MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1993

Memphis may join the growing number of cities testing public school uniforms as a way to help reduce rowdiness, if the school board approves a proposal today. The proposal from school board member TaJuan StoutMitchell would allow some schools to establish voluntary pilot uniform programs as early as this fall. Students would not be required to participate even if their school decided to try uniforms.

50 years ago — 1968

About 300 other prisoners in the Shelby County Jail were reported complaining last night of special facilities provided for the suite of cells to be occupied in the Shelby County Jail by James Earl Ray, charged with killing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A report relayed from a jail trusty last night said Ray’s suite consists of four cells with a lavatory of its own, a princess telephone and full air conditioning. It has been newly painted in an agreeable tone of green and has two television monitors. These can hardly be regarded as a luxury as they are the last word in constant surveillance.

75 years ago — 1943

Tex Ritter, one of Hollywood’s most popular cowboy stars, will make a special appearance tonight at the Naval Air Technical Training Center. The motion picture favorite will arrive in Memphis this morning to spend the day here prior to his performance for the Blue Jackets and WAVES at Millington.

100 years ago — 1918

In France, the biggest and most deadly surprise of the war has come with a Franco-American smash into the German Soissons-Marne flank. The Americans have captured 4,000 prisoners, 50 cannons and thousands of machine guns. Now clearly on the offensive, the Allies have recaptured 20 villages in 24 hours.

125 years ago — 1893

Sheriff W.F. Werner of Crittenden County, Ark., was shot and robbed of $11,529 last night aboard the Iron Mountain train. The money was Crittenden County’s state taxes, which the sheriff was delivering to Little Rock.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL FILES The southern area of Whitehaven is seen in this photograph from July 1953. Palmer Road is visible in the foreground and Elvis Presley Boulevard is running diagonally at right. Whitehaven High School is at extreme right center. The oval at left center is the football stadium behind Whitehaven High School. Whitehaven Baptist Church is seen at far right center. The photograph is taken looking toward the north.