Ladies' Sunday School Class, 1950s

These are some of the ladies of the Baldwyn First Baptist Church. I know most all of the faces, but again, the names are not coming to mind. Of course, Miss Hallie Vandiver is on the front right and Mrs. Raymond Miller is to her right. I believe that is Mrs. Luna (Stubbs??) on the extreme right standing and Mrs. Crawford is 6th from the left, standing.

There were some good voices from some of these ladies that were members of the choir.

Any help with names will be appreciated!
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Photo courtesy of Jim Miller.

More Old Photos

Some old photos that were laying around that you might enjoy seeing...









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Thanks to Ellen Mink and Jim Greene

The Fair and Talented Disciplinarian

by Phil Cooper

Carl, Seeing the picture of Miss Hortense brought back a flood of memories for me. As I have mentioned before, I was among the first of the Baby Boomers to enter the Baldwyn school system in the early 50’s. I was one of seven students that failed second grade in 54/55. I stuttered terribly and could not or would not read aloud. At any rate, when school started back in the fall, Mrs. Bryson’s’ second grade class was way over crowded, so, Miss Hortense took the seven repeaters into her room. Being the principal, she did not normally have students, but the influx of students and shortage of class rooms forced the situation. The seven were Jimmy Joyner, Jimmy Rowan, Jimmy Hester, Jimmy Raper, Billy Gray, Betty Gray and me. Now that I think about it, Mrs. Bryson might have had something against Jimmys!

From our first days of school in Miss Hallie Vandiver’s class, we were all scared to death of the infamous paddle Miss Hortense kept in the top right hand drawer of her desk. And, I am sure that every one of us, including Betty, had had our rear ends warmed up by it at least once. If you recall, the disciplinary practice back then was to stick any misbehavers out in the hall and wait for Miss Hortense to spot the perpetrators and take care of correcting things. So, all during the day as she was instructing us, she would frequently walk over to the door, stick her head out and peer up and down the hall. We were witness to countless tail warmings, but she never had to spank any of her seven students. Being an eyewitness to how well she could utilize that big oak paddle and how liberally she applied it was all the deterrent needed to keep the seven of us toeing the mark.

Probably the most beneficial part of being in her class with so few classmates was the individualized instruction we received. Yes, she was an excellent administrator and notorious disciplinarian, but she was also a gifted teacher.

Substitute teachers were almost unheard of then, so, if one of the elementary teachers had to be out, she would just march us into that teacher’s class and teach that group and us in the same room. The benefit to us was that we got exposed to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade material early. All of us did well under her instruction and were promoted. By the start of school the next year the student population had grown even more, so, Miss Hortense decided to keep the seven of us along with a few others who hadn’t done well during their first attempt at third grade. I ended up having her for two remarkable years and I did not stutter when I left her class for the fourth grade. I don’t know whether she scared it out of me or I just out grew it, but I never hesitated to stand and read when she called on me!

One day during recess I snagged a hole in the seat of my pants. We were playing on an old wooden fence that bordered the playground and, when the bell rang, I jump from atop one of the post and a nail ripped a large ‘L” shaped hole. Betty Gray sat directly behind me and when Miss Hortense called on me and I stood up to answer her question, Betty started pointing at the hole in my pants and laughing. Miss Hortense motioned for me to come to her desk, she looked the situation over, pulled out a needle and thread, bent me over her lap and proceeded to sew up my pants while never missing a beat with her teaching. My classmates thought it was very funny and I took quite a ribbing about it. But, as I remember it, I was just glad to have my skinny little butt covered up!

Fortunately, I got the opportunity to talk with her a short time before she died. I was home on leave, heard that she wasn’t well and went to see her. You would have never known she was ill by the strength in her voice and how tightly she hugged me. We talked and laughed at length. I went there to try to be of some comfort to her and all she wanted to talk about was how proud she was of me!
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Thanks, Phil. Great story! I am sure there are many readers who agree precisely.

1957 Bearcat Basketball

This is the '57 team at the old gym.

You should know most or all of the team members.

Which Curtiss is that on the right? I can't keep them straight.

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Click on photo to enlarge.

Some VIPs we have Overlooked -

- and not thought much about until now.

These are the cooks and servers at the BHS cafeteria in 52-57.

L-R front row - Mrs. Thomas Miller, Angie Milton, Mrs. Wilson, L-R back row - Mrs. Alton Miller, Essie Magers, Mrs. Rob Roberts (Alma).

