A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Nov. 1, 1957-Today was a grim day for elderly Alabamians. The recent cut in state pensions reduces state pensions to the needy aged from $43.88 to $39.32
Nov. 1 1957-The Arabian Knights stunned the MCHS Tigers 40-6 in a football game there tonight. Our only points came when Center Billy Don Aldridge picked up an Arab fumble in the second quarter and raced 47 yards to paydirt. Gary Vest missed in his PAT attempt.
Nov. 2, 1957-Alabama got a rare SEC victory today when the Crimson Tide upset the Georgia Bulldogs by a 14-13 score in a game played in Athens. This was only the third victory in as many seasons for Coach J. B. "Ears" Whitworth who is not being retained after the close of the fall campaign.
Nov. 3, 1957-Funeral services were held today at Roundtop church near Massey for Uncle "Buck" Wilhite who passed away recently at the age of 106. Mr. Wilhite was the oldest resident of Morgan County and had vivid memories of the Civil War.
Nov. 3, 1957-Letters from Hartselle residents that are northbound are taking longer to reach their desired recipients now. This is because L &N train number 2 has discontinued its mail car. Now only one north-bound dispatch leaves Hartselle daily.
Nov. 3, 1957-Big Ben Construction Co. will soon begin a project that will raise Hartselle's power system from 2,400 to 4,000 volts.
Nov. 4, 1957-Hartselle merchants plan to spend about $2,000 on Christmas decorations this year, up from $1,400 in '56. Lights will be strung on north and south Sparkman, east and west Main, and Railroad streets. The Christmas parade is scheduled for Dec. 6 and the drawing for the big prize of a '58 Chevy on Christmas Eve.
Nov. 5, 1957-Alabamians were expressing concern today that Governor James Folsom has had to be hospitalized due to a bad case of flu. Other family members, including Jim, Jr., (later governor himself) are also suffering with flu.
Nov. 6, 1957-Thurman Smith is currently building a three-bedroom home on Nanceford Road at an estimated cost of $9,000. J. M. Childers has in development a four-room house on Stewart Street that will cost $3,000 to construct. Longtime Hartselle teacher Miss Lizzie Reed Penn is building a duplex on Short Street that will be worth about $25,000.
Nov. 7, 1957-Out of the 61 applicants who took their driver's test last week, 34 passed while 27 flunked. Drivers' tests are administered here in Hartselle every Monday and Tuesday.