Look Back In Yalobusha History
Four escaped Nazi prisoners were captured last Thursday by Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Farmer and other deputies near Coffeeville as the quartet were preparing an evening meal in the woods, the Herald reported Sept. 21, 1944.
Mrs. Clarence Fly reported to Deputy Farmer that she had seen four strangers passing through her farm about one mile west of Coffeeville.
Deputy Farmer believed the men might be the German war prisoners who had escaped from Camp McCain several days before, secured the assistance of Coffeeville Town Marshall J. C. Flowers along with H. V. Arrington and Clarence Fly.
When found, the men had eight terrapins and about a gallon of shelled peas and corn with which they planned to make a Brunswick stew.
The prisoners said they had no definite place in mind to go, but they would receive a medal if they escaped four times. They were turned over to Camp McCain authorities.
• 5 years ago, Sept. 24, 2009 – The Water Valley School Board hired the Mississippi School Board Association to help with the search to find a replacement for Superintendent Sammy Higdon. The cost would be $9,500 plus expenses.
A ribbon cutting was held for Johnson’s Barber Shop with Mayor Larry Hart and the Water Valley Ambassadors.
Zack Caulder was selected as the Mechanics Bank Student Athlete of the Month for September.
The Blue Devils fell to the North Pontotoc Vikings at Ecru, 16-14.
• 10 years ago, Sept. 23, 2004 – The Yalobusha County Multi-Purpose Building was outfitted with a 30 kilowatt generator so that the facility could be used as a staging area in the event of an emergency.
The Water Valley High senior class almost doubled in size from the year before, going from 47 in the class of 2004 to 73 for the class of 2005.
Courtney Mills, a senior at WVHS and daughter of Jeff and Christy Mills, was nominated in the national Principal’s Leadership Award scholarship program.
The Blue Devils defeated Hamilton’s Lions, 55-6, in their class 2A debut.
Hunter Edwards, 11, stalked 23 bears before bagging a six-foot tall black bear while hunting in British Columbia.
• 20 years ago, Sept. 22, 1994 – The Blue Devils lost a close game to Leland, 7-0, in the rain at Leland.
The Gold Wing Road Riders Association raised $3,000 for Faith Christian Academy in memory of Tim Latham, who had been a student at the school.
Beginning their last year as members of the WVHS Band were seniors Brandy Thomas, Tammy Burgess, Michael Chandler, Tyler Hill, Rhea Brown, Bennett Hill, Naketa White, Yoshia Hence, Barry Caulfield and Jinny Fachman.
The Water Valley Ambassadors heard the story of the Holley Automotive Division plant from Plant Manager Travis Clement, who was pictured with Ambassadors Lucy Coleman, Ora Phillips and Dr. Rayford Edgar.
• 30 years ago, Sept. 27, 1984 –Water Valley and Coffeeville Saddle Clubs had 29 exhibitors qualify in 71 classes on the state level and 17 placed. Yalobusha County 4-H member Sara Lynn Tartt led with three placings in three classes. She was followed by fellow 4-H member Laurie Craig of Tillatoba.
The Blue Devils fell to age-old rival Senatobia, 45-0. A front page photo showed Devil Bubba Person taking down a Warrior with help coming from guard Larry Stokes and linebacker Keith Larson.
The junior class members of the WVHS Blue Devils included Bubba Person, Lane Hart, Ken Folson, Russell Kelly, Bobby Campbell and Larry Stokes.
• 40 years ago, Oct. 3, 1974 – The little Devils defeated Calhoun City in a game that ended with one of the more unusual scores in football, 2-0. No touchdowns, no extra points, no field goals – just a safety.
The Blue Devils took on Charleston and were defeated, 45-0.
Airman David Dean of Coffeeville graduated from USAF basic training and was on his way to Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado for training in munitions and weapons maintenance.
• 50 years ago, Oct 1, 1964 – Kermit R. Cofer was installed as Sovereign Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in an impressive ceremony at the Leamington Hotel, Minnea-polis, Minnesota. Judge Cofer became international head of the Odd Fellows.
Steve Helms, Steve Wells, Becky Robinson and Clyde Massey attended the 4-H state Junior Leadership Conference at the Sardis 4-H training center.
• 60 years ago, Sept. 23, 1954 – The Blue Devils were defeated by Sardis, 27-20.
The Oakland FFA elected new officers including President Buddy Melton, Vice-president Dale Burt, Secretary Shelby Wolfe, Treasurer Billy Ray Walton, Sentinel Edward Nelson and Reporter Lee Butler.
Anne Armstrong of Coffeeville would serve as a ribbon girl at the State Horse Show in Jackson.
Billy Baddley was ordered to report at the University of North Carolina as a Midshipman in the Navel Officers Training Corps.
• 70 years ago, Sept. 21, 1944 – Army Nurse Lt. Catherine Johnson, former Water Valley resident, was stationed at Mississippi Ordnance Plant, Flora.
Among the D-Day paratroopers was county resident Pvt. L. A. Jones who was a member of a unit that fought for 33 days without relief or replacement.
• 80 years ago, Sept. 28, 1934 – Water Valley was set to play Big Creek at the new Athletic Field. It was the opening game for the WV team and there was concern that Big Creek would be a tough customer after their defeat of Cumberland, 66-0.
Peoples Wholesale’s new furniture store was under the charge of J. C. Burns.
William Morris Hardy, real estate broker, reported to the Herald that he was trying to find a residence to lease for a customer and after a canvas of the city could find no vacant houses.