For many years Ms. Marcella Arnold and her sister cooked in the cafeteria. I do not remember the sister's name. They were evidently retired at this point in time.

The government-provided meats and cheeses were tastefully prepared by these cooks and were very good. The meals were only 20 cents ($1 a week) at the time. Often when everyone was served there would be seconds (the big guys would get it). There was always one milk for each meal, and sometimes two. No one was allowed to bring a cola to drink with the meal.

The lower grades were served first beginning at 11 AM or slightly before, and then upward through the top grades. The primer and first grade was in the same building and didn't have far to go, but we marched there in an orderly manner instead of running and pushing kids out of the way.

Imagine an orderly happening at a school these days....

One of the Best Seasons Ever

These players were part of one of the best seasons, if not the best, in 1956 or 1957. The games and results are listed. Good job, guys!

Okolona, Kossuth, Iuka, and Calhoun City certainly went home with their tails between their legs after those games.....

Bruce Putt looks as if he is ready to take on the Devil and whip him.

Click on photo to enlarge.

The Final Days of the Baldwyn Dairy Bar

Shown is a photo of the Dairy Bar that we liked so well in the 50s. It lasted, under various owners, until 1965 or '66 before being razed to make way for the Ford dealership, bought from the Prathers and moved to this location by Ralph Pennington.

A few later additions were awnings and patios with benches, and as the sign reads, they evidently made fresh donuts there.

Some of the owners were, as I have found out, Swede and Larry Johnson, Jimmy Outlaw, and at the time of this photo, Woodrow E. Barnett.

The folks enjoying a cool something are Huse Woods, possibly Larry Carpenter (?) to the right of him, and I believe Kay Poling in white, who may have owned the business later. The couple with the child are not known - help us with the names if you can.

Even in those times money was not easy to get, but we would spend some of our meager income for the delicious treats there. Wish those prices would still get you a quality treat these days!

Also note one of the fashion fads then - penny loafers and white socks!
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Photo from Bearcat annual yearbook. Courtesy of Clarene Evans.

The Changing Baldwyn "Skyline"

A couple of early 40s photos that show the Home Hotel at the corner of Water and Front Streets. Note that the M. L. Waters store was not there at the time. He was probably still in business in Guntown.

Also not built yet was the Baldwyn News building and the poultry processing plant.

The Dixie Candy Shop was located at the West end of the row of buildings that housed the Ritz Theater and the Tapp store (before it moved to the corner of Main and Third streets).

That little building was later moved on a skid system by a John Deere tractor East on Main and put in place by the Cox building and became Inez Nelson's beauty shop building. I believe there was a shoe repair shop in it briefly before it was moved, maybe Bob Finger??? Bob later moved into the building that was formerly Leroy Orr's cafe.

The 1926 Baldwyn Football Team

This photo and story is a little off-time-theme for the blog, but these rough and ready guys were a hot team. The players were our parents and grandparents, uncles, and cousins. The reason we chose to run this is to point out a couple of things we need an answer to. (1) Notice the misspelling of Baldwyn on the football and (2) were they were called "Bearcats" at that time? If not, when did that team name start?

Back row: L to R Earl McElroy, Jack Strange, Lloyd White, Milton Davis, Coach Fatty Langston, Forest Grisham, Taylor Smith, Frank Norman, Gene Davis

Front row: L to R Frank Estes, Talmadge Hendrix, Carl Houston, Sr., Judd Bishop, (???) Glover, Herman Magers, Mansel Lindley.

My dad was 18 at the time, so I suppose he was a senior.

OR (3) was this the high school team or were they playing for another entity? That is the old downtown school building, I believe, comparing the windows against the photo of that building burning which ran earlier on this blog (I have a better closeup of the building other than the one in that story).

How about that belt Judd Bishop is wearing!

Anyone know how long BHS has used the "Bearcat" designation?

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Photo and IDs courtesy of Cynthia Lindley Mink

I cleaned and cropped the original and made it into a nice black and white photo, but then chose to run it as it appears originally after age yellowing, showing the cluttered ground and graffiti on the building.

The games we played in school

Games Played by Boys in Baldwyn Elementary School
Circa 1946-1950

-OR-

WHY Couldn’t I Beat Joe Murray?

By Dave Heflin

During the school sessions we had two Recesses lasting fifteen minutes each and a wonderful one hour noon-lunch break. If we jumped rope with the girls, nothing else was going on. However, there seemed to be fads that were short lived such as marbles, yo-yos, tops, paper or balsa wood planes, and etc. in elementary grades.

