A look back – Aug. 18
August 18, 1961—One of Hartselle’s most prominent women, Mrs. Johnathan Burleson (Lucy Black) Orr, age 83, passed away this morning at a Florence nursing home. Mrs. Orr had married J. B. Orr of Hartselle back in 1899. Mr. Orr died in 1936. Funeral services will be Sunday at First Baptist Church and officiated by Rev. Billy Stephenson.
August 18, 1961—MCHS Principal J. C. Petty and English teacher Lizzie Reed Penn participated in a workshop on exceptional children at St. Bernard College in Cullman today.
August 18, 1961—A joint birthday party for Marcia and Charles Blanton was held today at the home of their parents, Dr. and Mrs. Harold M. Blanton, on South Sparkman St.
August 18, 1961—A Morgan County man who had been sentenced a couple of years ago to three years and three days for forgery was freed from prison by the State Pardon-Parole Board this week.
August 18, 1961—New teachers at MCHS when fall classes begin soon will be Mrs. Ruth Penn and Mrs. Virginia Riggs. Mrs. Barbara Russell has been added to the MCTS faculty.
August 18, 1961—Bids are now being received from contractors interested in renovating Hartselle’s post office. The project will involving air conditioning the building, installing improved lighting, adding more rental boxes, and other features including a change to natural gas heating from coal.
August 18, 1961—Cleon Hogan is adding a carport to his home. Leon Barnett is reflooring his front porch.
August 18, 1961—The Hartselle city government is currently receiving about $150 weekly from the parking meters downtown.
August 18, 1961—Poisonous moonshine whiskey has been discovered in a dozen Alabama counties by ABC agents. Adjacent to Morgan, illegal liquor with toxic content was found in Limestone County. Nearly 400 stills have been destroyed in all parts of the state.
August 18, 1961—Mother Graham, Indian reader and advisor, is now available at her home in Lacey’s Spring to help the sick, discouraged, and worried. She guarantees prospective patrons that she can advise them on love, business, and any problems that they may be confronting.
August 19, 1961—Stanley Nichols of Decatur is in critical condition in Hartselle Hospital as a result of a collision tonight at the 36-67 intersection east of Hartselle.
August 19, 1961—Ralph (Shorty) Price said today that he would run for either governor or lieutenant governor of Alabama next year.
August 19, 1961—Tanner Heights residents have complained to city officials that their water pressure is too low. There is just a two-inch line that serves the subdivision and it is inadequate.
August 20, 1961—A Lacey’s Spring woman has unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide by eating lye. She is currently a patient at Decatur General.
August 20, 1961—One of the largest singings in Alabama was held today at the Penn Church of God near Massey. Rev. D. R. Jarrett has chaired this event for many years.
August 20, 1961—There was a wreck tonight at the corner of Hickory and Sparkman streets. One of the drivers was cited for not having a driver’s license.
August 21, 1961—The Amoco service station in Falkville was robbed of almost $400 in cash and inventory tonight. Identity of the thieves is unknown.
August 22, 1961—At tonight’s meeting of the Hartselle city council Mayor Grady Long proposed and the council unanimously passed an ordinance that would ban the public consumption of liquor here. Fines for violations would range from $15 up. Hartselle has been legally dry for many years.
August 23, 1961—The Hartselle Jayceettes put on a fashion show tonight at the Rodeo Theatre downtown.
August 24, 1961—Orval P. Sparkman, Hartselle Hospital administrator, was in Florence today for a workshop related to providing better surgical patient care.
August 24, 1961—Reckless driving resulted in law enforcement officers stopping a car near Falkville early this morning. The vehicle was found to contain 45 gallons of moonshine and the driver and passenger now face VPL charges.
