MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
NEW ORLEANS — They’ve been called the Romeo and Juliet of politics. And Tracy and Hepburn, Fred and Ginger, Punch and Judy, Hatfield and McCoy — just in case someone out there missed the point. Official Washington secretly loves strange bedfellows — especially when they actually hop into bed together — so the bipartisan romance of Democratic consultant James Carville and Republican strategist Mary Matalin has kept political gossips busy competing for the best one-liner to describe the couple. The search is over. Call them: Mr. and Mrs. In front of 150 guests, Carville, 49, and Matalin, 40, tied the knot Thursday night in the historic French Quarter, calling a professional truce in the country’s favorite war of the sexes.
50 years ago — 1968
Dr. Hollis Freeman Price, LeMoyne-Owen College president, last night was named educator of the Year by Greater Memphis State, Inc., during its annual meeting at MSU. It was the 12th such award by the organization — founded in 1952 to support activities and programs at MSU. “This is a complete surprise to me and I only hope that during the past years, I have done enough for this community to warrant this award.”
75 years ago — 1943
Bananas were added to the list of fruits and vegetables under ceiling prices for the week beginning yesterday, Robert Hunting, chief price officer of the Office of Price Administration, announced. For at least the next week, bananas will sell at not more than 12 cents a pound.
100 years ago — 1918
Christmas shopping, which usually doesn’t begin in Memphis till around Dec. 10, has been in full swing for two weeks, says Henry Loeb, Memphis Associated Retailers president. Removal last week of the cotton embargo will bring at least 10 million dollars into the Memphis trade area almost immediately.
125 years ago — 1893
Evangelist Sam Jones preached a sermon for ladies yesterday at the new Memphis Auditorium. More than 6,000 heard him extol the virtues of womanhood. “Woman suggests mother, mother suggests home and home suggests heaven,” the Rev. Mr. Jones said. He said some right harsh things too. “Women are the vanguard in the army of immodesty, going to balls half naked and dancing — it’s nothing but hugging set to music — evil to the core.” After the sermon 2,500 pledged never again to attend balls, card parties or the theater.