Each week, we're going to share a few items from The Cullman Tribune's archives. It may not be "important" news, but we think it's interesting to see what was "news" at different points in history. And who knows? Maybe someone from your family will show up!
From the Files of 1954:
There are seven sets of twins at West Point School this year, including: Ronald and Donald Powell – 7, Judy and Johnny Overton – 7, Doris and Horace Guthery – 9, Onita and Oletha Duke – 11, R.B. and Flora Wood – 12, Dorothy and Doris Cobb – 15 and Ruby and Ralph McBrayer – 16.
Cullman County Schools will close on September 10th, until October 4th for cotton picking recess.
Margaret Ellen Hines, of Hanceville, is on the Dean’s List at Birmingham Southern College.
The East Cullman Church of Christ met for the first time on Sunday, September 5th.
Charlie Richter was rescued from the bottom of a well, on Tuesday by his brother, Louie. The 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Richter was cleaning out a well at the residence of his parents on Route Five, Cullman, when he was overcome with gas fumes.
John Hasenbein of the Fire Department and Grady Moss rushed to the scene of the accident and gave Charlie oxygen. Doctor James Richards, who was called to examine Charlie, put him to bed for rest.
The Richters had dynamited in the well on Monday and on Tuesday Charlie went down into the well to clean out the debris, while his father and brother worked on top of the ground.
After quite some time, Louie called into the well and when he did not get an answer he went down and found his brother overcome with gas.
Charlie was graduated from Cullman High last spring and Louie was discharged from the Army, in June, after two years in military service.
Edward M. Collins, age 15, died at the Cullman Hospital, on Saturday, after two months illness. Funeral services were held at Simcoe Baptist Church, with Moss Service directing interment in the City Cemetery.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Collins; two brothers, Laney and Jackie, all of Route Two, Cullman and five sisters, Mrs. Louise Basenberg, Mrs. Christine Gentry and Misses Linda, Jean and Betty Collins.
Accident Victim – Leroy Hays, 28, was burned to death about 5:30 a.m., on Saturday, when he was trapped in an overturned automobile, which caught on fire. The accident occurred on the Crane Hill Road.
A blowout on a front tire caused the car, driven by L.D. Slaughter, to overturn. Hays and Mrs. R.B. Slaughter were both penned under the car, however, Mr. Slaughter, who was not injured and a Mr. Still were able to lift the car to free her before it burst into flames. She remains in the Cullman Hospital.
The funeral service for Mr. Hays was held at Beech Grove, on September 5th, at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Melvin and Reverend Preston officiating and Moss Service directing interment.
Pallbearers were: Quinton Cain, Wayne McFadden, Ozell, Buster Marshall and Jimmy Twilley.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Hays; two brothers, Edgar, of Cullman and Willie Hays, of Los Angeles; four sisters, Mrs. Nadie Dunn, of Cullman, Mrs. Edna Bibby, of El Dorado, Arkansas and Mrs. Artie Lee Persall and Mrs. Orene Twilley, both of Los Angeles.
Marriages:
September 3rd – W.G. Garrison, 25, to Clara Lovvorn, 18.
September 4th – Ben Baker, 24, to Clzora Whaley, 21; Hillman Ryan, 18, to Zola Wilkinson, 18; R.J. Brown, 24, to Frances Lee Gamble, 21 and Willie F. Ridgeway, 21, to Bernice Cadle, 21.
September 6th – Doyl E. Rodgers, 23, to Addie B. Walker, 20.
September 7th – Floyd Kilgore, 21, Velma Strong, 18.
September 8th – Eather A. Ryan, 20, to Edith Hancock, 18.
By the unexpected death of Mr. Jacob Humpl, a man is gone from Cullman town, whose familiar face, constant cheerfulness and friendliness to everyone will be missed by many. To the Sacred Heart congregation his premature death is a great loss indeed.
As janitor of the Sacred Heart Church, we the pastor and people can truly say, He was a man, take him all in all, whose likeness we shall not look upon again. Mr. Humpl possessed in an eminent degree that priceless trait inherent in the character of the German people of the older generation, reliability, dependability, plus efficiency.
Mr. Humpl, after attending to his duties in the usual manner on Sunday morning, August 29th, in the afternoon had a stroke of apoplexy, from which he died on Friday morning, about 10 a.m., September 3rd. His funeral took place from the Sacred Heart Church, on Monday, at 9 a.m., with a solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated by the pastor, the Reverend Father Philip and Father Thomas, serving as deacon and sub-deacon.
Born in Beratzhausen, Bavaria, about 63 years ago, he came to America in 1895. After a brief stay at Saint Bernard College, he worked for a number of years in Beyers Store. In 1906 he married Miss Mary Obergfell. His oldest son, Josef lives in Decatur and his second son, Frank, will take his father’s place as janitor.
Mr. Humpl was appointed janitor by Father Ignatius in 1924 and served 11 years under the present pastor.
Farewell, farewell, oh piteous cry.
From human heart that says goodbye.
May He who knows what for us is best.
Grants you a well-deserved rest.
