A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Morgan County is much more of a two-party county today than it used to be, as evidenced by the district attorney changing from a Democrat to a Republican.
1886-May 6, The politics of Morgan County are in a fearful condition, and the late developments here open up the way for a Republican to be elected probate judge.
1904 -May 7, Representative William Richardson, member of Congress from this district, is back from Washington filled with hopes of Democratic victory in the approaching national election. Judge Richardson said: "No Democrat could have been in Washington ten days before the close of Congress and not felt the inspiring influences that give Democrats the strongest hopes for national success." (The Republican President was re-elected.)
1943 -May 8, Bush and Bobby Gilchrist of near Hartselle spent the weekend with their aunt, Mrs. J. P. Dunaway and family. (Robert [Bob] Gilchrist later had a distinguished political career as a Democrat and switched to the Republican party before his untimely death.)
1922 -May 9, Hartselle's John Sparkman will serve as president of the student government association at the University of Alabama in the fall. (John Sparkman was later a U.S. Congressman and Senator and the Democratic nominee for Vice-President of the United States in 1952.)
1908 -May 10, The Republican executive committee of Lawrence county has nominated John F. Howell for superintendent of education. Mr. Howell has important Morgan County connections.
1933 -May 11, Appointment of Democratic State Senator Marvin Kelley of Hartselle as an attorney in the Department of Agriculture has been announced by Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace. Mr. Kelley, who will assume his new duties next week, will be connected with the administration of the Farm Relief Act.
1968-May 11, Albert Brewer, Decatur Democrat, is now governor as a result of the passing of Alabama's beloved Governor Lurleen Wallace.
1910 -May 12, S. E. Stewart is the newly elected Morgan County Democratic executive committee member for beat 10 (Hartselle).