Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Mrs. Ova Bagguley visited the almost complete “new” high school building in June of 1962 and commented on the beauty, convenience, size and modernistic detail that she believed would make it the “pride and joy” of the town.
She was reminded of the first school of her childhood, the Palestine school on Delay Road, that was built about 1906 and was new when she first attended school there. The school, located less than three miles from the city, was a one-room box of about 20 by 30 feet.
A 20-inch wood heater, with a pipe extending through a brick flue, sat in a sand box in the center of the room. There were two benches for the boys and three for the girls. The benches had been purchased from the old Methodist Church for $2 each.
The enrollment was about 30 with about 20 being average attendance for the less than half-year sessions. Ages of the students ranged from five to 21 years.
While one class was reciting, the others were supposed to be studying. But, the study periods were often interrupted by the wild shot of a paper wad, conversations or prank playing.
Girls took turns sweeping the floors of the plentiful dirt and mud brought in on the high-top and brogan shoes. Both girls and boys took turns bringing water from a spring at the foot of the hill. Everyone drank from the same dipper.
Toilet facilities, Mrs. Bagguley wrote, were two hillsides that ran in opposite directions covered with blackjack bushes.
She described the contents of lunch containers – often used lard buckets – as biscuits with sausage, ham, fat-back, eggs, sugar and butter, jam preserves, baked potatoes, fried pies, cake, teacakes, egg custard and a bottle of milk.
“There were often parched peanuts which had a way of not always waiting for recess to be eaten.”
Mrs. Bagguley noted that her description of a half century ago sounded crude now. “But, the little school stood not only as a community center, but for the efforts and ambitions of rural people to do the best they could then to educate their children.”
“Some blood of their desires, ambition and spirit of willingness and cooperation probably flows in the veins of some who have helped to make possible our new pride and joy in Water Valley.”
“May my grandchildren and many others appreciate and greatly benefit by the most recent progressive move.”
Through The Years From The Herald
• 15 years ago, July 5, 2007 – City officials approved both the downtown Saturday farmers’ market and using a portion of tickets issued to fund Crime Stoppers at their board meeting.
The 2007 tax roll showed that the value of Yalobusha County was over $69 million, up almost $7.5 million from 2006.
The beer petition was gaining momentum as volunteers set-up booths across the county and added 700 names to double the number to almost 1400. The goal was to get the required 2000 names, plus as many as possible to cover those disqualified.
• 20 years ago, July 4, 2002 – Hunter West was pictured on the front page waving an American Flag. Young West was almost born on the fourth of July. He turned one on July 7.
A smiling group of dignitaries was pictured breaking ground for the new beef processing plant located at Oakland. The group included Richard Hall, President of Mississippi Beef Processors; Steve Holland, Chair of the Agriculture Committee; Billy McCord, Head of the Ways & Means Committee; and Governor Ronnie Musgrove. The plant was expected to create 350 jobs.
The Melon Valley Band – later to become the Community Band – were rehearsing to make their debut, under the direction of Stanley Crow, at the annual music festival.
The Velvet Glove opened with a ribbon cutting featuring Mayor Larry Hart, co-owner Candy Tallant and the red-coated (is that a word?) Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
Clyde Shelly was named Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Mississippi, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at their conference in Columbus.
• 30 years ago, July 2, 1992 – The arts and crafts, antiques and specialty shop folks were holding a meeting to organize at the urging of the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Foundation.
Tammy Wells and Mary Brunson, both graduating WVHS seniors, were given scholarships. Tammy received the Junior Auxiliary Jessie Ostrander Memorial Scholarship and Mary the Pete and Mildred Brown Foundation Scholarship.
Yalobusha County’s blue ribbon winners in the 4-H Cloverleaf exhibits at the Project Achievement Day held at Shannon were Ashlee Langdon, Natalie Bruce and David Wood. Will Burns won first place in the plant pathology contest.
Mrs. Irene Alexander, Yalobusha County Home-makers Council President, and Mrs. Julie Ingram Tyler, Extension Home Economist Program Assistant, were pictured with the certificate honoring the Council for winning first place for the largest increase in membership in the state.
• 40 years ago, July 8, 1982 – Tommie Ashford was pictured on the front page receiving a plaque from Master-of-Ceremonies Rev. Guy Reedy honoring his service as Rotary Club treasurer over 11 years. In a separate story, Ashford was just installed as State Odd Fellows Grand Master.
Carothers Construction Company was awarded a $1 million-plus contract to build the new Northwest Mississippi Junior College facility in Oxford.
Junior Miss Watermelon Queen finalists in their category pictured on the front page were Denise Riley, first alternate; Sandy Loper, Junior Miss; and Lisa Lynch, second alternate.
Little cutie-pies pictured in the Tiny Miss category were Cari Smith, first alternate; Allyson Pullen, second alternate; Fannie Hood, Tiny Miss; Jennifer Whitehead, third alternate; and Tina Sikma, fourth alternate.
In the Little Miss category were Cinnamon Foster, second alternate; Andrea Davis, Little Miss; and Melissa Anthony, first alternate. The Tiny Mister category included Bill Pullen, second alternate; Ben Eakes (tie), third alternate; Lloyd Lee Caulfield (with the cutest head of fluffy blond hair), Tiny Mister; Casey Hart (tie), third alternate; and Jordon White, fourth alternate.
Billy Williamson was pictured with ASCS employees Polly Holloway and Daniel Waller as he certified his crops for 1982.
• 50 years ago, July 6, 1972 – Long time banker W. C. Quinn, vice-president of The Mechanics Savings Bank died of a heart attack in route to Memphis.
Five Water Valley youths, Michael Horan, Paul Pittman, Paul Howell, Jim Hedges and Bonnie Cox, were headed for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Summer Camp in LaGrange, Tenn., to serve as councilors.
Once again Robert Taliaferro had the first cotton bloom followed by Orice Sims.
• 60 years ago, July 5, 1962 – Dr. Leonadis Sutton Brown (Dr. Leo) died at his home on Wood Street. He was born in Canada and was the second physician to register in Mississippi under a law passed in 1914..
Ricky and Jimmy Goodwin were pictured with a 55-pound catfish they caught grabbling.
• 70 years ago, July 3, 1952 – The board of directors of the Youth Council Project and the city board through mutual agreement decided that the city should purchase a 10-acre tract of land west of the high school. The wooded lot is located north of Lafayette Street and east of Hwy. 315 and belongs to Billie Humphreys. The area will become a playground for the young people and has enough space for tennis courts, a softball field, small baseball field, and picnic grounds. (The area is now the municipal football stadium.)
• 80 years ago, July 2, 1942 – Senator Wall Doxey was going to be in Water Valley on July 9 to discuss the important issue of the day including his record and platform since he was a candidate for reelection. He also promised a “close up account of the present war situation.”
