Look Back In Yalobusha History
Governor Hugh White indicated that the National Guard would remain in Water Valley as long as there is any threat or danger of violence in connection with the 1952 strike at the Rice-Stix garment plant here, the Herald reported on Oct. 16. He said that he would not tolerate violence in connection with the strike.
The local plant had been operating since Monday, Oct. 12, with from 140 to 155 workers.
The strike story went nationwide via the Associated Press wire. According the the AP report, a troop of 75 guardsmen set up a guard detail around the plant. General Pat Wilson and Col. V. L. McDearman of Jackson were on the scene and McDearman was commander while the guardsmen were here.
The reason guardsmen were called out was because of a fight between workers (apparently between union and non-union who wanted to go into the plant to work). Mrs. Ollie Coker had her clothing torn but there was no serious injury or damage, according to the report.
Another worker, Clara Rose Mays, said that eggs were thrown at her car and the gas meter at her home was tampered with. She was a member of the clerical staff.
Herald Editor Edward B. Shearer wrote in his column that he would be glad when the spotlight is turned out and “we may just go on in our easygoing, small town way.”
• 5 years ago, Oct. 18, 2007 – WVHS senior Brittany Weekly was crowned Homecoming Queen.
The Blue Devils defeated the Williams-Sullivan Yellow Jackets, 53-48.
The three remaining slots on the Economic Development Authority board were filled with appointees George Booker of Oakland, Mack Dudley of Coffeeville and Bob Tyler of Water Valley.
Michael Hall, 27, was killed in an early Sunday morning, Oct. 14, crash on Hwy. 7 south of Water Valley.
Miss Mississippi Kimberly Morgan visited Davidson Elementary School where her mother, Elzie Morgan, was a teacher.
Mike Aune, son of Eddie and Cindy Aune and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Aune, was honored posthumously for his work with the Defense Intelligence Agency.
• 10 years ago, Oct. 17, 2002 – The Blue Devils were third in the district after the Friday night’s 27-13 loss to Eupora.
Michael Odom, son and stepson of Dr. Paul and Erv Odom, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF. He is Director of Public Affairs at Keesler AFB, Biloxi.
Sheriff Lloyd Defer reported that his office received 519 complaints during the previous month. His deputies also apprehended Justin Howell, 23, who was wanted by Memphis Police on several felony charges.
L. Hart, Inc. was host for the Blue Devils pre-game meal. Pictured preparing for the feed were host Lane Hart, Booster Club Vice President Jim Dickey and Coach Gary Drewery.
• 20 years ago, Oct. 15, 1992 – Farm Bureau was moving into their new building at the corner of Champion Circle and Frostland Drive (then Hwy. 32 west).
Dr. Clyde Sartor was named to the Ag Consultant magazine Hall of Fame. Dr. Sartor, of Vicksburg, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Flake Sartor of Water Valley.
The Blue Devils defeated Charleston, 20-0.
Pictured were members of the Anchor Club selling chrysanthemum corsages for Homecoming: Tracey McMinn, Shannon Mustachia, Denise Bush, Samantha Massey and Cathey Maynor.
Margaret Hill was a member of the Northeast Community College Home-coming Court.
Sixth grade principal’s honor roll students at the elementary school included: Allison Willingham, Kellie Burns, Jeremy Harwell, Hope Simpson, Cassandra Judson, Heath Horan, Christy Hernandez, Karla Hamilton, Lailah Bruce, Andi Hardy, Deon Hence, Tammy McMinn, Andy Parrish and Carla Whisenant.
• 30 years ago, Oct. 21, 1982 – TVA officials recognized the Water Valley Housing Authority for meeting the TVA Energy Saver Home Standards.
Miss Hospitality Trina Riley cut the ribbon officially opening the new Yalobusha County Bank.
Christy Mayo was crowned 1982 Homecoming Queen during pre-game ceremonies at the Okolona game.
Memphis television personality Fran Fawcett opened headquarters here for her run for Congress.
Michelle Greer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Greer, won the Dance Novelty division of the Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest preliminary competition.
Walter Stewart killed a 53-inch rattlesnake while bow hunting on Old Sardis Road.
Local members of the Delta State University marching band were trumpet player Alan Berry and Tubist Jim Shearer.
All dressed up in costume and pictured anticipating the Junior Auxiliary’s annual Halloween Carnival were Lauren Pullen, Joeli Williamson, Jay Oliphant, Bill Pullen, Allison Pullen and Scott Oliphant.
The Blue Devils fell to the “quick and tough” Okolona team, 35-0.
• 40 years ago, Oct 19, 1972 – The Blue Devils pulled off a “squeaker” against the Calhoun City Wildcats, 12-8. The little Devils weren’t so lucky, losing 18-14 to Bruce.
Yalobusha County was to receive $264,141 for the next five years as part of the federal government’s revenue sharing plan.
Big Yank announced that their payroll for the first nine months of 1972 was $1,743,971.14 with 556 on the payroll.
The Water Valley gin had 3582 bales of this year’s cotton crop go through as of that morning.
Stan True reported in his Short Shots column that Hershel Howell had connected with a big buck while bow hunting over the past weekend that might be the state record for the year.
• 50 years ago, Oct. 18, 1962 – Sue Ann Hyde, escorted by Freddie Benz and Mickey Pierce, was presented the Homecoming Queen crown. She got to see the Blue Devils gun down the Olive Branch Panthers, 26-0.
The Masonic Temple on North Main Street has a recently installed lighted sign that shows insignia of all local Masonic bodies and the Eastern Star.
The scout movement was being boosted in Water Valley by the formation of a Girl Scout troop and the upcoming fundraising event for the Boy Scouts and Cubs. The number of boys already being served included 30 Cub Scouts in Pack 22 under Bruce Gurner, 46 Boy Scouts under Jack Gurner and Pat Holloway and 15 Explorer Scouts in the newly formed post under Howard Holloway.
The area two Y-Teen Conference was to be held in Water Valley with about 450 members attending. Local leaders were Lucy Kendrick, senior Y-Teen president and Paula Scarbrough, junior Y-Teen president.
• 60 years ago, Oct. 16, 1952 – The Blue Devils defeated Ripley 13-6 at the Homecoming game. Football Queen was Jane Anthony and her maids were Elsie White, Patsy Bell and Inez Beene. They were driven onto the field in a beautifully decorated Jeep driven by cheerleader Joann Taylor and surrounded by the other cheerleaders Ruby Lee Mays, Donna Burke, Velma Barron and Mary Lou Johnson.
Census reports show that 7345 bales of cotton were ginned in Yalobusha from the 1952 crop prior to Oct. 1, as compared with 4407 bales for the crop of 1951.
• 70 years ago, Oct. 15, 1942 – Yalobusha County was second in the state for war bonds and stamps purchases during September, purchasing 144 percent of quota. In this county, good Americans plunked down $37,481.25 during the 30-day period.
A photo on the front page showed the new Mount Liberty Methodist Church. When they tore down the weather-beaten old church, lots of people said the church folk of that community would not be able to build a new one. But, Doyle Cain and other members were not discouraged with the problem of raising nearly a thousand dollars for materials. The new building was completed Aug. 7. Bro. P. B. Bishop of Paris was pastor.
The Blue Devils, dubbed Water Valley’s best team in years, defeated Oakland 14-7.
