A look back
By By Dr. Bill Stewart
Nov. 26, 1959-Hartselle celebrated Thanksgiving today with many family reunions and other get-togethers.
Nov. 26, 1959-Quail season opened today. It will last until February 20. The bag limit is 10 per day.
Nov. 26, 1959-Fire burned over about 80 acres of land in the New Center community tonight. Hartselle fire chief W. B. Halbrooks coordinated the efforts of about 50 men who volunteered to fight the blaze on land owned by Marvin Pettit.
Nov. 27, 1959-Guy Roberts, the head of Morgan County government, spoke to Decatur Kiwanians today about the functions he performs for the people who elected him.
Nov. 27, 1959-The Morgan County Board of Education passed a resolution tonight asking the county governing body to call a vote on increasing school taxes in all county school areas except Hartselle and Union Hill (which previously approved paying more to improve schools). Favorable votes will be needed to get funds recently appropriated by the legislature.
Nov. 28, 1959-Alabama upset Auburn 10-0 in their annual football matchup in Birmingham today. The weather was cold, but half of the 43,277 fans (Crimson Tide supporters) assembled for the game seemed not to mind. Bama’s victory was definitely a team effort, but if there was a star it would have to be quarterback Pat Trammell whose running and passing were both
spectacular. Bama’s 7-1-2 record was its best since 1952.
Nov. 28, 1959-Streets in the new Tanner Heights subdivision are now being paved.
Nov. 28, 1959-A Hartselle unit of the Jaycees will be in operation soon. The temporary chairman of the new group is Hal Hogan while Pecky Smith is the secretary.
Nov. 29, 1959-Rachel Maxine Newton and Henry Erwin Gibson are engaged to be married. Maxine is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Newton, Hartselle 4, and Henry (Bud) is the son of Howard Gibson and the late Mrs. Gibson. Both are MCHS grads. Maxine works at Thiokol in Huntsville and Bud at Chemstrand. Their vows will be solemnized on Dec. 19 at the New Center Baptist Church.
Nov. 30, 1959-Bama students didn’t have to go to class today. UA President Frank Rose declared a holiday following Saturday’s victory over Auburn after a string of defeats.
Nov. 30, 1959-Hartselle Presbyterian minister Rev. W. P. spoke at today’s meeting of the Morgan County PTA at Crestline Elementary School here. Rev. Maxwell focused on character building and spiritual development. Other local speakers included Hugh F. Penn and Jo Chandler.
Dec. 1, 1959-Hartselle residents traveling to Huntsville today to patronize the green-front store will find that liquor and wine prices have gone up 10 per cent. This is due to a law passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor. The increase will yield $5 million annually for the mentally ill and old age pension recipients.
Dec. 1, 1959-Two Hartselle 3 men are being inducted into the Army this month to fill Morgan County’s selective service quota. They are James Owens and Franklin Cryer.
Dec. 1, 1959-Mrs. Myrtle Wiggins, a resident of 1304 Main Street, died at Hartselle Hospital tonight. Her funeral will be Thursday at Hartselle First Baptist with the Revs. W. L. Carden and W. J. Alston officiating. Survivors include three daughters and seven sons. Those residing in the Hartselle area are Lucille Wiggins, Mrs. Sebren Garner, Mrs. Charles Pickens, Harry Wiggins, and Clarence Petty.
Dec. 1, 1959-MCHS beat Butler of Huntsville there 57-54 in an exciting basketball game. Hartselle has won both of its games thus far in the young ‘59-’60 season. Jimmy Speegle led MCHS scorers with a dozen points.
Dec. 2, 1959—According to the most recent statistics, the average person spends $124 on medical care each year. This is up from $27 per year in 1929.
