Blast from the Past

Compiled by Johnathan Williams

In the 2000s – 10 Years Ago…

“The search for a missing 5-year-old boy ended happily Tuesday afternoon when he was discovered sleeping in a closet at his home.” The April 24, 2009 edition reported.

A sheriff’s department spokesman identified the child as Christopher Lee Alexander, son of Chris and Melinda Alexander. Christopher’s babysitter phoned 911 at 1:34 p.m. to report the child missing, and the first deputies arrived at the home at 1:38 p.m. At 2:17 p.m., a sheriff’s dispatcher recorded that the child had been located.

Chief Deputy Otis Griffin credited sheriff’s investigator Mark Whitten for requesting a second search of the home following an initial search by family members.

In the 1990s – 20 Years Ago…

“Following a quiet, anti-climatic 4-0 vote Friday morning, the Panola County Board of Supervisors agreed after a five-minute conversation to hand over the civic center project to the Batesville Board of Aldermen,” the April 27, 1999, edition reported.

The vote came almost one year after the steel frame of the first attempt at construction collapsed.

In the 1980s – 30 Years Ago…

Candidates for 1989 Miss Hospitality were Sharon Therrell, Meloney Darby, Sherry McDaniel, Tammy Morris, Rene King, Ginger Fowler, Amy Hopper, Beth Shepard, Angie Joiner, Kelley Elmore, Kim Martin, and Brooke Anthony, according the the April 26 edition that year. Meloney Darby was selected to represent the chamber of commerce in the state competition.

In the 1970s – 40 Years Ago…

“Resource managers confident as local reservoirs recede,” stated a headline in the April 26, 1979, edition. Water had risen to within three feet of the tops of the emergency spillways at both Sardis and Enid reservoirs. Corps of Engineer personnel were walking the levees at both structures after spring rain pushed both lakes to 85 percent capacity.

Lawson ‘Duck’ Brown has announced his candidacy as constable for beat five, according to another story that week. Lawson was one of three candidates to announce for the 1979 election for beat, county, and state officials. Joining Brown as candidates that week were Johnnie Cooper and Lent Thomas Jr. Both sought the office of supervisor in Beat Four.

In the 1960s – 50 Years ago…

Candidates for Mayor of Batesville are incumbent Mayor Dan L. Ferguson, incumbent Ward 1 Alderman Julius Morrow Jr. and Bill Langhofer, according to a story in the April 24, 1969 edition.

In the election for Alderman At Large, incumbent Hiram L. Hudson and Harold B. (Hal) McCarley are the nominees.

Four are candidates for the post of Ward 1 Alderman, They are F.J. (Jelly) Autrey, F.G. (Bub) Craig, Howard T. Hudson, and Wes McIngvale.

In Ward 3, Ira Gail Fisher and incumbent Alderman Clyce S. McMinn are opponents.

Gilbert McCown and incumbent Miles C. Mitchell are candidates for the Ward 4 Alderman’s post.

Ward 2 Alderman Dewey Crowson was the only municipal candidate unopposed in the 1969 election.

In the 1950s – 60 Years Ago…

“The all-coach Illinois Central streamliner City of New Orleans hold the unique distinction of operating the world’s fastest start-to-stop schedule,” a story in the April 23, 1959, edition reported. According to a study in Trains Magazine, “This record applies to the 53.2 miles between Effingham and Centralia, which the city of New Orleans covers in 39 minutes, an average speed of 81.8 miles per hour.

“Southbound, the City of New Orleans leaves Batesville daily at 6:17 p.m., and arrives in New Orleans, 335 Miles distant, as 12:25 a.m. Northbound, the train leaves Batesville at 12:53 p.m. and arrives in Chicago, 586 miles distant, at 11:40 p.m.”