First, marbles were played under bushes or on level ground with about two foot circles drawn. One set of rules was for a “loser” marble shot into the circle and then in turn, we shot at that marble. If “it” was knocked out and the “shooter” remained, we continue knocking out other’s marbles and keeping them---our “shooter’ had to remain if it failed to knock one out. As I recall we had to stay in our original location around the circle. Remember “dubs one mine” or the rule on using a “steely” as a “shooter” ? I can’t remember why it was claimed, but Joe Murray abused these rules plus several others to eventually capture your best marble, the “shooter.” By the way, we were warned to NOT keep others’ marbles via “tattle tales.”

Tops. Same size ring in the hard-packed dirt was etched, but out in the open in order to use full standing coordination. Basic game was to choose a “starter” and he tried to spin his top successfully into the ring and back out. If it stopped in the circle, the guys to your left had the opportunity to knock it out keeping your top; usually, more than two tops were stuck there. When your time came again, you could do some damage. I remember a pretty red top getting split in half by “you know who.”

Yo-yos. Cheap up to fancy brands were somewhat competitive, but you got to keep it if you lost the challenge. All types of tricks such as “walk- the- dog, round-the-world, swing set,” and others were popular.

Other schoolyard fads included pitching pennies (mainly, losing pennies), sword fights, pea (usually spit balls) shooters (always hidden from the teachers), “King of the Mound,” dodge ball, washers, chase tag, and a big hit, pull riders off of “horses.”

In secret places out of sight from Mr. Baker or teachers, we had some forbidden games played with pocketknives and slingshots. For “stretch,” each had a knife facing each other attempting to force a side-to-side stretch with only a shoe length target stickup until you missed; then, your opponent had the same chance. The game was over when one could not stretch any more. Sling shots games were limited to breaking Coke bottles, “going out for a pass” (Ouch!), and gathering around touching the shooter and scattering wildly when the rock was shot straight (?) up.

Girls, I challenge you to finally reveal your recess games. So-o-o much pleasure came from the common bonds of “boy stuff” and our frequent ecstasy of being included. Winning was not assured, but we waited a few days for a possible chance to find our niche, even if it were a simple toy purchased at Epting’s or the Golden Rule store.

I REPEAT, “Why couldn’t I beat Joe Murray?”

BHS Graduates 1963

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The composite of the graduating class of 1963.

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Courtesy of Clarene Evans

Need a gift, call Popeye, any time, day or night!

Back in the 50's, I dare say there was not one single young lady in Baldwyn who had not stopped by Popeye's Jewelry Store at one time or another and tried on that special diamond ring she dreamed would someday be permanently placed on the third finger of her left hand. Gentry's was "THE" place to shop for diamonds, gold, crystal, china and silver and of course the 'perfect gift'. Popeye helped many a young lad out by selling him that perfect ring on credit and thus creating a customer base that would last throughout both their lifetimes.

Having worked there for Popeye some 17 years off and on afforded me a wealth of stories told by none other than the great storyteller himself. My all time favorite however, is one about a young man who called him at 2:00am one Christmas morning and begged him to meet him at the store. He asked Popeye to just come open up and and sell him something, anything or he'd suffer the fate of a dumb stupid husband who'd forgotten to buy his wife a Christmas present. Popeye, of course came to the rescue wearing his pajamas and an overcoat. It seems the young man had finally gotten his excited children into bed around 1:00 am and had set the alarm for 2:00 to do his "Santa thing" when he overheard one of his little boys ask the other, "I wonder what Daddy got Mama for Christmas."

I don't remember what it was that Popeye told me the man ended up buying but I bet you it was very nice.
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Photos from BHS Bearcat Annual and From J. M. Duke

Another First Baptist Church Member Photo

-click to enlarge-

This is the only photo I have out of dozens submitted that has both Heflin brothers in it. Also there are many faces here that are familiar that I can't recall names to put with.

This was made in the basement of the church, in the largest assembly/classroom there. That would be in the northwest corner.

Any help with names would be appreciated.
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Photo: Ellen Mink

A Favorite Baldwyn Business - The Ritz Grill

Co-located with the Ritz theater, this little snack bar was a great place not only to get a good hot dog and "soda", but to meet and greet friends. It was a little too small to dance to the music of the big juke box near the front (most of us weren't allowed to dance in public) but it was a cozy place anyway.

