A look back

By Staff
No legal liquor sales in Hartselle-not for a long time. The voters made that very clear on November 5.
1886-November 14, A number of the most influential citizens are anxious that Hartselle should try prohibition, at least for awhile, and if it is a success, then have it always. They think the town and county will be benefited in a financial, as well as in a moral, way by it.
1958-November 15, It is widely rumored that a taxi company in Hartselle is supplying bootleg whiskey to residents of this community. Buddy Rodgers, owner of Rodgers &Rodgers Taxi and Bus Lines, does not allow this and discharges drivers who violate the prohibition law.
1929-November 16, Nationwide prohibition has now mostly completed its ninth year. Hartselle and Alabama were legally dry 14 years before the advent of total prohibition.
1921-November 17, In a mostly unsettled section of territory about 20 miles east of Hartselle there are a number of stills in vigorous operation. The moonshine proprietors who run these contraptions mightily supply Hartselle residents' desire for the "hard stuff."
1903-November 18, At the present time the Decaturs are the only precincts in Morgan County where whisky is sold, the rest of the county being prohibition.
1924-November 19, Violators of the prohibition laws typically find it rough going in the Morgan County court presided over by Judge William T. Lowe. More often than not he gives the limit of the law to all convicted violators.
1910-November 20, Morgan County Representative Dan Walden is considering introducing strong alcohol control legislation when the Alabama Legislature convenes early next year. He is particularly concerned to prohibit the operation of saloons and the sale of liquor by the drink.
1931-November 20, A number of youth members of the local Methodist church are now becoming affiliated with the Alabama Young People's Prohibition Movement. It is an offshoot of the Epworth League.
(Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart)
January 1, 1890-The Park City Hotel opens. J. P. Cain is the proprietor.
January 1, 1896-U.S. Deputy Marshall J. L. Jones of Decatur was in town today.
January 1, 1898-General Joseph Wheeler is preparing to make it warm for his political opponents in the coming Congressional campaign. He has had prepared and is now having printed thousands of copies of a newspaper containing an exhaustive expose of 7 or 8 columns on nonpariel type showing how attempts were made in the last election by his opponents to vote negroes after it had been decided by the executive committee that negroes should not be allowed to vote in the primaries of the eighth district.
January 1, 1899 New Year's Eve could not have been more unhappy, so far as the weather was concerned. It was the dismalest, gloomiest, dirtiest day Birmingham has experienced in many months, possibly in years. The rain came in just sufficient quantity to wet the clothes of pedestrians not covered by water-proofs, [not clear] the rude, blustering northeasterly wind made umbrellas useless . . . (A-H) [biohy]
January 1, 1906 [Decatur, December 31] The largest hog seen in this market [in] many a day was brought in yesterday afternoon by Sam Gnue, a farmer of Wolfs Beat, and sold to a local dealer. The hog was only eight months old and weighed dressed a little over 4j50 pounds. The hog was a Poland China. . . . (A-H)
January 1, 1906 [Decatur, December 31] All of North Alabama is covered with a mantel of snow today, the first of any consequence this winter. It commenced snowing this morning about 1 o'clock and by daylight there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground. . . . (A-H) (2000)
January 1, 1907-S. E. Stewart sells interests in his business to his brothers, W. T. and J. F. The firm will now be known as S. E. Stewart &Bros.
January 1, 1916 (New Decatur, December 31)-Grace Jones, aged 13 years, in saving the lives of her two little brothers, aged five and eight, lost her own life late yesterday afternoon south of here [relate to location of Hartselle] on the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The three children were standing on the double track watching the passing of a freight train southbound, and did not see the approaching flyer in time. Little Grace carried her two brothers to safety, and was then caught under the wheels of the passenger train. She was killed instantly. The train picked up the remains and went back into the little station at Trafford where the big girl and the two frightened boys were left in charge of the station agent. . . (AH)
January 1, 1920-The new store operated by J. Templeton in the new First National Bank building commences business today. Brand new show windows have been installed. (AlbDecDail)
January 1, 1925-Pension warrants for Confederate veterans and their dependents in Morgan County arrived here [Decatur] today. The list consists of 202 checks amounting to $8,494.
