IN PARIS, TENNESSEE, SINCE 1866
P. O. Box 310, Paris, TN. 38242-0310
OTHER GROVE CLASSES IN
IN PARIS, TENNESSEE, SINCE 1866
P. O. Box 310, Paris, TN. 38242-0310
THE 'IN THE P-I FILES' FEATURE INCLUDES, '25 YEARS, 50 YEARS AND 75 YEARS AGO' AND REPRODUCED HERE BY PERMISSION. THE MATERIAL IS ©COPYRIGHTED BY THE POST-INTELLIGENCER AND THEY RETAIN FULL RIGHTS.
CONTINUED (Page 9)
From The March 13, 2007 Edition ~ 50 YEARS Ago
The Grove High School Blue Devilettes were pictured with their coach, Lamar Roberts, after
taking third place in a regional basketball tournament at South Fulton. On the squad were
Barbara Jelks ('58), Sue Valentine ('57), Peggy Davis ('57), Patsy Latimer ('57), Ann
Franklin ('58), Martha Porter('58), Patricia Perry ('58) , Wanda Culpepper ('59), Judy
Robinson ('59), Patsy Hudson ('59) and Sandy Gatlin ('58).
From the March 9, 2007 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Among Cadet commanders of the ROTC program at Murray State for the current semester was
Cadet Capt. Ted Prince('49) of Paris.
Robert C. Dortch ('55), son of Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Dortch of Chickasaw Road, was a new
initiate in Phi Sigma Kappa social fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
He was a 1955 graduate of Grove High School.
Dick Bray ('57), son of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Bray, was notified by Richard Farrell, faculty
sponsor at Murray State College, that he had been awarded a scholarship offered by Phi Mu
Alpha music fraternity. Bray was a senior at Grove High School, had been a band member for
seven years and was a piano student of Jewelle Compton.
From the February 20, 2007 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
Former Parisian Randy Patrick was preparing to appear in a television production of the
weekly show "Dukes of Hazzard." Patrick, better known locally as Randy Lamb, was
the son of Betty Sue Johnson Lamb ('52) and John Lamb. Young Lamb had attended
Atkins-Porter School here and later moved to Columbia, S.C.
Mrs. W.P. Williams was honored with a lunch at Our House restaurant in honor of her 89th
birthday. Among guests here for the day were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Williams of Murray, Mr. and
Mrs. Erwin Herrmann of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wilson of Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. Lee
Williams ('35) of Memphis, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Williams ('32) of Paris and Mrs. Percy M.
Williams of Paris.
From the
February 20, 2007 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
The Grove High School basketball teams scored a double championship in both girls and boys
play as they swept the Kentucky Lake Conference tournament. In the finals, the girls
whipped Henry 56-42 to give coach Lamar Roberts a perfect conference slate for the season.
Coach Homer Spain’s boys trounced Trezevant, a team that had beaten them by 11 points
in the regular season, 77-44, as the Blue Devils showed the power they had exhibited the
year before in making the state tournament. Wanda Culpepper ('59) led the Devilettes with
31 points, while Judy Robinson ('59) dominated the boards. Jumpin’ Jack Nichols ('58)
bombarded the nets with 25 points to lead the boys.
Jane Thompson ('65) of Ogburn Street got lucky by watching television. The 10-year-old was
called by WSM-TV of the afternoon show "Watch the Birdie" and correctly answered
the question of what a fireman’s suit is made of. The answer was asbestos, and Jane
won a Betsy-Wetsy doll.
The Grove High School class of 1932 met at the court house to plan a reunion to be held
Fish Fry week. The class, the largest in Grove history, had graduated 132 seniors. A
committee to plan for the reunion would be composed of Jack Veazey ('32), Mary Upchurch
('32) and Ouida Cantrell ('32).
From the
February 20, 2007 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
In an effort to lower expenses. Grove High School graduates in the spring would wear
simpler clothes than in the past. Boys would wear white shirts and pants and the girls
simple dresses of voile or organza. For the first time, girls would not wear hats.
From the February
19, 2007 ~ 25 YEARS AGO
Bob Compton ('50) was named Lion of the Year and Bill McCutcheon ('60) Lion of the Decade
by the Paris Lions Club. Frank Mason ('54) was club president.
From the
February 19, 2007 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Jimmy Farmer ('58), a junior at Grove High School, was called as a part-time associate to
West Paris Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Leonard Gassaway. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs.
John Farmer of Springville and had preached his first sermon at age 13.
Grove student Bill Warren ('57), son of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchum Warren ('27), was
hospitalized after an accidental gunshot wound. Warren was removing a pistol from a
holster when it discharged, striking him in the right leg.
