A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Feb. 5, 1959-Many Hartselle gospel singing fans were among those packed into the Decatur High School auditorium tonight. Featured artists were James Blackwood and the Blackwood Brothers and Hovie Lister and the Statesmen. The LeFevers and the Johnson Sisters were also on the program along with impresario Wally Fowler.
Feb. 5, 1959-Alabama’s new governor, John Patterson, today put up $750 as a reward to anyone whose testimony results in the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting to death Massey merchant William A. Sheets on Dec. 29.
Feb. 5, 1959-A total of 3,480 paid the necessary poll tax during the period Oct. 1, 1958-Jan. 31, 1959. This $3 levy must be paid in order to vote except for those with certain designated characteristics such as the blind and disabled.
Feb. 5, 1959-The Babe Ruth youth baseball league needs adult support. Those who are willing to help should contact Robert Street.
Feb. 5, 1959-A total of $195,000 in warrants has been sold to finance construction of a cafeteria and two additional classrooms at Crestline Elementary School.
Feb. 5, 1959-Little Bill Puckett is recuperating from a siege of pneumonia. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Puckett.
Feb. 6, 1959-Sam Houston, associate editor of the Enquirer, traveled to Mobile today for Mardi Gras.
Feb. 6, 1959-State Health Officer Dr. D. G. Gill reported today that more Alabamians died of TB in 1958 than in 1957, despite a vigorous campaign to prevent its spread. Fatalities were up from 311 to 333. Many patients are confined to the sanitarium at Flint.
Feb. 7, 1959-Visitors were allowed to see a firing of the Jupiter missile at Redstone today. This is the third anniversary of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency in Huntsville.
Feb. 7, 1959-Dr. and Mrs. James S. Martin were in Atlanta today for a meeting of the Southern Council of Optometrists.
Feb. 7, 1959-UA head Coach Bear Bryant today named Charlie Bradshaw, assistant coach at Kentucky, to take the place of Bobby Luna on his staff. Local fans are looking forward to the start of spring training soon.
Feb. 8, 1959-Eight people were injured in a car wreck close to Morgan City this afternoon.
Feb. 8, 1959-A new rest home, Fair Haven, for the aged will be built by North Alabama Methodists. It will be located on a 40-acre site in Birmingham adjacent to the old Atlanta highway. Hartselle Methodists have given generously to this cause.
Feb. 9, 1959-The last of 500 permits for the upcoming rabbit hunt on the Wheeler Refuge was issued today. No more will be given out in the interest of hunter safety.
Feb. 9, 1959-Auburn Coach Shug Jordan’s charges began football spring training on the plains this afternoon.
Feb. 10, 1959-Dr. Joe Hall spoke to Hartselle Rotarians today on the subject of cardiovascular (heart) diseases.
Feb. 10, 1959-Auburn is ranked fourth in the nation in the current AP basketball poll. Kentucky is first.
Feb. 10, 1959-Sewage was the primary topic at tonight’s Hartselle City Council meeting. The federal government will give $26,000 to permit enlarging the sewerage treatment plant.
Feb. 11, 1959-A brand new cafeteria was used for the first time at Morgan County Training School at lunch today.
