Look Back In Yalobusha History

Here’s another story about an eagle. This times a local bird. This bit appeared in the “Just Rambling” column on Oct. 30, 1952.
The gilt eagle that has topped the spire on the Bank of Water Valley for the past sixty-two years is again back on its perch and ready to indicate the wind direction for all those interested.
Some months past, the eagle suffered a broken wing and it was thought at that time the bird would have to be consigned to the eagle’s graveyard. But, Mr. Brooks Boyd said that he knew where the broken wing could be repaired.
The eagle was sent to Memphis to the Eagle Hospital and, thanks to them, the bird is fully restored, ready for another long period of service.
Fast forward to 1984 when the bank building was torn down. The eagle, which had perched majestically since 1891, disappeared. Paul Parker located it on a scrap metal heap around 1984 and it was stored until it went on display in the Depot Museum.
In August of 2006, after restoration by volunteers, the eagle was placed atop the downtown Railroad Park Pavilion. The eagle was probably just a nice decoration for the new bank in 1891. But, today he is a symbol of Water Valley and is even part of the Water Valley Main Street Association logo.

• 5 years ago, Nov. 1, 2007 – The First Impressions report was presented at the courthouse. Water Valley makes a “fairly good impression” on visitors, according to the Mississippi State Community Action Team.
Winners in the Davidson Elementary School pumpkin decorating contest were Fourth grader Ally Avant, Pop Art; Six grader Shade Epes, Abstract; Six grader Anna Williamson, Impressionism. Among the other winners were Alyesa Camfield, Caryle Washington, Lexi Fowler, Austin King, Sierra Williams, Annie Person, Evan Colson, Jonathan Kent, Vaughn Hart, Austin Ethridge and Jack Burns.
Amber Tillman, dressed as the fashion police, won the costume contest at the VFW’s Spooky Night.
The Blue Devils put 41 on the scoreboard, but came up short to J. Z. George, who posted 62.
DES teacher Maggie McDaniel was Teacher of the Month for September.
• 10 years ago, Oct. 31, 2002 – The Blue Devils celebrated homecoming with a 44-8 win over the Coahoma AHS Red Panthers. Before the game Lacey Harris was crowned Homecoming Queen. Her senior court included Sara Ward, Megan Edwards, Saqueta Henderson, Jennifer House and Jocelyn Spearman. Other maids were Ashley Armstrong, Kelsey Reed, Naqueta Turner, Robin Goolsby, Erica Person, Hillary Hart, Brittany Foxx and Brooke LeBlanc.
Directing the WVHS Band on the field was Lucinda Walton, a junior.
Local Boy Scouts dedicated the new flagpole at Bobby Clark Field to the late Bruce Gurner. Pictured with the flag pole were Raleigh Sprouse, James Wright, Jonathan Woodard, David Wood and Eric DeLoach.
• 20 years ago, Oct. 29, 1992 – The Blue Devils had a last-minute 20-14 win over Amory assuring them a spot in the playoffs.
The Junior Devils won their division crown beating the Lafayette Commodores, 16-0, for an undefeated season.
Coralor Freeman and Bridgette Foxx won the “First Timers” award at the DECA Fall Leadership Conference in Tupelo. Others attending the conference included Angela Gordon, Kim Hall, Louise Davis, Callie Cox, Samantha Massey, Travis White, Kari Smith, LeQuela McCoy, Jason Hamann, Steve Franklin, Regina Turner, Centro Henderson, Eddie White, Marty Dorris, April Moore, Renita Hairston, Shoulunda Rucker, Patricia Stewart, William Baker and Teresa Walton. Rosa Hill was DECA sponsor.
Miss Yalobusha County was Teresa Walton.
Holley Automotive employees used 57 sheet cakes and 150 pounds of icing to make and decorate a five foot by nine foot cake to feed visitors at Holley’s 20th anniversary celebration held at the plant.
• 30 years ago, Nov. 4, 1982 – Water Valley Police Officers Roger Thomas, Craig Hart and Charles Truly apprehended a drug suspect with marijuana worth more than $2500.
Ruth Jones celebrated her 100th birthday at the Yalobusha Nursing Home.
The Blue Devils were defeated by the Coldwater Panthers, 38-0. Their record was 1-8.
Tobe Chapman retired from Holley Carburetor, Inc. after working there since 1973. He was the first person to retire from the plant.
Brownie Scout Troop 123 enjoyed their first outing and hayride. Members included Stacey Avant, Tammy Foster, Wendy Lockwood, Samantha Massey, Cathey Maynor, Angie Person, Pennie Pullen and Kerri Redwine. Jeannie Moxley and Jonnie Person are troop leaders.
Six grade students attending the “World of Insects” program at Ole Miss were Raymond Moore, Wendy Baker, Cammy McGehee, Kelly Goodman and Darryn Melford, accompied by Principal Melvin Ford.
• 40 years ago, Nov. 2, 1972 – The WVHS Marching Band would conclude their 1972 season with a pre-game show, “Campaign Capers” featuring Sharon McMinn to portray the band’s idea of the ideal candidate for the Presidency.
The Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Colt Industries, Inc. for lease of the factory building formerly occupied by the bankrupt Ram Tool Corp.
A letter from the White House, reproduced on the editorial page, thanked the Herald for supporting the reelection of President Richard M. Nixon.
Ginger Allen was chosen Miss Northwest Mississippi Junior College by her fellow students.
• 50 years ago, Nov. 1, 1962 – The Blue Devils took the Lambert Tigers, 32-0.
• 60 years ago, Oct. 30, 1952 – A petition by 20 striking workers at the local Rice-Stix plant who are charged with contempt of court for inciting violence was rejected by the federal court and had to remain in state court.
Mrs. Rubye Porter wrote to the Herald stating her views for not voting union at the Rice-Stix plant. She wrote that she believed that when she took the job, she obligated herself to accept the conditions of employment.
• 70 years ago, Oct. 29, 1942 – Attorney Ike Stone of Coffeeville, hardest opponent of the government’s dam building program in this section, announced that the fight to stop the project was not ended.
The draft was beginning to touch all levels of society in Water Valley. The latest call was hitting the merchant class hard. Heading the list were Bluford McCullar, whose clothing store partner, Buck Suratt, was already in the Army; Cullen Lowe “Cap” Gardner, funeral director; Sylvester Gordon Davenport, grocer; Elmer Lee Stone, gas station worker; and Charlie Lowe, druggist. And, that was just a few.
The Blue Devils defeated Holly Springs, 21-0, and were set to face Big Creek for Homecoming.
An editorial by Herald Editor Philip “Moon” Mullen warned of the possible sociological and physical problems that could be faced by Water Valley because of the thousands of soldiers filling Grenada. There is no way in which you can declare a moratorium upon human companionship, the editorial read, particularly young male and young female companionship, during these dangerous times.
With organized recreation we can partly pay our debt to the soldiers and at the same time attain a measure of self-protection against this threat upon the peace and quiet of our little city.