History in headlines

Franklin County Times houses archived newspapers dating back to the 1940s, and the Franklin County Archives houses copies dating even further back. Here is a sampling of headlines from years gone by that provide just a small snapshot of how crimefighting and peace-keeping have changed – and stayed constant – over the passage of time.

Jan. 16, 1941 — RAID MADE: Sheriff D.C. Nix and Deputy Robert Kimbrough raided a 120-gallon copper still Saturday morning in the southwest part of the county between Big and Little Bear Creeks. The still was destroyed and 450 gallons of beer poured out. No arrests were made.

Jan. 30, 1941 — SHERIFF NIX GETS 500-GALLON OUTFIT: Sheriff Nix and his deputies Wednesday captured a 500-gallon copper still and poured out 1,500 gallons of beer during a raid in the Scott community in the southwest part of the county. Sheriff Nix has average about one still a week in this section, and he stated today the bunch there were the most determined men he’d ever seen to make illegal liquor. “But we are just as determined, and we’ll keep tearing them up as fast as they put them up.”

Nov. 12, 1953 – THREE ARE JAILED, ONE IS SOUGHT IN BURGLARY: A report to the parole officer proved the undoing of a Russellville youth this week when he sold a stolen watch and lighter the same trip, according to Police Chief M.C. Kimbrough. He and three other youths were jailed on charges of burglary and grand larceny in the removal of at least $250 in merchandise from Whitten’s Jewelry, Russellville, in a weekend spree.

May 5, 1959 – CONVICT SEIZED AFTER ESCAPING FROM CAMP: A prisoner at Russellville Convict Camp is being returned to Kilby Prison in Montgomery and charged with escape after running away from the prison here late Wednesday. He had served more than six years of an eight-year sentence for grand larceny.

Aug. 11, 1959 – SHERIFF PICKS UP FRANKLIN VIOLATORS: Sheriff James Hovater left Russellville Friday for Xenia, Ohio, to get Jack Lawler, wanted in Franklin County on several charges of grand larceny and transporting prohibited liquor. The Franklin County officials will go from Xenia to Chicago, where they will pick up Woodrow Allen, who violated his probation by leaving the state.

Feb. 22, 1962 – POLICE WILL ENFORCE NEW TRAFFIC RULES: Police chief Bobby Burns issued a statement today that if the no parking and one-way street rules at the elementary and junior high schools were not obeyed, then he would be forced to prosecute the guilty parties. The traffic problems at the two schools have been acute for some time, and the problem was approached through a PTA committee recently.

July 30, 1964 – TROOPERS SHOW SAFETY STATE CAR: Franklin County motorists this week might get a chance to check their speedometers for accuracy when a special designed highway patrol car is scheduled to demonstrate in the county. The car, the only one of its kind in the state, has a speedometer on top and will show motorists whether the speedometer in their car is correct. Also on the car is a sign saying “Check You Speed No. 1 Killer.”

Nov. 11, 1972 – CITY POLICE CHIEF DEDICATION CITED: “The

Thank you for making Franklin County a safer place to live, work and play

We would be honored to assist you in prearranging your services or in your time of need.

people of Russellville should know the dedication of City Police Chief Anderson Ayers, who stayed on duty for 32 hours, patrolled the town alone and during the time broke a case after a break-in and burglary,” Mayor Ralph Bishop said. The case involved a break—in at TG&Y around 3 a.m. Thursday, when an estimated $1,200 in merchandise was taken. Four youths, from 16-20 years of age, have been charged with grand larceny and/or burglary.

Oct. 27, 1977 – STOLEN TURCK FOUND; YOUTHS IN CUSTODY: Two Russellville youths, both juveniles, were returned to Franklin County late last week from Nashville, Tennessee., and charged with stealing a pick-up truck from a Rockwood parking lot. Franklin County Sheriff Glen Demastus said the 1976 truck, owned by Larry Cox of Russellville, was found in Iuka, Miss., and returned to its owner. Demastus said the two boys apparently drove the truck to Iuka and then traveled to Nashville, where they were arrested by the local police.

March 10, 1982 – PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR DETENTION CELL: “One is better than nothing said Franklin County Juvenile Probation Officer Max Todd after approval was given by the Franklin County Commission to finance alterations for a state-approved juvenile cell. Todd added the cell will provide a place to hold juvenile offenders charged with what are termed violent crimes. “We have had to release them in the past,” Todd said.

