A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Dec. 17, 1959-Today was Kid’s Day in Hartselle. Approximately 500 children who might otherwise not have had a merry Christmas received gifts directly from old St. Nick himself. This big event is sponsored every year by the John F. Thompson post of the American Legion.
Dec. 17, 1959-A hearing was held in Morgan County Circuit Court today to ascertain whether a Somerville teen had broken the terms of his probation by being involved in a wreck in which Mrs. Finis Self and her 17-month-old son were killed. The fatal accident occurred just east of Hartselle on Highway 36 about a month ago.
Dec. 17, 1959-Mrs. Ruben Sims was involved in a car wreck this morning at Flint when her Chevy, driven by her husband, and a pickup driven by David Norris collided.
Mrs. Sims was injured and taken to Baugh-Wiley-Smith Clinic in Decatur.
Dec. 17, 1959—Several thousand shoppers will be in Hartselle next Thursday, Christmas Eve, hoping their ticket stub will hold the lucky number that will win them a brand new 1960 Ford or at least a miniature Corvette for their children.
Dec. 17, 1959—It’s a bigger Christmas rush this year than ever, judging by post office activity, Hugh Penn, postmaster, reporting that 11,000 three-cent stamps were purchased through the office Wednesday—a record for any postal day.
Dec. 18, 1959-Through the middle of this month Morgan County had collected $633,732 in taxes since the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1. The largest source of revenue is the property tax ($491,067) followed by the vehicle tax ($139,237).
Dec. 18, 1959-Several local students were among the 345 graduates who received their diplomas during ceremonies at Auburn University today.
Dec. 19, 1959—Maxine Newton was married to Bud Gibson at the New Center Baptist Church tonight. Rev. Dean Sims performed the double ring ceremony. Imodene Wilhite married John Wright at Lebanon Baptist Church tonight.
Dec. 19, 1959-The last surviving veteran of the War Between the States (1861-1865) died of pneumonia at his home in Houston today. Walter Williams had served both as a member of Hood’s Texas Brigade and Quantrill’s Raiders.
Dec. 19, 1959-Penn State beat Alabama 7-0 in the Philadelphia Liberty Bowl today. Coach Bear Bryant did not attempt to make excuses for the Tide’s defeat but instead said Bama was “fortunate not to be beaten by four or five touchdowns.”
Most feel, however, that Bryant was being far too modest, given his phenomenal success in rebuilding the football program at Tuscaloosa in such a short time.
Dec. 19, 1959 —Auburn beat Alabama 59-52 in the consolation game of the Birmingham classic basketball tournament tonight. Neither school emphasizes basketball as much as football and some are frank to say that it’s just something to take up time until spring football training starts.
Dec. 20, 1959 — Jack Lemmond directed the singing of Christmas hymns at the Sunday evening service at West Hartselle Baptist Church tonight.
Dec. 21, 1959—The young couples Sunday school class of the Church of Christ enjoyed a Christmas supper at the Holiday Inn in Decatur tonight.
Dec. 22, 1959-Funeral services were held today at Mt. Tabor Methodist church for R. E. Curbow, 78, Hartselle 3, who passed away at home yesterday morning.
Dec. 22, 1959-A Morgan County 4-H Teen-Age Club has been organized here with Mickey Childers as president.
Dec. 22, 1959-Although this is the fourth Tuesday of the month, the Hartselle City Council didn’t meet. Members still had Christmas shopping to do as well being needed to help with holiday-related chores at home.
Dec. 23, 1959-A son, Lakin Jackson, Jr., was born to Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Norris, Hartselle 2, at Baugh-Wiley-Smith Hospital in Decatur this morning.
