• United States
1940
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Jan 4 – “Grapes of Wrath” movie starring Henry Fonda débuts.
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Jan 21 – Jack Nicklaus, Pro-Golfer born.
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Feb 2 – Philip Nowlan, creator of “Buck Rodgers” comic strip died, 52.
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Feb 8 – Walt Disney releases “Pinocchio” cartoon film.
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April 1 – US anti-war group led by Charles Lindbergh and Robert McCormick, publisher of Chicago Tribune and a few US Senators are organized.
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April 12 – US Federal Trade Commission develops television rules.
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April 20 – Electron microscope introduced by Radio Corporation of America, (RCA).
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June 10 – Black leader, Marcus Garvey died in London, 52.
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June 28 – Wendell Wilkie (R) nominated for President by Republican convention.
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June 28 – Alien registration act passed by congress, requires all foreigners to register and be fingerprinted.
• World •
Jan 19 – Fierce Finnish resistance shocks Russian invaders.
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Feb 12 – USSR signs trade treaty with Germany.
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March 13 – Finland surrenders to USSR after 4 months of fighting. Finland forced to cede large parts of territory.
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March 18 – Mussolini meets Hitler at Brenner Pass in Italy to forge military alliance.
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April 6 – Germans invade Denmark and Norway.
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May 10 - Germany invades Belgium and Netherlands. British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain resigns, Winston Churchill becomes new Prime Minister.
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May 13 – Germany invades Holland and attacks the French Maginot line, Queen Wilhelmina flees Holland to England.
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May 21 – British evacuate over 338,000 men from Dunkirk.
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June 10 – Italy declares war on France.
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June 12 – Soviet Union troops occupied Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
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June 14 – Nazis march into Paris.
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Aug – US census population set 131 million, lists 842,525 share croppers in Southeast US.
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June 22 – France signs Armistice with Germany in same rail car that Germany signed Treaty of Versailles in 1918.
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Aug 14 – The Elizabethton, Ky. Dam bursts and a 27 foot wall of water kills three, 1500 flee, 150 homes destroyed.
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July 5 – The British navy sank several French ships at Mersel-Kebir in Algeria, killing 1000 sailors.
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Aug 29 – Color television demonstrated over CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) in New York City.
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July 10 – Fascist Govt. set up by Marshall Petain at Vichy, France.
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Sept 16 – Congress passes Selective Service Act to begin conscription process.
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July 24 – British repel German “Bliz Kreig” air war, Battle of Britain begins.
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Oct 3 – US Army adopts parachute troop units.
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Aug 22 – Leon Trotsky assassinated in Mexico.
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Oct 24 – 40 hour work week goes into effect.
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Aug 26 – British RAF bombers raid Berlin, surprise Hitler.
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Nov 2 – Charlie Chaplins film, “The Great Dictator” released.
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Nov 5 – Franklin D Roosevelt re-elected President for 3rd term.
Sept 27 – Japan joins Germany and Italy in forming Axis powers.
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Oct 26 – France joins Axis powers in war against Britain.
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Oct 28 – Italy invades Greece.
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Nov 20 - Hungary joins Axis Powers, Rumania and Slovakia soon follow. Dec 29 – Germany begins dropping incendiary bombs on London.
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Nov 11 – US Army quartermaster unveils “Jeep”, built by Willy’s Corp.
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Nov 15 – First peace time draft calls up 75,000 men.
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Dec 21 – F. Scott Fitzgerald, novelist died.
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Dec 29 – President Roosevelt fireside chat calls America, “The Arsenal of Democracy”.
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431
• Maury
1940 6th
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Jan 2 – Mrs. J.A. Craves 14 room boarding house on street & Garden gutted by fire, loss $10,000. The building erected in 1892 by John and W.J. Oakes was occupied by the family until 1904.
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Jan 8 – The new bridge over the Duck River at Santa Fe Pike named the “Tom Shaw” bridge in his honor.
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Jan 8 – The first new calf produced in Maury County by the new artificial method arrived at the Allen Campbell farm in Spring Hill. It was a fine 60 lb Jersey bull calf.
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Jan 10 – The records of the Zion Presbyterian church are microfilmed by Vanderbilt library in Nashville. The records include six volumes covering the period 1805 to 1935. funding provided by Nashville chapter of Colonial Dames.
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Jan 18 – Miss Daisy Towler signed a lease with Sinclair Refining Company for the lot at West 7th and High Street. Miss Towler will remove the building. Sinclair plans to construct a Filling station, cost $6500. The present building once owned by Mrs. Mary R Polk was built in 1825 when West 7th street was Market street. Mrs. Polk sold the property to James M Mayes in 1869, sold to George Wright, who sold it to Mary J Branch in 1894, Elks leased it in 1898 and then was sold to Mrs. Towler.
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Jan 22 – The Rockdale furnace opens, 200 men employed. Train loads of manganese arrive daily to make Ferromanganese used in steel making.
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Jan 23 – Heaviest snow in 10 years hits Maury County, 6 inches covers ground, temperatures plummet to 17 below. Duck River froze over.
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Feb 1 – Mr. Clifford Cochran, noted painter and film producer plans to photograph the 19th century architecture in Maury County for a book.
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Feb 8 – The “Penny Block” will be remodeled says Dr. Roy Hardison. The old building, formally occupied by the Maury Democrat.
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Feb 24 – Dr. O.J. Porter and Judge W.C. Whitthorne, two charter members of the original Maury County Historical Society, called a meeting to consider the acquisition of the present post office building as a memorial library and museum. Mr. Hugh Lee Webster, a leading Columbia attorney has one of the best Indian mound collections and Clerk & Master Mr. Mora B Fariss has many historic relics they both would donate to the Museum, if Est.
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Feb 28 – The old Maury County Historical Society Charter found, dated Sept 26, 1905. Signers included Mr. Frank H Smith, Joe H Fussel, W.J. Whitthorne, Robert Davis Smith, W.A. Provine, W.S. Fleming, Dr. J. H. Wilkes, Dr. Wm. Smith, Dr. Otey J Porter, Judge S.Q. Weatherly, Frank Gillette Smith, H.P. Figures, John W Frierson, Judge E.E. Erwin, Judge W.C. Whitthorne, George T Hughes, E.H. Hatcher and Percy S Chandler. The charter was found by Clerk and Master, Mora B Fariss in old papers of his keeping.
• Tennessee •
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Jan 1 – Southern Cal beats Tennessee 14-0 in Rose bowl.
432
• Maury
1940
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March 4 – Dedication & construction begins on Columbia’s new Federal building. Malcolm West awarded contract to prepare site at 8th and South Garden.
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March 5 – Mr. Charles Padgett and Ed Howard sold the “old Holman” residence on S. Garden street to Mr. John Crowe, AKA: the Nichols place. Mr. Crowe will move the house to 6th ave in Riverside where he is building a six room residence. Mr. Padgett and Howard plan to erect a two story store and office building on the property, just north of the new Federal building.
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March 7 – Dean Marble announced it will move work to Nashville after the fire that destroyed their building.
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March 7 – Montgomery Wards announced it will open a new appliance store at 704 N Garden street in Columbia.
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March 11 – “Haynes Peacock” wins Walking Horse Championship in Fort Worth, Tx.
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March 22 – New modern one-story post office approved for Mt Pleasant, cost $70,000.
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March 24 – Miss Ann Cannon selected as “Miss Maury” in beauty contest and will serve as Queen of Mule Day parade.
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April 1 – US Post Master General, James A Farley dedicates new post office and Federal building on South Garden with laying of corner stone. 19 Mason’s conduct ceremony.
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April 1 – 60,000 people watch Mule day parade four miles long, US Post Master General Grand Marshall.
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April 4 – The 340 acre “Wheeler farm” or “Sunnyway farms” at the Ridley Place on Mt Pleasant pike leased by Clarence Church of Utica, New York. A group of Mares headed by the famous pacing sire “King Direct” has already arrived.
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May 4 – The old Fountain Creek Mill sold at auction. The old three story mill at Fountain Heights on Lewisburg pike is owned by Mr. C. Tillman Moore of Columbia. The mill was dismantled and moved to Lawrence County by Mr. T.P. McMasters who purchased it for $2800. The Cotton Gin was purchased for $625 by Columbia attorney R.S. Hopkins. The store and shop went to Mr. Andy Park for $2000.
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May 9 – “South Hills” is Columbia’s newest subdivision with lots next to Washington Manufacturing and the Massachusetts Knitting Mill, owned by Lex Watson.
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May 15 – Mr. E.M. Harris of Old Hickory has purchased the lot and house on north side of 6th street from estate of Mr. E. Yoest to erect a sheet metal shop. The old house will be razed and lumber used to build a house at 4th & N Garden.
• Tennessee
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New Federal building corner stone laid at S. Garden & 8th street. E.W. Gamble house in back ground, future site of Polk Theatre.
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April 18 – Tennessee per capita income at $279 in 1938, one-half National average.
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June 5 – Census shows Maury County at 40,357; Columbia at 10,579; Mt Pleasant at 3,090 and Spring Hill at 543.
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June 5 – Pigg & Parsons added a new “Hosiery Bar” for women who want “Hoffman nylon stockings”, cost $1 pair.
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Fountain Creek Mill May 30 – Milky Way farm 2 year old colt, “Gallahadion” wins the Kentucky Derby.
433
• Maury •
1940
June 7 – Long time railroad man, Mr. George R Craft died at his home on E 7th street leaving no heirs. Mr. Craft in his will left $14,000 in bonds and 1/3 of his residence, valued at $5000 to the Methodist church of south Columbia, the 1st Methodist church will receive $8000 in bond and 1/3 of his residence and the King’s Daughters will get the remaining.
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June 8 – The new Kroger Piggly Wiggly opened on 8th and S. Garden streets.
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July 2 –John L Haynes purchased the old Dr. James M Moore farm with 82.5 acres from Mrs. Sallie Cheairs Moore for $8250.
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July 6 – The long established Mule dealer of Parks, Journey and Whitaker announced the firm will be dissolved. The company located on south Main since 1933.
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July 6 – The city of Columbia granted a ten year franchise to Mr. Stephen B Hale to operate a bus system within the city limits. The buses will operate from the Oliver Garage on south Main. Five routes with 10 tickets costing 50 cents.
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July 24 – Columbia City Council approved $1000 for “Parkview Athletic Field” in East Hill to provide “colored” folks outdoor lights for events, citizens contributed $300.
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Aug 6 – Mr. E.M. Harris, a sheet metal worker has made and installed a new ball on top of the courthouse Cupola. The bal is 22 inches in diameter and 24 gauge galvanized iron.
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Aug 6 – The widening of the Jackson Military Highway in Spring Hill uncovered three old roads. One of these was rock & gravel dating back to 1840. Old timers say the original road turned east, south of Spring Hill and passed the Jackson College and crossed Rutherford Creek to Columbia, unlike today. It was in 1844, according to the Presbyterian Church history in the possession of Mr. Rush Odil of Spring Hill that “the church moved to the new road passing Spring Hill.”
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Aug 19 – Work on the new CMA gymnasium and athletic center building overlooking the Robert Black athletic field. A new 85 X 129 foot swimming pool will be constructed on the first floor with a gallery, 2nd floor basket ball court.
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Aug 20 – A bronze memorial tablet with the names of 88 Maury County Revolutionary war soldiers will be placed in the new Federal building. Mrs. Bruce Cochran, Chairman of the Tanessee Chapter of Daughter’s of American Revolution assembled the list
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Sept 2 – “Haynes Peacock”, a Haynes Haven gelding has been crowned champion of National Walking Horse “Celebration” in Shelbyville.
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Sept 7 – Santa Fe Fair has biggest event ever, now in 17th year, had record crowds.
• Tennessee •
June 12 – Construction on Chickasaw Ordnance works plant began on 6000 acre site, north of Memphis to manufacture gun powder.
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June 23 – Wilma G Rudolph, one of 22 children born in Clarksville, Tn. (wins three gold metals in 1960 Olympics in Rome.)
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July 30 – Camp Forrest Est. as basic training facility near Tullahoma, 18,000 acres.
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Old Kroger Piggly Wiggly building, AKA: A&P
434
• Maury
1940
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Sept 20 – Columbia purchased an additional 2 acres for the “Negro ball field” on Iron Bridge road. The lot purchased from Mrs. Gertrude Snedegar, “colored citizens” contributed $50 toward the $300 purchase.
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Oct 1 – The first “Community Chest” drive in Maury County begins, the King’s Daughters will take part and has called off their block day fund raising.
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Oct 15 – Columbia Bus service begins, connections made at the Columbia auto supply company stand at Garden street between 6th and 7th street, according to manager, S.V. Hale.
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Oct 16 – 5229 Maury Countians registered for the draft.
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Oct 22 – The new “colored” football field dedicated at Fairview Park. The “colored” football game was played here on a properly equipped field to be used by the “colored” population. The first game between College Hill “colored” High school Eleven and the Tullahoma “colored” team ended in a tie 0-0 as College kept its unbeaten record. The game played under lights for the first time. Mr. Tom Caruthers, Principal of the high school expressed his deep appreciation for the new field.
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Oct 29 – Dee Carroll Warren, 27 of Columbia #158 in the draft was first drawn. He works at Ragland, Potter and Company grocery store.
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Nov 5 – TVA announces it will build a $1 million plant near Godwin, employ 100.
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Nov 14 – 40,000 trees have been planted in Maury County over the past year, 20,000 Locust, 105 blight resistant Chestnut, 40 improved Black Walnut, Lob-Lolly Pine and white Pine in the Bethel water shed.
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Nov 21 – Mr. C.S. Jackson, Maury County philanthropist from Mt Pleasant died, 69. As President of the Bluegrass tobacco warehouse he donated thousands to King’s Daughter’s.
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Nov 22 – “Hamilstone”, the castle like home of Dr. Martin Hamilton on Mt Pleasant pike dedicated by Rotarians, a 4000 lb American eagle sits perched over the structure.
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Nov 29 – The first “colored” soldier selected under the draft, Ed William Odin of Spring Hill.
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Dec 23 – All Monsanto employees given a pension plan, men over 65 and women over 60 will retire with half their annual earning.
• Tennessee •
Oct 8 – Williamson County approves $50,000 bond to pave highway 96 from Franklin to Triune.
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Oct 10 – Construction on $13 million expansion of Camp Peay begins by US govt., more than 13,000 acres leased in Coffee County.
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Mt Pleasant post card scene 1930’s
435
• United States
1941
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Jan 20 – Franklin D Roosevelt inaugurated as President.
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Feb 4 – USO (United Service Organization) founded to entertain soldiers.
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• World •
Jan 8 - Lord Robert Baden-Powell, English soldier and founder of the Boy Scouts died, 93.
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Feb 14 – German General Erwin Rommel arrives in Tripoli to command Axis Afrika Korps forces.
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April 23 – Greek Army defeated by Axis forces.
April 11 – US commissions, USS North Carolina battleship, first US Battleship in 18 years.
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May 8 – British forces invade Iraq, capture oil fields in north, Iraq Govt. pro- German.
April 19 – Congress adopts resolution to “restore Jews to Palestine.”
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May 10 – Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland with peace proposal.
April 23 – The America First Committee founded by anti-war group, Charles Lindbergh becomes leading spokesman.
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May 15 – First British jet airplane, the Gloster E28/29 flown successfully.
April 28 – US Supreme Court rules Negros have right to ride in first class railroad trains.
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May 24 – British battle Cruiser, “HMS Hood” sunk by German Battleship “Bismarck,” 1400 killed.
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May 27 – British fleet sinks German battleship “Bismarck”, 2300 killed.
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May 31 – British put down revolt in Iraq led by Premier Rashid Ali el Gailana.
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June 4 – Former German Kaiser Wilhelm II died in Netherlands, 82.
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June 11 – Free French and British enter Damascus, Syria., drive Vichy French out.
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June 30 – Germany launches massive attack on Russia breaking treaty of 1939, Russia declares war on Germany.
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July 24 – Japanese occupy Indo-china.
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Sept 4 – Nazis nearly encircle Leningrad, Hitler plans siege.
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Sept 6 – Hitler requires all Jews 6 years and older to wear star of David with “Jew” inscribed.
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Oct 9 – Panama President flees country after Coup d’etat led by vice-president.
March 11 – Congress passes Lend-Lease act.
May 1 – General Mills introduces “Cheerios” cereal. May 16 – President Roosevelt signs executive order #8802 forbidding racial discrimination in defense industry, Est. Fair Employment Practice committees to hear grievances. Enacted as a result of A. Phillip Randolph threat to march on Washington DC if not enacted.
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July 7 – US troops land in Iceland to prevent German occupation.
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July 26 – President Roosevelt orders seizure of Japanese assets after Japan seized Indo-china.
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Aug 1 – First Jeep produced by Willys Corp.
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Aug 12 – Congress extends US draft from 12 months to 30 months by one vote.
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Sept 27 – First “Liberty ship” launched in Baltimore, MD.
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Oct 17 – USS Kearney Destroyer torpedoed by German submarine, 11 sailors lost.
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Oct 22 – USS Hornet aircraft carrier commissioned, 760 feet.
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Oct 30 – German U-boat torpedoes and sinks USS Ruben James, 76 lost, 95 missing.
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Nov 15 – Russian Red army attacks Nazis at Leningrad causing heavy casualties.
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Nov 26 – President Roosevelt signs bill to make Thanksgiving the 4th Thursday of November.
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Nov 30 – British attack Germans in Libya.
Dec 7 – Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, over 1100 killed, US declares war on Japan.
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Dec 6 – British declare war on Finland, Rumania, Hungary.
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Dec 13 – Japanese capture Guam.
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Dec 23 – Japanese capture Wake Island.
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Dec 25 – British surrender Hong Kong to Japanese.
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Dec 11 – US declares war on Germany and Axis powers.
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Dec 27 – British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill becomes first foreign leader to address joint session of US Congress.
436
• Maury
1941
• Tennessee
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Jan 2 – Maury Grain & Produce company built a new building at 109 E 6th street constructed by Willis Armstrong, owner of the lot. The building will be concrete block and brick veneer, cost $4500. Built next to Sheet metal shop on south side of street.
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Jan 4 – Mt Pleasant to get dial phones, it has 523 phones. Columbia has 2384 phones.
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Jan 6 – Under Federal Surplus Commodity Corp. and Home Demonstration Clubs of Maury County cotton and ticking for making 401 mattresses will be provided for poor families in Maury County. Qualifications for a free mattress are those earning less than $400 per year.
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Jan 8 – Anderson Bros. & Foster Department store celebrates its 50th anniversary in Columbia. The firm originally was located on the north side of West 7th street near the public square and moved to the SE corner of West 7th and S Garden street in 1899, when Mr. Gene Anderson built a three story new store.
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Jan 9 – The US census shows 10,850 dwelling units in Maury County, of which 10,377 are occupied, with 194 for rent or sale. Population of Maury County is 40,317 or 3.88 people per household on average.
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Jan 29 – 80 Revolutionary War soldier’s names are being placed on a bronze plaque that will be placed in the new Federal building by Daughter’s of the American Revolution.
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Feb 7 – The Nashville Water company purchased the Columbia Water Works plant for $360,000.
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Feb 10 – The 1st Methodist Church Witt-Craft Memorial Chapel was dedicated, cost $25,000.
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Feb 11 – The old South Columbia Methodist church on Galloway street razed, church moved to South High street. Mr. Jesse Powell now in his 80’s found the church papers placed in the foundation on Aug 30, 1870 inside a Mason jar. List of original congregation and pastor found.
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Feb 15 – Judge W.C. Whitthorne and Dr. O.J. Porter, two original members of the Maury County Historical Society founded in 1905, have called a meeting to reorganize the Society. The reorganization is being sponsored by the MITSIS Club, a women’s literary club of Columbia. Citizens interested are to attend the meeting Friday.
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Feb 17 – Rally Hill to receive electrification for 29 homes, contract with Middle Tennessee Electric Corp of Murfreesboro.
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Feb 28 – Members of Maury County Historical Society elected, W. Allen Richardson as President, a local attorney, Mr. Sam Carmack, Vice-President; Mrs. T.H. Peebles, Secretary and Mrs. R.L. Harris as Treasurer.
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March 5 – Fire destroys Zion public school, the brick school was built in 1925, valued at $5000.
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March 1 – W47NV becomes first FM Nashville FM radio station to begin operation 437
• Maury
1941
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March 21 – Columbia adopts new city charter to continue city manager government and Est. a Civil Service board.
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March 29 – The Franklin-Lewisburg bridge, 2 miles north of Rally Hill collapsed when a Indiana truck loaded with 580 locust post passed over it. The 44 foot span was built 40 years ago across Flat Creek.
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April 1 – Mrs. Harvill J Ashton, the former Miss Margaret Denham made Post Master of Culleoka, 23. She is youngest Post Master in country.
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April 7 – 50,000 see 3 mile long Mule Day parade with 66 units, 15 bands. Miss Rachel Hardison was Mule day queen.
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April 16 – The Oliver Garage on South Main and 6th street sold, a new Ford dealership to occupy building.
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April 19 – Columbia buys water system from Nashville Water Corp for $425,000.
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April 26 – Maury County shows 21 manufacturing businesses in Columbia, 37 in Maury County, with 1808 workers.
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May 5 – Dr. H.A. Gant, distinguished Columbian physician died, 89. His early research in Mississippi in 1870’s and 80’s helped Walter Reed hospital scientists identify mosquitos as source of yellow fever. He was buried in Rose Hill.
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May 9 – The American Legion will install a new 60 foot flag pole above the Court house to fly “old Glory”
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June 2 – The historic old Evans residence, site of the Century Club, to be razed. The club was chartered in 1884 and will move to a new site. The Evans residence property will have a new A & P grocery store.
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June 17 – The new Columbia Post Office and Federal building was dedicated. D.A.R. plaque was unveiled with 88 Maury County names of Revolutionary war soldier’s on it.
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June 19 – Extensive Civil War fortification found on “Holland Hill”, 2nd knob in Columbia, part of breast works of Fort Misner on “the Knob.” Prof. W.E. Bostick built large stone house on site. Hill named for Peter Holland who owned it.
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July 3 – Maury County’s only remaining covered wooden bridge over Fountain Creek east of Culleoka was dismantled and set up as it originally was as a County garage for trucks.
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July 5 – Columbia City Council voted to go to daylight savings time and join Franklin and Nashville in doing so.
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July 10 – The old Courthouse clock is now being repaired. The 3 weights, two of 1000 pounds and one 600 lbs will be removed and electric automatic re-winders will be installed.
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July 25 – According to the census, Maury County is 51 percent rural, compared to 78 percent rural in 1930.
• Tennessee
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May 7 – first Iroquois Steeplechase held in Warren Park, Davidson County.
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June 6 – US Army conducts war games in Tennessee.
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June 11 – Elbert Williams of Haywood County becomes last confirmed lynching in Tennessee. He was lynched after ha attempted to register to vote and Est. a local NAACP chapter in Brownsville, TN. (214 confirmed lynching victims in Tennessee between 1882 – 1930, 37 whites and 117 AfricanAmericans, does not include other murders from shooting, beating, fire, etc.)
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438
• Maury
1941
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July 31 – The Daily Herald offered for first time 50 cent coupons worth $7.75 toward purchases at local markets.
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Aug 22 – A new egg plant to open in Columbia. The plant will break and freeze eggs for powdered egg product, says W.B. Price of the Dennison Poultry Company, plant to be located on South Main at L & N railroad line.
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Aug 25 – The 2nd shooting this month has occurred at the notorious “Yellow Dog” roadhouse on Santa Fe pike.
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Aug 26 – The Columbia Business College to open for 4th year. It has 356 students says President, Joe E Cole.
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Sept 10 – Mary Watkins home sold to state of Tennessee for $15,000, funding was $10,000 from state and $2500 each from Columbia and Maury County.(Sister’s house)
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Oct 5 – The “colored nursery school” has been aided by the Community Chest fund. There are 32 nursery schools in Tennessee with Federal contributions of 27 percent of staff funding. Miss Bell Collins runs one here in “old Episcopal Church with 32 little folks ages 2-5 years.
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Oct 17 – Columbia City Council approves purchase of old post office on West 7th street for $15,000, built 30 years ago.
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Oct 22 – Mrs. John T Wooten announced the formation of the Rose Hill endowment board with W.P. Ridley as President. A charter has been secured and grave owner’s are investing between $200 and $25 for contributions for upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery.
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Oct 22 – F. “Bowser” Frakes, Columbia’s nationally known daredevil aviator has received an appointment into the civilian Technical Corp. in England, a branch of the Royal Air Force. Frakes is 47 years old and recently completed his 99th deliberate airplane crash into a burning house in San Diego, Calif. His new mission is to stop Adolf Hitler.
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Nov 17 – US Federal Court meets in new court house for first time in Columbia.
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Dec 12 – Admiral William Banks Caperton from Spring Hill died, 96. Buried at Arlington Cemetery.
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Dec 13 – The Red Cross lead a parade through Columbia in support of war effort, sets goal to raise $600 for war relief.
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Dec 15 – Columbia Military Academy dedicates new $80,000 Gym, Colonel C.A. Ragsdale led the dedication.
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Dec 17 – Former Maury Countian reportedly killed at Pearl Harbor, James S Wauford, sailor. He attended McDowell school and worked at the post office. (later found alive.)
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Dec 18 – H.R. Mosley made Coordinator of Local Civil Defense. Mr. Mosley is Superintendent of phosphate division of TVA. Judge W.C. Whitthorne made chairman of Local Defense Committee.
• Tennessee •
Aug 21 – Fort Campbell ,Ky. Est., named to honor William H Campbell, Tn. Governor and Veteran of Creek and Mexican war. 2/3 of fort lies within Tennessee, post office is in Kentucky.
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Oct 18 – Current month issue of Life magazine features 3 page article on Walking horse Celebration in Shelbyville, features Haynes Peacock, event managed by Columbian Gilbert Orr.
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Frank “Bowser” Frakes
439
• United States
1942
•
Jan 1 – Office of Production Mgt orders halt on sale of new automobiles.
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Jan 12 – President Roosevelt Est. War labor board to settle disputes.
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Feb 9 – Congress passes Daylight Saving time law.
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Feb 12 – First Class of army negro pilots commissioned at Tuskegee, Alabama. A new squadron is formed, the 100th.
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Feb 19 – President Roosevelt signs order to relocate and intern 100,000 Japanese-American citizens on West coast.
• World •
Jan 2 – Japanese attack Manila, Philippines.
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Jan 7 - Japanese begin siege of Bataan peninsula in Philippines.
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Jan 19 – Japanese forces invade Burma.
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Jan 20 – Adolf Hitler meets German Nazi leaders in Berlin to discuss and set the “Final solution” to exterminate the Jews.
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Feb 15 – Japan captures Singapore, British lose 60,000.
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April 9 – Japanese occupy Bataan, 38,000 killed. General Wainwright holds out until May 6.,
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May 6 – Japanese capture Corregidor in Philippines, 6500 US and Filipino troops lost.
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May 7-8 - Battle of Coral Sea fought, Americans lose carriers Lexington and Yorktown. Five Japanese ships sunk, lose 100 planes and 3000 men.
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May 31 – Soviet Union launches counter-offensive against Germans at Leningrad, 90,000 Germans killed.
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June 12 – German essayist, Anne Frank , receives her first diary at age 13.
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June 25 – British forces retreat as General Rommel and African Korp seize Tubruk.
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Feb 24 – Voice of America begins broadcasting in Europe.
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March 12 – President Roosevelt orders General Douglas MacArthur to leave Philippines, and go to Australia.
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April 1 – US Navy first accepts blacks into general service.
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April 9 – 10,000 US soldier’s begin “Death March of Bataan.”
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April 18 – General Jimmy Doolittle bombs Tokyo with B-25 from aircraft Carrier USS Hornet.
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June 4 – Battle of Midway begins, US defeats Japanese who lose 15 large ships, 275 aircraft.
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June 25 – Major General Dwight D Eisenhower assumes command of US forces in Europe. •
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July 16 – The 1st Officers candidate school of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC) started at Fort Des Moines, Ia. 450 women serve in the WAAC under Col. Don C Faith.
Aug 19 – 6000 Canadian troops land at Dieppe, France to gain intelligence on German defenses, many killed.
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Sept 17 – Germans break the Russian Stalingrad line and attack city.
Aug 7 – US Marines attack Japanese on Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands, 1st US offensive.
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Oct 3 – Germans launch first test rocket, liquid fueled, travels 147 kilometers to altitude of 84.5 kilometers. First space entry.
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Oct 15 – Japanese storm Guadalcanal and battle rages.
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Oct 23 – General Montgomery launches battle El Alamien in North Africa against Rommel.
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Oct 31 – General Montgomery re-appointed commander of British 8th army in Africa.
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Nov 5 – General Bernard Montgomery and 9000 allied troops force Rommel to retreat at El Alamein, capture 20,000 Germans.
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Nov 25 – Russians encircle Germans at Stalingrad.
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Dec 4 – US planes make first raid on Naples, Italy.
• •
Dec 19 – British drive Japanese from Burma.
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Aug 15 – 101st Airborne division formed from 82nd Airborne division.
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Aug 17 – US B-17 bombers raid Rouen, France.
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Sept 16 – Aircraft carrier “Yorktown” lost in battle of Midway.
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Oct 8 – First electronic digital computer developed (ENIAC) by US army.
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Oct 28 – Alaskan Highway completed.
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Nov 5 – George M Cohen, Broadway genius died, 68.
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Dec 1 – Gas rationed to 4 gallons per week per vehicle.
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1st
Dec 2 – Enrico Fermi and group of physicists achieved controlled nuclear chain reaction at University of Chicago.
340
• Maury
1942
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Jan 2 – Maury County Tire Board named by Governor Cooper, Mr. Hugh L Shelton of Columbia, Major Leroy Hammond of Mt Pleasant and Colonel John L Haynes of spring Hill will ration tires.
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Jan 22 – Maury County Health department reports 22 cases of Polio in 1941.
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Jan 5 – The old John Polk home on Carter’s Creek Pike burned. The pre 1807 historic landmark had been modernized and was occupied by the Walden Hutherson family. The historic home was built by John Polk, kinsman to President James K Polk. The home was believed built between 1796 and 1807.
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Jan 6 – The old Antebellum home occupied by Mrs. Allard D’Heur, old Wilkes place was destroyed by fire. The home built by W.L.J. Wilkes on the Mooresville pike in the 1830’s.
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Jan 8 – The temperature sank to minus 19, a new record low, with 3.5 inches of snow, Duck River froze over.
•
Jan 12 – The Monsanto plant in Columbia received the coveted “E” pennant for outstanding performance of Naval ordnance material in 1941. The “E” means the highest service award in the Navy, a special merit achieved and awarded by the ships bridge, conning tower, funnel or turret on board a ship.
•
Jan 17 – The Columbia Chamber of Commerce cancels Mule day parade, citing Civil Defense work as the reason.
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Jan 19 – Seaman James Wauford who was believed killed at Pearl harbor was found to be alive and well aboard the USS California, his parents were notified by mistake.
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Jan 21 – Local artists, Miss Margaret McGavok and Joe B Peyton are exhibiting their paintings at the Gypsy Tavern on Nashville Highway. The exhibit includes oils, watercolors and drawings. The watercolors of Mr. Peyton are all of Maury County subject matter.
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Jan 29 – A “Negro Swing battle” is planned that will pit Sam Bond and his band against Willie Hodge and his Southerners to climax a Red Cross drive. The event will be held at the Greystone Hall. The preliminary event will be a basketball game between Clarke school and College Hill alumni squads and the East Link and 12 Aces clubs. (The event raised $66.50 for Red Cross)
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Feb 10 – The new Armory on Carter street in Riverside dedicated. General Samuel Lawton of Camp Forrest makes key address.
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Feb 14 – All males 20 to 45 required to register for draft under new law, 2168 signed up in Maury County.
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Feb 18 – Columbia Alderman approved the purchase of the old Post office for $7500, use still undetermined.
• Tennessee •
Jan – 800 alien civilians interned at Camp Forrest, 1st civilian internment camp in America.
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441
• Maury
1942 7th
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Feb 18 – The old Polk home on West street purchased for $5850 by J.B. Borum from Mr. G.P. Brownlow. The old frame home was the residence of Mr. Brownlow but also consists of old log house which was home of James K Polk during his married life. The home sits across the street from the old ancestral home which his father built. It was also known as “the Taylor place” and was for years the residence of Mr. B.E. Regan. The fronts 97 feet of West 7th street with a deep lot. Mr. Borum plans to move into it shortly.
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Feb 21 – Tennessee Orphan home in Spring Hill acquired a half interest in 103 acres of old Green farm to operate as a farm to raise food for orphanage.
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March 7 – The historic “Ewell farm” in Spring Hill purchased by Mrs. Hazel G Morton. The 250 acre farm sold in two tracts. Mr. J. Clayton Arnold purchased 30 acres for $2400.
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March 14 – The Maury County Blue Ribbon parade called off due to war effort.
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March 16 – Mr. & Mrs. Clint Dale of Mt Pleasant gave birth to 6 lb triplet boys, named, Alvin, Melvin and Elvin.
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March 23 – The Columbia Hatchery on East 8th street has a 36,720 chick capacity and is operated by the Yesterland Hatchery of Nashville.
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March 26 – Capt.F. “Bowser” Frakes returned from England to transfer into the Army Air Corp and awaits orders.
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March 31 – A new war plant will be built on Santa Fe pike, 83 acquired by war department adjoins National Carbon plant. It will manufacture gas masks, cost $5 million.
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April 3 – Maury County has 928 men in Armed services to date.
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April 9 – The Lions Club “Bondbardment” day activities at the new Armory in Riverside raised $40,000 in bonds as 2000 Maury Countians attended auction event, danced to the Francis Craig orchestra.
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April 22 – Maury County has received the war ration books says Superintendent, Mr. J.R. Baker. All citizens must register for books and sugar ration.
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April 24 – The old Confederate Fort or breast works constructed in 1864 will be leveled to make way for the new Carbon war plant. The fort sits atop of the highest ground on the south bank of Duck River guarding the old rail bridge there, name unknown. Across the river, due north, was the Yankee fort or breast works.
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April 28 – 3420 Maury County men between 45 and 64 signed registration for non-military service only.
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May 4 – Nearly 5000 people registered for ration cards in Columbia. A total of 9807 registration cards were filled out at Maury County schools.
• Tennessee
•
442
• Maury
1942
•
May 8 – Mr. Eugene Anderson, co-owner of Columbia Department store died, 77.
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May 29 – The notorious “Yellow Dog” roadhouse operated by Mr. Rush Lee has reopened under the name “Geneva”s Place”. In past, several murder’s were committed on the premise’s and was closed as a “public nuisance.”
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May 30 – The Soldier’s Recreation Center serves hundreds of soldier’s. Miss Stella Campbell, recreational leader welcomes all uniformed men into the old Post office newly converted into a recreational center. There are 50 girls registered as hostesses who entertain and feed the 10,000 soldier’s who visited the center over the past 8 months.
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June 2 – Maury County holds “Blackout” test. Air raid wardens and fire marshal's will patrol each block in Columbia to enforce regulations of no lights for 30 minutes.
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June 6 – Dr. Walter P Woldridge died, 87. Dr. Woldridge came to Columbia in 1870 from Franklin, entered into the drug business with Dr. Pillow. He owned Woldridge Drug store on west 7th street.
