65 years ago, May 26, 1955
“The widow of Silas Brown died Saturday and was buried Sunday in the Lampton community. Silas died in 1939. He was born before the Civil War, was reared by the Foxworth family here and was the only Negro representative to the Mississippi Legislature (from Marion County) in Reconstruction days. Silas Brown Street in Jackson is named after the Marion County Negro, which means he must have been prominent. His widow, Angeline Nelson Brown, was 95, and is said to have been a devout Christian throughout her long lifetime. Little is known by the write of Silas, the Representative, but there may be a feature story about Silas in a later issue.”
“Circuit Judge Sebe Dale, Marion County’s lone candidate for a state office in the coming Democratic primary, this week formally announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor.”
“Bill Lampton, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Ben Lampton of this city and a sophomore at Millsaps College, Jackson, has been named editor of ‘Bobashela,’ the school’s year book.”
60 years ago, May 26, 1960
“Thad B. Lampton Jr., president of Columbia Bank, was elected treasurer of the Mississippi Bankers Association at the meeting of the association held May 16-18 on the Gulf Coast.”
“Sheriff’s deputies, acting on the tip of some young fishermen, brought in 83 gallons of moonshine whiskey Friday afternoon and locked it up in the vault at the Marion County Jail. When found, there were three sacks, each containing five one-gallon jugs and hidden under some pin tops in the woods between Highway 98 and Camp Coulter. The remainder of the 83 gallon jugs were in a hole about six feet, which had been dug into the ground. The dirt had been carried a short distance and scattered in the woods, apparently about a month earlier, according to Chief Deputy Sheriff Ray Loftin.”
“At West Marion High School, Betty Lyn Alford received an award for being the valedictorian of the first class to graduate from the new school. Jackie Fortenberry was salutatorian. ... Tommy King and Sue Bryant were the winners of the American Legion awards at Bunker Hill High School. Other awards presented included Valedictorian Tommy King, Salutatorian Sue Bryant. ... Awards presented at Improve High School included ... $50 scholarships to PRJC for Class Valedictorian to Theo Broom and to Joan Goar, for being salutatorian. ... At Hub High School ... awards included Dorothy Day, valedictorian; Tommy Fortenberry, salutatorian.”
50 years ago, May 21, 1970
“The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, No. 3933, elected officers for the 1970-71 year at a special meeting held Sunday. ... Officers elected were Mrs. Bonnie Rector, president; Mrs. Arline Wally, senior vice president; Mrs. Lee Alice Broom, junior vice president; Mrs. Marion Bourne, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Mary Nell Crawley, chaplain; Miss Ruby Nell Merritt, guard; Mrs. Eva Rayborn, conductress; and Mrs. Mary Bracey, trustee.”
“W.R. Coker has been re-elected as headmaster of the West Marion Academy and Kenneth Smith has been named as principal of the elementary grades, according to Hilton Holmes, president of the board. ... On Tuesday, May 12, the patrons of the academy voted unanimously to use the Morgantown Center as the High School and the Kokomo Center as the elementary.”
40 years ago, May 22, 1980
“Over twice the average rainfall and drainage ditches that need cleaning have caused excessive flash flooding in Columbia, and Mayor Robert Bourne said officials are investigating the situation and will do what they can to give residents and business owners relief.”
30 years ago, May 24, 1990
“Funeral services were held May 14 at Eaton Temple Church of God in Christ for Bishop Jesse Esias Eaton, 93, of Columbia. He died May 9 at Forrest General Hospital. ... Bishop Eaton was born Dec. 15, 1896, in Boligee, Ala., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Eaton. At the age of 16 he was saved and began preaching in 1915 at the age of 19. During that year, he married the late Vera Eaton, who served with him in the ministry until her death in 1973. In 1916, he established and built his first church in Bone. Since that time he has built 16 churches. He began pastoring Eaton Temple Church of God in Christ, named in his honor, formerly known as ‘Liberal Trinity’ Church of God in Christ.”
20 years ago, May 25, 2000
“Volunteers will be leaving Columbia June 4 for War, W.Va., where they will be taking supplies to an area which has been devastated by the closing of a coal mine which served as the area’s primary industry. The Rev. Ken Stover of Sonrise Ministries said several area churches are cooperating in collecting and transporting donations for the area, including North Columbia Church of God, Calvary Baptist Church, Kokomo Home Church and members from Lakeview Church of God.”
“Paul and Brenda Pounds have started something unique in Columbia. They’ve opened a bed & breakfast -- the first one in the city. Corner Oaks Bed & Breakfast on the corner of Broad Street and South High School Avenue, boasts four guest bedrooms, three baths, three sitting rooms, a dining room and a wraparound porch.”
10 years ago, May 27, 2010
“Renting a video in Columbia has gotten more difficult since the recent announcement of the closing of the Movie Gallery location. Signs foretell the future, ‘Store closing’ is on a big banner hung at the 123 Walter Payton Drive location and a hand-written sign says ‘We are no longer renting’ in the window. Movie Gallery is closing, not just in Columbia, but the chain is shutting down.”
