Yalobusha Historical Society Minutes – March 15, 2012
Anne Hart Preus
The Yalobusha Historical Society held its regular meeting on March 15, 2012 at its headquarters, the Presbyterian Church. President Mike Worsham called the meeting to order, and Laurence Litten spoke a prayer. Becky Foster, Glen Cook, Smith Murphy, and Sid Boudrant were recognized guests.
Anne Hart Preus, a native of Hitt Spur, Western Tallahatchie County, a retired school teacher, mother of three, and a writer, shared with the YHS members “tidbits” from her book Stories from the Hart.
‘Miss Eunice practiced the art of hairstyling and occasionally did eyebrows. Miss Eunice was quite skilled at finding out and sharing information and could have you spilling your guts about the most secret of secrets before you even realized it. She would lean over you as she was winding your hair around those brush rollers and in her soft voice would say, “Now, tell me about Sally Jones,” and whatever came to mind would be blurted out before you could even think. The CIA could have used Miss Eunice to ferret out information from the most reluctant of prisoners.’
‘Another memorable fixture of the community was Pang, an immigrant from China who settled in the MS Delta, and, like other Chinese people, opened a store to provide for his family. His store was in Sumner on the square eight across from the Confederate soldier statue. Pang’s family lived in the back of the store and worked seven days a week from sunup to beyond sundown. They even delivered groceries in town and thought nothing of a request to deliver ice cream at ten o’clock at night. A farmer forgot to get payroll from the bank on Friday for his numerous tractor drivers, field hands, mechanics, managers, etc. The farmer went to Pang and told him of his predicament, and Pang, in his usual deferential manner, said, “Ah, no need to worry. I have amount in safe.” And with that, he opened the safe and took out the requested money.’
‘Joining the church, too, was a “big thing”. In fact, my brother, Robert joined three or four times. Every time the preacher issued an altar call, Robert went down the aisle to join the church. When asked about his continued need for baptism, Robert simply replied, “I didn’t want Brother MacCallily’s feelings to be hurt ‘cause nobody went down to the altar.” Finally, though, the preacher stopped the altar call. He must have decided Robert was the only one listening.’
Please come again, Ann Hart Preus, and share some more tidbits from Stories from the Hart.
Buddy Liles will present a show and tell hand carved replica of Haven Hill farm on April 19, 2012.
Attending: Dave Hovey, Emma Hovey, Glenn Cook, Tom Moorman, Alma Moorman, Opal Wright, Becky Foster, Bobby Hutchins, Bobbie Hutchins, Carl Vick, Mae Vick, Smith Murphy, Lawrence Litten, Gilbert Sullivan, Margaret J. Ross, Joy Mullen, Stelloise Basinger, John Basinger, Ray McCulley, Betty Miller, Pat Brooks, Dr. Sid Bondurant, Mike Worsham.
