Sunday Fuzz Buzz February 8, 2009

HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANGS SIGN: Several members of the Class of 1960, including an officer of the class, remember that the sign was a gift of the Class of 1960. Naturally I recommend the best way to finally resolve the question is for someone to help us out with something documentary--a news article perhaps? Anyone else have anything to help?
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Anonymous sent this comment on 2/8/09:
Look for a photo of the school in your earliest Annual. Earliest one I have is '62 and, of course, the sign is there. Or perhaps someone who still lives in FC can go take a look. Surely there is a plaque on the sign designating which Senior Class made the donation to the school.
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Great idea..anyone have a 1961 annual with a picture of the sign out front?
Anyone living in or visiting FC that can go by and check the sign?
Maybe a member of the current school board could check for any records and let us know?

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CLASS OF 67 AND 68 REUNION: JULY 2007. Hard for me to believe that it has been so long and I have not yet posted these but better late than never (I think that's theme of this blog). Surely others have more pictures and better to contribute? We had a wonderful time and I hope we do the joint reunion thing again. The hometown people always get the thankless burden of making arrangements for everyone's enjoyment and I know I join everyone in thanking those who stepped up to the plate, like Jimmy Hargraves and Jim Machen, who rallied the "usual suspects" to get the ball rolling. We always miss people who didn't hear about it but we do try. If you drop in at Peach Fuzz we try to get out the word. I'll post of few of these at a time.

Class of 68: Sallie Bridgforth & brave husband who came from Arizona. Sallie is the comptroller of the Dial Corporation.

(R) Jim and Linda Rosica Machen who worked hard on the reunion.

All Class of 67 except for Rosemary Hargraves. Libby Long, Jimmy Hargraves, Mary Machen

I'm going to get into trouble here because I can't identify everyone. That's Al Harris and Paul Gibson (both Class of 67) standing on left (light is above Paul's head). I think Paul must have come the greatest distance, from California near San Francisco where he is a social worker in public health.

Sula McAuley (68), David Burris & Mark Gatling (67)

Sunday Fuzz Buzz February 1, 2009

Ooops! The picture of FCHS was not made in 1931...It had the label 1931 on it which must have meant it was built in 1931?

Another Ooops! Due to having to work all weekend I don't have a post ready today...hopefully will have one up tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. Sula
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Anonymous left a message 2/1/09
Right about the dates! That Mustang sign was placed on campus in the early 60's I think, purchased by a senior class but I don't remember which class ~ maybe '62 or '63?
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...the sign in front was donated by the Class of '62
Bogie

Sunday Fuzz Buzz January 25, 2009

HIGH SCHOOL 1931. I have forgotten who sent these but they are wonderful. Just about the way I remember it in 1968.














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HALL OF FAME:
Van Louis McDaniel
Miss Arkansas 1948

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Here's an email message we got...

I'm looking for Peggy. I'm an old friend from Palacios, Tx.
Thanks, Mark J. Serna . Mark.Serna@alcoa.com

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Are you out there Peggy?

Sunday Fuzz Buzz January 18, 2009

Anonymous left a new comment on "Homegrown Pairs":
Becky Ragland and Larry Evans
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Sunday Fuzz Buzz January 11, 2009

Rosemary Hargraves Cianciolo left a new comment on post "Hangouts: The Hargraves' Home":

It's so great to hear that folks remember my family. My dad was so very special. My Mom left Forrest City 7 years ago and moved to Hot Springs to be near my brother, Bobby. She had only been there a few months when Bobby suffered a heart attack and passed away. Mama is still there and is a very lovely, interesting 93 year old. My brother Jimmy is the only one of us left in FC. He's the EVP at First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, married to Susan Pollard and is the father of two teenagers.Chi Chi is still in Washington and is still tiny, pretty and sophisicated. She worked in the Carter and Clinton administration and is still doing some work for the D.C. arts.I'm in Memphis with my husband Michael and our son Mark and daughter Carley. I'm a financial manager for Daimler (parent of Mercedes Benz) - - great company cars!
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Really wonderful to get your post, Rosie.
Below is a continuation of generous contributions by Walter Cox who took the time to scan and share these articles in the Emissary. I had forgotten this fun and creative yearly tradition.Thanks so much.

Sunday Fuzz Buzz January 4, 2009

Monday, Dec. 29, 2008
Hello fellow FCHS Students,

At the present time I am working on a project to list all the classes of FCHS Grads over the years, looking for old annuals to scan, and put online, like the 1957, and other information on the different Classes since FCHS was born like the class pictures taken by O'Dell for 1958 and 1959 online. You can mail to me, or scan for me and I will put them online. If you mail, I promise to return them to you!
See what I have so far at:
http://www.argenweb.net/stfrancis/FCHS.html
See 1957 Annual online at:
See at http://www.argenweb.net/stfrancis/FIFTYSEVEN.html

For instance, does anyone know when it came into existence. The previous high school was known as the Crowley Ridge Institute, and was located on the present First Baptist Church property in Forrest City.

I love keeping up with all the submissions to the FC Blog.

Paul V. Isbell-Class of 1958
izzynet3@lycos.com
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I love what you are doing, Paul. I have been working on writing a story for about a year now linking together some genealogical research and some tidbits from your work. I discovered how my family came to Forrest City. We had a Civil War Veteran ancestor from Virginia (an officer who went to VMI pre-war and survived Gettysburg) settle in the area not too long after the War ended. Several of his siblings joined him in the Forrest City area in the 1880's. The Hatchers (David, Ben, Belle, Ellen and 2 others ended up in the Jonesboro area). His half-sister was Belle Hatcher who married Judge Eugene Rolfe in F.C. I knew her as my much loved Aunt Nannie and she died well into her 90's when I was a kid. She talked about coming to Arkansas from Virginia on a stage coach after the War. It's been an amazing journey to start out with only that memory and be able to trace her family back to Virginia, to find a letter her mother wrote before the Civil War and before Nannie was even born-- and to end up tracing the arrivals to St. Francis county and following the trail to the present day. I'm not sure I could have done it without some of the work you are doing so I'm very grateful. Sula McAuley - Class of '68
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Dec 31, 2008

Many thanks to Walter Cox, Fayetteville, Class of '60. for sending excerpts from this 1960 "Senior Edition" of ... (on which I proudly served '66- '68)

Sunday Fuzz Buzz 12-28-08

In Memory of...
Yvonne Free, Class of 63, who passed away in May 2005 of cancer. Yvonne was married to me for 41 years, 1 month and 5 days. Yvonne is survived by myself and our two sons, Greg and Jeff, all of whom live in the West Memphis/Marion area. Yvonne was a registered nurse, working full time for Methodist Central in Memphis and part-time at Crittenden Hospital in West Memphis. Religion, family, friends and patients were the focus of her life.

Joyce Bowman, Class of 64, has passed away also. I do not remember what year. If you have a copy of the newsletter from the last reunion, the information is in it.

I am enjoying the web site.
Thanks,
Glenn Masengale, Class of 64
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Good to hear from you, Glenn, and may precious memories bring you comfort.
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Re Merry Christmas entry: That would be Princess Summer Fall Winter Spring if she is with Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody-- Anonymous.
Oh you are right! I didn't want to be Pocahontas until about 3rd grade. As I recall, she was the first female explorer I can remember learning about and later I wanted to be Margaret Meade.

Merry Christmas!

Pocahontas does her make-up for Buffalo Bob

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Ollie Warren & Claire (Kenyon)Warren
Christmas, 12th Grade, 1959
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I'd love to post your childhood Christmas photo. Please send to PeachFuzzBlog@aol.com

Sunday Fuzz Buzz 12-20-08

Monday, December 15, 2008

I believe that this is the Vandiver's Grocery Little League Team from Forrest City that my dad coached about 1955. I'm number 8. Can you identify them all? Those were the days.

Ron Davidson

Comments below are from Butch Ford, Dec. 16, 2008:

This was for the second year of Little League in Forrest City. So, it appears that the attached photo is of the 1955 Little League All-Stars. (Not sure, but that's probably the National League All-Stars). Their names are:

Front Row/ Left to Right: Joe McCowan, David Deaderick, Collie Walker, Ron Davidson, Richie McCullough, Billy Lieblong, Sid Fogg, Pinky McCullough

Back Row/ Left to Right: Johnnie Alderson, Lynn Stockton, Bill Clark, Larry Todd, Ray Patterson, Richard Trail

I got a call from Billy Lieblong today.

He says ... that there was only one All-Star team and that it played the team with the best record. Kind of tough that the members of the league champion weren't included on the All-Star team. That was never one of my worries in life, especially in baseball.

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Sunday Fuzz Buzz 12/13/08

Sent: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:45 pm
I’ve really enjoyed reading the fantastic stories of growing up in Forrest City. Having grown in Forrest City (1969-1978), I would love to see more stories and photos featuring the time period I absolutely cherish. It had been years since I had seen the old movie theatre. I would love to see the old Rock Island train shed on Front street and photos of the old ball park off of Dawson road. Though I’m 40 now, I could go on and on about a youngster attending Primary and Central schools, surviving the tornado of 74’ or seeing Star Wars at the old theatre. My generation grew up with Chris and Craig Morledge, Hank and Ann Collins, Ed Jackson, B. Scott Duke, Roger Stipe and Rusty Trail.

Here’s one story I will never forget but many have…..

During the mid-70’s McDonald’s finally came to our little town. In celebration of the grand opening, a parade was held from I believe the Forrest City Civic Center to the current McDonald’s location. Growing up in Washington Heights, we were able to cut through the thicket of bushes behind Bill and Billie Couch’s home to watch the parade. Our viewing spot was almost right across the street from Calvary Christian School and Clarence and Nan Montgomery’s home.

As a 7 year old, I couldn’t wait to see all of my favorite characters from McDonald Land. Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and my purple favorite, Grimace. Now here’s where’s hearsay, gossip and what I actually saw came into question. Apparently, the person inside the Grimace costume had been drinking. All I remember is Grimace never officially making to our spot on the parade route. Another vision burned into my memory, Grimace being escorted towards the back of an awaiting police car while in costume down by the old Kerr McGee gas station.

Surely, I’m not the only one that remembers this?
----Mike Worthy, Little Rock, www.justinlaundry.com

Welcome Mike- great to hear from you...hope you'll share some more stories! I remember some of those purple Grimace's around F.C. when I was a child-- mostly at the Country Club or singing around my mother's hammond organ.
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From: Paulette Fancher
Sent: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 9:59 pm
Subject: Thanks a bunch!!
So glad you're back! Will be looking for more memories from FCHS classmates! Ok, Butch, let's load 'er up! I've heard so many great comments from friends about this blog and there are even a few "outsiders" that have loved reading about our lives in FC! Let's keep it up--and Sula, did you get everyones e-mail address like you requested? Let me know!
--Bogie
I have started loading up a new email address list based on my personal list and yours...if you add any new ones, forward to me. Anyone who wants someone to get a message from the blog to come visit us -- just send it.
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Sent: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 9:22 amSubject: Class of 1960
Thanks to everyone who has put this blog together. I have many fond memories of my days at FCHS and the blog has brought back many which I had forgotten. I had forgotten about my newspaper article about sportsmanship which is on the blog. It also brought back memories of my going to Wynne High School and speaking to the student body about sportsmanship the week of the big football game that year with Wynne.

However, I seem to have been forgotten in that I was not included in the graduating class of 1960, nor was I included in the list of guys who attended Boy's State. There is a picture in the 1960 Corral which shows me wearing a Boys State tee shirt. I remember "running" for attorney general at Boy's State and in my required speech, I told a joke which I thought was funny at the time; however, the officials didn't think so and I was made to clean up the dining room that night as punishment. I can still remember the joke and the mess which I had to clean up.

I still see some of the 1960 graduates at Booger Montgomery's home in Benton County and hope we have another reunion soon.

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas to every one.

Walter B. Cox, Fayetteville, AR
COX, COX & ESTES, PLLC
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Sunday Fuzz Buzz 12/6/08

We have several great messages that were left back in 2007 that have been added to some of the comment sections. These are hard to find because they are posted at the end of a zillion entries. So I decided to make a weekly column each Sunday that will include all the messages that have come in for the week. These will be in addition to special entries. And those folks who follow the blog won't have to guess when something new is coming up...for sure there should be something every Sunday on the Buzz...Thanks for your messages...I feel the love!
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BUTCH MADE ME DO IT!
12/5/08 You've been missed! Here's part of your group hug!
Get 'er up and running, 18 months is a long time to wait.
Sorry about your wrist ~ glad it's ok now.
One suggestion (for us old folks with fading memories), when you identify people in photos would you include last names (maiden names for the women) because the ole' eyes are beginning to fail now too (or maybe we are all just starting to look so stinkin' old!).
Glad you're back!
Joan (Tuliback) Miller
Class of '65
Thanks Joan-- That's Jan Greene, Dora Flanagin, Annette Vaccaro and Sula McAuley.
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12/5/08 Butch sent an email: "Yahoooo I got through!!!!" and he said Freddy Swan sent him a photo with a Commercial Appeal article and asked that it be put on the blog. It's a pix of Freddy and Ron Davdison at the peach shed...coming soon!
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ON VACATION
Joan (Tuliback) Miller said...
I don't think Sula is EVER coming back . . .
Tue Apr 29, 05:05:00 PM 2008

Anonymous said...
Sula, Sula, Sula! Where are you darlin'? We miss your leadership and your unyielding strength at keeping this blog-thing going. I check it every day and there's the same photo of some bejeweled dude putting the grab on two pretty women. I actually recognize two of them. One is the younger sister of my old friend, Chee Chee Hargraves. Last time I saw her, she was in elementary school. And, who is that Charles Barg look-alike? I would have lost a bet if I hadn't seen Charles recently at Booger's house. Come back, Sula. Come back!I forgot my password.Butch Ford
Fri Sep 26, 10:01:00 AM 2008
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ONE YEAR PEACH FUZZ ANNIVERSARY (July 2007)
Paul Gibson said...
THANK YOU so much Sula (aka "Administrator")for creating and maintaining the Peach Fuzz Chronicles! A LOT of people have enjoyed many hours here thanks to your dedication and commitment. This is a most unique site. I have shared it with many friends in California and elsewhere, and to a person, they are all incredibly impressed with the Blog, the closeness that all of us from FC share, and the very entertaining stories they found here.
Mon Jul 02, 06:54:00 PM 2007

Anonymous said...
Sula, the creation of the blog kept us in touch and gave us a lot of memories to talk about at our recent reunion! I heard several people talking about how much they enjoyed reading the stories and how great it was that you kept this going! The reunion was all about memories.It was a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of our ADULT lives and go back in time when life was carefree and all so innocent (maybe not totally innocent) It reminded me of how a photo can withstand time as if time stood still- this is what the reunion was like for me Going back and remembering the way it was- much like the blog helps up relive the past in written word the reunion brought it back to life again! Dora class of 68
Mon Jul 30, 02:28:00 PM 2007

Anonymous said...
I, too, would like to thank "Susie" for the Peach Fuzz Chronicles. It's been fun reading all of the comments. "Cissie"
Mon Aug 20, 11:22:00 AM 2007
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IN MEMORY OF...
Anonymous said...
Please add Warren Lincoln Lalman class of '66 died 1989 in NYC
Tue Sep 04, 02:27:00 AM 2007

Anonymous said...
For the class of 70 - there are 2 more to be listed who have passed away. Jimmy Lewis and Ricky Rice. Ricky died in the 9th grade due to complications during an appendectomy (msp)- same year and grade that Ike McCain passed away.
Thu Nov 01, 03:07:00 PM 2007

Anonymous said...
Came across this by accident. Please list my brother John as a deceased member of the class of 1970. John died in 1977 after a courageous battle with cancer. I remember the very cute cheerleaders in the 60's who practiced out on the high school lawn across from my house on Graham Street. I thought they were the greatest! Cile M. Brooks
Sun May 18, 03:31:00 PM 2008

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CLASS OF '62
Anonymous said...
Does anyone keep in contact with Nona Haywood? She was my neighbor for many years and I would like to reach her. Peggy Pipkin Toomey Class of '62
Sun Aug 12, 01:18:00 PM 2007
If you can help Peggy, send info to PeachFuzzBlog@aol.com and I'll post it or if it's private info let me know and I'll tell Peggy to email me in for the info.
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HOMEGROWN PAIRS
Anonymous said...
Don Moore and Becki McMinn, Sharon Tyer and Allen Perry
Thu Nov 01, 04:14:00 PM 2007
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WATKINS
Turkey Joe said...
I remember Watkins so well...Had the best cake doughnuts and turkey and dressing on the planet...My favorite memory is when my grandmother came to town, and took the entire family out to eat at Watkins...After the meal she slipped my stepdad (who wasn't my favorite person in life) money to pay for the meal...He tipped the waitress $20 dollars of my grandmothers money...Was the first time and only time I ever heard her cuss...
Wed Apr 09, 12:19:00 PM 2008
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TEACHERS
Anonymous said...
John Isom, the Art Teacher at FCHS during the late 60's and early 70's was an amazing man and the first African American teacher I ever had. He was an artist in his own right - having held several one man shows in New York of his own work, but he was also the most gracious gentleman - rising above the ribbing and teasing of the bullies in our class, who had obviously taken Art because they thought it would be an easy grade. What I learned about art and art history from Mr. Isom did not really begin to resonate with me until I moved to Europe and visited the Louvre in Paris in the mid 70's and I recognized artists and intimately knew their paintings - amazing for a girl from east Arkansas.John Isom taught school during a time of much civil unrest in our town - in our world and he showed me and others what real grace and dignity is all about and for that I have always been in his debt. I can not decide what I learned most from this man - art or life, but I value both tremendously and I will never forget him.
Thu Oct 25, 12:39:00 PM 2007

I also learned a lot from Mr. Isom. This is a wonderful tribute and Amen to all of it...
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GRADE SCHOOL
fdan said...
Butch- I think you have the right teachers, but some of the wrong grades!
1st: Ms Jones and Ms Douglas
2nd: Ms Cook
3rd: Ms. Gardner
4th: Ms. Harrel
5th: Ms. Bean
6th: Ms. Hudspeth
Check it out.
Wed Oct 31, 01:40:00 PM 2007
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Anonymous said...
Hello to all my Forrest City friends! It has been a long time, but thanks to the internet I now feel connected. I am so sorry I missed the Class of '67 reunion. I am sure my address was lost as I was in The Netherlands on an expatriate assignment for 3 years. I would love to have seen everyone. My email address is johnsr29@cox.net - please catch me up on everyone. Maybe I will make the 50th! Ruth Ware Johnson - - CA
Tue Oct 02, 07:53:00 PM 2007
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Butch Made Me Do It!

That's (R-L) Jan, Dora, Annette and Sula at the Great Class of 67-68 Reunion in July 2007.

I can't believe it has been 18 months since my last post! I moved into a fixer upper in August of 2007 and I broke my right wrist into a million pieces in Jan 2008 and had an implant-- but all has healed well now. I have a lot of catching up to do on Peach Fuzz...

