MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1994 Leon Russell will substitute for Delbert Mcclinton at the WMC Star Spangled Celebration Monday at Mud Island. Mcclinton, who is ill, canceled Friday. Russell will precede the fireworks with an 8:15 show. The day’s music lineup begins at 5 p.m. and will include, as planned, Tinsley Ellis; Reba Russell with the Star Spangled Choir; and Booker T. & the MGS. Mud Island admission is $2 for adults, $1 for kids. 50 years ago — 1969 Instead of looking backward after his 39 years on The Auditorium Commission, Edward R. Cook is looking forward. Mr. Cook resigned from his chairmanship and membership yesterday, saying, “It appears to me that this is definitely a job for a younger man.” Considering the wisdom of a man of 74, this may be true, but it will take quite a man to replace him. His resignation, on doctor’s orders, followed a period of intense work that has resulted in getting Memphis started back toward being a convention city. He spearheaded the drive for a special tax to provide revenue for building a new, much-needed convention center. Now that it has passed, he will rest. 75 years ago — 1944 Washington – The government spent about $144 million a day in excess of actual income during the fiscal year just ended, raising the national debt to more than $200 billion. 100 years ago — 1919 After a slow trip up the Mississippi River from Helena, Ark., during which she ran aground, the UB88, surrendered German submarine, which has a record of at least 16 British ships sunk, slipped into Memphis harbor Monday night and anchored near the foot of Illinois Avenue. The boat will be open for public inspection during her three-day stay. The United States Coast Guard is taking the sub on a 6,000-mile tour of United States waterways. 125 years ago — 1894 We have a letter from William R. Moore, prominent Memphis merchant and civic leader, expressing his willingness to run for governor of Tennessee on the Republican ticket. Saying that he is responding to the “great pressure brought to bear on me by my friends” to make the race.
Mr. Moore writes he is “not surprised that the good people of Tennessee would be nauseated and worn out with the wrangling and incompetent Democracy which came into power with such fertile promises and ends with such arid results.”