A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Fifty years ago Hartselle native John Sparkman was the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States.
1921 –August 5, Hartselle's John Sparkman will return to Tuscaloosa soon to re-enroll at the University. He will edit the Crimson-White newspaper and teach political science classes as well.
1952 -August 6, Alabama Governor Gordon Persons is reported as ready to do "everything in my power" to elect the Adlai Stevenson-John Sparkman ticket. It is believed that Senator Sparkman's nomination will bring Alabama back to the Democratic fold following its support for Strom Thurmond's third party ticket four years ago.
1952 -August 7, Plans are moving rapidly forward to give a rousing welcome home reception to Hartselle's John Sparkman in about two weeks. There will be a parade and picnic as well as speeches.
1979 -August 8, A big celebration is planned at the end of the year when the completion of the new Sparkman Civic Center in Hartselle is expected.
1936 -August 9, Whitt J. Sparkman, father of Democratic congressional nominee John Sparkman, is reported to be quite ill at home.
1922 -August 10, When the next school year begins soon at the University of Alabama there will be a new SGA president-Hartselle's John Sparkman. Having completed his undergraduate courses, John will now enroll in the University's School of Law.
1952 -August 11, Subscribers to Time magazine here and all over the nation found Senator Sparkman's portrait on the cover of today's issue. Several pages tell his life story. One distinction is that Sparkman is the first man in U.S. history to be elected to the U.S. House and Senate on the same day.
1946 -August 11, Judge R. E. (Bob) Jones, Jr., the prominent Jackson County Circuit Court jurist, will wage an active campaign to succeed Hartselle's John Sparkman as a member of the U.S. House from the eighth congressional district. Sparkman is expected to be easily elected to the Senate in November.