Butch Ford keeps writing and urging me to get the blog going again...but he tells me he is so sick of seeing Reggie grabbing at Rosie that he is about to totally give up on me. (By the way Rosie, Butch said Chee Chee's little sis grew up lookin' good, very good)...So little by little I hope to get things going again. The email account for the blog lost all the addresses of people who sent them in...so please send me your email and all others you can think of so I can build up the list again. Butch I hope you are not the only one who wants to see the Blog going again...I do need a group hug! Here's the new email address to send in your Blog comments and entries. If you sent me something before and it never appeared -- please forgive me and send it again:

PeachFuzzBlog@aol.com

-- the Peach Fuzz Blogger

On Vacation

WOW ! Class of 67 and 68 had a wonderful reunion the weekend of July 20th and it went way too fast. The reunion committees worked hard and we all appreciated so much all they did to bring us together. We have lots to tell and some pictures but would like others to contribute their stories and pictures also. (Use the link on the right to email). Your Peach Fuzz Administrator is on vacation for a few weeks until she gets a new house renovated and has moved in. In the meantime, take a close look at Reggie & Co....and talk amongst yourselves until I get back. :)

Happy Birthday Peach Fuzzies!

This month we celebrate our first year anniversary!

Peach Fuzz Chronicles

Growing Up in Forrest City Arkansas

"Our Memories Live On Here..."

www.forrestcitymemories.blogspot.com

CLASS REUNIONS

Class of 67 & 68 FINAL CALL FOR JULY 20th REUNION. Last notice was sent out recently. They got back a number of wrong addresses... time's running out so if you know of a classmate that may have moved in the past few years, please ask them if they got a mailout. Blog area for Class of 67. Blog area for Class of 68.

Class of 62 is having a 45th Reunion on September 29th in Forrest City! Other classes are invited to the dance on Saturday. For details, go to the blog area for Class of 62.

Times-Herald 1959

Sula Class of '68: Walter Ferguson sent the blog some old newspapers I am going through for us. This one I've summarized below, for Halloween 1959, especially caught my attention. My family lived in LR at the time & I recall the race relation issues that dominated the front page of this issue. More significantly for me, this issue came out just a month before my family would move to FC and bury my father and grandfather Ollie Warren, Jr. (father of Ollie III who was a senior at FCHS). On Thanksgiving weekend, they died in a private plane accident in Kentucky, taking off for LR. My great-grandparents moved to FC in the early 1900's, my grandfather was born in FC and lived his whole life there. My mother was born and raised in FC. She married my father who was from West Memphis, just 35 miles away, so my 3 siblings and I were in FC frequently from an early age. When we moved from LR to FC after the tragedy, the towns people were protective, warm, generous and loving to us in our grief--not just during the awful double funeral but for a very long time afterwards. Going through the newspaper today gave me an adult perspective of the little world that became a 9 year old girl's safe harbor. Even with its imperfections, it was a very good place to heal and grow...which I realize more as forgotten memories return, revived by the snapshots we are sharing on the blog with each other. So a big thank you to Walter and everyone reading, forwarding and contributing to keep the blog alive. So what was going on in your Forrest City childhood in October 1959? Maybe this journey back in time will inspire you too...

Forrest City Daily Times-Herald
"Every Afternoon Except Saturday and Sunday"
88th Year of Publication ........5c a copy....... Eight Pages........ Number 251
Fred N. McCollum Sr......Publisher
Trent Bonner McCollum......Managing Editor
Mrs. Roger Bottoms......City Editor

Thursday, October 29, 1959

FRONT PAGE (Highlights):
1. State Politics: Sen. Stuart Symington D-Mo, presidential hopeful for the 1960 election, cancelled his appearance at a $10 a plate "Democratic Harmony Dinner" for about 4,000 party members in Little Rock when he learned that "Negro delegates would be seated at segregated tables." Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn D-Tex will attend anyway. About 500 persons from SE Missouri cancelled reservations since their senator would not be attending. The person in charge of ticket sales in Missouri said that "many who purchased tickets earlier told him they would not sit with Negroes." The AP article stated, "A Negro leader said Democrats of his race may boycott the dinner if segregated facilities are enforced." Asked to comment, the Ark regional rep for the DNC would only state: "I regret that Sen. Symington will not be present to witness this great show of party harmony and strength."

Gov Orval E. Faubus said he was re-evaluating whether to support Symington's presidential bid because of his decision. Faubus said he disagreed with his opinion but didn't disagree with his right to make it. "The freedom of choice is one of the freedoms I have been fighting for here in Arkansas," he added. The AP reporter asked Faubus to speculate on whether Symington would attend if Ark Democrats agreed to integrate the meeting. Faubus responded that many people felt the meeting is in fact integrated if "Negroes are allowed to attend" -- even if seated at separate tables. Faubus said Symington had hurt himself and not the governor of Ark and added that Symington would have had far fewer people to speak to if "Negroes and whites" sat together. When asked whether he thought Symington was trying to discredit him by cancelling his appearance, Faubus said: "Let's let time and events determine the reason for his action."

The 2nd of 5 accused bombers in Little Rock's integration-related Labor Day bombings was convicted yesterday. Perry and the state's key witness against him, Sims, said they volunteered for a "confidential squad" organized to attack the city for accepting public high school integration. Sims bombed the school board and the fire chief's station wagon. Sims got 5 years on a guilty plea. Both said that E. A. Lauderdale, Sr., a prominent segregationist, headed the squad.

Admin note: At the time of this article, all Little Rock public high schools had just reopened after being closed for 2 years by the School Board which (with the support of Faubus and the legislature) closed the schools in defiance of federally ordered desegregation in 1957. Click here to Read full story of the Little Rock 9. Symington, the first Secretary of the Air Force, was well known as one of the most outspoken critics of Sen. McCarthy. Historians say that his steadfast refusal to speak to segregated audiences probably cost him the Democratic presidential nomination, which Kennedy won-- and that he was actually Kennedy's first choice for V.P and not Johnson.

2. Local Politics: Next week all city officials will be elected without any opposition (Mayor Rodgers Deaderick, Treasurer C.N. "Charlie" Haven, Aldermen Ted Parker, Ed McDonald and Raleigh Rich). Voters should show up to vote anyway because it's important to ratify the annexation program to increase the city size from 2,66.3 acres to 5,705.1 acres. The plan extends areas evenly around the present boundaries and will include a new housing development on the south side of the city and the new Electric Company building. If approved, the present pop of 9,000 would rise to 11,000-12,000 in the 1960 federal census next year.

3. Sports: Lincoln Jr. Tigers went to Helena and tied 13-13 in a "ferocious fight." "The highway was jammed with Tiger rooters last night." Tomorrow night the Mustangs host Stuttgart for the 2AA leadership. AP reporter said that F.C. probably "could beat most 2AA teams even without quarterback Donnie Kessinger. For Stuttgart, they'll need Donnie and a little extra hustle. When you come right down to it, the Mustangs haven't played a searing schedule. But Forrest City is the only unbeaten, untied team in the state above Class A. The Mustangs have scored 222 points to 12 for the opposition. We go with Kessinger and Co. 20-7."

4. Community: Rev. Wilford, pastor of Methodist church is the Evangelist for a special week of services in NLR; similar services are held throughout the W. Dist of N. Ark Conference. The paster from NLR will come to FC the week of Nov 15-20 for this area's period of Evangelism.

Residents not home during the community-wide Trick or Treat for UNICEF can still assist in the campaign in behalf of "all the worlds' children" said Mrs. Fred Seaton. Call Mrs. Fred Seaton ME 3-3290 or Mrs Joe Carmichal ME 3-3265 to have your donation picked up.
Admin note: Since 1950 when a group of children in Philadelphia donated $17 they got on Halloween to help post-WWII victims, the Trick-or-Treat UNICEF box has become a tradition in North America during the haunting season. These small orange boxes are handed to children at schools and at various locations. As of 2006, the box has collected over $132 million in the USA.


SOCIAL PAGE (a full page..."Katherine Leftwich, Society Editor")

"Halloween weekend will hold a variety of "safe and sane" entertainment for members of the local teen crowds. On Friday evening the "big event" will be the Mustang-Stuttgart football game, predicted to be one of the most interesting pigskin contests of this season. The game will be preceded by a downtown parade, bonfire and pep rally at the depot. It will be followed by an open dance sponsored by members of Delta Sigma Fraternity. Music for the party, an informal affair, will be furnished by Sonny Burgess and his "Pacers." On Saturday, All Hallows Eve, teenagers will be privileged to again get-together with their friends when "The Stall" is open from 7:30 to 11 pm for a union Auxiliary sponsored teen affair. Teenagers are encouraged to bring their dates and "come-as-you-are" (costumes optional) for an informal evening of fun. The juke box will furnish tunes for dancing and host Walter Gene Prewett will be on hand to chaperon. Snacks will be served. "

Miss Elizabeth Devereux Morgan announces marriage plans. The ceremony music at the Methodist church will be provided by Mrs. Herman Young, organist. Members of the wedding party include Mrs. John Tucker Hasler of 4233 Union Avenue, Memphis, the former Miss Linda Caroll, and Mrs. John Vance Wiese of 3583 Oakley, Memphis, the former Miss Sandra McLaren, Miss Sara Lou Morris, Miss Patsy Lou Armstrong (bride's cousin), Arthur Louie Devereux (bride's uncle), and Regional [sic] Bond Twist.

A record setting 142 women attended an all day, annual Fall Achievement Day held by the St. Francis Co. Home Demonstration Council at the Methodist Church. Officers were named and Mrs. William Wilkie presented Rice Homemaker Contest awards to Mrs. Jacob Bieber for using 150 pounds of rice in family meals during the past 5 months and to Mrs. Abe Burns for using rice in the greatest number of ways. A "delectable covered dish" luncheon was held at noon. "The program opened with a rousing song fest led by Mrs. David Gates with Mrs. Garland Greene at the piano." The F.C. HD club will have their annual Halloween party this weekend at the home of Mrs. J.W. Beazley Sr.

The 2nd annual Band Carnival Show will be next Monday as Sam Smith Jr High Gymnitorium. After the FCHS Band performs "an informative overature," the curtain will rise "on one of the finest variety shows ever presented in Eastern Arkansas." Helena's Bob Evans ("contagious enthusiasm and wit"... "a talented drawing card in his own right") will sing and then present Memphis TV & radio star Wayne Oldham, one of the South's outsanding jazz pianists. "The Mustang Singers --bigger and better than ever this season-- will appear under the baton of Director A.F. Thomas Jr. in a varied choral group. These singers will be making their local premiere for this school year." After that, the Patricia Williams dancers and the Mid-South Fair talent winners will perform. Tickets are $1 and entitle the holder to 100 votes for a candidate in the race for Junior and Senior High Band King and Queen. All funds will be used by the Band Parents Club "to build a better band in this city." So the townspeople can see the plans for this year, the president Lyn Wrothen urges that the budget be kept in mind, which is: $800 for band trips, $600 for music, $1,100 for repairs, $2,787 new equipment, $180 music stands.

Mustang cheerleaders encourage everyone to attend a gala party with an exciting parade through town to the railroad depot, with a bonfire & pep rally. "Sponsoring members of the FCHS official pep cops [sic] are Misses Mimi Butler, Claudette Lindsey, Betty Jo Buford, Pam Daniel, Betty Bridgforth, Mary Catherine Walker, Ann Runyan, and Sandra Wood."

"The ever-present need among the less-fortunate pupils in the local school system is always more ominous as cld weather approaches...Of prime importance is the need for a pair of little boy's shoes - size 4 wide- for a youngster whose feet are almost "on the ground." Contact Mrs. Gene Flanagin, PTA Clothes Chest chairman or Mrs. Carroll McCown, the visiting teacher.

TB Who's Who for 1959: Lee & Fannie Satterfield of the Good Hope Community are saluted for their work on the Christmas seal sale. This year the seals will try to strike a blow at the 7,759 known cases of tuberculosis in Arkansas, an increase of 45 cases from 1958. Ark's death rate ranks 3rd highest in the nation and is nearly twice the national rate. Lee & Fannie stay busy with church, HD clubs, fishing, selling eggs, family, neighbors, friends & grandchildren. They say "give cheerfully and give promptly."

Next Monday, the Palette and Brush Club ("FC"s impresive art guild") will complete plans for a "manifold celebration of National Art Week" by giving an art exhibit and tea in the Clubroom at the Civic Center. Mrs. Louis Haven Jr., president, will preside at tea for art lovers while they browse. Miss Fredene Moseley chaired the art week celebration, assisted by Mrs. James Oursler, Mrs. Frank Woods and Mrs. Wendell Weed. Local artists have been invited to show at the Mid-South Exhibit at the Hotel Peabody in Memphis during National Art Week.

Girl Scouts Troop 145 met at the Girl Scout Room yesterday. Vicki Forrester served popcorn balls and "Cokes." After games, the group was dismissed.

Jaycees & Jaycettes will have a Halloween annual party tonight at the civic center. Madison School PTA will have sideshows and a variety show tonight at their annual Halloween Carnival where the Carnival King & Queen will be crowned.

Contributions to the Mary Smith Fund may be sent to the hospital, Stockton's grocery or Dr. McPhail. "The kind remembrances of friends are a great help to the family of the local teenager who is a patient at Forrest Memorial Hospital and has been ill for months."

Migrant farm laborers temporarily at home in this area will be greeted Saturday at the "Centro Mexicano" from 3-9 pm by the Presbyterians.

Ads of interest: Vandiver's Market Specials: Beef US Choice Sirloin Steak cut from select heavy beef, 89 cents/ pound, Bacon 49 cents/ pound. Playing at the Imperial: Richard Widmark & Donna Reed in "BACKLASH" In Technicolor! and Science Fiction "LOST MISSILE."

On Front Page:

Paul Class of '68: These clips are fascinating. In 1959 I was 9 years old and mainly into riding horses, shooting my BB gun, and watching "The Swamp Fox" on the Wonderful Wide World of Disney - so I didn't have any awareness of the brave stand that Symington took on this issue. I wasn't into girls yet (three sisters was enough at that age)...well, except that I gave Gigi Gilbreath a Half-Heart necklace - while she was apparently collecting them from several other "admirers" too!


When I read the clip, I wondered if Symington's Presidential Campaign was hurt by his refusal to speak (and raise funds) from segregated groups. Well...it WAS. Check it out: Wikipedia: Stuart Symington. How many of today's politicians (of ANY party) have the integrity to take such stands today?

By the way, if you google "The Swamp Fox" you will learn that the actor who had the role of Francis Marion was...drum roll please...Leslie Neilson!! LOL And if you remember some of his loyal men, you may have recognized Slim Pickens (later of Dr. Strangelove and Rancho Deluxe fame)!! If you never saw The Swamp Fox, check out this link. Wikipedia: The Swamp Fox TV Series.


I very much appreciate Walter's contribution with these clippings. I have hazy memories of the Donnie Kessinger-led Mustangs and the excitement of the game vs Stuttgart (I think I remember going to that game). And it was a trip reading Raoul Carlisle's sports column - what a unique style! And as I read it, his writing seemed more familiar with each sentence. I'm sure somewhere in the dusty recesses of my memory there is a recognition of other columns he wrote over the years.

These clippings provide a window into my childhood, but with an adult perspective. There were a lot of social, economic, and cultural changes going on in the Mid-South of the 1950s-60's - and small towns like Forrest City were not immune to the dynamics of the times. If you want to read an interesting and extremely well-written account of the kinds of cultural shifts that were going on, pick up Peter Guralnick's "Last Train to Memphis: the rise of Elvis Presley". If you didn't like Elvis before, you will after reading this. But more than a superb biography (part 1 of two parts), this book provides extraordinary observations of the social changes that were occuring all around us in the 1950s-60s in Forrest City and the Mid-South. And the book shows how Elvis's rise to fame was itself an example of the shifts that were occuring. Walter's clippings provide the same perspective to me. Thanks!

Mystery Flag

Bogie Class of '62: Does anyone remember what these were for?? I received two of them and don't remember what I did to earn them!! It couldn't have been much--but I do remember Pam Daniel, a freshman cheerleader coming to my homeroom to present them to me!! I was a lowly 8th grader and had not done anything! I do recall being very appreciative of her, a cheerleader, making a special trip to my room to give them to me. She probably had a bunch to deliver--but, of course, mine were special!!

Boy Scouts

From St Francis County Museum Website (See Links).
1910 Boy Scouts

Assuming these boys were from 10-16 years old, they were born from 1894-1900

Class of 1912 - 1928



Yep, that's my dad, Forrest Bogart, standing, second on the far right front. Cute, weren't he?? That's where I get my good looks!!! Daddy was born in 1899. Bogie

BOY SCOUTS (1953? 54? 55?)

This is Harris Hollingsworth's picture sent by Butch Ford. Participating in identifying pictures: Billy Lieblong, Ronald Davidson, Freddy Swan Marilane Sulcer Warr by way of Shannon Fogg Busby. (Apologies for any misspellings)

Lin's World

We have some gifted storytellers who grew up in our town. On Peach Fuzz Chronicles when a person sends several hard to catagorize entries, we honor them with their own column: Bogieland, Doraville, soon there will be Butchburg... and with the addition of "Lab Steals Baby Jesus" entry in December, we debuted: Lin's World (Lin Turner):

Summer of Love: 1967--In this Morning's SFChronicle, a series of analyses, interviews and memories about the Summer of Love continues in installment three. Carolyn Garcia, aka Mountain Girl, lived at 710 Ashbury( for those of you with Dead Head trivia bases, this was one move before Marin). She describes the coming of the crowds, "Like a farmer with an onion truck: once you start to unload it you can't stop it. People everywhere. Vegetables yearning to be free." from SFGate.com

March Mentions: Another month's worth of Obituary scanning has revealed the unfortunate names of Mordant Adler, NYTimes, on March 8 and Miracle Boom in the Commercial Appeal on March 9. I have to wonder what the latter thought of the Big Bang Theory. Stay tuned for April's winners. LPT


Feb Obit Winners: For such a short month February's obits offered up some superb holiday candidates for the Obit of the Month. Occasionally there are two names which must be declared joint winners. This month's winners seem curious as they were published in the month of St. Valentine's Day . On February 1, 2007, " The Forrest City Times Herald," ran the obituary of Mr. Love Draughon. On Feb. 15, the day after Valentine's , The "Commercial Appeal," reported on the passing of the late Ms. Hope Ender. I'd rather not think of these names is an example of romantic cause and effect ,but you never can tell.

Winter. Feb 1, 2007. Y'all, I have just come down from the roof where I enjoyed renewing my sensory connection to the grainy falling frozen stuff that passes for snow hereabouts...With the earflaps of my cap down, I looked like one of King Richard's men facing battle, if carved medieval tombs are to be believed. Twelve stories up in the open, snowy air, fortified with Vitamin V, this winter storm was a gift.. Looking at Memphis from it's center while Mombo Natura did her winter nasty will be a treasured, but cold, January Thursday memory to hold onto until mental decrepitude sets ... Damned shame that I can't draw this experience for posterity but nocturnal winter scenes are a true bitch. To those of you in warmer climes, Ppuhh! Tonight you lose.

