MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
Bishop L.H. Ford, who began his ministry in the streets of Chicago and later became worldwide leader of the Memphis-based Church of God in Christ, died Friday in Harvey, Ill. He was 80. COGIC leadership temporarily will pass to Bishop Chandler David Owens of Atlanta. Owens, COGIC’S first assistant presiding bishop, will guide the church until the General Assembly elects a successor, said Bishop W.L. Porter or Memphis, Ford’s special assistant. The General Assembly usually meets during COGIC’S annual convocation in Memphis in November.
50 years ago — 1970
When a committee of concerned citizens claimed in 1967 that 40,000 children were going without lunches at Memphis and Shelby County schools, there was considerable skepticism about the figure. The idea that the federal school lunch program was taking care of everyone who needed lunches was so widespread that it was difficult to convince the community that there was real need still. But the women who had formed the Fund for Needy School Children had done their homework well. And they were able to convince the County Court that funds were needed. They got the funds and they also got a survey to determine how great the need really was among the school children. Now the results of that survey are in and the women who had estimated 40,000 hungry school children in Shelby County find that instead of exaggerating the facts they actually were estimating on the short side. 75 years ago — 1945
Rome – The first and only completely Jewish brigade is operating with the British Eighth Army in Italy, Allied Headquarters announced Sunday as patrol raids continued along the stalemated front. Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark, commander of Allied ground forces, said he “was delighted” to have the Jewish outfit fighting under his command and pleased that “the Jewish people who have suffered so terribly at the hands of the Nazis should now be directly represented by this frontline fighting force.”
100 years ago — 1920
Sunday closing laws will be enforced by Memphis police, according to instructions issued yesterday by Chief J.B. Burney. Business houses dealing in dry goods, meats, groceries and similar lines must close, he said. Soft drink stands will not be allowed to open unless in separate buildings from grocery stores. Many markets have been ignoring the closing law.
125 years ago — 1895
Nashville – The committee on charitable institutions has completed its investigation of the Middle Tennessee hospital for the insane and its findings are not at all satisfactory. From the evidence gathered it has been established that patients have been abused, starved and neglected.