July 24, 2985 – SUSPECT KILLED IN SHOOTOUT AT RUSSELLVILLE CEMETERY: A suspect in the armed robbery of a Lawrence County grocery store was fatally wounded when he drew down on law officers following his apprehension Tuesday on the Franklin, Colbert County line. Larry Stotts, 32, of Courtland was pronounced dead at 12:55 p.m., approximately one hour after the incident occurred. Stotts was struck in the forehead by one of the officers during the confrontation. Stotts had led authorities on a high-speed chase across Franklin County.

May 13, 1990 – CITY, COUNTY LAW OFFICERS ATTEND DUI TRAINING: Several Franklin County and Russellville law enforcement officers this week participated in a seminar designed to help them encourage teens not to drink and drive. Sponsored by Ford Motor Co., the three-day “scared stiff” school was held at Florence’s Comfort Inn. Among those attending were Sgt. Mike Mayfield and Reserve Deputy Tim Smith of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Chief Donnie McGuire, Lt. William Nale, Sgt. Danny Price, Sgt. Merrell Potter, Sgt. Wyman Pounders and Sgt. David Hester, all of the Russellville Police Department.

May 4, 1994 – JAIL ESCAPE IS THWARTED: An inmate attempted to escape from the Franklin County Jail Friday night, according to Sheriff Larry Plott. Plott said a jailer discovered the inmate prying open the bars of a jail window. According to Plott, a number of escapes from the jail have been attempted, but none have been successful.

July 4, 2001 – MAN SHOT AT HIS HOME BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANT: A Russellville man is in stable condition at ECM Hospital after being shot in the chest at his home Monday night. William Bradley Franks, 21, was shot by an unknown assailant in the back yard of his Madison Street home, according to Russellville Police Chief Donnie McGuire. The motive for the shooting is under investigation by the Russellville Police Department. McGuire said Lt. William Nale is heading the investigation.

Russellville Police Lt. Jeff Michael poses with the drug dog Russellville acquired in 2012, Bama.

Feb. 13, 2005 – GRANT EQUALS NEW EQUIPMENT FOR FCSO: Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott remains modest about his ability to secure grant funds to purchase needed equipment for his department. This week, Plott announced the purchase of seven sets of «Stop Sticks» and a video camera to be used inside a deputy’s car, all procured with a $3,000 grant from the Highway Safety Commission. The video camera, mounted inside a department vehicle, is used to document events when an officer pulls over a driver. The Stop Sticks are used to puncture the tires of vehicles that won’t stop or attempt to elude officers.

Dec. 4, 2006 – BELGREEN WOMAN SAYS ARREST SAVED HER LIFE: Most people would consider being arrested the worst day of their life, but one Belgreen woman says that it saved her life. Ann Gookin, of Belgreen, found herself calling the police for help a few weeks ago. She was having car trouble, and it was very late, and she needed help. The dispatcher sent out an officer who found the problem right away and made sure she made it to work safely. «Calling the police is a big deal for me because I have a trust issues with the police because of past experiences,» Gookin said. Gookin found herself on the other side of the law almost a decade ago. She is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic and believes that if she had not been arrested for driving while impaired, she would have killed herself or someone else.

May 1, 2010 – MULTI-COUNTY RAID NETS 175 ARRESTS: More than 60 people were arrested by Franklin County law enforcement agencies this week during a five-county methamphetamine round up. In all, 175 people were arrested as part of Operation SINUS in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion and Winston counties.

May 19, 2010 – AUTHORITIES SEARCH FOR SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN WEEKEND BREAK-INS AND THEFTS: Authorities had their hands full over the weekend responding to several break-ins in the city of Russellville. The Russellville Police Department has been working to pinpoint the suspects involved and only believe a few are connected.

May 18, 2013 – BANQUET HONORS LAW ENFORCEMENT: This past week, communities across the country celebrated National Police Memorial Week and honored those who serve the country’s citizens on a daily basis and those who have bravely given their lives to that service. In Franklin County, a special banquet was held on Thursday evening to show appreciation to members of the local police departments and sheriff’s office for the job they do day in and day out in this area.