Admin note: From Florida panhandle, Amen. I miss them.

January Obit Winners: First prize for unusual, wild or musical names culled from the obituaries in January goes to the late Treva Serda Pirtle whose life was summaried in the Jan., 14, 2007, Tennessean. The second place winner was Morteza Shalambasha of Memphis, who was written up in the Jan., 14, 2007, Commercial Appeal. Honorable mention goes to Almeter Bonapart, late of West Memphis, Arkansas, whose obit appeared in the Jan., 31, 2007, Commercial Appeal. James Worthy Canter receives notice for the unfortunate place names in his life. He was born in Difficult, Tennessee and died in Defeated Creek, Tennessee. Tennessean, Jan., 24,2007. Your submissions with attributions are always welcomed.

Boys State

Spring 1959. Forrest City Times Herald
(Retyped from the original article ...including typos... by Butch Ford '60):

American Legion Announces Boys State Delegates

The American Legion, King Beazley Post No. 4, takes pleasure in announcing the names of boys with their sponsors to Boys State which will be held at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Saturday, May 30 through Saturday June 6, 1959. The Legion would like to take this opportunity to thank the civic clubs, business firms, and individuals for their generosity and cooperation in sponsoring a boy and giving him the opportunity to participate in this splendid youth program. The following are the delegates and their sponsors: Don Kessinger, Lions Club; Mike Deaderick, Junior Chamber of Commerce; Danny Harrelson, Chamber of Commerce; Ronnie Danehower, Woodruff Electric Co.Doug Smith, East Arkansas Oil Co.; Phil Hicky, Rotary Club; Duane Stephens, American Legion; Philip Walker, Zero Butane Gas Co.; Stevie Stevens, Coca Cola Bottling Co.Billy Lieblong, E. Snyder and Co.; Fred Swan, Fred Swan; Bill Clark, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co.; Tommy Ferguson, Ferguson Drug Store; Mike Graham, American Legion.George Trusty, St. Francis Material Co.; Joe McCown, Crawley-Cogburn Clinic; Larry Fleming, Vaccaro-Grobmyer Lumber Co.; Donald Simpson, American Legion; John Oskowis, American Legion. James Irwin, Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co.; Bobby Doty, Planters Bank and Trust Co.; Bernard Ford, Nesbitt Bottling Co.; Willie(sp.) Kent Montgomery, Kiwanis Club; Ollie Warren, Carl Campbell. Bob White, unfortunately, was disqualified as a delegate due to a broken arm.

Merry Christmas!

(Admin Note: We enjoyed this Email to the Blog from a Tennessee resident who spent Christmas Day in Forrest City this year visiting his mother).


Lin: At the rainiest point of a cold, blustery Christmas day, a neighbor flagged me down as I headed out the lane from my mom's house . She asked if I had seen a chocolate lab run by. While standing at a window some minutes earlier she had seen an unknown lab walk into her yard, make it's way up to the creche and abscond with the Baby Jesus. Poor Baby Jesus! It's tough going from the Prince of Peace one minute to dog food the next. Especially when it's on your birthday.

Admin: I heard this DIRTY DAWG was last seen running North East towards New Jersey, See...

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/182/story_18232_1.html




Class of 62
(from Bogie's scrapbook)

Janet Findley: We have new Christmas decorations in Forrest City but no decorations seem to compare to the strings of colored lights strung across Washington in downtown Forrest City during the Christmas season when I was growing up. It was magical. I remember working at Fussell's late on Christmas Eve because that was when husbands came to shop for their wives. I also remember about 8th or 9th grade buying monogrammed handkerchiefs at Taylor Casbeer for a boyfriend. Times have changed.

Bogie Class of 62: Hi, Janet! I remember shopping in downtown Forrest City at Christmas also! Mom and Dad never had a great deal of money--we were better off than most, but never spent much on Christmas gifts--and Mom gave me ten whole dollars whith which to do my shopping! That included gifts for Mom, Dad, my Sister and Grandmother--that ten bucks had to go a looooooooong way! I usually purchased all my gifts at the Broadway Drug Store cause they had something for everyone! Mom got a bottle of "My Sin", Dad got "Old Spice" aftershave, my Sister got a manicure set and I bought my Grandmother a pink handkerchief. I remember taking all my treasures home and sneaking them in the back door of that old house--which wasn't easy--the steps creaked and the door squealed! I took everything in my room and brought out the wrapping paper, tape and tags. I thought I was so grown--(I was eleven)--cause I had never done my very own Christmas shopping before. Everything was wrapped and put under the tree by me--maybe not so neatly--but still by me. I remember that first Christmas in FC was a bunch of fun--we went to the grocery store on Division Street to pick out our tree--a big one since the living room in our house was so big! That turned into an every year event! We always had bubble lights plus colored lights and all the family heirloom decorations on the tree--Mom had a big lighted Santa she sat in the living room window. And every Christmas morning, Santa would have been there--even after I was grown. I have always been asked if I "believed in Santa Clause" and I would say "of course I do". I had been told that when you stop believing in Santa, he stops coming and I didn't want to take a chance!!! He's still coming!!

LINKS

LINKS YOU MIGHT ENJOY ABOUT FORREST CITY

Airport: http://arkansas.airportbug.org/airport-1111.html
Chamber of Commerce: http://www.forrestcitychamber.com/

College: Crowleys Ridge Tech Inst http://www.crti.tec.ar.us/
College: East Ark Community College http://www.eacc.edu/default.htm

Crime Rate:

http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Forrest+City&state=AR

Geneology Research: http://rootsweb.com/~arcforre/

Judges: http://www.firstjudcirar.org/judges.htm

Library: http://www.forrestcitylibrary.org/

Museum info:

http://www.arkansasmediaroom.com/news-releases/listings/display.asp?id=69
Museum Website: http://www.sfcmuseum.org/

News, blogger: http://www.topix.com/city/forrest-city-ar

Newspaper, local: http://www.thnews.com/

Prison, Federal: http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/fox/index.jsp

Radio Station: http://www.kxjk.com/

Photographs, historical: http://www.sfcmuseum.org/images.htm

Schools, Public: http://mustang.grsc.k12.ar.us/

School, Private:

http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Arkansas/ForrestCity/CalvaryChristianSchool.html
Weather: http://www.rssweather.com/wx/us/ar/forrest%20city/wx.php
White Pages: http://www.whitepages.com

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_City,_Arkansas

If you have another good link or a comment about a link, please send. Thanks.

Your Contributions to Geneology Research will be Appreciated Here:






http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcforre/
Did you know about the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 in Forrest City? You'll find it mentioned here. Want to see tombstones of the cemetaries and names? You'll find it here. This 1935 picture (left) of peach workers came from here. Paul V. Isbell has a great site dedicated to gathering historical information on Rootsweb, which is the #1 resource for geneology research. Here you will find some pictures, history, fascinating biographies of people and families dating back to the 1830's and info about cemetaries (including pictures of gravestones). Paul is seeking contributors to help others in doing family research so if you have historical information, this is a great place to preserve it.

Paul Isbell, Class of 58: Thanks for your comment in your blog about the Forrest City/St.Francis County Website on Rootsweb. Any and all information will be appreciated. Presently in process of updating the Forrest Park Cemetery with about 700 new entries from pictures taken at the cemetery. Any obits or other memories about these people would be acceptable! (Just go to the link above).

Class of 67

40 YEAR CLASS REUNION IS JULY 20th. Contact Jimmy Hargraves if you need more info. Last notice to sign up was sent out recently...if you didn't get one, then there's a problem with your address.

1997 Reunion.
This photo along with names was posted by Susie Gibbs Stephens on the Rootsweb (geneology) website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcforre/FCHS1967.html

In Memory of...

Here is a place to say something about those of us or parts of us who aren't here anymore.

ALICE ANN DEROSSIT

Dora '68: I would like to pay tribute to the greatest teacher I have had. She was one of those teachers who could stay in control of the class and be your friend at the same time. She made history come to life and learning fun. I will always remember her sitting on her stool at the front of the room and dramatically telling history as she held me in awe! Her sense of humor was second to none. I think of her often.

KATHERINE LEFTWICH 1920-2007
Sula '68: A rare, grand person whose sparkling heart and hands indelibly touched generations of young people growing up in Forrest City. So many of us were positively influenced, deeply touched by her involvement in our lives...however small or large. She is and was loved by so many... a lady with integrity, a professional woman, an icon for young people. And so much more. I agree with David Nichols. We will not see the likes of her again -- on or off newsprint. Our hearts are heavy but what a wonderful life to celebrate.

From an Editorial by David Nichols: Times-Herald. 1-18-07
"I have said in conversations that Katherine is part of a vanishing breed — the small town society editor. And she is. But Katherine is more. She is one of a kind, an original. There’s no one else like her, and that’s our loss. She might be succeeded in her job, but she’ll never be replaced. An era is ending, and the Lifestyle page will not see her like again."

As to Katherine's social columns, just one of her many talents, she had a wider audience than many know. When I was in law school in 1980-83 in Fort Lauderdale, I subscribed to the Times-Herald. One day my torts professor picked it up off my editor's desk in the law school newspaper office and thumbed through it. He stopped at one point and sat down to finish reading an article. "Do you have more of these?" he asked. I said sure and he wanted them delivered to him weekly when I had finished. Professor Rooke-Ley is a Hastings (U of CA) law school graduate from a blue-blood, San Francisco society family; a civil rights activist published in one of the Harvard Law Journals. "May I ask what interests you about this small town paper?" I inquired, expecting something scholarly. To my surprise, he responded, "Mrs. Leftwich's social columns. She's simply marvelous." Thereafter for two years I regularly delivered a stack to him. When I graduated he told me he would miss me... and Mrs. Leftwich, too.

http://www.thnews.com/article.php?id=1420
http://www.thnews.com/article.php?id=1392
http://www.thnews.com/article.php?id=1404

Class of 56

Raymond Davis

Class of 60

Butch Ford: The following names are members of the Class of 1960 who graduated or would have graduated with us. Some died well before 1960 and others afterwards. The total of 27 was entered in the reunion document as of February, 2005. Due to my uncertainty as to the married names of the ladies, all are listed as they were in school. There may have been others to be added to the list since 2005, but I am unaware of their names.

Ann Bargery

Elizabeth Borden

Rebecca Canaday

Bill Clark

Marie Cook

Betty June Davis

Marie Dearington

Charles Deere

Bobby Doty

Wallace Emerson

Logan Evans

Tommy Ferguson

Melinda Garrison

Diane Gibbs

Roy Hall

Tommy Higgs

Dorothy Hood

Carrol Huff

Evan Dean (Sambo) Hughes

Mary Bob Lindsey

Eleanor Manley

Joe McCowan

Vernia Mercer

Stevie Stevens

Larry Sulcer

Sheila Sweet

Phillip Walker

Class of 62

Bogie: If anyone knows of more names I should have please let me know by e-mail or the blog. I keep a record in our scrapbook so those attending our reunions will get the information.
Kay Britt, died before graduation in 1962
Eddie Anderson

Bogie: He was one of the sweetest guys ever to graduate from FCHS! He was a friend to all and was always a helping hand to those in need. Eddie passed away in 1983 after a short bout with cancer. We've missed him at every get-together we've had over the years since his death. He'll always have a special place in the hearts of his fellow classmates.

George Padgett, 1983
Richard Trail, 1984
Earnest Adamson, 1992
Leon Presley, 1992
Kenny Bokker, 1994
Diane Clark, 1995
Claude Ramsey, 1997
Patsy Knight, 1999
Thomas Chapman, 1999
Douglas Kimble, 2000
Louise Jones, 2001
Donna Halbert, 2002
Karen Sutton, 2004
Peggy Gustavus, 2004
Patsy Taylor, 2004
Clara Faye Baldwin, 2005
Ricky Stephens, 2006

Class of 63

Francis C. "Binky" Wall, Dec 2006 (Not sure of class, someone help)

Class of 64
Donna Stephens-Schmidt 11/14/1993

Class of 65
Joe Hodges
Bobby Snow Hargraves
Ken Holamon, 1993
Linda Flanagin Jumper

Dora Class of '68: I wanted to say something about my sister, Lynda Flanagin Jumper. I recently saw Sally Bridgforth over the holidays and she told me a beautiful story about seeing my sister in the late seventies at a golf tournament. I will not share the story as Sally may want to do so herself. Basically it conveyed what a beautiful person she was both physically and spiritually. I was fortunate to have had Lynda as a sister. Three grades ahead of me, she never treated me like a tag along. She was always good to my friends and they all loved her as well. There were over 900 people who attended her funeral. African Americans, rich, poor, middle class all in attendance. This was Lynda. She touched hearts of people from all socio economic areas of life. Her love was genuine. She was recognized three years after her death by the American Heart Association in Jonesboro. I was invited to speak on her behalf. It was the greatest honor I had ever had to be able to honor my sister. It is people like Lynda who once again assure me of a Heaven in that the likes of her will always live on. I love you Lynda.

Janya Moore

Dora Class of '68: I would also like to say what a great person Janya Moore was. When I was 15, I had a date with her brother Don to have dinner at her house with Janya and her date along with Amy Devereaux and her date. She reminded me of my sister in that she made me feel so welcome. I had always heard my sister talk about what a great person Janya was and I learned that day exactly why she was. She had a warmth about her that you could feel. When she died maybe a year and a half later, I can remember thinking how a young, wonderful person can be taken so soon. I guess we never know the answer but in the time she lived she left her mark on this earth. Everyone who knew Janya loved her.

Class of 66

Tom Baldwin (not sure of class, someone help)

Neva Jean Gibson, 1989
Warren Lincoln Lalman, 1989 in NYC

Class of 67

J. W. Brock, Jan 08, 2005
Stanley Cothern
Jerry Culver, Feb 21, 2002
Chester Hill, Feb 10, 1969 (Vietnam)
James E. Honeycutt, Feb 17, 1968 (Vietnam)
Aubrey Jolley, June 1983
Mike Jones, 1997
James Edward (Jimbo) Justiss, 1994
Jane Leiting, 1988
Patrick "Pappy" Mason, May 28, 2004
Lou Rice-Douglas, April 10, 2007
Jimmy Robbins, Nov 20, 2004
Bill Sidle, May 28, 1992
Ronnie Spivey, Sept 27, 1987

Paulette Wright-Cothern, May 6, 2001

Class of 68

Gary Dwayne Adams

Gary Christian, 1986

Larry Eugene Cummings, 2005

Harry Siesel Dreyfus

Tom Joe (Tommy) Floyd, Jr., 1991

John Duncan (Butch) Henley, IV, 2002

Virginia (Gin Gin) Jones Wright, 2006

Linda Zell McKee

Thomas Eugene (Tommy) Melton, 1991

Dorothy Mitchell, 1994

Victor C. (Vic) Paseur, 1989

Sula Class of 68: When I was in Mrs. Graham's 5th grade class there was a new boy in the class some of us, especially the girls, were a little curious about. He was of slight build, with sandy, straight hair. He had a slightly dissheveled look, not sloppy; he was almost delicate but not girlie. He didn't goof around with the guys and was quiet all the time with his head leaned over his desk so closely his nose could almost touch it... always doing something on paper. His name sounded foreign. I wondered if he was from France. From time to time I tried to engage him in chit chat and he was polite but not interested. Of course that piqued my curiosity even further. I studied him intensely because there was something unusually exotic or maybe hauntingly shy about him that I couldn't understand.

One day we had to do a round of self introductions to the class..."My name is___ and I like ____." When it came to Vic's turn he said he liked horses. The teacher asked him to hold up a drawing...one of the things he was doing with his head buried on the desk so much. Most of us gasped out loud. He had drawn a horse from memory that was perfectly proportioned with a rendering more mature than some adult artists. I could hardly believe it was his own. But it was. Being a wannabe artist myself from a young age, I was now enthralled. All year I tried to promote a friendship. I found out where he lived (by the old train viaduct) and came close to going up to his house after school to ask for him but never did. I believe Lou was successful in visiting Vic after school and I was envious. Vic just seemed to be serious, aloof and introverted and I didn't know how to deal with that. As the years passed, he and I travelled in our own little worlds which never converged. In high school an art class was offered for the first time; taught by Mr. Isom, our genial, first African-American teacher (who was stationed in a classroom under the football stadium, which was large enough for art projects). Vic's work was always light years above everyone's...I could manage only a very distant second to him sometimes. In college and thereafter from South Florida I would occasionally ask a hometown person about Vic and was told he had become a commercial artist in Memphis. That thrilled me vicariously to hear that...because I hadn't and would have liked to do the same.

Some 20 years later I moved to Memphis in the early 1990's. I thought of Vic and began to inquire around the Memphis art community about him. I wanted to visit with him and especially to see the wonderful artwork I knew he would have been creating. I was so looking forward to seeing how his talent had developed since we were kids; so excited that he had become a professional artist. I was crushed to learn that Vic had died just a few years earlier. They said he was a fine artist and was known among artists in the city. So I never got to know Vic. Whether I could have bridged the gap with him as an adult that I could not do as a young person--I will never know. Vic -- and his talent-- died too soon. In a strange way, it was like a little dream of my own had been fulfilled by his accomplishments...and would be mourned with his passing. I wish I could have told him so before he left.

Thomas Threat

Gary Michael West, 1992

Joe Ed Whittenton, 1969

James Andrew (Andy)Wood, 1972

Daniel Sprott, son of Jan Greene Class of 68: I would like to encourage everyone to remember Jan in the recent loss of her beautiful son, Daniel. He was a very Special person who touched my life in the few times I was around him The family has honored him with a blog and if you take the time to read it, it will warm your heart with the meaning of what a loving family is all about. It is www.danielsprott.blogspot.com. Even if you never met Daniel, you will feel you knew him after reading what a wonderful example he was of what life is all about. Love ya Jan, Dora



Class of 69

Larry Couch

Mike Cureton

Mago Long Nelson

Frank Shackelford, 1979

Sue Sutton

Class of 70
Mike Clark

Jan Holt
Randy James
Ike McCain, 1969
Betta (Bebe) Shackelford Volkamer, 2005


Class of 71
James Childress
Julie Christianson Kleier
Keith Couch
Craig Eldridge
Tom Hoffman
Russell Pettus
Johnny Poe
Frank Shackleford
William Walters
Kathy Whitlatch
Randy West


Class of 73
Ben Harris

Class of 78
Marie Ross, Jan. 2007

Class of 81

Brenda Holmes McClendon

Class of 83

Deedra Rosamond

Choir and Band

We have gotten a few mentions in other categories about choir. We probably have a lot of stories to share about choir and band...particularly the trips. So we are creating this special category just for those stories.