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July 1 – Maury county to be allowed only 15 new auto tires and 76 new truck tires for month of July according to rationing board, allowed 154 recaps for passenger cars , 89 recaps for trucks and 89 new inner tubes.
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July 2 – The Maury County rubber drive topped quota with 265,000 lbs collected says Millard E Queener, Chairman of the drive.
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July 6 – Mr. Frank L (Deacon) Smith of Nashville, formally of Columbia, purchased the Anderson Bros. and Foster store. Mr. Smith had worked at the Maury Dry Goods store and managed “The Fair store”. He said the name will stay the same and all employees will remain working at the store.
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July 16 – Miss Mary Louise Aydelotte, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Adelotte of 212 3rd ave. in Riverside is now a 2nd Lieut. Army nurse and is expected to be sent to Europe soon, only Maury county army nurse on foreign duty.
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July 22 – The American Legion, Herbert Griffin Post #19 collected 3400 old records for Service men on duty says Post Commander, Wayne W Carlton.
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July 28 – Fire destroyed the 20th Century Dinner Club on the Nashville highway about ½ mile north of Columbia city limits in Riverside.
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Aug 10 – The local ration board approved purchases foe four new bicycles, 28 new truck tires, 28 inner tubes and 39 recaps for Maury County.
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Aug 12 – All Maury County WPA projects ended or closed.
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Aug 20 – New ration stamp allows only 5 lbs sugar every 10 weeks, says Mrs. Raymond Wiltshire. Deputy Clerk of Maury County ration board.
• Tennessee
•
June – Josephine Groves Holloway founded and organized first black girl scout troop in Nashville and forced US Girl Scout association to recognize the “colored Troop.”
•
June 10 – Camp Campbell Est. in Montgomery County, Tn.
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July 17 – Embry-Riddle Airfield began operation as training base for aviation cadets in Obion County, 870 acre site named Tom Stewart field.
•
443
• Maury
1942
•
Aug 21 – Colonel John L Haynes, owner of Haynes Haven purchased the Nolen farm with 410 acres near Wartrace, Tn, farm once owned by Confederate General Frank Cheatham.
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Aug 24 – Miss Cornelia Keever is first Maury Countian in Waves, she is from Culleoka.
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Aug 28 – F.F. “Bowser” Frakes has been commissioned in US Army Air Corp as 1st Lt.
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Sept 9 – 9 months after being mistakenly reported killed at Pearl Harbor, Seaman James D “Nusiance” Wauford, 20 has been reported killed in action in the Pacific.
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Sept 14 – J.C. Emmett Holt, 19, seaman reported killed in action in pacific, Son of Mrs. Emma Holt of Mt Pleasant, body not recovered.
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Sept 30 – A group of “colored citizens” met in Holy Comforter Episcopal church to establish plans for a recreation center for “colored soldier’s” Fanny Lockridge will be senior hostess, with Pett Mac Davis and Mary Morrow as Jr. hostesses.
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Oct 17 – “Slim Mayes”, noted Negro pitcher here, died, 53. Edgar H Mayes was a pitching legend in Maury County. A left hander, slim began working at the Bethel Hotel at age 15, played for the Columbia Reds as a sideline. He pitched for a “colored” team in Chicago for a number of years before returning to Columbia.
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Oct 19 – Lieut. Luther B Stockard Killed in action in Aleutian Islands in his P-38 on Oct 14.
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Oct 28 – A handsome new mural of Maury County Industry was painted by Mr. Henry Billings of New York and placed in new Federal building.
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Oct 31 – Haylong High School new vocational agriculture building dedicated and called Baker-Lovell building to honor school superintendent J Rufus Baker and James Lovell, present teacher of vocational training there.
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Nov 2 – Seaman Kenneth E Erwing, 31 of Columbia died aboard USS Chester.
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Nov 5 – J.A. Coggin, Seaman KIA in Pacific,32.
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Nov 20 – The Columbia Public Library located in Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19 will move to basement of old Post Office on West 7th street.
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Dec 11 – Daily Herald editor, John W Finney resigned from draft board to accept a commission as Capt. In US Marine Corp. Capt Finney served in US Marine corp. in WWI and taught school at Columbia Central high school before becoming editor.
•
• Tennessee
•
Oct 13 – Acuff-Rose publications Est. in Nashville to market Country music by Roy Acuff and Fred Rose.
•
Oct 18 – Horace Greeley Hill, H.G. Hill grocery store chain owner and founder died, 69.
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Nov 7 – Governor W. Prentice Cooper and Senator Tom Stewart re-elected.
•
Dec 3 – Albert V Goodpasture, writer, editor and Tennessee historian died in Nashville, 87.
•
Dec – US Federal Govt. begins purchasing land outside of Knoxville to create Oak Ridge laboratory.
Dec 30 – Duck River rises to 36 feet, highest since 1937. •
444
• United States
1943
•
Jan 5 – George Washington Carver, scientist and educator at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama died, 78.
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Jan 6 – Congressman Sam Rayburn of Texas elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Jan 12 – President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet in Casablanca, Morocco. General Dwight D Eisenhower selected as head of European Theater of Allied forces.
• World •
Jan 14 – Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt and Charles De Gaulle meet in Casablanca.
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Jan 18 – Soviets break German siege at Leningrad.
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Jan 31 – German army retreats from Leningrad, 190,000 Germans died.
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Feb 9 – Japanese withdraw from Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands.
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Jan 15 – Pentagon building dedicated in Arlington, Virginia.
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March 2 – British begin bombing Berlin.
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Jan 15 – US Marines drive Japanese from Guadalcanal.
•
•
Jan 23 – Duke Ellington plays in Carnegie Hall for first time.
March 5 – Japanese lose 15,000 men on 12 transports enroute to New Guinea as reinforcements, sunk by US planes.
•
Feb 6 – Singer Frank Sinatra debuts on Radio show “Your Hit Parade.”
•
March 10 – German Field Marshall Rommel, the “Desert Fox” returned to Germany defeated, ill and exhausted losing Egypt and Tunisia.
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April 8 – President Roosevelt orders wage and price freeze. •
March 21 – Assassination attempt of Adolf Hitler failed.
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May 2 – President Roosevelt authorizes US Govt. to take over the anthracite coal mines in Eastern Pennsylvania closed by 80,000 striking miners, but John L Lewis blinks and orders coal miners back to work.
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April 11 – Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini meet in Salzburg.
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April 13 – 4000 Polish officers found in mass grave near Katyn in Soviet Union, believed ordered killed by Stalin.
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May 11 – US forces invade Attu Island in Aleutian islands.
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July 27 – President Roosevelt order’s 50,000 striking rubber workers in Akron, Ohio back to work.
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May 12 – 150,000 German Afrika -Korps troops surrender at Tunis to British and Free French.
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May 30 – Penicillin introduced in military hospitals.
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June 4 – President of Argentina flees country after revolt.
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June 21 – Race riots in Detroit 29 killed, started on Belle Ile, Federal troops called in to keep peace.
•
July 1 – General Douglas MacArthur launches an allied offensive in Pacific against Japanese.
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June 25 – Smith-Connally anti-strike bill becomes law over President Roosevelt's veto, prohibits any strike against war time industry.
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July 8 – French resistance leader, Jean Moulin captured and tortured by Gestapo for one month before he died.
July 10 US and British invade Sicily.
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July 23 – Allied forces capture Palermo.
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Aug 3 – Lieut. John F Kennedy’s PT 109 rammed by Japanese destroyer.
•
•
July 25 – Benito Mussolini arrested and removed from power, Italy’s King Victor Emmanuel order’s new govt.
Aug 21 – Americans capture Kiska Island in Aleutians.
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Aug 17 - Sicily falls to Allied forces.
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Sept 12 – American 5th army captures Salerno, Italy.
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Sept 8 – Italy surrender’s unconditionally.
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Nov 3 – Nation’s 530,000 coal miner’s ignore President Roosevelt’s back to work order, John L Lewis order’s them back next day.
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Oct 13 – Italy declares war on Germany.
•
•
Nov 22 – Lebanon gains Independence from French.
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Nov 29 – Joseph Broz, also known as “Marshall Tito” becomes ruler in Yugoslavia.
• •
Dec 31 – over 2000 Allied bombers hit Germany
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Nov 23 – US Marines take Tarawa in Gilbert islands.
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Dec 24 – General Dwight D Eisenhower appointed Supreme Commander of European forces for invasion of Europe.
445
• Maury
1943
•
Jan 2 – Society: a formal Tea honoring Miss Kathleen Galloway , whose marriage to Cadet Lee Boyer James at West Point academy will take place this month. Decorations in the reception room and dining room will be patriotic motif to honor Cadet James. The dining table will be covered with mirror plague on which is a miniature marriage scene. Composing this scene is a miniature church with a bride and groom emerging. Lights in the room will be red, white and blue tapers in three branched candelabras, wedding to be at West Point.
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Jan 9 – Two Columbia girls, Miss Emma Dee Skelton and Miss Virginia Brown Meek were commissioned as Ensigns in the navy Waves.
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Jan 12 – Several hundred Maury County farmers attended the mobilization day meeting at the courthouse. Mr. John W Goodman, a member of the AAA committee, called for full farm production of crops as President Roosevelt called for in his goals of “food for Freedom” campaign.
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Jan 13 – Maury County housewives are advised to have their knives sharpened because the Federal Food distribution administration has ordered all bakers to stop delivery of pre-sliced bread.
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Jan 14 – Oakes and Nichols purchased the Maury Undertakers Company at 105 West 6th street. All property transferred to Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home at 811 South Garden street. The Maury Undertaking company was est. in 1898 by Mr. William Jones of Nashville, who bought out the old Fox & Derryberry company.
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Jan 15 – “Wake Island” movie starring Brian Donlery shown at the Princess Theatre.
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Jan 16 – New high in mule sales set in Columbia, $150,000 for 500 mules.
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Jan 19 – Columbia High school “Victory Corps” est.. Boys 17 years and older who desire training will conduct military drills under the direction of seven drill masters. The boys will be divided into two squads and drill three times per week. A 20 hour first aide course is also planned.
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Feb 8 – Maury County ration board puts shoes on ration. Stamp no 17 needed to purchase shoes.
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Feb 9 – Maury County baby boom hits in 1942 with 632 babies born.
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Feb 11 – 3200 Maury County families enlisted in home food supply program. 450 received certificates for producing 75 percent of their own food. Mr. & Mrs. George Mitchell of Culleoka and Robert & Evelyn Secrest, “colored” of Columbia won first prize for 1942 by producing 100 percent of their own food.
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Feb 19 – Sheriff J.J. Underwood Sr., new custodian of the court house says he plans to install a complete and separate women’s rest room in the court house for the 12 women who work there.
• Tennessee •
Jan – US Army Corp of Engineering begins construction on Dale Hollow dam and reservoir on Obey River in Clay County.
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Feb – US Govt. begins construction of scientific facilities near Knoxville.
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446
• Maury
1943
•
Feb 20 – Maury schools program is featuring “Schools at War” and tells of school efforts in scrap books, posters and model airplanes. Exhibits presented by the elementary and Jr. High schools throughout the County. Whitthorne Jr. High won the Blue Ribbon.
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March 1 – Meat shortages forced Columbia’s city meat markets to close says owner Joe Richardson, other stores also report no beef available.
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March 13 – Under the leadership of Horace O Porter, coach of the College Hill High School a house to house campaign raised $607 for the Maury County Red Cross “as the colored citizens have come through in fine style to help with the war effort.”
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March 17 – The Nashville Buttermilk company will open on East 7th street in the building formally occupied by the Rhea auto repair shop which moved to the Thomas building on E 6th street. The new company will convert whey into hog and poultry feed.
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March 22 – Monsanto is planting 55,000 trees over the next 3 years on mined lands in Maury county, including 30,000 Locust, 500 Loblolly pine, 3000 yellow poplar, 5000 White pine, 20,000 Sycamore, 1000 Red Gum, 5000 Long leaf Pine, 750 Dogwood, 1000 Lespedeza bicolor, 250 Mulberry and 2000 Thomas black walnut.
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March 29 – Lieut. James s Lochridge is believed to be a prisoner of war in Italy. He served in tank division, wounded and missing in action.
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March 30 – Fire destroys the Davis Department store at 37 public square, $15,000 loss. Fire department gained quick control.
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March 30 – Society: The Maury County Garden club will hold its annual flower show, says President Mrs. Horace Rainey Sr. Mr. David Gordon spoke on the first “Victory Gardens” and Mrs. Charles Hatcher spoke on flowering shrubs.
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March 31 – Maury County now has 22 women in armed service’s, 9 Waves, 7 WAAC’s and 6 SPARs.
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April 10 – Colonel Webb Cooper of Mt Pleasant reported as prisoner of war in Tokyo, fought at Corregidor in Philippines.
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April 12 – Maury County approves resolution of $24,000 for new Maury County airport, Site selection committee named.
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April 12 – Mrs. Frank S Osborne chosen as Maury County representative in “Golden Rule Mother of America” contest. Nominated by Methodist church women’s organization. She will travel to New York City for national contest. She has been selected as Tennessee State Golden Rule Mother representative. (Lucia Frierson Osborne)
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April 17 – 81st Division, or “Wildcat” Division is bivouacked 6 miles north of Columbia on the Nashville highway. The Division is moving from Camp Forrest to Nashville.
• Tennessee
•
March 21 - Cornelia Fort 24, Nashville woman flying pioneer killed in Mid-Air collision enroute to Dallas, TX. ferrying flight.
•
Lieut. James S. Lochridge grave in Rose Hill, Distinguished Service Cross winner died April 23, 1943 in German prison camp in Italy.
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447
• Maury
1943
•
April 27 – Mr. T.B. Forcery appointed by the court to audit funds showed a $5485 surplus in assets held by the Clerk and Master, Mr. Mora B Fariss.
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April 30 – Maury county to receive $44,642 child care grant under Federal program.
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May 4 – Fire destroys Graymere Golf club house, $20K loss.
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May 24 – New US Navy destroyer named “Caperton” to honor Admiral William Caperton of Spring Hill.
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June 4 – 800 attended the “Victory Ball” at the Armory, music by Willie Hodges orchestra.
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June 10 – Lieut. James S Lockridge reported to have died of wounds in Italian prison camp. He suffered from broken leg inflicted by shrapnel.
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June 14 – W.D. Tucker store ends home delivery after 40 years service, The West End store started in 1903.
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June 15 – 250 children now enrolled in nine child care centers in Maury County.
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June 21 – Oscar Glenn, Spanish-American war veteran died at his home on 911 south Garden street, 77.
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June 25 – 3500 attend Maury County USO Walking horse show at Pillow Park. “Black Angle” owned by R.S. Ellis of Alabama crowned champion with Haynes Havens “Greater Glory” in 2nd place.
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July 1 – A & P advertisement – Smoked Ham=39 cents lb; potatoes 10 lb =40 cents; pork Chops = 29cents lb; stewing Chickens = 59 cents lb; Sunnyfield Cornflakes = 7 cents a box; Marvel bread = 3 loaves for 29 cents; margarine = 22 lb and 8 o’clock Coffee = 2lbs for 41 cents.
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July 13 – Mr. Hugh Lee Webster, local attorney is in possession of pre-historic bones found in phosphate muck 5 feet below the phosphate bench near Pigeon Roost in Giles County. Bones consist of Rt. Jaw with 3 three 6 inch teeth, two leg bones, a pelvis, one vertebra and several ribs. Mr. Webster is awaiting word on the bones from the Smithsonian Institute and University of Tennessee.
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July 23 – Hampshire farms has been without rain for 11 weeks. Hampshire farmers are sending their cattle to Hickman county for pasturage, others forced to sell their stock, tobacco crop cut by 50 percent.
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July 26 – Over 500 attend the Lions club model airplane contest at Will Ridley’s farm in Mt Pleasant.
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Aug 5 – Maury County rainfall off 11.87 inches in first 7 months of year, says Thomas S Fleming, official weather observer at Ashwood.
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Aug 6 – Columbia votes to halt sale of Beer on Sunday.
• Tennessee
•
June 30 – Tennessee WPA cease to exist.
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July 3 – Tennessee Supreme Court rules law to repeal Poll tax unconstitutional.
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448
• Maury
1943
•
Aug 17 – 20 new homes to be constructed for War defense workers. The new homes to be located on Santa Fe Pike will be rented or sold to defense workers. There are 14 five room houses and 6 six room houses, financed by the US Defense Department, cost $80,000. Built on land formally owned by W.P. Morgan on lots 65 X 200. All face East and will be furnished with heat, electric refrigerator, stoves and landscaped, turned over to Columbia Homes Inc, Girard Brownlow, President.
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Aug 21 – 1000 attend PTA Santa Fe horse show, 10 classes of horses shown. Charlie Skillington direct the event. Winner was “Pride of Tennessee” owned by Zollie Derryberry.
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Sept 22 – St Dominic’s Catholic school dedicated on West 7th street. School is located on former home of C.H. Sharp.
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Oct 1 – Mr. J Rufus Baker announced that 6000 Maury County school children will receive hot lunches as program is expanded to 70 Maury County schools.
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Oct 18 – A dinner dance was given for 120 Air force men of the 494th Fighter Group from William Northern field in Tullahoma at the Columbia USO. The Columbia Military Academy band provide music under direction of Don Martin. Mrs. Charles Sneed was Senior hostess.
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Nov 12 – Miss Margaret Chismore will organize the first official Girl Scout Association in Maury County. Mr. James Adkisson, Chairman of Volunteer Girl Scout Council. Columbia has 82 active Scout groups.
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Nov 24 – Nearly 90 workers at the National Carbon company on Santa Fe pike went on strike over wages.
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Dec 19 – Lieut. Thomas H Chunn organized the Global War Veterans unit in Columbia.
•
Dec 19 – The Daily Herald reports 15 Maury Countains gave their lives for service to country in 1943: Tommy J Worley Jr., Jan-28; E.H. Ayres Jr., Feb 15; Lt. James Lockridge, June 10; Pvt. David K Massey, July 12; Pvt., Cecil E Vissery, July 10; Sgt. Claude A Young, Aug 19; Harvey Massey, July 12; Sgt. Ernest D Walton, Sept 5; Sgt. R.E. Whiteside, Sept 29; Pvt. Charles M Chapman, Oct 7; Pvt. J.G. Parrish, Sept 13; Wilber T Pate, Sept 11; W.C. Travis, Dec 3; Five previously reported killed in action: J.C. Emmett Hutt; Fred Fleming; Luther B Stockard; Kenneth Erwin and J.C. Coggin.
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Dec 20 – “Aunt Jane”, a former slave believed to be 111 years old died at her home in Culleoka. Miss Jane Higdon lived by herself at her cabin with her black cat on Toombs Hill. She was found dead near her door with a piece of firewood in her hand.
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Dec 30 – Two of Maury County’s most notorious road houses have been closed and one is being converted into a residence. They are “Geneva’s Place” formally the “Yellow Dog tavern” located on Santa Fe pike and the “Rising Sun” located in East Hill.
• Tennessee
•
Oct 16 – America Airline plane crash near Centerville kills 10, one mile off Highway 100, cause unknown.
•
Nov 4 - The Graphite reactor X-10 in Oakridge, Tn. began self-sustaining chain reaction test, shut down in 1963.
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449
• United States
1944
•
Jan 22 – Two American divisions land at Anzio in Italy, surrounded by Germans they endure 4 month siege.
•
Jan 24 – USS Missouri, Worlds most powerful Battleship launched at Brooklyn Naval yard.
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Feb 5 – President Roosevelt creates new military metal, The Bronze star for US Army, Navy and Marines for heroic and meritorious service, not involving aerial flight.
• World •
Jan 20 – R.A.F. bombs Berlin.
•
Jan 27 – Germans lift 2 year siege on Leningrad.
•
April 9 – General Charles De Gaulle made Commander in Chief of Free French forces.
•
April 24 – Allied forces launch major offensive in Netherlands.
•
June 2 – Provisional Govt. formed by De Gaulle.
•
June 5 – Rome falls to allied forces.
•
June 6 – Allied forces of 155,000 strong begin invasion of France at Normandy.
•
June 12 – First V-1 “Buzz Bombs” hit London from Germany.
•
Feb 6 – US Army commissioned first 13 black officers.
•
April 3 – US Supreme Court rules that blacks cannot be barred from voting in Texas Democratic primary.
•
April 25 – United Negro College Fund incorporated.
•
May 5 – US House of Representatives votes to investigate President Roosevelt's seizure of Montgomery Ward.
•
May 25 – American troops break through at Anzio.
•
June 17 – Iceland proclaimed a republic .
•
June 15 – American forces invade Saipan.
•
July 6 – Hitler’s V-1 bombs killed 2752 people.
•
June 22 – “GI Bill of Rights” passed by Congress.
•
July 20 – Adolf Hitler injured in assassination attempt by Colonel Claus Von Stauffenburg.
•
June 26 – Republicans nominate Thomas E Dewey for President in Chicago.
•
Aug 1 – Polish uprising against Germans begins.
•
July 6 – Fire at Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus Big top showing at Hartford, Conn. Kills 167 people, over 100 of them children, hundreds injured.
•
Aug 24 – Paris liberated, General Charles De Gaulle enters Paris at head of allied forces.
•
Sept 2 – Diarist Anne Frank and family arrested, shipped to Auschwitz concentration camp three days later.
•
Sept 8 – London hit by bigger V-2 rockets for first time.
•
Sept 9 – Antwerp, Belgium liberated.
•
Oct 9 – The United States, Britain and Soviet Union propose forming United Nations.
•
Oct 14 – Field Marshall Erwin Rommel forced to commit suicide for alleged involvement in assassination attempt on Hitler.
•
Oct 22 – Russian troops capture Prussia.
•
Nov 24 – B-29’s from Guam begin daylight bombing Tokyo.
•
Dec 3 – Civil War breaks out in Greece.
•
Dec 8 – US begins air raids on Island of Iwo Jima.
•
Dec 30 – King George II renounces Greek throne in civil war fight.
•
July 19 – Democrats nominate Franklin D Roosevelt and Harry Truman for President and Vice-President in Chicago.
•
July 21 – US troops invade Guam.
•
Aug 7 – IBM introduces first program controlled calculator.
•
Sept 15 – American forces cross Siegfried line and enter Germany.
•
Oct 20 – General Douglas MacArthur begins invasion of Philippines.
•
Nov 7 – Franklin D Roosevelt and Harry Truman elected President and Vice-President of US.
•
Nov 24 – General George Patton and 3rd Army drive into Saar Basin of Germany.
•
•
Dec 15 – Four Generals: George Marshall; Douglas MacArthur; Dwight d Eisenhower and Henry Arnold get 5 star rank promotions. Dec 16 – Battle of Bulge begins.
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450
• Maury
1944 1st
•
Jan 3 – William Pillow Jordan of Columbia 33, Seaman class killed in action, Dec 29, 1943.
•
Jan 10 – Maury County Court votes approval for airport.
•
Jan 20 – The Dixie Plant No 2 organized by CIO union by 134 to 74 NLRB vote.
•
Jan 29 – Sgt. James W Rinks of West 11th street in Columbia died in service to his country, 23.
•
Feb 9 – Mr. Girand P Brownlow, a local Real Estate agent announced that the 20 “Morgan Hill” defense homes on Santa Fe pike are completed. They have hardwood floors, built in bathroom fixtures, concrete basement, furnished appliances and 5 or 6 rooms. 6 houses have 3 bedrooms and 14 have 2 bedrooms
•
March 15 – The Daily Herald, Commerce Union Bank and Middle Tennessee Bank co-sponsored the Maury County “Victory Garden” contest. $500 in War bonds to be given for best Garden in city and Maury County.
•
March 16 – TVA begins construction of the new plant at Godwin for manufacture of Tricalcium phosphate.
•
March 16 – The Global War veterans group in Maury County constructed a building at Hidden Lake near Columbia for the joint use of Boy Scout and Girl Scouts activities.
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March 23 – “Haynes Peacock”, Maury County’s most famous Tennessee Walking horse died, 17. He originally was a farm work horse until age 12, by 14 he was a World Champion Walking horse, owned by Colonel John L Haynes. He is buried north of the stone barn where stabled at Spring Hill.
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March 30 – The Duck River floods to 35.5 feet.
•
April 1 – Five Maury County King’s Daughters circles are attending the 46th King’s Daughters convention in Memphis. The delegates are from the Anne White circle, The Guided circle, The Shining Cross circle, the Martha Adams Circle and Mac Kettrell Circle from Mt Pleasant.
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April 16 – Mt Pleasant will conduct a feasibility study to build an airport near the city, after the Maury County court refused to appropriate $35,000 for a study to look at various sites for an airfield in the county.
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April 25 – Two Mt Pleasant plants, the Hoover & Mason Phosphate Company and Virginia-Carolina Chemical Corp. will use war prisoner’s in the plant operations due to shortage of labor, about 20 expected.
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April 27 – Monsanto will operate the new $2 million war plant located next to Monsanto Chemical plant near Columbia. The Govt. owned plant employs about 100.
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May 1 – A plaque was dedicated to 197 Spring Hill Service men on duty in the war, located in front lawn of Mrs. Virginia Davis, who donated use of her lawn for the plaque.
• Tennessee •
Jan - The Holston Ordnance Works company established near Kingsport, Tn. To manufacture powerful explosives.
•
Jan - Dorothy Lavinia Brown entered Meharry Medical college in Nashville. Becomes first female African-American surgeon in Southeast. She also became first AfricanAmerican woman to serve in Tennessee legislature in 1966.
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Feb 6 – Carl Thomas Rowan becomes one of fifteen African-Americans to enter US Navy officers school. He was born in White County, Tn. And moved to McMinnville at young age. Later became a reporter , writer, ambassador to Finland and director of US information agency.
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March 7 – Kentucky dam completed by TVA, Lake Kentucky fill begins.
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March 27 – Tornado kills 5 in Lynnville. A mother and 4 children killed I mile east of Lynnville.
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451
• Maury
1944
•
May 8 – The Maury County Memorial Association announced it will sell the Memorial building at 812 South Garden street by sealed bids. The Herbert Griffin American Legion post 19 and Public library who utilized the building have moved to the old Post office on West 7th street. The two story building was originally the residence of Mrs. A.N. Akin , sold to the Memorial Association shortly after WWI.
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May 19 – Columbia has purchased several acres between West 7th street and Mt. Pleasant Pike that Mayor Eldridge Dedham says could become a park as a post war project. The property fronts Mt Pleasant pike, cost $2000.
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June 8 – Victor Chemical Works employees on strike for 4th day, plant manufactures phosphorus used in making shells.
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June 13 – Mr. W.P. Ridley and Mrs. Lillies H Dale donated 6 acres fronting the Golf Club lane for development as a permanent camp for the Boy Scouts, property reverts to owners if Boy Scouts of Maury County abandoned site.
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July 1 – Over 4000 see Colonel John L Haynes “Greater Glory” win Kiwanis Club horse show Tennessee Walking horse championship at Pillow Park, 100 entries.
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July 5 – New egg plant at 1313 South Main, The Allied Egg and Poultry Company is sending frozen eggs to England and Russia on Lend-Lease contracts. Over 600 cases of eggs per day are processed by 65 employees. The firm is located in the old Columbia produce building.
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July 6 – Pvt. James K Matthews, who has seen considerable action in Africa and Sicily has landed in France with a glider infantry unit to support the invasion at Normandy, says his mother, Mrs. P.T. Bolton.
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July 11 – Five Indian bundle graves were found 1 mile from the Natchez Trace in Maury County, says Hugh Lee Webster, local archeologist and attorney. The graves found on the J.B. Delk farm on Cathey’s Creek by Allen Delk. The first such type burial found in Maury County as all other burials are in vaults or mounds.
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Aug 11 – Daily Herald circulation at 5268.
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Aug 16 – Maury County State Guard units from Columbia and Mt Pleasant staged a 2 hour battle near the Zion church for a simulated field problem to defend Columbia. Capt. W.H. Cotham, Commander of the 10th machine gun company and Capt. R.E. Williams of Company H, rifle unit led the unit exercise.
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Aug 21 – Mt Pleasant voted 254 to 50 to approve a $30,000 bond for a new airport. The airport will be located on the Wheeler farm, 1 mile north of Mt Pleasant.
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Aug 30 – 220 members of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelters union who are on strike at International Mineral & Chemical company in Mt Pleasant voted not to return to work.
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Sept 1 – Maury County received 8.3 inches of rain in 30 hours, a record.
• Tennessee •
May 6 – Josephine Groves Holloway hired as Field Advisor by Cumberland Valley Girl Scout Council in Nashville. First African-American leader hired into Girl Scouts
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July 7 - The Louisville and Nashville railroad train wreck at Jellico, Tn. killed 33 servicemen , injured over 100 as train plunged off tracks in mountains.
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452
• Maury
1944
•
Sept 5 – The City of Columbia agrees to acquire the Columbia Institute and grounds from the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee for $35,000. The school was founded in 1832 and original building completed in 1833.
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Sept 13 – US Labor Board will investigate the strike issues at IMCC, strikers return to work.
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Sept 20 – Army worms have invaded three Maury County farms in Williamsport, says County agent, C.F. Arrants. The three farms are the York brothers, the Clyde Harlow farm and the Curtis farm.
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Nov 14 – Citizens of Zion erected a granite monument in memory of slaves owned by the early settlers of the community. The movement was organized by Gad Armstrong who says about 100 slaves are buried in the cemetery there. One of the best known is “Daddy Ben”, a son of a African prince, owned by Colonel Scott.
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Nov 24 – Mt Pleasant began work on the new airfield. Airplanes could be landing there within 10 days.
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Dec 11 – The Dance Hall operated by Jesse Kennedy and Frank Sims, “The Locust Inn” near Sandy Hook was ordered closed by Judge Joe M Ingram, sale of liquor cited.
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Dec 11 – Southern Bell Telephone honored Miss Nora Jackson for her 45 years service with the company, who recently retired.
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• Tennessee
•
Oct 31 – A portrait of Admiral William Banks Caperton of Spring hill to be hung in the Senate chambers in Nashville. Admiral Caperton was born in Spring Hill, June 30, 1855. He served at sea duty 26 years including WWI. He died Dec 21, 1941, buried at Arlington.
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Nov 5 – James Nance McCord (D) elected Governor of Tennessee. Former Mayor of Lewisburg and Congressman from Marshall County
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Dec 13 - USS Nashville, a Cruiser was badly damaged by a Kamikaze, killed 130 sailors.
Dec 14 – Maury County coon hunt featured in “Parade” magazine, pictures of the Coon hunt taken by William Esty advertising near Pulaski pike, 15 miles south of Columbia with Grand Ole Opry stars, Roy Acuff and Smokey Mt boys.
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•
453
• United States
1945
•
Jan 3 – US House of Representatives votes to make UnAmerican activities Committee permanent.
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Jan 20 – Franklin D Roosevelt inaugurated President.
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Feb 1 – US Rangers and Filipino guerrillas recue 513 American survivors of Bataan death march in Philippines.
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Feb 17 – 5000 POW’s found in Manila and Bataan, General MacArthur captures Corregidor.
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Feb 19 – Battle for Iwo Jima begins as US Marines land.
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Feb 23 – Stars and Stripes flag raised over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, Pulitzer winning photo taken by Joe Rosenthal.
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March 7 – US Armored units cross Rhine River at Remagen bridge.
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March 9 – US B-29’s bomb Tokyo with incendiary bombs, over 100,000 killed.
• World •
Jan 16 – Adolf Hitler moves into underground bunker in Berlin.
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Jan 17 – Soviet troops occupy Warsaw, Poland.
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Jan 27 - The Auschwitz Nazi death camp liberated.
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Feb 4 – Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt and Josef Stalin meet in Yalta for post war agreement.
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Feb 14 – allied bombers devastate Dresden, Germany with fire bombing, “the historic Florence of Germany”.
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March – Anne Frank killed at Bergen-Belson concentration camp.
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March 22 – Arab League founded in Egypt by 7 nations.
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April 27 – US 1st division and Soviet 1st Ukrainian division link up in Germany.
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April 28 – Benito Mussolini and mistress hanged in Milan.
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April 30 – Adolf Hitler commits suicide with wife Eva Braun in Berlin bunker.
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May 7 – German General Alfred Judd signs peace treaty for Germany, unconditional surrender to General Dwight D Eisenhower, V-E day May 8.
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June 26 – United Nations charter founded by 50 nations after 63 days in conference, US signed charter.
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June 30 - Charles De Gaulle elected President of France.
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July 1 – Britain, US, Soviet Union and France agree to divide Germany and Berlin into four zones for control by each.
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March 16 – Iwo Jima captured by US Marines.
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April 1 – US troops land on Okinawa in Japan.
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April 12 – President Franklin D Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Ga. Vice-President harry Truman sworn in.
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April 18 – Ernie Pyle, War correspondent killed in Okinawa.
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June 21 – Battle of Okinawa ends after 83 days fighting.
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July 16 – 1st atomic bomb Trinity test conducted at in New Mexico.
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July 28 – US Senate ratifies United Nations charter.
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July 30 – USS Indianapolis sunk by Japanese submarine.
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Aug 6 – US “Enola Gay” B-29 bombs Hiroshima, Japan, Nagasaki, Japan bombed 3 days later with Atomic bomb.
•
July 7 – Winston Churchill, President harry Truman and Josef Stalin meet in Potsdam for post war agreement.
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Aug 14 – V-J day in US, celebrations everywhere.
•
Aug 14 – Japanese surrender unconditionally, V-J day declared Aug 15.
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Sept 8 – US and Russia agree to partition Korea.
•
Aug 15 – Korea declares independence from Japan.
•
Oct 27 – Jackie Robinson signs contract with Brooklyn Dodger’s.
•
Aug 19 – Ho chi Minh takes power in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
•
Nov 20 – UAW takes 650,000 GM autoworkers in 115 plants on strike.
•
Sept 2 – Japan formally signs unconditional surrender aboard USS Missouri with General Douglas MacArthur.
Dec 19 – President Truman calls for unification of Armed Services under Department of Defense.
•
Sept 20 – British proclaim martial law in Indochina as Nationalist revolt against French
Dec 28 – US Congress officially recognizes Pledge of Allegiance.
•
Nov 24 – 24 Nazis begin trial for war crimes at Nuremburg, Germany.
•
Dec 27 – International Monetary fund and World bank Est. with Bretton woods agreement signed by 27 nations.
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454
• • •
• Maury
1945
•
Jan 8 – The Nashville, Chattanooga and St Louis Railroad announced it will abandon the old Duck River Valley Railroad line to Lewisburg. The railroad originally built between 1873 and 1879, financed by Maury County bonds and ran from Columbia to Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Decerd and Tracy City as narrow gauge railroad.
•
Jan 16 – A & P advertisement: 10 lbs Potatoes – 49 cents; Dozen eggs – 57 cents; Ground Beef – 25 cents lb; Beef Roast – 26 cents lb; Marvel bread – 3 loaves for 32 cents; Coffee – 3 lbs for 75 cents; Roasting Chickens – 44 cents lb; Oxydol soap – 23 cents.
•
Jan 20 – Cpl. Verne Williams Jr. is veteran of 106 combat flights in the Flying Fortress B-29 “Magnetic Maggie” of the 15th heavy bombardment squadron in Italy. Cpl. Williams is the mechanic on the ship and from Mt Pleasant. When asked about the ships name he said, “Look at her. She has 70 fabric patches and 300 metal patches from flack fire.”
