MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1994 CORNING, Ark. — A jury Friday found Jessie Lloyd Misskelley Jr. guilty of murdering three 8-year-old West Memphis boys. A judge sentenced him to life plus 40 years, and only a governor granting clemency can give him a chance at freedom. The Clay County jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 10 hours and 17 minutes Thursday night and Friday before rendering its verdict on live television during noon newscasts in Memphis, Little Rock and Jonesboro. The trial was held in this town of 3,233 west of the Missouri Bootheel after Circuit Judge David Burnett ruled pretrial publicity about the May 5, 1993, killings required a move from Crittenden County. 50 years ago — 1969 The Memphis South Stars may be moved from Memphis to Des Moines for the 1969-70 Central Professional Hockey League season, a vice president of the parent North Stars said last night in Minneapolis. The main reason for the switch appears to be that Memphis is averaging around 1,900 per game, considerably below the break even mark. Meanwhile, a Des Moines team in the International Hockey League has had very good attendance. Another advantage of such a move would be the geographical proximity to the parent club. 75 years ago — 1944 The housewife who permits the retail merchant to have her leftover food ration stamps which have expired is the one who is guilty of making it easy for grocers and meat dealers to make black market sales without rationing stamps. Some grocers and meat dealers are selling meats and canned goods without requiring stamps. OPA officials explained this is possible because grocers have 30 days after the posted expiration date to turn them in and have them credited to their rationing bank account. 100 years ago — 1919 The Memphis Centenary Committee has been selected by the Chamber of Commerce. Chosen were J.H. Malone, George Coleman, C.W. Miller, Henry C. Loeb, E.O. Bailey, B.A. Bogy, R.L. Jordan, Walk C. Jones, H.R. Cheairs and R.R. Ellis. 125 years ago — 1894 A motion in federal court for the sale of The Appeal Avalanche made by the trustees, A.D. Gwynne and R.J. Morgan, on behalf of the receiver, W.J. Chase, was overruled yesterday. The court found that the earnings of this newspaper for January had been sufficient to meet its current expenses and that a sale is not justified.

Tom Graves (Left) of 3192 Court and Jimmy Grace (Right), of 4752 Linda Lane, both 11, were named Junior Sheriff and Junior Police Chief in a ceremony at Police Headquarters on 5 Feb 1971. They were selected from thousands of boys who competed in the Exchange Club's annual competition. They will receive their badges and certificates at a Crime Prevention Week ceremony at the Sheraton-peabody Hotel. FRED J. GRIFFITH/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL