F.E. Burleson: A private citizen again
This period of F. E. Burleson’s life would see him leave elected office – although he would later serve one additional four-year legislative term – but he had many other productive activities to keep him busy. He would also suffer a great personal loss.
Dec. 13, 1927—The multi-talented F. E. Burleson was also a basketball coach. In his first season back teaching, administering and coaching at Moulton Heights, Coach Burleson told reporters that cage prospects at the school were not bright. He said his team would be scrappy, but many of his players were new, and he anticipated a lengthy period of building cohesion in both offense and defense.
Aug. 5, 1928—The 60 men of Company C, 127th Engineers, Alabama National Guard, left today for Camp Ogelthorpe, Georgia, for their 15-day summer training period. The company is under the command of Capt. F. E. Burleson. His second-in-command is Lt. Lewis Carl Pattillo. Capt. Burleson has been a member of the National Guard since 1921. Three years ago, he was promoted to the rank of captain in the 127th Engineers.
March 20, 1929—Morgan County opportunities are numerous, but development of this county depends on the manner in which the people of this county take advantage of these opportunities, according to Prof. F. E. Burleson. Professor Burleson was the speaker at a joint meeting of the Decatur Rotary Club and the Hartselle Lions Club at noon today. Rep. Burleson is a member of the Hartselle Lions Club.
April 13, 1929—Funeral services were held today at Bethel for the father of Morgan County State Rep. F. E. Burleson, J. O. Burleson, age 68. Rep. Burleson is one of six sons, all of whom served as pallbearers for their father. The deceased was the great–grandson of the first baby of European descent to be born in what is now Morgan County. Practically all of the members of this distinguished family have been prominent in some aspect of public life.
Feb. 22, 1930—Rep. F. E. Burleson qualified today to run for a second term in the Alabama House of Representatives from Morgan County. Mr. Burleson had a notable first term and required little time to “learn the ropes” in the Capitol. In 1927 he led the fight against a county courthouse commission which, although unsuccessful, showed Burleson to be a skilled legislator.
March 3, 1930—As qualifying drew to a close for the upcoming Democratic primary, Democratic Party Chairman Edmond G. Pettus (the grandson of the man for which the Emond Pettus Bridge between Selma and Montgomery is named), announced that 443 candidates had qualified for offices that will be filled at the state and local governmental levels.
July 30, 1930—A number of Decatur political leaders are promoting the idea that all county residents should vote on all members of the county governing board, although members would have to live in their district. Hartselle people probably believed this would permit Decatur to dominate the board, since they could put up puppet candidates in each district.
Aug. 12, 1930—Probably due to the current enmity between Decatur and Hartselle, Rep. F. E. Burleson was unsuccessful today in his bid for a second consecutive term in the House of Representatives. (Even though there were legislative “places,” voters cast ballots for their two most favored candidates.) Also unsuccessful was former Morgan County probate judge W. E. Skeggs. The winners were Tennis Tidwell and incumbent Rep. John Patterson.
Aug. 17, 1930—Company C, 37th Engineers, Alabama National Guard, left this morning by special train for Ft. McClellan, where they will spend 15 days in training. The 63 men of Company C were accompanied by Capt. F. E. Burleson, Lt. L. G. Burleson and Lt. C. B. Jackson.
Dec. 15, 1931—Although he was defeated for re-election to the Legislature last year, someone got lucky at Gen. Burleson’s boyhood home today. Bud Willingham’s grandchild found a coin that bore the date 1839. The sharp-eyed youngster spotted the coin just lying on the ground.