A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Feb. 19, 1959-Funeral services were held today at Moss Chapel for Clyde Mason who died on Tuesday at the veterans hospital. Mr. Mason was known to his many friends as “Coochie,” a name he gained when he was a star left tackle for the MCHS Tigers. He started every year until he graduated in 1940. He served valiantly in World War II, being wounded on April 7, 1945, while fighting near Berlin as a member of the Ninth Army. He had been hospitalized for six years.
Feb. 19, 1959-Mrs. P. W. Barclift is spending the week in Atlanta with her daughter, Mrs. J. E. Freeman Jr., and family.
Feb. 19, 1959-Auburn is number two in the current AP basketball poll. Perennial powers North Carolina and Kentucky are first and third, respectively. Auburn has a 30-game winning streak.
Feb. 20, 1959-Spring football training is at mid-point on the plains. API coach Shug Jordan says the progress his guys have made is “most commendable.”
Feb. 21, 1959-The Kentucky Wildcats put an abrupt end to Auburn’s 30-game winning streak–the longest in the nation—beating the War Eagles 75-56 in a game played in Lexington.
Feb. 22, 1959-Thurman Sandlin died at his Danville home today. The funeral will be Wednesday at the Methodist church. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Vera Sandlin; a daughter, Mrs. Burl Hardwick; his grandmother, Mrs. Sandra Hardwick; and many other relatives.
Feb. 22, 1959-Today is heart Sunday. Dr. David Chandler, prominent Hartselle physician, is leading this year’s heart fund drive. Another Hartselle doctor, Dr. Robert Sittason, is the campaign’s co-chair.
Feb. 23, 1959-A little Eva boy, Gary Nelson, died this afternoon when he fell from the back seat of a car being driven by his father. His brother thought Gary was going to roll down the window but he mistakenly pulled the door latch.
Feb. 23, 1959-People in the Lebanon and Salem church communities are upset with the condition of their roads and bridges. A delegation led by Buren Shaneyfelt asked the Morgan County board this morning to reconstruct the Barkley Bridge and make several improvements on the road leading to the bridge. Board chairman Guy Roberts was sympathetic with the concerns but said there was no money with which to meet the requests now.
Feb. 23, 1959-Dave Buckalew, age 81, passed away today. Survivors include two daughters and two sons, one of whom, Ellis, is a Hartselle resident. Funeral services will be tomorrow at Evergreen Church.
Feb. 23, 1959-Mrs. Y. A. McCall was dismissed from a local hospital today after undergoing minor surgery.
Feb. 24, 1959-The Hartselle Kiwanis Club honored its oldest member, Dr. J. A. Howle, with a birthday cake tonight.
Feb. 24, 1959-Dr. and Mrs. Tom Guyton are back at home after spending time in Atlanta while Dr. Guyton was participating in a post-graduate medical meeting.
Feb. 24, 1959-Frank Mullins of Hartselle is Sheriff Richard Hyche’s newest deputy.
Feb. 25, 1959-State Conservation Director Claude Kelley today cancelled Hartselle native Boonie Drinkard’s five-year contract to operate the concession stands at Oak Mountain State Park. Mr. Drinkard believes, however, that the state does not have the right to terminate his contract and plans a court challenge of Kelley’s decision.
