MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1994

Jackson, Miss. – Anyone who wants to join anti-abortion demonstrations in Mississippi this week must promise to protest peacefully, but abortion rights advocates say they are ready for violence. The American Coalition of Life Activists has said it is asking for written pledges from the people who will picket Mississippi’s last two abortion clinics. But the recent slayings of an abortion doctor and a clinic escort in Florida worry abortion rights activists in Mississippi.

50 years ago — 1969

Washington – A Senate public works subcommittee Thursday postponed consideration of a proposal that would authorize a new multimillion-dollar Internal Revenue Computer Center in Memphis. The General Services Administration was asked for more information about the proposed Memphis center and several other public works projects, which are before the subcommittee. IRS has given the Memphis center top priority and is urging congressional approval as quickly as possible. It would process income tax returns from the Mid-south area. 75 years ago — 1944

The Shelby County political organization is planning an all-out campaign for the election of President Roosevelt and Senator Truman for vice president “and it won’t be a half-hearted, pussyfooting fight,” E.H. Crump, Shelby County political leader, declared today.

100 years ago — 1919

Jackson, Tenn. – Unlimbering himself before a crowd variously estimated from 10,000 to 15,000 people, Sgt. Alvin C. York, war hero, declared last night at a public reception in Lancaster Park that the American buck private won the war against the Teutons. “God was guiding the American Army because it was fighting for the principles of justice and to save Christianity from an awful setback and civilization from ruin,” said the tall, redhaired mountaineer.

125 years ago — 1894

Tulsa, Indian Territory – The Shawnee Indian war dance has been running for a week at Hominy Creek, 11 miles from Tulsa. Yesterday four men went there, quarreled over a jug of whisky and shot it out. One was killed.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Ten-year-old Yvette Golden of the Baptist Children's Home got a boost to the top of an earth ball from Park Commission staff member Randy Jones at the Overton Park picnic area on Aug. 8, 1979. The Park Commission provided games, puppet shows and other activities yesterday for about 200 youngsters from orphanages in the Memphis area during the 18th annual Orphans Picnic, sponsored by the Jaycees.