COLUMN: A Look Back

50 years ago
(October 2, 1958)

Windy lady
not welcome
Hartsvillians - ordinarily an exceptionally friendly group of people - weren’t too enthused over having a lady come callin’ Friday night.
Particularly if her name was Miss Helene.
And, even though Hurricane Helene didn’t actually drop in for what might be termed a “windy conversation,“ she caused many a wrinkled brow, untold worry, and plenty of excitement before she turned and hit the coasts to the north.
Reports on the airwaves Friday caused a high pitch of nervous anticipation when, Friday night, the reports blared forth that Helene was bearing down on Charleston. Then one hour later, the hurricane’s course was reported as being dead center between Charleston and Georgetown.
Georgetown, along with other towns in the supposed path of the destructive wind, hurriedly began making places of refuge for evacuees. Florence and Hartsville followed suit. Mayor T.L. Maxwell announced over WHSC at about 11 p.m. that the schools of Hartsville would be open all day on Saturday for relief of any citizens needing shelter, etc.
In downtown Hartsville a few store owners busied themselves at midnight by taping up their glass window fronts.
Possibly the worst hurt by wild reports were small children and aging citizens who figured they might be paying a visit to Bennettsville - or some other nearby town - via Helene transport.
When news of the hurricane’s change of course came, next morning, business returned its regular rush in downtown Hartsville, children and many grown ups went to bed to catch up on needed sleep, and once again all was quiet on the Hartsville front.
‘Top Dollar’ problems
Now you see it, now you don’t.
This term could probably be applied to the $2,500 John Isgett reportedly won three weeks ago on the daytime CBS television show, “Top Dollar.“ Because the report now is that he doesn’t get the $2,500.
Isgett, who is employed by Coker’s Pedigreed Seed Company as farm manager, told The Messenger yesterday, “It looks like a hopeless case.“
Monday he received a check for one dollar - replacing the dollar he sent - and a list of “rules” governing the contest. None of the so-called rules were applicable in this case, Isgett pointed out. “Mine had the serial number given out on the TV show, and I have two people in Hartsville who will verify that fact,“ he said.
“The funny part of it is, they didn’t send my dollar back. They sent in a check. And without the dollar I don’t know what can be done about it. My wife plans to write CBS a letter, and we’re thinking of contacting a lawyer about it,“ Isgett said.

Troop 512
holds practice
A practice emergency mobilization was held Monday by Boy Scout Troop 512.
The call was issued at 6:45 p.m. and within 10 minutes, eight Scouts had assembled at the Scout hut. In less than 25 minutes, 32 uniformed Scouts had reported for duty with flashlights and first aid kits. They were joined a few minutes later by several others.
The following Scouts, explorers and leaders participated in the mobilization.
Tim Timmerman, Pete Coggeshall, Trace Wood, Hal Littleton, Jimmy Benfield, Mack McKinnon, Jim Gettys, Curtis Williams, Keyes Lewis, Johnny Polson, Butch McKinnon, John Clawson, Tommy Miller, Fayette Sims, Hal Rogers, Carl Wood, Tommy Creacy, Ellis Parsons, Jeff Truesdale.
Also, Sam Richey, Frank Richey, Michael Floyd, William Braddy, Troy Usher Jr., John Brumbaugh, David Little, Robert Irwin, Eddie Weldon, Harry Frampton, Jack McKinnon, Tommy Flowers, Albert Stogner, Ernie Stogner, Billy Stanley, Scoutmaster Richard Pascal, Asst. Scoutmaster Jack Maxwell, and Asst. Scoutmaster Flynn Menius.

Births: Russell Lee Hulsey, 9/25; Jerry Woodrow Gainey, 9/27; John Woody Johnson, 9/25; Marjorie Elaine Howell, 9/26; Cactyl Jean Lloyd, 9/23; Donna Gay Truett, 9/23; Robin Gay Smith, 9/25; and Sharon Kay Johnson, 8/31.

Wed: Margaret Emmie Cannon to Paul Harrison McArthur Jr., 9/20.

25 years ago
Oct. 3 & 5, 1983)

Arts building dedicated
Coker College last week dedicated a new arts building and a new handmade tracker organ, both funded through the college’s recently completed capital campaign.
About 300 people heard Coker College President James D. Daniels dedicate the Gladys C. Fort Art Building Thursday in ceremonies on the grounds of the building.
He said, “The investment in the Gladys Coker Fort Art Building demonstrates the adherence to our highest priority: to provide our students the best possible education, both through facilities and instruction, within the framework of the liberal arts tradition.“
The new building is named in honor of an artist and portrait painter who was the granddaughter of the college’s founder, Major James L. Coker. Her painting of Major Coker hangs in the President’s Office at the college.
Gainey elected queen
When Mary Gainey graduates from Hartsville High, she will have a lot of memories to look back on.
The HHS senior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard B. Gainey, won the Miss Hartsville High pageant as a junior. She was crowned Miss Red Fox about two weeks ago for selling the most season tickets to Hartsville High sports events.
Gainey added another honor to the list Friday night when she was crowned homecoming queen at halftime of the Hartsville-Wilson game. Her escort was Lex West.
It is not known how long it has been since one girl won all three titles.
The crowning capped off a week of homecoming activities that also recognized the HHS class of 1958 on their 25th anniversary.
The Foxes won the game 34-6.

Local runners place
Ten runners from the Hartland participated in Saturday’s Governor’s Cup races in Columbia.
Terrence Herrington came in 18th out of 1,000 runners with a time of 26:38. He finished first among runners 17 and under.
Not far behind Herrington was Paul Rogers, whose 26:43 put him 22nd in the field and fourth in the 30-39 division.
Other local runners in the five-mile included Danny Freeman, who checked in with a 34:24; Randell Ewing Jr. with a 34:30; and Paula Watkins, who clocked in at 39:41.
Five runners participated in the 15-mile run, but all were far off the winning pace. Mike Roebuck led the local runners with a time of 1:42 (hours and minutes). Dick Puffer had a 1:47. Joe Bouknight finished in 1:53. Greg Welborn had a 2:02, and Kyrin Roebuck ran the race in 2:08.

Births: Dustin Ross Hogge, 8/29; Andre Jamal Toney, 9/14; and Carol Ann Arant, 9/23.

Wed: Roberta McQueen Bradford to Marty Joe Stanley, 9/10 and Angela Hudson to Alva Blair Neal, 9/17.