Look Back In Yalobusha History
Herald Editor Edward B. Shearer was treading on dangerous ground in January of 1973 when he reprinted this essay titled “Wives” from an old clipping found in his collection–
Hold on to your wife, she will improve with age. Some things don’t improve with age. Wives are an exception.
The longer they are married the better persons they become. Of course this may not be true in all cases – but it is the general rule.
A ten-year-old automobile is about ready for the junk pile. Its gloss is gone, it creaks and squeaks, its performance is faulty and it costs too much to have it overhauled.
Some men think wives are like that. Since it is illegal to throw a wife on the junk pile, they dispose of her in some orderly manner and get a new model. But they are wrong. A wife is not like an automobile at all. Often years after saying “I do” at the altar, she is just beginning to show her mettle.
Every year after that she is better and more useful to her husband. After 15 or 20 years she may need an occasional paint job, but she is still worth it. After 25 years a wife becomes an indispensable woman.
A wise husband then begins to treat her as a member of the family and quits insisting that she salute him whenever he comes in to the room.
Yes, it takes a lot of time, trouble and understanding for a husband to take a flibberty-gibbety young bride and turn her into man’s greatest masterpiece – a perfect wife, nobly planned.
• 5 years ago, Jan. 17, 2008 – Supervisors reappointed Amos Sims as board president at their Jan. 14 recessed meeting. Also, John Crow received the nod to begin his 29th year as their lead counsel.
Repairs to the water-damaged floor of the Blackmur Memorial Library were expected to cost $75,000.
An injured motorist, Cody Britt, 20, left the scene of an auto accident after he learned that deputies were on their way to investigate the crash. He was later captured on County Road 277.
City officials were asking for help from citizens to clean up the city for the sesquicentennial celebration.
Water Valley’s new beer ordinance was set to take effect the coming Saturday. It would restrict sales to hot only and none on Sunday.
Haley Vance, 14, was getting her locks lopped for Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces for children with medical hair loss.
The Blue Devils earned tough wins against Eupora. The girls won, 59-42; the boys, 59-54.
• 10 years ago, Jan. 16, 2003 – Winners of the WVHS Beauty Review in the Junior High division were Austin Shaw, most beautiful; Ashley Campbell, first alternate; Tonya Bailey, second alternate; and Brittnie Lee, third alternate. Shaqueta Henderson and Monique Townes were Miss Congeniality winners.
Pierce Epes joined the ranks of professional engineers after passing the professional examination.
Christine Fielder was awarded the 2002 Outstanding 4-H Program Assistant Award.
Tamarick Person sold 102 boxes of donuts to win the donut sale at his day care center.
Holly Griffin earned a degree from the Mississippi National Guard Challenge Academy at Camp Shelby.
• 20 years ago, Jan. 14, 1993 – Bill Murray was named manager of the Water Valley Big Yank plant.
Constable Steve Shuffield qualified second in the state with his service weapon at the Mississippi Constable’s Convention in Biloxi.
The WalMart Foundation donated $500 to the Yalobusha General Hospital, matching $500 raised during the Halloween Carnival in October.
Edgar Sandefer brought to the Herald what Betty Shearer described as the biggest purple top turnip she’d ever seen.
A letter to the editor commented on the death of Dorothy Jane Henry. Julia Taylor wrote that although Mrs. Henry was officially “First Lady” of Water Valley for only eight years, she deserved the title for all her adult life.
Braswell Hatcher was pictured balancing six 16-penny nails on the head of a seventh.
John Ingram was on the Dean’s List at Mississippi State University.
Valery White was named historian for the Mississippi College chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, professional business fraternity.
• 30 years ago, Jan. 20, 1983 – Mark Trusty and Billie Mitchell were pictured on the front page blowing out the candles on an anniversary cake during ceremonies at Holley Carburetor, Inc. Trusty was the first salaried employee and Mitchell the first “clock” employee hired when Holley began operations here ten years before.
Mayor Hamric Henry proclaimed the weekend period from Friday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 13, as “Safety Sabbath.” Mrs. J. L. Reid, Yalobusha County Farm Bureau Ladies’ Chairman said that all persons of faith are called upon to join in the mission to save lives and protect health by preventing accidents.