•
Feb 15 – The Maury County Horseman Association was organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Colonel John Haynes of Spring Hill elected President.
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Feb 17 – Fire gutted the Woldridge Drug store building, recently purchased by Mr. Julian L Mays from Woldridge heirs. The 2nd floor contained the offices of Dr. Roy E Galloway and Dr. Wallace Wilkes and Attorney’s Pride Tomlinson and Robert Harris. The offices of Girard Brownlow Real Estate agent, attorney Hugh Lee Webster, Maury County Selective Service Board and Federal Chemical company offices on 3rd floor were damaged, loss $50,000.
•
Feb 23 – The Duck River floods to 37 feet.
•
Feb 28 – John Harlan Willis killed in action at Iwo Jima, later awarded Congressional medal of Honor, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Division.
•
March 8 – Lieut.’s William H Pigg 22, Robert Petty III and James G Williamson of the 15th Air Force in Italy have served together through the entire war and are Three Musketeers. The three friends studied Chemical Engineering together at Vanderbilt and enlisted together in Jan, 1943. They went to Boca Ratan, Fla. For basic training together and were admitted to the US Army Meteorology school together and sent to Europe together for entire war.
•
March 14 – Pharmacist mate, John Harlan Willis reported killed in action Feb 28 in Pacific. He graduated from Columbia High school in 1940 and volunteered for navy in November 1941. He is survived by his wife and son, four sister’s and four brother’s and Mr. & Mrs. John Willis of Harriman, Tn., formally of Columbia.
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March 16 – Effective April 1, all Maury County rents will be frozen according to Office of price Administration in Memphis, applies to all rents on apartments, dwellings and hotels.
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March 20 – The first meeting of the Duck River Hereford Breeder’s Association held, 75 head of registered Hereford were recently sold for $265 each.
• Tennessee •
Jan 16 – James Nance McCord inaugurated as Tennessee 43rd Governor.
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March 4 – Primm Springs Hotel and Resort in Hickman County closes.
• •
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John Harlan Willis March 22 – Three WSM radio engineers open “Castle studios” in Tulane hotel, Nashville’s first recording studio to begin “Music City.” 455
• Maury
1945
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April 7 – The Maury County Students Club appointed a committee to propose establishing a public county wide library. The resolution called for a 7 man committee appointed by the County Court to organize and plan to convert the old Post office into a County library.
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April 10 – The Duck River Chemical Warfare Services plant closed. The Army no longer has needs for carbon used in gas masks from Monsanto who operated the plant. 100 employees transferred to Monsanto’s operation next door.
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May 7 – Maury County airport dedicated.
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May 8 – V-E day celebrated quietly in Maury County.
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May 16 – The founder of the Daily Herald, Mr. Frank D Lander, born in Franklin died, 90. He came to Columbia at early age prior to Civil war, served as City clerk , started Daily Herald in 1899, served as editor until 1912.
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May 18 – Howard Potts, a prisoner of war in Germany since Feb, 1943 when captured in Africa has been liberated. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Potts of Spring Hill. Pvt. Potts will return to see his wife, Macke Mae Potts of 109 East 13th street and his never seen son, Nathan Ray Potts.
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June 13 – The “Here’s your Infantry” show was set in Pillow Park. Several tons of sand were brought in to convert the park into a battlefield for infantry to demonstrate capture of a Japanese pillbox and Infantry in action. The Infantry will crawl across the park on their bellies, knock out the enemy patrols, snipers and roadblocks before capturing the “Jap Pillbox.” Over 5000 watched the demonstration.
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June 20 – A capacity crowd of over 4000 attended the 2nd annual Kiwanis Club horse show at Pillow Park. “Midnight Sun,” a Harlindale horse from Franklin named champion.
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June 30 – The TVA will build a settling pond on 122 acres of the Kelly and Eldridge Denham farm on Theta pike. The TVA also purchased 53 acres known as “Little Coney island” where Rutherford Creek and the Duck River join, a pumping station is being installed.
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July 5 – Columbia Real Estate for sale: 4 bedroom house on High street=$2000; a 5 room house on Academy Hts.=$2750; a 8 room house with 10 acres 4 miles out Williamsport road=$4800; a 9 room house on west 4th street=$4500.
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July 6 – Society: The Tennessee Orphan Home in Spring Hill observed the quarterly birthday party on July 4th. Its normal practice of the home to entertain at four birthday parties each year for all the children who had birthdays over the past 3 months. The honored children each received a gift. The home has 85 children and is under the supervision of Mr. & Mrs. W.B. Richter.
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July 10 – Capt. John D Fleming of Columbia, Commander of the Flying Super Fortress B-29, “Going Jesse” reportedly dropped the “2 millionth bomb ton” on Japan at Wakayama on his 43 mission. Capt. Fleming is the brother of Columbia city judge W.S. Fleming, served since 1942 and won Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
• Tennessee
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April 26 – Two B-24 liberator bombers collide in Mid-air, killing 9 near Centerville. The two bombers crashed along Highway 100 2 miles south of Centerville.
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June 27 – Tennessee legislature passes first state sales tax as law, (2 percent).
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456
• Maury
1945
•
July 10 – The Nashville “Black Volunteer’s” and Mobile “Shipper’s”, both teams in the Southern Negro Baseball League will play in Fairview park. Special seats are reserved for whites.
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July 20 – Columbia agreed to lease the old Post Office to the newly organized Maury County Library Association for use as a library. The agreement calls for 10,000 books to be kept at the library.
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July 27 – The “German Atrocity” film by the US Army signal Corps showing the destruction of millions of Jews will be shown at the Princess Theatre. Children under 12 years will not be permitted in unless accompanied by their parent.
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Aug 15 – V-J day declared, Maury County celebrates, Daily Herald runs an “Extra”.
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Aug 22 – Miss Dorinda Derryberry, Petty officer 2nd class, of Waves is first women to become a member of the Herbert Griffin American Legion post #19 of Columbia.
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Sept 11 – Clerk & Master 30 years in Maury County, Mora B Farris received his 6th appointment by the County Court.
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Sept 17 – Victor Chemical company granted a 2nd injunction against 159 striking union workers on strike 18 days. The injunction bars strikers from interfering with plant operations in Mt Pleasant.
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Sept 21 – Mt Pleasant offers city of Columbia half interest in airport for $12,000, city to consider offer.
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Sept 22 – A committee of seven met with General Omar Bradley in Washington DC to offer the “Cheairs Place’ and 300 acres near Spring Hill to build a Veterans General hospital. The property is owned by P.D. Houston, a Nashville banker.
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Sept 28 – Colonel Webb E Cooper, the only Maury Countian to be reported to be a prisoner of war of the Japanese will arrive at his parents place in Columbia tomorrow. Colonel Cooper was captured with General Wainwright at the fall of Corregidor.
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Sept 29 – Mrs. Bowen Ingram, author of “If Passion Flies” has a hit sensation fiction book. Formally Miss Mildred Prewett, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Austin Prewitt of Maury County has been a featured columnist for the Chicago sun and Washington post newspapers. The Prewitt family were formally residences of Culleoka owned farm.
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Oct 2 – Warrants were issued for the arrest of 6 Victor Chemical strikers charged with interfering with company operations. The warrant’s issued against Dudley Nicks, Edward Chaffin, L.E. Roundtree, James Wright and James Curtis of Maury County and John Johnson of Lawrence County.
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Oct 3 – According to US Army, 832 Maury Countians have been discharged to date, of these 682 white and 150 “colored”. Veterans attended a meeting at Central High school to receive releases.
• Tennessee
•
457
• Maury
1945
•
Oct 5 – The Victor Chemical strike ends, Local 912 of International Operating Engineers withdrew pickets as contract agreed to after 5 week strike.
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Oct 27 – Pharmacist mate, John Harlan Willis received Congressional Medal of Honor killed in action Feb 28, 1945.
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Nov 16 – US Armed Services reports 520 Maury Countians discharged in last 45 days. Over 1200 discharged overall since end of war in June.
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Nov 16 – Colonel John “Jack” L Haynes, nationally known horseman died at his home Haynes Haven in Spring Hill, 69. He will be buried in Mapleview cemetery in Smyrna, Tn.
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Nov 16 – The Oglesby Motor company will display the 1946 new Pontiac line of passenger cars and join the Ford, Chrysler and Nash auto companies rolling out product.
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Nov 17 – Columbia’s tubercular deaths are 3 times the national rate, 128 deaths per 1oo compared to 42.6 in US.
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Dec 1 – Federal Communications Commission approved the application for a radio station in Columbia, 1340-WKRM. Lieut. R.M. McKay Jr., President; R.M. McKay Sr.-SecretaryTreasurer; C.A. Kennedy and James McGrew, directors.
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Dec 5 – 8 inches snow blankets Maury County.
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Dec 5 – VFW formed and chartered in Maury County, John Fleming Jr. elected Commander. The new Post is #4969 and has 40 members and will be called the Willis-Fleming post, named to honor John Harlan Willis and Fred Fleming.
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Dec 15 – Columbia's Herbert Grifffin American Legion Post #19 took action condemning the testimony of a Japanese Naval officer in the court martial of Capt. Charles B McVay Jr., Commander of USS Indianapolis, whose father was formally of the Zion Community in Maury County. Capt. McVay charged with negligence in performance of his duties as a result of sinking of USS Indianapolis by Japanese sub June 30, 1945 with loss of 800 men. Cooper Frierson recalled that Capt. McVay’s father, now Admiral Charles B McVay lived in Maury County in the 1880’s for about 10 years and Est. a mill in the Zion community on what is now part of the tenant farmer Brown property, foundation still standing.
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Dec 17 – New Maury County War Memorial building planned says Mrs. Emma Wooten, Gold Star mother of WWI. She says plans are to raze present building on south Garden and erect new structure.
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Dec 22 – The 18.5 miles of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St Louis railroad, formally known as the Duck River Valley narrow gauge railroad will formally close tomorrow.
• Tennessee •
Oct – The Milan Ordnance arsenal created on 28,000 acre site in Gibson and Carroll Counties.
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Nov 13 – Former Tennessee Senator and Secretary of State, Cordell Hull awarded Nobel Peace prize for his work in forming United Nations.
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Dec 6 – TVA transfers 45,920 acres of land to Great Smokey Mountains national park from Fontana dam project.
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458
• United States
1946
•
Jan 11 – 440,000 Telephone workers strike nation wide in 44 states, paralyzes nation.
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Jan 15 – 616,000 Electrical workers strike in 16 states, demand $2 per day raise at Westinghouse and G.E.
• World •
Jan 10 – United Nations holds its first meeting in London.
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Feb 14 – Labour Party nationalizes Bank of England.
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Feb 23 – India erupts in anti-British demonstrations.
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Feb 24 – Juan Peron elected President of Argentina.
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Jan 19 – 900,000 steelworkers strike, 300,000 meat packers strike.
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Jan 23 – President Truman announced US govt. will take over meat packing industry.
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March 6 – Ho Chi Minh signs agreement with French that his Govt. operates under French authority in Indochina
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Jan 29 – Congress Established CIA.
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March 22 – British grant Trans-Jordon independence.
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Feb 14 – IBM introduces Electronic calculator
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March 24 – Soviet Union announces it will withdraw troops from Iran.
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March 5 – Winston Churchill speaking at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri speaks of “Iron Curtain” descending across Europe.
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April 1 – Singapore becomes British colony.
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April 7 – Syria becomes Independent from France.
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March 13 – General Motors and UAW-CIO reach agreement on 18.5 cents per hour raise.
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April 18 – US recognizes Josip Tito Govt. in Yugoslavia.
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March 20 – US pledges full support to Iran against Russian occupation and pledge troops.
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May 7 – Britain and France withdraw troops from Syria to comply with United Nations order.
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March 22 – GE strike ends after 113 days.
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May 22 – Kingdom of Jordan created.
•
April 1 – Tsunami hits Hawaii, 173 killed and Alaska, 300 dead.
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June 10 – Italy declared a Republic, King Emanuel II abdicates.
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April 3 – President Truman signs Marshall plan for $5 billion to aid Europe rebuilding
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June 14 – French create Cochin-China as independent state with Saigon as capital.
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May 29 – National coal strike settled.
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July 4 – Philippines become independent nation.
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June 3 – US Supreme Court rules “Jim Crow” segregation laws on Interstate bus travel unconstitutional.
•
July 5 – Bikinis bathing suit introduced in France, designed by Louis Read, former Civil engineer.
•
July 25 – US tests first Hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll in Pacific.
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July 22 – King David Hotel bombed by Zionist in Jerusalem, the British headquarters, 100 killed.
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Aug 1 – President Truman creates Atomic Energy commission with signing of McMahon act.
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Aug 19 – Mao-Tse-Tung orders all out war against Chiang Kai-shek Nationalists Chinese.
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Sept 5 – 200,000 Longshoreman strike.
•
Sept 27 – King George II returned to Greece after 6 years of exile to find revolt in the north of Greece.
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Nov 6 – Republicans gain control of Congress after 16 years of Democratic rule.
•
Oct 15 – Hermann Goring commits suicide in prison.
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Oct 16 – Nuremburg trial orders 9 Nazis war criminals hung.
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Nov 3 – Japan adopt democratic constitution.
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Nov 15 – Netherlands recognizes Indonesia independence.
•
Dec 23 – Former Japanese premier Hideki Tojo and six Japanese war leaders executed in Tokyo.
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Nov 29 – United Mine Worker President John L Lewis indicted for contempt of court by refusing to order coal miners back to work, which is suddenly does.
•
Dec 14 – United Nations votes to Est. permanent Hdqtrs. In New York City.
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Dec 26 – Flamingo Hotel opens in Las Vegas.
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459
• Maury
1946
•
Jan 4 – Coal shortages in Maury County becomes a crisis. Local officials have requested 70 car loads of coal from the solid fuel administration to relieve the situation.
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Jan 8 – Heavy rains cause Duck River to flood to 40.6 feet, 3rd highest in recorded history.
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Jan 10 – Mr. Hugh Lee Webster, local attorney announced that the chief historical site on the Natchez Trace Parkway will be in Maury County at the John Gordon site. The original Gordon house was built in 1818 and will be reconstructed according to the original plans.
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Jan 22 – TVA reports 73,151 trees planted to date in Maury county according to County agent, R.F. Hayes.
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Jan 28 – Fire destroyed the three story Masonic building at corner of West 7th and Garden street, $500,000 loss. Lost was Gray and Allen Drug store, Ben Franklin, Cothams Jewelry store, the Columbia Business college and badly damaged W.W. Evans men’s clothing store. Also lost was Dr. C.D. Newlin, dentist; W.S. Fleming and R.D. Greenlaw attorney offices; Trinkle Shetton and J.E. Coffey, attorneys; the local Christian Science Hdqtrs.; Dennis E Grissson Watch repair, Thomas Sowell printing shop; T.E. Redman and Davis insurance agency; Eastern Star Free Masons; Cartwright Insurance and National Farm Loan Association.
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Feb 2 – Columbia Business College director, Joe Cole announced he will reopen school in the Columbia Institute.
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Feb 5 – Mrs. Andrew Dale, President of King’s Daughters hospital executive committee proposed expansion of the hospital, saying “The time is right.”
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Feb 8 – The War Assets Corporation announces that the Maury County Chemical warfare plant is for sale, property has 17 buildings on the site, cost $2 million to build in 1942.
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Feb 13 – Mr. M.C. Akin erects new building on corner of Woodland and East 7th street to house a new Chevrolet Motor company, the Butler Mill and Cheese factory are on the other two corners. This leaves only the Martin & Vaughn property on the NW corner.
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Feb 14 – 250 employees at TVA Godwin phosphate processing plant go on strike.
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Feb 21 - $4000 pledged by Columbia “colored” citizens to acquire a new lot for a new school to replace College Hill at rally held at the old school. The proposal will be presented to the board of Education to offer a new location on East End street.
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Feb 25 – Major John W Finney returned to Daily Herald after 3 year absence for service in US Marines. A veteran of world War I. He will serve as managing editor of Herald
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Feb 25 – James Stephenson, US Navy veteran and mother get into fight with furniture store owner over radio repair.
• Tennessee
•
460
• Maury
1946
•
Feb 26 – “Mink Slide” Columbia riot erupts. William Fleming, a radio repairman at a local furniture store alleged James and Gladys Stephenson, Negros attacked him. Rumors of “Lynching” quickly spread. Blacks gathered in armed groups to protect Stephenson, shots were fired at police. Sheriff J.J. Underwood deputized 67 Highway Patrolmen and 59 National Guard to gain control of area, 12 Negro’s were charged initially.
•
Feb 27 – V.K. Ryan, Negro undertaker, a discharged veteran , Commander of Global War Veterans Post called for calm.
•
Feb 28 – 30 more Negros arrested, brings total to 101 in Columbia. Four police officers wounded. Among those arrested are Julius Blair and Meade Johnson identified as alleged riot leaders by police.
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March 1 – Alleged Maury County jail break results in two Negro inmates being killed and Deputy slightly wounded. 250 National Guards arrive from Chattanooga bring total of 500 State National Guards to Columbia. (James Johnson, William Gordon and Napoleon Stewart)
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March 2 – All Negros, except 30 released on bond, including four white men.
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March 4 – Tennessee State Guards withdrawn from Columbia, Mayor Eldridge Denham declares situation back to normal. Maurice M Weaver and E. Alexander Looney “colored” attorney’s filed Writ of habeas Corpus and named the 30 Negros held in Maury County jail.
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March 6 - $5000 bonds issued for Negros held for “attempted murder” involving Columbia riot. Bonds issued by Maury County citizens: Martin Payne; E.L. Foster; Julius Blair; Sol Blair and James Martin for Jesse Partee, Tommy Lee Baxter, James Thomas Bellafont, Henry Thomas Edwards, Haston Edwards; Clarence W Brown; Hiawatha Leftrick; Webster Matthews; Robert Edwards; Charles Clifford Edwards; Charlie Smith; Lloyd Kennedy& Luther Edwards.
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March 7 – Herbert Church, auctioneer announced the sale of 120 lots on the Tip Fox and Roy Thompson property for the new sub-divisions “Green Acres” and “Dimple Court .
•
March 19 – Fire destroyed the “Lypic Theatre” and Burt Bros. furniture on South Main street, loss $80,000. Smoke damages to Hope Rebekah lodge No 57, Golden grocery and Woodbine Dry Goods store.
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March 22 – 31 Negros and 4 whites indicted by Grand jury for riot, 28 Negros charged with “attempted murder.
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March 26 – 3rd story of Masonic building razed. New roof installed over Gordon and Cotham stores. A parapet wall will be erected over the 2nd floor says Robert C Barrow in charge of construction.
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March 28 – Unauthorized strike at Hoover & Mason in Mt Pleasant enters 4th day.
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April 1 – Sheriff J.J. Underwood purchased St Dominic Catholic church property on North High street. 150 member congregation plans new church and rectory on west 7th.
• Tennessee
•
•
•
Columbia riot
April – Nashville Symphony founded by Mr. Walter Sharp. 461
• Maury
1946
•
April 8 – Maury County’s largest school budget in history passed Maury County court approval at $604,875.
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April 15 – Hoover & Mason workers return to work, unauthorized strike began March 25 over dispute with a supervisor prompted 120 men to walk out. US Conciliation agents worked on issue to resolve the problem.
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April 24 – Negro citizens purchased a new lot on College Hills East End between 8th and 9th street from Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Akin for $4800 to erect a new school.
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May 7 – Columbia Alderman vote to remain on Standard time this year, instead of daylight saving time.
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May 20 – White sportsmen of Columbia erected a granite monument over the late Will Evans grave in “colored” Rosemont cemetery. Will Evans was a prominent “Master Fisherman” and “colored guide” for many white sportsmen in the area.
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June 3 – Defense called 222 witnesses on behalf of “25 colored men indicted for attempted murder” of four police officers wounded in Columbia riot by Chattanooga white attorney, Maurice Weaver.
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June 3 – Vanderbilt University to honor Elijah H Ayers Jr. of Maury County who lost his life in service to his country .
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June 4 – The Columbia Mill and Elevator will close indefinitely because of the lack of wheat, wheat shortages everywhere.
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June 6 – White attorney, Maurice Weaver from Chattanooga charges race segregation in Columbia is “vicious”. The NAACP charged segregation extends to jury selection in Columbia. Weaver formally with CIO union, charged Negro jury members by law might be required to spend the night together and eat together in many cases and that’s why Negros are barred from juries in Columbia, Pros. Paul E Bumpus rejects call for placing Negros on Columbia riot jury.
•
June 13 – Columbia's “colored hospital” report showed a need for surgical nurse. The report by manager A.J. Armstrong says previously employed surgical nurse left during war and he has been unable to secure new one. The report shows $3000 in expenses and $852 cash on hand. $2900 in total income and $1236 collected from patients.
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June 27 – US Army lists 82 Maury Countians killed or missing in World War II. The navy, marine and coast Guard list is still being prepared. Mrs. John T Wooten, Gold Star mother has completed her list of 144 names of Maury Countians killed in all branches of services.
•
July 1 – Shapard Lumber chartered by Van Shapard and Calvin Kibbons on Cemetery ave.
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July 2 – 14 sub-divisions opened around Columbia including Suburban Acres on Santa Fe pike, Sunset Park, Green Acres, East Valley, Forrest Hills, Columbia heights, Riverside heights, Graymere Park, Oakes Highland Heights, Cherokee Park and Frierson’s.
• Tennessee
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•
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William Evans monument in Rosemont cemetery
July 1 – Dortch Stove Works workers strike.
462
• Maury
1946
•
July 11 – Davis Hayes, local bus operator in Columbia purchased the H.W. Meador bus line connecting Columbia and Santa Fe, will schedule three runs per day.
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July 18 – Columbia erupts with gunfire as the first inside the city pigeon hunt since 1939 occurred. The hunt brought down 200 birds seen as “public nuisance.”
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Aug 2 – Lewis J Scott, Negro attorney formally of Columbia but now of Savannah, Georgia filed petition asking court to dismiss all charges against riot defendants because state lacks evidence.
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Aug 13 – More than 4600 Maury Countians served in Armed Services in world war II, 1417 served in WWI. 3800 have received discharges.
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Aug 15 – Maury County’s first “V-J Victory day celebrated, over 10,000 watch parade led by battalion of 82nd Airborne division. Colonel Frank Allen Jr., led by seven women veterans and CHS band followed by soldiers, sailors, marines and coast guard veterans.
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Aug 16 – Armed services reports 150 Maury Countians killed in World War II.
•
Sept 16 – All white jury selected in Columbia race riot trial in Lawrenceburg, 25 Negro’s accused of attempted murder.
•
Oct 2 – State drops attempted murder charges against 22 blacks in Columbia riot and continues charges against three: Meade Johnson, Sol Blair and James “Popeye” Ballanfant.
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Oct 5 – Two whites found guilty of attempted murder, Robert Gentry 24, and John McGiven 26, arrested on Hampshire Pike one hour after four Columbia policeman shot in Mink Slide riot area. Attorney Alexander Looby of Nashville asks for trial.
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Oct 10 – Monsanto opens new mining operation at Dark’s Mill.
•
Oct 21 – Fire destroyed four buildings in Spring Hill. The Kormann Dry Goods store, Thomas Kinnard warehouse and two buildings owned by Mayor J.P. Odell, loss $15,000.
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Nov 8 – 220 Jersey cows shipped from Maury County to China says farmer, Nile Yearwood, to aid nation in relief.
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Nov 15 – William A Pillow and Lloyd Kennedy charged for attempted murder in Lawrence Country for Columbia riot.
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Nov 19- William A “Rooster” Pillow found guilty of Assault with intent to murder state patrolman Ray Austin in riot.
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Nov 25 – Radio station WKRM 1340 goes on air, Charles W Brown chief announcer, operated 7 days week 6AM to 11 PM says manager R.M. McKay.
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Dec 12 – Maury County teacher’s pay raised $15 per month by Board of Education.
• Tennessee
•
Aug 1 – “Battle of Athens” fought in McMinn County, Tn. When veterans took up arms to prevent Memphis political local officials from stealing ballots.
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Sept 10 – Acuff-Rose signed song writer hank Williams.
•
Nov 22 – Nations first teacher’s strike occurs in Warren County, Tn. As 133 teachers in McMinnville went on strike over $20 month raise.
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Dec 10 – Nashville Civic Music Association charter founded.
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Dec 10 – Nashville Symphony performs first concert. 463
• United States
1947
•
Jan 3 – Proceedings of US Congress televised for first time.
•
• World •
Jan 1 – French troops put down revolt in Cambodia.
Jan 21 – George Marshall named Secretary of State.
•
Jan 19 – French break off talks with Ho Chi Minh and open military drive on Hue in Viet Nam.
•
Feb 17 – Voice of America begins broadcasting into USSR.
•
Jan 31 – Commumists take power in Poland.
• •
March 25 – John D Rockefeller Jr. donates land on East River in New York City to build United Nations building.
Feb 10 – European countries sign Treaty in Paris to officially end World War II.
•
April 1 – King George II of Greece died, 57.
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June 10 – Saab produces first automobile in Sweden.
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July 10 – Princess Elizabeth announces her engagement to Philip Mountbatten.
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July 18 – British refuse to allow Jews on ship “Exodus” into Palestine and keep them confined aboard in Haifa harbor.
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July 23 – Dead sea scrolls found in cave near Qumran.
•
July 31 – The Dutch launched a drive into Sumatra, Indonesia to regain control after Japanese granted them independence at end of WWII.
•
Aug 7 – Thor Heyerdahl lands his Balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki, after 101 days and 4300 mile journey across pacific to prove pre-historic people could travel to South America.
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Aug 14 – British give up 200 years of rule in India and Pakistan.
•
Aug 31 – Communists take power in Hungary.
•
Sept 8 – 150,000 people killed in Punjab province between India and Pakistan as Hindus and Moslems battle for area.
•
•
•
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March 25 – Coal mine explosion in Centralia, Illinois kills 111 miners. April 14 – Two Negros and two white men arrested in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for protesting a bus drivers order for Negro University of North Carolina student, Ray Sylvester, was stoned and Hilton Seales beaten after being released from jail. April 15 – Jackie Robinson becomes first African-American professional baseball player.
April 16 – A ammonium nitrate Monsanto cargo ship explodes in Texas City, Texas, 552 dead, 3000 injured, 200 missing, 20 city blocks destroyed.
•
June 23 – Congress votes to override President Truman’s veto of Taft-Hartly labor bill.
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July 18 – President Truman signs Presidential succession act, places Speaker of the House and Senate Pro-Tempore next in line for presidency after Vice-president.
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July 26 – President Truman signs the National Security act, creates Department of Defense, National Security council, Joint Chief of Staff office and CIA, James Forrestal becomes first Sec. of Defense.
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Oct – Mikal Kalashnikov designs AK-47 assault rifle.
•
Sept 1 – The American Legion begins campaign to drive communists and Communist Party out of US.
•
Oct 20 – India-Pakistan War erupts.
•
Sept 18 – US Air Force created.
•
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Oct 4 – Raytheon Corp. produces first commercial Microwave oven.
Oct 30 – The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) signed by members of World Trade organization, including US.
• •
Oct 14 – Chuck Yeager, breaks sound barrier in Bell X-1 jet .
Nov 20 – Princess Elizabeth married the Duke of Edinburgh at West Minister Abbey, her cousin.
•
Nov 2 – Howard Hughes, aviator millionaire, fly's Giant “Spruce Goose”, largest airplane ever built.
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Nov 25 – New Zealand becomes independent from British rule.
•
Nov 24 – US Congress votes Contempt of Congress against Hollywood 10 after refusing to co-operate with house UnAmerican activities committee headed by Senator McCarthy.
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Nov 29 – United Nations votes to partition Palestine between Arabs and Jews.
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Dec 30 – King Michael of Romania forced to abdicate by communists, Romania declared a Republic.
•
Dec 22 – First practical transistor demonstrated. •
464
• Maury
1947
•
Jan 9 – Monsanto announces it will add a $1.2 million new furnace to its Columbia plant.
•
Jan 11 – The Sylvan 3 room school burned, arson suspected. The school was 4 miles north of Santa Fe, loss $8000.
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Jan 13 – Maury County Teacher’s Association unanimously endorsed Governor Jim McCord’s proposed 2 percent state sales tax and education program. The Governor’s program calls for starting teacher’s salary at $170 per month with a bachelor’s degree and $3 per month for each year of service as a teacher, funded by the 2 percent sales tax.
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Jan 13 – The Maury County Court approved $192,976 to remodel the court house and build a jail on top of the court house.
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Jan 17 – “Rattle & Snap” is depicted in the Gifford A Cochran new book entitled “Gandeur in Tennessee” which shows Middle Tennessee old mansions in 113 pages of pictures and 19 pages of text.
•
Feb 7 – City of Columbia approved a proposal by the Maury County Memorial Association to swap the Associations property on south Garden street in exchange for the old Post office on West 7th street and agreed to contribute $50,000 to build a auditorium on the rear. Maury County must also approve proposal.
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Feb 8 – According to the FSA office, Maury County’s average income per family was $3909 per year in 1946, 42 percent of the County’s income came from Milk and Milk products say Miss Estha Cole and Robert E Ikard, Farm Services Association supervisor.
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Feb 20 – Monsanto to spend $2 million to expand operation, will add 100 employees.
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March 18 – Maury County School Superintendent, J.R. Baker signed warrants for $872 to purchase 41 surplus Naval Center buildings in Nashville. The buildings to be moved to Maury County to be used as class rooms. One 60 X 110 building will be used as a Whitthorne auditorium-gym.
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March 26 – Columbia announced it will build a baseball diamond for younger players on south side of Riverside Drive, opposite the park. The Tennessee Knitting Mill will build it.
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March 30 – Oil leases in Hampshire area are being signed. A California company is issuing 10 year leases.
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April 2 – Mrs. Martha Napier Bryant 18, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Napier selected as Columbia’s Mule Queen at Princess Theatre to over flow crowd.
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April 2 – Morgan Bros. Electric Corp. founded by Jack and Hal Morgan.
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April 7 – 40,000 watch Mule day parade after 5 year lapse.
• Tennessee •
Jan 2 – Ice storm hits southern Middle Tennessee area, telephone and power lines down in Maury county.
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Jan 7 – The National Walking Horse Celebration of Shelbyville purchased 50 acres of land for $10,000 according to Glbert M Orr. The 50 acres is part of the burke property and lies on the highway.
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Jan 25 – Tennessee legislature passes 2 percent sales tax.
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Feb 18 – Tennessee state Senate passed Anti-union bill to outlaw closed shops in Tennessee.
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465
• Maury •
1947
April 14 – Maury County Court approves Memorial Building Association proposal and agrees to match $50,000 put in by Columbia for Post Office swap.
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April 17 - Federal Communications Commission approves Columbia to install radio’s in police cars and erect a tower.
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May 12 – Fire of unknown origin burns 9 room house of Mrs. W.W. Bass in Riverside, $40,000 loss.
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May 16 – First Maury County police radio installed in Sheriff Flo Flemings car, main transmitter tower installed at jail.
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May 19 – Rural power lines are being extended west of Spring Hill and north of Santa Fe by Middle Tennessee Electric Co-Op.
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May 19 – The Columbia Lions Club air show thrilled over 5000 at the Mt Pleasant airport.
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May 20 – The Columbia Girl Scout Council accepted the donation of a Girl Scout cabin and 12 acres of land from the Monsanto Chemical company. The cabin is new 3 room structure on the Duck river.
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June 5 – The Maury County Grand jury recommended the abandonment of the Poor Farm and erection of a more suitable building near Columbia to care for needy. The Poor farm has 5 white and 7 Negro inmates on Mooresville pike.
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June 7 –The Oakes Chair Company on Depot street plans to double the output, says Mr. A.F. Oakes, President of the company. The Chair company has been operating in the old 4 story city Mill and grain building.
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June 28 – Sheriff Flo Fleming says he will erect a new radio tower to replace the 148 foot tower on top of the Court house that toppled in the recent wind storm and hit Dr. C.D. George’s house across the street.
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June 30 – Judge W.C. Whitthorne Jr., announced he will retire after 29 years service, 81. His father, W.C. Whitthorne Sr. was US Senator from Tennessee, leader of the Democratic party and one of the founders of the Maury County Historical Society.
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July 1 – Society: Miss Betty Ann Hardison won the WKRM beauty and talent contest at the Princess Theatre with her rendition of “Sooner or Later”. Miss Hardison received a 4 day trip to Miami and Havana, Cuba by airplane with her companion Miss Mary Hill McKay. She is a graduate of Columbia High school.
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July 11 – The city of Columbia takes delivery of its first modern garbage truck. The new truck has a steel compression gate at the rear operated hydraulically to compress garbage.
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July 15 – The “Colored Fair Association” officers, J.H. Frierson, President; W.R. Price, Vice-President; Allie Crowe, Treasurer and Mayes Lee as Chaplin announced the “Colored Fair” for Sept 19-20.
• Tennessee •
•
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April 16 – The last Tennessee Confederate in the state died in Lebanon. James Lemuel Barry member of company F, 4th Tennessee at age 16, 100 years old when he died.
Maury County Court house late 1940’s
466
• Maury
1947
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July 21 – Joseph M Dedman, former Mayor of Columbia for 11 years and Postmaster died, 79. He came to Columbia in 1891 when he purchased the Bethel Hotel.
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July 28 – Mr. Hugh Lee Webster appointed Maury County Judge by Governor McCord to succeed Judge Whitthorne.
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Aug 2 – New Telephone directory shows 6331 telephones in Maury County, 1014 in Mt Pleasant, 226 in spring Hill and 186 in Culleoka.
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Aug 7 – The VFW will hold a “Victory Medal” ceremony at Pillow Park says Commander, J.C. “Skinny” Caldwell. All war veterans who served in war are eligible to receive Medal.
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Aug 16 – The first horse show in Theta draws 1500 people, sponsored by PTA, all proceeds go to theta school.
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Aug 30 – More than 200 people attended the annual Home Demonstration club picnic to honor Dr. and Mrs. J.S. Covey for his 55 years of service to the community. Dr. Covey has delivered more than 2000 Maury Countian babies. He was born and raised in Culleoka, went to Vanderbilt, graduated in 1892 and returned immediately to Maury County to practice medicine here.
• •
• Tennessee
Aug 30 – The Farm Bureau has purchased the home of Mr. Will H Pigg at 605 West 6th street in Columbia for $16,000. The three rooms down stairs will be remodeled as offices and lounge for its 1500 members. The first home for our Farm bureau family says president, F.M. Murphy.
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Aug 30 – Over 400 people gathered to honor Dr. R.S. Perry of Bigbyville for his 53 years service to the community. Dr. Perry began practicing medicine in Bigbyville in 1894.
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Aug 31 – The Maury County board of Education voted to construct a new school on East End street between 8th and 9th streets for a new “colored school” to replace College Hill High school, about 30 people protested the new school.
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Sept 2 – Over 1500 attended the first Mt Pleasant labor day picnic at the city owned Wheeler farm and airport. The event sponsored by the AFL and CIO unions at the local phosphate plants.
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Sept 3 – Maury County’s first Negro assigned Home agent, Carolyn Edwards, a graduate of Home Economics from Tennessee A & I in Nashville. She will be assigned to Negro Homes and assist Maury County Negro agent for farmers, George Newburn at his office at South Main and 8th street.
