Compiled by Johnathan Williams

30 years ago…

• • ● An icy Arctic front seizes the state Sunday, producing two frigid days complicated by freezing rain and sleet. With roads covered in ice, high temperatures only in the upper twenties, and the sun behind thick clouds. County schools shut down Monday and remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
• • ● North Delta’s Lady Green Wave fight a double overtime curse against DeSoto and advance to District playoffs. The team is set to meet the other top five teams in North Division classification to determine who will advance to the State A Tournament in Jackson.
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• • 35 years ago…
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• • ● South Panola’s Andre Shegog (6-5, 210, end) is among an impressive list of 66 Mississippi high school seniors named to play in the 35th annual Mississippi High School All-Star football game. The game is to be played Saturday at Mississippi Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
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• • 40 years ago…
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• • ● New Chevron bulk distributors in the county are C.W. White and sons, John and Tommy White, who have purchase the interest of J.H. Aiken. The plant serves all or parts of eight Mississippi counties.
• • ● The South Panola basketball season comes to a close on Thursday night when the Tigers lost to North Panola 68-48, for the seventh time this season. Their record is 9-14. It was a disappointing season for the varsity Tiger squads, but with up-rising freshman standouts, South Panola will be a surprise to all next season.
• • ● Amateur archeologist J.B Sykes accompanies fourth and fifth grade students of Mary Nell Smith on a recent outing to a former site of Indian inhabitation near Batesville. Intermediate SchooL Principal Shelby McMcullar Jr., accompanies the group as well.
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• • 45 years ago…
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• ● ● It was announced this week that David C. Cole will be appointed Superintendent of the South Panola School District on July 1, 1974. He will succeed Superintendent Robert A. Sanders who will retire at that time. In addition, Tommy Wren will move into the Title I Coordinator’s post.
• ● The City of Batesville will distribute rat poison to all homes in the city on Wednesday, according to City Hall.
• 50 years ago…

• ● Batesville and South Panola County School Districts become the center of interest with the arrival of a three-member team of federal investigators sent by Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Robert H. Finch. The investigators will to bring the school system into compliance with HEW guideline and the 1964 Civil Rights Act and restore its ability to receive federal funds.
• 75 years ago…

• ● “In order to stimulate the Fourth War Loan Drive, there will be staged at High School Auditorium, Friday night, a show or merrious nature. “Soldiers and WACS from Camp McCain will furnish the talent and the recommendation coming from those having seen former performances of these entertainers warrant the attendance of the citizens of this community. There will be dancing, enchanting music, and varied program offered by these entertainers. “You will have a great opportunity to show your patriotism; you will aid our boys overseas by being present and it is anticipated that the auditorium will be crowded to capacity.”
• 125 years ago…

• ● “Will Purvis, the notorious Marion whitecapper, was to have been hanged at Columbia, Mississippi last Wednesday. He was brought over from Meridian, where he had been held for safekeeping under a strong guard. A large crowd of people assembled around the seatfold. After the rope had been adjusted around his neck, the sheriff jerked the pins from under the trap door. Instead of having his neck broken, the prisoner fell to the ground, seven feet below, uninjured. The rope had slipped. The sheriff started to take him back and execute the sentence of the law, when many friends of the condemned man rose and shouted “Enough, don’t try it over.” The sheriff seems to have been answered, and he was readily persuaded to listen to the cries of the crowd. Purvis was carried back to the jail, and it is thought he will get a new trial.”