MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1993

Officials of St. Joseph Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital are discussing jointly forming a health care network, the institutions confirmed this week. Such a network, offering a full range of hospital and physician services, would help both hospitals cut costs and compete for large health care contracts, including one with TennCare, the state’s proposed replacement for its $3 billion Medicaid program. The network would represent an unusual alliance in Memphis between hospitals affiliated with churches of different denominations. But such alliances are on the rise nationwide as hospitals seek to become more efficient.

50 years ago — 1968

Two years ago the City of Memphis had only six inspectors to enforce minimum standards of housing. Because of an implied threat to federal funds, we now have 10, but we have also about 20,000 dwelling units that are equipped with less than the law requires for healthful living. We are barely staffed with enough men to inspect each of them every 10 years. We only have half as many inspectors as the guidelines from Washington recommend, and a large part of this manpower is assigned to one section of the city where an intense effort to renovate is under way. In spite of financial tightness at City Hall, this is a pace that has to be quickened with more men.

75 years ago — 1943

Following a training course given by Mrs. Clifford Davis, wife of Rep. Davis, the Marion Harvey Chapter, Women’s Defense Corps of America, will open an information desk in the new telephone center opened last week at 115 Madison by the Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co. for the convenience of service men and women. The desk, files and necessary equipment will be furnished by the telephone company.

100 years ago — 1918

The Memphis Fire Department will start operating under the two-platoon system, requiring 224 men, Sept. 1. This will necessitate adding 45 firemen and will cost $41,000 in additional salaries. The day shift will work 10 hours paid, the night shift 14. It is claimed by the Firemen’s Union that the system will greatly increase the department’s efficiency. Also, seven engines, previously drawn by horses, will be motorized. This will retire 21 horses, and is expected to save $7,500 on feed and harnesses.

125 years ago — 1893

The contract for remodeling the Shelby County Courthouse has been awarded to Joe Haynes, local contractor.

BARNEY SELLERS/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Furry Lewis, legendary Memphis bluesman, in the bedroom of the Memphis duplex at 811 Mosby where he had lived for six years. Age 83 at the time (August 13, 1976), Lewis suffered from cataracts and said he couldn't see anything but shadows.