A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Music is the theme this week.
1862 -April 15, Lelia N. Morris was born at Pennsville, Ohio. A noted hymn writer, she was inspired to write a hymn drawing on the "everlasting arms" theme of A. J. Showalter in Hartselle in 1887. Mrs. Morris also composed "Let Jesus Come into Your Heart," "Nearer, Still Nearer," and "Sweeter as the Years Go By."
1954 -April 16, 1954, The annual MCHS band concert has had to go on without a regular director. He resigned to take a job with a dance band. Member Ila Jo Wallace told the newspaper: "If someone made an error, we just stopped playing."
1897 -April 17, Rev. R. W. Huckabee, the Hartselle evangelist, has pitched his tent in Cullman where wonderful preaching and Spirit-filled singing are expected to go one for 10 days.
1899 -April 18, The Alabama State Sunday School Association, which was in session in Montgomery the last three days of last week, was the best ever held in the history of the association, 200 delegates being present from all parts of the state. J. C. Orr, Jr., Hartselle, will serve as secretary for the coming year. A. A. Oden, also of Hartselle, will serve on the executive committee. It was in Mr. Oden's home that the famous hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," was written.
1939 -April 19, Graduation exercises were held at the Hartselle public school this morning. The students entertained their parents with several patriotic songs.
1922 -April 20, A number of Baptist youth from the Hartselle area are looking forward to attending the B.Y.P.U. convention in Albany this weekend. Great singing and inspirational talks are expected.
1923 -April 20, The new band organized here a couple of months ago and led by G. C. Graves and Ernest Mittwede is continuing its weekly practices and showing considerable improvement.
1942 -April 21, Walt Disney's "Dumbo" is now playing at the Strand. Children are captivated by its songs, especially "Baby Mine," "Look Out for Mr. Stork," and "Casey Jr."
1948 -April 21, The next meeting of the Juvenile Music Study Club will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cline Thompson. Sarah Ann Thompson and Martha Ann Drake will serve as co-hostesses.