This Week in history: 1956
Published 2:00 pm Monday, September 23, 2024
Betty Ann Bush (right) is selected as the 1956 Senior Dairy Maid. Alternate Senior Dairy Maid (left) is Nancy Huggins.
J Fred Steele is the newly elected Mayor of Greenville in 1956.
George Lambeth recuperates from wounds at Speir Hospital. Pictured with him are his daughter, Able Williamson and Lucille Harrison.
Grand Ole Opry star Ferlin Husky appears in Greenville for Grand Ole Opry Day.
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This week in 1956, the Greenville Advocate featured headlines covering everything from municipal elections, a local man injured in a violent service station robbery, Grand Old Opry Day and the selection of the county’s Dairy Maid.
Here are some of the notable stories:
Greenville Elects New Mayor: J. Fred Steele was elected mayor of Greenville in the municipal election, defeating incumbent Mayor John Byrd by a vote of 886 to 660. In the race for city councilmen, Ed. Harrison, Grey Thornton, Mack Bowden and Gene Hardin were elected, with incumbent Elton Johnson and E. “Pete” Talbert facing a run-off. The deciding election was set to take place at ten polling places in the city on Sept. 24.
Service Station Hold-Up: A robbery turned violent when two bullets were fired at close range at George Lambeth, a local service station operator. The bullets struck him on one ear and behind the ear, ranging down into his neck. Despite the severe wounds, Mr. Lambeth, 48, was expected to recover. A description of the assailant was provided to the authorities, and a general alarm was issued for a man driving a car with a South Carolina license tag. No arrests had been made and it was believed the robber had crossed state lines.
Grand Ole Opry Day: In celebration of Grand Ole Opry Day in Greenville, stars from WSM Nashville, including Martha Carson and Ferlin Huskey, performed both matinee and evening shows at the high school stadium. Randy Hughes, The Country Gentlemen, and “The Hushpuppies” were among the entertainers. The two-hour performances, held at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., featured full routines from stage, radio and television stars. Admission was priced at $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
New Dairy Maid Selected: The 1956 Dairy Maid was selected at the annual Dairy Show, with Miss Betty Ann Bush, a member of the Georgiana High 4-H Club, chosen as the Senior Dairy Maid to represent Butler County at the District Dairy Maid program in Montgomery. Miss Nancy Huggins from McKenzie Junior High was named the Alternate Senior Dairy Maid of Butler County.
