MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1995
Pope John Paul II, looking pale and evidently weakened by the flu, was unable to complete traditional Christmas Day greetings to the world or say morning Mass Monday at St. Peter’s Basilica. The 75-year-old Pontiff failed to appear at Monday morning’s service after having presided over the traditional two-hour Mass at midnight Christmas Eve. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-valls said John Paul worked up a sweat at the midnight Mass and then caught a chill after removing his yellow robes and returning to his apartment, next to St. Peter’s. At noon, doctors gave the Pontiff the goahead to deliver his traditional Christmas message from the balcony of his private study instead of the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. But after giving his speech, the Pope faltered while delivering Christmas greetings and excused himself.
50 years ago — 1970
ENGAGED: Gov.-elect George C. Wallace of Alabama said Friday that he and a 32-year-old divorcée, Cornelia Ellis Snively, plan to be married, but no date has been set. Mrs. Snively is the mother of three children and a niece of former Gov. James E. Folsom. She and her children Friday had Christmas dinner with Wallace at his home in Montgomery. Wallace, 50, has four children.
75 years ago — 1945
NEW YORK – The best dressed woman in the world this year, by verdict of the fashion critics, is Mrs. Stanley Mortimer of New York — who calls herself a working girl with a limited wardrobe and a penchant for suits. Social Registerite Mrs. Mortimer, top winner two years running, heads the list of the 10 best dressed women of the world, announced by the New York Dress Institute.
100 years ago — 1920
O Dell Wilson, conductor of an Inbound Raleigh Springs street car, was robbed at the point of a pistol and relieved of $20 yesterday morning by a masked bandit on the outskirts of Binghamton. The bandit boarded the car as a passenger at the Vandalia stop, according to Wilson’s story told to the police. As soon as the car started, the bandit wrapped a handkerchief about his face and pointed a pistol at Wilson. After robbing the conductor, the unidentified highwayman pulled the bell cord and escaped before the motorman was apprised of the robbery. No other passenger was on the car.