MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1994 As dawn breaks across Ensley Bottoms, deer emerge in the early light, fleeting images set against shimmering pools of floodwater as they scurry from cottonwood forests toward fields of crop stubble. To veteran Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer Ronnie Shannon, there is nothing unexpected about the wildlife scene on this gray, wintry day. In fact, he says, were it not for a northerly wind whipping the bottoms, daybreak might bring 150 or more white-tailed deer into view. Blessed with prime habitat and spared from any significant hunting during the last few years, the bottoms area is home to what is probably the densest deer population in Tennessee. Making the wildlife abundance all the more impressive is the fact that it’s entirely within Memphis city limits. 50 years ago — 1969 The Shelby County Grand Jury, which last year heard the “one assassin” evidence of the United States attorney general and indicted one man in connection with the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will listen, for the first time today to an Alabama author who says more persons were involved. William Bradford Huie said last night he will “go to Mr. Phil Canale’s office about 10 in the morning” and then go before the Grand Jury to discuss and exhibit a version of the case prepared by the man who has been indicted by the jury — James Earl Ray. 75 years ago — 1944 The Red Cross Prisoner of War Service announced yesterday that at least 25 Memphians are in the hands of the Japanese. The announcement was made after the War Department revealed accounts of atrocities against American and British prisoners of Japan. 100 years ago — 1919 BOOTLEGGERS WHARF — That strip of the bank of Wolf River just back of the Shelby County jail — was the scene of a near-capture of a motorboat load of whisky last night. One auto load, comprising probably 25 cases, was landed and successfully ran the blockade of the law through the streets of Memphis. Officers arrived just in time to see the boat pulling out from shore. They peppered her sides with bullets but to no avail. 125 years ago — 1894 A charter has been granted at Nashville to the New Lyceum Theater Co. in Memphis. Yesterday the following officers were elected: Hu L. Brinkley, president; C.F. Degaris, vice president; S.D. Kyle, secretary. The building will be located at Court and Second Street and it will be a reproduction of Abbey’s new theater in New York City. John Mahoney will be manager.