Look Back ... to the end of Fort McClellan's Chemical Corps Museum, 1999

Bill Edwards, The Anniston Star, Ala.
·2 min read

Apr. 1—April 1, 1949, in The Star: Final rites for the Rev. T. D. Stovall, one of the most popular and beloved Baptist clergymen in this section of the state, yesterday attracted more than 2,000 mourners to Bethlehem Baptist Church. He died recently due to injuries he received in an automobile collision. Approximately 1,000 people stood outside on the church lawn, and highway patrolmen in two cars were engaged to manage the flow of traffic to the funeral site. Also this date: Mr. and Mrs. George W. Mullinax of 808 Ware Street stood at the Southern Railway Station early this morning to wait for the train which would bear the mortal remains of their two sons Harry and Edwin. Both died in service to their country during World War II — Harry, age 23, in a plane crash and Edwin, 33, in the Battle of St. Lo. They will be buried side by side at Edgemont Cemetery. Siblings surviving them are Ray, Grant, Lynn, Kenneth, Louise and Clara; all are from Anniston. Additionally: Downtown Anniston became quite the youthful "beehive" this morning when approximately 2,000 4-H boys and girls from all over Calhoun County descended upon the city for their annual rally. The city auditorium was filled to capacity shortly after 9 a.m. as members assembled for the first part of their program.

April 1, 1999, in The Star: Now a retired sergeant major of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, George Murray of Saks turned 80 yesterday, the same day Fort McClellan's Chemical Corps Museum shut its doors for good after offering the public a final tour. It was a poignant occasion for Murray, because he has volunteered his time at the museum ever since it opened in the fall of 1982. "He knows more about chemical corps history and chemical warfare than anybody I know of," said T. K. Miller, the museum's curator — the only curator it has ever had. Its 5,600 artifacts will be boxed up and moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where they will be combined with Fort McClellan's Military Corps Museum, which moves in June.

Assistant Metro Editor Bill Edwards: 256-236-1551. On Twitter @bedwards_star.