MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1998
About 800 cyclists from three dozen states and three other countries competed Saturday in the Magnolia National Bicycle League National motocross races at the Circle G Showplace Arena in Olive Branch. Riders ranged in age from 3 to more than 50 years old. Professional riders are competing for an $18,000 purse. The dirt floor of the arena was dug up and mounded to create the motocross track.
50 years ago — 1973
Truman Capote, author and voice of the Beautiful People, has discussed the “dressing best” situation with The New York Times. “All that being best dressed takes is taste and money. And if you have neither, you are going to be a slob and you might as well accept it.” On Jacqueline Onassis: “Jackie is not well dressed. She doesn’t understand
that she has those short legs. She can’t wear pantsuits with that long torso and big bottom. She looks like a mess, but she’d be the first one to say so.”
75 years ago — 1948
The first report on a community effort in which every Memphian has a stake — the 1948 campaign of the Memphis and Shelby Chapter of the American Red Cross — will be held today. Efforts of the workers, who launched the annual appeal a week ago today, will be reported at the headquarters of the local chapter in the Empire Building on Madison near Third. Also reporting today will be the Initial Gifts Committee. The goal for this year’s drive is $246,340 against $207,000 in 1947.
100 years ago — 1923
A plea for aid in the centenary movement and for larger numbers of
young people to consecrate their lives and enter the mission field was expressed last night by Mrs. P.L. Cobb, superintendent of young people’s work of the Women’s Missionary Council of the Southern Methodist Church, speaking before the delegates to the women’s society of the Memphis annual conference at St. John’s Church. 125 years ago — 1898
Hon. W.V. Sullivan of Oxford, Miss., spent last night in Memphis and quite a number of Mississippians were in the city to greet him. He spent a good portion of the day in his own State, where private business of importance had called him from his duties in congress. When seen last night he gave to a Commercial Appeal reporter quite an extended interview upon the work of congress, prospective and past, as regards the present session.