65 years ago, Oct. 7, 1954
“Nearly 300 persons are expected to gather at the Legion Hut next Tuesday night when the Marion Wildlife Club stages a free fish fry for members, their wives and guests. Set to begin at 7 o’clock, the occasion promises to afford ample entertainment for those attending, according to J.C. Burrow, president of the Wildlife Club.”
60 years ago, Oct. 8, 1959
“Bobby McCraw, a student at Improve School, was killed Tuesday afternoon when he fell from the school bus as it slowed for him to get off at home. The accident occurred about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday near the home of an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Shoemake, with whom Bobby lived in the Crawley community.”
“Linda Griffith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.F. Griffith, 613 Oak Ave., has been named a semifinalist in the 1959-1960 National Merit Scholarship competition. The announcement was made Wednesday by Miss Crystelle Ford, principal of Columbia High School.”
50 years ago, Oct. 9, 1969
“The Homecoming Queen this year at Columbia High is Terri Forbes, and Brenda Robertson is Football Maid. Class Maids are Carolyn Agent, senior; Helen Anne Rogers, junior; Mary Jo McDaniel, sophomore; and Sandra Fortenberry, freshman. Escorts in the same order the court was named, are Ken Magee, Steve Gray, Ken Burkett, Ronald Bourne, Mark Fite and Jerry Ford.”
40 years ago, Oct. 4, 1979
“The aroma of barbecued chicken and a slight tinge of fall in the air will set the stage for the annual Marion County Historical Society Flea Market at City Park Saturday. Miss Bethany Barron, chairman of the event that already has 100 exhibitors registered, said about 600 chicken halves will be barbecued. Vern and Helen Pearson are chairmen of the chicken dinner, and selling tickets are Mary Margaret Barnes, Mrs. Pat Patterson, Mrs. Chester Butler and Mrs. W.J. Supinger.”
“Nobody knows for sure, but one knowledgeable countian estimates at least $10 million has been added to Marion County’s economy in oil and gas leases since major activity began in late 1976. ... The history of the oil and gas industry in this area goes back to the early 1940s with the Hub Field, Sandy Hook and Baxterville discoveries. In the late ‘50s and early ‘60s the Dexter and Knoxo fields were developed, and then in late 1976 in rapid succession the Harkins No. 1 Board of Supervisors at Hathorn in Jefferson Davis County in the Green’s Creek Field, Florida Gas well in Oakvale Field and First Mississippi Corporation in Holiday Creek Field at Bassfield all set off a stepped up lease program in Marion County.”