January 1, 1926-Alabama wins in the Rose Bowl. (1992)
January 1, 1947-Members of the Hartselle electric department were called to Russellville today due to the electric service which was down. Those responding to the call were N. C. Sharrott, Charles Oden, Sidney Wright, Hubert Penn, and Truman Aldridge.
January 1, 1953-Teen Town has folded. (including 2001)
January 1, 1956-Doctors Duncan and Guyton have started practicing out of Hartselle Hospital. (1994)
January 1, 1958-The Associated Press's Man of the Year in Science is Dr. Wernher von Braun, director of development operations at the Army Ballistics Missiles Agency in Huntsville. Dr. von Braun was given most credit for America's recentg successes in satellite launchings.
January 1, 1966-Bowes Channell, class president, was MC at tonight's MCHS class of 1957 reunion. (1996)
January 1, 1989-Ron Wilson preached his first sermon as the new minister of the Hartselle Baptist church.
January 2, 1856-B. G. Hardwick marries Sarah E. Speaks. (including 2001)
January 2, 1886-$1,000 tax levied on each Hartselle saloon. (1992)
January 2, 1890-Mattie L. Hardwick marries Simeon E. Stewart.
January 2, 1896-Tonight several couples of young people gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Oden and spent several hours very pleasantly in a social entertainment.
January 2, 1896-There was a social given at the residence of Mrs. J. T. Simpson. A large and happy assemblage of young people were in attendanceat this entertainment and all undoubtedly had a "grand time." The evening passed joyously and a late hour reminded the guests that the pleasures for the time being must cease.
January 2, 1896-A popcorn social was given at the residence of Mr. J. M. Echols in honor of his little granddaughter, Mary Echols of Decatur, and her friend, Erin Corsbie. There were 42 little ones in attendance and they enjoyed themselves royally. (more if ever needed)
January 2, 1902-Ab Masterson, wife, and little Nellie of Hartsell spent part of the holiday season with relatives in Moulton. No people ever come to our town that we are gladder to see.
January 2, 1907 [Decatur, January 1] A small army of men are now engaged here laying a tunnel cable across the Tennessee River. The cable is for the new independent long distance telephone people and as soon as this cable is laid the Decaturs will have independent telephone connection with the principal cities of the north. This will mean that the present rates charged by the American Telephone and Telegraph company will be reduced. This independent company now has connections between Decatur and Birmingham and intermediate points. This line is being extended southern of Birmingham and will be built into Mobile and New Orleans. This new company has reduced the rate from Decatur to Birmingham from 50 cents to 25 cents. . . . (A-H)
January 2, 1923-A still discovered by Deputy Sheriff Wiley at Lacon. (1992)
January 2, 1947 [this issue of Enquirer missing at Archives]
January 2, 1958-Charles Rowe has resigned his position as vocational agriculture instructor at M.C.H.S. and began work today in Decatur as joint service supervisor and counselor for the blind and severely handicapped. (including 2001)
January 2, 1958-Ray Floyd of Birmingham visited with relatives in Hartselle during the holidays.
January 2, 1958-Mrs. Cline Thompson's kindergarten reopens following the holidays.
January 3, 1904 (Decatur, January 2)-Colonel William T. Cofer, prominent lawyer and well known citizen of Cullman, fell from a train this afternoon while on his way from this city home and one leg was broken and he was badly bruised about the body, but it is thought that he would recover. He was taken home. The accident occurred about ten miles south of here [i.e., Hartselle]. (AH)
January 3, 1908-Dr. H. C. McRee of Hartselle elected vice president of the Morgan County Medical society. Dr. S. L. Rountree is county health officer. Dr. T. B. Bradley [Brindley] of Hartselle is county poor house physician. Dr. McRee also serves as Hartselle town physician. [not in index-presumably safe to use] (A-H)
January 3, 1908-The Bank of Hartselle gives an annual dinner to its depositors and friends at the Central hotel here today, as is the usual custom. About 30 or 40 partook of the spread. [not in book] (A-H)
January 3, 1913-Bud Cummins, a soft drink stand proprietor who was found guilty by Judge Thomas W. Wet of the law and equity court on the charge of contempt, was released on a writ of habeas corups before Judge D. W. Speak. Cummins was barred from using certain fixtures in his place of business and he was charged with violating the injunction. (A-H)
January 3, 1915 (Montgomery, January 2)-William F. Feagin, state superintendent of education . . . [says] salaries of teachers of the state for December services . . . payment may be delayed owing to the condition of the treasury . . . The salaries of the teachers were due today, the law providing for their payment on the first Saturday in each month, or as soon thereafter as practicable. . . . (AH)
January 3, 1915 H. B. Hardwick and his sister, Miss Mary Hardwick, after spending the Christmas holidays with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Hardwick, have returned to the Southern Christian College at West Point, Miss., to resume their studies. (AH)
January 3, 1917-"The Birth of a Nation" continues to attract capacity crowds to the Jefferson theatre in Birmingham, and the scenes about the box office can be compared only to those of last season when standing room was at a premium nearly every day, and hundreds were turned away at the weekend performances. (biohy) (AH)
January 3, 1923-Several prisoners at the Morgan County jail have the flu. (1997)
January 3, 1934-Hartselle area cotton farmers were interested to read today of "a bill designed to balance production and consumption of cotton and 'to protect the cooperating farmers from destructive competiion by a minority who will not cooperate.'" The author is Alabama Senator Bankhead.
