A look back

By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Feb. 4, 1960-Staff of the Alabama State Employment Service are in Hartselle today and tomorrow accepting applications for women who are interested in working at the new Hartselle Manufacturing Co. Ladies looking for jobs should come to the municipal building. To be eligible to work at HMC one needs to be a resident of the Hartselle area.
Feb. 4, 1960-Bobbie Holliman, who graduated last spring from MCHS, is currently stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., and undergoing advanced training at the Army’s Artillery and Missile Center.
Feb. 4, 1960-Proration may hit Alabama schools once again this fiscal year. Even though the Legislature recently enacted tax increases, the revenues being produced are not equaling the amounts appropriated for schools. The Legislature increased educational funding by 28 percent but tax collections are up only 14 percent.
Feb. 4, 1960-Ed Carnell, an elderly resident of Hartselle 4, passed away at his home early this morning. His funeral will be Friday at the Red Oak Church.
Feb. 5, 1960-Coffee beat MCHS 79-70 in a basketball game played on the opponents’ home court in Florence tonight.
Feb. 6, 1960-C. W. Hale of Falkville and James Sivley of Hartselle were drivers of the two cars involved in a wreck in Decatur this morning. Neither man was injured.
Feb. 7, 1960-Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Baptist church for L. C. Gill who passed away at his home at 906 McGaugh Street a few days ago. Rev. W. R. Davis officiated.
Feb. 7, 1960-In observance of Boy Scout Sunday, many Hartselle Scouts attended their churches this morning dressed in the uniforms of their Scout groups.
Feb. 7, 1960-Dr. Everett Harris of Decatur died tonight at Block-Chandler Hospital where he had been a patient for five weeks. Dr. Harris was a close associate of Dr. W. H. Block in behalf of the Heart Fund. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday by Rev. W. P. Maxwell.
Feb. 8, 1960-Several Hartselle boat owners traveled to the courthouse in Decatur to purchase the new boat tags now required by Alabama law. Depending on the size of the boat, the tags will cost from $2-$12. Probate Judge Almon’s office is the place to go for the tags.
Feb. 8, 1960-Among those filing today for election to county offices in the upcoming Democratic primary (the same thing as election) are Melvin Hardin, board of revenue; Phil Wasson, board of education; and Porter Lee Hanes and Lucille Lindsey, tax assessor. The tax assessor position is now occupied by Dr. J. T. Burch.
Feb. 9, 1960-Mrs. Ida Lance passed away tonight at the home of her niece, Mrs. J. W. Hunter, on Main Street. Her funeral will be Thursday afternoon at Friendship, four miles south of Danville, with Rev. W. L. Carden officiating.
Feb. 9, 1960-Poll tax payments are up $1,613 compared to this same date last year. This tax is a prerequisite for voting in Alabama. The number of voters in Morgan County now totals approximately 18,000. Some people, such as the elderly and war veterans, are exempt from the poll tax.
Feb. 10, 1960-Word has been received that the father of Huel Murphy, formerly a prominent Hartselle resident, has passed away in McMinnville, Tenn. Charles Murphy is also survived by his wife and another son.
Feb. 10, 1960-U. S. Rep. Bob Jones, the Congressman for this district, has qualified to run for another term in this office. Rep. Jones has represented this area since John Sparkman moved up to the Senate 14 years ago.