MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1994 The Battle of Memphis was over so quickly the city almost missed the Civil War. But 132 years after the surrender, Memphis is about to become the site of the biggest Civil War re-shoot of 1994. As many as 6,000 infantrymen, 500 horse soldiers and 100 cannon crews are expected to converge on Shelby Farms and take over an 800-acre field for five battles May 27-29. Although they will not re-enact the Battle of Memphis — a two-hour clash of gunboats on the Mississippi River on June 6, 1862 — they will do highlights of some of the most famous military engagements of the War Between the States. 50 years ago — 1969 A majority of the City Council has violated the principle of preserving park space. Only two voted against putting a fire station in the East Parkway edge of Overton Park. One abstained. The Park Commission disapproved but eight councilmen overrode them. A plot 200 feet square, containing one tree and adjoining the park shop buildings, is probably a small snip from the green space in the heart of Memphis — but it could take on a great deal of meaning if the City Council is going to consider park space to be “cheap” sites for municipal buildings. 75 years ago — 1944 Purchases of War Bonds in the Fourth War Loan drive in Shelby County soared to $28,161,572 yesterday with announcement that Plough Inc. had invested $4,000,000. 100 years ago — 1919 PARIS — President Wilson last night presided over the commission of the society of nations which had before it the completed project for constituting the League of Nations. Two plans have come up. The Allied powers want to have more say, but the smaller nations also demand voices in the League. 125 years ago — 1894 The muddy little Wolf River is lined with shanty boats from its mouth upward for several miles. In these boats live many a poor man and his family. They know what to expect when it rains steadily for hours as it has done for the past two days. Such a rainfall means a freshet in the little river, which endangers lives and property. It is said that the mouth of the stream was alive with shanty boats yesterday, all fighting to gain the broad expanse of the Mississippi first. In the rush a man was knocked overboard and was seen no more.