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Sept 6 – National Carbon, a subsidiary of Union Carbide purchased the Govt. owned plant for 1.6 million from the National War Assets Administration.
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Sept 10 – Bordens Company announced it will build a new plant on property facing Cemetery ave. and Woodland, extending to the Frierson property.
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Sept 10 – Victor Chemical company plans a $1 million expansion and will add 100 employees in Mt Pleasant.
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Sept 8 – Tennessee state officials submitted hospital plans for $40 million to Washington DC for approval. The proposal would use matching local funds to Federal funds on a 2 to 1 basis to build hospitals within 25 miles of every Tennessean. The state plan divides Tennessee into 23 regions where hospitals would be built, Columbia is one of 23 locations.
467
• Maury
1947
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Sept 15 – The State of Tennessee proposes a new bridge over the Duck River for the Jackson Highway (US31). It would leave the present Jackson Highway at the W.J. Ellis home, pass through the Eldridge Denham property and Curtis Lintz property (old Rosewood Stock farm). It would reach the river just below Greenwood cemetery and enter Columbia on Garden street, passing through the Frank Nicholson property, now the Central Lime and Cement company property.
•
Sept 18 – Mr. James A Dowling opened a new Chevrolet store on East 7th street and Woodlawn. The new 16,000 square foot building with partial basement will have a parts department, large glass front office and 25 employees. Mr. Dowling came from Knoxville in 1945 to Est. a dealership after 14 years with Chevrolet Motor division of GM.
•
Sept 27 – The game of the Century between the undefeated Columbia Lions and Lewisburg team who won 14-7 before 5000 plus frantic spectator's who jammed every nook and cranny of Pillow park. Fariss Harmon getting the first score, Jim Burcham catching a Wedall Harmon pass and plunging for the goal to score the winning touchdown with one minute to play.
•
Oct 13 – Maury County Court accepts the state plan for the Garden street bridge, 23-0. the plan calls for a 93 foot right of way to connect Garden street to the Pulaski pike at 13th street.
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Oct 20 – NAACP appeals Lloyd (Papa Lloyd) Kennedy case to US Supreme court. The only Negro convicted in the Columbia race riot out of the 30 charged, all other cases dismissed. Kennedy, who has been in jail since Nov, 1946 released on $5000 bond.
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Oct 24 – Pvt. Meredith S King Jr., killed in action in Holland Nov 2, 1944 will be the first Maury Countian returned home. He is son of Mr. & Mrs. Meredith S king of Columbia.
•
Nov 4 – “Billy Direct” , World’s fastest pacer with 1:55 mile died at Spring Hill, 13.
•
Nov 15 – Society: Mrs. William E Griffin announced the engagement of their daughter, Nancy Ruth to Virgil H Moore Jr., son of Mr. & Mrs. Virgil H Moore Sr. Miss Griffin is a talented singer and musician, graduated from Central High school and Maury County Business college and employed at Southern Bell. Mr. Moore is the salutatorian of his Columbia High school graduation class and attended Tulane University. During the war he served 3 years in the Navy and is now a student at the University of Tennessee.
•
Dec 1 – Haynes Haven horse farm quitting horse show business says manager and part owner, Robert l Lancaster. Historic farm is birthplace of Walter Direct and Hal line champions. “Haynes Peacock” lived here and 9 year old “Greater Glory” Tennessee Walking horse will be retained on the farm.
•
Dec 22 – The lease for the Bethel Hotel purchased by C.W. Lampkin, President of Lampkin Hotel company of Bowling Green, lease includes Gift shop, Sullivan Flower shop, Cothams Jewelry, Vanity Shoppe and Bethel Grill and garage.
• Tennessee
•
Oct – Tennessee General Assembly adopts Yellow Tulip Poplar tree as state tree.
•
Nov 6 – First Negro President of Fisk University inaugurated, Dr. Charles Spurgeon.
•
468
• United States
1948
•
Jan 11 – President Truman proposes Est. Community Colleges across US.
•
Jan 12 – US Supreme Court orders state of Oklahoma to admit Negro’s to University of Oklahoma.
•
Jan 30 – Orville Wright, aviator pioneer died, 77.
•
Feb 2 – President Truman asks Congress to pass AntiLynching law and Est. a Federal Commission on Human rights to end “Jim Crow” practices.
• World •
Jan 1 – British nationalizes British railroads.
•
Jan 1 – Arabs seize old city of Jerusalem Jewish sector.
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Jan 16 – Haifa is scene of heavy fighting in Palestine between Arabs and Jews.
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Jan 30 – Mahatma Gandhi assassinated by Hindu , 79.
•
Feb 4 – Ceylon (Sri Lanka) wins independence from British.
•
Feb 24 – Communists seize power in Czechoslovakia.
•
March 16 – Five European country’s form military alliance against Russian aggression, Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
•
April 3 – President Truman signs Marshall plan, $5 Billion for 16 countries.
•
May 3 – Tennessee Williams wins Pulitzer prize for “Street car named Desire.”
•
May 10 – President Truman signs order for Federal Govt. to take over Railroads to head off nation wide rail strike.
•
April 1 – Russia blocks Berlin rail traffic, American air lift begins.
•
May 26 – Congress creates Civil Air Patrol.
•
April 7 – United Nations creates World Health Organization.
•
June 3 – World’s largest telescope with 200 inch mirror dedicated at Mount Palomar, Calif.
•
April 19 – “Deir Yassin Massacre” occurs near Jerusalem to break siege when Jewish terrorists kill 120 elderly, women and children Arabs.
•
July 8 – US Supreme Court rules religious teaching in public schools Unconstitional.
•
April 30 – Organization of American States created.
•
July 15 – Harry S Truman nominated by Democratic convention, in spite of opposition from “Dixie Democrats.”
•
May 14 – British withdraw troops from Palestine, new Jewish state of Israel created.
•
July 15 – General John J Pershing “Black Jack” died, 87.
•
May 15 – Egypt, Transjordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia attack new state of Israel to begin war.
•
July 19 – “Dixiecrats” spit from Democratic party and nominate Governor J. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina as President and Fielding Wright as Vice-President.
•
June 24 – Russians and East Germans implement full Berlin blockade.
•
July 26 – President Truman signs Executive order #9981 to end discrimination and segregation of US Armed Services.
•
July 4 – Tito, Yugoslavia leader breaks away from Russia.
•
July 5 – British adopt National Health care.
•
Aug 12 – US recognizes South Korean Govt.
•
July 29 – XIV Olympiad summer games begin in London.
•
Aug 16 – Babe Ruth died, 53.
•
Sept 9 – North Korea’s Kim Il Sung proclaims independence and a Republic.
•
Nov 12 – General Tojo and 6 other Japanese war leaders hanged by international War Crime Tribunal.
•
Dec 15 – Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip christened their new son, Charles of Edinburgh with water from river Jordan.
•
Sept 3 – House Un-American Activities Committee hears testimony that Alger Hiss, a former State Department official is passing state secrets to Russia.
•
Nov 2 – Harry S Truman elected President over Thomas Dewey.
•
Dec 16 – President Roosevelt’s former aid, Alger Hiss indicted for treason and spying.
•
Dec 28 – Egyptian Premier, Mahmud Pasha assassinated by Nationalist, members of Moslem Brotherhood.
•
Dec 30 – Dr. Alfred & Clara Kinsey shock America with sex survey report.
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Dec 29 – Israeli troops invade Egypt.
•
469
• Maury
1948
•
Jan 2 – Five Maury Countians from Columbia Business College join the FBI. They were George Renfro of Mt Pleasant; Larry Harris of Columbia, Miss Clare Tolley; Miss Martha Brock of Mt Pleasant and Ralph Denton of Culleoka.
•
Jan 13 – Three men with machine guns robbed the patrons of the Dimple Hotel in Columbia of $12,000, including guests and owner operator, Joe White.
•
Jan 17/22 –Maury County hit with second snow storm and a additional 9 inches on top of the 6 inches from the 17th. It is the heaviest snow fall in past 19 years, temperatures dropped to 8 below.
•
Jan 29 – Over 1000 tourists stranded between Pulaski, Columbia and Franklin due to severe weather conditions. Highway 31 remains impassible. There is an urgent need for rooms as “Yankee Tourist invasion” needs help. Already 100 homes in Maury County are putting people up.
•
Jan 31 – The Columbia Herald, publishers of the Daily Herald, announced they purchased the “Maury Democrat”, a long standing weekly newspaper.
•
Feb 13/16 – Duck River floods, highest since 1901, hundreds homeless at river reaches 53 feet record. Water purification units enroute to Columbia as power and water are out. Five bridges over Duck River and other streams swept away. Iron bridge road bridge lost, 6 inches rain in 24 hours.
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Feb 16 – Fluorine gas from Maury County chemical plants said to be damaging crops and cattle. Middle Tennessee Experimental Station is studying the problem.
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Feb 20 – Maury County war hero, Lieut. Luther B. Stockard of Columbia, fighter pilot who battled Japanese in the Aleutians has published an adventure of his exploits in the book “Silverwings”. The Air force human interest book on air hero’s.
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March 5 – TVA announces plans to control Fluorine gas, released into the air in Maury County.
•
March 9 – US Supreme Court refuses to hear the Columbia race riot case of Lloyd “Papa Lloyd” Kennedy. The only member convicted of “attempted murder” of the group of 30 charged. Appeal involved no negro on the jury and a violation of his civil rights.
•
March 16 - Columbia‘s first business directory in 10 years is printed. The 400 page book shows 14,655 people in and around Columbia.
•
March 24 – The body of John Harlan Willis returned to US from Iwo Jima, winner of Congressional Medal of Honor. He arrived in San Francisco and is enroute to Columbia.
• Tennessee
•
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March 15 – TVA begins construction on Center Hill dam on Caney Fork River.
470
• Maury
1948
•
March 24 – Lyman T Johnson, a Negro born and educated in Columbia has applied to enter the University of Kentucky at Lexington. Johnson is the son of the former College Hill High School Principal. He has been a school teacher at Louisville schools for 14 years.
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March 27 – Tornado sweeps Maury County, 9 hurt and $1 million in damages. The Monsanto plant suffered $500,000 in damages, Knob creek area the hardest hit.
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April 1 – Miss Alice Foster 17, was selected as Mule Day queen, She is a student at Columbia high school.
•
April 5 – 40,000 see the Mule Day parade. The parade will be broadcast over TV for the first time. Separate filming being done by the newsreel companies.
•
April 9 – Major James F Frakes, graduated from Jet training at the Air force training school in Arizona. Major Frakes served in European operations 17 months, flew 56 missions and is a graduate of Columbia High School.
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April 10 – The final rites of John Harlin Willis conducted at West 7th street Church of Christ, buried at Rose Hill cemetery.
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April 12 – Maury County Democrats unanimously opposed President Truman’s Civil Rights 10 point program. A resolution was sent to the state convention to oppose civil rights.
•
April 12 – “Singer Boy” won the top honors in the National Coon dog trails held in Maury county. Singer Boy is owned by Stu Planck of Columbia.
•
May 1 – Columbia Central High band has won the “Superior” award at state competition for marching and concert under direction of Director, Tom Hewgley. Don Irwin won twirling competition.
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May 3 – Maury County’s 2nd tornado hit Glendale and Mooresville and damaged several barns and a store. The Hopewell Methodist Negro church and LK Park store destroyed.
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May 5 – The American Legion post #19 and VFW WillisFleming Post of veterans will jointly provide a monument for the grave of John Harlan Willis.
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May 14 – The new Columbia bridge bid is $769,682 with 690 feet long and 56 foot roadway with six foot sidewalks. Low bid was C.A. Thompson of Centerville. The main span will be 100 feet with two 81 foot adjacent spans and approach
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May 17 – Construction of the 1st Baptist Church on West 8th street and South High began. The church to have a 900 seat auditorium and Sunday school room in the basement. Cost $141,572. Chairman of the building committee is Mr. John D Wagster. Upon completion carillon bells will be installed in memory of the late James Kerley, Rev. James F Braver pastor.
• Tennessee
•
•
Lyman T. Johnson
471
• Maury
1948
•
May 20 – Over 300 Negro farmers and their families attended the 18th annual Middle Tennessee Farmers Institute in Columbia at the Middle Tennessee Experimental station.
•
May 29 – The Monsanto Maulers announced the signing of Billy Joe Adcock, the Vanderbilt University star pitcher and one of the nations top basketball players. Monsanto also signed Joe Webb. The Maulers will clash today with the Shyers of Nashville at Pillow park.
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May 31 – 87 year old Albert Wright, long identified as a Negro who worked to uplift his race died. He worked at the L & N railroad for 20 years and worked for Lazarus Bros. wholesale grocery before entering the restaurant business on east 8th street where he operated for 30 years. He was a trustee and treasurer of the “colored hospital” for 20 years.
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June 1 – Maury County’s first trade school opens. Superintendent J Rufus Baker said training will be 36 week periods and one white and one “colored” school will operate, Mr. Howard Brown local builder will supervise both schools. Randolph Howell, Negro building trade teacher will be in charge of the “colored” school in College Hill.
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June 4 – Southern Bell plans to erect a huge phone exchange building on South High street.
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June 17 – Pillow Park will get a 4000 seat grandstand and 200 boxes for the Kiwanis horse show.
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June 21 – 5000 see the Maury County Air show, sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club. Low level aerobatics, dog fights, formation flying and parachute jumps thrilled the crowd.
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June 22 – The University of Kentucky refused to allow Lyman T Johnson to enter the school. Johnson filed suit and charge the university violated the 14th amendment. He is the son of J.W. Johnson, principle of College hill high school.
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June 24 – Wrestling at the Armory came to a halt following an abrupt riot involving fans and wrestler Big Bob Godfrey of Detroit who struck a fan Joe Wilson of Columbia. Matchmaker Nick Gulas charged that Wilson burned the wrestler with a cigarette. The wrestler had three teeth loosened, fans threw chairs & began swinging.
•
July 1 – A National survey shows the average family income in Columbia is $3570 per year versus the state average of $3274.
•
July 7 – Judge W.C. Whitthorne Jr. died, 82. Born in Columbia in 1866, son of US Senator W.C. and Jane Campbell Whitthorne, served as County judge for 30 years.
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July 8 – The Tennessee Knitting Mill installed a huge air conditioner to cool the entire factory. Glass windows are being replaced with brick and smaller ones installed to see outside says superintendent, Frank Cover.
•
July 17 – Tennessee Senator Tom Stewart speaking in Columbia pledged an all out fight against Truman’s Civil rights and called candidate Estes Kefauver “Red”.
• Tennessee
•
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Monsanto Maulers
Old Columbia Armory today
472
• Maury •
1948
July 17 – Experts report Columbia has one of the most active and progressive recreation programs in the south. The city program launched 2 years ago has daily operations in six athletic centers with hundreds of white and “colored youths participating in softball, tennis, volley ball, crafts, concerts.
• Tennessee •
Aug 4 – Tennessee US Senator Tom Stewart (D) joins filibuster to stop Truman’s Civil rights legislation bill to ban Poll taxes.
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Aug 7 – Congressman Estes Kefauver win primary elections. Memphis political Boss Crump 20 year rule ends. Governor Jim McCord defeated.
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Aug 30 – The mercury hit 101 in Maury county as heat wave across US kills 210 people.
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Aug 31 – The bodies of three Maury Countians arrived from WWII in Columbia, Tech 5, Will Nall Jr. 23, PFC William Carlton 21, and PFC Homer Compton 23.
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Aug 25 – The Tennessee American Legion passed a resolution calling for the naming of the Highway 31 bridge at Columbia the John Harlan Willis bridge.
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Sept 13 – Roy Acuff, Republican candidate for Governor and B Carroll Reese spoke to 8000 at the rally in Pillow Park
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Oct 1 – Over 800 people attended the open house at the new unnamed “colored school” on East End street. The “Adam Hat” was given to Emma Evans, the oldest graduating member of the class of 1899 at College Hill.
Sept 17 – Some 4000 attended an organized convention in Somerville, Tn . to form the Tennessee States Rights party and vowed to “return the Democratic party to the Democrats.” The 12 electors chosen pledged their support to Governor J Strom Thurman and Fielding Wright as Presidential and Vice-President.
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Oct 3 – The Daily Herald celebrated 100th year and Centennial edition.
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Oct 28 – Monsanto will install new “scrubbers” at the plant to remove Fluorine gases from escaping, cost $1 million.
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Nov 9 – Fire destroyed the Columbia Canning Factory. The two story building is a total loss, $25,000 loss says owner Pat Baker, building erected in 1905.
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Nov 29 – The College Hill High school “Bulldogs” accepted a bid to play the Memphis “Blues bowl” says coach, H.O. Porter. College Hill’s football team was 9-0-1 this year. The Bulldogs won the 4th district championship for the 4th time in 9 years. They will play the “Manassas high school”
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Nov 30 – The new Sunday school addition to the Garden Street Presbyterian church was dedicated. The church was originally called the first Cumberland church and founded by Joseph Brown, James Porter, J.B. Campbell and J.N. Edmonson.
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Nov 30 – Society: Mrs. Grace W Hope, the former Miss Lydia Mae Lovett of Columbia was one of 24 people nation wide to win a new 1949 Ford in the Super suds (ColgatePalmolive) slogan contest.
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Dec 2 – The College Hill Bulldogs were beaten by Manassas High school 26-6 in the “Blues Bowl” with over 7000 fans packed into the Melrose stadium in Memphis.
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Dec 7 – A captured Japanese submarine and other war equipment is on display at the court house. The Jap sub known as the “Water dragon” is 20 feet long and powered by batteries with a range of 200 miles. Its operated by one man suicide pilot. •
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Dec 8 – Williams Funeral Home in Mt Pleasant announced it has moved into the former home of Mr. Charles Jackson on Pleasant Street. The three story residence has been converted into a funeral home.
Dec 11 – Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that freedom of religion does not mean that people can handle poisonous snakes during church services and upheld the conviction of 10 members of the “Holiness church in Chattanooga for violating the 1947 state prohibiting such actions. 473
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• United States
1949
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Jan 2 – Puerto Rico inaugurates its first elected Governor, Luis Munoz Marin.
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• World •
Jan 21 – Chiang-kai-Shek, resigned as President of China, Communist Chinese reject cease fire, gain control of Peking.
Jan 3 – US Supreme Court uphold the Taft-Hartley labor law and rules States can ban “closed shops.”
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Jan 25 – David Ben Gurion elected first Prime Minister of Israel.
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Jan 10 – RCA introduces 45 RPM records.
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Feb 24 – Israel and Egypt sign Armistice.
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Jan 17 – The first Volkswagen Beetle arrives in US.
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March 31 – Former British colony, New foundland, joins Canadian confederation as 10th province.
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Jan 20 – Harry S Truman inaugurated as President of US. •
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Jan 28 – United Nations $24 million building in New York City completed.
April 1 - Erie leaves British Commonwealth and becomes the Republic of Ireland.
• •
Feb 18 – US delivered 1 million ton of supplies to Berlin after 8 months of blockade.
April 4 – North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) founded with 12 nations signing treaty to face Russian aggression.
• •
Feb 24 – US launches German V-2 rocket into space, altitude of 244 miles at White Sands, New Mexico.
April 29 – 1 million Chinese troops cross the Yangtze River under orders from Mao-Tse-Tung to “liberate” all Chinese.
• •
March 1 – Joe Lewis retired from boxing.
May 10 – Soviets lift Berlin blockade, American sector gets electricity, over 277,000 air lift flights conducted by US.
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March 31 – US Federal District court rules Kentucky must admit Lyman T Johnson to University of Kentucky.
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May 11 – Siam changes name to Thailand.
• •
April 20 – Edward C Kendall of Mayo foundation announced discovery of “Cortison” for treatment of Arthritis.
May 23 – Federal Republic of Germany declares Bonn the Capital.
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June 2 – Transjordan re-named Kingdom of Jordon.
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May 31 – Alger Hiss first treason trial ends in hung jury. •
June 29 – “Apartheid” begins in South Africa .
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July 19 – Laos proclaims independence from France.
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July 27 – World’s first jet airliner, the De Havilland “Comet” makes first flight.
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Aug 8 – Vatican announces bones of Saint Peter, the Apostle found below St Peter’s Balilica.
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June 8 – George Orwell publishes book “1984”.
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June 19 – NASCAR’s first race held in Rockingham, North Carolina.
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June 29 – Last of US troops withdraw from South Korea.
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Aug 16 – Margret Mitchell, author of “Gone with the Wind” killed after being struck by a car in Atlanta. •
Aug 14 – Military Coup ousts Syrian president.
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Aug 28 – Last six Confederates meet in Indianapolis for last time.
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Aug 29 – USSR tests its first Atomic bomb.
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Oct 25 – Coal strike leads to National shortages.
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Sept 15 – Konrad Adenauer becomes West German Chancellor.
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Oct 26 – Minimum wage raised from 40 cents to 75 cents per hour.
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Oct 1 – Communist’s People’s Republic of China founded.
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Oct 12 – Communist East German Government Est.
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Nov 24 – Britain Nationalizes Steel and Iron industry.
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Dec 8 – Chinese Nationalists Government moves from Chinese mainland to Formosa.
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Dec 27 – Queen Juliana of Netherlands grants independence to Indonesia.
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Nov 8 – Two Steel companies sign contract to end 39 day strike and pensions for 83,000 workers for first time.
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Nov 28 – “Bojangles” or Bill Robinson, King of tap dancing died, 70.
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Dec 1 – John L Lewis, President of United Mine Workers Union orders miners to work only three days per week.
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• Maury
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Jan 3 – Mr. W.P. Ridley, Maury County civic leader and farmer was chosen “Man of the Year” by the Progressive Farmer magazine. Mr. Ridley, his daughter and Son-in-Law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jewel and their daughter, Eva James live at their ancestral home, “Cliffton Place” on Mt Pleasant pike.
•
Jan 5 – A Polk home gift of $3000 was received from Mr. Herman D Ruhm Jr. of New York in honor of his mother, the late Mrs. Margret Ingram Ruhm of Columbia. Mrs. Ruhm lived in the house next to the Polk ancestral home and was a member of the Polk Association. The house next door was built by Samuel Polk, father of the President and was a gift to his daughter, Ophelia on her wedding day to Dr. Hayes, built in 1813.
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Jan 11 – Columbia’s Chief of Police, J Walter Griffin, reports 1723 arrests in 1948 in Columbia. Liquor involved in nearly half of them as 679 arrests for drunkenness occurred, 111 arrests for drunk driving, 864 for liquor possession and 74 liquor in General violations, Gambling 155, assaults 78, burglary 39, 17 auto thief, 4 murders and 1 rape. Of the 1723 arrests, 480 were Negros.
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Jan 12 – King’s Daughters Hospital reports 2463 patients admitted, 405 Emergencies, 677 operations, 149 charity patients in 1948 says Superintendent, Mrs. Elizabeth Woolson.
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Jan 12 – Columbia Motors announced it has the new 1949 Hudson with weather control heater, triple safe brakes, chrome motor block, duel carburetors, fluid cushion clutch as standard equipment for $2451.
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Jan 14 – The Fair Store on the square Ad: Wash dresses sizes 10-44 with buttons and lace trim=$1.98; Famous name sheets = $2.19; Men’s Suede shirts=$1.79; Men’s shoes=$6.95; Women’s shoes=$5.95.
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Jan 25 – Maury Countian’s view the Northern light’s for first reported time.
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Jan 27 – Haylong High school dedicates new Gymnasium, Coach Brownlow Sharpe pleased with facility.
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Jan 31 – Crescent Amusement purchased two tracts of land of 30 acres on North side of Mt Pleasant Highway, across from Graymere Country club near Twin Oakes. Reportedly to be an open air movie Drive-in theatre.
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Feb 9 – Monsanto leases 4.5 acres at Mid-State Fair Grounds on Nashville highway, to build a lighted baseball field with Grand stand for 2000. The 10 year lease with Elridge Denham and George Buchnau for $15,000.
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Feb 17 – Author, Miss Alice Stockell who wrote “Young Hickory” was at the Polk home signing her new book on “Young James K Polk.”
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Feb 21 – The Central Christian Church sold their property at corner of South Garden and 8th street to Crescent amusement three years ago will vacate the property. Crescent to raze church and will build new theatre.
• Tennessee
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King’s Daughters hospital on 9th street
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Jan 17 – Gordon Browning inaugurated as Governor of Tennessee.
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Jan 29 – Dr. R. Lee Collins, Paleontogist of University of Tennessee found the complete rare Sabre tooth Tiger Skelton found near Woodbury, Tn. The Sabre Toothed Tiger believed to have lived 250,000 years ago.
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475
• Maury
1949
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Feb 21 – The first television pictures ever seen in Columbia were received by Elton Stanley, a local radio technician who rigged up a new 33 tube television set. The signal was from WMCT in Memphis. The picture was not perfect but visible, no sound was heard yet.
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March 2 – Maury County purchased 5 acres across from the old Water Valley school to build a modern concrete block school with two classes rooms, two additional rooms and auditorium, old school to be kept as teacher cottage.
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March 4 - $20,000 Club house for Graymere Country Club completed, with dining room, dance floor and swimming pool.
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March 11 – Workers at Monsanto voted 391 to 45 against the union.
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March 17 – Two Maury County scenes are hanging in the Ringling Art museum in Sarasota, Fla. The painting, one of a “Tobacco Barn” interior painted in watercolor by Frank McGavock. The other entitled “White Accent” is a painting of a white washed spring house located on Theta Pike, painted by local artist Joe B Peyton.
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March 21 – Mora B Farris, Clerk & Master in Maury County 40 years died, 80. He served a total of 60 years including service in the Chancellor's office. Born in Hampshire and local historian and collected historic artifacts.
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March 22 – Mr. Allen Delk, President of the Maury County Farm Bureau reports the membership now exceeds 900.
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March 25 – Miss Betti Lynn Barnes chosen Mule Day Queen 17, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E.R. Barnes of Mt Pleasant.
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March 28 – Fire destroyed the Culleoka Canning factory, lighting believed to have started fire says owner, Jack Davis.
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April 2 – Maury County Judge Hugh Lee Webster presented a Mathew Rhea well preserved 1832 map of Tennessee to Maury County Court as a gift to citizens of County. The 5 X 10 foot map is suitably framed and hung in the court house for all to see.
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April 4 – 50,000 see Mule day parade of 3 miles. General Jonathan Wainwright, hero of Bataan, Parade Marshall.
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April 19 – Franklin Fulton appointed Clerk & Master of Maury County Chancery court.
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May 5 – Spring Hill water supply for 30 years may be cut off by Tennessee Orphan Home, claims spring will not supply enough for city and orphan home.
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May 11 – Gilbert M Orr, beloved authority of Maury County horses died, 56.
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May 12 – Fort Knox, Ky. New Memorial Hall dedicated to honor Lieut. James E Lockridge 27, of Maury County.
• Tennessee
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March 3 – Aladdin Industries merged with Mantle Lamp Company and relocated to Nashville, developed “Lunchboxes” for school children.
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March 19 – The American Museum of Science and Energy opened in Oak Ridge, Tn. (American Museum of Atomic Energy)
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Mule Day Queen Bettilyn Barnes & King ,Brown Sunshine
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April 7 – Governor Browning signs “Clean election “ bill, reforms include permanent voter registration, locked ballot boxes in all elections and clearing up absentee ballot issues.
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476
• Maury
1949
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May 21 – 322 Maury County farms get electricity in Santa Fe, Culleoka, Williamsport, Mt Pleasant and Southport.
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May 23 – 18 of Columbia’s oldest log houses will be moved from the corner of East 8th and Glade street where a 175 X 300 livestock sales barn will be erected. The 18 cedar log homes now occupied by Negro’s will be moved by Oscar Damron, Ben Fanning and Mark Lynn. Retired Judge W.B. Turner and historian says the homes were some of Columbia’s first built in 1806 -1810.
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June 13 – Maury County Court enjoined Spring Hill Orphan home to prevent water cut off from spring.
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June 16 – Two old Maury County schools sold at auction for $750 each, Rally Hill sold to J.T. Hedgecuth of Chapel Hill and the Nicholson school sold to W.O. Connelly of Maury County.
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July 5 – Pickwick Diners club on Riverside Drive burned, $30,000 loss.
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Aug 20 – 3000 people attend the Santa Fe horse show, “Lord Brantly” owned by K.C. Bell tops honors.
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Sept 10 – College Hill High School former students forms Alumni Association with 38 members, Edward Kimes President and Frank Sanford, Vice-president.
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Sept 12 – Columbia Military Academy granted new nonprofit charter. School founded in 1902 and holds long term lease on 60 acre campus from US Govt. Incorporators are George E Sloan, E.S. Criddle and L.B. Howard.
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Sept 13 – The Water Valley Fair draws large crowd, A.L. Houser, President. Displays include crops, livestock, antiques, handicraft and homework featured.
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Sept 14 – Society: 1000 invitations mailed inviting public to local artist exhibit in Burley room at Brookwood. Mr. Edwin Boyd Johnson, who studied in Paris, Cairo and Mexico will supervise exhibit.
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Sept 22 – Work has began on new 450 car Drive-in movie theatre on Pulaski pike, located 3 miles south of Columbia on 20 acre site of Al & Cal Allen across from Brookwood farm restaurant. Al Allen is the head of Allen Motor company, Chrysler dealer in Columbia since 1945. New 60 x 60 screen costs $60,000.
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Sept 27 – State of Tennessee proposes 120 foot right of way from Spring Hill to Columbia. Plans call for taking 20 feet off top of Rutherford Creek hill and move the Rutherford Creek bridge 150 feet east.
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Oct 7 – President Truman’s 1949 report on strategic highways shows a picture of the Neopolis “Murderer Curve” on Highway 31 where a number of fatalities occurred.
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Oct 8 – The Vogue building at 205 West 7th street will become the new location of the First Farmers and Merchants Bank, says Executive vice –President Clarence Whelchel. The building owned by Crescent Amusement.
• Tennessee •
May – Vultee Aircraft purchased by AVCO manufacturing Corp to build sections of B-36 and Lockheed 130.
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June 27 – Natchez Trace construction of 9 miles into Tennessee completed from Alabama state line to Wayne County, new construction from Collinwood to highway 64 underway.
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Aug 2 – The Capitol Hill redevelopment project approved for Nashville, it becomes nations first urban renewal project, later becomes Bi- Centennial park.
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Downtown Water Valley
Oct 1 – WDIA radio station Est. in Memphis, first all black radio station, owned by Bert Ferguson and John R pepper.
477
• Maury
1949
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Oct 13 – New concrete bridge completed on Iron Bridge Road, road closed for two years due to flood .
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Oct 15 – Mr. Julian L Mayes of Woldridge Drug store company announced the construction of 25 all brick tourist court rooms to be located on northwest side of new highway 31 with bath & shower, electric heat, air conditioner, telephone and modern furniture.
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Oct 15 – A local Maury County Semi – Pro negro football team has been founded. They are called the “Columbia Bears”. They will meet the Shelbyville Tiger’s at Fairview Park. The team is composed of former College Hill High school “Bulldog’ players. The Bears are coached by H.O. Porter and Charlie Thomas.
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Nov 3 – Dr. C. D. Walton of Mt Pleasant, Chairman of the Maury County hospital committee proposes that a new 80 bed hospital be financed by the recently amended HillBurton act which provides that the Federal Govt. pay up to 64.5 percent of the $750,000 cost. The state and county to pay the remaining 35.5 percent.
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Nov 5 – The Oakes Chair company, founded in 1885 is now manufacturing modern oak end, lamp, cocktail, step and corner tables. The tables are sold at Macy's, Gimble’s, and Wannamaker’s across the country. The first Oakes factory was Est. on north main where Riverside Lumber company in now located and included a lumber mill.
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Nov 9 – Maury County citizens approved the $750,000 bond to build a general hospital with fewer than 1500 voting in a low turn out, vote was 1225 to 181.
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Nov 19 – Columbia’s first Drive-in movie theatre opens. The Dan-Dee Drive-in is 3 miles south on Pulaski pike and will show “A Southern Yankee” starring Red Skelton.
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Nov 21 – The corner stone for the new Central Christian church was laid at Trotwood and Blackburn lane.
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Nov 22 – A microwave demonstration will be given to the Rotary club at the Wayside Inn. “Your Telephone of the Future” vocational lecture and demonstration given by Mr. P.D. Broadman of Southern Bell and will demonstrate the microwave equipment that will be used in the future telephone communications.
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Nov 27 – The Bethel Hotel and Princess Theatre burned, $500,000 loss. Fire discovered at rear of Princess theatre about 2:40 AM.
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Nov 30 – The Negro Red Cross blood drive held at College Hill High school. Horace o Porter, blood drive Chairman.
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Dec 1 – “Aunt Kat”, Katarine Amos, “aged former slave “Negress” of McCains and Perry Hill” died, 118. Aunt Kat was blind for last 16 years. She died at her sons home, Pete Amos, 75. She is buried in the Johnson’s Chapel cemetery.
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Dec 31 – Columbia milk ordnance goes into effect, all milk sold must be “Grade A”.
• Tennessee
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•
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Nov 10 – US Air Force announces that Camp Forrest was chosen for new $1 billion test and research center in Tullahoma. Since 1250 of nations top Aerodynamic scientists are expected to work at the center.
Bethel Hotel fire
478
• United States
1950
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Jan 25 – 89,000 Chrysler workers strike over pensions.
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Jan 6 – Britain recognizes the People’s Republic of China.
Feb 1 – US recognizes Cochin China (South Viet Nam) Govt., Saigon is capital, US supplies arms.
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Jan 10 – Soviet Union delegate quits UN security Council protesting presence of delegate from Nationalist China.
Feb 6 – President Truman invokes Taft-Hartley against 400,000 striking coal miners and orders them back to work for 80 day cooling off period.
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Jan 26 – India ratifies Republican form of Constitution.
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Feb 15 – Joseph Stalin and Mao-Tse-Tung sign mutual defense treaty.
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March 1 – Klaus Fuchs sentenced to 14 years in Britain prison for giving Atomic secrets to Soviet Union.
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March 12 – Belgium referendum vote approves monarchy Govt. 58 % to 42 %.
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April 24 – Jordan annexes West Bank.
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June 25 – North Korea crosses 38th parallel to invade South Korea.
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June 30 – United Nations Security council authorizes US to use force to repel North Korean invasion of South Korea.
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July 18 – British and US ban oil to China.
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Aug 1 – USSR readmitted to Un Security council.
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Sept 1 – North Korean troops launch a 50 mile front to drive US and South Korean forces back to Seoul.
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Sept 4 – Soviets union pilots enter into Korea conflict.
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Sept 22 – UN forces capture Suwon in North Korea.
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Oct 7 – UN forces cross 38th parallel into North Korea.
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Oct 15 – UN troops capture Pyongyang, North Korea.
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March 29 – RCA introduces 3 color TV picture tube.
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March 30 – Diner’s Club introduces first credit card.
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May 4 – 144,000 Chrysler workers returned to work after 100 day strike as Chrysler agrees to $100 per month pension and hospital medical care for all Chrysler workers.
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May 4 – A Federal judge ordered the Brotherhood of Negroes Railway, Fireman and Engineer’s to admit Negros into union where it was the sole bargaining unit in Birmingham where three Negro’s were denied equal seniority rights.
