A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Dec. 31, 1959-More local couples are getting married here rather than eloping to Mississippi. At the latest count, Probate Judge T. C. Almon had issued 569 marriage licenses in Morgan County. A new Mississippi law requires a three-day waiting period whereas Alabama has none, only the requirement of a blood test the results of which are quickly available.
Dec. 31, 1959-The number of telephones in Hartselle grew by 300 here during the year. At the beginning of the year there were 2,365. Now there are 2,665.
Dec. 31, 1959—Construction for 1959 hit a $1,269,250 peak in Hartselle. More than half the total is residential.
Dec. 31, 1959-Charlie Slate, 73, passed away at Hartselle Hospital this afternoon. Funeral services will be held Monday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. W. L. Carden officiating.
Jan. 1, 1960-Effective today the Alabama Polytechnic Institute is no more. It is now officially Auburn University.
Jan. 1, 1960-Mrs. Ruby L. Waldrop, Hartselle 1, died at her home this morning. Her services will be Saturday at 2 at Bethel Baptist with the Rev. Billy Stephenson officiating. Besides her husband, Mrs. Waldrop is survived by a brother, Jake Stephenson, also Hartselle 1.
Jan. 2, 1960-Hartselle boat owners are advised that from now on all watercraft will have to be numbered. Boat tags are now being manufactured at Kilby Prison and registration certificates are being printed.
Jan. 3, 1960-Elvis Presley’s first movie, “Love Me Tender,” has been brought back for a showing at the Ranch Drive-in Theatre tonight.
Jan. 4, 1960—Morgan County Sheriff Knox McRae is in the process of forming a Junior Deputy Sheriffs League. Boys 11-14 are encouraged to apply to join.
Jan. 4, 1960-The Gilchrist Small Loan Law, named after Hartselle State Representative Bob Gilchrist, is now in effect. Those who lend money at exorbitant rates of interest are now subject to stiff fines and possible jail sentences.
Jan. 5, 1960-Marvin Peck of Somerville today caught two bobcats in traps he had set out. The varmints had been catching chickens in the vicinity in large numbers.
Jan. 5, 1960-MCHS beat Huntsville tonight 55-45 in the opening round of the TVC tournament. Speegle and Wiggins were the leading Tiger scorers with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Jan. 6, 1960-Rep. Bob Gilchrist of Hartselle has been put in nomination as one of the Outstanding Young Men of Alabama as selected annually by the state Jaycees. The Hartselle Kiwanis Club put up his name. Another local area nominee is John Cook, owner of Cook Pest Control.
Jan. 6, 1960-Hartselle area Shell service stations operated by Dean Tankersley, James Spigner, W. B. Harvel, Doyle Laney, and Leldon Day are participating in a drawing in which the lucky winner will receive a brand new 1960 Cadillac.
Jan. 6, 1960-Mrs. Emily Jane Minter, 85, of Hartselle passed away tonight at Hartselle Hospital. Her funeral will be Friday at Evergreen Methodist Church with the Rev. Tolan Whitten officiating.
Jan. 6, 1958-MCHS was edged 60-58 by Athens in the quarterfinals of the TVC basketball tournament tonight. The Eagles’ win came in a nail-biter sudden death overtime. Hartselle led most of the game but fell behind for the first time with about 30 seconds left in regulation play. Luter was the leading scorer for MCHS with 21 points.