January 4, 1905-The second term of the Alabama poly technique institute opens. A consignment of 46 beautiful Aberdeen Angus cattle has been received by the college. (A-H)
January 4, 1906-Lacey Coleman, a 16-year-old negro boy of this place [Athens], shot and instantly killed Owen Burleson, another negro youth about his own age, here today. The killing is said to have been unprovoked. (A-H)
January 4, 1906-Up to date there have been only 1,135 poll taxes paid in this (Morgan) county. There are over 4,000 registered voters in the county and of this number perhaps 2,500 are subject to poll tax. (A-H)
January 4, 1906-Athens just held an election to determine whether cows should be allowed to roam at large on our streets and the friends of the cow running at large and destryoing the town carried the day. The council had passed an ordinance depriving the town cow of the privilege of pasturing on the front yards and flowers of the town, but a petition went before the body asking for the right to vote on the matter and the council, following the Democratic rule of allowing home rule, granted the request with the above result. (A-H)
January 4, 1915 (Athens, January 3)-News of the sudden death of judge Dan Speake, presiding judge of the circuit . . . was received here this morning. He was to have opened court here in the morning, the regular winter term. . . . He was the third Speake to have presided over the courts of this . . . circuit. His elder brother, H. Clay Speake, Paul Speake, the son of H. Clay, and the deceased. . . . (AH) (double strikethrough used in 2001)
January 4, 1916 (New Decatur, January 3)-A hot fight for the honor of representing the eighth Alabama district in Congress was assured by two candidates-judge E. B. Almon of Tuscumbia and [judge] W. W. Callahan of the Decaturs-shied their hats into the ring here today. . . The race to succeed the late judge Richardson, which was aged in 1914, four candidates entered the field . . . judge Almon, Mr. [note] Callahan . . . in the run-off Almon opposed Callahan . . . Congressman Almon served as speaker of the House of Representatives and has held many other offices in the gift of the people. He is a member of the widely known Almon family, which has a connection all over this section of the state. Mr. Callahan has served for four years as solicitor of Morgan County . . . (AH)
January 4, 1916 (New Decatur, January 3)-As a result of a landslide on the double tracks of the Louisville and Nashville railroad near Blount Springs, passenger train no. 2, northbound, was delayed for two hours Sunday. . . . (AH)
January 4, 1916 (New Decatur, January 3)-D. W. Speake, Jr., son of the late judge, died here this morning at 7 o'clock at the home of his mother, after an illness of four years of tuberculosis. Mr. Speake died just one year later than his father, who dropped dead at his home here. Father and son passed away at the same hour of the same day. . . . (AH)
January 4, 1917-The stockholders of the Bank of Hartselle, at their annual meeting, elected the following board of directors: J. H. Corsbie, Arthur Stephenson, I. S. Griffin, J. E. Schnell, J. O. Stevenson, H. C. Barkley, Rev. R. L. Quinn, J. A. Hartsell, J. M. Harwood, R. H. Porter, Sen White, and J. W. Yancey, the four latter of Pulaskia, Tenn. The bank showed an increase of deposits over last year of 40%, and net earnings 19.28%, 12% being paid in dividends, the remaining 7.28% paid into the surplus. (double strikethrough 2001)ef
January 4, 1927-W. E. Shackelford has been elected assistant cashier of the [Decatur] City national Bank. [relate to Hartselle] (BN)
January 4, 1927-With the Tennessee River falling, resumption of ferry service at the Bee Line Ferry crossing at Albany – Decatur is expected by the end of the week. The Koss Construction company, engaged in building Bilthe highway bridge at the Twin Cities, expects to resume work in about ten days. (BN)
January 4, 1927 twocent gasoline tax goes into effect passed by state legislature signed by governor (AH) (double strikethrough 2001)
January 4, 1934-Several of the more affluent Hartselle residents will soon receive their first income tax return froms under the state income tax ratified by voters last July. They will have to file by March 15 on the income for the tax year 1933.