Sula Class of 68: If I had any musical talent at all, I surely would have become a professional musician. From the time I could walk, it was all about pop music in my family. My father played trombone, trumpet, piano, ocarina and 3 different kinds of harmonica. My mother played piano, organ, clarinet. My grandmother played piano and organ. My uncle played drums. Everyone sang-- in harmony always and in perfect pitch. So it would have been a source of family shame had I not been in the band or choir in school. What an amazing group of talented and dedicated music teachers we had. And such colorful personalities too.

Mr. John "Music Man" Henley started a new program in 6th grade where you could take band lessons. Since my mother still had her clarinet from her school band days, I chose that. Bad choice because I was asthmatic and buck-toothed with heavy braces to boot. Something to bang on would have been more appropriate. I was taking piano lessons too and favored that over the clarinet. At least the piano doesn't stink the more you play it. And that spit valve thingy-- so gross! I was lazy about practicing both. But the more you practiced the clarinet the nastier those reeds got and you had to change them. Tish Harrison was first chair on clarinet. I would stop by her house after school sometimes hoping her aura might rub off on me so I wouldn't have to practice.

One Monday morning I got to school and realized I didn't have my instrument. I figured I must have left it at home. In band practice, Mr. Henley started a tune but then stopped the whole class and from his podium pointed at me with his baton and asked why I wasn't playing. You know when you are 12 years old, fat with a mouth full of braces, things like that are why God endows children with strong bladders. My shame and humiliation was only beginning.
"I left my clarinet at home."
Mr. Henley: "Really? Are you sure about that?"
On the verge of an asthma attack, I whispered "Yes, sir."
Mr. Henley: "Well tell me something. Did you practice this weekend?"
Like a cheerful leaking tire -- "Yes, sir" (my mind was racing -- did I? Hell no you didn't, you never do -- well I can't remember-- I know I practiced one weekend one time - say anything, something).
Mr. Henley: "About how long would you say you practiced, how many hours this weekend?"
At this point I was just a robot saying anything just to get him to shut up and leave me alone. The whole band was staring at me watching the word volley between us like a tennis match, waiting for the smashing blow.
"I don't know, I guess about 4 hours."
Mr. Henley: "Are you sure it was that much- 4 hours?"
"I think so, yeah, about 3-4 hours...2 on Saturday and 1-2 on Sunday."
Mr. Henley: "Would that have been Sunday afternoon or night?"
(I prayed: LORD PLEASE DELIVER ME!)

"uh...Sunday night."

Finally I get delivered -- to the chopping block: hog tied, tarred, feathered and strung up to endure deafening jeering and hooting from all the band members.

Mr. Henley reached under the podium and held up my clarinet case and smiled like mule in a briar patch: "Well, Sula-- that must have been a long 4 hours of a practice -- without your instrument -- because it's been sitting in my office all weekend."

I always liked Mr. Henley and I thought what he did was pretty funny-- many years later. It wasn't because of this incident that I didn't join band the next year but Mr. Henley was not my favorite teacher! Things seem to go the way they should -- because not being in the band gave me the chance to take piano lessons from a delightful, kind (true) lady-- Katherine Leftwich -- and to be in the choir with A.F. Thomas-- and that wonderful, talented music man provided me with greatest experiences of all my school years and I still thank him for the lasting impression 40 years later. I never had talent but due to the great music teachers in Forrest City, along with talented family members, I learned the spiritual value of the pure joy and happiness of musical expression.

Bogie Class of 62: I recall a great choir trip to Hot Springs for one of the competitions in which we were so fortunate to be able to participate. When I was a sophomore, I was in choir with Danny Harrelson, Stevie Stevens, Booger Montgomery and Jim Finch, all seniors.

Our trip was uneventful until we had been at the motel for a couple of hours. Then, there were several of us girls that got a treat when we walked into our rooms and found all our clothing hanging in the shower with the hot water running full blast! The room was filled with steam, our eyes were burning and we couldn't see anything! Of course we turned off the hot water only to discove our clothes soaking from the steam--we had to just leave them hanging--some of the wrinkles actually fell out and we were able to wear everything without too much ironing.

Some of us went walking around the motel, went into some of the other girls rooms and gathered them up to come out for a walk. A walk, just a walk is all we wanted to do! Some of the guys had different ideas! Oh they let us walk alright--we could hear them calling, "Hey what'y'all doin?" We went over toward the sound of the voices--right in front of their rooms--in the doorway--Danny Harrelson and Stevie Stevens in their skivies!! You can imagine the silliest girls in the whole world--and we were them! You could hear the "tee-hee's" for a mile! Everyone got a kick out of it and we were on cloud nine--just to think, the guys would give us such a treat!! I loved choir!

Butch Class of 60: Bogie,That was a terrific choir story. I was on that trip, too. Frankly, I'm crushed you don't remember me. I was a tenor. The Mustang choir was so big that it took two Greyhound buses to get us to the festival. When the bus pulled out of the bus station, I remember Gloria Fields, whose father was a Church of God pastor and totally opposed to any kind of makeup on women, pulling out the lipstick and eye shadow and getting the "look" for the trip to Hot Springs.

We stayed at Wright's Motel. We must have occupied every room. It was a typical motor court of the 1940-50's period. The driveway was a U-shape with the connected rooms arranged around the outside of the U and a raised swimming pool in the middle. I think there must have been at least 6 kids staying in each room. Mr. Thomas was in a room near the entry in a vain attempt to keep an eye on all of us.

Our primary song for the competition was "Hallelujah Chorus." We always really nailed that number. With Patsy Pettus and Barbara Trimm leading a great soprano section, it was really stirring. We got a standing ovation from the hundreds of other choir members sitting in the audience. We were really proud of ourselves.

Now, back to the fun and games. I have a lot of memories of some really fun and funny happenings on that trip. I DON'T remember the steamy episode or the skivvies incident. Both sound hilarious. There was a lot of sneaking back and forth with guys trying to sneak into girls rooms. Mr. Thomas got very little rest, much less sleep. There was a bakery down the street where a lot of kids went during the trip for extra goodies. Late one night, a bunch of us (me, Mike Deaderick, Danny Harrelson, Stevie Stevens, and several others) went to the bakery and got big plastic bags full of day-old donuts, creme-filled stuff and other goodies for give-away prices.

We all went back to, I don't remember, probably my room. We ate that sweet, gooey stuff till we were sick of it. Someone threw a chocolate covered donut at a mirror. It stuck there. Another creme-filled donut hit the wall. It stuck there, too. Suddenly, the air was filled with flying pastries. I remember Mike Deaderick throwing a peach-filled donut up at the ceiling fan. The fan splattered the filling around on the wall. The laughter was audible all over the motel. Of course, Mr. Thomas came running. The rooms didn't have a back door. It did have a bathroom window and several guys bailed out of the window. It was my room along with Mike and a couple of others. We had no place to go, so we caught most of the blame.

"Clean this mess up," Mr. Thomas roared. He didn't think it was funny at all. It took a couple of hours to clean up the mess. It also took all of our towels and wash cloths. The motel people wouldn't give us any clean ones. Oh, one more thing. Jimmy Finch was a junior that year. And, are you sure, absolutely certain that Booger was in the choir?

The City Pool

BJ Class of 68: One of my fondest memories of growing up in Forrest City was spending the whole summer at the city swimming pool. For $50 you could buy a season pass and swim all day every day through June, July and August. It was a big pool with four separate sections.

Each summer as I grew up I took swimming lessons. You started out in the shallow end, which was half-moon shaped. There you just learned to put your face under water and gradually get used to going under water in about two feet of water. Next you graduated to the south section that was about four feet deep and had some monkey bars you could swim around. You learned to glide and kick there. After that, you moved down to the west end of that section of the pool where it was the same depth but no monkey bars to hang onto. On around the pool you progressed each year until finally you were good enough to swim in the deep section in the middle where the diving boards were. By the time I got to high school I was back in the shallow end again, this time as an instructor teaching little three year olds to put their faces in the water.

I loved to swim and always went every day and stayed until closing time at 6:00. I would ride my bike there, my dog running along with me. While I spent the day swimming, he hung out on the other side of the fence under the shade trees until I was ready to go home.

I remember having crushes on the life guards and jumping off the high dive. And, I remember that on a regular basis the pool had to be completely drained and refilled. We hated that because the next day the water was always icy cold.

Anybody remember playing Marco Polo? What fun times we had at the city pool.

(Admin note: Pictures above are similar to F.C. pool but not actual. Anyone have any real ones?)

Butch Class of 60: I was re-reading the pool comments and a couple of other things came to mind. I remember Ollie Warren, among others, doing crazy "dives" off the high dive. Ollie would launch himself in any kind of twisting, somersaulting, flipping thing that could never be referred to as a dive. He would wear a cut off sweat shirt or a T-shirt to protect his back from the frequent pancake landings. There were others, but Ollie was king of the comic dives. I think he also tried some serious diving, maybe in some competitions. Anyone remember that? A few years later, Ollie was part of a trampoline/tumbling troup that entertained basketball crowds at Arkansas State during half-time.

The other memory, isn't so happy. I remember when we were in maybe the sixth or seventh grade, Don Kelly, an older brother of one of our classmates, Jerry, drowned at the pool. He was doing some kind of stunt in the deep end with some other guys. The life guards usually would whistle you away from the back of the deep end, under the diving boards, but they were unaware that Don and his buddies were fooling around down there. I don't know what the object of the stunt was, but they were trying to stay under for a long time. About half way down the pool wall, there was an open port where the very strong filter pump would pull water out of the pool. It was about nine inches across. Don stuck his knee into the port to help him retain his position down deep. The suction prevented him from pulling his knee out and he was unable to get to the surface. The life guards and others frantically took turns diving down and trying to pull him out... Finally, someone turned off the pump, but it was too late. It was a traumatic thing for everyone in town. I never felt right in the pool afterwards. They put a grid-like cover over the exhaust port, but kids stayed away from that area of the pool for a long time.

Riding Around

Click to hear "Run Around Sue- Dion 1961
Bogie Class of 62: The same response many a parent got from their teenager as they bolted for the door--"Where are you going?" they would ask. "Riding around." we would answer with our eyes rolling. "What else is there to do?"

Well, our parents weren't idiots!! They knew exactly what else there was to do!! They could only imagine what this "work of art" would be up to for the next 3 or 4 hours.

My friends and I didn't have a car to drive around in so we had to depend on the guys we ran into at the pool, the tennis courts, or the little league baseball fields. Most of them had a car, or something similar. I recall one evening (I say evening because I didn't stay out very late without a date), (oh good grief, Bogie, tell the truth!), my buds and I ran into a bunch of guys at the tennis courts during the summer of our Jr. year at FCHS. I sat in the front seat with (hey, Butch, remember this?) Butch Ford and we "rode around" FC for a little while. Someone was in the back seat--Cathy Rosica and some guy--I can't remember who he was! Anyway, we had the radio on, of course, listening to WABG, (or was it WHBQ) oh well, I was just singing along with all the songs and having such a great time waving at everyone--(I felt so privileged to be riding with Butch--I wanted everyone to notice! Well, "Mr. Butch" didn't like the sound coming from the other side of the car and "nudged" me on the arm--"Let THEM sing it!" he said.

From then on, I have always remembered that night, uh evening, and every time I sing along with the music, I think of Butch and sing just as loud as my ears can stand it!

CLASS of 61

Stephens Gets Scholarship To Tulane

Charles W. Stephens, son of Mr. and Mrs.R. B. Stephens, 502 Tennessee, has been awarded a scholarship to Tulane University school of law at New Orleans. A senior at Arkansas State Teachers College, Conway, Stephens will receive $940 a year for tuition. The regional scholarship is renewable for three years. The award was based on the academic record and the recommendations of faculty and administration members. Majoring in history with a minor in English, Stephens plans to be an attorney. At ASTC he served four semesters in the student senate, was president of the freshman class and summer school, president of the student body and president of the Wesley Foundation. He also was elected to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities."

Charles is a '61 grad from FCHS!

Sports: Vintage Basketball

From St Francis County Museum Website (See Links)
1909 Can anyone identify these Peach Queens?


1964

Sportsmanship award--Senior Randy Laws, the only member of the Mustang basketball team named to the All-State AA-AAA basketball team, and coach Ed Henderson, hold the Sportsmanship trophy awarded the Mustangs at the State AA-AAA tournament Saturday night at Little Rock. The Mustangs tied with El Dorado and both teams were given the awards, the second won by Forrest City High School. (Contributed by Bogie Class of 62)

CLASS of 63

Judy Bounds, later, Mrs. Burl Leiblong, later, well I don't know!! Gylinda's little sister, class of '63!! Bogie

CLASS of 56

This is one guy that is really missed--we lost Raymond Davis, class of '56 in 2001. He knew how to party and did! I knew Raymond when he was trying to "squire" my sister--I was secretly wishing he was after me--in 1956 just after we moved to FC. My sister married Jerry Mahan, one of Raymond's best friends in Feb. of '57 and Raymond married my best friend, Cathy Rosica, in 1965. What a world!!! Bogie

Short-Shorts: Kenny Archer

Wow! My sister Mary (Archer) Wilson sent me a copy and I just loved it. I am Kenneth E. Archer (Kenny) and am a United Methodist pastor in Quitman, Texas. Please put me on the mailing list.

Also, Bogie, I guess my age is catching me. There I was sitting beside you at the Jr. Sr. Prom in 1962. You were a Sr. and I was a Jr. Now, the $64 question...who are you?...I don't recall you being Bogie, but then I don't go by "Kenny" any more.

Keep up the great work.

Now for a short story. About six or seven years ago I was driving from Houston up towards Lufkin, Texas. I was channel surfing the radio and then it happened. I began to hear play by play radio announcing of a Forrest City Mustangs football game. I almost wrecked my car! I believe the game was against Conway, Ar. The "Stangs" were winning. The reception was as clear as a Caldwell night sky for a few minutes and then it was gone. Talk about an attack of nostalgia! Go Mustangs!

For those who would like to contact me, please email kearcher1009@yahoo.com

Ken E. Archer

True Confessions

Butch Class of 60: Now, folks, I know there have GOT to be more episodes in our collective lives that deserve, that need, to be confessed. A cleansing of the psyche, so to speak. These four or five little minor league confessions haven't even scratched the surface. So, fess up out there. Let's hear some juicy, heartfelt confessions. You don't even have to use your name or the names of the innocent.
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Recognizing that confession can cleanse the soul, Peach Fuzz offers a forum for those seeking pardon for childhood offenses. Although we cannot offer divine forgiveness, we believe that fessing up, spiced with a dash of wisdom-with-age makes for good humble pie. You can rank the severity by sending us the Offense # and from 1-5 rotten peaches. (Oh one more thing... play nice. Don't confess for anyone else).

1. I was so ashamed that I was a part of this so many years ago... There was a very nice preacher that made a talk for about 15 or 20 minutes... seein' as tho we had no teacher with us that day in the bleachers, Mr. McClure's homeroom class ...disrupted the whole program by moving about in the bleachers, pea-shooting wads of paper, laughing and talking.

2. When I got married I was just 19 and I got so many nice gifts from people in town but moved right after the wedding and lost the book with the list of gifts, addresses. I did not send thank you notes to everyone who sent gifts. I have lived with this guilt almost 40 years and want to apologize.

3. I would stoop to anything to get to go the movies. I lied to my mother & told her Splendor in the Grass was a nature film. I lied to Margie & told her Psycho was a comedy. She went into the bathroom & threw up & wouldn't come out until the end. I abandoned her & watched the rest of the movie. She was scarred for life.

4. Back in the summer between 9th and 10th grade, I went to Baptist Church Camp at Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Danny Gestring and I got a ride back from camp as far as Wynne with some girls from there. A couple of weeks later, we heard that those same girls were at the Methodist Church Camp on Bear Creek Lake. Apparently, these girls really liked church camps.

You know we had to get down to Bear Creek before the weekend. Neither one of us could get a car, but I did have access to my Dad's delivery truck for a little local running around. This truck had a cover on the back to protect the groceries we delivered to our customers. "Ford's Food Center" was boldly printed on both sides. On Thursday afternoon (do you remember when most stores closed in FC on Thursday afternoons in the Summer?), we took the top off to protect our anonymity, left it in Danny's side yard, and lit out for Marianna and the promised land.

In a rented a boat and motor, we found the camp across the lake and went ashore trying to act like we belonged. There were Methodists everywhere, mostly of the female persuasion, and all wore the same camp T-shirt. Well, of course Butch and Dan the Baptists stood out like....like Baptists at a Methodist Church Camp. We started asking anyone within reach about the two girls from Wynne. Before we made contact, a "grownup" escorted us back to our boat and watched closely as we motored out of sight. Did we do good, or what?

When we got back to the truck, it wouldn't start. I cranked it till the battery died. No luck. Now, I'm beginning to fear for my future. A man parked next to us offered us a PULL back to Mariana. Do you remember that the road out to Bear Creek was gravel? In midsummer it was really dusty, too. When we got back to Marianna, the man dropped us at the service station on the corner. The cab of the truck had about two inches of dust inside, about four inches in the bed and maybe an inch or two on Danny and me. There we were, stuck in Marianna with a truck that wouldn't run, nasty as coal miners, and it was getting dark. That was bad enough, except, did I mention that my Dad didn't know I had taken his truck out of town?

My prospects in life were dwindling rapidly. Then, suddenly, out of the darkness came my hero. Well, actually it was Tommy Devazier and Buddy Shoemake in Devazier's little Chevy coup with the extra loud mufflers. Not exactly two guys who were on my hero list at the time, but they were from Forrest City and they agreed to pull me and my lame truck back to FC for $10. We had an old and badly frayed rope in the truck. It broke four times and got shorter each time a new knot was tied. Most of the trip was made with about two feet between our bumpers.

He dropped the truck and the two "nasty boys" at City's Service Station around midnight. I called my brother, Charles, who came to pick us up. Overnight, the guys at the service station literally hosed out the interior of the truck and cleaned out all the dust. They found the loose coil wire that stranded us.

Next morning, Dad wakes me up with, "Hey, where's the truck?" Truthfully, I replied, "I had to have it towed to the service station last night after I couldn't get it to start when I got ready to come home." He never did find out about our little adventure. I realize that this doesn't qualify as a really, really bad thing, but I still haven't told my Dad. He might whup me good.

5. When I was in high school, my mom always expected me to have my room clean every day before I left for school... one morning during homeroom the whole school heard this announcement over the intercom from the office, "P_____, please come to the office, P____ , come to the office." Everyone in the class looked at me and asked, "What have you done now?" ...the only reply from me was "I don't know!" I knew I had done something, I just didn't know what! As all eyes glazed at me, I gathered up my books for my first period class and headed for the office. I felt like I was about an inch tall. I must have looked like I had just been caught with my hand in the cookie jar! I was all sweetness and innocence when I arrived at the office, Ms Montgomery told me to have a seat and wait for Mr. Hawley, he wanted to talk to me. About that time I looked up and through the front window I saw my mother's '57 Ford heading down the street in front of the school! I couldn't imagine what could have been coming next! Mr. Hawley summoned me from his office and I went in. He said "P___, your mother just came by to give me an excuse for you to leave school---go home and make your bed!" ...My mother had driven all the way to my school to advise the principal that I had to go home to clean up my room! ...I walked home, about 6 blocks, made up my bed, hung up my clothes, and walked back. From then on I always had my bed made before leaving for school.

