Sunday, Oct. 11, 1959

Sylvia Nelson crowned Homecoming Queen

Miss Sylvia Nelson, who is a popular member of the Pepperell High School senior class, Saturday night was acclaimed Homecoming Queen at an impressive coronation ceremony here in Lindale.

The pretty queen was crowned by E. Russell Moulton, superintendent of the Pepperell School System, and was presented an arm bouquet of red roses by Miss Jewel Cox, last year’s Homecoming Queen.

Composing Miss Nelson’s court were four other lovely high school seniors, who were nominated along with the queen for the honor. They were Rebecca Greer, Cherrie Harper, Annette Lemming and Gerettie Oxford.

The queen is active in campus affairs, having recently been named editor of the school annual. She is vice president of the National Honor Society, to which she has belonged for two years. Previously, she was in the Beta Club for two years. During her four years in the Future Homemakers of America Club, she served as its vice president for one year and as its secretary for two years. A cheerleader for three years, Miss Nelson has served as both secretary and treasurer of the Student Council. She has been a member of the Christian Council for four years, has served as its treasurer and is its chaplain this year. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Lindale, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson of Gaither Park. The queen is the secretary of the Senior Class.

Homecoming festivities were climaxed Saturday night following a football game with a gala dance in Leonard Memorial Gymnasium.

Monday, Oct. 12, 1959

Finn hides in hayloft for 37 years to escape punishment

HAMEENLINNA, Finland (UPI) – Vaino J. Kilpinen, who deserted from the cavalry in 1921 because he was afraid of horses, is a free man once again after hiding out in a hayloft for 37 years to escape punishment.

The 58-year-old Finn, who had spent more than half his life in virtual solitary confinement, emerged from his self-imposed cell during the weekend when he learned that he no longer needed to fear prosecution.

He reappeared after a brother and sister, who had been hiding him since his parents died, brought him news that under the statute of limitations the time limit had run out in which he might be prosecuted for desertion.

Kilpinen appeared to be in generally good health, although he had neither medical nor dental care during his years in hiding. He said he was plagued from time to time with rheumatic twinges and toothaches.

The family kept him supplied with newspapers, so he new about Finland’s two wars with Russia and other such current events as rockets. However, he had never seen a radio set, an automobile or many other modern devices.

Kilpinen was only 20 when he was called for military service. He requested assignment to the infantry because he knew he’d never manage to stay on a horse, but he was sent to the Udenmaa Dragoons in April 1921.

His forebodings about this ability as a horseman proved true. He went “over the hill” on May 18 and hiked home, begging food and clothing along the way.

“My parents told me to give myself up, but I was afraid I would be severely punished,” he said.

He lived in the woods that summer, and moved into the family sauna-steam bathhouse – in the winter. The following year he moved into the loft of the family barn, and there he stayed.

In 1939, he watched his father’s funeral through a crack in the wall, and 1954 he saw his mother’s body carried away. After than, the only persons who knew were he was were his brother Lauri and his sister Elli.

Five other brothers and sisters who lived elsewhere were not let in on the secret.

He occupied himself during the long years by learning to read – his mother taught him – and teaching himself to write. He spent a lot of time reading newspaper, and he made brooms and birchbark baskets for the farm.

He kept a diary for awhile, but he threw it away several years ago.

“There wasn’t much to write about,” he said.

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1959

Neighbors save elderly invalid from home blaze

CENTRE, Ala. – An 86-year-old invalid woman was rescued by neighbors this morning when fire broke out in her home on College Street.

Mrs. Hendry Scroggin, confined to her chair by illness, was brought from her flaming room by Mrs. Charles S. Masters and Mrs. Opal Cupp, who live in an apartment in the same building, after they heard her screams for help.

Ernest Brandon, acting fire chief, said the blaze was caused when a rug caught fire from a gas heater. The blaze spread to a mantel, on which a bottle of rubbing alcohol was kept, and it exploded, the chief reported. Centre firemen were able to confine the blaze to the one room and there was only minor damage.

Mrs. Scroggin, suffering from shock, was treated by her physician.

Thursday, Oct. 15, 1959

E. Rome plays Pioneers; Chieftains at Murray Co.

Steady rains forced both East Rome and West Rome inside Wednesday as the two Region 3-AA South squads prepared for Friday games against non-region foes.

The Gladiators will celebrate Homecoming at Barron Stadium tomorrow against the North Whitfield Pioneers, while West Rome journeys northward to meet the Murray County Indians.

Despite the fact that both Rome schools are solid favorites, Coaches Wallace Wilkinson and Paul Kennedy are taking no chances of overconfidence creeping into the squads.

West Rome has stressed defense, particularly defense in the secondary in preparation for the winless Indians. The Gladiators, on the other hand, sprinted through long scrimmages both Monday and Tuesday with favorable results.

Wilkinson called two boys up from the junior varsity this week, a move necessitated by the release of report cards which cut five boys from the squad. The Gladiators lost two ends, a halfback, a guard and a tackle because of poor grades, and called tackle Lloyd Cheatham and guard Bob Thomas up from the B-team.

Milt Fletcher and Herbie Miller, halfback and fullback deluxe, are expected to pace the Gladiators offensively Friday. Fletcher has scored his team’s only touchdowns in the last two games, which accounted for a 7-6 win over Dalton and 7-7 tie with Summerville. Miller has booted seven of nine extra points and has gained 347 yards rushing.

Wilkinson hopes his boys will regain their offensive punch this week and it’s likely the game will be one of those wide open affairs.

Tackle Randy Skelton and Center Dale Blaylock, who have turned in good jobs all season, were cited by Coach Wilkinson for their steady improvement both on offense and defense.

Over at West Rome, Kennedy made it plain early that he wasn’t pleased with the defensive work of his Chieftains against Cedartown last week, and has been working long and hard to improve things.

Murray County has yet to win a game, but Kennedy warns that “they can be dangerous.” He cautioned his boys about taking the Indians too lightly.

Tommy Fricks, a fullback, and tailback Carroll Phillips remain the offensive leaders for West Rome, Phillips has gained 561 yards rushing, while Fricks has accounted for 289 yards.

The Chieftains unveiled a potent passing attack against Cedartown, completing all 11 tosses, including a string of three in a row. It’s likely West Rome will take to the air more in future contests.