Looking Back McNairy County Independent 1950 Transcribed by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy Proofed and setup by Peggy Derryberry Gould Pictures included in these newspapers are in a separate folder It was impossible to list everything that happened and all the people - but I tried. I did not add all the visitations, like ‘Mr. and Mrs. Joe Smith were visiting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Plunk,’ or I would still be typing. I did try to list all gatherings, school and church events and obits. I was asked once why a certain community’s news was not listed and I stated that community did not have any news published. Included is all community news included in the paper, except those that just listed the visitation (as mentioned above.) I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed transcribing. JANUARY 6, 1950 Report shows 17,569 bales of cotton were ginned in McNairy County in 1949. This figure is 3,588 bales short from the previous year. Sheriff Kirkpatrick and deputies, I.W. Randolph, W.E. Randolph, Willie Smith and Rosco Garrison, and patrolmen Gattis and McClearen been busy the last few weeks bringing in more whiskey stills. A 24 barrel outfit found and destroyed near old Purdy. One person in the Michie area arrested for possession of seven gallons of wildcat whiskey. One man arrested at the State Line for possession of 4 pints whiskey. Sheriff and deputies, along with Laney Smith, brought in an eight barrel outfit from the Rose Creek area. Seven of the barrels had been cooked off. Harvey Beasley, former minister of the Selmer Christian Church was in a plane crash six months ago and is now able to be at home, although in a body cast from his waist down. Income Tax Notice: Your income tax return for the calendar year 1949 must be filed no later than Mar 15 with the Internal Revenue Collector in the district in which you live or have your place of business. Quarterly court met on Monday, Jan 2. Three new faces were among the members of the court this session. Magistrates J.I. Hendrix, D.R. Finger and W.E. English were elected in November to fill out unexpired terms. Magistrates answered the roll call: M.C. Etheridge, C.S. Treece, W. E. Floyd, A.F. Higginbottom, R.M. Gean, W.E. English, D.R. Finger, M.B. Melton, J.P. Whitley, J.R. King, H.R. Maness, L.E. Scott, J.L. Hendrix, Earl Jones, J.T. Stanfield, W.G. Minton, W.R. Steadman, J.O. Mitchell, J.L. Tacker, Otis Plunk, Wilbur Robinson, E.G. Harris, R.E. Wade and L.I. Cagle. Absent were: Haven Garner, Lit Wilson, Roy Huggins, Eldridge Howard. Sheriff Hugh Kirkpatrick and Clerk W E Sewell were in their places and County Judge R Carter Smith presided. The Revenue Committee, J.E. Hodges, Will Tom Abernathy and D. McCaskill reported the books of McNairy County were in order. Jury Commission appointed: J.O. Mitchell, H.T. Jordan and W.F. Maness. Esq M.C. Etheridge was appointed to the Agricultural Committee. On a resolution authorizing the County Judge to give quit claim deeds of all school property to the County Board of Education. Authorized the employment of an assistant County Agent to look after 4-H work in the county for $75.00 a month. The Selmer gym was filled to the rafters Thursday night for the game between Selmer Lions and C.B.C. of Memphis. True to reputation, C.B.C sunk several baskets in the first few minutes of play. Coach Smith called time out. The Selmer boys went back into the game and WOW they struck those boys from Memphis like a tornado. As the clock ticked the score climbed. At the end of the first quarter the Lions trailed 10 to 14. In the second quarter, our boys scored 24 points, ending the quarter with a lead of 34 to 22. Bear McClain was Lion’s leader with 14 points with Red Weatherford close with 13. The Kirk twins, Bill scored 12 and Bob scored 11. Wayne McClain didn’t score. Subs were: Hawkins 1, McCullar 1, Martin 3, Emmons 1 and Tackett 0. Final score 62 to 40. The Lions are on the march and under the leadership of Coach Jerry Smith, we hope to see the march continue. Selmer played Saltillo last Tuesday. In the girls game, Saltillo led for the first few minutes, then our guards clamped down and the forwards put their eyes to the basket. In the final quarter, the Lionesses had to work hard for their points and they won 32 to 17. Lineup: Baker 10, Hamm 13, Burkeen, Watson, M McClain, Wilbanks. Subs: Horner, Jones, Whitaker, Weatherford, Isbell, Smith, D McClain 7. The Lions downed Saltillo to the tune of 91 to 43. After the first minute there was no question which way the game would go. B McClain 21, Red Weatherford 18, Bob Kirk, Bill Kirk 16, Wayne McClain 8. Subs Hawkins 5, McCullar 4, Martin 5, Emmons 2, Tackett 4. Mr. James A. Qualls died on Saturday, Dec 31, 1949 at his residence in the Stantonville community. