MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1996
Michael Conner Humphreys wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award in 1995, but he got an “Oscar,” thanks to Tom Hanks. He also got a letter from Hanks, which read in part: “I didn’t want the events of last month, all the attention of Forrest Gump, to go by without you getting some credit and some special tributes as well. After all, you played Forrest, too.” Conner, 10, played the young Forrest Gump in the film. The movie, which starred Hanks as grown-up Forrest, won six Oscars, including Best Picture. The special “Oscar” that Hanks gave to Conner after the 1995 Academy Awards is now on display at Humphreys’ Tate County, Miss., home. But the statuette wasn’t the end of Gump for Conner, who made the movie in 1993. Until late last year, Humphreys, who actually was in the movie about 20 minutes, was still involved with the film. He made trips to Japan, Germany and London to promote the Forrest Gump video release in the international market. Now it’s life after Gump. And Conner is handling it fine. 50 years ago — 1971
If all goes according to Memphis State’s plan, high school basketball star David Vaughn will sign a Missouri Valley Conference letter-of-intent with the Tigers late Monday afternoon. Memphis State coach Gene Bartow yesterday said he and assistant coach Wayne Yates would be in Nashville to sign the 6-11 Cameron High School center on the first day allowed by the MVC.
75 years ago — 1946
TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa’s beautyminded women have suds in their hair these days and they like it. Beauty operators in the Florida West Coast city say the latest fad involves the girls’ soaking their hair in beer, which reportedly gives it added luster. But it’s a “bring your own beer” proposition. The operators are not allowed to sell alcohol.
100 years ago — 1921
EL DORADO, Ark. – Lightning struck the Caddo central gas well here today during a storm that swept this part of the state, and the well tonight is a roaring mass of flames. A farmhouse close to the well caught fire from the burning gas and was destroyed. The well has
been burning all afternoon and is expected to burn two or three more days. The casing on the well was loose and
the flame is shooting up straight from the ground.