MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1997
Ophelia Ford is queen and Lorenzo Caldwell is king of the Grand Krewe of Memphis Cotton Makers’ Jubilee for Carnival Memphis ’97. Their coronation was at the Four Points Hotel. Ford, whose daughter is Sophia L. Ford, is one of 12 children of the late N. J. Ford and the late Vera D. Ford. Ford, who graduated with a degree in business administration and education from Tennessee State University, is a licensed funeral director with the family business, N. J. Ford Funeral Parlor. She is a director for Rexall Showcase International, a managed health care consultant and a notary public. Caldwell and his wife, Theresa, are the parents of Lorenzo Jr. and Courtney Caldwell. A graduate of Lemoyne-owen College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business, Caldwell owns and operates his own business, Caldwell and Associates. 50 years ago — 1972
WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Rogers C.B. Morton said Thursday he has decided to grant a permit for the right-of-way for an 800-mile pipeline across Alaska, but environmental interests vowed to continue to fight the controversial project. Morton announced he was rejecting proposals for an alternate trans-canada pipeline on grounds it would take more time to complete and the United States needed more oil as soon as possible.
75 years ago — 1947
Two special trains will roll into Central Station this morning from New Orleans, the first about 10 and the second half an hour later, bearing the full personnel complement of the world’s greatest operatic organization, the Metropolitan Opera Company, for a second annual Spring engagement in Memphis. Headed by Edward Johnson, the distinguished general manager and former leading tenor for the Met, the company will arrive this morning for the performance of Verdi’s “Aida” tonight and Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” tomorrow night in the North Hall at Ellis Auditorium.
100 years ago — 1922
HOT SPRINGS – At the opening of the general conference session here today, Bishop William Mcmurry, president of the two Mississippi conferences, was in the chair and another Mississippian, Rev. A.F. Watkins, Jackson, Miss.; and a Memphian, Rev. Lud Estes, had the privilege of bearing to and reading before the general conference telegrams, which provoked long applause like unto that sometimes witnessed at a great national political convention.
125 years ago — 1897
At a meeting yesterday of the Confederate Historical Association, J.F. Page, C.F. Throckmorton and M.A. Hall were elected members.