Photos above show some of the lovely ladies that frequented the Grill. Maureen became a server and worked there for a long time.

Also pictured is Mrs. Gladys Gentry and the famous popcorn machine at the theater. What a terrific aroma came out of that popper....

Guess you will know most of the folks, if not we have the names.

I can still see Harold Murley putting those "dogs" away, one or more a minute!
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Photos courtesy of Ellen Mink and others

The Extra - thick Burger I couldn't get hold Of...

Just a sentence or two here on the "Ozelle's Cafe T-shirts".

Since I am so much younger than most of you (hehehehehe), I only have one story about Ozelle's that I can relate. My mother, Marie Evans, took me and my little brother Coleman to Ozelle's one night for a cheeseburger and a coke. I sat down wanting so much to be treated like an adult and Mama let me order for myself. I asked Miss Ozelle if I could have a special burger with everything on it I wanted and of course she said I could.

When the burgers came to the table, they looked scrumptious. I'd ordered mine dressed, with everything and Miss Ozelle had put mustard, onions, pickle, lettuce and a slice of tomato on it. While adding ketchup to the fries, I decided the burger could use some too and by this time my perfect burger had become so big that I couldn't get it into my mouth. I bet that sucker was at least 4" thick. I said something to Mama about it and the next thing I knew, my little brother reached over, grabbed my burger and laid it on the table beside his plate.

Then before I knew what was happening, he plopped his hand down right on the top of it, squashing it as flat as a pancake. Mustard and ketchup squirted out in all directions, a pickle popped out and Mama caught it before it landed in her lap. She was so embarrassed but Miss Ozelle just laughed and said she thought that was the cutest thing she had ever seen. Coleman sat up a little taller in his seat as pleased with himself as he could be. I cried.....my cheeseburger was ruined, but after Mama put it back together it still tasted wonderful.

I learned a valuable lesson that night and never ordered another 'special' cheeseburger like that one again. Oh, to be able to get a burger like that again....the meat was hand patted and it was fried on a flat grill...
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Photo courtesy of Carl Jr. Houston

Sports Meeting with Babe McCarthy

-click to enlarge-

Another sports meeting in the early 50s, I would guess. There are many recognized players from both football and basketball teams. Possibly could be some baseball players there, also. It seems to be under the control of Babe McCarthy and two others in the center (wearing ties).

Among others, I have recognized one of the Garretts, Paul Hamblin, Billy McGee, Babe, Hick Miller, Big Apple Tapp, Phil Gorden, Dayton Mink, Frank Kirk, Bernis Tapp, Hoyle Penna, William Leonard Davis, Bobby Grisham, and others whose names I can't recall.

Wonder what this was about? And when?

UPDATE from John Olan Cunningham:

1950 or 1951 Football Banquet

Frt.Row L. to R. Travis Green, Paul Hamblin, Coach Thomas Grisham, Butch Lambert--speaker, Babe McCarthy, Tremon Nichols, Hickman Miller, Austin Magers, Dennis Mink.

2nd Row L to R.. Ray Garrett, ?....Kesler, Harold Dobbs, Billy McGee, Hayden Burns, Curtis Gentry, Big Apple Tapp, Dayton Mink, Frank Kirk, Bernis Tapp, Hoyle "CatEye" Penna, William Leonard Davis, Bobby Grisham

Back Row... L.R. Burcham, Huey Bates, ????need help, Leon Wigginton, Wayne Griffin, Phil Gorden, Bobby "Fooly" Duncan

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Photo courtesy of Ellen Mink

1959 Graduating Class

-click to enlarge-

Sorry about the damage to Billingsley's photo, tried to repair it, but it is too bad.

Does anyone have a good copy of the 1958 class in this format? Please scan at 200 dpi at least and send via email if you do!
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Photo of class courtesy of Milton Copeland

Baldwyn Folks on Video

I guess you'll recognize these scenes and some of the people captured on video (film).

These shots capture the essence of the town as we knew it and loved it. Just remember, it will never be this passionate ever again.

Thanks to whomever sent this.

1960 BHS Graduating Class

These are the 1960 graduates.

Thought we'd put this on the site for you to copy and save in case yours has been misplaced or damaged.

Guess who came to My 4th Birthday Party

by Jo Carolyn Anderson Beebe

These pictures were made at my 4th birthday party. We lived in Miss Jessie Archer's house where the library is now.

