MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
The E.W. Scripps Co. announced plans Monday to sell WMC-TV Channel 5, its nearly 45-year-old television station, and two Memphis radio stations to an Atlantabased company. Under the agreement announced late Monday, Ellis Communications Inc. will pay $65 million for WMC-TV, WMC-AM 790 and WMC-FM 99.7 in a deal that will maintain their common ownership. The sale is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and is expected to close in 90 days.
50 years ago — 1968
The deputies and policemen surrounding the Shelby County Jail were tense. It was obvious, as they pumped shells into their riot guns, that they didn’t want “another Dallas.” Only one incident marred the scene — when a tall city police patrolman dashed across Third Street and forced a television crew to turn out its flood lights at shotgun point. The incident occurred just as James Earl Ray was whisked into the jail from “Thompson’s Tank,” — an armored car specially built several years ago for Jackson, Miss., Mayor Allen C. Thompson for riot control. Sheriff William N. Morris Jr. said yesterday the armored car had been borrowed from the Jackson police to transport Ray. Ray had arrived at Naval Air Station at Millington aboard an Air Force C-135 non-stop from London.
75 years ago — 1943
Memphis has been picked as the first city outside of New York to see the movie “This is The Army.” Proceeds from the showing will go to the Army Relief Fund. M.A. Lightman, president of Malco Theaters, Inc., is chairman of the committee in charge of local plans.
100 years ago — 1918
WASHINGTON — Twenty-one American Red Cross ambulance drivers have been awarded the Italian Cross of War for bravery during the recent Austrian offensive. One of the men was Ernest Hemingway, a reporter for the Kansas City Star.
125 years ago — 1893
Memphis firemen have come forward with large contributions to the families of Chicago firemen who were killed last week in the holocaust at the World’s Fair. The fire killed nearly 250 persons, 20 of them firemen. Memphis firemen always take a front seat in everything that is gallant and generous.