Blast from the Past

Compiled by Johnathan Williams

30 Years Ago

● South Panola’s Tigers are officially on their way to a possible state basketball title. That news developed last night as the Tigers dumped visiting Forest Hill in a highly competitive, physical battle in the first round of the North MIssissippi playoffs.

35 Years Ago

● The nine-member Board of Directors of West Panola Academy announce their decision Monday to hire Johnny Mills of Batesville as headmaster, effective June 1, 1984.

● Unemployment in Panola County in January was 11.9%, according to the Mississippi State Employment Service.

● What began as a question mark season back in November for the West Panola Lady Wave ended in a 21-11 overall record last Wednesday night after a loss to top ranked Calhoun Academy in Class A tournament play.

40 Years Ago

● A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Monday for the Section VIII public housing in Batesville at the site of the housing project for the elderly

● Bass fisherman from the Mid-South will invade Sardis Lake Sunday for $15,000 Venture Open Tournament.

● “Top 5 Records at Marion’s Records on Eureka Street: 1) ‘Too Much Heaven’ by the Bee Gees, 2) ‘Fire’ by the Pointer Sisters, 3) ‘Every Which Way’ by Eddie Rabbit, 4) ‘Do You Think I’m Sexy’ by Rod Stewart, 5) ‘YMCA’ by the Village People.” – AD

45 Years Ago

● Influenza in epidemic proportions closed South Panola County District Schools on Tuesday when more than 700 students and teachers were absent from classes.

● A 19% increase in retail sales for Batesville in December are revealed by the January tax revenue report of the State Tax Commission. According to the report, it was a record month for Batesville, bringing the city $28,117.52 in revenue for December sales within the corporate limits.

 

50 Years Ago

 

● The Star Student and Star Teacher at South Panola High School are Gene Williams and D.R. Roberts respectively. Sandy Martin, a senior at Patton Lane High School, is Star Student for that school.

● Army Private Albert Hendrix, 22, of Batesville, is assigned to the 9th Infantry Division on January 12th in Vietnam.

 

55 Years Ago

● Four burglaries occur Wednesday and Sunday night in Batesville. Heaviest losses were reported at Community Jewelers on Van Voris Street where thieves took 19 wrist watches ton he first attempt and returned four days later to take 16 more. Burglars also broke into Sno-White Cleaners on Van Voris.

● Mailed this week were 40 applications to potential Misses Batesville 1964. The pageant is sponsored for the second year by Commerce. Dick Hawley of WMCT Memphis again will be master of ceremonies, says pageant chairman Bobby Hudson.

75 Years Ago

● A Courtland boy, Technical Sergeant Loren McCullar, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.W. McCullar, and brother of the late Major Kenneth McCullar, has just completed 25 missions as a gunner on a bomber operating out of England. “For his services against the Nazis, young McCullar has been awarded the Air Medal, three Oak Leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross”● “Sgt. McCullar was still training in the United States at the time his famous brother was killed on New Guinea, when a baby kangaroo ran into the path of his bomb-laden plane.” “Despite the fact that Sgt. McCullar has doubtless had many hair-raising experiences, he recalls vividly his football experiences at Mississippi College. ‘I can’t forget’, he said. ‘The way “Red” Franks used to take me out of the line in scrimmage practice. Seems I can taste the dust yet.”

100 Years Ago

● “Dear Mother: I will answer your kind letter received a few days ago.” “As you said, it had been so long since you had heard from me. I have written you very often, but guess you have failed to get them. I am very glad indeed to know you all are getting along fine. I couldn’t tell you much about Loise, as I have not heard from him in several days. He got wounded in the last battle we were in, about the 10th of October, 1918. Believe me, it was some hot game we were playing with the Germans. Loise and me were on the same gun squad when he got wounded. The high explosive shells and gas was falling some lively. After he got wounded, I helped carry him to the first aid station, where his wound was dressed and he was carried to the hospital later, where he got the very best attention. So tell poor Lula not to worry about him. You either, for he is doing fine and we will be at home as soon as possible. So, dear mother, keep the home fire burning, for we will be home some time in the near future.” – Pvt. C.D. Pitcock.