Clay County Times-Democrat: Column: It happened here, years ago (12/30/09)

As we begin the fourth year of this feature column here are a few reminders. The news items are reported as they were presented at the time, and may include misspelled words or other mistakes. Importance of content is usually based on where the story appeared originally, or in light of any long term impact. Over the years The Piggott Times was released on different days of the week, so this issue is always a compilation of the last week of December and the first week of January. This reporter will occasionally add comments or notes, sometimes as a disclaimer and other times to enlighten.

1969-70

Longtime Piggott resident Edward Holmes Scurlock was laid to rest Dec. 29. Scurlock was born July 4, 1892 in Piggott and was a member of the first graduating class of PHS in 1910. A veteran of World War I, he worked at the Bank of Piggott, was president of the Piggott Handle Company and served as president of the Piggott Concrete Company at the time of his death. He was also a former Clay County treasurer, Piggott school board member, secretary-treasurer of the Piggott Cemetery board and was very active within the First United Methodist Church. Also in the news, Melba Fawn of Marmaduke was injured in an early morning accident south of Piggott in the past week when a car in which she was riding ran off the highway.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is the X-rated hit "Midnight Cowboy." The theater also set another kiddie show for Jan. 3 with admission of fifty cents to see "Fearless Vampire Killers."

Several couples celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December. Mr. and Mrs. Willis Conley of Pollard marked that occasion back on Dec. 7, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Renard observed their golden anniversary Dec. 27 while Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Crews and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Johnson marked their 50th on Dec.28.

In sports, David Williams hit a half-court shot as time expired to lift the Mohawks over the Greenway Tigers back on Dec. 22. The following day the Tribe dropped a home game to Corning.

1979-80

Arson is suspected in the Christmas Eve fire that destroyed the Culp building in St. Francis. The blaze was reported by Jual Ort, and luckily the residents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Olds, were out of town at the time of the fire. Meanwhile, a rash of vandalism was reported in Piggott as hundreds of dollars in damage was done to windows and windshields in the past week by some unknown person with a pellet gun.

Robert G. Brown, 35, principal of Delaplaine High School, drowned Christmas Day after falling from his boat into the Black River. The mishap occurred at Brookings Landing, and a number of local authorities assisted in the search for his body.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "The Prize Fighter" with Tim Conway and Don Knotts.

Another 50th wedding anniversary to report as Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Goodman marked that occasion with a reception at Calls Chapel Church. The couple was married Dec. 21, 1929 by J.P. "Square" Knight.

Political announcements this week included both Fred Williams and Lavon "Sonny" Smart reporting that they're running for county clerk.

1984-85

The prospect of a large earthquake along the New Madrid Fault Zone was re-visited this week. Also in the news, Joyce S. Cluck is set to retire Jan. 3 from the local ASCS office after 34 years of service. A native of the Knoxville, Tenn. area, she was hired in 1947 by Joseph P. Gipson.

Local authorities are currently investigating a break-in at the Sears Store in Piggott, which was located on the east side of the square at the time. Meanwhile, Jerry Holsten of Campbell won the Cabbage Patch doll given away by the local VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "The Terminator" while the late show was "Heavenly Desires."

Births to announce included--a son to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Odom of Piggott Dec. 19 at Lucy Lee in Poplar Bluff. They've named the new arrival Jared Robert. Meanwhile, a son was born to Joel and Lisa Bedwell at the Little Rock Air Force Base Dec. 21. They've named that new arrival David Michael.

Jim Clements reports that Clay County wheat acreage has been hit hard by wet weather this year, as he noted that planted acreage could be down 60-80 percent. And it was reported that Joe Davis had bought-out Wolff's Rubbish and will be taking over those routes. Davis indicated that all pickups would be about four hours earlier on the same days of the week.

1989-90

The Piggott Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Sue's Flowers and Gifts location, but had to move indoors due to the wet weather. Door prize winners were Debbie Hoggard, Jade Jones and Sherry Burris. Meanwhile, a 64th wedding anniversary celebration was held Dec. 24 at Knobel for Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Boyd. The couple was married in the back seat of a Model T Ford in front of Potter's Drug Store in Piggott on Christmas Eve 1925 by JP W. W. Magee (who sat in the front seat to perform the ceremony).

Final blueprints for the new Clay County Jail were delivered to Judge Harry Niewald Dec. 27 as work on the $576,000 project continues. Also in the news, local Scout leaders were recognized for work on the "Scouting for Food" project. Jim Duty was Cubmaster, Danny Baldwin was Scoutmaster and Lisa Binkley was chair for the effort.

The Piggott Law Enforcement Explorer troop was re-organized under the guidance of advisor Dep. Don Poole. Officers were, president Shane Hogard, first vice president Scott Redmon, second vice president Chris Crawford, secretary-treasurer Michael Wilburn and reporter Shane Vaughn.

Mohawk basketball is set to resume now that the holidays are over, and the two boys teams were pictured this week. The senior boys team included--Shannon Box, Jason Beck, Kelly Roach, Darin Cluck, Chris Morris, Scott McCrillis, Clinton Cox, James Fewins, Jason Benbrook, Lee Mears, Kevin Blascoe, Chris Lewis, Joe Schulte, Mark Box, Eric Neely and Jon Cooper. The team was coached by Ted Box and Wade Williams.