Look Back In Yalobusha History

Mike Williamson, 10, and his little brother Steve, 8, killed a bat in late August 1964. The critter tested positive for rabies at the state lab in Jackson.
The brothers were walking through a pasture when they saw the bat attack their saddle horse. They found sticks and managed to kill the bat.
Fortunately, their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bryce Williamson, had warned the boys not to touch a bat as a result of the wide publicity given to rabid bats in the state.
The Williamsons have gained a reputation in recent years for wild animal handling after a round with a groundhog and a bobcat.

• 5 years ago, Aug. 27, 2009 – Yalobusha County posted a ten percent increase in retail sales, making it one of the few counties in Mississippi to show an increase.
Coach Brad Embry was pictured on the front page carrying the ball during the Meet the Devils scrimmage at Bobby Clark Field. The locals were about to take on Coffeeville in the first game of the season.
A reception honored Cecil and Melvin Ford was about to be held to announce the establishment of the Melvin and Cecil Simpson Ford Endowment Scholarship at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
• 10 years ago, Aug 24, 2004 – Kelli Jackson competed with ladies from six states in the 2005 National Little Britches Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colorado to take the top honor as National Rodeo Queen.
This Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks moved their District II headquarters from Batesville to the old park rangers office at Enid Lake.
The 2A Water Valley Blue Devils defeated the 4A Oxford Chargers in a scrimmage game at Vaught Hemingway Stadium on the Ole Miss campus.
Yalobusha County Constable Randy Simmons completed training at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center in Tupelo.
• 20 years ago, Aug. 25, 1994 – The Blue Devils were set to open their season against Grenada under new head coach Gary Drewrey.
Ruel S. Vaughn died of injuries from an automobile accident June 6 in which his wife, Cathryn Clowney Vaughn was killed.
County Agent Steve Cummings was reporting that harvest season was beginning in the county and that the Brooks and Jones families were reporting open cotton bolls.
• 30 years ago, Aug. 30, 1984 – Camp Ground Baptist Church won the First Baptist Church Softball Classic. Henry Glaze, Administrative Assistant at the Baptist Children’s Village in Jackson threw out the first ball.
Kim Boyd was selected as one of five photographers for the Ole Miss yearbook.
Friendship Baptist Church members purchased ten cots for the local Civil Defense unit.
Wrestling was coming to WVHS and several of the big stars from Memphis would be there including Jimmy Hart and Tojo Yamamoto.
• 40 years ago, Aug 29, 1974 – Leading the cheering for the Water Valley Blue Devils this season were Sophomore Debbie Lewis, Junior Cheryl Jaudon, Junior Shirley Johnson, Senior Charlotte Reese, Senior Denise Wright, Senior Patricia Hawkins, Senior Jayne Edgar, and Sophomore Catherine Gooch. The cheerleaders are chosen by popular vote of the student body.
Water Valley High School majorettes for 1974-75 were Suzanne Davis, Cheryl Odom, Lori Hardy, Cindi Pittman and Tracy Williamson. They planned many colorful routines for the football shows under the direction of Drum Major Malinda Hill.
The commercial printing department of the Herald was being passed on to Willie Higdon, a young printer-pressman.
The WVHS Band percussion section received instruction from Dr. Ron Vernon, Ole Miss instructor of percussion. The group included Victor Hervey, Terry Ostrander, Larry McNeal, Bobby Beaver, Dale Pilch, Belinda Bryan and Joel Shelton.
The husband and wife team of Steve Wells and Brenda Wells both received degrees during summer graduation exercises at Mississippi State University. Steve received a B. A. in business education and Brenda received a B. A. in elementary education.
• 50 years ago, Sept. 3, 1964 – The Blue Devils were about to start their season ranked for a 3rd place tie with the Coldwater Panthers and the Holly Springs Tigers. Senior starting quarterback Jack Harvey had a twisted ankle and would probably see a junior quarterback in that position.A fundraiser was held at the WVHS cafeteria to help elect Barry Goldwater President. Even Yalobusha’s yella’ dog Democrats were pledging support for the Republican candidate over the much-disliked Lyndon Johnson. Statewide the Democratic Party delegates were pledging their support to Goldwater
Enrollment at Northwest Mississippi Junior College was expected to reach an all-time high with more than 800 registered for the fall semester.
Mrs. Charlie Pierce of 412 Blackmur Drive caught an 18-inch snake in a mouse trap behind the stove in her home. “I nearly had a fit,” she said.
• 60 years ago, Aug. 26, 1954 – The second Tri-Lake Fair was underway at the property just north of Hwy. 32 (across the road from the present BorgWarner plant). The gates opened Tuesday, Aug. 24, and a crowd estimated at over 1000 attended the first performance of the rodeo.
William Robert Brasher, 17, was killed instantly and his father, Robert Marshall Brasher, knocked unconscious, when lighting struck as they were cutting timber near Paris. Ollie Davis had several teeth chipped and loosened by the bolt.
Ginner W. H. Inman and Carl Patton were pictured with the first bale of cotton of the 1954 season ginned at the Farmers Gin here on Saturday, Aug. 21.
• 70 years ago, Aug. 24, 1944 – Pfc. Esker Bower of Coffeeville was recuperating at Foster General Hospital in Jackson when he told of being caught behind enemy lines near Anzio. He and two other men became lost while looking for three outposts near the front around 2 a.m. By morning, the group found the American lines again.
Lt. Carson Hughes of Oakland was reported as a prisoner of war of the German government. Lt. Hughes, pilot of a B-17, had been listed as missing in action.
• 80 years ago, Aug. 31, 1934 – State Supreme Court Justice J. G. McGowan and Mrs. McGowan suffered painful bruises in an auto accident seven miles north of Canton. The article was noted that the couple was on their way to Water Valley to vote for Senator Hubert Stephens who was being challenged by political blow-hard, former governor Theodore Bilbo.
Grenada golfers won the silver loving cup during a four-cornered tournament held during the past Watermelon Carnival. Grenada, Water Valley, Holly Springs and Sardis competed in the tourney.