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• World
May 10 – Secretary of State, Dean Acheson announced US will supply military aid to France, South Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia to fight communists. June 5 – US Supreme court rules 8-0 that segregation of blacks in railroad dining cars violates Interstate Commerce act. July 3 – US Marine and Air Force under General Douglas MacArthur moves to assist South Korean army at Pusan to repel North Korean invasion. Aug 17 – US indicts Julius and Ethel Rosenberg on charges of espionage.
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Sept 4 – NASCAR holds first 500 mile race at Darlington raceway in North Carolina.
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Sept 15 – General MacArthur lands Marines at Inchon to cut off North Korean army and supplies in flanking movement.
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Oct 26 – Sister Mary Teresa begins her charity work in Calcutta, India.
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Sept 29 – US troops recapture Seoul, Korea.
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Nov 3 – 10 year old boy Dalai Lama Tibetan leader flees his country as Chinese invade.
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Oct 7 – Chinese invade Tibet.
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Nov 1 – Two Puerto Rican Nationalists attempted assassination of President Truman, White house guard shot.
Nov 20 – UN forces push to within 5 miles of Manchuria along Yalu River.
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Nov 26 – 200,000 Chinese troops enter into Korean war in counter attack, two UN division’s overrun.
• •
Dec 31 – World population set at 2.5 Billion.
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Nov 29 – National Council of Churches of Christ founded.
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Dec 10 – Ralph J Bunche becomes first African-American to win Nobel peace prize, mediator in peace talks in Palestine.
479
• Maury
1950
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Jan 3 – A & P advertisement: Roast Beef=53 cents lb.; Sirloin Steak=79 cents lb.; Whole Fryers=49 cents lb.; Bread=15 cents loaf; eggs=47 cents dozen; 8 oclock coffee=59 cents lb.; Cigarettes=$1.88 carton; 25 lbs. flour= $1.39 and Rinso Duz soap=26 cents box.
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Jan 4 – Locals Wild Bill Canay and Don Latez will together wrestle “Ginger” the 305 lb Bear at the Power’s Arena.
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Jan 6 – Duck River floods to 40.6 feet, homes in Riverside evacuated.
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Jan 10 – Crescent Amusement announced plans to build a new 1500 seat theatre at corner of 8th and South Garden, says manager, Al Shortley.
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Jan 13 – Judge Hugh Lee Webster shows Kiwanis club ancient Indian relics from Maury County. He displayed a Folsom point (arrowhead) that dates back a thousand years, a statue dating back to 50 AD found in Mt Pleasant phosphate mine. Other items dating back 800 to 900 years found on the Century Club grounds including flints, spade, hoe, ax, plumb bob, peace pipe and other items. Judge Webster said he is willing to donate his entire 3000 to 4000 piece collection to the Memorial Building Museum.
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Jan 14 – Columbia Police reports 1248 arrests made in 1949. Most common offense was public drunkenness with 522 arrests, 138 disorderly conduct, 110 drunk driving, 1 murder, 9 burglaries and 76 assaults.
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Jan 20 - Farmers & Merchants Bank opened at its new office on West 7th street in old Vogue building says President, J.T. Porter.
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Jan 20 – The old two-story E.W. Gamble residence on 8th street and South Garden will be moved by J.F. Chupp of Green Mills road. The Gamble house was erected over 100 years ago and constructed of Yellow Poplar. The building has been used by the Central Church since 1923. Mr. E.W. Gamble who lived there operated the Gamble retail and wholesale store at 8th street and south Main.
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Jan 25 – Haynes Haven added “Colonel O F”, noted Thoroughbred to its stables, says Richard Lancaster. The 6 year old stallion arrived from New Orleans. Old Uncle John Moss 82, will train him.
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Jan 31 – Rockwool plant shutdown by strikers, injunction papers served on United Mine Workers union, Local #50 at Mt Pleasant to cease strike at Sugar Creek plant, 85 employees .
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Feb 1 – Duck River floods to 39.5 feet.
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Feb 1 – Monsanto Maurader’s meet the Detroit Kings at Columbia High school Gym. The “Pro- Kings” have a 7’2” center, Ralph “Sky” Stewart, Kings 74-Maurader’s 63.
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Feb 2 – 13 arrested at Rockwool plant strikers for violation of injunction by molesting workers entering the plant.
• Tennessee •
Jan – Samuel Cornelius Phillips opened his Memphis recording studio, later created Sun Records and recorded Elvis Presley in 1954, Carl Perkins, jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Charlie Rich .
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Jan 6 – Senator Estes Kefauver (D) Tn. introduces a resolution calling for a Federal investigation into organized crime.
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Jan 16 - Tennessee reports 547 Polio cases in 1949, up from 388 in 1948.
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480
• Maury
1950
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Feb 6 – The state reported that 4666 Maury Countians served in World War II, 3960 were drafted. Tennessee’s total was 356,377 served.
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Feb 9 – Rockwool strike ends, the company agrees to recognize the winner of the United Mine workers and AFL union vote.
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Feb 14 – WKRM totally destroyed by fire, 8 room studio was $50,000 loss.
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Feb 20 – “Uncle Joe” Brown noted Negro horse trainer died, 82. He was considered leading authority on pacers and Trotter’s. He died at his home at 1315 13th street south. Uncle Joe handled some of the Hal horses.
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March 11 – The Commerce Union Bank will erect a modern new building at corner of West 7th and Garden streets.
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March 25 – Miss Sue Morrison wins Mule Day queen, she is from Mt Pleasant.
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April 3 – 50,000 see Mule Day parade, “Headlight Nell” crowned King Mule, owned by Charlie Skillington. Frances the Talking Mule was guest of parade.
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April 3 – Governor Gordon Browning dedicated the new John Harlan Willis bridge. 5 year old son, John Harlan Willis Jr. rode Lex Watson miniature mule “snowball” in parade.
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April 15 – Mr. & Mrs. Allen P Sloan have purchased the old Absolom Thompson place near Spring Hill. The mansion and 350 acres cost $45,000 and was purchased from Mr. Ronald Voss of Nashville, formally of Columbia. Mr. Sloan said he will begin immediately to modernize the 14 room house.
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April 18 – The Clarke Training school of Mt Pleasant won first place in the state symposium in music and literary numbers at the College Hill school. The 70 chorus voices are ranked at the top in the state. Soloist Wilber Gardner performed “The Lords Prayer” and “Pale Moon”. The girls soloist Cleo Rogers called “May Morning”. The performances were directed by Mrs. Allen Fleming and James Farrell, teachers.
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April 22 – Society: Little Bobby Ikard, 6th grade student of McDowell was declared grand champion spelling Champion in 16th round, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ikard .
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May 15 – Maury County Court Hospital committee chooses portion of Middle Tennessee Experimental Station on Mt Pleasant pike across from Hatcher lane and Frierson land as site for proposed $1.4 million 135 bed hospital.
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May 20 – F. “Bowser Frakes” injured, the widely known daredevil from Columbia suffered a brain concussion after being placed in a coffin under which 7 sticks of dynamite exploded in St Louis.
• Tennessee •
Feb 6 – Tennessee state announces plans to extend Highway 96 West to Highway 100 near “Jingo” (Fairview) to be completed by 1954.
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481
• Maury
1950
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May 27 – A Robo controlled television tower, believed to be the first in Maury County was erected on top of the C & S Auto supply store. The 50 foot tower can be turned in any direction, says Polk Skelton, owner of the store. Mr. Skelton's 16 inch television screen was able to get a fair picture from Louisville and Memphis last night.
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May 29 – South Columbia voted not to join the city with only 28 ballots cast. The area is bordered by East 16th street, Mooresville Pike and the railroad, the western boundary was Stanley street and south to the Knitting Mill.
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June 7 – Former Columbia Negro, Gentry Nebraska Steele, well known famous singer of Negro spirituals and operatic arias will give a rectal at the Carver-Smith High school. He is the son of the late John and Maria Steele of Columbia. His father started a business making and selling Hominy in 1908. He made 25 to 30 gallons per day and was known as “Hominy John”. The public is invited and a special section for whites is set up.
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June 14 – Columbia City Planning Commission approved a 36 room hotel, proposed by Mr. Nile Yearwood. The hotel will be erected on 8th and High street. Mr. Yearwood is the owner of the lot and Chesley’s restaurant next door.
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June 16 – Maury County’s population is down slightly to 40,297, Columbia is up to 10,921, Mt Pleasant 2925, Spring Hill is 538 and US population at 150 million.
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June 17 – Dimple Park annex subdivision was dedicated by Mrs. M.T. Rayburn. The subdivision was developed by E.T. Dalton and is located between 15th and 16th streets and Rayburn ave.
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June 17 – Mr. Sherrill Figuers reports over 1500 homes have been built in Columbia since 1945.
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June 19 – A new radio receiver is installed in the Oakes and Nichols ambulance for the first time. The radio is one of three received by Sheriff Flo Fleming.
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June 30 – Woodland Pool, Columbia’s newest swimming pool opened on Hatcher Lane by Fleming Rainey and his son Bill. The pool is fan shaped 90x 55 x 25 feet and 10 foot deep at one end, located on 6 acres, picnic grounds, softball field and tennis court.
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July 7 – Maury County acquires 55 acre hospital site for $75,000 on Experimental property.
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July 10 – The University of Tennessee voted to purchase the 597 acre W. Arch Haynes place opposite Haynes Haven and move the $175,000 Experimental station to the new location. The University will keep 50 acres in the center of the station comprised of the 4-H club camp, barracks, swimming pool and administration building.
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July 22 – Maury County’s first Soap Box Derby got underway with a total of 24 boys ages 11-15. Over 5000 watched the thrilling races. Robert Harris Jackson 13, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Jackson of Green’s Mill road won the championship. He will attend the national finals in Akron, Ohio, May 13.
• Tennessee
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June – Patti Page has first major hit, “The Tennessee Waltz.”
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• Maury
1950
•
Aug 2 – The National Carbon plant plans a $5 million expansion, payroll increases to $350,000 annually.
•
Aug 11 – Court declares the Spring Hill water supply a “Public Utility” & Tennessee Orphan Home must continue to supply city water.
•
Aug 18 – The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation announced they will build a new state office on a three acre site on Nashville highway north of Columbia.
•
Aug 29 – Three Maury Countians received American Farmer degrees, highest honor bestowed by Future Farmers of America to E. Earl Moore, John Knox Andrews & Ed Harlan.
•
Sept 5 – Fire sweeps through the McLemore Grain Elevator at West 11th and School streets, owned by W.M. Butler.
•
Sept 20 – Sundown Drive-in Theatre opened.
•
Sept 20 – Alivie L Fowler of Spring Hill is first Maury Countian killed in action in Korea.
•
Sept 20 – New Rock Springs school opens, consolidation of 105 students of Philidelphia, Leftwich and Union Grove.
•
Sept 25 – The public library opened in the Memorial Building, furnishings donated by Mrs. John T Wooten, Miss Elizabeth Caperton, librarian.
•
Sept 26 – 200 television sets are going on sale here just in time for the WSM-TV Nashville debut of the Norte Dame vs. North Carolina game, table models $189.
•
Oct 2 – Columbia Neon moves to new building on new Highway 31 across John Harlan Willis bridge.
•
Oct 14 – The chairman of the Railroad and Public utilities Commission, John Hammer spoke at the Natural Gas line dedication in Columbia, Mayor Eldridge Denham turned it on. Mrs. M.T. Meacham, President of the Women’s Business Club ignited magic “Blue Flame” visible for miles.
•
Oct 26 – Whitthorne Jr. High $1 million Gymnasium completed, seats 2500 with rollback bleachers.
•
Oct 27 – The grave of John Mack, who died in 1781 will be marked as one of the oldest historical sites in Middle Tennessee by the Tennessee Historical Society. The grave is located 1 mile of Highway 31 and McCain’s in the Murphy grave yard. John Mack is believed to be an early settler of the “Walkers” expedition in 1780.
•
Nov 14 – The Farmers Co-Op voted to sell the warehouse property of 50 acres and buildings on Santa Fe pike for $350,000 in options taken by J.M. Burnett.
•
Dec 2 – Isaac Roberts old house burned, off Baker road.
•
Dec 14 – Fire sweeps Spring Hill Orphan Home, all children safe, $50,000 loss. The old Hughes building burned.
• Tennessee
•
Nov 7 – Gordon Browning (D) re-elected Governor of Tennessee.
•
Dec 4 – The University of Tennessee defies a court ruling and rejects entry to five Negro’s.
•
483
• United States
1951
•
Jan 15 – US Supreme Court curbs Freedom of speech by ruling “clear and present danger” doctrine saying inciting riots or yelling fire in building can be cause for arrest.
•
Jan 26 – Federal Economic Stabilization Administration orders wage and price freeze because of high inflation.
•
Feb 3 – National Railroad strike causes coal shortages .
•
• World •
Jan 4 – North Korea forces break through 38th parallel and capture Seoul.
•
Jan 15 – UN troops counterattack North Korean forces and recapture Seoul.
•
Jan 18 – French troops defeat Viet Minh guerrillas who threatened Hanoi, 6000 killed.
Feb 14 – Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Jake LaMotta for Middleweight boxing championship.
•
Feb 14 – Israel's Prime Minister, David-Ben Gurion resigns over disagreement of religious education of children.
•
Feb 15 – Alex Schoenbrum purchased “Big Boy” restaurant chain franchise rights for Southeastern US, (Shoney’s).
•
March 7 – Premier Ali Razmara of Jordan assassinated by fanatical Islamic who opposed foreign influence.
•
Feb 26 – Nevada votes to ratify 22nd amendment to US constitution, limits President to two terms in office.
•
March 15 – Iran Nationalizes oil Industry.
March 29 – Julius & Ethel Rosenburg found guilty of espionage.
•
•
March 30 – UN forces re-cross 38th parallel of Korea, recapture Seoul and capture “Heartbreak Ridge.”
April 11 – President Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of Command in Korea. General Matthew Ridgeway assumes command.
•
April 24th Chinese troops swarm south of 38th parallel.
•
•
May 27 – Tibet's 16 year old Dali Lama agreed to 17 point agreement that allows China to control its foreign affairs while Tibetans are allowed internal control of Govt.
•
June 18 – A 32 year old German soldier emerged from a Nazi supply depot after being buried with 5 others in 1945 when Nazis dynamited the entrance in Berlin. The supply depot was uncovered during construction, a 2nd soldier dropped dead after emerging into the light. The other died earlier.
•
April 19-20 – General MacArthur addresses Joint session of Congress. General MacArthur receives welcome of 7 million turn out for ticker tape parade through New York City.
•
May 3 – “African Queen” movie debuts.
•
May 12 – US first H-bomb tests in Marshall Islands.
•
June 1 –The last Confederate reunion held in Norfolk, Va. Attended by last two surviving confederate veterans, William Bush, 106 of Fitzgerald, Ga. and William D Townsend, 105 of Olla, La.
•
June 20 - Iran seizes British oil company, worth $1 billion.
•
July 20 - King Abdullah of Jordan assassinated in Jerusalem.
•
June 6 – UNIVAC, computer unveiled by Remington Rand Corp.
•
July 26 – China and North Korea agree to cease fire in Korea.
•
June 23 – US largest passenger ship launched, USS United States, 980 feet long.
•
Sept 4 – 49 nations sign peace treaty with Japan in San Francisco.
•
July 1 – CBS begins television broadcasting.
•
Oct 8 – Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip tour Canada.
•
Aug 4 – “I Love Lucy” television comedy starring Lucile Ball and Dezi Arnez débuts.
•
Oct 26 – Winston Churchill 77, re-elected Prime Minister of Britain.
•
Sept 8 – US occupation of Japan officially ends, US retains military base at Okinawa.
•
Nov 14 – UN report says North Korea and Chinese communists murdered 12,790 United Nations troops, including 2566 American as prisoners of war.
•
Oct 12 – Congress votes to raise income tax to 11.5 percent.
•
•
Nov 12 – Julius and Ethel Rosenburg sentenced to death for espionage.
Nov 28 – Crease fire called along 145 mile front in Korea, 10,856 Americans listed as missing in action.
•
Dec 18 – Communists provide UN with list of 3198 Americans and 8361 other allied prisoners of war. Pentagon lists 12,795 as missing in action. 484
•
Dec 11 – Joe DiMaggio announces baseball retirement. •
• Maury
1951
•
Jan 5 – Cpl. Earl Tinsley earlier reported missing in action in Korea is now reported killed in action, son of Mr. & Mrs. John F Tinsley of 127 East 14th street, Columbia.
•
Jan 5 – Mr. George M Spencer 70, L & N conductor here in Columbia served 47 years on the railroad, he lives at 1308 Galloway street for 42 years and will retire.
•
Jan 12 – Columbia approved the purchase of property adjoining Pillow Park and fronting Carter Street for $26,000 to build a new football stadium. The site includes houses and lots from Riverside school to the slaughter pens. Owners of the property were J.D. Cathy, J.B. Borum, Mayor Eldridge Denham and city manager, Ulna Swann.
•
Jan 24 – The new cafeteria added to the Athendale school.
•
Jan 31 – Ice storm and blizzard hits Maury County, Columbia Power and Telephone service cut off for two weeks.
•
Feb 1 – Duck River floods to 38 feet, Mt Pleasant power cut off, temperature falls to minus 17 below zero.
•
4th
Feb 6 – Thomas J Hitch, President of the Farm Bureau is Maury Countian to be named “Man of the Year” by Progressive Farmers Magazine. The others being J.F. Porter Sr.; W.P. Ridley Sr.; and O.R. Long.
•
Feb 7 – DuPont Corp purchased the Maury County Farmers Co-Op plant on Santa Fe pike and announced plans to turn it into a Cellulose sponge plant, price $350,000
•
Feb 13 – Forest Hills subdivision submits two petitions asking to be annexed by Columbia, “also asking for annexation is the Negro subdivision Westvue”.
•
Feb 20 – Mr. Sam D Kennedy, attorney appointed Maury County Session Judge by Governor Gordon Browning.
•
March 30 – Bethel hotel razed.
•
April 2 – Hundreds of tourists showed up in Columbia to see Mule Day parade, Mule Day was cancelled due to “lack of interest.”
•
April 4 – Daily Herald adds new engraving machine for faster printing process.
•
April 9 – Maury County Court approves $1.75 million hospital bond resolution 24-0.
•
May 3 – 150 residents of Theta turnout for barbeque supper held at Community Center to celebrate the recent installation of telephones in the area.
•
May 4 – 625 acres that remain in the former Middle Tennessee Experimental Station at Columbia will be auctioned in 5 tracts ranging from 53 acres to 220 acres, 137 acres along the L & N railroad, 53 acres along Mt Pleasant pike and 104 acres along Hampshire pike.
• Tennessee
•
Jan 18 – The University of Nashville establishes Medical school.
•
Feb 2 – Tennessee Baptist convention purchased Belmont Mansion and property to create Belmont University.
•
March 13 – Senator Estes Kefauver begins televised hearings on organized crime.
•
April 4 – University of Tennessee acquires Tennessee Jr. college in Martin county near Clarksville to Est. University of Tennessee Martin.
•
May 5 – Harpeth Hall school opened in Nashville on 26 acre campus, formally Ward-Belmont state school for women.
•
485
• Maury
1951
•
May 10 – The old “Jockey Lot”, the property of the city of Columbia was auctioned for $31,950 to three buyers. The four lots on East 7th street are 25 X 150, two purchased by A.P. Allen of Allen motors, a 50 x 150 lot by Dr. George Williamson and a 25 x 140 lot by Waverly Jackson.
•
June 30 – The Texas Eastern gas transmission company blasted 7000 lbs of dynamite in the Duck River near the Sowell Mill Pike to lay a 30 inch gas pipe line to cross the Duck River.
•
July 7 – 87 half-pints and 3/5ths of bonded whiskey was seized at Jack Scott’s restaurant in Mt Pleasant in a raid. The whiskey was hidden in the walls, Scott fined $50.
•
July 9 – The Maury County Court voted to sell the Poor farm.
•
July 25 – The annual “colored horse show” of Maury County will be held at Fairview Park, featuring 11 classes and $500 in cash prizes, says Chairman of the event, H.O. Porter.
•
Aug 7 – Maury County elects Jack Lovett sheriff, Julius Sewell road Superintendent.
•
Aug 15 – Victor Chemical company announces the installation of its new $100,000 scrubber to remove Fluorine out of the gases discharged and will install natural gas furnaces to eliminate coal burning altogether.
•
Aug 15 – The Monsanto Maulers captured the state semiPro baseball championship and will now move to the national tournament championship.
•
Aug 25 – 50,000 people attended the Columbia city recreational program over a 10 week period, says director Malcolm P Quillen .
•
Sept 4 – The Maury County Fair opens to 3000 people the first day.
•
Sept 7 – Columbia's new 50 room hotel, the Randall Hotel opens on 8th and High street.
•
Sept 13 – Mr. Smiser Hickman of Maury County purchased 74 acre tract of Maury County Poor Farm for $77,000. The County will retain 10 acres and lease 55 acres.
•
Sept 20 – Ground breaking for the new Maury County hospital conducted by Squire J.J. Pogue for 102 bed $ 2 million hospital.
•
Sept 21 – Construction on the new 4-lane Spring Hill, 9.1 mile highway has began. The contract awarded to AB Long company of Harriman, Tn.
•
Sept 21 – Monsanto announces $3 million expansion.
•
Sept 25 – 700 people and 100 dogs enjoyed supper at the annual Fox Hunters Association meeting in Santa Fe.
• Tennessee •
June 25 – President Truman visits Tullahoma, Tn. To dedicate the new Arnold Engineering Development center. The 39,000 acre facility is most diverse Aerospace testing facilities in world. Named to honor, General Henry “Hap” Arnold Army Air Force visionary.
•
Aug 6 – Ben West, elected Mayor of Nashville, born in Columbia in 1911. West championed reapportionment in landmark case in “Baker vs. Carr “ by which US Supreme Court ruled in favor of “one man, one vote.” West elected 13,187 to 13,162.
•
Randall Hotel
•
Sept 25 – Tennessee A&I recognized as accredited state University.
•
486
• Maury
1951
•
Sept 26 – The new Maury County Co-Op building completed on old Experimental Station property, includes office and warehouse.
•
Oct 5 – Columbia approves increase in bus fare from 8 cents to 10 cents per ride.
•
Oct 6 – Robert Duncan, future Maury County Historian and Archive director born at King’s Daughter’s hospital in Columbia.
•
Oct 12 – Armour Fertilizer plant workers strike over unsettled grievances.
•
Oct 17 – Ultra modern Polk Theatre opens, 1250 seats with 6 murals on the walls, latest modern film equipment.
•
Oct 26 – New Williamsport Bridge dedicated to honor Joe Frank Porter Sr. on highway 50.
•
Nov 4 – Adlai Stevenson carries Maury County with record 11,000 voter turn out.
•
Nov 11 – Billy Evans elected Mayor of Spring Hill.
•
Nov 21 – Columbia announces plans to build new $890,000 water plant.
•
Nov 23 – Columbia Christmas parade draws 10,000 people.
•
Dec 5 – New Di-calcium plant in Columbia to hire 175 people with $3 million plant expansion in Godwin.
•
Dec 8 – Duck River floods to 38 feet.
•
Dec 12 – Spring Hill votes to install street lights and will put city employees under Federal Social Security insurance plan.
•
Dec 18 – 2nd Lieut. James Bailey of Mt Pleasant listed as POW by Communists Chinese and North Koreans.
•
Dec 20 – Four more Maury county families received word that they have loved ones on the POW list in Korea. They are Sgt. Jesse Calvin Ring of Pottsville, Cpl. William S Guthrie, PFC Billy L Rettenberry of Mt Pleasant and PFC Robert L Richardson, a Negro soldier of Mt Pleasant.
•
Dec 21 – PFC James Herbert White of Mt Pleasant listed on POW list.
•
Dec 24 – Society: Mr.& Mrs. Malon Moore of Spring Hill celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at home of Bert Erwin. They were married in Union Grove church in 1901. She is the former Miss Bessie Scott.
• Tennessee
•
•
Nov 8 – The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) formed in Nashville at Noel hotel.
487
• United States
1952
•
Feb 5 – New York City adopts three color traffic light system.
•
•
• World •
Jan 15 – Communist guerrilla fighting erupts with French in Viet Nam.
March 5 – “High Noon” with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly released.
•
Jan 26 – British place Cairo under martial law after antiBritish riots sweep city.
March 29 – Harry S Truman announces he will not run for re=election as President.
•
Jan 30 – King Farouk orders martial law in Egypt after riots kill 20.
•
Feb 6 – King George VI of England died, 56. Princess Elizabeth becomes new Queen, 25.
•
April 10 – 300,000 telephone workers strike nationally.
•
April 21 – New Boeing YB-52 Strato-bomber with 8 jet engines tested in Nevada. •
Feb 14 – Winter Olympics opens in Oslo, Norway.
•
April 25 – US Supreme Court rules president has “unlimited” emergency powers.
•
Feb 23 – NATO agrees to raise 50 divisions of military for defense by end of year.
April 30 – President Truman orders Steel Mills seized, citing National emergency as Steel strike halts production.
•
Feb 26 – British announces first test explosion of Atomic bomb at Australia test site.
•
March 26 – Riots force French to declare martial law in Tunisia.
•
April 11 - National Revolutionary party overthrows Bolivian military Govt.
•
May 2 – British Overseas Airways begins first regular commercial jet service .
•
June 23 – Over 500 UN planes bomb 5 North Korean hydroelectric plants.
•
July 19 – Summer Olympics begins in Helsinki, Finland.
•
July 26 – Eva Peron died in Argentina, 33.
•
July 26 – 6 month old Crown Prince Abmed Fuad becomes King of Egypt after military led by Abdul Nasser overthrows his father, King Farouk II.
•
Aug 11 – Crown Prince Hussein 17, succeeds his father, King Talial of Jordan, 41.
•
Aug 30 – West Germans report taking 16,000 refugees from East Germany.
•
Nov 30 – Saar industrial region votes autonomy from Germany , alliance with France.
•
Oct 9 – South Korean army battles Chinese for control of Seoul. One hill changes hands 23 times.
•
•
May 26 – US Supreme Count extends 1st amendment rights of Freedom of speech and Press to Motion picture industry to end censorship.
•
June 11 – US Supreme Count rules President Truman’s seizure of Steel Mills unconstitutional, requires congressional approval.
•
June 30 – Wall Street reports 6.5 million Americans own stock.
•
July 12 – General Dwight D Eisenhower wins Republican nomination for President, Richard Nixon as Vice-President.
•
July 25 – Puerto Rico becomes a US Commonwealth.
•
July 26 – Governor Adlai Stevenson nominated for president by Democrats in Chicago, Senator John Sparkman as VP.
•
Aug 30 – American inventor, Buck M Fuller, designs and builds Geodesic Dome house.
•
Sept 24 – Richard Nixon defends his $18,00 political fund on television and gift of dog “Checker’s.”
•
Nov 5 – Dwight D Eisenhower wins Presidency. John F Kennedy elected Senator from Mass.
•
Nov 10 – US Supreme Court bans “Jim Crow” laws requiring separate travel coaches for Negro’s on Railroads and Buses.
•
Dec 1 – Polio kills 3300 and paralyzes 57,000 children in US.
•
Dec 2 – Charlie Chaplin deported from US.
•
Dec 1 – Christine Jorgensen, a transsexual women under goes first gender change operation in Denmark.
•
Dec 20 – Worst air disaster in US history claims 92 servicemen’s lives as plane crashes on take-off at Carson Air Force base in Washington state, two Maury Countians among them.
•
Dec 10 – Albert Schweitzer, scientist, humanitarian wins Nobel Peace prize.
•
488
• Maury
1952
•
Jan 16 – 45 employees of Oakes Chair company strike over recognition of union. Oakes Chair has 115 employees. Higher wages and working conditions cited.
•
Jan 31 – Columbia begins improvements on Greenwood cemetery. The city plans to extend Garden street north to river. Work on Iron gate and rock wall has began.
•
Feb 8 – US Department of Commerce report shows Maury county has 40 manufacturing plants. Four plants have 3 or less employees, 17 plants have 17 or more employees.
•
Feb 13 – Mr. Harry T Cook, Columbia businessman purchased 137 acres of Tennessee Experimental Station property along Mt Pleasant pike for $35,000. The property starts at the Bigby Creek bridge and runs to Hampshire pike. 513 acres of UT property remains for sale.
•
Feb 15 – Carver-Smith High school is observing the 27th annual Negro history week under the sponsorship of S.T. Kimes, Social Studies teacher.
•
Feb 18 – A dynamite explosion damages Oakes Chair factory. Several strikers are questioned. George Carroll charged under the “Night rider law”. A member of the United Mine workers union, district 50. The explosion blew a hole in the wall, no one injured.
•
Feb 21 – Columbia’s Livestock Market destroyed by fire, 275 mules perished, $300,000 loss. Mr. Norman Parks, one of the three co-owners said, 30 head of cattle also lost.
•
Feb 29 – Mrs. J.G. Stone, manager of the Randall hotel becomes Maury County’s first women to serve on a jury.
•
March 3 – Old Columbia Female Institute burned down
•
March 3 – The Farm Bureau moves into its new headquarters on Nashville Highway, just north of Columbia. The two story building has 16,000 sq feet.
•
March 10 – Alexander grocery store on Santa Fe pike burned, $75,000 loss. M.S. Alexander, owner will rebuild.
•
March 15 – The state highway department is completing work on a new road with bridges on 7 mile strip between Hampshire and Gordonsburg. Tennessee is asking the Federal Govt. to designate the Highway between Columbia and Hohenwald as Highway 99.
•
March 21 – Maury County votes to remain dry (liquor) 3889 to 1994.
•
• Tennessee •
Jan 12 – The University of Tennessee admits the first African-American, Gene Mitchell Gray 22, from Knoxville.
•
Jan 23 – Senator Estes Kefauver formally announced his candidacy for President in Democratic party.
•
March 1 - A Fayetteville tornado kills 2, injuries 160. There is extensive damage to the city.
•
March 22 – Uncle Dave Macon died, 82.
•
March 22 – Tornados in Tennessee kill 48, 14 killed in Hendersonville, Tn. Tornados hit 5 states kill 221.
March 25 – The old Orphan home razed to build 50 x 80 foot addition to Whitthorne Jr. High school. Home built in 1909 with brick made in brick yard on 11th street and material from old court house. Half of brick to be used in new school.
•
489
• Maury
1952
•
April 2 – One of Maury County’s oldest business, the Ashton Mills announced it has completed a new 7000 sq foot building on the old location on Riverside drive to be used for seed cleaning and storage.
•
April 4 – Columbia receives ultra-modern double pumper and ladder fire truck, cost $33,000. It includes 63 foot ladder and will pump 750 gallons per minute.
•
April 10 – The Columbia telephone exchange shutdown as result of National telephone workers strike.
•
April 14 – An ancient skeleton on the Delk farm near Isom was found while plowing. Judge Hugh Lee Webster said the man received a bundle burial which means the flesh was leached off and buried with his knees pulled up and arms crossed. A Folsom point found nearby.
•
April 16 – A large majority of Tennessee Knitting Mill (TKM) workers signed a petition accepting a 12.5 percent cut in pay. The agreement paves the way for the factory to get back to full production , recalling 100 workers laid off.
•
April 18 – Armour Fertilizer strike ends as United Mine, Mill and Smelter union, local 380 signs agreement. The plant was idle for 50 days, employs 380 people.
•
April 24 – A movie entitled “This is Your Town” will be shown at the Polk Theatre. The film produced by Dixie films of Florence, Ala. Depicts Maury County schools, businesses, churches, civic organizations and community features.
•
April 24 – The Neopolis Red brick school house abandoned last year has become the Neopolis community club and in the process has become a beehive of activity.
•
April 25 – Mr. Harry T Cook and Robert F Rutherford, owners and developers of West Haven, Columbia’s newest subdivision, located on the old Experimental Station property off Mt Pleasant pike has 53 lots ready to build on.
•
• Tennessee •
April 4 - Kemmons Wilson opens first “Holiday Inn” in Memphis. He forms Holiday Inn Corp. in 1953.
April 28 – Maury County’s 35 Home Demonstration Club’s report they have 835 members.
•
June 14 – Patricia Head Summit born in Henrietta, Tn.
•
May 22 – Maury County’s first annual Tennessee Walking Horse Jubilee held at Pillow Park. A total of 109 entries, 3500 people attended.
•
•
May 28 – The owner’s of Columbia's newest subdivision, Graymere Manor on Mt Pleasant Pike announced they will auction off 52 lots, say owners Allen Fraser, Julian Mays and Francis Whitaker.
•
June 9 – The Maury County Historical society placed a historical marker at the Greenwood cemetery.
•
June 12 – Tennessee Press Association convention held in Columbia, first since 1913.
•
July 3 – Mr. A.C. Harlan and his two sons, Edward and A.C. Jr. have installed Maury County’s 2nd irrigation system on their Williamsport Pike farm. Mr. James M (Jeep) Campbell had installed the first irrigation system across the road last year.
•
Graymere subdivision
490
• Maury
1952 4th
•
July 17 – Maury County’s first Drive-in Bank at is near completion in Middle Tennessee Bank.
& Garden
•
July 30 – A historic “log cabin” destroyed by forest fire that swept through 200 acres of woods on Mrs. P.H. Mangrem farm on the Columbia-Franklin pike. The log house according to legend had rested the body of Confederate hero, Sam Davis, who was hanged as a spy in Pulaski.
•
Aug 15 – Columbia will sponsor a parade to honor the AllStar Little Leaguer’s who won the Tennessee-Kentucky championship in Milan, Ky. The team moves on to the Southeast finals in Charleston, S.C. Columbia’s “Gold Dust Twins”, Pete Harris and Ronnie Norton were the teams spark plugs behind their victory’s, coached by Charles “Bungle” West.
•
Aug 21 – Fire sweeps through the Jones building on West 7th street, McClellan’s store hardest hit, $250,000 loss.
•
Aug 22 – Columbia’s All-Star Little League team ends up being a four state champion in spite the loss in the finals at Charleston, S.C. They were given a hero’s welcome home and ended up ranking 2nd from top in seven states.
•
Sept 19 – Over 200 Riverside residents protested an open dump near Riverside school at the city council meeting. The council voted to stop dumping on the property, originally purchased for a football field and stadium.
•
Sept 27 – The National Carbon company will expand with a $8.5 million investment says Local plant manager, Carl Odening and will bring total employment to over 700.
•
Oct 1 – The TVA will close down the Akin Plant in Maury County having exhausted the high grade phosphate ore.
•
Oct 2 – The new Williams Funeral Home will conduct an open house at 400 West 7th street. The new funeral home was formally the Eugene Anderson home and was occupied by the Tennessee Farm Bureau for many years.
•
Oct 11 – The Maury County Court approved funds to widen and straighten Carter’s Creek pike, state promises funding.
•
Oct 14 – First Farmer’s and Merchant’s Bank admitted into the Federal Reserve system according to C.A. Whelcel, President. The Bank has $4 million in reserves.
•
Oct 15 – Major Reuben C Algood, the new professor of military tactics and science has arrived at Columbia Military Academy. Major Algood, a native of Mississippi, graduated from Mississippi State in 1936 and entered the military. He was assigned to the 607th Regiment and 202nd AAA battalion throughout the war, served in the South Pacific.
