A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
March 20, 1958-Long-time Hartselle businessman C. F. Penn died tonight at his home at the age of 77. Funeral services will be Sunday at First Baptist with Rev. W. L. Carden, pastor, officiating. In addition to the widow, Mr. Penn is survived by a son, Hugh F. Penn, and three grandchildren.
March 21, 1958-Thieves broke into a Hulaco general store tonight and carted away a safe that contained about $3,500 in checks. The safe weighed about 600 pounds but was hauled off without anyone noticing it.
March 21, 1958-The Hartselle Garden Club offered a benefit bridge party this afternoon and tonight as a fundraiser for park beautification. Women who helped put this event on included Mrs. Billy D. Mitchell, Mrs. Lloyd Logan, Mrs. Guy Roberts, Mrs. Ray Howell, and Mrs. Roland King.
March 22, 1958-Elbert Pannell, who operates a filling station north of Hartselle, was notified today that his recently stolen 1952 two-tone Buick had been found. Unfortunately, the vehicle, after being stripped, had been rolled 80 feet down Fort Bluff, near Florette, and was a total loss.
March 23, 1958-The state Highway Patrol is currently using radar to catch speeding drivers just north of Hartselle. Once every four minutes a driver is being caught exceeding the 50 MPH speed limit. Drivers will have to slow down to avoid more fines because radar use is going to increase in the future.
March 24, 1958-There were a lot of teary-eyed girls in Hartselle this morning. Rock and roll superstar Elvis Presley reported to his Memphis draft board to begin a two-year stint in the U.S. Army.
March 24, 1958-Several local backers of the “fightin’ little judge” were in Decatur tonight for a George Wallace for governor rally at Decatur High. Featured entertainer was Minnie Pearl, long-time performer on the Grand Ole Opry. Wallace and Minnie had appeared here in Hartselle earlier today.
March 25, 1958-Any registered voter who will be away on the May 6 primary day can vote absentee if he will go to the courthouse, state the reason for his absence, and mark his ballot on the premises.
March 26, 1958-Hartselle is to receive a $25,000 grant from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Washington to improve its sewage treatment plant. The city will need to raise the remaining $60,000 the project will cost, however. The $1 per month sewer bill may have to be raised. At present liquid sewage is dumped into Shoal Creek.