Water Valley’s auxiliary policemen donated $100 to Yalobusha General Hospital toward the purchase a baby mannequin to be used for the CPR training program. Making the donation to Julia Fernandez were Danny Jaudon, Walt Story, Larry Hendricks, David Gilley, Mike Young and Dennis Hodge.
The Water Valley Blue Devil junior girls defeated Independence, 32-23.
The W. T. Trustys had the yard of the month based on “color appeal” during the drab month of January.
• 40 years ago, Jan. 18, 1973 – Pictured standing in front of the doorway to the Methodist Heritage Chapel in Railroad Park on Main Street were Mrs. Ova Bagguley and Mrs. Carlton Hales, local church members, with Bishop Mack Stokes, presiding bishop, and former pastor L. P. Wasson. They were on hand for the dedication of the chapel.
New officers of Lodge No. 82, International Order of OddFellows included Rev. Larry Finger, Vice-Grand; Rev. George Cantin, Noble Grand; Johnny Kiihnl, Financial Secretary; and Homer Dean Tubbs, Conductor.
Rebekah officers included Mrs. Inez Cantin, Noble Grand; Mrs. Rose Poindexter, Treasurer; Mrs. Maxine Tubbs, Vice-Grand; Mrs. Christine Maynor, Secretary.
Ricky Goodwin and Jerry Hill were pictured in Stan True’s Short Shots column with a buck they considered a “joint-effort.”
The Blue Devils boys and girls were defeated by Coffeeville. The girls went down 48-46 and the boys 70-49.
In the want ads, Dr. and Mrs. M. S. McMillan were trying to identify the generous person who left a delicious cake in their car right before Christmas. They wanted to thank them and return the plate.
• 50 years ago, Jan. 17, 1963 – M. D. (Jug) Burns of Oakland was the first candidate to come by the Herald and announce his candidacy for Sheriff and Tax Collector.
The Sylva Rena Community 4-H Club won $100 from the Southern Bell Telephone Company for being an outstanding club. Pictured were members and adult supervisors: Mrs. Herman Jones, advisor; Nancy Jones; Mrs. Linda Wright, assistant home agent; Steve Jones; Ricky Palmertree; John Wood; Robert G. Wolfe, assistant county agent; and Steve Moore.
Getting their degrees from the University of Mississippi were Joseph Davenport Lowe, BA English; Barbara Nell King Green, BS Home Economics; Henry Fonda Wilbourne, BA Business Administration; and Linda Cloud Fite, BS Business Education.
New Eastern Star officers included Mrs. Ivan Edwards, Worthy Matron; Martin Adams, Worthy Patron; and Hubert Woods, Sentinel.
• 60 years ago, Jan. 15, 1953 – Herald Editor Edward B. Shearer wrote that the Republicans – meaning President Dwight Eisenhower and VP Richard Nixon – were about to take power after “being out in the cold” for 20 years. He said that he did not view it with alarm (at this period in history many southerners only subscribed to the Democratic Party). But, he believed it to be good. He pointed to countries like Russia and China and said that they were all anyone should need to see the evils of a one-party system.
Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Baddley were pictured on the front page on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.
The Mississippi Baptist Convention reported that 16,693 persons were baptized during the last year (1952).
Paul Parker was cited by the U. S. Forest Service as the best example of forestry management in Lafayette County. His farm is located near Paris and is the entire 500 acres is designated as a tree farm.
• 70 years ago, Jan. 14, 1943 – Yalobusha County farmers were accepting the challenge of Farm Mobilization Day theme, “What can I do to support the boys fighting my battles in foreign lands.” At the Water Valley meeting, Herman White said that he had gathered several truckloads of scrap metal off his farm and intended to keep on scrapping. Others pledged increased food production.
Popular Water Valley High School coach R. Berlin Griffin was now an Ensign in the U. S. Navy stationed at Guantamano Bay, Cuba, where he piloted a PBY patrol plane.
Thumb tacks would have to be carefully preserved and reused because – like everything made of steel – they were becoming scarce.
In the want ads: Lost – On Jan. 4 near Hunt’s Beer Store at Lafayette County Line, two prized quilts, pillow and bedspread. Return for liberal reward. A. R. Lowe, Rt. 1.