From the February 15 , 2007 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
Paris native Dr. Larry McGehee ('54) began writing a column that would appear weekly on
the editorial page. McGehee’s "Southern Seen" effort would include a focus
on good things happening around us, he said. McGehee held degrees from Transylvania
College and Yale University. He had served as executive vice president at the University
of Alabama and chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin and was serving as
special assistant
for humanities to the president of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
From the
February 15 , 2007 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
A "Musical Valentine" program was held at Weston Hall. Among musicians appearing
were Jack and Joan Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Goldston, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert McLaurin,
Dorothea Bond, Joe Routon, Lamar Roberts, the Grove Tower Choir and the Matinee Music Club
Men’s Chorus. A tap dance number was offered by Jeannie Martin, Linda and Brenda
Austin, Peggy Roblyer, Sheryl Bond, Glenda Elkins, Pat Smith and Judy Allen.
Mrs. S.J. Routon was pictured as she received a new Studebaker Broadmoor station wagon as
one of the prizes she won after an appearance on the national television program
"This Is Your Life."
From the
February 15 , 2007 Edition ~75 YEARS AGO
Prof. C.T. Pardue, agriculture instructor at Grove High School, spoke to the Lions Club on
finer points of growing tobacco, a highly rated cash crop in the county. The club recorded
the second straight meeting with perfect attendance.
County Schools Supt. Joe Routon was reappointed representative for the Henry County unit
of the Citizens Military Training Camps for 1932. Boys enlisting would be sent to Fort
Oglethorpe, Ga., for camp. Attending the year before were Thomas Gorman ('32), Aldridge
Gross ('30), Jasper Jennings, Prentiss Mabry, Joe Sensing ('29), Gene Sevier ('32), Percy
M. Williams ('33), Porter Dinwiddie ('32), John Heffernan ('32), Gilbert Smith and William
Peebles.
From the October 13, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Sue Beal ('57) was crowned 1956 football queen at homecoming festivities at Barton Field,
before the Grove Blue Devils massacred Jackson North Side 40-12. Her attendants were Julia
Ann Kilgore, Jan Nichols, Marine Maxwell and Katha Howard. Following the game a Teen
Tavern dance was held at the city auditorium with Tom Lonardo’s orchestra playing.
From the
October 13, 2006 Edition ~ 75 years ago
The Grove High football team defeated Humboldt 6-0. Lanky Kenny Clayton ('32) went in late
in the game, intercepted a pass and ran it in for the game’s only touchdown. It was
the first time Humboldt had been defeated in many years. Keeping the blue and white in the
game was the stellar punting of Buster Neese ('32) and Sam Jones ('32). Between the
two of them, no punt went for less than 45 yards and two were good for 60.
From the September 19, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Grove High School senior Tommy Higgs ('57) was elected president of the youth group Teen
Tavern. Other officers were Mike Dinwiddie ('58), Jeanette Williams ('59) and Diana Tutt
('57).
From the September 13, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Atkins-Porter PTA president Mrs. L.D. Chesemore opened the first meeting of the
school year by reciting the PTA prayer. Mrs. Esco Clifford
brought an outline of the upcoming year’s activities. Mrs. Byron Drummond told
of plans for a spring fair. Mrs. J.H. DeBruce led a devotional.
From the
September 13, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Neil Andrews ('31), Sonny Humphreys ('32) , Kenneth Clayton ('32) and James Mansfield
('31) were in St. Louis to attend major league baseball.
From the August 23, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Fannie White, teacher in local schools for a number of years, left for West Palm Beach,
Florida where she would teach junior high school
classes.
City schools Supt. W.O. Innian said more children would be enrolled for school here than
ever before. Atkins-Porter wouldhave about 900:
Robert E. Lee School. 475; Henry County Training School, 375; and Fairview. 70.
From the August 12, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
A series on the Grove Blue Devil football team for the coming season featured center
Randall Scholes ('58). He would be the fourth Scholes brother to don the blue and white,
following Med ('43), Bill ('44) and Charlie ('53). Young Scholes was popularly known as
"Ears."
Two Paris students received degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Clara Mae Martin earned a master of science and
Robert Louie Hailey ('52) a bachelor's in engineering.
Nelle Currier and Lamar Roberts were on a 10-day extended trip to Arlington, Va.,
Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, Va., and other places of interest in Virginia and North
Carolina.
From the August 7, 2006 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
Graduates of the class of 1946 of Puryear High School held a class reunion in observance
of the 35th anniversary of their graduation. Attending were Dorothy Paschall Atchison,
Velma Galimore Miller, Margaret Paschall Rushing, Janette Newton Hill, Merle McSwain
Underwood, Peggy Bowen Scott, Billy Broach, Alton Cotton, Billy Gene Paschall, Jean Stone
Hooper Smith, Lexie McDaniel, Helen Wimberley Farmer, Joe Johnston, Gaylon Alexander and
former teachers Olga K. Freeman and Tillman Taylor.
