MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1996
Crosby, near Defense Distribution Depot Memphis, was named for singer, songwriter and motion-picture star Bing Crosby. Born Harry Lillis Crosby in Tacoma, Wash., in 1903, he began to sing and play the drums while studying law at Spokane, Wash. After a period with the Paul Whiteman orchestra in 1927, performing with Harry Barris and Al Rinker as the Rhythm Boys, he appeared in the early sound film King of Jazz (1931). He followed that with other films and soon became an international star. Crosby’s recording of White Christmas became one of the most popular songs of the century. It was introduced in the movie Holiday Inn in 1942. Crosby was married to actress Dixie Lee, who was from Memphis, and they had four sons. She died in 1952. In 1957, he married actress Kathryn Grant and they had two sons and a daughter. Crosby Street runs north off Ketchum Avenue and extends to Dwight Road.
50 years ago — 1971
It was pompoms and cow bells, ice cream and peanuts, touchdowns and field goals for nearly 60,000 Memphis football fans yesterday. In the first half of a doubleheader at Memphis Memorial Stadium, Tennessee still sputtering on offense, squeaked past Mississippi, 10-7. Only a record 51-yard field goal by George Hunt saved the heavily-favored Volunteers as 37,529 watched. Last night, Memphis State bounced back from four straight losses to whip Southern Mississippi, 27-12. A crowd of 19,494 saw the Tigers finally get it all working for the victory. And Southwestern called on Ernie James for a 24-yard field goal with seconds left in the game for a 9-7 homecoming victory over Sewanee before 2,500.
75 years ago — 1946
Memphis Country Club was awarded the 1948 National Amateur men’s tournament by the United States Golf Association.
100 years ago — 1921
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Hattiesburg Chapter U.D.C. entertained the Forrest County Confederate veterans with a splendid programme at the Strand Theater, a banquet at the Masonic Temple and a treat to the movies in the afternoon.
125 years ago — 1896
The Memphis Equal Suffrage League will be the first Women’s Council organization to give an entertainment to raise funds for the erection of a women’s building in Memphis to house all the women’s civic and philanthropic groups. The league’s entertainment will consist of a lecture Thursday afternoon by Miss Meriweather on the motto of the International Council of Women, “Lead Kindly Light.”