A look back
By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Sept. 6, 1957-Many Hartselle gospel singing fans returned home from Decatur early this morning feeling very blessed as a result of their attendance at the Wally Fowler all-night singing. The featured performers were Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet.
Sept. 6, 1957-The Clyde Beatty Circus, billed as the world's largest, arrived in Decatur today for one performance only. The star of the show, Clyde Beatty himself, will be battling 40 lions and tigers. Mr. Beatty has appeared in 30 motion pictures to date.
Sept. 7, 1957-Funeral services were held today for the Rev. Thomas Simmons, pastor of the Salem Methodist Church. Rev. Simmons was only 30 when he was claimed by cancer. At Athens College he was the SGA president and a star on the baseball team. Rev. Simmons leaves a grieving widow and son to mourn his loss.
Sept. 8, 1957-The O. A. Parris, Denson, and Henson families were all in attendance today at the annual all-day singing at Roundtop church. Fred Summerford is the long-time chairman of this singing.
Sept. 9, 1957-The Morgan County Fair, sponsored by the Decatur Junior Chamber of Commerce, began tonight and will continue through Saturday.
Sept. 10, 1957-Local residents contemplating a side trip to Cuba when they take a Florida vacation are giving this a second thought. Rebel leader Fidel Castro is advancing toward Havana with his forces and the position of incumbent President Fulgencio Batista is growing increasingly shaky.
Sept. 11, 1957-On the plains, Auburn football Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan said his team's scrimmage today was the worst he had seen recently.
Sept. 11, 1957-Hartselle employees at the Army's Redstone Arsenal Missile Center in Huntsville heard a "discouraging word" today. Robert Lusser, the center's guided missile reliability coordinator, said he thinks man will never make a trip to the moon.
His exact words were, "I feel it is entirely impossible for man to reach the moon."
Sept. 12, 1957-As if the challenges facing Bama Coach J. B. "Ears" Whitworth weren't already daunting, three UA players have quit his football squad without giving any reason for their action. Prospects for a winning season for the '57 Tide team are very bleak.