January 4, 1951-The price of a Coke is rising from a nickel to six cents. (1996) (double strikethrough 2001)
January 4, 1951-Townspeople currently are debating whether they ought to let Hartselle teens dance one night a week at the Legion hall. (1997)
January 4, 1954-Virginia Ann Johnson is now a member of the freshman class at API. (1999) [use as is a few days later]
January 4, 1962-Fire completely destroyed four downtown businesses.. (Exact date of fire?]
January 5, 1886-There is reported to a big demand in Hartselle at present for large, fat mules. (HDM)
January 5, 1886-Miss Mary Ponder, the cultured and refined [sic], who has been visiting friends in town for the past week has returned to her home at Birmingham today, much to the regret of many of the gallant young men. (HDM)
January 5, 1886-The whiskey traffic and the old year went out together in Hartsell until after the 14th of January, when it is confidentially believed that the people will vote it out forever. (HDM)
January 5, 1886-The health of the county is good, and consequently the physicians have nothing to do. (HDM)
January 5, 1886-Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Echols hosted a New Year's night party at their residence. All of the young ladies and young men of the town and a goodly number of visitors from a distance were in attendance. (HDM)
January 5, 1908-Jim Parrish, colored, convicted of the murder of a negro, and Lee Kimble, colored, charged with carrying a pistol, escaped from the county jail last night by digging through the floor in their cells. The cage in which they were confined was supposed to be of solid steel and was used for murderers because it was regarded as abslutely safe. [However…] The jail is poorly constructed and for this reason a number of prisoners have escaped from it during the past few years. (A-H)
January 5, 1909-Judge C. C. Nesmith of Birmingham is presiding over the Morgan County law and equity court in Decatur this week, while Judge Thomas W. Wert, the presiding judge of this court is presiding over judge Nesmith's court in Birmingham. (A-H)
January 5, 1926-An increase of 300% was shown in the work of the Tennessee Valley health bureau for the year 1924 over the previous year. The number of specimens examined each month was greater than that for the month before. (A-H)
January 5, 1927-OPnly 48 blood positives ["showing the presence of a specific disese, condition, etc." (dict.)] were found in the examinations made by the Tennessee Valley laboratory during 1926, according to Dr. A. J. Perolio, the director. [caveat:] The report also showed that 61.7 percent of all of the physicians in the Valley are not using the services of the laboratory. (BN)
January 5, 1944-R. Q. Rollins graduates from U.S. Army Air Corps Advanced Training Field at Randolph Field, Texas, and is commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He formerly was a teacher and coach at Morgan County High School.
January 5, 1947-A.P.I. student Horace Broom is spending the holidays with homefolks. (1997) [move to December]
January 5, 1950-A doctor claims in the current issue of the newspaper that `s can ruin a happy marriage. (2001)
January 5, 1958-Joy Sue Gibson, Catherine Ann Dunaway, Bobby Ray Hicks, Billy Lindsey, Max Merrill, Bill Stewart, aand Joe and Ike Groover return to the University of Alabama to resume their studies after spending the Yuletide holidays with relatives. (2000) [move back to December]
January 5, 1971-Probate Judge T. C. Almon, his county's most powerful politician for several decades, died in a home fire.
