A look back

Feb. 10, 1961—Three Falkville store operators were surprised to find when they went to open their places of business this morning that they had been broken into during the night and cash and merchandise had been stolen.
Feb. 10, 1961—James E. Webb, President Kennedy’s choice to head NASA, the Huntsville installation of which employs many Hartselle people has been approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate.
Feb. 10, 1961—Kenneth Grauer, a salesman for the Brunswick Corporation, was in Hartselle today to discuss the possibility of constructing a new bowling alley here.  Leadership in this business venture is being taken by Dr. Robert Sittason.  There are other interests also discussing new bowling facilities, but the Brunswick Corporation apparently believes that Hartselle is not big enough to support more than one set of lanes.
Feb. 10, 1961—The new U.S. Secretary of Labor, Arthur Goldberg, says that there is “a real depression in the United States.”  He is asking President Kennedy to propose stimulus programs to try to jump-start the economy
Feb. 11, 1961—Jack Hoffhaus, editor and publisher of the Enquirer, has been in Montgomery this weekend for the annual meeting of the Alabama Press Association.
Feb. 12, 1961—There was a singing at the Antioch Methodist Church east of Hartselle this afternoon.  Matt Chenault was the chairman.  Rev. Albert Jones is the church pastor.
Feb. 12, 1961—Today was Boy Scout Sunday at local churches.
Feb. 13, 1961—Two stabbing cases involving girls who are students at Danville High School have been transferred to juvenile court.  They are accused of stabbing a classmate in a restroom at the school.
Feb. 13, 1961—The body of a man believed to have drowned back on December 26 was found in Flint Creek this morning.  He had gone to the area to hunt for arrowheads.  The exact circumstances of his drowning aren’t known.
Feb. 14, 1961—Mrs. Lucille Lindsay of Hartselle, who is assistant director of civil defense for Morgan County, spoke to members of the Decatur Lions Club today.
Feb. 14, 1961—No SEC team ranks in the top ten in the latest NCAA basketball rankings.
Feb. 15, 1961—Mrs. Maude Payne passed away today in Hartselle.  She was the widow of long-time cotton ginner Bud Payne.  Mr. Payne died back in mid-November of last year.  Funeral services for Mrs. Payne will be held Thursday at First Methodist Church.  Local survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Iylenne Perry, and a sister, Mrs. Lottie Hardwick.
Feb. 15, 1961—Former long-time mayor of Hartselle, John O. Burleson celebrated his 61st birthday today.
Feb. 15, 1961—Six telephone booths along U.S. Highway 31 were robbed tonight.  The amount of money taken is unknown and police have no suspects.
Feb. 15, 1961—Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the start of the Lenten season. During the period concluding with Easter many people will give up something important to them and eat simpler meals.
Feb. 15, 1961—A clinic sponsored by the Morgan County Mental Health Association is currently in progress in Decatur.  Its purpose, according to association president Judge R. L. Hundley, is to help law enforcement officers learn how to deal appropriately with people who are suffering from mental illness (“How to Recognize and Handle Abnormal People”).
Feb. 16, 1961—King’s Cleaners, located across from the Hartselle Piggly Wiggly store, is currently advertising that it will wash and iron shirts for 20 cents each or six for a dollar.
Feb. 16, 1961—The annual dinner of the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce was held tonight in the basement of First Methodist Church.
Feb. 16, 1961—Dr. and Mrs. Claude Lavender were in Birmingham to see the stage production of the popular Broadway musical, “The Music Man.”