise Moore of the southern part of the county committed suicide yesterday by taking chloroform. Her parents had objected to her marrying the man of her choice.

Feb. 8, 1906—A romantic wedding in which objecting parents were cleverly foiled, took place at Moulton, the county seat of Lawrence County, the county which joins this one on the west. Yesterday Mr. And Mrs. Taylor M. McMillian came to Decatur to do some shopping and during their absence their daughter, Josie, eloped to Moulton with her lover, Earl Crow, where they were married. Josie is only 16 years old, and her parents regard this as too young to marry.

May 26, 1908–A wedding out of the ordinary took place at the home of Morgan County Probate Judge William E. Skeggs tonight. The groom was John F. Berry and the bride was the widow of the late Charles Lindsey. The romantic part of the story is that the bride and groom had driven in an open buggy through drenching rain.  A fire was soon kindled and the bride and groom dried their clothes before the ceremony took place. Judge Skeggs offered to loan them his surrey, but they said they didn’t care for it, as they were already about as wet as it was possible for them to be.

Jan. 27, 1910—While on a visit with friends in Hartselle, Delia Barnett was quietly married to T. M. Wood.

Jan. 6, 1916—“A Twin City Romance,” a moving picture play, with local scenes and by starring local people, is currently being shown locally. The scenes are taken from scenes of the Tennessee River and surrounding country. This is the first and only moving picture play ever made in this area and is drawing crowds.

Feb. 16, 1919—Cupid has failed to observe the World War armistice in Morgan County.  Probate Judge Troup has already performed more than a dozen marriages in his office this month.

Feb. 18, 1920—Several area students are involved either on stage or behind it in connection with a play to be presented at the Auburn campus theater soon. It’s a satirical comedy and is entitled “Suppressed Desires.”

Feb. 18, 1938—Eric Mitchell has opened a dancing studio over Puckett and Orr’s Drug Store. Guys—and girls—interested in dancing can learn how now.  Girls who are tired of their guys constantly stepping on their toes while foxtrotting will undoubtedly be delight for the local availability of dance instruction.This should make future Valentine’s Days much more romantic.

April 7, 1951—According to the MCHS school column published weekly in the Enquirer, young John Howell has a devastating effect on his female classmates:  “Just one twinkle of his eyes and the girls drop dead.”

May 13, 1962—An argument over a girl by two Lacey’s Spring young men led to the shooting of one by the other at a Valhermosa church tonight.

May 25, 2002—The Red House Grill in downtown Hartselle is acquiring a reputation as a particularly romantic dining spot.