Look Back In Yalobusha History

• 5 years ago, Oct. 9, 2008 – Prisoner rights attorney Ron Welch of Jackson, who represents Mississippi inmates in a variety of class action federal court cases concerning conditions of confinement, inspected the 40-plus year old Yalobusha County Jail. Welch wasn’t happy with the aging facility and called it a dungeon, according to Sheriff Lance Humphreys.
Marcus Lavar Hardy, 30, of Coffeeville, was arrested in Cook County, Illinois and charged with five counts of aggravated assault for his alleged involvement in the August 17 shooting incident at the Grand Palace club north of Coffeeville.
Daniel Martin was pictured being congratulated by Chancellor Mitchell Lundy upon his admission to practice law.
About a dozen volunteers were pictured working to redo the backs of some of the Main Street store buildings as part of the Water Valley Main Street Association’s Better BackStreet program.
The Blue Devils fell to the Eupora Eagles, 28-12, in the division opener.
• 10 years ago, Oct. 9, 2003 – Three  county officials took the oath of office from Mary Sue Stevens at her office. They were Steve Shuffield, sheriff; Gary Tippit, district one justice court judge; and Randy Simmons, district two constable. Tippit and Shuffield took office early because the incumbents resigned and Simmons was called to fill the post of Shuffield who was elevated to sheriff.
The Blue Devils blanked a strong, but unlucky, Okolona Chieftain’s team, 21-0.
Lloyd Caulfield completed his “thru-hike” of the Appalachian Trail in late September. The 2,179 mile journey from Georgia to Maine took 166 days.
Alice Williams was honored for 25 years of service beginning with Dr. Andy Jones and continuing with Dr. Lee Pullen.
Chancie and Chestin Joyner won the District IV Farm Bureau Talent Contest for ages 13-17.
• 20 years ago, Oct. 7, 1993 – Members of Girl Scout Troop 85 were selected to conduct flag-raising ceremonies during the National Anthem at the home football game. Pictured were Monique Woodard, Lucinda Walton, Alisha Joiner, Natasha Woodard, Brittany Foxx, Romara Johnson, Tamara Johnson, Alisha Ross and Peggy Foxx, troop advisor.
Winners in the October-fest barbecue competition were Michael Scroggins, best chicken; Floyd Holland, best pork and overall winner; and Grey, Kim and Jessica Williams, best sauce.
Five youth from First United Methodist Church attended a two-day “Dare to Lead” youth leadership retreat at Camp Lake Stephens: Sarah Beard, Ashley Aldy, Angela Weeks, Brandy Farlow and Cortney Parsons.
Kesha Rockett and Carrie Washington were members of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Home-coming Court.
• 30 years ago, Oct. 13, 1983 – Kelly Williamson was crowned 1983 Homecoming Queen. Her court included 12th grade maids Wyanda Cox, Theresa Heath and Clara Woodard; 11th grade maids Tammy Scott and Deborah Woodard; 10th grade maids Sandra Benson and Sandy Loper.
Steve Edwards entered Southern College of Optometry in Memphis as a first-year professional student.
WVHS Band Drum Major Kim Herring and Rifle Captain Cindy Fernandez were winners in the marching contest at the Northwest Mississippi Marching Festival held in Senatobia. Their teams earned a superior rating.
• 40 years ago, Oct. 11, 1973 – The Blue Devils defeated Bruce, 26-13, in Tri-Lake loop play.
Supervisors let a contract for a 30-bed addition to the Yalobusha General Hospital that would double its capacity. The board had already approved a $650,000 bond but found that the lowest bid was $1,222,952 for the original planned 44-bed expansion.
Coach Keny Goodwin was named head coach of the WVHS Devilette basketball team. Coach Butler McLeod would remain as head coach of the Blue Devils, rather than handling both teams.
Laura Jo Lantrip won first place at the 4-H Poultry Show.
The book “Casey Jones and the Wreck at Vaughn” was released by historian Bruce Gurner.
Diana Williams, a freshman at Mississippi College, was pictured wearing Native American attire as part of freshmen orientation. She and fellow freshmen were cheering for the MC Choctaws at a pep rally.
• 50 years ago, Oct. 10, 1963 – The Blue Devils were tied with Coldwater for first place in the Chickasaw Conference after beating Hernando, 26-0.
At a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Johnson at the courthouse, Mississippi’s Republicans were soundly flayed by several speakers including one who said, “We want to preserve the culture and prosperity which a long line of Democratic governors have given our state.”
Sheriff Forest E. Barber was pictured with the line-up of vehicle license plates for 1964. In another photo, Mrs. E. C. Cox, sheriff’s office employee, was selling a tag to Joe Lowe.
Water Valley was well represented in the Ole Miss School of Engineering. Pictured talking with Dr. Russell B. Aven, formerly of Water Valley and assistant professor of chemical engineering, were freshman Steve Hedges, Don Holmes and Mickey Pierce.
Hollis Tutor killed a big velvet tail rattlesnake with 10 rattles in the road just above Wagner’s Pond.
• 60 years ago, Oct. 15, 1953 – Water Valley had taken on the look of a “trailer city” since the arrival of employees of Houston Construction Company. In addition to about 50 trailers, a large number of families had rented apartments, rooms and houses, according to editor Edward B. Shearer. Some of the 350 workers and their families were being housed in surrounding towns. The company was building a natural gas pipeline through the state.
The Blue Devils were defeated by Hernando, 14-0.
John Troop, prominent lawyer, was named district chairman for the March of Dimes covering Yalobusha, DeSoto, Tate, Panola and Lafayette.
WVHS seniors went on a field trip to the Ingram farm where they picked 730 pounds of cotton, making about $19 for their senior fund.
• 70 years ago, Oct 7, 1943 – A formation of three planes flew over the Walter Hunter home with one being flown by their son, 1st Lt. Joe Hunter.
James Moore of Oakland was elected president of the district Future Farmers of America covering Yalobusha, Calhoun, Lafayette and Panola Counties. Ira Pittman of Coffeeville was elected secretary and Wesson Brister of Jeff Davis was elected reporter.

    Members of the 1963 undefeated Blue Devils football team will mark their 50th anniversary during festivities Friday. Under the direction of Coach Bobby Clark’s first year as head coach the team recorded a 10-0 season.
    The Water Valley Blue Devil Booster Club will feed the team members  a meal of ribs and fixings at the CAC Building at the First Baptist Church on October 11 at 4:15 p.m. Each member will be presented a Blue Devil history book that spans the history from 1942 to 1996.
    The team will then head over to Bobby Clark Field by 7 p.m. for the Water Valley, Holly Springs kickoff. The team will be recognized at half-time.
    Amazingly the team still holds a few records:
    • They were the first undefeated Blue Devil football team.
    • First team to win the Chickasaw Conference Title.
    • They hold the record for the few points allowed in a season at 31.
    • They also hold the record for the fewest points allow per game at 3.1.
    • The fewest extra points in a season at one.
    • The team had six shut-outs and only gave up five touchdowns all year.