•
Nov 5 – Thousands of acres of forest are burning in Southwest Maury County and it is traveling north toward Rockdale. It has been burning 5 days. The National Guard has been called out to help fight the fire.
• Tennessee •
July 22 – 15 year old Barbara Jones of Temple Tiger Belles of Tennessee State university women's track team wins first Gold medal in Olympic games, coached by Edward s Temple, elected to National Track & field hall of Fame.
•
July 29 – Middle Tennessee declared a “disaster area” by Federal govt. as historic prolonged drought and heat wave swelter’s state. A record 107 degrees reached in Nashville.
•
Oct 21 – Dr. Harold D West installed as first Negro President of Meharry Medical College.
•
491
• Maury
1952
•
Nov 5 – The Garment Factory may lease the Ironall plant on Depot street and will employ about 100. The building is owned by Mr. A.F. Oakes Sr.
•
Nov 5 – Maury County voted for Adlai Stevenson 7367 to 3785, Albert Gore Sr. elected Senator from Tn. And Frank Clement elected Governor.
•
Nov 6 – Ground was broken on the new Shea Chemical plant (Oxy) at Godwin on old Fulton farm.
•
Nov 12 – The new Columbia water plant low bid was $791,517 by G.E. Moore of Greenwood, S.C. and includes a new pumping station, Filter plant and Reservoir.
•
Nov 21 – Wargona Manufacturing company will lease the old Ironall plant on Depot and employ 100.
•
Nov 20 – Two Maury County servicemen killed in Carson Air Force base plane crash in Washington State, worst air disaster in US history. The servicemen being Airman 1st class, Louis A Bowen of Mt Pleasant and Airman 1st class, Larry Priestwich of Green Acres, Columbia
•
Nov 30 – A & P advertisement: Beef roast=72 cents lb; smoked Hams= 59 cents lb; sliced bacon= 49 cents lb; Rinso soap box= 29 cents; 8 o'clock coffee= 3lbs $2.25; butter= 46cents lb; bread= 46 cents loaf; pies= 49 cents each; Ground beef= 65 cents lb.
•
Dec 6 – Over 15,000 people watched the Columbia Christmas Santa parade.
•
Dec 20 – The new Masonic Temple, located on the 4 lane Nashville Highway has been completed for Columbia Lodge #31 and Lafayette Chapter #4, cost $33,000 for the two story building.
•
• Tennessee •
Columbia Water & Power dam on Duck River
•
Dec 12 – Nashville School Board Est. $100 per month pension for retired teachers.
•
Dec 30 – Downtown Nashville Civitan Club chartered with 29 members, Judge John L Draper, President.
Dec 26 – The Daily Herald average daily circulation is 7603. •
492
• United States
1953
•
Jan 9 – US budget deficit projected at $10 billion
•
Jan 20 – Dwight D Eisenhower inaugurated as 34th President.
•
Feb 1 – Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp introduces Cinemascope.
• World •
Jan 14 – Marshall Josip Tito chosen President of Yugoslavia.
•
Jan 31 – North Sea surge (Tsunami ) floods north east, United Kingdom and Netherlands, 1835 people killed.
•
March 5 – Joseph Stalin died 79, he ruled 29 years, George Malenkov becomes Premier.
•
March 31 – Swedish Dag Hamarskjold becomes United Nations Secretary General.
•
Feb 6 – Office of Stabilization lifts wage and price controls.
•
Feb 18 – First 3-D movie opens, “Bwana Devil.”
•
Feb 28 – James D Watson & Francis Crick discover doublehelix structure of DNA of Human genes.
•
April 16 – Reds deliver 605 allied wounded and sick prisoners to Kaisong, Korea.
•
March 3 – Hugh Hefner publishes first Playboy magazine.
•
April 25 – French forces evacuate Laos.
•
March 26 – Jonas Salk announces successful polio vaccine.
•
May 2 – Hussein crowned King of Jordon.
•
April 1 – Congress Est. the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, includes Social Security, Food and drug administration and Federal Security agency.
•
June 2 – Elizabeth II crowned Queen of Great Britain.
•
June 2 – Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand climbs Mt Everest.
•
June 17 – East Berliner’s riot to overthrow Communist’s Government, martial law called, Soviet troops crush revolt.
•
June 18 – Egypt declared a Republic.
•
June 29 – King Narodom Sihanouk demands Cambodian independence from France, allows army to take over Phnom Penh.
•
July 14 – 80,000 Chinese troops launch offensive in South Korea.
•
July 27 – Korean War cease fire signed, 37 month conflict ends. POW exchange will be completed. Communists are holding 12,763 Un troops. 3312 are Americans.
•
Aug 8 – Soviet Union announces it tested first hydrogen bomb.
•
Oct 9 – Konrad Adenauer elected Chancellor of West Germany.
•
Nov 9 – Cambodia becomes independent from France.
•
Nov 29 - French paratroopers capture Dien Bien Phu, Viet Nam.
• •
Dec 10 - Sir Winston Churchill wins Nobel for literature. 493
•
April 6 – Jim Thorpe, native American Indian athlete died in Oklahoma.
•
May 25 – US Army tests Atomic canon in Nevada.
•
June 9 – 154 killed in tornado in Flint, Michigan.
•
June 19 – Julius and Ethel Rosenberg executed.
•
June 26 – Senator John F Kennedy announced his marriage to heiress Jacqueline Lee Bouvier.
•
June 30 – First corvette built in Flint, Michigan.
•
Aug 13 – Official American Korean battle causalities report released: 103,513 wounded; 25,642 killed; 8670 missing; 2853 captured according to Department of Defense.
•
•
Sept 30 – President Eisenhower appoints Gov. Earl Warren 62, as Chief justice of US Supreme Court. Oct 30 – General George Marshall awarded Nobel peace prize.
•
Dec 3 – University of Iowa scientists induced first pregnancy with frozen sperm.
•
Dec 30 – First Color TV’s goes on sale in New York City for $1750.
• Maury
1953
•
Jan 2 – Captain of the 1952 State Champion Columbia Lion’s, Travis Akin, Robert “Powder man” Elliot and Bobby “Butter” Potts inspected the Litkinhous trophy that arrived in Columbia. The Lion’s were the first Middle Tennessee football team to capture the award in 11 years.
•
Jan 9 – The Tennessee Knitting Mills called a plant meeting and invited all union representatives to explain their positions in regard to the up-coming NLRB election. The two unions being the American Federation of Hosiery workers and the Columbia hosiery workers union. Presiding over the meeting was plant manager, Frank Cover. Adolph Bennett was the AFL speaker and Frank Howell spoke for the Columbia hosiery union.
•
Jan 9 – Oxy starts first furnace to manufacture phosphorus and phosphoric acid and Di-calcium phosphate.
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Jan 9 – Mrs. Jennie Fraser Sellers celebrated her 94th birthday at her home on Fraser road where she lived her entire life between Santa Fe and Theta pikes and never traveled further than Nashville. She is the daughter of John and Emma Butts Fraser.
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Jan 12 – Maury County Court elects 7 members to first hospital Board of Trustee’s; W.J. Ellis; Tom Crowe; Edward J Brock; George E Sloan; James T Lovell and Lon McFarland.
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Jan 14 – The famed “Aunt Jemima” will be in Columbia to serve pancakes at “The Forum”, the Randall hotel restaurant sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for the March of Dimes.
•
Jan 16 – J. Rufus Baker re-elected Maury County school Superintendent for 4 years by County Court. He was first elected in 1934, succeeding R. Lee Thomas who went on to state department of education.
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Jan 23 – Columbia city police reported 1228 arrests in 1952 says Assistant police chief, F Glenn Flannigan ,city manager; Cecil D Eskew, police chief;, Emmett Fox. This represented a increase of 51 arrests over 1951. Drunkenness = 472; drunk driving= 85; transporting whiskey= 40 and assaults= 58.
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Jan 26 – The Arrow Mine Merchandise store safe blasted and robbed says manager, E.C. Searson. Payday was at hand and large sum taken.
• •
• Tennessee •
Jan 1 – Hank Williams died 29, in back of Cadillac enroute to Ohio near Oak Hill, West Virginia.
•
Feb 28 – State of Tennessee purchased Belle Meade and 24 acres of deeded property to Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities Assocation. 494
Jan 26 – The old Choate home in Williamsport destroyed by fire. House occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bell.
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Jan 30 – A new contract for 280 workers at Virginia-Carolina Chemical Corp. in Mt Pleasant with the International Mine, Mill and Smelters union raised starting pay to $1.13 per hr.
•
Feb 27 – F.F. “Bowser” Frakes, is attracting attention with his new thriller “Space rocket” stunt. The space rocket is being built by Mark Lynn and Algeo Fleming. The new “Space rocket’ is designed to catapult Frakes off a 14 foot track and crash into a mock house, propelled by rockets. A three year contract and the first stunt will be filmed by Fox films for TV in May.
•
• Maury
1953
•
March 6 – Southern Bell plans a Maury County expansion with $228,000 renovation to the facilities at 807 S. Garden street, adding 4965 phones says group manager J.T. Perry.
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March 10 – The new Wargosa plant produces 2700 shirts per day in Columbia and employs 140 and will add 100, says President, Albert Warner.
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March 17 – A permit was issued to St Dominic parish to erect a long planned new church on West 7th street and Terrace drive, lot cost $42,000.
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April 1 – The Daily Herald reported that Frank F “Bowser” Frakes Space Rocket crashed into the Maury County Court house Cupola clock tower and circled 3 times before landing in clock tower with picture showing rocket stuck into cupola, “April fool”.
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April 10 – The Maury County School Board adopted the record 1953-54 school budget of $1.4 million.
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April 13 – The Maury County Board of Trustee’s appointed Mr. William B Barnhart as hospital administrator. Mr. Barnhart is a resident of Harrisburg, Pa. and was administrator of the Polytechnic hospital there.
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April 10 – Workers unearthed a large cistern on North Garden just off 6th street once used as part of Columbia’s first water system. The cistern is 20 feet deep and 18 feet in diameter and would hold 8600 gallons.
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April 15 – With $4000 from the state, the Polk Association purchased a small tract of land adjoining the present Polk Gardens to the south from Miss Mary Lamb. Mrs. E.H. Hatcher, President of the Association said in will be used as an addition to the existing garden.
•
May 13 – PFC James Potts of Williamsport was listed as POW in Korea and recently freed in exchange for 200.
•
May 14 – Miss Jane Ann Jones of Williamsport chosen as Queen of Lion’s Club beauty contest pageant in Columbia to reign over 2nd annual National Walking Horse Jubilee, 87 entrees in 11 classes.
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May 18 – Hughie Franklin “Jack” Scott of Mt Pleasant sentenced to 5 years in prison for alleged record of notorious bootlegging operation by Judge Elmer Davies, freed on $5000 bond.
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May 27 – Columbia Central High school baseball, football and basketball star, Travis Akin wins Oakes award, John Wagster and Miss Anne Fox wins Good citizenship awards.
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June 30 – Mr. & Mrs. B.A. Ring of Pottsville said that their son, Jesse C Ring is a prisoner of war and alive. He was captured Aug 24, 1951. Jesse Ring also served in WWII.
•
July 10 – Maury County asks state to return unsold 220 acre Experimental Station site for a park.
• Tennessee •
March 16 – State of Tennessee reports that average hourly wage for Mill workers is $1.45 per hour.
•
May 30 – Tennessee Constitutional Convention held in Nashville, new constitution ratified, changes Governor election to every four years, consolidates county and city government.
•
495
• Maury
1953
•
Aug 6 – Spring Hill votes to pave all streets and lay new water lines. Spring Hill will take over the Tennessee Orphan Home spring and lay 1900 feet of water line, cost $12,190.
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Aug 21 – Maury County sales tax receipts have increased 27.5 percent in 3 years, according to Tennessee Tax Payers Association. Maury County had $454, 000 in 1950 and $579,000 in 1953.
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Aug 25 – 28 – Cpl. Billy Rittenberry 21, of Mt Pleasant arrived home after being a POW released by communists in North Korea. Cpl. Robert Richardson 21, a “Negro POW” returned home in Mt Pleasant said he plans to re-enlist. Richardson’s mother, Lula Mae Davis was overcome with emotion when he arrived home. Richardson was captured April 15, 1951 while with the 25th division.
•
Aug 27 – Dr. Marion Dorset plaque unveiled at Maury County Memorial building. Dr. Dorset was born Dec 14, 1872 in Columbia, he developed Hog Cholera serum in Maury County in 1914, he died 1935.
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Aug 31 – 2nd Lieut. James Bailey, husband of Mrs. Margaret R Bailey of Mt Pleasant was freed as POW exchange. He was captured may 18, 1951.
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Sept 3 – Sgt. James C Potts 25, raised in Maury County and a POW is released, says Uncle.
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Sept 5 – Sgt. Jesse Ring 29, and Cpl. James White freed as POW’s. Ring was tail gunner in B-29 with 50 missions and captured Aug 24, 1951. White 23, a Negro from Mt Pleasant and attended Clarke Vocational school was captured Nov 29, 1950.
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Sept 22 – Maury County Hospital trustee’s set room rates at $12 per day for private rooms and $9 per day for semiprivate, Wards are $7 per day.
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Sept 22 – St Catherine's Catholic Church on West 7th street dedicated by Cardinal Stritch.
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Sept 29 – Gulf Interstate Gas company will lay 23 miles of natural gas line through Western Maury County. A permanent pumping station will be built on the Ross farm, 300 workers to be hired to lay pipe.
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Oct 15 – Mr. C.L. Perry announced that three Columbia carriages will be renovated and sent to St Petersburg, Fla. Million dollar pier. One of the carriages was used by President James K Polk. The other two are over 100 years old and believed to be part of the Henry Martin estate. The Polk carriage was owned by Mr. Allen Barrett.
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Oct 24 – Spring Hill votes to sink a water well.
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Nov 4 – Cornerstone of new Masonic Lodge #31 laid on Nashville pike. Lodge dates to 1819, James K Polk member.
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Nov 5 – New Maury County hospital gets 7000th phone in Columbia, 10,250 phones in Maury County says J.T. Perry, group manager of Southern Bell.
• Tennessee •
July 31 – Federal communications Commission grants 2nd television license for Nashville area to WSIX broadcast, Mr. Louis Draughon owner.
•
Korean War Memorial Washington D.C.
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Oct 21 – Governor Frank Clement issued executive order declaring a state of emergency in Spring Hill due to the failure of the city water supply. The state will rush a water purification plant to Spring Hill. Drought cased well to dry up in several cities in state.
•
496
• Maury
1953
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Nov 9 – Ultra modern Commerce Union bank opens on the old Bethel Hotel corner, ribbon cutting accomplished by mayor Eldridge Denham.
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Nov 12 – Fire sweeps through hundreds of acres of woods and fields north of Columbia. The fire was primarily between Flint Valley and Double branch roads. Severe drought has made the situation worse.
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Nov 17 – Maury County declared a disaster area by Federal Govt. because of severe drought in County. Farmers may apply for Federal aid.
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Nov 20 – Maury County Hospital Auxiliary formed and elects officer’s. President is Mrs. C.A. Ragsdale, Mrs. Kenneth Sloan 1st Vice-president; Mrs. Allen Sloan, recording Secretary; Mrs. C.S. Ehmke as Treasurer. Mrs. T.J. Redman, 2nd Vice-president and Mrs. J Dawson Frierson as Corresponding Secretary.
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Nov 20 – St Peters Episcopal church remodeling completed, with new Kindergarten classroom and Chapel.
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Nov 21 – First Victor Chemical family day draws 500 in Mt Pleasant plant. S.M. McGan, plant manager gave plant tour.
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Nov 23 – One-half inch of rain in Maury County is first since September.
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Nov 28 – King’s Daughters announced they will continue to operate their hospital, says Mrs. W. Andrew Dale, President.
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Nov 6 – The “People’s Ticket” composed of Tom Williams; Ralph Maddux Jr.; Maurice Lee; E.S. Bartlett and H.E. “Ed” Coker were swept into power in Columbia elections defeating the citizens ticket. Tom F Williams becomes mayor.
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Dec 7 – 18,000 see Columbia Christmas parade.
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Dec 11 – Spring Hill takes over water pumping station at Tennessee Orphan Home. Four National Guards have been on duty at spring since the well went dry Oct 21.
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Decd 11 – Miss Katherine Loux of Lawrence County named director of nursing at Maury County hospital.
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Dec 14 – New Maury County 102 bed $2.2 million hospital dedicated. Maury County share of cost at $1 million, staff of 55 employees.
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Dec 16 – First patent of Maury County hospital admitted was Mrs. James G Ozment. Total for the day was 10 patients.
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Dec 17 – First baby born at Maury County hospital was to Mr. & Mrs. Walker Payne, with little Scott Lynn Payne.
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Dec 21 – Columbia votes to sell all city school property to Maury County, including Andrews, College Hill, Highland Park, Riverside and Central High School.
• Tennessee
•
Nov 19 – Governor Frank Clement signs proclamation that will add 8 amendments to Tennessee constitution, approved by referendum vote Nov 3. Governors term goes from 2 years to 4 years, hike state legislature pay, gave governor line item veto in budget, elimination of poll tax on voting, gave cities the option of home rule. Est. authority for metro government in city county areas and clarified constitution in several areas.
•
Nov 29 – WSIX channel 8 from Nashville goes on the air.
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Maury County Hospital
497
• United States
1954
•
Jan 1 – First national color television program broadcast of Rose Bowl.
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Jan 15 – Nash Motors and Hudson Motors merge to form American Motors Corp.
• World •
Jan 1 – West Berlin reports taking in 305,000 East Germans in 1953.
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Feb 26 - Syrian dictator, Adib Shishekg ousted, new govt. formed as Army conducts bloodless coup.
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March 13 – French troops battle for Diem Bien Phu with Communists in Viet Nam.
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April 2 – Viet Nam Communists break French defenses in Diem Bien Phu.
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Jan 16 – Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe.
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Jan 21 – USS Nautilus, first Atomic powered submarine launched from Groton, Conn.
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Feb 1 – US frozen food sales exceed $1 billion.
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Feb 15 – The Army and Air force take steps to end segregation in all military post schools as per order of Secretary of Defense, Charles E Wilson.
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April 10 – 8 major American and European oil companies agree to Russian production of oil in Iran, since nationalization of oil fields in 1951.
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Feb 23 – First mass vaccination of children with Salk vaccine in Pittsburg, Pa.
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May 6 – Roger Bannister, Englishman breaks Sub-4 minute mile run with 3:59.4 run.
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March 1 – Two men and a women Puerto Ricans opened fire in Capital, House of Representatives, 5 congressman wounded, including Cliff Davis of Tennessee.
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May 7 – French garrison at Diem Bien Phu in North Viet Nam falls to communists after 57 day siege, 4000 killed.
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July 19 – France surrenders North Viet Nam above 17th parallel in peace treaty with North Viet Nam and china. Emperor Baio Dai to control South Viet Nam.
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March – Crew Cut hair cut becomes popular, Flat-tails and Duck tails also in vogue.
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March 25 – RCA first manufactured color TV sells for $1000.
•
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April 8 – President Eisenhower introduces the “Domino” theory in Southeast Asia as communists continue to dominate Indochina.
July 27 – British and Egypt reach agreement on Suez Canal, British to withdraw 80,000 troops from the zone with 20 months.
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Sept 8 – US, France, Britain, Australia, new Zealand, Thailand, Philippines and Pakistan form SEATA. (South East Asian Treaty Association)
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Sept 16 – Magnetic North pole discovered on Prince Wales Island.
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Sept 27 – Mao-Tse-Tung re-elected Chairman of People’s Republic of China.
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Oct 2 – West Germany admitted to NATO.
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Oct 10 – Ho Chi Minh, communist leader, returned to Hanoi after 8 years underground.
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Nov 13 – General Mohammed Naguib, Egypt’s strong man ousted by Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, who becomes President.
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Dec 2 – Taiwan and US sign mutual defense treaty.
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Dec 18 – Riots erupt on Greek Island of Cyprus, British troops open fire on crowds, several killed.
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May 6 – President Eisenhower signs Superhighway system bill.
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May 7 – Construction of Michigan Mackinac bridge begins.
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May 14 – Boeing introduces the 707 jet passenger plane.
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May 17 – US Supreme Court rules in Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka, Ks. that “equal but separate” in education unconstitutional.
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June 25 – Colorado Springs chosen as site of new Air Force Academy.
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Aug 24 – Congress passes Communist Control act to outlaw the Communist party in US.
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Sept 3 – Last radio episode of Lone Ranger played after 21 years and 2956 episodes.
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Nov 1 – Ellis Island closed as Port of Entry.
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Dec 2 – US Senate votes to censure Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin for abuse of power in un-American Activities committee.
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Dec 24 – Laos becomes independent from France.
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Dec 12 – USS Forrestal, largest aircraft carrier launched.
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Dec 29 – Scientists maintain universe started as “Big Bang’ theory that occurred 5.5 billion years ago. 498
•
• Maury
1954
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Jan 4 – Spring Hill Methodist church dedicated new building addition, two story education building added.
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Jan 21 – Duck River floods to 37 feet, 3 people drown. A 23 year old mother and 2 month old son drowned when she slipped from a foot bridge on Kettle Mills Creek.
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Jan 22 – The TVA announced it will halt manufacturing of fertilizer at the Godwin plant, about 60 people out of 120 will lose their jobs.
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Feb 9 – Columbia will widen Garden street from 8th street to 5th street , says Columbia Street Superintendent Swann.
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Feb 10 – Construction of Columbia’s new water plant on the Nashville Highway is nearing completion. The new pumping station is located near the Pickwick restaurant.
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Feb 11 – Houses on 10th street between Westmoreland's Saw Mill and Columbia Mill and 11th to be sold to make room for playground. Formally known as the DaleMcKinney property, a 2 acre site. The property to be added to Whitthorne Jr. High land.
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Feb 13 – Maury County Hospital trustee’s denied the Daily Herald request for admission and discharge list to public. The list was first provided and then stopped. The Daily Herald said it believes as a “public Institution” the hospital should provide the list.
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Feb 19 – The Cathy’s Creek Community club will buy the old Stephens school house and property for $1500 and voted for $500 in repairs.
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Feb 26 – Herbert Johnson of Monsanto Chemical and Walter C Bocker of Tennessee Knitting Mills will serve as co-chairs of the Negro division of the 1954 Red Cross fund drive.
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March 2 – Columbia Central high school girls basketball team captures championship for 22nd district. The last district championship by CHS was in 1935.
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March 3 – The Trustee’s of the “Maury County Colored Hospital” on East 7th street ceased operation. Plans are to convert the hospital into nursing home for “colored” aged.
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March 8 – Maury County Retail sales up 4.4 percent to $30 million in 1953.
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March 8 – Jimmy Matthews 25, announced his candidacy for Magistrate in the 9th district (Columbia). He is in auto business for many years and operates the Columbia sports arena.
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March 9 – Union workers at Virginia-Carolina Chemical company walked off their jobs in Mt Pleasant. The company employs 185 men in mining phosphate and 50 men in mixing and bagging, wages in dispute.
• Tennessee •
Jan 8 – Elvis Presley records first record, “That will be the Day” in Memphis with Sun records and “Blue Moon of Kentucky’ on flip side.
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Feb 10 – For first time, Negro golfer’s allowed to play Nashville’s 18 hole Sheby Park course.
•
Feb – John Marks Templeton, born in Winchester, Tn. A pioneer in mutual fund investing, forms ‘Templeton Growth fund.”
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March – Melfis Restaurant on Division street is first to serve Pizza pie in Nashville.
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March 6 – Nashville’s 3rd television station WLAC-TV, channel 5 announced it will begin broadcasting June 1.
•
499
• Maury
1954
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March 9 – Mr. Samuel G Broadway of Columbia has received a patent on the safety devise for hydraulic brakes. The device prevents complete failure of hydraulic brakes when one line leaks or ruptures.
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March 11 – 12 man walk-off idles Victor Globe plant in Mt Pleasant.
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March 16 – University of Tennessee trustee’s approve a land swap between UT Middle Tennessee Experimental Station and Monsanto. Under the agreement UT will convey 220 acres of the former Experimental Station to Monsanto in exchange for 285 acres on Highway 31, approximately 1 mile north of present Experimental Station property. Under the agreement, Monsanto will make available 140 acres of the 220 acre site for a public park. The University will retain the 4-H club and facilities at the former site.
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March 16 – The Spring Hill High school water well hit water at 920 feet.
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March 17 – The Polk Theatre will introduce “Cinemascope” with the showing of “The Robe” in widescreen.
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March 23 – Mr. Virgil Moore Jr. will join the staff of the Farmers & Merchants Bank says President, C.A. Whelchel. Mr. Moore is the Principal of the Woodrow Elementary school and has been a school teacher for several years.
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April 10 – Miss Jere Ann Neilley 17, chosen Queen of the National Tennessee Walking horse Jubilee.
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April 16 – George e Dotson 22, a workman found $5300 in a Prince Albert can in a wall while installing an electrical fixture in the Veterinary Clinic of Dr. C.D. George. The judge considering the case decided the money belonged to Dr. George.
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April 29 – A lab explosion injures 4 people at Carver-Smith school. Prof Edward Kimes, students Edward Cathey; Janice Nelson and Susie Elston injured in chemistry class.
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May 4 – The Chairman of the Farm Bureau, Charles McKissick led members of the Maury County reclamation group on a tour of mined phosphate land. The group of 35 visited the William H Ewing farm near Ashwood on Mt Pleasant pike. The farm was one of the first mined and was reclaimed in 1952 and now has rye growing on it. The group also visited the Federal Chemical company plant at Ridley. The area is at the heart of the old mined area and the group toured “old Dumps” where heavy mining occurred.
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May 6 – The last old landmark in Columbia on the Louisville & Nashville railroad was razed, the old steam locomotive water tower located on School street along the tracks was used to water the old steam engines. L & N still has some old steam engines in service but will no longer be used here.
•
• Tennessee •
March 11 – 34 miles of the Natchez Trace is being paved between highway 64 in Tennessee and Waynesboro.
•
April 18 – Robert Reise Neyland III , head football coach of University of Tennessee retires due to heart disease.
•
May 7 – Owen & Harold Bradley moved their recording studio to 16th ave south in Nashville to become the first on “Music Row”.
May 19 – 2500 people visited the National Tennessee Walking horse Jubilee at Pillow Park, over 200 horses entered. •
500
• Maury
1954
•
May 20 – Columbia passes ordinance barring young people under 18 from pool halls.
•
May 25 – Billy Potts & Robert Elliott received the Oakes Athletic award for Central highs outstanding all around athletic performance, including baseball, football, and basketball. Miss Peggy Goodwin won the Good citizenship award.
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June 5 – Neopolis Community Club dedicated a memorial marker at the Lasting Hope Cemetery with 300 attending. The cemetery was deeded April 1, 1828 by Robert Lockridge as a gift to the community for “loves consideration and regard for all religious institutions”. Mr. James Butler introduced Mr. Wade Dickens as guest speaker. A dinner was served and music provided at the ceremony.
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June 8 – Maury County becomes the first County in Tennessee outside of Davidson County to exceed the state per capita income average of $1217. Maury County’s per capita income was $1253, a gain of 28.8 percent since 1950.
•
June 15 – Columbia Civil Defense director, Judge Sam Kennedy was pleased with the recent practice alert “Operation Alert” as air raid siren’s sounded “Attack” at 4:30 PM and all clear sounded at 4:55 PM.
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June 17 – F.W. Woolworth company leased the ground floor of the Nile Yearwood building on the north side of West 7th street, building was formally the Commerce Union Bank.
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June 21 – Sheriff Jack Lovett reports several human bones were unearthed by the dragline digging near the Federal Chemical company property in Mt Pleasant. The human skeletons were believed to be the bodies of Negro’s who died from the Spanish Flu during WWI, according to the old Negro who lives near the site.
•
June 22 – Columbia city workers are removing the old brick sidewalk at 8th street and Garden to the front of the W.E. Harris house, to be replaced with a concrete sidewalk. The old brick sidewalk was laid in 1890 when the Cumberland Presbyterian church was built on the corner to replace the old one built there in 1847 on the same site.
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June 25 – Miss Ruby Fowler, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C.O. Fowler of Columbia will compete for the “Miss Tennessee’ beauty contest. Miss Fowler is sponsored by the Columbia Jaycees.
•
July 2 – Joe C Foster, a Columbia insurance agent was elected Commander of the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. some 400 legionaries attended a barbeque at Jeep Campbell's farm in Williamsport.
•
July 13 – The new Bluegrass Region Library opened in Columbia Memorial building with a book mobile that serves 6 Counties, including Maury County.
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July 23 – Dowling Chevrolet in Columbia has on display the new Corvette. The distinct design features 150 Hp engine and “Blue flame” power.
• Tennessee
•
•
July 7 – Radio station WHBQ in Memphis first plays Elvis Presley record on the air.
501
• Maury
1954
•
July 28 – The Pony League of Columbia won the state championship beating Elizabethton 8-4. A.C. Howell who attempted a double steal at the plate was thrown out but the collision caused the catcher to break his collar bone.
•
Aug 5 – Columbia water treatment plant has open house, capacity in 5 million gallons per day, cost $1 million.
•
Aug 11 – The Columbia All-star Little leaguer’s won the state championship with Homer Hines home run in extra inning with one on base to win 12-10.
•
Aug 12 – The American Federation of Hosiery workers union lost the NLRB for 3rd time at TKM 147 to 125.
•
Sept 1 – Gulf interstate Gas company will hold an open house at its new Compressor station #4 off Highway 99, 4 miles east of Hampshire. Several families live at the station in small attractive frame houses.
•
Sept 6 – Record heat wave hits Maury county with 104, 103 and 102 degree temperatures over last three days.
•
Sept 7 – 1000 people attended the annual bench show and field trails of the Maury County Fox Hunter’s Association camp near Santa Fe, 125 dogs entered event.
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Sept 17 – Society: Mr. 7 Mrs. John Wesley Finney announced the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Finney to Mr. Sam Delk Kennedy, son of Dr. & Mrs. Henry Grady Kennedy of Kettle Mills. The bride to be graduated from Columbia Central High, Angus Scott College and Emory University, majoring in journalism. Mr. Kennedy graduate from Hampshire high, attended David Lipscomb, North Carolina state and Cumberland university.
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Oct 8 – William Thomas Smith, also known as “Mountain Smith” died, 87. Mr. Smith was known for his extraordinary strength, he came to Columbia in 1909 and worked as a conductor for the L & N Railroad. He was 6’2” tall and weighed over 300 lbs and could carry 500 lb barrels of molasses from the train.
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Nov 5 – The Carver-Smith Yellow Jackets homecoming football game to be with Haynes High of Nashville. Coach Claybourne calls the Haynes “Wildcats” dangerous. The senior’s playing are Wilson “Dope” Armstrong, Robert White, Johnny Farris and Willie Wyatt. A parade along West 7th and around the square and down East 7th street with the Carver-smith band and Baton twirler, Nathaniel Daniels is planned.
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Nov 30 – This week ended all passenger train service to Columbia as the “Huckety-Buck” ends.
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Dec 3 – The missing 2 year old Maury county boy found alive, dazed and in shock with blood hounds in phosphate dump wilderness around Arrow lake by Albert Thompson.
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Dec 13 – Maury County Hospital reports 3463 patients in first year, 1233 surgical procedures.
• Tennessee
•
Oct 16 – Edward H Crump, long time political Tennessee boss died, 80 in Memphis.
•
Nov 6 – Governor Frank G Clement and Senator Estes Kefauver re-elected.
•
Nov 12 – New state Library and Archives building opens.
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Nov 19 – The Louisville & Nashville and Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis railroads merge. The two oldest railroads in Tennessee.
•
502
• United States
1955
•
Jan 7 – Marian Anderson débuts at New York Metropolitan opera, first black to sing at Met.
•
Jan 19 – President Eisenhower first President to hold televised Press conference.
•
Jan 25 – Ira Hayes, the Indian Marine who helped raise the US flag at Mt Suribachi on Iwo Jima found dead. The 32 year old Pima Indian died of exposure and alcoholism on Gila Indian reservation outside Phoenix, Ar.
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Feb 9 – AFL and CIO Executive boards approve merger of two union’s
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Feb 23 – President Eisenhower announced he will send 200 military adviser’s to South Viet Nam .
• World •
Jan 2 – Jose Cantera, President of Panama assassinated.
•
Jan 25 – USSR announces end of World War II with Germany.
•
March 15 – First Pam American games open in Mexico City.
•
April 5 – Winston Churchill resigns as British Prime Minister.
•
April 6 – Anthony Eden elected Prime Minister of United Kingdom.
•
April 18 – Albert Einstein , physicist died, 76.
•
April 30 - Emperor Bao Dai disposed in South Viet Nam as civil war breaks out between followers of Ngo Dinh Diem and forces loyal to French, Diem becomes Premier.
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March 7 – Mary Martin stars in Broadway version of Peter Plan on television.
•
May 5 – West Germany becomes sovereign state.
•
March 10 – “Davy Crockett” Disney film becomes rage, Coonskin caps sweep country.
•
May 14 – USSR and Eastern bloc communist nations sign Warsaw pact defense treaty.
March 31 – David Pulitzer, world famous publisher of St Louis Dispatch died, 70.
•
May 15 – French and British troops evacuate Austria to regain sovereignty from allied occupation since WWII.
April 15 – Ray Kroc opens 1st “McDonalds” in Des Plaines, Ks.
•
May 30 – China releases four US pilots, 11 still being held since Korean war. 63 civilians and Navy personal still held .
May 21 – 50,000 Communications Workers of America (CAW) union member’s return to work at Bell south after 10 week, 9 State strike.
•
May 31 – Soviets abandon Port Arthur, leaving it to Chinese.
•
•
•
• June 6 – Ford agrees to guarantee the UAW 141,000 members a semi-guaranteed annual wage with 26 weeks of pay if laid off.
June 3 – France agrees to Home rule for Tunisia.
•
June 11 – 83 killed, 100 injured in Lemans auto race in France.
•
July 17 – “Disneyland” theme park opens in an in Anaheim, Calif.
•
July 17 – Riots against the French in Morocco force Govt. to declare martial law.
•
Aug 28 – Emmett Till, a 15 year old boy visiting his uncle in Money, Mississippi from Chicago is kidnapped and murdered by two white men for alleged whistle at a white women.
•
Aug 1 – Red China agrees to release 11 US pilots shot down in B-29’s in Korean war.
•
Sept 19 – Juan Peron resigns as President of Argentina after rebels bomb Buenos Aires, Peon exiled to Paraguay.
•
•
Sept 10 – “Gunsmoke” débuts on CBS.
•
Sept 24 – President Eisenhower suffers heart attack, Stock market crashes as result.
•
Oct 26 – Ngo Dinh Diem declares south Viet Nam a Republic and he as President.
•
Sept 30 – James Dean killed in auto accident in Calif., 24.
•
Nov 11 – Military seizes power in Brazil in bloodless coup.
•
Oct 3 – “Mickey Mouse” club débuts on TV.
•
Nov 21 – United Kingdom, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey set up common defense on Soviet border.
•
Nov 7 - US Supreme rules segregation in public parks, swimming pools and golf courses unconstitutional.
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Nov 26 - USSR explodes world’s largest nuclear bomb in test.
•
Dec 5 – Negro’s boycott Montgomery, Ala. Buses after Rosa Parks arrested for refusing to give up her seat to white man.