January 5, 1978-Bethel Road is now an historic landmark. (1996)
January 6, 1904 (New Decatur, January 5)-The Evening Sentinel, a daily paper which has just been launched here, made its first appearance yesterday afternoon. (double strikethrough 2001)
It is a six-column, four-page paper and is full of local and telegraphic news . . . The politics of the paper will be Democratic . . . The Decaturs have not had a daily paper for a number of years. . .(AH)
January 6, 1904 (New Decatur, January 5)-The election on the stock law held in this county resulted as follows: The stock law carried in the following precincts: Apple Grove, Lawrence Cove, Nunns' Mill, and Falkville. The stock law was defeated at Lacon.
Under the provisions of the new Constitutional law cities of 5,000 population or more will have to enforce [the] stock law without an election . . . heretofore stock law [not clear], except hogs, has been running at large in the city. (AH)
January 6, 1912-Bank of Hartselle's Hotel Central banquet.
January 6, 1916 9(Decatur, January 5)-"A Twin City Romance," a moving picture play, with local scenes and by local people, is being shown at one of the local moving picture theatres. . . . 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 the Decaturs and is drawing crowds. (AH)
January 6, 1925-Six stills were captured at Gandy's Cove today. (1995)
January 6, 1925-John R. Witt, one of the most successful farmers of Morgan County, won the first prize of $150 cash for the best suggestion for southern farmers for 1925, offered by Cotton News, published at St. Matthews, S.C. Urged getting out of debt and operating on cash basis. Stay away from towns and country stores. (A-H) (double strikethrough 2001)
January 6, 1926-The Bank of Hartselle once again pay a 15 percent dividend to its stockholders. (1992)
January 6, 1944-Miss Jean Freeman, a member of the Tuscaloosa High School faculty, spent the Christmas holidays with homefolks. (1994) [move to December]
January 6, 1944 reported as missing in the fall of Java two years ago, Cpt. quote Ike quote Parker, former star quarterback and alternate football captain at Auburn [sic], has only last week been heard from. He is in a Japanese internment camp at Moulmein No. 5, Burma . . . Capt. Parker is a former high school football coach at Morgan County High School for the year 1937-38. (HE)
January 6, 1950-Discovery of a smoke-filled interior brings the fire department to Citizens Bank of Hartselle tonight. Fire was discovered in an assortment of stored records.
January 6, 1954-Robert Peck was host and Ann Sample and Betty Palmer were hostesses for the MCHS class of '53 reunion held at Robert's home tonight. (1998)
January 6, 1966-Hartselle has been awarded a $76,395 federal grant for downtown area planning work.
January 7, 1906-[Auburn] college enrollment opened January 3 with an increased attendance of 18 new students up to date, making the entire enrollment for the year 577. (A-H)
January 7, 1906-Alabama delegates to the southern Cotton association convention in New Orleans: Morgan County-J. W. Dunaway, J. M. Simpson, S. E. Stewart, and A. H. Hardage. (A-H)
January 7, 1907-At a meeting of the Commercial Club [Birmingham] a number of men representative of the alumni association of the Alabama poly technic institute declared by a resolution adopted that the moving of Auburn to Birmingham was impractical and not feasible. (A-H)
January 7, 1909-A large and enthusiastic meeting of th4e Morgan County Medical society was held today in Hartselle in the offices of Dr. R. L. Penn. Dr. Penn was elected vice president. (A-H) [see book, p. 6]
January 7, 1922-C. B. Feguson, who lives on Albany Route , was in Hartselle on business today. For security for more credit he put up his nine-year-old bay horse formerly owned by William Byars. (SESMTG-MSC)
January 7, 1933 (Hartselle, January 6)-Imploring the Legislature for aid to keep the schools from closing, the Morgan County teachers organization Thursday offered to take a 25 per cent in members' salaries for the second semester of the 1932-33 term and urged similar reductions for all other state employees. (double strikethrough 2001)a
In offering to accept the cut, the Morgan teachers in resolutions adopted stipulated that no teacher's salary could be made less than $50 a month. The State Department of Education was asked to make a like reduction for all . . . other employees . . . The Morgan county representatives were "to remedy the situation which now permits a handful of county officials to receive in each year approximately as much as the total salary as is received by the 150 or more rural teachers of our county." The Morgan county teachers in their resolution asked that the county board of education should [issue] warrants or other certificates of indebtedness against future revenue. The board further was requested to borrow from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation an amount determined by the legal limit on the board. . . .