From the
August 7, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Cynthia White ('50) left by motor for Jacksonville, Fla. to greet her husband, Gerald
White ('48), who would dock there aboard the U.S.S F.D.R. aircraft carrier. She was
accompanied by Thelma Rainey.
Seventeen Henry Countians were enrolled for the spring quarter at the University of
Tennessee at Knoxville. Included were Robert G. Powell, Joe M. Scarbrough, Mary J. Hill
Anderson, Bobbie Sue Black ('53), Marvin Luther Bunn ('53), Jean Walker Cloar ('42), Bobby
Gene Cloyd ('51), George Donald Fraley, Robert Louie Hailey ('52), Ray Clinton Holder
('52), H. Alan Lasater ('49), Clara Mae Martin, Ray S. Peebles ('46), George C. Sheardon,
Earl W. Bennett, Billy Joe Wall and Jerald C. Weatherford.
Overcrowded Paris schools were termed an "emergency" by Schools Supt. W.O.
Inman. He said two rooms were being made available at Robert E. Lee School for seventh
grade. Lee had
formerly only had grades 1-6. More than 900 students were registered at Atkins-Porter.
From the
August 7, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
From The Post Congratulates: Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Williams on the birth of a baby boy, Charles Ernest ('49).
From the August 4, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
The Henry County Court passed a resolution, honoring retiring County Schools Supt. John R.
Miller. He had resigned to accept a teaching position in Orlando, Fla. Miller had
succeeded Joe Morgan in 1951. Julian Brewer had been appointed to fill out the remainder
of Miller's term.
New officers of the Henry County Concert Association were president Ernest Williams ('49)
and secretary Joe Beale. Retiring president was Sam Kennedy.
A group of Future Farmers of America had returned from a state FFA camp. Pictured were
Wayne Harris ('58), Johnny Winburn ('59), Earl Medlock ('57), Jimmie Shankle ('57), Milton
James ('58), Joel Clark ('58) and Bobby Glover ('57). Advisor was Robert Carter.
W.G. Rhea Library Notes
By MARIE
LUMMUS CATE
July 12, 2006 Edition
The library's E.W. Grove display at Arts on the Square drew many people, including James
and Dudley Grove. They impressed the library director as nice people whom she enjoyed
being with on several different occasions during the weekend celebration. From whence came
all of the Grove memorabilia? The library is particularly grateful to Mrs. Earl R.
Townsend and John Thomas for lending most of it.
From the July 10, 2006 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
Native Parisian Joe Routon Jr. ('61) was preparing to exhibit some of his oil portraits at
Keepsake Gallery. Routon had lived in Warwick, N.Y. for more than two years while studying
at the National Academy of Design in New York City. He had painted portraits of Carolyn
Griffey, Miranda Moore, Dr. John Van Dyck, Lynn Weaver and Will Routon.
From the July
10, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Carl Redmon and son Fugate ('61) returned from California, where they visited
relatives and attended a wedding.
From the July 12, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Eleven Henry County students were named to the Honor roll at Murray State College.
Included were Addie Ione Bucy, Mary Sue Dunn, Mavis Enoch, Winifred Fish,
Mildred Gregson, Neil Hall, Mrs Clyde Hunt, Eloise Kesterson, Ruth Rogers, Mary Virginia
West and Myrtle Parks.
From the July 18, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Five Paris Little Leaguers had slammed at least one home run over the fence at Ogburn Park
during the regular season. Pictured were Lindell Chrisman ('61), Billy Mitchell ('61), Ben
Nanney, Jimmy Thomas ('62) and Larry Howard ('61).
From the July 18,
2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
A story in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal featured Dr. E.W. Grove who had built a fortune
in 25 years after inventing Grove Tasteless Chill Tonic as a treatment for malaria.
From the July 20, 2006 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
The Rev. Ernest Williams of Cincinnati preached at First Presbyterian Church in the
absence of the pastor, the Rev. Harry Flowers; who was on vacation. Williams was a Paris
native.
From the July 5, 2006 Edition ~ 25 YEARS AGO
A story by Betty Caldwell featured fledgling actress Cherry Jones of New York, formerly of
Paris. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jones
was preparing to appear in Nowel Coward's "Fallen Angel" in Oregon.
From the July
5, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
A group of young people from First Presbyterian Church left for camp at Wrenwoode,
Mississippi, where Ralph Chesemore ('56) was a councelor. In the group were Ronnie
Chesemore ('61), Cindy Clifford ('61), Jane Smith ('61), Sarah Welch, Judy Chenoweth,
Bonnie Chenoweth, Andy Abernathy ('61) and Mike Palmer ('60.) They were driven to camp by
Diana Diggs ('52) and Mrs. J.D. Weddle (Buzzy Clifford Weddel.)