• •
Dec 14 – UN admits 15 nations. 503
• Maury
1955
•
Jan 7 – Mr. Ray Turner of Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala. Speaking to the Columbia Rotary Club said that “within years war will be out moded” because rockets will be able to carry atomic weapons to any place on the earth with 45 minutes.
•
Jan 10 – Maury County Court approves the purchase of the Columbia schools for $100,000, subject to Columbia’s acceptance of electing two school board member’s from the 9th district. Schools include Central High School, Highland Park, Riverside, Andrews, College Hill and McDowell. Columbia will retain the old Institute property
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Jan 10 – Maury County Court approved $7500 for development of Maury County park.
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Jan 31 – A triple murder was found in Mt Pleasant , Mr. Robert D Moore 56, his wife Anne Ruth Johnson Moore 53, and farmer friend James a Cooper 47, were all shot in cold blood. Mr. Moore is the owner of the Moore hardware store, the bodies were found burned at the Moore’s home to cloak the mass murder of all three
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Feb 11 – Marshall Ledbetter Jr., son of Marshall Ledbetter Sr., operator of Victory Van Lines, has become Maury County’s first appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Feb 11 – President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Moscow Wright announced the city’s greatest need is to annex the suburbs.
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Feb 17 – The newly chartered Maury Manufacturing Company announced construction of a new plant in Mt Pleasant, it expects to employ 350 in $250,000 plant.
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Feb 24 – Polk Memorial Gardens dedicated, new cemetery located near St John’s church.
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March 4 – Daily Herald average circulation in 8148.
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March 4 – Gilly C Truelove purchased the W.D. Tucker & company grocery store in West end from Wallace and Conner Tucker who had est. it in 1903.
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March 11 – King’s Daughters announced plans to form a school for “retarded children” in the old hospital which was closed.
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March 11 – The Columbia City Bus service ceased operation and declared bankruptcy.
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March 15 – The L & N railroad strike shuts down all Maury County plants, 50 phosphate mines closed.
•
March 18 – L & N railroad pickets enjoined by Maury County courts, trucks take over some of Monsanto operation.
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March 21 – 5 inches of rain floods the Duck River, 50 homes and 25 businesses forced to evacuate. Red Cross designates Columbia a disaster area.
• Tennessee
•
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March 3 - Uranium Shale discovered in Giles County near Lynnville on Basher farm.
504
• Maury
1955
•
April 5 – The Shea Chemical company announced it will double capacity and add 2nd furnace and new scrubber, cost $1.2 million.
•
April 8 – Court injunction frees up Victor Chemical trains, engines push 2 striker’s off track.
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April 11 – Mr. Rayburn Chapman announced plans to build a $3 million Bel-Air Heights subdivision on 118 acre old Al Haston farm on Santa Fe pike.
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April 14 – J.W. Johnson, prominent Negro educator and businessman died, 92. The brother of the late R.G. Johnson, principle of College Hill. He lived at 1018 Mapleash road.
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April 16 – Maury County will receive shipment of the new Salk polio vaccine today. The Salk inoculation will begin at the Highland Park school.
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April 19 – Three railroad officials attacked in Maury County by railroad pickets, acid thrown in one man’s eyes.
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May 3 – Columbia sewage plant to cost $1.9 million and $2.3 million in truck lines to proposed areas. State put Columbia on notice to stop dumping sewage into Duck River which it has done since 1808.
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May 4 – The Maury County phosphate Reclaim Committee reports progress in its 8th annual meeting. The group est. 8 experimental plots on 285 acre Cheairs-Campbell tract acquired by Monsanto last year. Crops are being tested on mined soil.
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May 6 – Violence strikes trains in Maury county, striker slain at Mt Pleasant. Mr. Charles E Wright 32, a fireman on the L & N railroad of Mt Pleasant, shot by Ray Van Brindley of Nashville.
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May 7 – Maury County Hospital installs telephones in patient rooms.
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May 13 – Maury County starts practical nurse school in cooperation with the Tennessee Vocational education.
•
May 13 – The Polk Theatre shows “20,000 Leagues under the Sea.”
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May 25 – Miss Sue McCall chosen as Miss Maury County and Miss Connie Lynn Prince chosen as Little Miss Maury County at the National Tennessee Walking horse Jubilee at Pillow Park, 200 entries from 16 states drew large crowds.
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May 26 – According to the Tennessee highway Department, 12,191 vehicles per day travel on West 7th street. The increase is 4 times the volume of 10 years ago.
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June 3 – Columbia City Council approved annexation of BelAir subdivision of 300 homes and includes 140 acre site and 17 acres owned by James “Jeep” Campbell and county workhouse.
• Tennessee •
April 5 – Governor Frank Clement announces he will increase truck freight in the state because of the L & N railroad strike.
•
April 18 – Railroads operating unions in 13 states join L & N railroad workers strike in Tennessee
•
May 3 – William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams win Pulitzer prize for literature, Faulkner for “A Fable” and Williams for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
•
May 9 – The Louisville and Nashville railroad and union agree to end 57 day strike and send issues to binding arbitration, service in 14 states resumes.
•
505
• Maury
1955
•
June 4 – Local boy, Capt. Frank “Bowser” Frakes will perform his guided missile explosion stunt and “coffin dynamite’ act here in the Joey Chitwood Thrill show for Maury County Lions club event to raise money for the blind. Show at the Columbia Speedway grounds.
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June 8 – The Hill-Gordon American legion “colored’ Post #170 requested the zoning board to use the old “colored hospital” building as their headquarters on East 7th street.
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June 8 – The International Minerals and Chemical Corp (IMCC) purchased the TVA Godwin plant for $650,000. IMCC plans to expand the plant and hire 135 workers.
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June 8 – Jimmy Matthews, Columbia businessman & political leader appointed Judge of the General Sessions Court by Governor Frank G Clement to fill the vacancy left by Judge Sam D Kennedy who moved to Paris, Tn.
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June 10 – Maury County NAACP branch chartered.
•
June 10 – Thomas Norman Batts Sr. of Columbia, Maury County’s last Spanish-American war veteran died,
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•
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June 24 – James “Mac’ Peebles has accepted the position of football coach and teacher at Whitthorne Jr. High says Principle, James Scott. He was a graduate of the Columbia Military Academy and Vanderbilt and played professional football for the Washington Redskins. July 8 – Morgan Bros Electric sponsoring first “open House” celebrating the opening of “Westhaven” subdivision. Visitors see homes fully furnished and equipped with a Chrysler Air Conditioner. Three bedroom homes in Hampshire and Mt Pleasant pike area and fully equipped with appliances. Aug 16 – “Operation Park site” begins on old Experimental Station property for the new Maury County Park says Chairman of the Park Commission, R.R. Ruhmer. 4 miles of grading and new roads with horseshoe drive built. Sept 5 – King’s Daughters school dedicated for mentally “retarded”, hospital converted and remodeled for handicapped children. Sept 10 - Students installed a plaque honoring the late Lucius Simpson Duke, beloved teacher at Central High school. Oct 5 – The Navy named a new Destroyer Escort to honor John Harlan Willis, World War II Navy Corpsman, killed in action Feb 28, 1945 on Iwo Jima and received the medal of Honor. Mrs. Kenneth D duke of Nashville, former wife of the Navy hero christen the ship with her son, John Harlan Willis Jr., age 10. Mrs. Duke is the former Winprey Morrell, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H.A. Morrell of Williamsport. Oct 15 – House to house collections for the annual community Red Feather drive is being held in the Negro section of College Hill, East Hill, Southside and West end, Edward Kimes, Chairman.
• Tennessee
•
June 10 – Tennessee Supreme court ruled that County courts rather than Governor have right to appoint Judges to fill vacancies.
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June 11 – Cumberland Gap National Park Est., as 10,000 acres donated by Tennessee and Congress approves $2 million for construction.
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June 26 – Silliman Evans Sr. died ,61. He was owner publisher of Nashville Tennessean from 1937 to his death. Silliman Evans Jr. becomes Publisher at age 36.
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July – Carl Perkins writes song “Blue Suede Shoes.”
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July 23 – Cordell Hull, former Tennessee Senator, US Secretary of State, winner of Nobel peace prize died, 84. he was “Father of United Nations.”
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Aug - Kelly vs. Board of Education Nashville filed to desegregate Nashville schools.
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Aug 23 – School bus/ train wreck kills 10 children, injures 31 at Spring City, Tn.
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Sept 3 – Nashville city school officials denied enrollment to 20 Negros at Kirkpatrick Elementary school and Glenn Elementary schools to 8 Negro’s who attempted enrollment at Central High school.
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Sept 6 – 100 Negro students integrated without incidence at Oakridge, Tn. in two schools.
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Sept 13 – Tennessee legislature passes law to enforce proper installation of septic tanks in County Health Department authority and requires soil test.
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Oct 2 – Dortch Stove company purchased by Magic Chef Corp.
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Oct 10 – 15,000 First and Second graders received their 2nd Polio shot at Nashville schools.
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506
• Maury
1955
•
Nov 18 – First Methodist Church approves $240,000 remodeling project with new education building on the old parsonage lot on High Street, air conditioning for church.
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Nov 23 – Fire destroyed the Jiffy Grill on West 7th street, opened by Sherman McAdams, formally the Voss & Voss Café.
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Nov 25 – Donald M Galloway, long time educator and Maury county native, including being the Principal of the Culleoka High School was honored in Knoxville for his 28 years of service.
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Dec 2 – Columbia announced plan s to annex three areas including Riverside Heights, Bel-Air Heights and houses along the Lewisburg pike and Midway ave, area includes 1000 people.
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Dec 3 – A crowd of 2500 watched the Columbia Christmas parade and greeted Old Saint Nick.
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Dec 8 – Columbia is cutting several old large Elm trees along North Garden street to make way for $25,000 white way project being installed with 62 mercury vapor lights. Some people protesting.
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Dec 9 – Tennessee State Supreme Court voided the “Whitthorne clause” in Brookwood land deal. The suit brought by James H Dowling against property owners in Terrace Place in Columbia to clear land titles in property formally owned by Judge W.C. Whitthorne who restricted the deed prohibiting the sale of property to person’s of African descent. Court ruled restrictions were unconstitutional.
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Dec 16 – The Louisville & Nashville railroad announced construction of a new bridge with 28 feet of roadway over the L & N rail line on the Santa Fe pike at Godwin, state to pay some costs.
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Dec 23 – Columbia annexes 400 acres and ads 1000 people in Riverside between the Nashville Highway and Riverside Drive from 5th Ave to Bass Drive. Bel-Air annexation held up due to sewer problems.
• Tennessee
•
•
Dec 31 – Vanderbilt has first Bowl game against Auburn in Gator Bowl in Jackson, Fla.
507
• United States
1956
•
Jan 6 – Actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer III of Monaco announced plans to marry.
•
Jan 18 – A 20 year old white girl was sentenced to prison for 18 months at Raleigh, N.C. for willing adultery and fornication with a Negro fellow employee.
• World •
Jan 7 – British kill 10,000 Mau-Mau rebels in Kenya.
•
Jan 26 - Winter Olympic game begins in Costina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
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March 2 – Morocco declares independence from France.
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March 23 – Pakistan becomes 1st Islamic Republic.
•
Jan 29 – US Air Force announces it will switch from B-36’s to B-52’s Superstrata fortress.
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Feb 1 – University of Alabama admits first Negro women, Arthuraine Lucy 26, but denied the 2nd women, Mrs. Polly Ann Hudson, for her conduct and martial status.
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April 19 – Israel and Egypt sign cease fire.
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April 19 – Prince Rainer III married Grace Kelly.
Feb 22 – Martin Luther King and 6 other ministers arrested on charges of illegally boycotting the Montgomery, Ala. buses in desegregation suit. Rev. R.D. Abernathy headed the boycott .
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June 5 – Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev denounces Josef Stalin to communist party . June 13 – Britain turns control of Suez canal to Egypt’s Premier Nasser after controlling it 22 years.
•
• •
March 7 – Roy Wilkins calls for “march on Washington” if Congress fails to act on Civil rights legislation at National Civil rights conference attended by 1500 delegates.
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June 26 – Battle of Algiers begins as Nationalist battle French forces.
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April 25 – Rocky Marciano, world heavyweight boxing champion retires undefeated.
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June 29 – Russian tanks used in Poland to crush demonstration against communist government.
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June 12 – The House un-American activities committee cited Negro singer, Paul Robeson, for contempt of Congress for refusing to say whether or not he is a communist.
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July 26 – Egyptian Premier Nasser nationalizes Suez canal.
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Aug – Arab oil embargo hits European nations.
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June 29 – President Eisenhower signs the Federal National highway act, $33 billion, 41,000 mile limited access highway system.
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Sept – French actress, Brigitte Bardot 22, stars in “And God Created Woman.” hit film.
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July 24 – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis spit up comedy team.
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July 30 - President Eisenhower signs bill making “In God We Trust” the US motto.
Oct 18 – 50 Japanese soldiers surrender after 11 years in mountains of Philippines. Capt. Takeo Murai organized group to wait for re-enforcements.
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Oct 24 – civil war erupts in Hungary, Russian troops called in to put revolt down.
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Oct 25 – Israel launches 11 day war against Egypt, reaches West Bank of Suez canal, Nasser blocks canal passage with ships.
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Oct 31 – French, Israel and British forces attack Egypt over control of Suez canal.
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Nov 6 – Suez canal war ends with cease fire.
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Dec 2 – Fidel Castro and his followers land on Cuban beaches from Mexico to begin revolt.
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Sept – Drag racing becomes popular in US.
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Oct 29 – Huntley-Brinkley report débuts on NBC-TV.
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Nov 1 – IBM introduces 1st hard disk drive computer (5mb).
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Nov 6 – Dwight D Eisenhower and Richard Nixon re-elected President and vice-President.
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Nov 23 – New national trend of “going steady” sweeps young people in US. Gone are the stag days when a girl measures her social success by the number boys she can dance with or date.
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Nov 26 – Tommy Dorsey, master of Jazz, died, 51.
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Dec 8 – Olympic games open in Melbourne, Australia.
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Dec 6 – TV series “Lassie” to end because “Tommy” has grown up.
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Dec 12 – Japan joins United Nations.
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Dec 23 – French and British withdraw from Suez canal area.
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508
• Maury •
1956
Jan 3 – Mr. Judd Brooks, a native of Hampshire was selected as “Man of the Year” by the Progressive Farmer magazine. Other Maury County farmers who have won the honor before were the late William P Ridley and late Joe Frank Porter Sr.
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Jan 7 – Dr. W.N. Cook, director of Maury County Health department announced a schedule for Salk polio vaccine at the Santa Fe schools
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Jan 7 – Mt Pleasant citizens enjoyed the new library opened last year as the number of books went from 2216 to 2600.
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Jan 11 – The first step toward desegregation in Columbia occurred yesterday when the “colored’ and white’s waiting room signs were removed from the L & N railroad depot waiting room.
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Jan 14 – The Literary Guild will perform at Carver-Smith auditorium here in Columbia. The High school guilds from Carver-Smith, West-End, Fayetteville, Bridgeforth, Pulaski and Jones Training school, Lewisburg and Bedford Training school will put on one-act plays and choral music given in a non-competitive basis designed to provide better working conditions between schools, public invited.
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Jan 25 – Whitthorne Jr. High school coach “Mac” Peebles, a nationally known football coach announced he will accept the position of assistant coach at the University of North Carolina and work with coach, Tommy Mont.
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Feb 3 – Columbia received a petition from the Rolling Fields subdivision at Trotwood and 16th street in southwest Columbia.
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Feb 10 – Peabody College report recommends the Maury County retain county wide school system and Columbia schools join the system, elect school board by popular vote instead of County court election, eliminate inequities in teacher work loads, have 10 elementary schools instead of 45, reduce size of classes, principals not as teacher’s, abandon College Hill and Andrew schools, extend accounting system to monitor extra curricular activities funds. Dr. W.D. McClurkin, Director of Peabody College said that the level of education in Tennessee will never improve until control is taken from the County court system.
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Feb 17 – Columbia endorsed plans to begin talks with Maury County to solve school problems. The city appointed four unofficial delegates to meet county officials.
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• Tennessee •
Jan 4 – Federal Judge, Robert Taylor ordered Anderson county schools to desegregate, it includes Oak ridge schools.
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Jan 5 - 12 Negro’s will be allowed to enroll in Memphis State University. The first state imposed college enrollment in Tennessee under a “graduated desegregation plan” proposed by the state board of education. 5 negro’s were denied admission in Oct, filed suit in Federal court to force the decision.
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Jan 7 – L & N railroad president, W.S. Hackworth announced that the Nashville, Chattanooga and St Louis railroad and Louisville and Nashville railroad lines will abolish segregation waiting rooms in its Atlanta station and end segregation in all other stations and interstate coaches to comply with the Interstate Commission order.
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Jan 25 – Federal Judge, Elmer Davies, ordered the city of Nashville to desegregate its municipal golf course.
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Jan 30 – Fire destroyed Franklin High school, $500,000 loss, lightning believed to be cause.
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Jan 31 – Martin Jr. College in Pulaski , main building destroyed by fire, $300,000 loss .
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Feb 22 – Elvis Presley first big hit on music charts, “Heart Break Hotel.”
Feb 23 – The state Forestry Department erected a 80 foot observation tower on the highest point in Maury County, near Theta to watch for forest fires. View includes three counties. •
509
• Maury
1956
• Tennessee
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March 2 – Columbia annexation contract for sewer and water signed.
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March 8 – Carver-Smith High school presents a three act musical comedy, “The Belle of Barcelona” with a cast of 50 from the music and drama department. The operetta is based on life in Spain and laced with romance and intrigue.
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March 9 – Tennessee supreme court ruled that reading bible verses in school is constitutional in suit filed by Nashville newspaper reporter who said such readings were offensive to him and his child.
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March 19 – Work has began on the new Spring Hill school brick 80 X 120 Gymnasium.
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March 21 – Maury County agrees to buy the Columbia city schools fro $100,000 and pledged to give the city two seats on the school board.
March 12 – 96 US Congressman and Senators signed the “Southern Manifesto’, a protest against the 1954 US Supreme court decision on desegregation case in Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka, Ks. Tennessee Senator’s Gore and Kefauver refused to sign the pledge, 6th district Congressman from Maury County signed the pledge
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March 31 – Miss Sally Powers 17, of Mt Pleasant wins Miss Maury County sponsored by JC’s.
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April 9 – Work is continuing on the Carter’s Creek Pike widening and rebuilding of several bridges, state spending is $273,000.
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April 16 – The National Carbon company to add furnaces in expansion and add 100 workers.
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April 21 – Miss Kathryn Park, teacher at Andrews school for 40 years announced her retirement. A native of the Park community in Maury County. She was named in “Who’s Who” in 1942 for her poetry and published short stories of fiction for children.
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April 27 – Mrs. Bert Erwin and daughter Margret Erwin Foster conveyed 6 acres of land to the city of Columbia to be used as a playground and recreation area for children. The land is in Royal Oaks subdivision on Santa Fe pike and was presented to city mayor Tom F Williams. The park is a memorial to Miss Betty Lee Erwin McCord, physical education teacher at Central High school, killed in 1953 auto accident.
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April 28 – Spring Hill paid tribute to retiring teacher, Miss Rose Cheairs, who taught school 38.5 years, including 26 years a Spring Hill.
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May 17 – Roy Van Brindley 29, found “Not Quilty” in killing of Charles E Wright, 32 of Mt Pleasant on May 5, 1955 during railroad strike. The defense attorney, Hugh Todd Shelton Jr. and Hugh Todd Jr. convinced the jury that the shooting was justified self-defense. Brindley and his wife returned to Houston, Tx. Where he is a salesman now.
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May 19 – Some 200 of Tennessee’s finest Walking horses competed in the 5th annual national Tennessee Walking Horse Jubilee, 25,000 viewed the contest in the new arena in the New Maury County park.
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May 21 – Tennessee Knitting Mill workers voted to join the Columbia Hosiery Workers of America. •
510
• Maury •
1956
June 8 – The Maury County Court approved adding 9 class rooms, kitchen and cafeteria in the new wing of the College Hill Elementary school.
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June 14 – The Columbia Chamber of Commerce approved a resolution calling for the creation of a combined Columbia/Mt Pleasant Chamber of Commerce allowing the 60 Mt Pleasant businesses to join the 460 in Columbia in a unified organization.
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July 6 – Columbia family income after taxes in 1955 was reported at $15.1 million with a per family income average at $4447, 21 percent above the national average.
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July 9 – Columbia Planning Commission adopted a new major By-pass road plan that provides new access into Columbia. One of the proposals runs through Bel-Air subdivision.
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July 13 – Maury County Court sets tax rate at $2.44 per $100 in assessed property value.
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July 16 – Maury County now is fully accredited, says Dr. Kenneth B Babcock, director of Accreditation of Hospitals of Chicago.
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July 18 – The state of Tennessee says that Columbia and Centerville are the two biggest polluters of the Duck River with the dumping of raw sewage into the river.
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July 31 – Victor Chemical plant will add a new electric phosphate furnace. The expansion will add more jobs to the existing 450 employees.
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Aug 3 – Flo F Fleming loses race for Maury County Sheriff to Jack Lovett by 51 votes and asks for recount, charges fraud at Sandy hook. Columbia voters approved a $750,000 sewage plant bond.
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Aug 5 – Rock & Roll singer Jerry Lee Lewis makes a personal appearance at the Sundown drive-in. Aug 10 – Columbia’s long-pending new radio station WJGD 1280 granted a construction permit, says Frances E White, a Columbia businessman. Mr. White is the co-owner of the Columbia Neon company.
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Sept 25 – Oakes Chair Factory burns, $229,000 loss. All buildings behind Main building destroyed, brick office saved. Mr. Oakes says he will rebuild.
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Oct 8 – Maury County Industrial output increased 109 percent over last seven years, according to Dept of commerce report. The study by Columbia- Mt Pleasant Chamber of Commerce showed Maury County had 52 Industrial businesses with 5030 employees and $14.4 million payroll.
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Oct 11 – Major Reuben Clark Algood now serving as Commanding officer of 37th AAA Battalion in Japan has been promoted to Lieut. Colonel.
• Tennessee •
June 12 – A preliminary survey by Tennessee department of highway reports a Super 4 lane limited access highway will be built from Nashville to Birmingham, ala. And pass through eastern Maury County.
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Aug 12 – 12 Negro’s enrolled in Clinton, Tn. white Public school in Anderson County, making it the first in the south to be integrated.
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Aug 18 – Democrats nominate Stevenson- Kefauver for President and vice-President.
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Sept 1 – Sheriff of Anderson County requests Governor Frank Clement send National Guards to assist with violence at Clinton High school.
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Sept 4 – National Guards and tanks restore order in Clinton, Tn. Where race riots erupted over desegregation of schools.
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Sept 9 – Elvis Presley appears on Ed Sullivan TV show.
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Sept 21 – 101st Airbourne division moves to Fort Campbell, Ky. Converts to Airmobile in 1969.
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Sept 28 – 3000 greet Richard Nixon in Nashville, 500 at airport
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511
• Maury •
•
•
•
1956
Oct 16 – The L & N railroad petitioned the Tennessee public Service to drop services at 96 stations, including 11 stations in Maury County: Pleasant Grove; Rockdale; Ashwood; Carter’s Creek; South Columbia; Spring Hill; Kilburne and Sandy Hook and others. Oct 16 – Residents of Idlewild, Forrest Hills and Terrace Place will get a new access route to the downtown area of Columbia with a new 6th street route to be extended over the knob, cost $7000. Oct 19 – Society: Mrs. D.A. Vaughn, who lived for 50 years at 1201 Galloway has turned her small 108 x 115 lot into a world class garden. Mrs. Vaughn, a widow for many years supported herself and her children by selling flowers, plants and seeds from her city lot. Now 85 she must give up gardening and it breaks her heart. Oct 26 – The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded Lee C Grissom, a Negro truck driver, 44 of Columbia the Bronze Medal for heroism. Grissom lost his life by drowning during his attempt to save two women on June 21, 1955. His widow, who lives at 404 East 9th street was presented with the Medal. Grissom heard the cry for help of Miss Hazel White, 23 and Mrs. Sara Jo Hopwood Andrews 17, who were swimming and tried to save them.
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Nov 2 – Workers at the DuPont Sponge factory voted 100 to 42 against joining a union.
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Nov 10 – The first Negro Brownie troop organized in Columbia by Mrs. W.M. White, Troop 125, meets at Macedonian school.
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Nov 13 – The Maury County Chapter of Tennessee Antiquities forms a committee to restore two cabins and the John Mack historic grave site with road & parking lot. One log cabin may have been built from logs in John Mack’s Stockade. The other log cabin at Hale Station was definitely built in 1787 and was one of three buildings to make up the settlement between 1775 and 1781. (later disproven)
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Nov 19 - The first volumes of Judge William B Turner new book, “History of Maury County” published.
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Nov 29 – Mr. E.M. O’Kelly, Columbia's widely known L & N railroad ticket agent for 47.5 years retired. He began his career with the L & N in Columbia in 1909 at Thompson station.
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Dec 1 – Thousands watch the Columbia Christmas parade.
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Dec 7 – Artie Roger Norwood and Amelia Louise Fields were crowned King and Queen fund raising drive for the school with $374.33 raised. They are 2nd grade students of Mrs. T.N. Porter at the Macedonia Elementary school.
• Tennessee •
Oct 6 - The old Tulane Hotel at 8th Ave N & Church in Nashville torn down.
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Oct 10 – Rutherford teachers go on strike protesting the County’s refusal to approve a pay raise of $125 supplement per month raising pay to $250 per month.
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Oct 12 – Percy Priest, Congressman died, 56. under went surgery for ulcer and hemorrhaged. A native of Maury County, born in Carter’s Creek, Tn. Served in Congress 16 years.
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Oct 19 – Hip swinging Elvis Presley 21, successfully defends himself on disorderly conduct charges resulting from his punch to the eye of a service station attendant when he refused to move his Lincoln.
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Oct 30 - Nashville school board votes to end segregation in phased approach beginning in first grade.
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Nov 25 – Tennessee State Temple Tiger Bells of Nashville win several medals in Olympic games in Montreal, including Wilma Rudolfh who won three gold
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Nov 27 – Eggs were thrown at the Clinton Negro girl students who attended Clinton high school and two Negro boys who went home because they were “tired of being molested.”
• •
Dec 6 – US marshals arrested 16 segregationist accused of interfering with racial integration at Clinton High school, two of the 16 were women. 512
•
• United States
1957
• World
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Jan 3- The Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pa introduces the first electronic watch.
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Jan 9 – British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden resigned in wake of Suez crisis.
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Jan 5 – President Eisenhower proposed that US offer the Middle East countries military assistance to resist communist aggression, called the “Eisenhower doctrine.”
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Jan 10 – Harold MacMillan elected prime Minister of Great Britain.
• •
Jan 13 – Wham-o produced the first “Frisbee”.
Jan 23 – Princess Grace on Monaco gave birth to baby girl, Princess Caroline.
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Jan 14 – Humphrey Bogart, actor died of cancer, 57.
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Jan 23 - Israel holds Gaza strip despite UN demands to withdraw.
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Jan 20 – Dwight D Eisenhower and Richard Nixon inaugurated as President and Vice-President.
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Feb 17 – Suez canal reopened.
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Feb 25 – Buddy Holly & Crickets record “That’ll be the day”.
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March 6 – Former British African colonies of Gold coast and Togoland become independent state of Ghana.
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April 30 – 1000 Marines land in Lebanon. •
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May 2 – Senator Joseph McCarthy (R) Wisconsin died, 48 of alcoholism.
March 25 – European common market treaty signed in Rome by France, West Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Belgium and Netherlands.
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June 3 – US Supreme Court ruled that General Motors and DuPont did illegally restrain trade.
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May 15 – Britain explodes first hydrogen bomb on Christmas island in Pacific.
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June 11 – First test flight of Atlas Intercontinental missile explodes on liftoff.
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May 29 – Prince Suvanna Phuma of Laos resigns, govt. falls.
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July 1 – Cuba rocked by revolt, rebel Fidel Castro battles Govt. troops.
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July 23 – “Father Knows Best” rated number 1 TV show.
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Aug 5 – “American Bandstand” hosted by Dick Clark in Philadelphia débuts on ABC-TV.
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July 11 – Althea Gibson, first black to win Wimbledon tennis championship.
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Aug 26 – Ford Motor company introduces the new “Edsel”.
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Aug 25 – Prince Suvanna Phuma of Laos forms new Govt. With Pathet Laos.
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Aug – Asian flu sweeps the country, thousands die.
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Aug 31 – Malaysia gains independence from Britain.
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Sept 3 – 250 national guards and Arkansas state troopers with rifles and half-tracks surround Little Rock Central High school to stop integration in defiance of federal court order by order of governor Orval E Faubus as 9 black students attempted to enter the school
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Sept 17 – Thai army seizes power in Bangkok.
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Sept 26 – Dag Hammerskjold elected UN Secretary-General.
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Oct 7 – Russia launches first space satellite, “Sputnik I”
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Oct 23 - Israel withdraws from Sinai desert and Gaza strip.
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Oct 30 – Soviet un ion launches Sputnik II with dog “Lika” aboard.
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Nov 5 – For first time in history a woman will sit in British House of Lords.
• •
Dec 2 – sputnik II falls back to earth with “Lika” dead.
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Sept 24 – President Eisenhower federalizes Arkansas National Guard, orders troops to break up demonstrations, protect 9 blacks entering school.
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Oct 4 – “Leave it to Beaver” débuts on CBS-TV
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Nov 1 – The world’s longest suspension bridge opened, The Mackinac Straits bridge in Michigan.
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Dec 6 – US rocket Vanguard explodes on launch pad in attempt to put satellite in space.
513
• Maury
1957
•
Jan 4 – Columbia Central High school band invited to play in Mardi Gras parade March 5th.
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Jan 11 – Architect, Adrian Scovil, reviewed plans for proposed new jail and workhouse with Maury County Court.
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Jan 15 – Maury County bank deposits at all time high of $22.8 million in Columbia’s three banks. Local growth in bank deposits have grown since 1957 when they were $14.9 million.
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Jan 18 – Mr. Virgil Moore Jr. elected as President of the Mt Pleasant-Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
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Jan 21 – The Daily Herald purchased Southern Bell Telephone building for $50,000. The two story building was erected in 1914 and until recently housed the Central office and equipment of southern Bell telephone company.
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Jan 24 – Maury County pioneer educator, Mr. John P Graham died, 87 in Culleoka. Mr. Graham was a long time Maury County teacher and Superintendent of Schools. He was a gentleman and scholar in every sense of the word. He excelled as a teacher and had a teacher’s vision. He was in the vanguard of the fight to overcome the educational prejudices of the “fine landed gentry” of Maury County who were against public schools or what was called “pauper schools” at the time. He was County school superintendent from 1907-1925. He came to Culleoka in 1896 and was Principal of the Culleoka Academy. He enlisted the cooperation of citizens and encouraged the use of private funds to achieve school consolidation, build more adequate schools, strengthened the High School system in the County and improved teacher standards.
•
Jan 30 – Duck River floods to 40.5 feet, Riverside Drive under water.
•
Feb 6 – Hampshire's old dial telephone system has been replaced with new more modern equipment, cost $46,000. The change is necessary for all “Atlantic” phone numbers.
•
Feb 8 – The James K Polk Motel opens on Nashville highway.
•
Feb 16 – The Maury County Hospital announces plans for a $550,000 wing expansion to add 50 more beds. A local film, “Battle Against Death” made to show the effectiveness of the Maury County program for the caring of the indigent, where each case is reviewed by a screening committee of 10 physicians who agree to work for free based on need. Dr. William Cook, Maury county health officer, Dr. Gray and Mrs. James Swann, Dr. C.D. Walton, Mrs. Charles Speed and Squire Floyd Forsythe play and star in the film.
•
Feb 25 – The old “Pillow Infirmary”, a Columbia landmark will be razed to make way for the new Southern Bell building at the corner of West 7th and School streets. The large building was used by Dr. Robert Pillow as a infirmary at the turn of the century.
•
March 5 – The new concrete bridge over Rutherford Creek on Green Mills road completed, $25,000.
• Tennessee
•
new Polk Motel
•
Feb 15 – Bombing in Clinton, Tn. injurers three, damages 30 homes and Negro restaurant over desegregation of schools.
•
514
• Maury
1957
•
March 6 – The historic old three tier fountain that once graced the garden of James K Polk home on West 7th and Union Streets in Nashville will be placed in the garden of the Polk ancestral home in Columbia. The fountain has been at the state fair grounds since 1917. It was originally purchased by Mrs. Polk in 1899, just three months before the President’s death, who purchased it from the estate of Senator Felix Grundy. The fountain was moved to the fair grounds after her death.
•
March 6 – The Goodyear Service store on South Garden is open for business.
•
March 9 – H.D. Ruhm, pioneer in Maury County phosphate died, 86.
•
March 13 – The Rebuilt Oakes chair factory announced it will triple its output. The new building is 80 x 140 with 24 skylights.
•
March 14 – The state plans to widen West 7th street and East 9th street and extend Santa Fe Pike.
•
April 2 – The first Maury County science fair called a huge success. It was held at Whitthorne Jr. High. 1st place went to Rea Grissom of Columbia High school who built a AC-DC radio, 2nd place went to Terry Lewis of CHS for micro-biology photography, 3rd place went to Clyde Denton of Culleoka for building a Geiger counter.
•
April 13 – Miss Bethany Thomas 16, crowned Miss Maury County. She is daughter of Capt. And Mrs. John B Thomas of Columbia Military Academy and will reign at the National Walking horse Jubilee.
•
April 18 – Gulf International Gas Company has completed a 3500 foot air strip near the Compressor station near Hampshire.
•
April 29 – The total Maury County property tax assessment rose 56 percent since 1940. In 1940 it was $15.8 million and $24.8 million in 1957.
•
May 25 – Mr. C.U. Barker, one of Maury county’s most beloved teacher’s will retire after 46 years. Mr. Barker has been the Principal at Andrews Elementary school for past 29 years. He began teaching at Sharp’s corner school off Bear Creek pike near the Carpenter bridge, after being at Sharp’s school 8 years he transferred to the Nicholson school then to Andrews.
•
May 29 – Mt Pleasant voted to replace the present Mayor/ Alderman form of Govt. to the city manager type, 566 to 384 in referendum vote.
•
May 31 – Attorney General, William Harwell, announced he will appoint Mr. Sam D Kennedy, Columbia attorney as Assistant District Attorney.
•
June 1 – The Tennessee Knitting Mill announced it will close the plant due to declining sales. The plant opened in 1931 as MKM, peak employment was 585, currently employs 300.
• Tennessee
•
April 2 – A B-25 crashes 8 miles south of Dickson, 7 killed.
•
April 3 – Federal court orders Nashville schools desegregated by grade in Kelly vs. Bd. of Education case.
•
April 28 – L & C tower in Nashville dedicated, tallest in southeastern US.
•
May – Tennessee state legislature Est. Ellington Agriculture museum to honor Maury County scientist, Marion Dorset.
•
May 26 – RCA builds first permanent record company office on Music row in Nashville.
•
515
• Maury
1957
•
June 7 – Columbia approved $20,000 to build a 30 X 60 foot swimming pool in the Negro Fairview park.