The committee empowered by the teachers organization to work with the county includes: R. B. Ford, Boyd Puryear, E. G. Hamilton, F. E. Burleson, and H. S. Sherrod.
January 7, 1937-Earl F. Oscar has arrived here from Sheffield to take over the Strand Theatre, Hartselle's moving picture house.
January 7, 1943-Mrs. Pat Stone is now teaching home ec at Falkville High. (1996)
January 7, 1943-Miss Ruth Hartselle who has been employed in Sheffield, has accepted a psn at the State National Bank of Decatur.
January 7, 1943-J. E. Haynes, 70, for 37 years a photographer in Hartselle, died.
January 7, 1946-[Miss Hereford] gives an interesting talk on the different parts of the cow to the Danville 4-H Club.
January 7, 1954-Mrs. W. A. Mitchell died. She was the mother of Hubert R. and Billy Don Mitchell of Mitchell Industries. She was born on April 5, 1878, in Lawrence county. In 1896 she married W. A. Mitchell, a master craftsman in the trade of harness making. Mr. Mitchell hadthe leading harness shop in Hartselle for many years.
January 7, 1954-Miss Mitchie Mitchell has resumed her studies at Birmingham-Southern college following two weeks spent here with her parents and other relatives.
January 7, 1954-Scotty Stone has returned to Williamsburg, Va., to resume his studies at William and Mary college after spending the Christmas vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Stone, Jr.
January 7, 1954-Miss Betty Palmer has returned to Marion to resume her studies at Judson college after spending the holidays with homefolks.
January 7, 1954-Freddie Bennett, Robert Parker, Edward Monroe, and Frank Stewart have returned to Auburn to resume their studies.
January 7, 1954-Cadets Charles Quinn and Charles Ray have returned to Marion to resume their classes at Marion Military institute following a two-weeks' holiday visit here with homefolks.
January 8, 1905 (Auburn, January 7)-The second term of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute opens under auspicious circumstances, with the enrollment of today being 505. This is the first time in the history of the Institution the 500 mark has been reached. (AH) (double strikethrough 2001)
January 8, 1908-The mandamus asked for by Mr. Woodward and others to compel [Morgan County] Probate Judge William E. Skeggs of this county to issue saloon licenses in the Decaturs was denied this afternoon by Circuit judge D. W. Speake. [Unable to get licenses…] A number of old saloon men of the Decaturs have already made arrangements to go into other lines of business here [Decatur]. E. E. Bennett, one of the largest saloon men of Decatur, is making arrangements to go to Pulaski, Tenn., and open a jewelry store. (A-H)
January 8, 1908-George Ferguson, wanted in this county for the murder of Wallace Banks Romines, was arrested last night at Warrior Station. Ferguson may set up a plea of self-defense. The tragedy took place near Somerville three weeks ago. [more needed if desired for OMC] (A-H)
January 8, 1927-[road conditions:] From Decatur to Hartselle to Falkville to within three and one-hgalf miles of Cullman, good. From this point into Cullman under construction with short detours. (BN)
January 8, 1927-Limestone county will have the state's youngest sheriff when J. E. Clem, 24, is sworn in on January 24. Clem served for four years as special deputy under his grandfather, E. F. Puryear, who was sheriff of Limeston county for two and one-half terms. [relate to Hartselle] (BN)
January 8, 1939-The winter session of the Morgan County Singing Convention was at Falkville today. Guest singers included the Speer Family and the John Daniel Quartet. (1994)
January 8, 1939-Ronald Reagan and his wife Jane Wyman star in "Brother Rat" at the Strand. (1997)
January 8, 1944-William Lindsey leaves for Brunswick, Ga., where he will be employed.
January 8, 1953-Ann Sample and Betty Palmer are delighting their schoolmates with the MCHS column now being published in each issue of the Enquirer. (1996)
January 8, 1953-The Adam &Eve Cafe is the new name for what was formerly Reeder's restaurant.
