Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, March 27, 2008 – Grass and brush fires had been almost a daily occurrence for Yalobusha County firefighters. There had been more than a dozen since the first of the month.
Three Georgia men employed by Facility Holding Corp. were indicted for their alleged fraudulent role in the defunct Mississippi Beef Processors plant located near Oakland.
Among the youngsters hunting eggs during the annual Junior Auxiliary Easter Egg Hunt in City Park were Nate Edwards, Brice Terry, Hayden Yeager and Dillon Smith.
Winners in the Wildlife Tasting Buffet held at the Multi-purpose building at Coffeeville included Eddie Fly, first place with elk cabobs; Brian McCullar, second with crappie bread; and Ronnie Stark, third with Rudolph rump roast. Other winners included S. T. White, Tyler Wortham and Betty Baker Thomas for their dishes in the “Most Unusual” category.
Blue Devil baseballers defeated rival Bruce at home before going on the road to defeat Byhalia.
• 10 years ago, March 27, 2003 – Ashley Wilbourn was named WVHS STAR Student and Sara Laird Irby STAR Teacher for the 2002/2003 school year. Ashley was also one of the seniors on the Principal’s honor roll along with Megan Edwards, Amos Judson, Chastity McMinn and Sara Ward.
Vietta McLeod Booker was chosen to receive the Outstanding Master’s Student Award in the area of Elementary Education at the University of Mississippi.
Amanda Langdon dominated the Gelbvieh Classes at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up when her two bulls and two heifers each won their classes.
Jason T. Bailey, a 2002 WVHS grad, was in technical training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Two Yalobushians, Craig White of Water Valley and Braxton Coleman of Coffeeville, were signed to the NWCC Soccer Team.
• 20 years ago, March 25, 1993 – The Water Valley Ambassadors was formed by the Chamber of Commerce to promote the area. The first group of officers included Melvin Ford, chairman; Ludie Appleton, vice-chairman; Charmie Weeks, secretary; and Barron Caulfield, Jr., treasurer.
Magnolia Youth League officers for the upcoming season were Steve Hardy, president; Donald Gray, vice-president; Peggy Foxx, secretary; Floyd McGehee, treasurer and finance chairman; Dr. Joe Walker, co-finance chairman; Jeff Burt, director; and Crip Tyler, director.
Quay Jones, charter member of the Jeff Davis Water Association and its treasurer for 27 years, was honored on his retirement from the board.
At the annual Wildlife Tasting Buffet Margie Clay took first place in the “Best Tasting” category for her catfish Bienville and Ben Wright took second for his grilled venison. In the “Most Unusual” category, Floyd Holland won for his wild Russian boar and secret sauce and Michael Shaw took second with his dish “Pepe-le-Pew.”
The Kellwood plant in Coffeeville was up to 270 employees.
Sophomore Elizabeth Goodwin and Junior Cathey Maynor were pictured with their bags packed on their way to Valley Forge, Penn., where they were delegates to the Freedom Foundation Youth Conference. They were representing the Anchor Club.
• 30 years ago, March 31, 1983 – Charles Gardiner took over as Yalobusha County Welfare Director, succeeding Tomie L. Ashford who retired after 25 years of service.
Ronnie Stark was pictured receiving his Eagle Scout badge from his mother, Mrs. Troy Stark, during a Court of Honor at First Christian Church. Also pictured was Scoutmaster Jerry Foster.
An old “box car” was pictured in the original shop yard area near Martin Street. Crews removing track and ties from the abandoned ICRR line stranded it when they removed the connecting tracks. The car is actually a refer (refrigerated boxcar) and is currently on display at the railroad museum.
Joe Cox and Bill Taylor were to attend the Lions’ High School Youth Camp.
• 40 years ago, March 29, 1973 – William Grady “Red” Cotton was elected Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar at their meeting in Jackson. As was the usual custom, he became Grand Commander in 1976. Another Vallian, T. Olin Gore, was reelected Inspector-Instructor.
Locy Cook, well known local hunting and fishing guide, passed away at his home at the age of 61.
State Park Service officials Ken Jones and Jim Waters told a group of north Mississippi newspapermen that the Park Commission had allocated almost $1 million to be spent on recreational facilities for the Yocona Ridge Park and other areas around Enid Lake.
Nan Shaw Stafford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy C. Shaw of Coffeeville, was named West Point’s Outstanding Educator by the Jaycees.
The emergency spillway at Enid Lake was used for the first time when it crested at just over 269 feet on March 26.
• 50 years ago, March 28, 1963 – Judge Kermit Cofer spoke at the 4-H Achievement Banquet. Receiving awards were Nell Fancher, Sandra Shaw, Nancy Jones, Carol Haley, Larry Davis, Steve Brower, Joe Farmer, Mike McKee, Hubert Clark, Jr., Rodney Brower, Don Harding, Dean Wright, Larry Kimzey, Steve Moore, Frank Berle Brooks, Larry Gean, Jimmy Stewart, Joel Surette, John Wood, Larry Waller and Harold Waller.
Sue Ann Hyde and Mickey Pearce were selected by their fellow students as Mr. and Mrs. WVHS for 1963.
The Jaycees were planning to hide 120 dozen eggs for their annual community Easter egg hunt at the fairgrounds.
The WVHS Band did well at the Solo and Ensemble Contest held at Drew. Superior ratings were earned by the clarinet quartet: Sister Gore, Don Holmes, Dana Riley and Ginny Wiley. Also by the brass sextet: David Wilson, John Cox, Larry Edwards, Janice Dollahite, Barron Caulfield and Johnny Rogers. Rogers also captured a superior with his solo. The excellent rating went to the flute trio: Harriet Samuels, Connie Johnson and Bonnie Cox.
• 60 years ago, March 26, 1953 – Water Valley led the district at the Northwest Livestock Show in 4-H judging teams.
Jeff Davis was leading the county baseball play with a win over both Camp Ground and Oakland.
Water Valley beat Oxford in the first baseball game of the season.
Mabry McMillan was to received his M. D. degree from Harvard.
The Valley Ice Company listed the prices for ice in an ad: block ice – 70 cents per 100 pounds, 35 cents for 50 pounds and 20 cents for 25 pounds. Crushed Ice brought $1 per 100 pounds, 50 cents per 50 pounds and 25 cents for 25 pounds. You could fill a Thermos bottle or jug for a dime.
• 70 years ago, March 25, 1943 – Brothers Allen V. and John C. Pullen were pictured on the front page. Both were privates-first-class in the Army.
 Grace Lynn Harding of Water Valley entertained the troops at Grenada Air Base at the weekly informal party with a novelty number, “Melancholy Baby,” set to jive.