MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
If Memphis is awarded an NFL expansion franchise, its coach will be Pepper Rodgers, its president and general manager will be Steve Ehrhart and its nickname — drum roll please, and make it a rock and roll beat — will be Hound Dogs. William B. Dunavant Jr., who will be the team’s managing partner, made the announcement during a speech at the Touchdown Club meeting Monday night at the University Club of Memphis.
50 years ago — 1968
Odell Horton, city health services director, yesterday said he will order William F. Bowld Hospital — reserved for University of Tennessee doctors’ private, paying patients — opened to all patients, including charity cases. Mr. Horton said the move would be part of a new policy aimed at breaking economic segregation patterns at city hospitals.
75 years ago — 1943
An appeal to President Roosevelt has failed to get permission for the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Millington to play its football games at Crump Stadium, Senator McKellar said yesterday in Washington. Permission to allow the Millington team to play at Crump Stadium would be in conflict with a policy adopted by the Navy for the entire Nation. The directive forbidding games at other than base or campus fields was issued by Secretary of the Navy Knox.
100 years ago — 1918
Fifty-nine members of the French Foreign Legion, who have spent four years in the midst of the most furious fighting on the Western front, were guests of Memphis yesterday. Everywhere the heroes, their breasts covered with medals and ribbons, were met with near hysterical enthusiasm. As they marched down Main from Linden to Adams, thousands cheered. The Legionnaires made appearances in behalf of the Liberty Loan bond drive.
125 years ago — 1893
The Jewish order of B’nai B’rith will celebrate its golden jubilee beginning today. It will last three days. The order has 32,000 members.