MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1996
BILOXI, Miss. – The licensing of cats is one of several possible changes being considered for Biloxi’s animal control ordinance. City Council member Tom Wall made the proposal for changes after receiving numerous complaints from city residents, primarily about the ever-increasing number of homeless felines. “Cats are multiplying like mad,” Wall said. Under Wall’s draft amendment, owners would have to buy licenses and tags for cats, as well as dogs. Two rules now applied to dogs would be applied to cats as well. Cats would have to be vaccinated and would be prohibited from running loose on public property. If the changes are made, cats without licenses could be picked up by the city’s Animal Control department.
50 years ago — 1971
The Memphis Board of Education yesterday filed several new desegregation proposals including a plan to cluster three elementary schools in the Parkway Village area — Goodlett, Oakville and Sheffield. The plan calls for grades 1-2 to be at Goodlett, grades 3-4 at Oakville and grades 5-6 at Sheffield beginning next fall.
75 years ago — 1946
At the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month they marched again yesterday. In Army khaki, Navy blue, civilian tweeds they time-stepped the lengths of Main and Second, just as they have during preceding years in Armistice Day parades. The younger veterans marched with the sprightly pride of youth; those of World War I with equal pride but a less resilient step toward the end of the route.
100 years ago — 1921
WASHINGTON – Woodrow Wilson, war president, broke his cold silence and aloofness today. Standing in the door of the secluded home he chose after leaving the White House, he burst into tears as more than 20,000 persons, standing bareheaded, paid tribute to “the greatest soldier” in the world. This was the unanimous appellation of those who had turned from paying a silent and reverent tribute to America’s unknown soldier to pay a reverent, but not silent, tribute to the unknown soldier’s commander-inchief.
125 years ago — 1896
The 100,000 people of Memphis for the past six months have been devoting their time to the fascinating and seductive business of politics. The stakes were high and the verdict went against us with the election of William Mckinley, but our people are still full of the energy generated during the great struggle and we could channel that energy to making Memphis a city of 150,000 souls within five years. Unfortunately pulling together has never been characteristic of Memphians, and croaking divisiveness has marked our commercial history. The magic of cooperation has made St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City great. When will we learn?