6. In the Summer of 65, the DBS high school sorrority came in the middle of the night and kidnapped a bunch of girls around town to pledge. An annual traditional hazing event. We all ended up at the Fogg's house on Dillard & Forrest St. for a bunk in party. A girlfriend and I snuck out and walked the entire length of Forrest St down towards Stuart Springs and back... as the sun was coming up... talking about life. Smack down the middle of the street. Barefoot. In our nightgowns.

7. Okay, Butch. How about some petty theft. When my girlfriends and I were waiting one year for it to get late enough to deliver DBS bids, we happened to notice two great big vinyl Tony the Tiger signs at a service station on Washington Street. For some reason we thought that sign was really cool. Before you know it, one of the girls(I don't remember who) pulled a pocket knife out of her purse. We climbed up on top of the car and cut down one of the Tonys, rolled him up and made our getaway. The tiger ended up on the basement wall of our friend Annette's house where we got together for bunking parties often. We always feared that someone (an adult) would discover it down there and turn us in. By the way, Annette was completely innocent. She had nothing to do with the theft and wasn't even with us that night. I'm really ashamed at how childish and disrespectful we were of someone else's property. But, that tiger did look good on the wall. Hopefully, the statute of limitations has expired on our crime. B.J. Class of '68

8. Okay you guys--here goes another attempt to make you laugh! I'm not sure of the year, but I do know that I was in junior high so it could have been '57,'58 or '59. (Let's hope it was '57 cause I was so young and would hate to have been any older--It may have even been the fall of '56)! I was walking home from school--we always walked, no one had a car in those days--what would we done with it? Me, Gylinda Bounds and two or three thers were walking together down Washington Street towards my house on Fussell. We always passed the creek close to the Moncrief's house--(I'm laughing now)--this creek always had such a loud, rushing water noise coming from it and we stopped at the banister next to the sidewalk. Well..........I didn't always stop by the "little girls room" before walking home.......and didn't stop by that day........when we got to the creek, we stopped, and I had the most horrible feeling!!! You know the kind.......rushing water.......and I had on a dress!! (We weren't allowed to wear pants or jeans!) I think I began by crossing my legs while I was standing by the banister........then I grabbed my books in front as though they were slipping out of my grasp, catching them and pressing them just in the right place......I was all but holding myself by the time I straightened up!! I began to walk fast so I could get across the street and into the back door so no one would see me rush to the bathroom! Everyone was laughing at me....the sight of a girl not quite a teen, (if it was the fall of '56, I was only 12), running with both legs crossed, doubled up with books grasped just below the belt, shoes filling up...socks getting a good soaking....was too much for them to bear (is that the right "bear"?), anyway, 3 or 4 girls followed me, laughing so hard, they also had to stop at my house, but they had to wait for me.....we had only one bathroom!!

DOUBLE CLASS REUNION 67- 68

Mailers were sent in Dec 2006.

If you did not receive one, email us and we'll let the reunion committee know.

Guest speaker is Harold Horton
July 20-22, 2007
Double Reunion Blowout!
1967 ... 1968

Updated Addresses needed!

Please help your reunion organizers

send your mailing address to:

forrestcitymemories@yahoo.com

Nan Class of 65: Couldn't you add 1965 to that reunion? We made 40yrs last year and did not have one. We were a fun bunch and still are so why not include our class? '65 is when it all began anyway...we paved the way for all the rest. Enjoying your blog and thanks to Walter F who is of the class of '65 and one of the coolest people from that school, I found out about it. However, he has never shown up for a class reunion. If you want to see him you have to go hear George Jones. Thanks and continue with the fun!

Bogie Class of 62: Hi Folks! Just a note to let you know that the class of '56-'57-'58 here in Greenwood, Ms just had a reunion this summer. My husband, Don, is a member of the GHS class of '58. They really had a great time and I learned a bunch from them. I plan to take my ideas to our next reunion planning meetings when we start having them next year. I made up a little "booklet" of the ideas, do's and don't's, banners, food, activities, etc. and will be glad to share it with you if you'd like. There are a great deal of fun "stuff" they did that we've never tried and I think it would be a good idea to look at their reunion for a little guidance. Let me know if you'd like and I'll be in FC next month and will be glad to put a booklet together and bring it with me.

Local Talent

THE ESQUIRES
.....We've heard them...and can verify it...they're real...Forrest City's version of the Beatles... a sharp-looking trio of local youngsters who produce musical sounds quite similar to the rocking, rolling rhytms of the famed group from England.

..... The local lads, who call themselves "The Esquires," performed for members of the local Rotary Club today at noon. The trio consists of Walter Ferguson, Talley Turk and "Pud" Eldridge...and they do a pretty creditable job of imitating the British boys...including the hair styles (beatle wigs) and facial expressions.

.....The boys are students at Forrest City schools, and whether it was actually planned this way, we can't say. But their appearance at the Rotary meeting followed a program of a more serious nature of last week. That program featured FCHS science and math instructor T.G. Bratton and he told the Rotarians some interesting facts pertaining to the latest methods in the teaching of higher mathematics.

.....Since today's program was obviously quite a change from the more serious one of last week, FCHS Superintendent Bill Irving, also a Rotarian, could not resist the temptation to stand before the group and exclaim:

....."Now let us hear from those who would argue that we don't offer a varied curriculum in the local school system."

..... No one challenged him.

Sports: Vintage Spectators

And now Peach Fuzz takes a moment to pay tribute to the unsung gladiators of the Mustang games. Butch's story below reminds us of the hard lessons of young men in training... for spectator sports, that is ... you remember them, the usual suspects... our hometown rascals always ensured that we neither took ourselves too seriously nor allowed our egos to inflate on the playing field.

Butch Class of 60: This is about sports. At least there was a sporting event going on when this little adventure happened. During a high school B-Team basketball game (I think it might have been our senior year, not sure), the score was close and the Mustang B-Team was working hard. Late in the game, with the score tied, the other team scored to go ahead.

The Mustangs took the ball inbounds and Giles Riffey started bringing it back up the court with at least 30-40 seconds to go. Plenty of time to run a play and take a good shot. A few Mustang "fans" up in the top part of the bleachers (where the guys usually hung out) started a countdown (a bit early). Five-four-three... Well, ol' Giles got caught up in the cadence and forgot to check the clock. He jacked up an ill-advised and poorly aimed thirty-footer well before the other Mustangs had made it back down court. It clanged off to the side and was rebounded by the opposing team. They dribbled out the clock to win by two.

After the horn sounded, the "fans" were still howling with laughter at Giles's "decision." Well, sports fans, Coach Devazier was the B-Team coach and he wasn't happy. If you remember, the stands were elevated about ten feet above the floor and, unless they were needed, the bleacher seats would fold back against the wall creating a blind spot when viewed from above.

Coach Devazier's head appeared out from under that area. His eyes were burning holes in every guy up near the top of the stands, memorizing every single one of them. To say the least, the laughter died suddenly and every male in the area moved quickly to another area. As soon as he could get his team off the court, Coach Devazier came up into those stands two steps at a time.

Now folks, all I can say is, I was not one of those who did the countdown. However, I did laugh and I did scatter along with the others when Coach Devazier made his visual inventory. He was sure I was one of the "clowns" involved in the countdown and grabbed me by the collar while he questioned me in a particularly un-teacher-like manner. Apparently, either I convinced him I was innocent, or he was after bigger fish and I survived. The area was strangely empty during the rest of the season.

Bogie Class of 62: I wish I could "spin" a yarn as good as my old friend Butch! I'll give this one a whirl---do you girls remember when PE was a requirement and we all had to "dress out" every day--even if we "didn't feel like it"? Ms Smart would call roll and you were to simply say "here" or, if you "didn't feel like it" you were to say "on the list"!! Anyone remember what "on the list" indicated?
P.S. The gym was split down the middle on the days we had to stay inside for PE. All the guys would line up on the center line to see who would be "on the list" that day. Holy Cow!! We dreaded roll call!

Sports: Vintage Baseball

Peach Queens

Bogie '62 (Feb 07) Here are two more Peach Queens and Kings. Top photo is Claudina and John Durrett, close friends of my mom and dad in the '70's and '80's. Lower photo is Charlene and "Bo" Crutchfield. Charlene was my dad's first cousin, as her mom, Nona Johnson, and my granddad, Dr. J.A. Bogart were brother and sister. Both of these photos were taken at my mom and dad's apartment, at the Walker apartments, on Washington St. Both couples are deceased now, along with my mom and dad. But they all enjoyed each other's company so much--coffee never had it so good! Charlene and "Bo" lived in northern Tennessee but came "home" often to see their old friends and relatives, while the Durretts lived in the same apartment building with mom and dad. Those apartments would "buzz" most of the time with folks in their "golden" years sitting around the dining table solving all the world's problems! Especially on a Saturday morning, Forrest and Pauline, John and Claudina, Bob and Nell, and Bea and Stinnett kept the coffee hot and didn't break up the party until it was all gone! My husband, Don, our two girls, Paula and Candy, and I would visit on weekends and that Saturday morning had to be the highlight of the trip! They were filled with history, especially my dad, and, naturally everything they did in their day was the only way to do it in our day--I only wish he were still here to share all the memories he had of FC--after all, he was part of this community from 1906 until his death in 1986 at the age of 87. We did live in LR when I was a little kid, but J.A and Nellie along with Nall and his family were still here--and that made us very much a part of this city!




Mildred Williams
center: Edith Clanton
bottom: Alice Harrison
May, 1994



Top: Juanita Samply
Bottom: Euginia White--this lady was my grandmother's nurse in the '50's and came to our house on Fussell St. to give Mamaw a shot whenever needed. When you think about it, this would be out of the question for today's medical professionals.
Bogie




Top: Anna Mae Rice
Bottom: Mildred and Jim Williams (a Peach King)
May, 1993





top: Nell Taylor, Werdna Tyson and Pauline Bogart.
center: Flora Walker and Nell Taylor
bottom: Pauline Bogart and Donna Devazier.
May, 1993. Bogie












BelowStanding: Pauline Bogart and Thelma Gray, seated: Norma Hodges.
August 21, 1981. A little "coffee clatch". Some of the worlds most immediate problems have been solved once again by ladies around the kitchen table drinking coffee!
Bogie














Bogie: This lovely lady (right) was a friend of the Dr. Bogart family. Anyone recognize Miss Vergie Moore--later known as Mrs. Jack Porter? (This is written on the back of the photo recovered from one of those perverbial "photo boxes" with no history attached.) She was really a beauty. Comment 8/10/06: I think I goofed! The photo of Virgie Moore should read Vergie Porter later to become Mrs. Jack Moore! Oh Well! The notation on the back of the photo is incorrect--I knew it couldn't have been Me! Ha!
Left: Another lovely lady--Ms Allie Bea Proctor, a receptionist at the Bogart Clinic in the '30s. The photo was taken by "Alley" of Forrest City. I don't remember this photographer, but I've seen a lot of photos done by them.

Lin: In one of Bogie's posts, she mentions Virgie Porter and ponders whether or not she is really Mrs. Jack Moore. Well, Virgie Porter was the mother of Virgie Abel and grandmother to Donna, Rosamond and Jimmie Abel. Virginia Moore was a Price from Little Rock.

Rosamond Abel Crawley: The photo in question about Virgie Moore Porter will now be solved! Since she was my grandmother, I'll tell you the real story. She was born in Forrest City, Arkansas to Frances Louise Williams and John William Moore. Thus she was a MOORE from Forrest City. She married John Rosamond Porter (Jack) who was born in West Helena, Arkansas. She was the mother of Virgimai (Mrs. James H. Abel), RoseMarie (Mrs. Bill Lofton), Frances (Mrs. Milard Chism), and Helen (Mrs. Bob Teeter). Virgimai and Frances raised their families in Forrest City. Their children are Donna, Rosamond, and Jimmy Abel and Larry, Harry, and Pat Chism.

Bogie Class of 62: Thank you so much for the info on Virgie's photo!! It seems the info on the back of the photo is correct after all! This photo is signed "Ole Pal", "Dutter", by her--I seem to remember my mom, Pauline Bogart, telling me that "Dutter" is a pet name for my uncle, Nall Bogart. Would like to know for sure.

I was just a small child, around 4 or 5 years of age when, while visiting my grandmother, Nellie Bogart, in the old home on Fussell St., Nall was home ill--he had a heart condition that took his life at a very young age. I had asked my grandmother for a coke and she was getting one for me from her "ice-box" when Nall came up behind me and scared me to death! He had on house shoes and made no noise. He told me at that time that "If your grandmother had wanted you to have a coke, she would have asked you!" Needless to say, for a kid my age at that time, I was scared of my uncle Nall until his death and have never gotten over that remark. Everyone in the family told me that it was due to his illness that made him seem so mad and sad all the time.

I think that the whole city loved my grandparents and Nall also. He was a doctor and practiced with my grandfather in the clinic on Izard St. in the '30's. He then went into the Army and served as a medic in WWII until his heart attack during the Burma Campaign. I'm not sure but I don't think he was able to practice after the war.

Butch Ford Class of 60: On this past October 6, I attended the wedding of my niece, Ashley Chism, daughter of my sister, Maribeth and Harry Chism, in Gatlinburg. It was kind of unique in my experience as it was conducted at a chapel on a mountaintop. I say "kind of unique" because Ashley's little sister, Brooke, got married a couple of years ago at a chapel on Mt. Petit Jean. These girls love the mountains. They DO make great locations for the wedding party and guests. We (Linda and I) shared a great cabin with my brother, Charles, and his wife, Ann (Heustess). Ann and Charles are both graduates of FCHS, class of 1957. Great fun was had by all, especially the "party" after the wedding at Maribeth and Harry's cabin. Food and refreshments were plentiful and good. It was at this party that I met (again) Harry's mother, Frances, for the first time since Maribeth and Harry got married years ago. We talked about the photo in the blog and the confusion as to the name and lineage of the lady in the photo. Mrs. Chism is a fine and gracious lady. It was such a pleasure to talk with her. Also, I must admit that when I first read the blog comment from Rosamond Abel Crawley about the lady in question, I thought she had left a typo in her text - I thought Virgimai must have been Virginia. Then as I read the rest of it, I saw it again. Maybe once, but not twice. Then I remembered the pronunciation. It was the lady I always thought was Virgie May. I don't remember ever seeing Virgimai's name in print. Back when I went to First Baptist, before 1963 - when I got married, it was James Henry and Virgie May Able. I remember both of them and Donna clearly. I remember Rosamond, too. I think she and Maribeth were the same age. I think they took dancing lessons at the same time. I guess one never gets too old to learn stuff. This blog is one of the most "funnest" things I have done in a while. That's ONE of the most.

Alma Mater

Mike D. Class of '60: Does anyone out there know who wrote the words to the Alma Mater- "On the City's Northern Border, Reared Against the Sky"?

Sula Class of '68: I remember in Jr. High in music class learning that it wasn't an original (tune or words) and there was talk of a contest for someone to write a new one. I tried my hand at it and wrote one but never submitted it. Due to lack of participation I think it fell through. But sure enough, here's what I found when googling the first line:

"On the city's northern border,
Reared against the sky
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
As the Years go by.
Chorus
May it ever be our watchword."Conquer and Prevail."
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Dear old Wofford, hail!
(2nd verse omitted)

Wofford [Carolina] shares the tune to its alma mater with many other institutions of higher education, including Cornell, Vanderbilt, Birmingham Southern, and the University of North Carolina. The lyrics are credited to Dr. Keener C. Frazer '20, who went on to become a distinguished professor of international law and political science at the University of North Carolina. However, the oldest version of the alma mater in print is found in 1923 Wofford Journal, with the first line "On the city's western border." This apparently was simply an editing error, as the 1925 Bohemian has the present reference to the northern border. In fact, in those days, Wofford was on the city's outskirts. In the 1960's, many area colleges began replacing their traditional alma maters with more original tunes. A professor and student at Wofford wrote a new alma mater in 1966. This proposal never passed the Student Government Association, as it had strong opposition from the alumni, students and The Old Gold and Black."

Sports: Vintage Football

1922 High School



from St Francis County Museum Website (See Links)

Champions 1993-34


Number #63 front row right is Walter Ferguson, Sr.
The paper doll guys at the bottom are Faye, Parker, Bridgforth and Wright. Picture by O'dell. Now we are wondering ...Champions of what? Or could "Champions" have been the name of the team?...because in the next photo you'll see that the FC football team was not always the "Mustangs" -- it was the "Thoroughbreds"-- or at least it appears that way...

Thoroughbreds 1935

We believe Walter Ferguson, Sr. is now #55 front row to the left of football boy. Paper doll guys are Burns, Frye, Frye, Hulen, Gross, Parker, Tatum & Wright.

Our beloved Coach Bill Irving (affectionately known as "Bull") appears here, who later became Superintendent of Schools. Husband of Mary Ann, dad of Etta (Class of 68) & friend to all.

These valuable photos are being shared with you thanks to the love, trust & generosity of Walter Ferguson, Jr.

Mustangs 1959
Butch Class of 60: The following is a retyped clipping of the Mustangs beating Conway in the opening game of an undefeated season.
Conway Toppled by Forrest City
Conway, Sept. 11 (1959) - Quarterback Donnie Kessinger directed the Class AA Forrest City Mustangs to a 20-6 victory over Conway before an opening night crowd of 2,500 here Friday. Kessinger, a loose, long-strided runner, scored one touchdown, Jim Finch, a combination end-fullback, scored one and halfback Roy Hall got Forrest City's third TD. Johnny Simmons, the game's leading ground gainer, accounted for Conway's TD with a 66-yard scamper in the third period.

Forrest City relied on 13 players. Conway used 15. The Mustangs scored early. Phil Hickey ran 36 yards to Conway's 35 and Hall raced to the 23. Kessinger galloped around left end to score standing up from the 18. He then ran to the other side for the extra point. Penalties hampered the Mustangs in the second quarter. Neither team mustered a threat in this period. The third quarter was all Conway's. Jim Turnery returned the kickoff from the 14 to the 44. And on the first play Simmons broke through center to score. Ronnie Roach's conversion try was wide and Forrest City led by 7-6. The Wampus Cats got another drive underway after Turner's interception of Hickey's pass at Conway's 22. Conway marched to Forrest City's 23 before being halted.

