MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
A bit of Cotton Row recently was torn down without warning to historians because officials issued the owner a demolition permit by mistake. The building at 52 S. Front was considered by some to be the oldest commercial structure in the city, said Bob Johnson, historic preservationist for the Memphis Landmarks Commission. If demolition was warranted, the building could have been inspected and documented before it was razed, he said. Now all that remains of the two-story building that housed Cotton Boll Liquors is an empty pit scattered with building debris. Owner John Patterson said he had the building demolished because it was beyond repair and was potentially dangerous. He said he thought he had the necessary approvals to tear down a building in the Cotton Row Historic District.
50 years ago — 1970
Los Angeles – Charles Manson was depicted at the Tate-labianca murder trial Friday as a “megalomaniac” who sought to ignite a Black-white blood bath by making it appear Blacks committed the seven slayings. Opening the prosecution case, Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi told the jury Manson had an “insatiable thirst for power coupled with an intense obsession for violent death, but hid it by masquerading as a peace-loving hippie.” After Bugliosi finished his opening statement, the prosecution called its first witness, Paul Tate, father of the slain actress, Sharon Tate. As Bugliosi spoke, Manson glowered; the tiny 35-year-old former convict had carved an “X” with his fingernails or some sharp instrument in the skin on his forehead.
75 years ago — 1945
“The Southerner” has been banned from showing in Memphis by the Memphis Board of Censors. Lloyd Binford, board chairman, declined to comment, but it was learned unofficially that the board thought the picture placed the Southern farmer in an “unfavorable light.” 100 years ago — 1920
Billy Callan captured the 1920 trophy for the 14th annual Hottum Marathon yesterday afternoon by leading a field of 17 swimmers to the wire in a 10-mile race down the Mississippi River. Kyle Creson, one of the favorites, finished seventh.
125 years ago — 1895
The doubles championship of Tennessee was decided on the grounds of the Memphis Lawn Tennis Club yesterday in the presence of a good portion of the city’s fashionable population. Allison Brown and George Norton of Memphis defeated the Rodgers brothers, Charles and Cowan, of Knoxville in three sets.