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Prince E. Claybrook, were held at the West Shiloh Baptist and burial was in the cemetery there. Shackelford Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements. The deceased leaves his wife Mrs. Martha Qualls, six daughters, Earline Killingsworth, Inez, — Virgil Plunk, other un-readable because page was torn. Jerry M Hooper, age 63, died at his home in the Friendship community near Henderson, Dec. 30, 1949. He was born in Hardeman Co. but lived most of his life in Chester Co. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Wayne Cox, were held at Piney Grove Baptist Church, with interment in the cemetery there. Little Brinda King, age 5 months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.E. King, of McCalips’s Chapel community, died on Thursday, Dec 29, 1949 at her home. Funeral services were conducted by Bro. Moore, were held at the McCalip’s Chapel with burial in the cemetery there. Shackelford Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements. Besides her parents, the deceased is survived by eleven brothers and sisters. Mrs. Elda Baker Boone, wife of Jerry Boone, died at a hospital in Jackson on Monday night, Dec 27, 1949. She was 19. Funeral services, conducted by Bro. Wayne Cox, were held at the Hornsby Baptist Church, with interment in the Little Hatchie cemetery near Hornsby. Besides her husband, she is survived by her father, Leonard Baker, mother Mrs. Mary Baker and half brother Sammy Baker. Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Foster Kemp, wife of E.H. Kemp of Adamsville, died in a Corinth Hospital Dec 29, 1949. Services were held at the Adamsville Christian Church. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery in Selmer. She was born 1898 near Ramer, the youngest child of the late J.T. Foster and Mary Gooch Foster. For several years she was employed by Selmer merchants, some of which were Joe Ed Williams and J.R. Gooch and Mrs. G.W. McCullar. After her marriage in 1934, she moved to Adamsville. She is survived by her husband and one daughter, Barbara June Kemp of Adamsville; six sisters: Mrs. Bob Powell, Mrs. Ralph Huggins, Mrs. Minnie Ramer, Mrs. Icie Wallace, Mrs. Eber Greer, and Mrs. W.B. Fisackerly, all of Selmer, and one brother P.J. Foster of Corinth. Pallbearers were: Billy Larry Kemp, Kemp Lee Swinea, Jett Ramer, George Huggins, W T Greer, Raymond L Sweat, Dink Gibson and Everett Wicker. Shackelford Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Lula Long Harris, wife of the late Harmon Harris, died at her home on Saturday evening, Dec. 31, 1949. She was 81. Services were held at Refuge Church with burial in the cemetery there. She was a member of the Church of Christ. The deceased is survived by nine children, as follows: R.A. Harris, W.R. Harris, Mrs. Velma Gee, Mrs. Siler of Bethel Springs, Mrs. Archer, Mrs. Lola Stout, Mrs. Elbert Stout, and H.C. Harris, all of McNairy community, and Mrs. P.K. Kerby of Memphis. (Last names may not be right, paper torn.) From the editor: it will take about $45,000,000,000 to run the Federal government for year. If every owner of a home in the urban districts sold his property for cash it would run the government for only eight months. If every farmer sold out lock, stock and barrel it would not be enough to run the government for seven months. Santa Claus does not provide one penny to run the government. Showing at the Ritz next week: The Fighting Kentuckian - Black Midnight - Hell Fire - Bells of Capistrano - Yes Sir That’s My Baby. Old Cool Springs community: Bro. Vallie Carter delivered a fine sermon at the church Sunday. The Christmas tree and play at Rocky Knob was very good and we had a nice crowd. About 40 guests were present at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Plunk on Christmas night. The group engaged in singing, playing the piano and eating. They are invited back the fourth Sunday night for another singing. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Heldon have moved to our community on the Green Brown farm. Grandma Arnold is recovering from a broken hip. Gravel Hill community: Sunday being New Year’s Day and a rainy morning, we had 221 in Sunday School. 72 families were represented. Mr. Asa Hewitt of Dixie Idaho, is visiting with friends and relatives for the first time in 12 years.