The black smudges were caused by the fire that burned the next house we lived in.

I'm sure some of the Bearcats will recognize some of my guests, but even I don't know the names of two of them. I'll let you guess before I post the names.

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I left the photos as you sent them, Jo. The old and blackened photo adds ambiance as you wrote about. Thanks for sharing. I have to admit that I can't identify anyone but you, although the faces are very familiar!

Carl

BHS Football Players 1948-49

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This is a photo of the best of the best upcoming Bearcats for the school year 48-49. The stats for the year are not available, but we are told this was a good year for these players.

Photo courtesy of Billy Roberson

1953 BHS Seniors

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I have been assured this is the 1953 graduating class at BHS. I have had 4 individuals confirm it, so if that is incorrect, please let us know.

Lots of familiar faces, but most of the names escape me.

I remember that virtually all of the men were in Mr. Howard's wood shop classes, and as an eighth grader, I and others cleaned up the floor after them. That was one of the years that everyone built a desk to keep at the end of the year. I don't recall that being done any year after then.
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Photos from Ellen Mink

Old US 45 North near BHS

This photo of Bob Christian standing in front of Ozelle's "Day and Nite Drive Inn" also shows the corner of Thomas Street the way it was before any service station was placed on the corners, and Cole's restaurant hadn't been conceived at the time, either.

A service station was built on the left behind Bob, and was operated by Mr. Buford Nanney. Later the corner to the right by the homes was used to build a Phillips 66 station, I believe, and was operated by a Mr. Nichols. Bobby Nichols worked there for quite some time.

However, the "cornerstone" of that area was Ozelle's. The food, loud music and crowds were prevalent most weeknights and certainly on weekends. Ozelle's stayed open on Saturday nights until the late show at the Ritz was over and some hungry folks showed up.

Photo from Ellen Mink

Photo Gallery

Click to Enlarge photo

Upper Left- Girl's Auxilary at First Baptist Church. Upper Right- Playground fun on the east side of the school. Lower Left- The guys in the shop class doing something! Lower Right - Summertime at a beach somewhere...

The east side of the school was where the girls were during recesses and lunch break, usually, as evidenced by the photo. Guys were grouped at the field ticket booth and shop end of the gym, especially the smokers.

Guess you know all of them. Someone will know all their names. Joe Cunningham for sure.
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Photos courtesy of Ellen Mink and Clarene Evans

Latimer Park Pool Beauties, 1962

-click will enlarge slightly-

By Clarene Evans

The pool at Latimer Park is gone, but this grainy old photo shows a once-thriving place to swim and cool off in the summer heat.

This was a beauty contest (swim suit contest, presumably) at one point in the career of the pool.

The lovelies are: L-R Roberta Haynes, Becky Gentry, Judy Prather, Cynthia Houston, Mary Ellen Cole, Linda Bedford, Gina Prentiss, Judy Skelton, Linda Gail White, and (22) unknown.

The winner was, as best remembered, Gina - number 18.

Baldwyn Businesses - Lampkin's Barber Shop

Lampkin's Barber Shop on east Main street, as it was in the late 40s-early 50s.

The barbers were (L-R) Cecil Lytal, Aubry Green, and Jack Lampkin, Sr.

"Hambone", the guy that put a shine on your shoes, is standing next to Mr. Jack's chair.

Also pictured is eleven-year old Jack Lampkin with a prize winning cow and calf.

Jack Lampkin, 85, passed away Monday, August 11, 2008.

Early 60s Bearcats

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Don't know the date of this one, maybe some of you do, and maybe some of you are in this photo. I only recognize 3 or 4 of the players. This should be early 60s.

This appears to be on a field other than at BHS. Probably Latimer Park Field.

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Photo courtesy of Ellen Mink

The Class of '57

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BHS graduates of 1957.

Please copy to your drive, keep and print if needed.

Photo courtesy of Ellis Christian

The 1956 BHS Graduates

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Note: This is the 1955 class.

This has been requested by some folks that didn't have a copy or lost theirs. We have some other photos (just a few) of the 1950s-1960s grads and will post them as soon as possible.

Jo Carolyn, this is the group that you would have finished BHS with. You had to run off elsewhere, though.

Photo courtesy of John Olan Cunningham.

