By Billy Davis

Nobody knew if it would work.

But it sure sounded like a good idea.

The plan was to ring the venerable, neglected courthouse bell, at straight-up 3 p.m., to herald the first hour of the first-ever Panola Farmers Market. The bell ringing fell to Alderman Teddy Morrow, since most of Batesville’s public officials were attending a statewide convention on the Gulf Coast.

Morrow clambered up the nine-foot tower outside the courthouse, where he attached a white rope to the bell.

“I hope it works,” he told wife Allison, with five minutes to ponder whether it would.

When it was time, the alderman wrapped the rope around his hands, eyed the brown bell, and yanked.

Across Court Street, knots of farmers market customers were standing three deep in some places, when the clang, clang, clang of the bell reached their ears.

To the 25 vendors who lined the little street, the clang probably sounded like money, too.

“They really liked the jam,” Nathan Keel, who came with wife Florence from Byhalia, said shortly after four o’clock.

That was an understatement, since the Keels’ table, crammed with jars an hour earlier, seemed much more naked.   

“We intend to be here every Wednesday,” he said.

Among the throng of customers, Patty Daugherty said she was happy with fresh squash purchased for a dollar a pound.

Lib Brown, of Oakland, said she came for a fresh cantaloupe, which she purchased for $2.50.

“It’s more than a fair price,” she said. “I’d rather give my money to a local farmer.”

Wanda Smallwood and her mother, Naomi Hall, arrived early. They bought cayenne peppers for pepper sauce, and yellow Tommy Toe tomatoes.

“Some prices are high. Some are reasonable,” observed Smallwood. “I know people work hard for what they bring to the market.”  

A survey of sellers indicated that all of them plan to return for the next market day, July 7, said Meredith Fleming of Batesville Main Street.

As the afternoon wore on, Fleming surveyed each vendor at the market, asking if they liked the Wednesday sale day. “It was unanimous – yes,” she said.

Fleming also asked for suggestions. “Bottled water,” she said. “They said it was very well organized but wanted bottled water for sale.”

The farmers market was organized by former Alderman Bobbie Jean Pounders and friend Glenda Bailey, with help from Batesville Main Street.

Pam Stubblefield, a Batesville native, compared the busy market to Oxford, her present home. She visits the farmers markets in Oxford and Taylor, but she felt a tinge of pride to see one in her hometown.

“For a first time, it couldn’t be any better. I think this is great,” she said.

Stubblefield was returning to Oxford with a loaf of banana nut bread for $8.

Morrow, the alderman, said his wife had purchased black-eyed peas, cantaloupes, blueberries and a homemade peach pie.

“I’m getting tired of going to the car,” he said. The bell ringing was easier.