John N. Wilford ('51), son of the Rev. Noble Wilford, formerly of Paris First Methodist
Church, got his first byline as a writer for the Wall Street Journal. Wilford had written
a story about elaborate Christmas displays being planned by the nation's large department
stores.
From the June 1, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Rehearsals for the big annual Grove minstrel show were closing and performances were at
hand. Pictured were a trio of rollicking participants in costume: Pete Perry ('56), Linda
Adams ('56) and Sandra Lee ('58).
From the June
1, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Mary Lou Diggs was back home on Dunlap Street after returning from Grenada, Mississippi,
where she had been teaching.
( Miss Diggs ~ 1893-1954, taught at Grove High School from 1934 to 1954.)
From
the May 24, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Two Paris students, Charles Franklin ('55) and Marvin Bunn ('53), pledged to Sigma Chi
fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Mittie Jo Ellis ('55), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Ellis, was a new member of Zeta Tau
Alpha sorority at U-T Knoxville.
Nine Henry County students graduated from Murray State College. Included were
William Marbin Bigham Jr. ('52), Joseph Edward Casey,
Newell Benjamin Dunlap ('52), Mary Amanda Hurdle ('52), James Harry Vincent Jr. ('52),
Kathryn Riley Williams,
William Bryant Williams Jr. ('52), Frank Ralph Gallimore and Tilford Lax.
From the May
24, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Nell Currier, rising Grove High senior and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Currier Jr. of
West Wood Street, won first place in a West
Tennessee piano solo competition at Covington.
Puryear School ended its baseball season with seven victories. In the last game, the team
came from behind to whip Murray High for
the second time in the season, 9-8. Harold Edwards poled a walkoff home run in the bottom
of the ninth with a man on to end an exciting
contest. William McGehee was coach of the team.
From the May
16, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Ralph Chesemore ('56) and Becky McClain ('56) were chosen Mr. and Miss Grove High School.
He was president of the senior class and she was
an outstanding speech student of Ruby Krider.
Diana Diggs ('52) of Paris was chosen to the honorary society Tassel at Memphis State
College. Members were selected on the basis of
service, scholarship and leadership.
Bill Williams ('52) was named outstanding senior boy at Murray State College. A faculty
committee made the choice and Williams also
was named one of the outstanding journalism students.
From the May
16, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Grove senior Allan Whipple ('31) won a $10 gold medal offered each year by Col. O.C.
Barton for the best essay on any subject. Known
as the Barton Award, Whipple took the prize with a writing on the subject of production
regulation in the country.
From the May 18, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
The Rev. Wright Pillow ('54), son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pillow, brought Sunday morning
sermon at First Presbyterian Church. He was
a ministerial student at Lambuth College in Jackson and an assistant pastor with the Rev.
John Wilford at First Methodist Church in Milan.
State Commissioner of Agriculture Buford Ellington was speaker at commencement exercises
at Big Sandy High School. Graduating were
Joe Edward French, James Hargis, Jackie Bland, Elwyn Pierce, Billy Beecham, Buddy Perry,
Curtis Rushing, Harold Holland,Jimmy Waters,
Dickie Wheatley, Eddie Wheatley, Regina Berry, Ruth McDaniel, Anita Clement and William
Lawson.
From the May
18, 2006 Edition ~ 75 YEARS AGO
Grove High School expression teacher Ruth Harris accompaniedthree students to Covington to
participate in a literary meet. Kenneth
Daniel ('32) would compete in oratory, Elaine Turner ('34) in dramatic reading, and Nell
Currier ('32) in piano solo.
The Lee School Parent-Teacher organization elected otticers. Mrs. Brooks Martin was
president and others were Mmes. H.N. Satterwhite,
Robert Miller, Fred Talley and M.L. Andrews.
From the May 22, 2006 Edition ~ 50 YEARS AGO
Sue Beal ('57) was elected drum major for the Paris School Band for the upcoming fall
season. Majorettes were Jan Nichols ('58), Wanda Lou
Jackson ('58), Shirley Cagle ('58), Judy Veazey ('59), Kay Oliver ('58), Peggy Hammett
('59), Maxine Maxwell ('59) and Patty Lou Field ('59).
Grove High School students were practicing for an annual minstrel show. Pictured
were a trio of girls slated to sing: Joyce Reddick,
Norma Pierce ('58) and Sue Beal ('57). The show would be directed by Mr. and Mrs. Clem
Krider.
Five students from Paris received degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville:
Patsy Hill ('52), Aileen Parkhill, Ann Shivers ('52),
Mary June Smallwood and Paul Douglas Jackson.
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FROM THE P-I FILES ~ CLASS OF 1952