MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
The fatal beatings this month of two children in Memphis housing projects triggered a call Monday for public housing residents to be on the lookout for child abuse. Memphis Housing Authority executive director Jerome Ryans said he is sending a letter this week to all residents advising them they have an obligation to report child abuse and neglect. Police statistics show seven young children have died in Memphis since 1991 as a result of child abuse or neglect. Five of those children were killed at public housing developments.
50 years ago — 1968
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference closed out its convention last night on a note of renewed harmony, after earlier unanimously electing the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy as its president. Shouts of “soul power” greeted the election as delegates to the 11th annual session gave vocal approval. The Rev. Mr. Abernathy has been serving as SCLC’s president since the killing of Dr. Martin Luther King. An incipient revolt by members of the Invaders, local black power group, which had flared yesterday afternoon, apparently was settled last night. The Invaders claimed that promises of financial support made by Dr. King before his death had not been kept. The Rev. Mr. Abernathy told the more than 5,000 person attending the rally that every promise made to the invaders by Dr. King would be kept.
75 years ago — 1943
Sixty Memphis industrial leaders, who are postwar industrial planners, gathered yesterday for a conference at The Peabody. Phil Pidgeon, district chairman, told the group that it is their duty to take over after the war and prevent the re-creation of government-made jobs.
100 years ago — 1918
BEAUFORT, South Carolina — An oil tanker is afire about 25 miles off Cape Hatteras and a vague report states that the ship was hit by a submarine.
125 years ago — 1893
There was an unusually good Sunday afternoon crowd at Magnolia Park yesterday. Dancers enjoyed the good band, while others were amused by a balloon ascension and parachute leap, a snake show, trapeze acting and the performance of a contortionist. An excellent macaroni dinner was served on the grounds.