Look Back In Yalobusha History
Long time Illinois Central employee Pat McNamee was called to report for work Monday, July 1, 1934, at the shops at Paducah, Kentucky.
He went by the main office and got his pass for the 325-mile trip and left the next Sunday.
This made only the second time McNamee, who had been working for the ICRR most of his life, had ever ridden a train. “He was as thrilled as a blushing bride on her honeymoon,” according to the Herald story.
• 5 years ago, June 25, 2009 – The weather took a turn from heavy thunderstorms the past week to hot and dry as the seasons changed from spring to summer. The temps were forecast to reach triple digits. It was so hot a fisherman complained of finding a tick on a catfish and Sgt. Bubba Jackson of the WVPD had what looked like a vacuum hose hooked up to his protective vest. It turned out to be a “Cool Cop” device that piped air from his car’s air conditioner.
Sheriff Lance Humphreys was pictured with an illegal poker machine seized from a Tillatoba business, the Pit Stop.
Volunteers from the Fuller Center for Housing completed nine housing upgrade projects in Yalobusha County over the past year. Volunteers included Clayton Horton, Ralph Horton and James Person.
• 10 years ago, June 24, 2004 – School board trustees voted to accept an $8,978,183 budget for the coming fiscal year.
Terri Adams was pictured with her horse as one of the strong competitors in the 4-H Championship Horse Show scheduled for the Multi-Purpose building.
Artist John Davis was pictured with a native bow he had made using a book from the Blackmur Memorial Library.
Mattie Moore Cofer was honored with a 100th birthday celebration.
A $50,000 endowed scholarship at Mississippi State University was announced honoring Rick Parson, a Water Valley native from Vance, who was a 1970 ag grad and Delta row-crop farmer.
Carmille Hovious was named Teacher of the Year at Davidson Elementary School.
Northwest Community College Students Jamie Cofer and Leigh Rounsaville received Foundation scholarships. Cofer received the Reverend Upton Reynolds Endowment and Rounsaville received the Mechanics Bank Endowment.
• 20 years ago, June 23, 1994 – Mrs. Pearl Martin Raley was about to celebrate her 104th birthday.
Dr. Gary Jackson, a WV native, was appointed as assistant to the Dean at the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at Mississippi State University.
Brown recluse spiders were being found in the county, according to Yalobusha County Agent Steve Cummings.
Terry Anthony was Holley Automotive’s Employee of the Month for May.
Dr. Joe Walker was about to open the Family Health Clinic of Water Valley on Frostland Drive.
• 30 years ago, June 28, 1984 – The WV Pilot Club donated $100 to purchase life jackets for the local civil defense unit. Dene Allen was pictured presenting the jackets to Stanley True, director of the local CD, and members Thomas Scroggins and Bubba Defer.
Noel Holley of the Water Valley Future Farmers of America was recognized at the state FFA Convention for being the Star Farmer in the North District. Gina Holley was elected State Junior FFA Sentinel and Brad Surrette, Chris Goodwin and Kevin Herrera were members of the State FFA Band.
Yalobusha General Hospital nurses and emergency medical technicians volunteered their time to teach classes in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation included Julia Fernandez, James Moody, Pat Aston and Johnny Judson.
Cathy Fielder of Coffeeville was named Public Education Chairman of the Yalobusha County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. She was assisted by Carol Brown of Water Valley and Patty Bailey of Coffeeville.
Receiving the “Blue Devil Award” at the WVHS all-sports honors presentation were Pam Eubanks and Janet Luster.
• 40 years ago, June 27, 1974 – Selected by the American Legion to attend Girl’s State were Paula Mills, Jayne Edgar, Pat Anthony, Bonnie McKinney, Cindy Moxley and Billie Carol Houpt.
M. E. Webb was pictured checking drugs in his store after burglars broke in overnight Friday, June 21.
At the Jaycee sponsored Bass and Crappie Tournament held at the boat landing, Mike Moore caught the most pounds, 27 lbs.; Hershel Howell, largest bass at 5 lbs., 7-3/4 oz.; Freddy McCullar and Will Hobdy shared the honor of smallest bass at 1/4 lb.; Kate Irene Johnsey and Lottie M. Johnsey shared the most pounds of crappie at 2 lbs, 13-1/4 oz.; Terry Ostrander, largest crappie at 1 lb., 5 oz.; and Chris Ostrander, smallest crappie at 1-1/4 oz.
Marine Sergeant Roger D. Berryhill was on duty at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan.
• 50 years ago, June 25, 1964 – Robert Taliaferro brought in the first cotton bloom for the fifth straight year.
C. L. “Buster” Beene was installed in the office of Grand Master of the Mississippi Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows at the annual conclave in Jackson.
Attending the 4-H Junior Leadership Conference at MSU were Steve Wells of Water Valley, Clyde Massey and Becky Robinson of Oakland and Richard Helms of Coffeeville.
Mayor Stanley Perkins, local Lamar Life Insurance Agent, was pictured presenting a $10 check to Mary Ann Hughes. The award was made annually to the 4-H Class I Health winner. She used the money to attend 4-H camp at Choctaw Lake.
• 60 years ago, June 24, 1954 – Water Valley’s brave, clean and reverent Troop 14 of the Boy Scouts won first place in the water carnival at Camp Yocona by amassing 28 points in the competition. They also took top honors in the daily camp inspection, which required clean cabins, well-made beds and a clean camp area.
Mrs. Ruth Cowan presented her summer class in a piano recital. The students were Paula K. Scarbrough, Virginia Wiley, Bonnie Cox, John Romberger, Bena Lou Kendrick, Jeannie Barron, Steve Hedges, India Throop, Lucy Kendrick, Ronny Scarbrough, Gary Cox, Lynda Edwards, Frank Romberger, Sue Webb, Mary Jane Larson and “Sissie” Cardwell.
• 70 years ago, June 22, 1944 – C. M. Langford brought in the first cotton bloom of the season from the farm belonging to Dr. S. L. Cox. Just a few hours later, Ross Ingram brought in the second.
J. A. Fair was elected commander of the Curtis E. Pass Post of the American Legion.
• 80 years ago, June 29, 1934 – F. M. Edwards, residing east of Water Valley, brought the first local grown watermelon to the city market. They were Cuban Queens he planted about 10 to 12 days earlier than the commercial melons for shipping. The early melons tended to be lightweight, none weighing more than 20 pounds.