Local Talent, Great Performers and the Von Theater

Booneville. The Von theater, the little corner building in the above photo (circa 1984, long past its' heyday and missing its' marquee) is innocent-looking enough, but it has hosted a million dollars worth of talent inside its' doors. Singers and musicians of many descriptions have been on the tiny stage and some have gone on to achieve great fame and fortune in one way or another. Performers such as Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Lloyd McCullough, the Burnette Brothers (Johnny and Dorsey), Elvis Presley, and local favorites Hayden Thompson and Edgar Lee Carroll, just to name a few.

If you went to a live band country or rock 'n roll dance in the Baldwyn, Wheeler, or Booneville area in the 50s you may remember Hayden Thompson and his band. Hayden was in demand then and had a record or two that were doing very well. He was on the "Von" label, a subsidary of the Von theatre.

Hayden was from Wheeler, and I first saw him up close while at Gerald Hodges' print shop visiting. He was getting some printing done. I later saw the signs he had printed, advertising a dance that weekend, on power poles. I am almost sure he was a warm-up act for Elvis Presley at the Von on January 3rd, 1956 at which time I saw Elvis live for the first time. Elvis at that time was advertised as "The Folk Music Fireball". He did two shows that day at the Von, along with Johnny Cash and his band. I do not recall the times, but I was at the one after dark, probably 9PM. The usual patrons were replaced by young teenaged guys and their dates - picture that street with one of the biggest, noisiest crowds in a long while blocking traffic to a standstill. The show was played to a mostly standing crowd - seats were scarce and most had more than one person in them. I have tried to get photos of that event, but the cartoon representation of the Von (above) is how I remember the theater looking at that time.

Elvis had previously appeared at the then NEMJC (now NEMCC) auditorium on January 17,1955, sponsored by the Local Kiwanis Club, but not to as much fanfare as he received this time at the Von. His entourage was using two cars, both parked in the alley to the right and we watched them later as they loaded up and headed for Jonesboro, Arkansas for a show the next day. The only car I recall was a very large, long Chrysler or Dodge with a luggage rack on the top.

In addition to Hayden, also in the audience was another local celebrity of sorts; a schoolmate, Lamar Ratliff of Baldwyn, who was the national champion corn grower of 1955 with a record of 304.38 bushels to the acre. Also present was Carolyn Cunningham of Booneville, first alternate in the '54 Miss Mississippi pageant.

How many of you readers were there at the January 3rd show? I recall a few, but it was a mad, mad, mad crowd!
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Photo of Von theatre courtesy of Willie Weeks.
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Hayden still is performing and is really in demand in the UK where "rockabilly" is very big even today. His story can be found at:

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/HaydenThompson1.html

Baldwyn's Nighttime Security Force 1950s

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For some people that couldn't sleep and liked to stay up all night, the place to go was to the "marshal's office" as it was called.

I tried it once, but got too drowsy and went home early.

Mr. Kilpatrick welcomed the company always, and usually had a few night owls every night. As the text under the photo says, fishin', politics, and BS were the main topics of those nocturnal sessions.
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Photo courtesy of Ellen Mink.

"Overnighters"

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One of the fun times of our teen years was a get-together at someone's home for an overnight stay with several of your buddies. The photo above is descriptive of that, a jam session during an overnighter at Wallis' home. Usually the parents were away or stayed out of the way. You could stay up as long as you wanted, and sleep the next morning as long as necessary.

The girls were different in a way. Some Friday nights and Saturday mornings they were not to be found. They were together at someone's home, and one of the things they did other than talk and have fun was to put those awful smelling Toni permanents in their hair. It would take a half day to get the after-application odor down to a minimum, so they would show up about mid afternoon on Saturday, pert and pretty.

It didn't cost a lot of money to have fun in those days, and it was some of the best times we ever had.
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Photo courtesy of Jim Greene, W4AYW

Booneville's Best Drive In

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This was the Campus Drive In, also known as "Red's place" on US45 near NEMJC (now NEMCC) in the mid to late 50s. It was a very popular place and was usually very busy almost any night of the week and swamped on weekends. The food was very good and reasonably priced. A friend of mine, Robert Honeycutt, while attending the college says he was kept from hunger by eating at least one meal a day there, a steak sandwich basket for about 65 cents.

I have seen quite a few of you readers up there often. I would go and get the foot-and a-half-long hot dog with everything including chili and other great sandwiches at least 3 times a week. There was a blaring jukebox and an outside speaker, and no one cared if you danced with your girl in the gravel parking lot. As at most any other place in those days an occasional altercation would break out between two or more guys, usually over a girl or the results of a drag race. That was always dealt with and over quickly.


