MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
Shelby County government ranks near the top in financial management among the nation’s 50 largest counties, according to a national magazine. A survey by City & State magazine — a publication that deals with government issues — rates Shelby’s government 11th this year in fiscal management strength, up from its 30th ranking a year ago. Items considered in the rankings include high bond ratings, fund balances, amount of bonded debt per capita, actions to eliminate budget deficits, funding of pension system and other measures.
50 years ago — 1968
A strong possibility emerged yesterday that Memphis will be the first city to benefit by a new federal program that would help low-income families buy homes. A bill passed by the House Wednesday after Senate passage would enable the government to pay in extreme cases all but one per cent of the interest on 40-year mortgages. Housing Opportunity Memphis Enterprise (HOME), which was established by private funds early this year, would administer the federal subsidies. It is the only such organization in the nation.
75 years ago — 1943
The Shelby County Penal Farm is about to add a new crop — crappie. A 101⁄2-acre lake on the farm is being readied for the venture, which should yield 5,000 pounds of fish a year, according to O.B. Ellis, county commissioner. The farm is already known coast to coast for its herd of Jerseys, and throughout the Mid-South for its Angus and Hereford herds. It is also a center of mule and hog raising.
100 years ago — 1918
NASHVILLE — At least 100 persons were killed and many more injured last night when Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway’s fast passenger trains No. 1 from Memphis and No. 4 from Nashville collided head-on about five miles from here. The scene of death and destruction which followed the collision is indescribable. Many of the passengers were Memphians.
125 years ago — 1893
All of Memphis turned out for the baseball game at Citizen’s Park yesterday for the benefit of the Young Women’s Boarding Home. The Plantation Sarsaparillas won 20 to 10 over the Local Freights and nearly $500 was raised for the home’s mortgage holders.