COLUMN: A Look Back

50 years ago

Sunday movie question is under fire locally
Hartsville may be moving toward open movies on Sundays, following the lead of theaters at Rock Hill and Lancaster.
South 15 Drive In Theater, located just south of the city limits, was open for business last Sunday for the first time. The showing was done without benefit of publicity or advertising.
Owner-operator Leland Blackmon of the South 15 was “on vacation” this week, according to a lady at the ticket window, and could not be reached. A reporter was unable to learn whether Sunday movies have been regularly scheduled.
Operators of the two theaters in Hartsville, The Center and the Berry, were keeping their mouths shut regarding the Sunday movie question.
Erskin Wimberly, manager of the Center Theatre, replied merely “No comment” when asked about his position in the matter.
Manager Howard Gainey of the Berry Theatre said, “No plans have been made as yet” and “No decision reached” concerning the showing of movies on Sunday.
The Hartsville City council is keeping its collective eye on the movie scene. Mayor T. L. Maxwell said he has talked to State Attorney General Dan McLeod, asked him to send along a copy of the South Carolina Blue Law and a copy of McLeod’s recent ruling regarding the movie situation in Spartanburg.
“Council will probably discuss the question of Sunday movies at some future date,“ Mayor Maxwell said.
At Spartanburg, attempts at Sunday movie operations have resulted in arrests. A county-wide referendum on the subject is scheduled there for July 14, and officers have indicated they will abide by the results as far as enforcement is concerned. Baptist ministers in Spartanburg have expressed fear that abolition of Sunday Blue Laws would throw the county “wide open.“
The Rev. Fred Dabney, president of the Spartan-burg Baptist Association, said Baptist ministers realize the present state Blue Laws are outmoded, but that any changes in the law should be made one issue at a time.

Brown’s Variety Store bought by C. E. Burry
C. E. Burry, former manager of the S. H. Kress Co. Store in Biloxi, Miss., has purchased the interest of L. B. Brown in Brown’s Variety Store and will change the store name to Hartsville 5 and 10¢ store.
Mr. Burry, who left his duties in Biloxi June 20, said in a letter of resignation to his company “… I have spent my entire adult life with the S. H. Kress Co., having given 17 years to this endeavor. However, I have received in return opportunity, advancement and experience for which I am grateful.“
While in Biloxi for four years as manager of the Kress store, Mr. Burry was active in the Merchants Association, a past president of the PTA, a member of the Rotary Club, on the United Fund board, past member of the Red Cross board, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a deacon of the First Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher.
He managed other Kress stores in Colorado, Nevada, Missouri, North and South Carolina, as well as in Mississippi.
Mr. Burry served three years in the Air force as an officer and pilot.
Mrs. Burry and two children, Charles, 8, and Brent, 2, are staying temporarily with her parents in Gastonia until suitable housing can be secured in Hartsville.

Kelleytown News
The church wishes to thank Johnny Tyner, Goz Segars and Don Parnell for helping beautify the Junior Department with a little paint.
Chaplain and Mrs. Judson C. Segars and Bobby and Carol Segars of Fort Bragg were guests of Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Segars on Father’s Day.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gardner and children, John, Carolyn, Jenny and Susan of Greenwood were guests of Mrs. R. E. Gardner Sunday afternoon en route from Myrtle Beach to their home.
Mr. and Mrs. Epps Dent visited in our community during the weekend.
All welcome home the boys who attended the National Guard Camp in Alabama.

25 years ago

Local bronc buster
riding high
When Stanley O’Neal Jr. mounts a horse bareback, it’s not for a lazy ride down a winding country road.
Considering the kinds of horses he rides bareback, it’s quite an effort just to stay on for eight seconds. O’Neal is a bronc buster. He qualified for national competition during the South Carolina High School rodeo’s state competition during the South Carolina High School rodeo’s state finals at Kings Mountain, N.C., June 15-17.
O’Neal, a lifetime resident of Hartsville, won second place in bareback riding during the state competition. He’s been practicing hard in preparation for the National High School Rodeo finals to be held in Rapid City, S.D., in late July.
O’Neal’s father is president of the S.C. High School Rodeo Association. “I don’t play golf, fish or hunt,“ he said, “I rodeo.“
O’Neal Jr. has been involved in rodeo since an early age and has experienced three years of “real competition” in high school rodeos. He not only rides bareback broncs but competes in calf roping events on his Appaloosa, “Buck.“ The O’Neal’s rodeoing is a family affair. Stanley’s little sister, Summer, reigns as queen of the Jr. League S.C.H.R.A.