Forrest City went on the offense in the fourth quarter with Kessinger, Finch and Hickey registering the yardage. Finch scored from the three to climax a 77-yard drive. And Kessinger once more ran the extra point. The ponies struck quickly for their third touchdown. Hall intercepted Jim Sanders' pass at mid-field and returned to the Conway 30. Finch carried to the 11 and Hall skirted right end to score. Kessinger's kick failed. The Cats put together their best sustained drive of the night in the last few minutes. They took Kessinger's kickoff and went to Forrest City's 16 as time ran out. Simmons accounted for 139 yards of Conway's 256 from scrimmage. Turner had 67. Hickey was Forrest City's leader with 75 yards. Kessinger got 53. (Statistics below)

Colts 1956: Jr High

Butch, Class of 60: This program is from the Forrest City vs Marianna junior high football game in the Fall of 1956. The Colts won 28-14. Notice the weights of the players. Everybody is little and scrawny except ME. I'm the fat guy at 200. Jerry Fong is the biggest player for Marianna. I sat next to him in freshman orientation at Arkansas State.

Old Homes

Warren Home c. 1911 Izard & Hill Nicknamed the "Big House" (said BIGhouse), built c. 1906, was home and gathering place of many family members (Warren, Snyder, Rolfe, McAuley) and host to many social events over the years. 5 fireplaces, 2 stairways, 8 bedrooms, 8 baths, 2 kitchens, rose garden, peony garden, library, summer porch, servant house. Sold to National Bank of Ark & demolished c. 1964.

Bogart Home 1918 Fussell & Washington
Bogie: This photo was taken of the Bogart home about 1918. My Grandmother, Nellie Bogart was a "whiz-bang" in the flower garden! She always had the most beautiful flower gardens and set the pace for those around her. Actually, the home, built in 1915, was set in the country for a short time. It was just about this time of the century that FC started moving north away from the rr tracks. The home sat on the NE corner of Fussell and Washington. My dad, mom, sister and I moved into the home in 1955--I was in the 6th grade. We had moved here from Little Rock and I had never known about some of the things I was about to learn when we made that move! The telephone man came out to install the phone and was packing up-getting ready to leave when I called out to him and told him he wasn't finished!! He forgot to put the dial on the phone!! In LR, we always had dials on the sets! He explained to me that I was in a different city now and we do things different here. I thought I was ruined! No dial?? How was I going to call LR? I soon learned. Thank goodness, dial phones came in shortly after that! Only one of the many adventures of moving for me!

Cars & Roads: Early 20th Century

If you get your glasses out and look real close, you'll see that this is an auto from the '20's for the Forrest City Fire Dept. Asst. Chief. The lady in the photo is a mystery. I dug this out of some old photos that my uncle, Nall Bogart, had and that I fell heir to. She may be a friend of his--maybe someone out there knows her?
Bogie 8/8/06


Bogie: This is a great car--don't you think? Behind the wheel is my grand- dad, Dr. J. A. Bogart, Dr. P.P. Bogan to his left, David Webb behind Dr. Bogart, and my dad, Forrest Bogart behind Dr. Bogan. When my dad was 19, he took a trip out west in this auto. He never told me of his adventures on that trip--just that it was about the most fun he had ever had! My dad was pretty much a rounder in those days--so I never pressed him for details! He told me of one big goof he made--it was the spring of 1920 and my dad was about ready to graduate from FCHS when he was showing off in his auto in front of the school (the school we called the grammar school) and hit one of his teachers. He was suspended for a couple of weeks and just barely was able to graduate! Maybe that's where I get my adventuresome spirit! HA!

Anyone remember our highways when they weren't paved? This photo, according to my dad, Forrest Bogart, was taken in the early 20's on 70 somewhere between FC and West Memphis.

My dad was a Right-of-Way engineer for the Arkansas Highway Dept. That's him next to the car, (and I use the term lightly), in the white shirt with three highway workers. He said they were checking roadbeds prior to paving highways. (I don't know what that means. Maybe some of our highway pros could tell us.) Anyway, my dad saw to it that Arkansas roads like this one all over the state became the four-lane expressways that we enjoy today. And I am so proud of him and the fact that he was a part of the progress made with the highways and that it's such a lasting contribution.

50's Culture: Memphis Zoo

How many of these shots must still be out there all dusty in the bottom of old boxes? Dig Walter's shoes! Who are the other kids?


Bogie says...That photo is priceless!! Who are the other guys? And aren't you glad the folks at the zoo had dated the photos!! This needs to be framed! Ha!

Bogieland: More Rascals

Admin note: We have discovered that there are places in Forrest City that you can go just in the experience of good storytelling. This blog has provided a forum for some great storytellers, which is an endangered art we wish to honor and promote. So with a playful accolade, we will begin to bestow names of those places after the storyteller who take us there (when the stories don't particularly fit in any obvious category).

Bogie Class of 62: I was so ashamed that I was a part of this so many years ago that I have found it hard to share with you guys!! Does anyone in Mr. McClure's home room, (I think we were A thru D), remember the choir trip that took practically the whole school away for a whole day? I know it was a Friday, because there was an assembly that morning in the gymatorium and all of us left in school had to attend.

There was a very nice preacher that made a talk for about 15 or 20 minutes, school business was discussed and that was about all there was on the program. Well, seein' as tho we had no teacher with us that day in the bleachers, Mr. McClure's homeroom class did everything but listen to the preacher! We disrupted the whole program by moving about in the bleachers, pea-shooting wads of paper, laughing and talking--and yes, we all took part!

Welllllllllllllll Mr. Leiblong didn't appreciate the fact that some of his students were so disruptive plus he couldn't count on one of the teaching staff to be at their post to guard against such a thing!! He was dismissing the audience one class at a time--guess who was last!! Man! I dreaded that man coming up to our area in the bleachers!! He stormed, and I do mean stormed, up the stairs and over to us (we sat up about 10 rows close to Miss Smarts office) yelling all the way, "I cannot believe I have a class of students that would pull such a stunt!" (or words to that effect).

Anyway, we were amply awarded--2 weeks of detention staying after school until 4pm. I don't know what Mr. McClure's punishment was, but I'm sure he got one! And be sure that 2 weeks of detention wasn't all I got! When I had to tell my folks about the whole incident--I got 2 more weeks at the house! I never tried anything like that again!

The others in the class know who they are--I wouldn't dare mention names. Except MCCLURE!

CLASS of Pre -1945

Mrs. Coffee's 2nd Grade Class

B.J. Class of '68: My dad sent me this picture when he heard about the blog. Can anyone guess the year? It looks like everyone was having a bad day in Mrs. Coffee’s class. Check out the list below to see the names. My aunt was Ruth Rowland in the back row, but there are several names missing from the list. Can anyone fill them in? By the way, I thought the school in the background was the old elementary school, but my dad says this school was closer to town on Rosser Street where the Baptist church is now. Click here to download picture.

Admin note: Henry Haven, Peach Fuzz Blogger Hank Haven's dad, is first boy kneeling, 2nd row left. Notice all the girls are in the back so they aren't on their knees or sitting!

Sula Class of '68: I'm guessing c. 1928-31?

CLASS of 60

Anyone recognize this gent? Hint--he graduated in 1960 with you Butch! That's his wife and first born!
Bogie







(That is Booger Montgomery, son Kent in his arms and wife Charlotte when they lived in Yankee Town)

Butch Class of 60: SPO Formal taken at the Peabody in about 1956. I'm not completely sure, but I think this is our 9th grade year. If so, it was my first date in life. My date was LaNan Hamilton. She shed the "La" later to become known simply as Nan. The second date in my life was the next year at the same dance with Gay Burke. I was a real lady's man back then. "A white sport coat and a pink carnation.." You might notice that I was wearing the only white sport coat in the room. It was a hand-me-down from my big brother, Charles.The people at the table are: (Left to Right) LaNan Hamilton, Butch Ford, Forrest Bogart, Patricia Sulcer, Sandra Woods, and Sid Fogg.

Ollie Warren Class of '60 & Claire Kenyon (Mr. & Mrs. now)

45th Reunion Pictures from Billy Lieblong
From Butch Ford: This was the 45th year reunion for the Class of 1960.We convened at the Red Apple Inn on Greers Ferry Lake in mid-February, 2005. All agreed that this was a perfect time and place for a reunion. It wasn't hot, the weather was great, there were no mosquitos, we all stayed in the same facility and the Red Apple Inn staff did an excellent job of making our reunion a success. As you might have noticed, some of these fine folks in the photos have changed a lot, others have survived rather well. I'll let you decide who belongs in which group. OK, here goes. I'm going to reveal the names of all those fine looking young people in the group shots. I'll use the maiden names for the girls for accuracy.

TOP GROUP PHOTO:
Front row/knealing: Patsy Pettus (she really doesn't like to be called Patsy anymore), Freddy Swan, Patricia Sulcer (married to the guy to her right), Mimi Butler, Cam Cameron, Butch Ford, Robert Padgett.
Second row: Robert Jones, Paula Light (married to the gentleman on her right), Charlotte Sulcer, Sue Gore, Maybelle Knust, Danny Harrelson, John Dudley Bridgforth.Third row: Jerry Shurgar, Larry Immel, Ronald Davidson, Doug Smith, Jack Oskowis, Booger Montgomery, Harris Hollingsworth.
Fourth row: John Threat (standing behind Shurgar), Walter Cox, Ted Huffstutler, Tommy Clark, Billy Lieblong.

GROUP PHOTO #2 - see names above.

Small Group shots in order: Ollie Warren and his new bride, Claire Kenyon. Next, Larry Gene Immel and Tommy Clark. Next, Ollie Warren & Claire Kenyon Warren, Dub Laws, Larry Immel, Billy Lieblong, Robert Padgett-- and last: Doug Smith and Butch Ford

Walter Ferguson said..Billy, I only wish Tommy could have been there. I remember all too well you and Tommy chasing the girls. What a pair! I also remember you coming to one of the SPO formals and doing the alligator! We had never seen that. COOL. I'm glad we're related. WF

Bogie: Hey Butch! I think the photos of the reunion are great--one question--isn't Claire Kenyon a member of the class of '62? I remember her in our class our sophomore year but after that, I lose her! Where did she go and where did she and Boone graduate? We were not close in high school--wish we had been--I know she's a lovely person--would like to invite her and all you guys of '60 and '61 to come see us next year at our 45th! Maybe we can do a triple-play weekend! I'll bring it up when we start our planning!

Doraville: On Getting Polio By Lying

Dora Class of '68: When I was in the ninth grade, I loved to go to the high school whenever I could. My sister and brother were there and I just liked the older kids! That year they were giving sugar cubes to people who didn't have their polio shots and you got to leave school and walk over to the high school. Now I had my polio shots, but I wanted to get out of school and go to the high school! So I LIED! I said I had not had them.

I walked over to the school and walked around the halls and eventually went to where I was suppose to go and ate one sugar cube. I felt awful. I thought God is going to get me for lying! I mean I felt so bad about it. You were suppose to go back and take two more I think and I didn't go.

That summer I pledged DBS. Lee Long was my big sister. We had to sit for hours on a hard floor with our legs crossed at the first meeting. My legs went to sleep! I mean I had no feeling in them at all! I started crying. I mean really crying and Lee and Carolyn walker came and helped me up and I left with them and we went riding. I can remember the crawdad-Lee said, "Dora, smoke a cigarette- it will make you feel better."

I finally said, "I know what is wrong. I have polio!" Lee said, What? I said, "I lied, I lied-- I took a polio sugar cube last year at school and I already had a polio shot and God has made me have polio for lying!!!" I mean I was serious! They started laughing and said NO, you dont have polio! Eventually the feeling came back in my legs.

BUT it did something to me about lying(except skipping school and church) BUT when I was point blank asked about whatever I had done-- I would tell the truth or sometimes tell on myself. It was the fear I had of my legs going numb again!

**In the United States, polio was the most notorious disease of the 20th century until AIDS appeared. On April 12, 1955, it was announced that Jonas Salk, using March of Dimes donations from millions of people, had developed a vaccine to prevent polio. See: What Ever Happened to Polio? by the Smithsonian.

Doraville: On Being Rascals

Dora Class of 68: The summer after my ninth grade year Paul and Brant would walk to my house on Saturday mornings. EARLY Saturday morning! My mother would let them come upstairs and wake me. They would have this stuff called Crazy something- Paul might remember what it was. It was a foam that you sprayed out of a can and they would spray me in the face! Then we would go in the guest house out back and they would spray it everyplace. They would also visit with my older sister Lynda. She was a great sister and always treated my friends well and never thought I was a tag along. She was going with Walter Ferguson her senior year and freshman year in college. I can remember Walter teaching me how to play the first three chords to Don't let the son catch you crying.

That same year a bunch of us skipped school on exam day. I had permission from my parents and told them we could leave after our exams I also went to the office and got an excuse from Mrs. Ferguson(Walter's mother) so I was in the clear. I always managed to cover my tracks. I can remember a whole bunch of us went to the little guest house out back. Nancii and BJ were there. Buddy Billingsly had a black pick up truck and took us riding in the back of it and someone from school saw us and called Mr. Lieblong. As I said, I didn't get in any trouble. BUT Bj and Nancii were expelled and their parents had to come to the school. Mr Lieblong made them go from class to class and sing. I never understood that but I am sure B and Nancii can tell you more.

Dora: Correction--After 43 years, I had B and Nancii's punishment mixed up with the wrong crime. They had to sing for something else they did and had another punishment for skipping school. Nancii will have to tell you about it. Regardless, I managed to not get in trouble. Almost makes me feel like Eddie Haskle!

Years later in the 11th grade Sula and I left school early. Mrs. Henderson, Sula's typing teacher, saw us at Faupel's. Once again, I had an excuse and Sula got in trouble! There were 2 months left of school and she was put into detention for every last day until school was out. I must have been pretty slick! I always managed to get by with stuff.

My sophomore year, we were having religious week at school. Can you belive that? Times have changed but we actually had a religious week with a 45 minute program, True to our nature, Jan and I would skip with Warren Lawman in his little yellow VW. We came back to school to early on the last day. We entered the newer part of the high school and Jan and I went in the girls restroom. We walked out and saw Mrs. Henderson! We ran back in the rest room and Warren ran in with us. We told him to get out and as he ran out to hide in the boys rest room, he ran into Mrs. Henderson. He was suspended. Jan and I were standing on the toilets. I don't know why she didn't come in and look in the stalls, but we were safe. Once again I escaped punishment.


I could never sing. Never. My senior year I was on the Emissary staff and we would leave school to sell ads or say we were selling ads. It was during the Christmas holidays. We were bored and a group of us (Jan, Lou & 2 others I can't remember?) - none could sing- went to the primary school and walked down the halls singing Christmas Carols. The teachers would come to the doors and give us cookies and punch that they were having. When we went back to the school, I was helping in the office next period. I heard Mr. Hawley on the phone. The school had called to thank Mr. Thomas for sending the Christmas carolers over to their school! I stood there thinking I am dead this time! Mr. Thomas walked in the office and Mr. Hawley said the principal called and said to thank him for the entertainment. He of course did not have a clue! I walked out of the office and I guess it was never known what we did!!

In looking back, we were rascals- but we didn't use guns, we were not mean and we just had plain fun!

Mystery Poem

Walter Ferguson saved this love poem to our childhood homeland from his parents' papers. He does not know where it came from, who wrote it or the occasion. Anyone have any clues?

Forrest City
(On Crowley's Ridge)

This land of cotton still
Although it started long ago
When westward trekked the pioneers
To help a fledgling nation grow
They followed the trace from Eastern shores
Across the mountains rugged bar
To turn the wild into a garden
As each one followed his wiseman's star.
They cleared the forest land and tilled it,
They let the warming sunlight in
And this, our present Heritage
By their labors did begin.

Now in those early days
Tis true, there was a servitude
But lest we hasten to condemn,
Remember, there was much of good.
Life held a bit of leisure then
With a dignity in common toil
For tasks were done with human hands
And not by gasoline and oil.
There was a charm and graciousness
Which we shall never see again
With much of kindness, yes and joy
To counterbalance all the pain
And when we talk of bondage
Be it long ago or now
We are all "bound to the wheel"
With just the Master's changed somehow.

This earth is God's own footstool
At least so we are told
And he formed it and embellished it
With mountains fold on fold
He spread about the sweeping plains
The broad and high plateaus
With here and there a flatland
Through which each river flows.
From the level of the Grand Prairie
To the Eastern Mountains rise
Lay a rich and far-flung flatland
Quiescent neath the smiling skies
From this expanse to the northern hills
There seemed need of link or bridge
So this prairie He divided
With the folds of Crowley's Ridge
Here, lifted up in beauty
Beneath the smiling sun
One may look to East and West
To view the wonders God had done.

Smoking

In prior stories, Dora talked about smoking in high school. In Buddy Stories, she says she and Jan decided once to blame it on Connie Bassett's influence (bless her heart)...but Dora knew no one would come close to believing the real story. So she hid the truth for fear of ridicule. Now what most people don't know...it's one of the deep dark secrets of Forrest City... and it's going to be revealed for the first time in public on Peach Fuzz Chronicles... this will astound you... well you all recall that many people have talked about hunting for crawdads in the creeks around the elementary school...see Hank's story-- what people don't know is that it was the crawdads in the creeks of Forrest City that corrupted many young people to indulge in that nasty habit and it corrupted many youth of our city. Hank, that is why a fence was put up around the creek when your brother John started elementary school...to prevent the kids from being led into sin by those toking crawdads. Now some people go even further and say the ghosts in the Becker & Rush houses only come out when crawdads are restless from scarce butts in the creek...but that's just hearsay, you know. I think there's more credence to the rumor that UFO's were here to study the amazing smoking habits of our crawdads. There are some pitiful souls who grew up in our town that are still plagued and afflicted with crawdad tabacky fever contracted during childhood while carrousing with those swamp water lowlifes. It's Ok now, Dora, you don't have to hide your shame any longer. We caught one of those boogers red handed and have proof of it now for all the world to see the real culprit.

CLASS of 55

Mary Jo Zipp: My brother and I grew up in FC. We go back a Little further than some of you. I graduated in 1955. We just had our 50th reunion last summer and it was great to see so many old friends. We really enjoyed the week-end. There was no better place to grow up than good old F.C. We get back for visits every now and then and it has changed but its still home. mjs

School Lunches

What's for Lunch?
Butch Ford Class of 60: Lunchtime was really something for school kids in Forrest City. From elementary school through high school. Our food and the facilities in which we "dined" ran the gamut... As I sit here thinking of all the different places and people, my mind whirls. Mrs. Turley's cafeteria in the old Elementary School (peanut butter balls come to mind); the "awful-teria" under the stadium behind the high school (spider webs come to mind). How happy we were when we moved into the new Junior High and when they finally finished the cafeteria/gym/big hall and we could eat in a real cafeteria...uh oh, new facility, same food... One thing ALL the cafeterias had, other than the little boxes of milk, that was those great rolls. Still the best rolls I've ever had. I think cafeteria managers all over the country must share the same secret roll recipe. They were the same at the school where I taught in Memphis.

I always did like to have a class on the second floor, east side of the high school in the period before lunch to watch the sprints across the campus to see who could get to Campbell's grocery first. And then, the bell rings and it's the Oklahoma Land Rush and a buffalo stampede at the same time. What was the hurry" Ten cent lunch meat sammiches, fifteen cent hamburgers? Nah. Some kids always ate at Boone's, some at Campbell's and others at, what was the other one? Then Donny Kessinger's relatives opened an actual burger stand on the corner. The crowds in those stores were panic-inducing while the herds crowded up to the trough to get their swill. And then, there was Bell's Cafe.

