A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
March 5, 1959-Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide football squad began spring drills this afternoon. Seventy guys are competing for the honor of playing for the Bear. Coach’s record last season was 5-4-1, the best since 1953. Mal Moore and Pat Trammell are moving up from last season’s freshman’s squad and are definitely players to watch. Either could end up as starting quarterback come next fall.
March 5, 1959-Another great all night singing was enjoyed by local gospel music fans tonight. This Decatur concert featured impresario Wally Fowler, the Statesmen with Hovie Lister, the Harmoneers with Happy Edwards, and the Johnson Sisters.
March 5, 1959-The 91st birthday of Dr. J. A. Howle was observed by members of his family Sunday at the Lyons Hotel in Decatur.
March 5, 1959-The home economics class of Mrs. L. L. Gilchrist visited Groover’s food store last week on a field trip to learn about beef cutting.
March 5, 1959-Members of the Starlight Garden Club met tonight in the home of the president, Mrs. Opal Cross Stewart. Mrs. L. L. Gilchrist was elected to serve as president for next year.
March 5, 1959-”Man of the West” starring Gary Cooper is now showing at the Strand Theatre.
March 6, 1959—Mr. and Mrs. Joe Speake and children moved to Cullman today. Mr. Speake was recently transferred there by his employer, Southern Bell Telephone Co. The Speake home on South Sparkman was bought by Lamar N. Speake and he moved his family to their new residence on Monday.
March 6, 1959-Betty Palmer currently has a featured role in the Decatur little theatre production of “Picnic,” which began its two-night run tonight. Betty plays 16-year-old Millie Owens.
March 7, 1959-Local investors fortunate enough to have General Motors stock have seen its value zoom recently, now being worth $46 per share. (In March 2009 GM was worth $2.25 per share.)
March 8, 1959-The Hartselle post office began its Wednesday noon closings today.
March 9, 1959-The MCHS football Tigers began spring drills this afternoon. Coach J. P. Cain has his work cut out for him since he is losing 15 lettermen to graduation. Jimmy Speegle is the only first-stringer returning from the ‘58 campaign. Coach Cain anticipates that the guys he has to work with will be both “small in size and small in number.”
March 9, 1959-Martha Cornhill of Hartselle makes just about the best cookies in Morgan County. This was the decision of the judges in today’s FHA baking contest held at Danville High School.
March 10, 1959-Hartselle native E. L. “Boonie” Drinkard, Jr., has received a court order that prevents the state from ousting him as concessionaire at Oak Mountain State Park. Drinkard, a strong supporter of former Governor Jim Folsom, has been a target of the new John Patterson administration, anxious to put one of its own backers in this lucrative position.
March 10, 1959-Hartselle workers at Redstone are feeling even more secure in their jobs now. The U.S. Senate today voted unanimously to provide nearly $50 million extra in funding to promote manned space flight. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas was especially helpful in getting this legislation passed.
March 11, 1959-While Hartselle school kids enjoy their annual AEA vacation, their teachers are assembling in large numbers in Birmingham for the Alabama Education Association convention. Meanwhile, many local students will be headed to Panama City.
