MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
NASHVILLE — An investor group will apply next week to build a horse track in Memphis and bring the first legal gambling to Tennessee since bingo was outlawed in 1989, lawyer William Farris said Wednesday. Farris said the investors, his clients, will submit an application with financing in place Tuesday to the Tennessee Racing Commission. Tennessee legalized pari-mutuel horse racing and Memphis approved it in 1987, and although several investor groups have tried to get backing for a Memphis track, none has pulled the financing together.
50 years ago — 1968
WASHINGTON — Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower remains “critically ill,” and an electrical pacemaker has been ineffective in controlling the spasms in his scarred heart, doctors at Walter Reed Army General Hospital said last night. Doctors said the 77-year-old five-star general was alert much of yesterday and retained “his keen sense of humor.” The spasms were blamed on what doctors said was the “serious underlying disease of the heart” with which Eisenhower is afflicted.
75 years ago — 1943
Invasion barges that were built in Memphis were “part of the spearhead in the successful invasion of Sicily.” This information was contained in a telegram lauding the work of Pidgeon-Thomas Iron Co. and stressing the significance of delivery on schedule from the home front. Pidgeon-Thomas Iron Co. last year completed its production of invasion barges for the Navy eight months ahead of time and was awarded the Army and Navy “E.”
100 years ago — 1918
WASHINGTON — A warning to young girls to beware of acquaintances with soldiers was issued yesterday by the Navy Department. The message was not intended to reflect on the character of men in the service, who are on the whole fine and upstanding, spokesmen said. Nevertheless, no young girl should approach or converse with a man in uniform unless he has been properly introduced or vouched for by some community organization.
125 years ago — 1893
STANTON, Tenn. — Baseball teams of Stanton and Brownsville, Tenn., played yesterday at Stanton, with a score of 15 to 2 in favor of Stanton. Batteries for Stanton: Mitchell and Graham, for Brownsville: Oury, Bennette and Bond.