From The Smyrna Times,
Jan. 7, 1960
Tornado-type storm rips area, upends trailer
Smyrna seemed to be in the center of a tornado-type storm which struck suddenly early Sunday morning and caused a great deal of damage.
The most serious damage was to a house trailer on Carter Road near South Street owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. William Burris and their three year old son. The 50x10 foot trailer of excellent construction was blown off its concrete block foundation, tilted at a sharp angle and came to rest against the concrete blocks of the pump house and an electric pole.
Frightened by the roar of the wind the mother, Louise, got her son from his room just before the trailer went over. The family had to crawl along the corridor and on their hands and knees to jump out of the front door at the high point of the angle. The young couple were stiff and sore by afternoon from their being tossed about. They are staying next door with Mrs. Burris’ mother, Mrs. Wilson Mayberrie….
Christmas sales ‘best ever’ merchants claim
The verdict by merchants catering to holiday purchasers is that business ranged from fair to one that exceeded any previous year, during interviews held during the week. All agreed that the last two days were big, and Christmas Eve generally pronounced “the best ever.” There appears to have been a spurt of buying after Thanksgiving, which died down and was resumed the final two days.
“The craziest ever” was the way Martin Golden, of Golden’s Pharmacy, expressed it, and he noted that Saturday, the day after, proved to be an unusually active shopping day.
Boulevard Electric expecting to close at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, experienced a surge of buying of major appliances. Richard C. Price noted more interest in music and hi-fi sets this year.
At Silco sales exceeded any year, with Christmas Eve “out of this world”, aisles packed with buyers, according to Mrs. Fanny M. Thompson, manager.
Wootten’s Clothing termed business good, with the store “mobbed” the last two days, noted a trend to late shopping….
Firemen install Truax as president
The following officers were elected and installed at the annual meeting of the Citizens’ Hose Company on Monday night: James Truax, president; Leon Morris, vice president; Gordon Miller, secretary; Howell Barnes, treasurer. Reelected were Reynolds Bradley, fire chief; Glenn Matthews, first assistant fire chief; Henry Dukes, second assistant chief; Richard David, fire recorder; David Mills, fire inspector.
Elected to the board of trustees: Albert O’Neal, Willis Carson and Fred Harris.
Named to the board of directors: Robert Jacobs, Fletcher Truax, John Long, George Bryson, James Mood, Wells A. Faries, Glenn Matthews, and Leon Morris. The president, chief, secretary, and treasurer are members of the board of directors by virtue of their office.