A short walk from campus to the that little paradise of the perfect hamburger owned by Bell Butler-May-Butler-May on Washington next to Winfield's Drug Store (which wasn't mentioned in the drug store section). The request for extra onion resulted in half-inch thick slices of onion piled on top of a big, juicy hamburger pattie, buns grilled to crispy edges, mustard slathered on both sides. Oh, man, that memory makes hungry. Only a few of us made that walk every day. None of us had a car, except Immel and he always had a girl with him. The joint would be full of old guys and Bell, the Queen of the Hamburger. We made nuisances of ourselves more than a few times. You guys remember the note Bell wrote to us on the bathroom wall?

Anonymous said...Did the sign in the bathroom say PLAY NICE?

Butch said...PLAY NICE was definitely NOT what she wrote on the wall. I'll have to admit that we had trashed her bathroom, which had an outside entrance, several days in a row. We thought our little tricks were hilarious. We would laugh all the way back to school. If I remember correctly, the guilty parties were Butch Ford (me), Mike Deaderick, Doug Smith, Billy Lieblong, Danny Harrelson, maybe Phil Hicky and maybe Freddie Swan. In fairness, not sure about the last two, but they did eat at Bell's pretty often. Some of the girls started going their during the senior year. Patricia Sulcer, Sheila Sweet, Mimi Butler, Gay Burke, Paula Light, Betty Jo Buford, Pam Daniels, Ann Runyan were always running around together...not sure of the exact group. That was a long time ago. Oh. The girls had nothing to do with the bathroom incident.

Janet Class of '62: Why couldn't girls eat lunch at Aldridge's store? I remember that was just understood but I never knew why. Most of us ate our lunch in the gym because the high school did not have a cafeteria that I can remember. We would go to Burrows' Grocery, the Korner Kreme (Kessinger) or to Boones. If you were lucky someone would bring you a hamburger from I also remember being allowed in the 6th grade to go to Boone's store and buy lunch and walk back to the elementary school. Seems impossible today.

Sula Class of '68: I think the last time I ate in the school cafeteria was in Jr. High. We had big thick round glasses & you went to a milk machine to fill them. I remember Tim Mize always age with a napkin over his milk glass. I asked him why & he said to keep things from falling in it. In 10th grade my boyfriend had wheels & we went to Faupel's almost every day. I gained 20 lbs the year I dated him! My favorite was fried ham sandwich...and frito pies (not all at once) :)

Anonymous said...I always loved cho cho's. does anyone remember chocolate ice cream bars being called cho cho's? I said that to my niece one day and she did not have a clue what I was talking about! I loved the rolls and cho cho's in the cafeteria. The rest of the time I ate at Faupels or the Corral.

Admin said...oops sorry BJ. Thanks for pix...We replaced Sealtest with Borden's milk-- BJ's dad, Buddy Rowland was a Borden's distributor & helped all of us grow strong bones!

Daisy Mae 1970 Dogpatch, USA

By popular demand (3 people!)-- sending in pictures in the last week, it looks like we finally have a female entry for the Hall of Fame. Our very own Miss Dogpatch USA, Daisy Mae of 1970 (also known as Jan Greene Sprott). Jan is spending a busy year in 2006-2007 as the First Lady of Arkansas lawyers. Her husband Jim Sprott from Harrison was just sworn in as President of the Arkansas Bar Association. Here's the announcement. The Arkansas Lawyer magazine just published today has a full story with a picture of Jan & Jim at Dogpatch which is where they met. Here's a 2004 Ark Democrat Gazette story of how they met at Dogpatch. Jan's story will be moved to the Hall of Fame after awhile. Lil Abner Comic Strip Official Website. (Photos of Polka Dot Daisy courtesy of Hank H. Flowered skirt from Bogie.)

My Hot Mama Daisy Mae,
I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You were...and are...so gorgeous and such a great role model. You will always be in my Hall of Fame. Love, Your Baby Girl, Emily.
(Note: Jan's daughter, Emily, is in law school at University of Arkansas).

What I Remember

Janet Montgomery - I remember spending summer days at the public swimming pool, shopping at Goldsteins, going to the Skipper and later the Dairy Diner, pledge pins and the basement at the library, dancing in the big hall at the junior high, the football game on Thanksgiving Day (Forrest City always played Wynne) and eating lunch at Faupels. Will anybody admit going to the PI? Fraternities rented buses for formals in Memphis, and the girls worried about not being invited, or about being invited by the wrong boy. I loved growing up in Forrest City.

Anonymous said...
Hi Janet! I also remember spending summer days at the swimming pool--remember Tommy Smitts (sp), the lifeguard? And when Doyle Butts was lifeguard too?The dances in that huge hall at Sam Smith Jr. Hi. after ballgames. The game on Thanksgiving Day eluded me--I never had a date so I never got to see one. I wouldn't dare go by myself--all the girls had dates and their dates brought mums for them to wear on their winter coats. I never got a mum. The frat boys and sorority girls got to go to the formals in Memphis--I considered myself fortunate to have a date for the senior parties! And then I had to do the asking! I guess that's what I get by dating a guy in college--and one that always had his college parties to go to--he didn't have a free weekend or night to take me. I love the fact that I was fortunate enough to live in FC now--I just wish I had realized it then! Wed Jul 19, 12:02:17 AM 2006

Anonymous said...
I remember going to town with Dian Baldwin and we would stay there all day. We would go from store to store calling home to tell them where we were. There were cheerleading practices with Cissy England, swimming in the creek that flowed under Forrest Street, kick-the-can, Cotillion (?) that was hosted by Mrs. Hodges, SPO's, Delts, DBS, FCCC, Clarence the shoe shine man, the Hot Tamale man, Cohen's Department Store and Shyrock's. Sat Jul 22, 05:02:56 PM 2006

Sivad

Debbie Montgomery says...One of my most memorable moments at the Imperial was the night that "Sivad"(his name, Davis, spelled backwards) from Fantastic Features made an appearance. All I remember is that the auditorium was packed and Sivad came on stage and talked a little. It was a really big occasion!Does everyone remember Fantastic Features that would begin with Sivad riding on a hearse through a foggy cemetery(I think)? That gave me the creeps everytime!

Anonymous: Oh my gosh I haven't thought about Sivad in years...when was that?

Paul: the magic of google...
http://www.chillercinema.com/sivad.html

Jeannie says... I remember Sivad! I was very young but I can still remember the horses, the fog, and his, "Goooooddd Eeevvveennniinggg". I would bury my eyes in my daddy's chest so I wouldn't have to watch the whole thing and yet, I loved it!! Sat Jul 22, 05:07:59 PM 2006

Anonymous says... Jeannie, what year did you graduate? Just trying to figure out who you are.
Sun Jul 23, 01:05:21 PM 2006

50's Music

Bogie Class of 62: I did a little diggin' in my scrapbook and found a list of favorites of mine during my high school years. Music and movies were what we lived for!! Read this list and go through the day remembering all those great times--bet'cha have at least one of the songs on your mind all day!!
Some of the favorites were:

1958------
Volare
All I Have to do is Dream
Don't I Beg of You
Witch Doctor
Get a Job
The Purple People Eater
It's All in the Game
Auntie Mame
Cat On a Hot Tin Roof
Vertigo
A Night to Remember
Gigi

1959------
The Battle of New Orleans
Mack the Knife
Personality
Venus
Stagger Lee
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Lonely Boy
Some Like it Hot
Ben Hur
The Dirary of Anne Frank
Anatomy of a Murder
North by Northwest

1960------
The Twist
A Summer Place
He'll Have to Go
Kathy's Clown
Running Bear
I'm Sorry
It's Now or Never
The Apartment
Elmer Gantry
Butterfield 8
Psycho
Spartacus

1961-----
Tossin' and Turnin'
Michael
I Fall to Pieces
Cryin'
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Hit the Road Jack
Running Scared
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Splendor in the Grass
West Side Story
Judgment at Nuremberg
The Hustler

1962------
Strangers on the Train
Can't Stop Loving You
Mashed Potato
Loco Motion
The Wanderer
Day's of Wine and Roses
Dr. No
Lawrence of Arabia
The Longest Day
The Manchurian Candidate
To Kill a Mockingbird

In the Still of the Night (The 5 Satins, Right)
(Listen to sample)

Bogie: Ok, you guys, put your memory cap on! Does anyone remember the trio that sang to the sixth grade assembly in 1956? I put my cap on just now, got out my 1959 annual and found who I think made up the trio--Stevie Stevens, Doug Smith, and (was it?) Butch Ford. They sang "In the Still of the Night" in perfect acapella harmony! I fell in love! Of course Bratcher was my first love, but Stevie and Doug were the second and third! I could always have someone to fall back on! I didn't fall in love with Butch Ford--when I was a sophomore and he was a senior, I had a date with him--I knew then why!

Anonymous said... 7/17/06
Inquiring minds want to know...Why?

Bogie said... 7/17/06
Ok inquiring mind--because he didn't give a flip about me! Darn! All us sophomore girls were in love with all the senior guys!! We thought we were so cute and they were so cool! Of course, I was never cute.

Butch said... 7/21/06
That was us. I sang lead, Stevie, bless his heart, sang base and Doug sang tenor. Our little group never did have a name. We sang acapella because we didn't know how to play any instruments. Perfect? Not hardly, honey. Mike Deaderick also sang wih us some. Boy, we thought we sounded good. We were bound for glory. Only problem was, that was the only song we ever learned. I still love the song and consider it one of the two best songs of that kind ever recorded. The Five Satins recorded it. It was THEIR only hit, too. The other song is "Earth Angel" by the Penguins (at left). (listen to sample). What memories. I really wish I could still hit those high notes at the end of "Still of the Night." Hi, Bogie. I'm sorry I left you with that impression. Booger told me he ran into you down at the Greenwood, or is it Greenville, Holiday Inn. Thanks for the memories.

Bogie said...7/21/06
Hey Butch! I was hoping I could get a rise out of you!! Where are you? We (Cathy and I) have been to a few class reunions, including the one in 2000 for the class of '60 and '.61. I didn't see you there. Our class, '62 will be getting together next year for our 45th--maybe you and some of your fellow classmates from '60 can join us! We have a blast and it would be fun to share it with you guys! Love ya, Miss ya,

Butch said...7/26/06
Bogie, Email at: widewadr@bellsouth.net

Late 40's: The Creek

Hank Haven: I grew up in the old family house at 626 N. Grant. It had been in our family for many years prior to mom and dad living there after WW II. My Great Grandfather had built the house. I lived there for about 9 years until 1952 when dad completed the home where he lives now. I can remember the old mule drawn ice wagon being driven down Division Street to the Delta Ice Plant. We didn’t have refrigerators. We had ice boxes and needed the ice to keep our food cool. I can also remember the Hot Tamale man hawking his hot tamales as he walked north up Division. Mom would buy some when she wanted to have something special for supper that night.

Forrest City had only about 6,000 people in it in the late 40’s. Everybody watched out for all the other children that lived in the neighborhood. Donald Isbell, my third cousin, lived at the other end of the block from where I lived. Everyday when the weather got warm enough, I would sneak out of my bedroom window at dawn and go play down at his house. Keep in mind I was only 4 years old. At that age I was climbing into and out of everything. Mom and dad got to sleep late on those days.

When we were about 7-10 years old, we were all over the neighborhood. There was a creek that ran through the north end of the school grounds at Graham Elementary School. I can remember Donald and me wading in the creek and hunting for crawdads or trying to find what junk had been left after a rain storm. We went under the road bridges and traveled as far as we could down the creek until we came to an impassable culvert. We stayed away from the creek during and after heavy rain storms because the water was too swift. John, my brother, told me that the ditch was closed to playing and the city had put up a chain linked fence seven years later when he was going to school next to the creek.

Homegrown Pairs

Help make a list of couples from Forrest City who got married
...and some divorced

Carolyn Crawley & Don Kessinger
Annette Vaccaro & Buddy Billingsley
Linda Rosica & Jim Machen
Susan Pollard & Jimmy Hargraves
Gigi Gilbreath & Eddie Twist
Margie Sharp & Gene France
Allison McCollum & Gene Crawley
Linda Trimue & Mack Norton
Mary Faith Fogg & Jimmy Oskowitz
Daisy Campbell & Joe Ash
Rosemary Haven & Otto Kirkpatrick
Margaret Buford & Charlie Haven
Ann Haven & Skipper Morledge
Pam Edgar & Frank Morledge
Linda McAuley & Jim Edgar
Carolyn Walker & Bill Beson (sp?)
Pam Van Vranken & William Nolan
Dora Flanagin & Sam Hughes
Sula McAuley & Bob France
Al Harris & Nell Brandon
Cathy Rosica & Raymond Davis
Mary Lynne Bogart & Jerry Mahan
Faye Carroll Wilson & Larry Kelly
Peggy Pipkins & Steve Toomey
Paulette Petty & Eddie Anderson
Joanne Austin & Jerry Bunch
Mary Brown & Mike Spivey
Nita Davidson & Walter Cox
Joyce Gray & Sidney Burns
Claire Kenyon & Ollie Warren
Janet Montgomery & Jack Findley
Karen Sutton & Ed Toomey
Mr. & Mrs. Turner (?)
Marge McDaniel & Louis (Junie) Haven
Tina Trapp & Eddie Ferguson
Mary Beth Ford & Harry Chism
Louise West & Steve Taylor
Linda Rauscher & Dave (?) Hodges
Lindsay Bridgforth & Dave Hodges
Lynn Moore & Hank Haven
Jan Campbell & Buzz Haven
Cathy Hammons & Doug Buford
Johnnie Nell Young & Scott Carroll
Debbie Sampley & Mark Montgomery
Brenda Forrester & Billy Burrows
Vicki Spivey & Tommy Skeleton
Anita Sampley & Joe Hodges
Judy Jones & Rodger Taylor
Vicki Hutcherson & Chuck Forrester
Pat Parker & Phil Hamilton
Paige Findley & Terry Laws
Carol Rich & Robert Cosgrove
Margaret Ann Green & Charlie Rich
Mary Ann Parnell & Bill Baskin
Christy Mashburn & Sam Rolfe
Claudette Lindsey & Noel Ferguson
Virginia Green & Morgan Collins
Martha Sweet & O.J. Gandy
Edwene Stevens & Bonner McCollum
Phyllis May & Tommy Nance
Letitia Harrison & Doug Varner
Jeannie Poland & Thomas VanVranken
Kathy Morledge & Buddy Meredith
Madge Seay & Stevie Causey
Joyce Buford & Walter Sweet
Maureen Buckingham & Rick McCollum
Susan Craig & Jay Hughes
Linda Coley & Charles Barg
Courtney Trapp & Aubrey Jolly
RoAnn Troxell & Greg Powell
Cheryl Collins & Jimmy Draper
Glenda Gail Gilbreath & Stewart Dunn
Dale Kirkpatrick & Bobby Montgomery
Jan Hankins & Louis Rowland
Jeannie Rolfe & Daniel "Speck" Espey
Ann Claire Christenson & Victor Vaccaro
Janelle Cange & John Machen
Linda Jones & Brent Powell
Ann Heustess & Charles Ford
Patricia Sulcer & Fred Swan
Catherine Plummer & Danny Harrelson
Betty Clair Carlisle & George Morledge
Kim Pipkins & Kem Merrell
June Edmondson & Virgil Merrill
Marsha Clarke & Billy Trail
Elsie Callaway & Richard Trail
Claudia Zetuski & Larry Immel
Joanne Shirley & Bill Walker
Ann Runyon & Arne Thompson
Jo Green & Henry Clegg
Sheila Sweet & Billy Bob Vance
Paula Light & Robert Jones
Susan Diffey & Charles Johnson
Ann Ellis & Ralph Pipkin
Betty Sue Gore & LC Tiner
Chris Fogg & Bob (Quail) White ( Dec. 1966)
Susie Gibbs & Ricky Stephens
Christy Gibbs & Sonny Kay
Ellen Whiting & John Alderson
Janet Guthrie & Billy Lieblong
Linda Gadberry & Ronald Miller
Maureen Smith & Jerry Bumgarner
Jeannie Poland & Thomas VanVranken
Lisa Austin & Billy Ferguson
Daisy Campbell & Joe Ash
Melva Walker & Bill Skelton
Christy Whiting & Finley Cranor
Linda Coley & Charles Barg
MaryLynn Buckingham & Bobby Montgomery
Rosamond Abel & Mike Crawley
Virgimai Porter & James H. Abel
Virgie Bell Moore & John Rosamond Porter
Ginger Montgomery & Jesse Jackson

Nicknames

Can you add to this list?

Bogie, Hoot, Jimbo, Pokey, Doonie, Tally, Junie, Pud, Dee, B, Gee, Tish...
Rat, Biscuit, Hooker, Dogger, Toad, Pinky, Booger , Binky
Grill, Prune, Raisin,Turtle, Turkey, Gert, Sassy, Buddy,Wiggy, Poot
Redbird, Choo-Choo, Bomba,
Shovel (Steve Taylor: I've been married to "Shovel" for 35 years.....still has some steam!!! )
Hank, Mack, Skipper, Buzz,
Whacker
Ox, Moose (several)
Bear, Bull
Cissy, Jiggy
Spider, Speck
Lukie, Smif, J. Fred Muggs, Ears, Starchie, Bubba, Chee Chee, Butch, Four Door, Goat, Pinkie (the big, tall, fightin' kind of Pinkie), Wally Proo, Imma, Legs, Mitt, Possum, Sambo
Nimrod, Anna Clodda, Stump, Lolo, J (pronounced Hea - like the J in spanish), Bonita, Nasty, Roach, Mo
QUAIL
Monk. (I believe Jim Finch had a great nickname! He signed my yearbook "Monk"!! Bogie)
PIERRE
The EEL

* Click on Comments to talk about who they are and how they got their nickname.

Hangouts: The Hargraves' Home

In High school, I hung out at the skipper and up on the hill at the Judge's house. Those were the days! Rosemary, when I think of the Skipper I think of your house that was home to all of your friends. I can still hear Judge Hargraves saying, " Dora, move your car out of my parking space!" I loved him!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Who's Your Buddy?

DORA and BJ
BJ Class of 68: This is a picture of Dora Flanagin and me one year in downtown Arkadelphia. We had just been to Baptist choir camp at Ouachita Baptist University and my aunt and uncle who lived in Hot Springs at the time had picked us up. You can't tell it from the picture, but Dora and I were feeling sad that day because we had fallen in love with boys at camp and we knew we'd never see them again. This was pretty much an annual thing each summer from about 6th through 8th grade. Just like with church, we spent most days skipping out of the classes we were supposed to be going to. At camp, we hung out at the little hamburger joint on campus drinking cokes and listening to the jukebox. One year, maybe the one this picture was taken, we kept playing "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to," by Leslie Gore over and over. Finally, one of the other patrons got so sick of listening to it he went over and unplugged the jukebox. That ended that. What I can't figure out is what you were doing in the choir, Dora. I don't remember you being in the choir at school. Did you sing in the youth choir at church?

