It happened here, years ago

Sad news out of Nimmons 40 years ago this past week as it was reported that Jimmy Wayne Parks, 23, was killed in a tractor accident June 14 at Carryville. In other news, Vilas Elder, president of the Piggott Cemetery Association, reported that plans continue for the annual picnic and that this year's crowd is expected to be the largest ever.

Two cousins from Piggott were preparing for a three-week European tour in the spring of 1968. Rhonda Wiley, 15, and Larry Norred, 17, will visit several countries and were scheduled to attend the Baptist World Youth Conference July 22-23 in Switzerland.

In sports, former PHS football standout Rick Batey has announced that he will be attending college at Wichita State University instead of Arkansas State University in the fall. Meanwhile, former Rector basketball star Allen Pruitt has left Mississippi State and transferred to ASU. He's expected to play after sitting out a year.

Also in sports, Cates Grocery is still unbeaten at 4-0 in Little League play after Steve Piland threw the first no-hitter of the year in a 13-0 win over Otasco. Meanwhile, in Pony League play Rebel Market beat IGA as Wayne Mowery robbed Lewis Wright of a probable homerun. Rick Culver was the winning pitcher while Stan Morris took the loss.

From the want ads, Help wanted; Boys 16-17 to catch chickens from 9-11 p.m. contact Joe Litz.

1978

The Piggott Lions Club continued to raise money to construct a new press box at Parker Field 30 years ago this week. The group planned a $100 dollar a plate fundraiser as they attempted to come up with the $7,500 needed to do the job.

Meanwhile, plans continue for the annual Fourth of July Picnic and this year's keynote speakers will include Gov. David Pryor and Attorney General Bill Clinton.

Larry Holcomb and wife Judy have returned from the Arkansas Pharmacists Association convention in Hot Springs. Larry served as the group's president this past year, and presided over the annual meeting.

In births to report: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Nichols June 7 at Community Methodist Hospital at Paragould. Gary Robert "Robbie" Nichols weighed-in at eight pounds and four ounces. And a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Rex Smart on June 13. Rexanna Chantelle Smart weighed-in at eight-pounds-and-eight-ounces.

This week's newspaper also included a look back at the New Madrid quakes of 1811-1812 and showed damage that still existed at the time. Walter Harrell served as tour guide as sinkholes and low-spots were pictured on the H. Wellman farm, Herschel Nichols farm and the former Aubrey Vangilder farm at the two-mile-turn. The first of the quakes struck the region around 2 a.m. on Dec. 16, 1811 and aftershocks were felt through the first week of February.

At the Carolyn Theater this week; "Corvette Summer" was the feature while the late show was "Linda Lovelace for President".

1983

The quorum court has set July 26 as the date for a special election to decide the fate of a county-wide sales tax to fund county road maintenance, repair and equipment. Meanwhile, the Piggott School board held their regular meeting and discussed a plan of action in light of the failure of the millage issue increase they had requested.

Funeral services were held June 18 for former PCA manager Sam Blackshare of Piggott, who died suddenly at age 61. Meanwhile, the annual Buddy Poppy sale has been scheduled for June 24-25. This year's first poppy sale was made to Mayor George "Cookie" Cook by Linnie Cole and Dora McGhee.

In other news, plans are underway for the annual Fourth of July picnic in Piggott, and this year's Pollard picnic is set for July 9 with Woodrow "Peck" Adams serving as the MC.

PHS seniors Deena Bradshaw and Angie Howell were off to Girl's State the first week of June, 1983…meanwhile it was reported that Trent Holcomb and Blaine Cooper had served as pages for State Senator Tom Watson back on March 8.

Dixon Radio and TV advertised the new "Galaxian Fleet" game cartridge for the Atari 2600, while the Piggott Otasco announced a "going out of business" sale.

At the Carolyn Theater this week; "Blue Thunder" was the feature while the late show was "Here Come the Brides"

1988

The motion to place a one-cent sales tax issue on the ballot to pay for a new county jail died for lack of a second at the recent quorum court meeting. Currently the county has no jail and is housing prisoners in Pocahontas at a cost of $28 a day plus transportation expenses.

The Piggott Chamber of Commerce reports that there were 967 industrial jobs in the city 20 years ago this week. Magee and Wise provided 250 jobs each, there were around 140 at L.A. Darling and Aerial Bouquet boasted 31.

Two local men have graduated from the Police Training Academy at East Camden; Don Poole of the Clay County Sheriff's office and Monty Sander of the Piggott Police. Meanwhile the city has responded to complaints about the increase in pool pass costs. It was noted that the pool took in a little over $15,000 in 1987 and paid out a little over $17,000 warranting the increase.

Plans continue for the 60th edition of the Fourth of July Picnic in Piggott, and this year the new roof over the beauty review stand has been completed.

Todd and Liz Watson report the arrival of their new son April 17. Alec Michael Watson was born at St. Bernard's and weighed-in at seven-pounds and 14 ounces.

Finally, a letter from former local resident Carl P. Hitt of Fayetteville decried the loss of Piggott's historical buildings and called for an effort to save the old jail. He outlined the many historical buildings that had been razed in the name of "progress" and noted it was destroying the city's heritage. He mentioned the loss, or alteration of the old school buildings, courthouse, depots, football field and jail and applauded John Lingle for saving the old library building (which now houses his law office).