MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
The ovation had been building for more than a decade, and when it came for Cal Ripken, it would not stop. From all corners of Camden Yards they cheered, an outpouring of adoration for a hometown hero that lasted 22 minutes and 15 seconds in all. Patting his heart, Ripken seemed almost hesitant to accept their accolades Wednesday night. And then, with a thank-you lap of the park, the fans saw something really special — the transformation of reliable, good ol’ Cal into a baseball immortal. Ripken reached that place by breaking Lou Gehrig’s unbreakable record when he played his 2,131st consecutive game, becoming the most dependable, most durable athlete in the history of baseball. 50 years ago — 1970
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas voters will decide Tuesday whether to revive the political hopes of former Gov. Orval E. Faubus or go with newcomer Dale Bumpers for the Democratic nomination for governor. Mr. Faubus faces a stern test from Mr. Bumpers, a Charleston attorney who startled all Arkansas two weeks ago by winning a runoff berth with the former six-term governor. Since the first primary, both men have left the campaign trail for television exposure.
75 years ago — 1945
Flames roared through the Fairgrounds Grandstand a few minutes before midnight last night, completely destroying it and the nearby Penny Arcade. The Casino and Dodgem were scorched and damaged by water, but firemen who fought the three-alarm blaze saved other amusement attractions. The Fire Department reported that, fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Le Bonheur’s Horse Show, one of the year’s biggest events of the social and sports calendar, scheduled to use the stands next week, will go on as scheduled.
100 years ago — 1920
Fire which broke out at 1:30 o’clock this morning consumed much of the stock and destroyed a large portion of the plant of the James & Graham Wagon Co., 198 Jefferson Ave. The alarm turned into fire headquarters brought all the uptown companies and several pieces of suburban apparatuses to the scene. W.E. Henderson, president of the company, declared that the plant was amply covered by insurance. 125 years ago — 1895
LITTLE ROCK – Twenty of the Democratic State silver editors arrived tonight for their convention, which will meet tomorrow at the State House. The meeting will be larger than expected and will map out a plan of campaign for the silver press of the State.