January 9, 1905-Robbers Make Raid on Big Poker Game (A-H) (see I file if unused by OMC)
January 9, 1905-[date line Decatur] Slack Pickings after a quarrel over the division of cotton shot his uncle Claborne dead at their home near Holders Mill. (A-H)
January 9, 1908-The merchants here have settled down to the New Year's business and are anticipating a big spring trade. There is more cotton in the country at this season of the year than ever before and much remains in the field to be picked. There are something over 600 bales in the Farmers' Union Warehouse at this place, being held for 15 cents. Those who have stored seem determined to hold until they get their price. (A-H)
January 9, 1908-There was a small blaze at the Tavern Hotel in New Decatur at an early hour this morning. [biohy] (A-H)
January 9, 1916 . . . The second list contains the names of counties which paid to the state treasury more than they received from it Morgan pays the state 70,526.43 receives from state 64,791.83 Nineteen counties in this list: Baldwin, Bullock, Calhoun, Colbert, Covington, Dallas, Escambia, Etowah, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington . . . (AH)
January 9, 1922-S. L. Jones, Albany 4, bought an eight-year-old bay mare mule in Hartselle today. It has a white nose. He also bought a horse mule seven years old. (SESMTG)
January 9, 1936-W. A. McClanahan has purchased the Freeman Hardware Co., located near the Kimbrough trade stable.
January 9, 1937-The Stamps-Baxter Happy Hitters Quartet, Birmingham, appears at the Hartselle city school auditorium.
January 9, 1937-Morgan County singing convention meets at Danville high school. Continues tomorrow.
January 9, 1939-I. J. Kent died at age 79.
January 10, 1886-Sunday school attendance is falling off on account of the chilly temperatures. (1993)
January 10, 1888-Dr. John Hodges marries Sallie Bet Orr.
January 10, 1908-The Morgan County Democratic executive committee has been called by Chairman Matt Wiggins to meet in Hartselle on January 18. (A-H) [not in book]
January 10, 1920-S. M. Stephenson, NE [?] 2, did considerable trading in town today. As security for his note he is using the sorrel horse mule he got from Will Summers and the sorrel mare mule he bought of Mr. Stroup. (SESMTG-PNKLAB)
January 10, 1925-The local chapter of the KKK has written city officials telling them they want to help in law enforcement.
January 10, 1942-The Morgan County Singing convention meets at MCHS. It continues tomorrow.
January 10, 1943-Mrs. C. T. Cash entertain the Book Lover's Club.
January 10, 1944-John Henry Bodley leaves today for Ft. McClellan for his final physical examination [group of Local Board number 2 registrants].
January 10, 1944-Luther Roberts and Lee Palmer leave for St. Louis, Mo., on a business mission.
January 10, 1946-For your convenience you can pay your poll tax at R. E. Hardwick's Store in Hartselle.
January 10, 1948-Fighting and general rowdiness have necessitated a temporary halt to the weekly barn dances at the Hartselle armory. (1998)
January 10, 1957-Robert Clemons has purchased the Star Market. (1992) (double strikethrough 2001)
January 10, 1959-Martha Roberts broke her arm while skating today. (1996)
January 11, 1895-J. A. Rountree starts on his mid-winter excursion around the world with the editors. (verify if used)
January 11, 1894-The Morgan County Populites held their convention with a straight-out Republican as president.
January 11, 1908-J. M. Sandlin was born in Morgan County and left this state for Oklahoma seven years ago. As a teacher in the public schools, Mr. Sandlin found time to ready and study law. He was elected to the constitutional convention and was one of the most useful members of that body. Governor C. N. Haskell appointed Mr. Sandlin his private secretary, which position Mr. Sandlin has ably filled. (A-H) (double strikethrough 201)
January 11, 1909-A. J. Mitchell of Leesdale, a well-to-do merchant, died suddenly at his home last Friday evening. Mr. Mitchell had not been well for some days, but no alarm was felt over his condition. He ate supper on the night he died. Death was due to heart failure. Burial took place at Mt. Tabor last Saturday. Services were conducted by James E. Lee. (A-H)
January 11, 1909-One of the pioneer citizens of this county, Sam Dutton, died at his home near Basham Gap last Friday. Mr. Dutton was about 71 years old and lived here all of his life. He was buried at the Herring grave yard. (A-H)
January 11, 1916 (Montgomery, January 10)-The Birmingham tax amendment, which would have given that city the right to vote on the question of increasing their tax rate . . . was defeated in the election of