MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
This Shelby County autumn is a bit less colorful than the previous 172. For the first fall since 1821, no cotton gin is operating in the county. The only three that were open last year –Producers Gin Company in Millington, Planters Gin Co. in Arlington, and J.H. Barret and Son Gin in the Barretville community – did not reopen for this year’s harvest.
50 years ago — 1968
WASHINGTON — President Johnson announced Thursday night that a complete halt to all bombardment of North Vietnam will begin at 7 am Memphis time Friday. The President addressing the Nation said he had decided to take this step – with the concurrence of his top military advisers and the governments of all the allied powers fighting in Vietnam – “in the belief that this action can lead to progress toward a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam War.”
75 years ago — 1943
As 5,000 Bluejackets, WAVES and Marines paraded through the business district Thursday, 100,000 Memphians turned out to cheer them in the city’s second annual observance of Navy Day. Officials termed it the “largest Navy Day celebration in the United States.”
100 years ago — 1918
The Commercial Appeal has received the following telegram from Vance McCormick, chairman of the Democratic Party headquarters in Washington: Funds vitally needed to ensure the election of Democratic House and Senate are asked for by President Wilson. Won’t you raise for us $4,000 at once in Memphis? We are depending on your Democrats of Memphis. Answer immediately. The Commercial immediately replied “Yes.” We call on the people of Shelby County to get busy at once.
125 years ago — 1893
The new auditorium at the corner of Main and Linden is magnificent. There are seats for 7,500, a raised stage, electric lights and two coal furnaces. It is almost impossible to believe that the building was formerly the old brick stables of the Memphis Railway Co.