•
June 7 – Columbia voted to approve $3000 to erect a monument to honor Maury County’s war dead on the west side of the courthouse. The American Legion Auxiliary contributed $1700 raised in bake sales toward costs.
•
June 8 – 2300 attended the opening of the National Tennessee Walking Horse Jubilee to view 200 horses.
•
June 11 – The State Hospital Advisory Committee approved the Maury County Hospital request for an additional 50 beds and $550,000 addition.
•
June 17 – The Columbia Garment company located on North Main closed after 18 months of operation. Mr. A.H. Warren, plant manager said high overhead and taxes caused the closing, 80 employed.
•
June 24 – An Explosion rocked the Dr. Pepper Bottling plant at 1122 South Garden Street, two injured. The explosion blew two plate glass windows out and damaged the building, cause unknown.
•
June 27 – The Victor Chemical plant in Mt Pleasant will build a new plant, add 50 people.
•
July 16 – A runaway truck smashed 12 cars and topples a Taxi stand in Columbia on South main street.
•
July 25 – The Columbia Military Academy announced plans to construct a new wing for the Whitthorne Hall. It will provide an additional 30 rooms for cadets and two additional teacher’s, cost $28,000, total number of cadets on campus to be 430.
•
Aug 9 – Victor Chemical buys 2700 acres from Federal Chemical property near Mt Pleasant, cost $640,000.
•
Aug 19 – Flo F Fleming sworn in as Sheriff of Maury county. Sheriff, W.E. “Jack” Lovett filed suite against the election commission decision involving voter fraud at Sandy Hook.
•
Aug 27 – The Brewster Shirt Corp. in Mt Pleasant announced it will double the Maury Manufacturing plant output.
•
Aug 29 – Columbia sells the old American Legion home property on 812-14 South Garden street to Charles Jewell of Mt Pleasant. It is currently occupied by Red Cross and Will Rays barber shop and the Rebel grill.
•
Sept 6 – The National Trading Center of Chattanooga announced it will construct a 10 unit ultra-modern shopping center in Columbia at the corner of Bear Creek pike and Nashville highway on 85 acres secured from Mrs. Selma Turner Burroughs, cost $500,00.
•
• Tennessee
•
June 28 – Ford Glass plant opens in Nashville.
•
July 23 – Outsider John Kasper and 6 Clinton, Tn. Residents charged with contempt of court for violating Federal court order of integration found guilty in Knoxville. Case was first major test to enforce 1954 Us Supreme court desegregation decision.
•
Aug 28 – Elvis Presley purchased “Graceland” in Memphis.
•
Sept 9 – Whites boycott Nashville schools to protest integration plan for 16 African-American students to attend 1st grade classes. New Hattie Cotton elementary school dynamited, 4 arrested. 516
Sept 6 – The Daily Herald average daily circulation is 8887. •
• Maury •
1957
Sept 21 – The National Carbon company, the largest producer of graphite electrodes in Maury County announces plans to expand, a division of Union Carbide.
•
Sept 21 – Culleoka school dedicated it’s new Gymnasium.
•
Sept 25 – Three pickets arrested at TKM for attacking an auto entering the plant. A rifle shot was fired , hits water tank.
•
Sept 27 – The 1000 National Carbon workers went on strike as negotiations with the International Operating engineers broke down after the company offered a 10 cent per hour wage hike.
•
Oct 4 – Four men cited for contempt of court for violating TKM injunction by stopping supplies entering the plant.
•
Oct 7 – The L & N railroad enjoined the railroad union from stopping trains entering National Carbon plant in Columbia.
•
Oct 11 – Mr. J Rufus Baker, Maury County School Superintendent since 1934 died, 61. A native of Maury County he first began teaching at Enterprise in 1922.
•
Oct 12 – Whitthorne Jr. High school organized its first student council, Dow Murphy is President and Howell Wantland Vice-President and Miss Janie Farris, Secretary.
•
Oct 15 – The National Carbon strike ends, with 11 cents per hour wage increase.
•
Oct 17 – Judge Ned Lentz of Nashville ordered a new Sheriff election in Maury County, W.C. “Jack” Lovett remains Sheriff until new election conducted.
•
Oct 22 – Asian flu hits Maury County, Mt Pleasant hardest hit, closes 5 school across county, later all schools closed.
•
Oct 28 – Ed Cox elected Maury County School Superintendent.
•
Oct 29 – The Maury County Farm Bureau policy committee announced it is opposed to school integration and Federal aid to education.
•
Nov 11 – Violence flares at Maury Manufacturing plant strike in Mt Pleasant as shots fired, one man injured.
•
Nov 13 – First Farmers & Merchants bank will build first branch bank with drive-in window on High street.
•
Nov 16 – Work resumes at Maury Manufacturing with contract settlement and 7.5 cent per hour raise.
•
Nov 23 – The first Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast called a huge success, hundreds pass through lines at Memorial building, co-chaired by Sam D Kennedy and Jack Dealy.
•
Dec 30 – Columbia City manager, Lowell Long, resigns.
• Tennessee •
Sept 10 – The Cedar’s of Lebanon State park opened.
•
Sept 12 – The UAW lost the union vote at the Murry -Ohio plant in Lawrenceburg, 624 to 558. The UAW had a contract with it’s Murry-Ohio plant in Cleveland, Ohio before it moved its bicycle plant here last year.
•
Sept 26 – Dr. Merrill Moore, son of John Trotwood Moore died. A original member of the Fugitive” poetry group at Vanderbilt. A leading authority on alcoholism and noted psychiatrist and renown sonnet writer. He grew up in Columbia.
•
•
Tennessee Knitting Mill 1930
517
• United States
1958
•
Jan 28 – Los Angeles Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella paralyzed in auto crash.
•
Jan 31 – First successful US satellite launched by Jupiter-C rocket, measures “Van Allen” belt.
•
Feb 5 – Vanguard rocket and satellite exploded on launch pad at Cape Canaveral.
•
Feb 5 – B-47 accidentally drops unarmed nuclear bomb in Savannah River, never found.
• World •
Jan 1 – European Common Economic market becomes effective.
•
Jan 11 – Algerian rebels battle French troops.
•
Jan 13 – 9000 scientists sign petition to stop nuclear testing.
•
Feb 1 – Syria and Egypt form the United Arab Republic, led by Baath party.
•
Feb 10 – French bomb Tunisia, 84 dead.
•
Feb 14 – The Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordon formed under King Faisal II.
•
March 8 – US Department of labor announces unemployment at 20 year high with 7.9 percent unemployed.
•
April 16 – Arnold Palmer wins first Masters golf championship.
•
Feb 21 – Gamel Abdel Nasser elected President of EgyptSyria Arab Republic.
•
May 19 – North American Air defense command (NORAD) formed.
•
March 27 – Nikita Khrushchev elected Soviet Premier and 1st Secretary of USSR communist party.
•
May 23 – Rock & Roll singer, Jerry Lee Lewis, married his 13 year old Memphis girl, Myra Brown.
•
March 31 – USSR announces halt to Atomic tests.
•
April 3 – Fidel Castro’s rebels attack Havana.
May 27 – Ernest Green, the first black student to graduate from Little Rock’s Central high school walks with 600 white classmates.
•
May 23 – Mao-Tse-Tung begins “Great Leap forward” movement in China. Plan calls for modernization of China’s industry after famine kills an est. 30 million people.
June – “Beatnik” movement originated in Calif. Spreads across US.
•
July 14 – a Pro-Egyptian military junta assassinated King Faisel II in Iraq, led by General Abdel Al-Kassem, Republic declared.
•
•
•
July 7 – Congress passes bill to admit Alaska as 49th state.
•
July 29 – President Eisenhower signs National Aeronautical and Space act to create NASA.
•
Aug 1 – King Hussien of Jordon dissolves the Arab Federation with Iraq.
•
Aug1 – Capt. William Anderson, Commander of USS Nautilus dives under the North pole. Graduate of Columbia Military Academy.
•
Aug 23 – Communist Chinese begin shelling Island of Quemoy and Martsu with 35,000 shells hitting island in two hours.
•
Sept 25 – A Navy plane crashed in Puget sound with unarmed nuclear bomb aboard, bomb never found.
•
Sept 8 – USSR Premier Nikita Khrushchev warns US that attack on China is attack on Soviet Union.
•
Sept 30 – American Airlines announced that for $3 surcharge passengers can get a gourmet meal of Filet of Mignon served on Damask table cloth, free champagne and special seated VIP ticket area.
•
Oct 9 – Pope Pius XII died, 82.
•
Oct 28 – Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli of Venice 76, elected Pope John XXIII.
•
Oct 15 – US X-15 spy plane makes first flight.
•
Nov 28 – French Congo proclaims independence and becomes Congo Republic, Chad also declares independence.
•
Nov 29 – America’s first ICBM Atlas rocket travels 6300 miles to target.
•
Dec 14 – USSR demands Us, France and Britain withdraw from Berlin.
Dec 10 – First US jet domestic jet service begins between New York & Miami.
•
Dec 21 – Charles De Gaulle elected president of France.
Dec 28 – The “Chipmunk song” wins 3 Grammy awards.
•
Dec 30 – Fidel Castro rebels claim victory in Cuban revolt, Havana falls 518
•
•
•
• Maury
1958
•
Jan 3 – Tom McGrew elected Mayor of Columbia by city commission.
•
Jan 6 – Maury County sets new rainfall record with 68.3 inches in 1957, old record was 67.7 inches recorded in 1882.
•
Jan 11 – Captain William R Anderson, graduate of Columbia Military academy navigates atomic submarine “Nautilus” within 100 mile of North pole below the Arctic Ice cap.
•
Jan 15 – Union ends 6 months of pickets at Tennessee Knitting Mills. The American Federation of Hosiery workers union won a representation election in June 1956. After several months of negotiations the plant closed last May 31st. The mill opened in August on a limited basis with one knitter for every two machines, currently employs 120 workers which brought around the clock pickets.
•
Jan 15 – The “Skipwith Place” on Williamsport Pike purchased by Mr. Leon Harlan whose family owned the farm previously for 100 years. Property owned by Mr. Rufus Baker for past 20 years. The site had been the location of the old Rock Castle, built by Scott Harlan which was destroyed by fire in 1890.
•
Jan 17 – The Rockdale Tavern was declared a public nuisance by the Maury County Court. The owner Jesse Kennedy had demanded a jury trail. The jury took 50 minutes to decide. The first such case in 20 years.
•
Jan 17 – The Daily Herald editor, John W Finney elected President of the United Press Tennessee Association.
•
Jan 22 – “Mercer Hall”, Columbia’s historical home on Trotwood, once occupied by Episcopal Bishop James H Otey and once owned by President James K Polk has been purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Wally Beasley. The light brick structure once had the most beautiful garden in Maury County. It was converted into an apartment house years ago. The Beasley's plan to restore the old house to its original status. It was erected in 1820 by Dr. William Leacock.
•
Jan 29 – Colonel W.O. Batts, Superintendent Emeritus of Columbia Military Academy has written a book entitled, “Private Preparatory Schools for Boys in Tennessee.” It is published by Partheon press. The book is only 38 pages, gives a brief history of the 38 boys schools and insight into the role each played in education.
•
Jan 30 – Colonel C.N. Martin named Columbia City manager, a former Columbia Military Academy official.
•
Feb 6 – The Maury County divorce rate increased to 106 in 1957 compared to 84 in 1956.
•
Feb 12 – The new DuPont Sponge plant to soon begin manufacturing in Columbia. The sponge will wipe and scour and holds 20 times its weight in water.
• Tennessee •
Jan 8 – Fire sweeps through 5 story Lillie Mill in Franklin, $1 million loss.
•
Jan – Baptist pastor, Kelly Miller Smith and Vanderbilt student, James Lawson and other black Civil rights activists organized the Nashville Christian Leadership conference (NCLC), an affiliate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Southern Christian Leadership conference (SCLC), conducting “Test sit-ins” at Nashville lunch counters.
•
Feb 5 – George Dickel Distillery re-opened near Normandy, Tn.
•
519
• Maury
1958
• Tennessee
•
Feb 17 – The worst cold spell in 18 years hit Maury County as temperature's dip to 4 below zero with 6 to 8 inches of snow. 4 dead and 6 injured as fuel shortages hit the state, curtailing Chemical plant operations. Maury County was shut off from gas service, now operating on fuel oil for heat.
•
Feb 19 – Mr. Virgil Moore named “Man of the Year” by Jaycee’s. The selection based on leadership, personal and business program participation in contributions to civic activities.
•
March 11 – A 49 year old Mt Pleasant insurance man, Mr. O.B. Powers is being treated for amnesia after being missing for three weeks. He was found dazed condition in Chattanooga. He disappeared after delivering an insurance policy claim to Lewis County.
•
March 12 – The Leftwich Bridge was condemned as unsafe. Engineering report says it’s dangerously overloaded but still in use.
•
March 12 – Columbia approves new 60 lot subdivision in Graymere to be named “Sunnyside” and will be located south of Graymere Manor road and Mere drive.
•
March 17 – The “Confederate Underground” reportedly dynamited the Jewish Civic Center in Nashville.
•
March 29 – The Spring Hill Orphan Home plans to double its occupancy from 152 to 300 children.
•
March 24 – Elvis Presley 23, inducted into Army at $78 per month.
•
April 5 – Miss Mary Moore Craig chosen as Miss Maury County.
•
March 30 – Williamson County Hospital opens on Carter’s Creek Pike in Franklin.
•
April 9 – Society: Parks Easter egg hunt grows larger every year as Mr. & Mrs. Norman Parks annual Easter egg hunt was forced to move from Dark’s Mill to Haynes Haven. A special pony ride event this year is featured as 5 year old Steven Parks, grandson and natural rider leads the parade.
•
April 10 – Four people were injured as 15 homes damaged as freak explosion leveled a South Main street home in Columbia. Wade and Velma Chappell and their 11 year old adopted son, Larry Venable were injured as well as 17 year old, Edward Haywood who lives next door. The blast blew out the windows of the Andrews school two blocks away, cause unknown.
•
April 15 – Crews will start work on Maury County Park football stadium, plans call for a 6000 seat stadium and field house.
•
April 17 – Hooker Chemical acquired in stock deal, no changes planned.
•
April 19 – Columbia Central High School wins regional math competition, edging out CMA in the finals for the Mid-State competition. The contest drew 175 students from 17 counties. 1st place in algebra I was Sharron Parrish. Central High won 9 of 13 top spots.
•
April 23 – A Maury County Citizen Committee formed & will make a formal presentation to the state for selecting Columbia as one of three sites for a State Jr. College. Hardin Hill, Chairman will make the presentation in Nashville to the state legislative committee.
•
520
• Maury
1958 3rd
•
May 8 – Miss Elizabeth Voss, grade teacher at Riverside Elementary school selected as teacher of the year by Maury County school board.
•
May 15 – Maury County school board votes to close Beechland, Bryant Station and Enterprise Elementary schools.
•
May 23 – 7000 attend grand opening of New High Street branch of First Farmer’s & Merchants Bank, one of the most modern in the south. The bank has on display $1 million for the opening. The bank has the 1st modern drive-in feature to conduct banking.
•
May 27 – Miss Vicki Carden selected Miss Maury County by Jaycees to represent the County in Miss Tennessee pageant.
•
May 31 – Johnny Potts hopes to launch a new career with the formation of his Rock-n-Roll band, “The Orbits”. Johnny will give up his job as a Daily Herald carrier where he worked for the last 7 years.
•
June 6 – The old Salem abandoned Negro church on Zion road and 3 acres was sold for $300 to Mr. Andrew L Johnson. The Negro’s were originally members of Zion Presbyterian church before the Civil War and after the war formed their own church, New Salem.
•
June 13 – Mt Pleasant new swimming pool and recreation area opened in eastern section of town, land donated by Mrs. Hay Long Wall, cost $50,000, includes bathhouse.
•
June 16 – Miss Jo Ann Rainey 20, named Maury County Dairy Queen.
•
June 16 – The 2oth Century Motel with 25 concrete units and restaurant on new 4 lane Nashville Highway to be auctioned off by owners, Mr. & Mrs. C. Tillman Moore of Columbia.
•
July 9 – Phosphate Reclaim Association reports 30 farms are reclaimed in Maury County.
•
July 18 – The old 20 ton phosphate locomotive was donated to Maury County Parks commission by Armour Fertilzer Corp. to honor Louis J Finney and placed in Maury Parks.
•
Aug 8 – Kenneth “Toots” Witherspoon came from behind to defeat Flo F. Fleming in Maury County Sheriff election, 5483 to 4790.
•
Aug 19 – Mr. Ed Cox, Maury County School Superintendent announced that four teachers resigned, three to teach elsewhere and one to enter business. Mr. Waymon Hickman, vocational teacher at Columbia Central High for two years took a position as a loan officer with 1st Farmers and Merchants Bank.
•
• Tennessee •
May 16 – Tennessee House of Representatives votes 89-7 in impeach Judge Raulston Schoolfield for bribery.
•
May 16 – The Sons and Daughter’s of the Golden Circle became the Golden Circle Life insurance company in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Brownsville to provide Life insurance for African-Americans.
•
June 1 – Country Music Association (CMA) organized in Nashville. Harry Stone, former manager of WSM radio and TRV station, served as first Executive Director.
•
June 12 – William Christopher, “W.C. Hart, Father of the Blues” died, 88. The African-American music composer, bandleader and residence of Memphis composed classic’s like the “Memphis Blues”.
•
June 19 – Dixie Foundry acquired Magic Chef stove company, a St Louis manufacturer of gas ranges. Two years later changed name to Magic Chef Corp.
•
20th Century Motel & Restaurant
Aug 20 – A fire destroyed the Maury Mills and Granary in Mt Pleasant, loss $100,000. •
521
• Maury •
1958
Aug 29 – Columbia officials announced it will take the option on a two story North Main street building to be remodeled as City Hall and provide parking on the 2nd floor for down town merchants, says city manager, C.N. Martin. The building is owned by H.B. Burks and is 75 X 155 feet, cost $50,000.
•
Sept 4 – Petitions are being circulated protesting the proposed razing of the present city hall for the purpose of providing a parking lot.
•
Sept 5 – Houston Hall (Rippavilla) and 850 acres in Spring Hill was sold for $177,500 to John T Sharrit. Mr. Sharrit owns extensive cattle and farming operations in Arizona and California. Charlie Luttrell was named manager of the farm and will live in the 103 year old mansion, known as the “Cheairs Place.”
•
Sept 9 – The Directors of the Columbia-Mt Pleasant Chamber of Commerce voted to withdraw from the National Chamber of Commerce because it supports the dismantling of TVA said Chairman, William Ross.
•
Sept 11 – Dr. Warren Rucker of Columbia purchased the historic Westview farm on the Nashville highway, 6 miles north of Columbia, built in 1840’s by Washington Miller with 1000 acres, price $50,000 for two tracts near Fry lane.
•
•
•
Oct 9 – An option to buy Haynes Haven filed by Columbia Rock, price $350,000, deal lists two tracts of 965 acres and 203 acres. Oct 18 – The State Library and Archive in co-operation with the Daily Herald and Maury Democrat sponsored the program to microfilm all Maury County newspapers and records on file, some 32 newspapers on file from 1810 to present. Nov 1 – Maury County voters will use Voting machines for first time. Jimmy Matthews, Chairman of the Election Commission purchased 12 machines and will lease 16 more for the election.
•
Nov 13 – John Ring and son, Johnny, a sophomore at Spring Hill High school reported corn yields over 120 bushels per acre on their farm.
•
Nov 20 – Pleasant Grove L & N Depot torn down, depot built in 1859 and was the hub of the community.
•
Nov 22 – East Valley subdivision with 121 homes petitioned for annexation with Columbia.
•
Dec 5 – South Columbia petitions for Columbia annexation, area west of Pulaski Pike and south of Polk Lane.
•
Dec 15 – Walkout shuts down Victor Chemical plant, 400 workers protest job consolidations
•
Dec 19 – Columbia votes to annex 8000 people in surrounding area.
• Tennessee •
Sept 1 – Tennessee state taxes totaled $78 for each man, women and children in 1957 according to US census bureau.
•
Oct 6 – Clinton High school in Anderson County, Tn. bombed, 20 room school turned into rubble, loss $300,000.
•
Oct 6 – Milky Way Farms owned by Mr. Earl Pucket of New York. 254 acres and 21 room house purchased by Jerry Dowling, Joe Lancaster and W.D. Wilsford.
•
Oct 20 – Tennessee Highway Department announces construction of I-65 from Birmingham to Nashville.
•
Nov 5 – Buford Ellington and Al Gore Sr. re-elected Governor and Senator of Tennessee.
•
Nov –Dec – Nashville Christian leadership Conference (NCLC) led by Rev. Kelly Miller Smith and college students organized in Nashville, later attempts to desegregate of lunch counters with “sit-ins.’.
•
Dec 24 – 7 people killed, 13 injured in Greyhound fiery bus crash on Pulaski pike Highway 31, 8 miles south of Pulaski. Heavy fog cited as reason. 522
•
• United States •
Jan 3 – Alaska admitted as
of union.
•
Jan 7 – US recognizes Fidel Castro Govt. in Cuba.
•
Jan 25 – American Airlines begins Jet service between Los Angeles and New York city in new Boeing 707, 1st Us company to do so.
• World •
Jan 2- Fidel Castro’s rebel army marches into Havana, dictator Fulgencio Batista flees.
•
Feb 2 – Indria Gandhi, daughter of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru elected Prime Minister of India.
•
Feb 19 – Cyprus granted independence by Greece, turkey and Britain.
Feb 3 – Buddy Holly, J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson and Richie Valens killed in airplane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.
•
March 9 – Civil war erupts in northern Iraq.
•
Feb – Wham-O sells 30 million Hula Hoops.
•
March 10 – Revolt in Tibet against Chinese erupts, Dalai Lama flees Tibet to India.
•
Feb 12 – NASCAR opens new High bank race track in Daytona, Fla.
•
March 2 – Iran renounces 1921 treaty with Soviet Union.
•
Feb 17 – US launches first weather satellite.
•
April 28 – Rebel forces from Cuba invade Panama.
•
March 9 – “Barbie doll” introduced by Mattel toy company
•
April 28 – Charles De Gaulle resigns as President of France.
•
March 18 – President Eisenhower signs bill to make Hawaii 50th state.
•
May 10 – First Soviet troops arrive in Afghanistan.
April 7 – Oklahoma ends 51 year prohibition by referendum vote.
•
May 29 – Charles De Gaulle forms new French Govt.
•
•
June 27 - Ingemar Johanson wins World Heavyweight boxing championship from Floyd Patterson.
•
Aug 19 – Baghdad pact changes name to Central Treaty Organization (CENTO).
•
Aug 28 – Red Chinese invade India.
•
Sept 4 – Communist Pathet Lao troops push toward Lao capitol.
•
Sept 14 – Soviet Union space probe “Luna II” is first man made object to reach moon.
•
49th state
1959
•
April 9 – NASA announces selection of 7 US Astronauts.
•
April 25 – St Lawrence Seaway opens to link Atlantic ocean to Great Lakes.
•
May 20 – Japanese-Americans regain citizenship.
• • •
May 25 – Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles died . May 28 – NASA successfully launches two monkeys into space and returns then safely.
•
July 21 – USS Savannah, first Atomic powered merchant ship launched in Virginia.
•
Sept 15 – Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev arrives in US for 15 day tour.
•
Aug 12 – First Polaris missile fired from ship.
•
Sept 23 – Nikita Khrushchev becomes angry when told he cannot visit Disneyland for security reasons.
•
Sept 11 – Congress passes first Food stamp act. •
Oct 7 – Saddam Hussein, as member of Baath party, ambushes Iraq leader, Abdel-Karmi Kassem in Baghdad, wounding him.
•
Sept 12 – NBC debuts “Bonanza”, TV western series.
•
Oct 16 – General George Marshall died, 79.
•
•
Nov 2 – Charles Van Dorn admits he had questions & answers prior to game show “Twenty-One” on NBC.
Oct 7 – Soviet Union satellite photographs back side of Moon.
•
Dec 1 – 12 nations sign treaty making Antarctica a scientific research preserve.
•
Dec 4 - China pardons Pu Yi, ex-Emperor of China and Japanese puppet, “The Last Emperor.”
• •
Dec 18 – China agrees to withdraw troops from India.
•
Nov 19 –Ford Motor Corp drops Edsel.
•
Dec 19 – Walter Williams ,last Civil war surviving veteran died, 117
•
Dec 31- Dow Jones average hits 679.
523
• Maury
1959
•
Jan 2 – Columbia Rock Corp. buys Haynes Haven and 1164 acres for $350,000 says President, Wayne Pressnell who says it will be used primarily as a cattle grazing enterprise.
•
Jan 7 – A building owned by John M “Jeep” Campbell to house Wargosa manufacturing company to make sports shirts will be constructed for Mr. Gene Heller. Wargosa currently operates on Depot street and employs 275 people.
•
Jan 12 – Maury County court approves $1 million bond for new college if states approves Columbia as a site.
•
Jan 15 – Columbia has asked the county school board to vacate the old Columbia Institute property in 60 days.
•
Jan 23 – A overflow crowd jammed the Court House as angry protesters presented a petition with 718 names opposed to annexation.
•
Feb 6 – Five areas around Columbia moved closer to annexation with the passing of the first reading of the ordnance for annexation passed. The areas being Idlewild, Jackson street, West Haven, Forrest Hills and East Valley.
•
Feb 11 – Society: “Twerp Week” is very popular in Maury County schools. During “Twerp week”, the boys are dated by the girls. Girls make the date, buy the movie tickets and pick up the check at the local drug store or Hamburger Palace.
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Feb 16 – Maury County state cherry pie baking winner is Maury County’s Miss Suzanne Stanford 17, a 4-H winner. She heads to Chicago for the National baking contest.
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Feb 16 – The local “Cricket Ranch”, one of 11 in the nation is owned by William Locke Thomas named “Jimmy Cricket Hatchery” in the old Ashton Mills building on Riverside drive. He has raised 100,000 crickets used for fishing bait and sells nationally.
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March 2 – The old Barrow Place on Trotwood Ave was razed. The huge brick house was built before the Civil war and was originally the home of A.O.P. Nicholson, Supreme Court Justice.
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March 7 – A modern bowling alley will be built on the Nashville Highway, just south of Columbia Motor Express. It will be air conditioned with 12 bowling lanes, modern automatic pin setting, snack bar and will be called the Columbia Bowling Alley.
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March 12 – Work has began on the new Shopping Center on Mt Pleasant Pike, just south of St John’s church. The shopping center is owned by Druggist Dr. J.M. Hamilton and will have a Supermarket, Service station, Motel & restaurant is planned.
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March 14 – Fire gutted the historical Columbia Institute, a National landmark. The origin of the fire is unknown.
• Tennessee
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Jan 19 – Buford Ellington inaugurated as governor of Tennessee.
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Feb 26 - A 5 man Tennessee legislative committee will investigate the Bi-racial folk school, Highlander. It was formed in 1932 by Myles Horton who was recently investigated by the House un-American Activities Committee. The Monteagle school said to be a school for communist labor leaders.
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March 11 – The Tennessee House passes a resolution sponsored by Governor Buford Ellington that calls for school “segregation”, in 80 to 1 vote.
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March 17 – Graymere announces plans for a new 18 hole golf course and new club house, cost $90,000.
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March 20 – Columbia votes 10th subdivision into city, Valewood located south of Hatcher Lane.
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April 4 – Miss Norma Derryberry selected as Miss Maury County.
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April 4 – Daily Herald average circulation at 8839.
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April 13 – Maury County Court votes to approve $2 million school bond 17-5 for construction of new school and repair.
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April 14 – The right of ways have been purchased for the Bypass from Mt Pleasant Highway 43 to Highway 31 , 4/10 mile south of Hatcher Lane near Graymere Church of Christ to a point south of 14th street. (James Campbell blvd)
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April 29 – Columbia announces it will build its own sewer plant, rejects all bids. City to save $118,000 if they build it themselves.
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May 2 – First Federal Savings & Loan to erect a new facility at corner of 6th and N. Garden streets.
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May 8 – 8th annual Tennessee Walking Horse Jubilee opens to record crowds at Maury county park. 3000 people watch finals with 150 entries from 15 states, Thomas h Reynolds, Chairman.
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May 9 – Columbia Gulf transmission company announced a $1.5 million expansion of its compression station near Hampshire. The expansion involves new type compressor station and building and will serve as pilot program for rest of the line.
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May 13 – Columbia city manager, C.N. Martin announced the sale of the 4.3 acre historic Columbia Institute on West 7th street.
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May 15 – Sam Melson Construction of Bedford County named as low bidder for new 50 bed Maury County Hospital expansion.
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May 16 – Tennessee State Police raid 5 places in Maury County and confiscate 856 bottles of whiskey. The raids conducted at Jack Scott’s of Mt Pleasant, J.B. Jewell at Rainbow Drive in in Mt Pleasant, Ruby Davis and Marvin Bradley on Armstrong street in Columbia, Ray Davies and E.W. Reeves on East 7th street.
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May 18 – Columbia’s population reported at 17,443 with recent annexations.
• Tennessee
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April 27 - Governor Buford Ellington dedicated a new boat manufacturing plant in Lewisburg. The new All Starr manufacturing will employ 50 people.
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May 21 – State Highway Department announces plans to build underpass on Highway 31 at railroad crossing .
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May 21 – Miss Elizabeth Galloway, teacher at Fountain Heights school will retire. She first started teaching at Ferndale in 1915, taught 44 years. She lives in the old Galloway homestead on Lewisburg pike built in 1806. She taught at Fountain Heights 33 years. Mr. Donald M. Galloway is her brother and Principal at Culleoka.
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May 28 – The Community Theater, Rondo will present “The Glass Menagerie”, directed by Clarence Selegman, starring Clara Davis, Betsy Colley and Paul Church.
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May 29 – Columbia’s new war memorial on the court house lawn will be dedicated Sunday, Memorial Day. Mr. Tom Williams, Chairman of the project thanked the American Legion Auxiliary for sponsoring the memorial
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June 10 – Ms. Jill Garrett, who was a member of the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals in Florence, Alabama where she formally lived is becoming known here as a pet lover. Ms. Garrett takes care of her neighbor’s pets while their out of town or at the hospital.
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June 10 – Maury County’s first University of Tennessee farm agent, Oscar Farris announced he is retiring, having served since 1920 with a total of 43 years service.
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June 30 – The Maury County Board of Education announced they have competed negotiations with the Monsanto Corp to purchase 85 acres next to the Maury County Park to build two schools, price $750 per acre. Plans call for High School and Elementary school. A $2 million bond is approved.
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July 8 – Spring Hill purchased the old Herman “Boss” Thompson ball park on Beechcroft road, 5 acres for $3600.
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July – Maury County total property tax assessment set at $45 million.
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July 11 – Construction is underway to straighten Kedron road, to be completed in 6 months.
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July 15 – The Rob Roy plant in Mt Pleasant will expand, makes boys shirts and will employ 200.
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July 24 – The State Highway Dept. plans call for a 106 foot right of way from 9th street south to the L & N railroad line on South Main. The improvements would cut through Alderson’s Dry Cleaning building, the Richardson Lumber, and take the old Martin house behind the Dimple Hotel.
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July 25 – Founder of the Park Brother’s Produce business in 1906, George W Park died, 83. He was the recognized authority on gardening and seeds. Born in Park Station he moved to Columbia to start a livery stable with his brother, C. D. Park.
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July 30 – The Tn. Depart. of Employment Security purchased a tract of land on 4th street to construct new employment security office, cost $85,000.
• Tennessee •
May 22 – David Crocket State park near Lawrenceburg dedicated by governor Buford Ellington.
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June 8 – Nearly 500 people attended the dedication of the Laurel Hill lake wildlife area in Lawrence County.
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June 15 – Fayette County civic and Welfare League founded by John McFerron and Web Viola, a WWII veteran, farmer, grocer and gas station owner to register black voters. Fayette County whites began evection of blacks who registered as voters. McFerren’s home became a Civil rights center. The whites boycott spread, merchants won’t sell to groceries or gas to blacks, court case filed. Case won July 26, 1962.
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July 4 – Cumberland National Park dedicated.
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Aug 19 – The “old Chaffin Home”, once the home of Columbia Mayor, Frank D Chaffin at East 9th street and Glade and former Parks boarding house at 8th & High street will be razed to make room for a Service station.
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Aug 21 – Columbia votes to annex West Meade, Woodmont area and Shaver Park with 1000 people.
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Aug 26 – Maury County purchased two tracts of land to add 33 acres to Maury County Park. The two tracts purchased on Millner Hill from Dr. Wendell Bennett and Mr. Albert Cayce for $3000 and $2950.
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Aug 27 – The Victor Chemical in Mt Pleasant announced it will add a 5th furnace and huge rotary kiln.
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Sept 8 – Miss Jane Cole 17, named Fairest of the Fair in Maury County. She is student at Hay Long High school, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Francis Cole of Mt Pleasant.
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Sept 10 – A 280 year old book, “A display of Heraldry” published in London in 1679 donated to Maury County library by Miss Virginia Polk Laurie of Calif., cousin of late Judge W.C. Whitthorne who willed the book to the library.
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Sept 11 – Mr. Will Ray celebrates his 50th year as a Columbia barber, cutting hair since 1909.
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Oct 2 – The Kroger company purchased the 4.3 acre site of the old Columbia Institute for $100,000, plans a retail center.
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Oct 16 – Columbia Housing authority created with 5 man board. The 5 commissioner’s being Mr. Frank Kennedy, chairman; W.G. Bernhardt; Dr. C.M. Sowell; Don Richardson and Mr. E.H. Windrow.
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Nov 6 – Columbia votes to annex 6 more areas including, Hampshire pike, Experimental Station land, Lewisburg pike area, Fieldcrest subdivision , Columbia Gardens and Sharon Park.
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Nov 27 – The Hill and Greer real estate company purchased the 887 acre Houston Hall (Cheairs Place) and in turn sold it in 5 tracts, including 275 acres to the Middle Tennessee Experimental station for $221,250. John Sharret and Miss Ruby Lofton purchased the home and 47 acres, A.J. McKee purchased 65 acres on NW corner of Highway 31, Sidney & John McAlister purchased 51 acres on NE corner and remaining 445 acres went to Melvin York of Columbia.
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Nov 27 – The former Charlie Stone residence will become the Jackson Heights Church of Christ, cost $33,500.
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Dec 4 – The Stone Motel has grand opening with new Moon Stone room on Nashville Highway. The Moon room can seat 200 for diner and good food, wall murals created by Mr. & Mrs. Von Roleston, smorgasbord served with orchestra.
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Dec 8 – Maury County Soil Survey completed after 9 years work by county agent, C.F. Arrants. 94 page publication includes historic farm and county data.
• Tennessee
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Aug 28 – Belle Kinney, renown sculptor born in Nashville died,69. His works include the War Memorial building and reworked Parthenon in Nashville.
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Nov 6 – Buford Ellington re-elected Governor of Tennessee.
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Nov 16 – The Duck River Development Association founded, met at Commerce union bank, representatives from four counties, including J.A. “Buddy” Morgan of Columbia met to promote river development.
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Dec – The Nashville Christian Leadership conference (NCLC) led by James Lawson, John Lewis, Diane Nash, James Bevel, Cordell Reagan, Matthew James and Bernard Lafayette conduct “Test” lunch counter “Sit-ins” in Nashville.
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