However a more sinister act happened there once. Jimmy Lee Ward shot Travis Williams in the head point blank in the kitchen. It was over a domestic dispute involving a woman. Ward got off scott-free. That was in 1957, and the trial was done fairly quickly. I was attending Wheeler High School that year and we were allowed to go to the proceedings one day. That was the first time I had ever seen a court trial.


A lot of you Bearcats (and Blue Devils) went to the college, do you have any stories about the place?
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Photo and parts of story courtesy of Willie Weeks of Booneville http://www.angelfire.com/ms/wweekss/. Photo is from the 1960 Booneville yearbook, "The Spotlight".

SPECIAL DELIVERY

by Jo Carolyn Anderson Beebe

Mother told me she was going to put a stamp on me and mail me special delivery to Mommy Ricks at Hopewell. (Mommy is Mother's mother.) I knew I was special. I learned that in Sunday School. But what did she mean by special delivery?

The iceman delivers ice to our house every Tuesday and Thursday. He brings a big block of ice and puts it in our icebox—even if we're not at home. The iceman's name is Bob. I think he's kin to us because if Daddy happens to be home when Bob comes, Bob always asks how Cousin Lillian is. (That's Daddy's mother.) Sometimes Mother lets me go all over town with Bob to deliver the ice. I sit in his lap and pretend I'm driving his truck. Bob has big tongs that he attaches to a block of ice, then he hoists the block to his shoulder, and lugs it in to the house. Before he goes inside, he puts a tow sack on a block and has me sit on it, so I'll stay cool. He also chips a sliver of ice off the block for me to suck on, so I won't get thirsty. After he delivers all the ice, he takes me back home.

Dr. Caldwell delivers babies. I know this for sure because once when I was spending the night with Aunt Bertie and Uncle William, when my cousins and I got up the next morning, Aunt Bertie had a little baby in bed with her. We had never seen that baby, and Uncle William told us Dr. Caldwell brought it in his black satchel and delivered it while we were sleeping. It was a girl baby, and they named her Dorothy Mae, but we always called her Dot.

I've been told that in some towns a man delivers milk to everyone's house. I guess he's called the milkman. We buy our milk from Mrs. Harmon. She lives next door and has a cow that she milks all by herself. Every other day Mother and I take a clean lard bucket that has a lid on it to Mrs. Harmon's house. She gets a bucket of milk out of her icebox and pours it into our bucket. Once a week, Mother lets the milk sour so she can make buttermilk. She puts it in a big churn and sits in the kitchen and pumps the churn handle up and down until butter forms in the churn. She dips the butter off the milk, molds it into a round shape on a pretty saucer and carves a picture of a flower on top. Sometimes she lets me make the picture. The buttermilk is really good with crumbled up cornbread in a tall glass. Mother said she taught me how to feed myself by setting me on the floor on a newspaper with a cup of buttermilk and cornbread between my legs. She said my legs were so fat my heels wouldn't touch the floor. I'll bet those people who have their milk delivered to them don't get to make buttermilk.

I was all excited about being a special delivery. Mother let me pick out the clothes I wanted to take to Mommy Ricks' house, and we packed them in my little suitcase. I dressed Honeysuckle, my baby doll, in her Sunday clothes. I still couldn't understand what the special delivery was all about until Haddon Palmer came driving up. He said he had come to pick up a special package to be delivered to Mommy Ricks.

"You want to ride with me to deliver the mail?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," I said.

Mother didn't put a stamp on me, but she gave me a big kiss and said, "Sealed with a kiss."

I climbed in the car with Haddon, the mailman, and off we went to the country. Each time he stopped at a mailbox, he handed me some letters, and I put them in the box.

When we started down the hill near Mommy's house, Haddon tooted the horn on the car. By the time we got to her house, Mommy was waiting at the mailbox.

"Here's a special delivery, Mrs. Ricks," Haddon said. "Her mother says have her ready on Friday, and I'll take her back home."

So that's how I got to be a special delivery.

Giant on the Loose

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Does anyone remember who the large kid is/was? I can recall him but don't know if I ever knew him. The photo is made on North Second street near the McElroy lumber yard and Carnation milk plant road, I would guess in front of the Bryson's and Greene's.

David, do you remember if you were let off without being bruised? I would suppose so, because I see Slim Weldon coming your way on his road grader!