Tuesday, March 5, 1963

Two downtown businesses set expansion moves

Johnnie Jacobs, operator of the Partridge Café, has signed a long-term lease on the old Gordon Theatre building, 330 Broad St., and plans to relocate his restaurant, which will pave the way for a major expansion of the National City Bank facilities, it was learned today.

The National City sometime ago acquired the building at 507 Broad St., now occupied by the Partridge Café and two adjoining businesses. Plans call for removal of these buildings, clearing the way for additional drive-in teller facilities and other improvements for the National City Bank. Architects are now drawing plans for the National City improvements and details regarding the new facilities will be announced shortly, bank officials said.

Officials of the Hardy Trust Company, which handled the transaction, said the Gordon Theatre, owned by Miss Lenorah Gordon, will be completely renovated and modernized, and said the move is another step for the modernization and improvement of business facilities in the downtown section of Broad Street. The theater building has been owned by the Gordon family for many years. It formerly housed a motion picture theater operated by the Lam Amusement Co. but has been empty for several years since the theater was closed.

The relocation of the restaurant and expansion of the National City Bank facilities will represent major contributions to the growth of the Broad Street area, and will provide a modern restaurant in the heart of the downtown area, with ample parking facilities, the realtors said.

Jacobs said the Partridge expects to open in the new location in about 60 days.

Wednesday, March 6, 1963

Grand Ole Opry stars killed in plane crash

CAMDEN, Tenn. (UPI) — Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas and Patsy Cline, stars of country music’s famed Grand Ole Opry, were killed in the crash of their small plane Tuesday night during bad weather, authorities reported today.

The three, along with Miss Cline’s manager, Randy Hughes, were en route to Nashville, home of the Grand Ole Opry, from a benefit show in Kansas City when their plane went down.

Highway patrolmen who reached the scene of the crash, about three miles from the Tennessee River near this West

Tennessee town, radioed back this morning that four bodies were found in the wreckage.

A fire tower watchman first spotted the wreckage after dawn broke across the hill country where several residents reported they had seen the Piper Comanche plane circling.

Thunderstorms raked portions of Tennessee during the time and visibility in the Camden area was reported poor.

The three stars and Hughes landed at Dyersburg, Tenn., about 6 p.m., then took off for Nashville with fuel for three hours.

Mrs. Hughes said in Nashville that her husband, who was piloting the plane, had telephoned from Dyersburg and said the four “would be home soon.”

Capt. Frank Jones of the Eastern Air Rescue Center at Robins Air Force Base, said there were reports that the plane later was seen circling with its engine off.

Miss Cline, of Winchester, Va., was named “outstanding female vocalist” last year by country and western music publications.

Thursday, March 7, 1963

Mathis signed as grid coach at Armuchee High

Homer Mathis, well — known throughout this area as a standout athlete, particularly on the gridiron — Wednesday

afternoon was signed as the new Armuchee High football coach, according to H.A. Lindsey, Armuchee School principal.

Mathis, whose contract with the Indians is effective next September, will be present to lead a helping hand during the upcoming spring drills – the date of which will be announced later.

Mathis was active in football, basketball and track during his high school days at Pepperell, lettering four years as a member of the Dragon grid machine where he alternated between fullback and tackle.

He graduated from Pepperell in the class of 1957 and the following year attended Darlington where he was again one of the top — bracket performers on the grid squad.

He then attended the University of Chattanooga, graduating last year. After four season of outstanding play at tackle and guard, Coach Mathis accepted a post as line coach last fall with the LaFayette High Ramblers.

Mathis will officially take over as head coach for the Indians next September. Armuchee Principal Lindsey said he would also assist with the other athletic activities at the school.

The new Indian mentor is a native of Lindale, and will be well — remembered for his determined play on the gridiron

for both the Dragons and the Tigers before continuing the same pattern at Chattanooga. While at Pepperell, “heft” boosted his performances on the track team where he “handled the weights.”

Armuchee fielded its first football squad last fall after many standout seasons in basketball, baseball and track.

Mathis’ assistants are yet to be announced but will likely be known when the squad begins their spring drills within the next few weeks.