A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
March 18, 1960-Anne Katherine Hoffhaus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hoffhaus, and Gene Carlton Crane, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Crane of Decatur, were married late this afternoon at Hartselle’s First Methodist Church. Nuptial music was presented by Mrs. Coy Stephenson, Robert Stephenson, and Robert Gunn. Reading the wedding vows was the Rev. Warren Hamby. Mary Evelyn Orr served the bride as maid of honor. Candles were lit by Charles and James Yarbrough.
A reception followed in the church parlor where guests were assisted by Joy Sue Gibson, Mrs. Luther Roberts, Mrs. H. E. Orr, Mrs. L. R. Palmer, and Mrs. J. O. Blizzard.
March 18, 1960-Gov. John Patterson addressed the annual AEA meeting in Birmingham this morning. He didn’t say he wouldn’t call a special legislative session to deal with shortfalls in education revenues, but he did assert that neither the people of Alabama nor the Legislature are in favor of any new taxes.
March 19, 1960-Dr. A. J. Dinsmore, member of a pioneer Morgan County family, died at his home on Highway 31 north of here late this afternoon. He had practiced medicine since 1923. He was the son of C. T. Dinsmore and Alice Turney Dinsmore. The Turneys, like the Dinsmores, were among Hartselle’s founding families.
March 19, 1960-Mrs. Frank A. Merriwether, 83, passed away at Hartselle Hospital this afternoon. Her funeral will be Monday at the First Christian Church with the Rev. J. R. Havener officiating. Pallbearers will be Frank Howell, Frank Merriweather, III, Douglas Conwell, Joe Summerford, Scotty Stone, and Joe Howell. Hartselle survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Eric Howell.
March 20, 1960-The Falkville Blue Devils are now in their second week of spring football practice. Coach Hugh Morris is depending primarily on veterans Wayne Tapscott, Don Collumn, Jimmy McCarley, Sherrill Dunlap, Walt Winsett, and Charles Lott to show leadership during the upcoming ‘60 season. The first game will be in Hartselle on September 9.
March 20, 1960-Polly Thompson, long-time companion to famed Alabamian Helen Keller, died in Bridgeport, Conn., tonight at age 73. She succeeded Ann Sullivan Macy as Miss Keller’s teacher in the mid-1930s.
March 21, 1960-Elvis Presley passed through Hartselle on L &N’s Southwind, bound ultimately for Miami. He had just completed a recording session in Nashville and was accompanied by his manager, Col. Tom Parker. Since the train did not stop here, many fans traveled to Decatur to see Elvis who, while he didn’t come off the train, did wave his arm out the window of his private car.
March 22, 1960-Spring football practice began at the Capstone this afternoon under head Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The most seasoned players returning for another year are Tommy Brooker, Bill Rice, Billy Neighbors, Gary Phillips, Pat Trammell, Robert Skelton, Lauren Stapp, Billy Richardson, and Duff Morrison.
March 23, 1960-Two 500-gallon stills were spotted by revenue agents this afternoon, approximately two miles northeast of here off Highway 31.
The stills were rendered inoperable and a 1950 Olds was seized.
March 24, 1960-A daffodill show was held in the basement of First Methodist Church this afternoon.
March 24, 1960-Howard Dranham, 10, has been found. He had been reported missing by his mother, Mrs. Pruitt Summerford, early today but has now been located unharmed. His disappearance was attributed to a habit of sleepwalking.
March 24, 1960-Mrs. Ruth Cost and Mrs. Alton Bartlett of Hartselle First Baptist, are currently teaching a training union study course at Falkville Baptist.
