The other Romney
FEB. 7
25 years ago: 1988
The “King of Rock and Roll” collected less than $79 million in after-tax income during his 23-year career, records show, the result of poor management, extravagant spending and his compassion for the downtrodden. Despite lifetime record sales in excess of $500 million, 33 movies that grossed more than $180 million, 46 weeks of Las Vegas shows, television specials and at least 860 live concerts, Elvis Presley left behind scant evidence of his fabulous earnings when he died Aug. 16, 1977. Presley’s estate was valued at $4.9 million, according to probate court records on file in Shelby County. “He (Elvis) really wasn’t interested in business and he thought it was being taken care of,” said Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, his former wife and co-executor of his estate.
50 years ago: 1963
Municipal Airport’s runway lighting problem exploded to near- crisis proportions yesterday, threatening to delay use of the runway and a new airport terminal building until late summer. The City Commission will meet in emergency session at 10 a.m. today to deal with the problem. Commissioner James W. Moore said he will ask the commission to rescind Tuesday’s rejection of runway lighting bids, and accept a $272,400 low bid submitted by Bryant Electric Co., of High Point, N.C.
75 years ago: 1938
Judge Camille Kelley, Juvenile Court judge, will be reappointed by Mayor Overton to serve an extra year when her present term expires at the end of 1938, he said yesterday.
100 years ago: 1913
With election of officers for the current term the Memphis Hospital Medical College held its last voting under the old name of the institution. In the future the school will be known as the University of Tennessee. The new officers are Dr. W.C. Friday of Maben, Miss; Dr. R.T. Nowlin of Evadale, Ark.; Dr. Phil E. Thomas Jr. of Clarendon, Ark.; Dr. M.D. Ingram of Trenton, Tenn.; Dr. J.F. Aycock of Phoeba, Miss., and Dr. I.J. Slay of Purvis, Miss.
125 years ago: 1888
The old Memphis & Tennessee Railroad has not yet changed its name to the Memphis Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. It needs some action on the part of the Legislature before the name can be changed and in the meantime there is some confusion pervading the offices.