Thursday, July 13, 2006
Busted, Grounded...or almost
I'll tell this anonymously. See if the guys involved can recognize themselves.

My girl-friend and I were just old enough to wear make-up but not to drive. Her house had a little house behind it, a one room guest cottage. We would go out there to play records, talk on the phone, play games. Her mama and daddy usually went to bed early. Her daddy was a big, tall-bear kind of man. Gentle with a deep voice. Friendly, loveable but still an imposing authority figure.

Anyway, while we were doing the girl thing trying on each other's stuff, messing with our hair, trying out make-up, listening to records in the little house...we started talking about boys we liked (I know, you're shocked). I had this long-time crush, puppy-lust for a boy in my class. My friend thought his buddy was cute. So we hatched the idea of waiting until Mama and Daddy had gone to bed and then calling the boys. We giggled and said, maybe they would come over. We'll mention it to them... to see if they were interested in us, too. If they went to the trouble of coming over, then we would know for sure, you see. But we didn't want Mama and Daddy there...that might scare the guys. They would be more likely to actually come over if we said we were alone. Then we would know they really liked us like we liked them-- if they came over. We didn't think past that. Really, we didn't.

My friend talked to my crush's buddy on the phone, hung up calmly and then shouted at me, "They're coming! They're coming over, oh my god!" And we proceeded to freak. At the main house it looked like "lights out," so that was good. We kept watch for them peaking out the window...and in no time, here they come walking up to the door. One thing led to another and here we were all 4 sitting on the couch, visible from the little glass window in the top of the door, not exactly behaving ourselves. Now mind you, my friend and I had experienced pretty much nothing more than a puppy love kiss-- and here were the boys wasting no time getting down to bizness. Particularly my friend's luv interest who had her completely engulfed and was all over her in a wrestle hold.

Just when both of us were to the point of thinking "wow, I'm glad he really likes me but this is going a little fast" -- the door blasted open... Daddy Bear loomed over us, a tall dark shadow in the doorway, and calmly but ohhhh so deep sounding slowly announced: "I... think... it's... TIME... for...you BOYS... to LEAVE... now." All I remember is his voice resounding against the 4 walls of the room like God Himself had appeared, everyone scrambling to unlock and the boys getting up immediately and mumbling "yes, sir" as they scurried out the door past him. Daddy walked back to the house and it was understood that we should follow him obediently and hope for the best. He didn't say a word. Went straight to bed. That was our signal to do the same.

My friend and I immediately went to her bedroom down the short hallway, got in our jammies in a rush, whispering the whole time and jumped in bed. Nothing was on our mind but damage control. How much did her father SEE anyway? WHAT did he see? Was he looking through the window in the door? Maybe not. Maybe he saw it all. Maybe nothing. Maybe something...we didn't know but we quickly decided to devise a cover just in case he saw nothing: we would leave the door open to the bedroom and act like we were talking to ourselves in bed but loud enough that Daddy Bear could hear us in his bed in the next room. "Well, nothing HAPPENED you know..." "Yeah, I KNOW...nothing really HAPPENED" "They were just in the neighborhood and saw the lights on and stopped by." "Yeah, that's right...they had JUST come in the door when your daddy came in..." "And you know, we were just talking..." "yeah, that's all, just talking and they were about to leave." "Yeah." "We didn't really do anything wrong" "Oh no, we were just playing around, just talking, they were only there a second."

The next morning, we sheepishly went to breakfast and Daddy Bear was reading the newspaper. 'Morning! ...we chirpped, like 2 innocent little birds to Mama, Daddy, her sister... still trying to put up the damage control front. But no acknowledgement from her father that we were even in the room...he just kept reading the paper. We looked at each other like "oh, S__ ." Had our cover worked the night before? We chatted mindlessly while taking side glances at each other and then at her father. We tried to act like everything was normal. Still nothing. Dead silence. Still the newspaper and his reading glasses never budged an inch. The chatter subsided, replaced with an awkward quietness. You could hear a pin drop in the room while we picked at our plates, wondering just how much he really saw the night before.

Finally, he slowly put down the newspaper on the table, tilted his head down slightly to make eye contact over his glasses with his daughter. She froze in mid-bite on some bacon, not blinking. So did I. Our eyes must have been as big as his coffee cup. When he saw he had our undivided attention, he then (again, slowly, calmly), asked... "So... who was the... little QUARTERBACK... who came to visit last night?" I can't recall exactly, but I think she dropped the bacon still halfway in her mouth.

40 years ago... it's still one of our favorite stories...and I still have that puppy crush, too.

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Comments:
Contributor said... What a HOOT!! You guys must have been a trip! But knowing you as I do now--I don't doubt it a bit!Bogie.
Anonymous said... I love it! Nothing like risky innocence!



CATHY & BOGIE

Cathy and her family had invited me to go to Philly with them to meet the Philadelphia Rosicas! A trip of a lifetime! This is Cathy and Bogie just after the trip--we had just arrived home and Cathy's mom took this photo. We had one of the best times of our lives!




















Dora and Jan (1956-1968)

Last night I was thinking back on childhood memories. Jan, I know you remember this. Jan, and I would sneak around and smoke in high school.. We were in the tenth grade. Her mother (whom I loved with all my heart) would stop us at the door and smell our hair when we would come in to see if she smelled smoke on us. Jan would carry a bottle of perfume in her purse and spray her hair and clothes to fool her mother. One day we walked down the street from Jan's house and we smoked a cigg on the porch with Connie Bassett. We panicked as we walked back as Jan did not have her perfume with her. We thought we would beat her mother home but we were too late. We knew as soon as we walked in the house she would smell smoke. We had a plan. We would blame Connie Bassett! When we walked in, we began to tell her mother how Connie Bassett was smoking and MADE us try a cig and it made us sick! She just looked at us. I often wondered if she believed that story or not. I am sure she knew the truth as much as my mother did when I would smoke in the den and put the cigg in a glass of water if she came in the den. She would turn on the light and I would play innocent. Duh! Never did it occur that when she turned on the light there was smoke all over the room and the smell of ciggs. She would not say anything. She would look at me with a look. I know you remember the "mother look". I use to get a lot of those looks. One of, "Do I go into this with her, ignore it, or where did I go wrong look?"

I can also remember how Jan The Baptist enlightened me as to what the F word meant. We were ten years old and at a church picnic at Stu rat Springs Park. The pavilion at the top of the hill had a poem carved in the table with the F word.Since we didn't have Home Box Office back then, I didn't have a clue as to what the F word meant! Jan told me she did. She said I will tell you if you walk to the bottom of the hill. We walked down to the field behind a tree and Jan in all of her intelligence said, "Dora, not many people know what it means and you have to promise me you will not tell anyone what it means". I promised as I waited on the mystery of what the F word meant.She leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "It means shit". I can remember thinking that was bad but nothing like what I expected to hear. Jan, I am sorry that I kept your secret for 45 years and finally broke and told the world! I just want to thank you for informing me about life at such a young age!

Jan Says... Dora, we were older than 10!!!! I was still playing with dolls at 10 and didn't know either word existed---I don't think you did either!!! We had to be 12 or 13 at least!!!!! Love, Jan The Baptist!!!

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PICTURES

We would love to post your pictures... and the blog is one way for so many to enjoy them that otherwise would not be able to do so. So if you could be so generous as to take a little time to share photos but don't know how to get copies of your pictures to us by email - then just send us an email note and we'll get back to you and help arrange the easiest way for you to get a copy to us. You don't have to risk sending your valuable originals. You never know what joy these pictures can bring to others...those who may, for one reason or another, not have any momentos of their childhood in Forrest City. Thanks for all your valuable contributions...photos of childhood are rare so it is a real treat and a blessing to share with others.

Send pix or ask us to help you get copies & send: ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Chris Fogg White: My dear friend, Nan Montgomery, (Booger and Bobbie's sister) lived in Bay St Louis, MS last year. Because of Hurricane Katrina, she and her family lost everything. The furniture, clothing, etc. have been replaced, but she has no pictures of her childhood or any other pictures for that matter. I ask that if you have any pictures with Nan in them to please make a copy and send to her. Her name and address are below. Thanks:

Nan Montgomery Signorelli
1568 Brookshire Drive
Benton, AR 72015

Administrator's note: You can also send any pictures you have on a CD or digital pictures for Nan to our email box and we will print them out and mail them to Nan for you. You can take your pictures to Office Depot or Office Max and they will scan them for you and put them on a CD for you...then you can send the CD to Nan-- or you can just copy the picture files off the CD in your computer and send them attached to an email. If you need more help with this process, please email us. Thanks.

CLASS of 58

Frances Walker (McCampbell) FCHS '58 says...I just 'ran up on' this blog spot. Who put it up? I think you are older than I am, but just wondered. I've enjoyed reading the posts.

Contributor says... Hi Frances, Class of 68 folks started it, but those who contribute own it. You can read the story of how it started in the very first post (scroll all the way to the bottom). So glad you stopped by and enjoy it. We are having a ball! Tell us some stories!

Frances Walker McCampbell says...My parents were Lois and Clement Walker. We lived on the corner of Buford and Divion in the large white house. My mother is still there, and Daddy died when we were children. Our farm was below Madison in the St. Francis River next to Web Sweet's farm. Whew...... that's going a long way back.I hope you have many people participating from different classes. I think this is wonderful!!!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right) or email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Watkins Restaurant

Jeannie: There are so many things I remember about Watkins. When I was young Parker Furniture Store was behind Watkins. Because my father, Sam Rolfe, and Ted Parker were best friends there were many times we would go to the furniture store so Ted and Sally could join us for our afternoon tradition known as "coffee time". We would walk from the back door of Parker's to the back screened door of Watkins. To get there we had to walk through the alley and cross a long wooden plank. (I can still smell the wonderful aroma of the rolls before we were anywhere near the door!) As we walked through the kitchen each of the cooks would greet us with a warm smile and a friendly "hello". It was so fun to exit from the kitchen and watch the customers faces as we appeared in the doorway of the dining room. I too remember the small glass individual creamers they used to serve with the coffee. I loved to drink that cream! That was also the place I filled out a Grid-Iron Guesser for the upcoming football week and at age 10 or 11 I won, beating out all the Parker boys! My dad got a big kick out of that!

Bogie: Speaking of "hang-outs", does anyone remember how "up-town" we felt when we were treated to dinner at Watkins? Eating out wasn't as common then as it is now and going out was such a treat! My dad would call it treating mom special on "her day"--Mother's day or her birthday--to take the whole family out to eat at Watkins. I believe the family who owned or managed the restaurant were the Paul Graves' family.

Sula: Eloise Watkins Graves, Paul's 1st wife, was sister to Chan (Chandler) Watkins. Chan owned Watkins in West Memphis which was also hugely popular in the 50's and 60's. I remember the rolls that melted in your mouth. Great family style restaurant and the food was always really good. Eloise was one of grandmother's best friends. She died too young. My grandparents in W Mphs both worked in their store across the street from Watkins & when I stayed with them we ate there daily. Went to kindergarten with Chan's daughter. Watkins was an institution in both FC & W Mphs. Church crowds would unofficially "rotate" for Sunday dinners after church . I can recall hearing things like "let's wait until Methodists are finished eating" or "you won't be able to get a seat right now, the Baptists just got out."

B.J. said... That's right. Since the Methodists were right across the street there was no beating them there after church. But, our Baptist preachers were always holding us past 12 anyway, so it worked out anyway. I remember Watkins in the 50's when I was pretty young. I finally convinced my daddy to take me fishing with him. He had warned me that we would have to get up at 5:30 to get out on the lake before the sun came up so we'd be there when the fish started biting. I was up and rearing to go right on time, but what did he do? He took me straight to Watkins Cafe where we ate breakfast and he had a couple of cups of coffee first. It was well past sun up when we finally got to the lake, but it was a real treat to eat breakfast out at Watkins Cafe. The owners were so friendly, and so were the waitresses.

Dora says... BJ, can you remember the two of us walking to Watkins on Saturday from my house and eating lemon ice box pie! The best pie ever! I can also remember our pretending we were on candid camera and the camera was hidden in the flowers that were along the wall. I mean we were only 12 but we were strange! I also remember Dr Charles Lattimore eating in Watkins. He was the first African American to eat there. It was a big deal at the time. It was during the time of the Sweet Wiliie Wine march. Really hard to believe that his eating there was such a big deal. I can remember people staring at him and I thought he was cool!

Carol said...I remember that Watkins in Forrest City had the best fried chicken and rolls of all. Chan Watkins died last year here in West Memphis. I'm in a civic club with his widow, Dorothy, and she told me that when she married Chan and moved to Forrest City she had no idea that she would be required to work in a restaurant. She was so beautiful and looked like a movie star to my young eyes. Does anyone remember her then?

Paul said...Our family ate many Sunday dinners at Watkins Cafe after the Methodist Church let out. While those dinners were memorable for the yummy food after a too-long sermon, they couldn’t compare with the unforgettable early morning breakfasts. Starting at age 12, I helped load meat trucks for my father at 6 a.m. on summer mornings and weekends during the school year. He would rouse me out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and we would be at Watkins Café by 5:15 a.m. Claude Buford, Johnnie Turner, Web Sweet and a couple of other men were always there at their favorite table when we walked in. They had a never-ending catalogue of good jokes, but what I remember most fondly were the hilarious stories they told on each other. Often they had everyone in the cafe in stitches. My father and I both enjoyed their friendly comradere and hearty laughs – so aside from the great food, breakfast at Watkins Café was always a memorable experience and a great way to wake up! When I was younger, I remember getting “lost” in daydreams about the panoramic photos that lined the walls. By the way, B.J., I believe your father was also there frequently for early morning breakfasts during those years.

Hangouts: The Corral

Bogie: The Skipper was a fun place to go for a burger and coke after the movies on Friday or Saturday nites. But remember "The Corral" after the ballgames? Some of the finest victory parties were had there--(when we had a victory)! The jukebox had the latest songs and we could all dance--we would dance if we could get the guys to join in! Most of us girls had to dance together--then it was common.

Teachers

Butch Class of 60: I think I saw a mention of Mrs. Bratton. She taught Latin, as I remember. It's only a memory, cause you can bet I didn't sign up for a foreigh language. I remember that there was the possibility of Latin being offered in the ninth grade if enough 8th graders signed up for it in advance. Claudette Lindsay ran all over the Junior High hammering on likely Latin scholars to sign up so she could be sure and get Latin I. Well, enough suckers signed up and Latin I would be offered in the ninth grade the next year. Yippeeee! The next year, everyone who signed up was pre-registered and it became one of their classes. Everyone but Claudette! Et tu, Claudette?

Janet, Class of 62: Teachers - I think Mr. Bratton was one of best teachers I ever had. Jimmy Lindsey told a wonderful story about him at one of our reunions. After Mr. Bratton passed away there was a sale at his home. Jimmy's sister went to the sale and found numerous yearbooks each literally stuffed with clippings about students he had taught at Forrest City. He had evidently kept up with students after they graduated and saved newspaper articles that related to them. Mrs. Bratton was also a good teacher. She was really strict but cared about her students. She expected you to do your home work. Karen Moore, Class of 62, can attest to that since she was the center of the story that circulated through FC High for many years about translating a Latin story. And who can forget Miss Smart? Mr. McClure made my life miserable. The only time my parents ever came to school was in my defense for punishment he gave me. Couch Slaughter threw erasers at us in class.

Anonymous: Alice Anne DeRossit was the best teacher ever. She made history come to life and one of the only teachers I can remember that all the kids liked. Miss Engles would get on my nerves! SHe would say Memphis Egypt not the Memphis in Tenn but Memphis Egypt! DUH! (July 24, 2006)

Anyone remember one of the not-so-favorites--Mr. McClure? Eighth grade American History, Sam Smith Jr. High, 1957-58 school year. Just one year--but what a deal he made!!

Bogie said... Others that come to mind--a not-so-favorite, remember her? She was a fairly large woman, (they all were to me at that time), kept pulling her bra or slip straps up in class and study hall. She was well-known for knowing how to "turn the page of the book or magazine". If you were ever lax enough to "flip" pages she made a special trip to your desk or seat to show you and those around you how to turn the page. You gently grasp the top right corner, slip your fingers down the side of the page and "fold" it to the left. Get it? I did--about 100 times!

One of our favorites--Mr. Henley--band director. Did everyone realize that Mr. Henley appeared in the movie "Jaws 2"? When I saw that movie at the theatre, I never suspected I was looking at him--and it was several years later that I really looked at him and on my own decided "that was Mr. Henley!" There was some clairification with other students that I had not gone insane--they also knew he had appeared in the movie.And my all-time favorite--Mr. A.F. Thomas--choir director. He stuck to his guns as a director--I had to take a math course in my junior year and had to give up choir for that one time. I had been in his choir since jr. hi but missed that year. I didn't get to go on the choir trip my sr. year. Mr. Thomas said it was because I didn't take his class in the 11th grade. I was heart-broken.
Mon Jul 10, 10:07:57 AM 2006

Paul said… YES, A.F. Thomas was as cool as he was good. He also put up with a lot of shenanigans from the boys in the choir. We (the others know who they are) used to make farting sounds by squeezing our hands together. Of course it would disrupt everything and trigger giggling fits throughout the choir. His response was the best. He would get this sad, tired look on his face…glance up in our direction…then put his hands on his hips, and state in a tone of resignation as he looked towards heaven…”It takes so little to entertain some people.” And you know, that was a pretty effective response. I didn’t feel so hip making the farting sounds after that. My experience in choir was just great though.

Mr. Bratton was probably THE BEST overall high school teacher I ever encountered. He could have been a professor in a university because he was that smart and that good. He made both geometry and physics understandable and fun.

Mrs. DeRossitt was a joy – both as an excellent teacher and as a mentor. We used to drop by her house unannounced on weekend evenings to visit with her. She always made us feel welcome. I marveled at the fact that she read a book a day – which of course gave her a great breadth of knowledge on a range of subjects.

I had a mad crush on Mrs. Holland (11th grade English). But aside from that, she was a wonderful teacher, got me interested in poetry and writing, and helped me analyze some Bob Dylan songs.

Mrs. Harrington was a very good teacher, an enjoyable friend, and at times an enigma as both. She was an excellent bass fisherwoman – as Jim Machen and I can substantiate. She also had two lovely daughters. We also used to drop by her house in Marianna on weekend nights to see her daught…er…I mean, to visit with her. lol

And then…at the other end of the spectrum was Mr. Shuford. *sigh* Uh…perhaps I should let Jan, Linda, B.J., Nancy, Dora, Gee Gee, et al. cover those stories…

CLASS of 65

1959
Photo courtesy of Walter Ferguson. To see a close up, right click on picture, download to your computer and open up in your computer picture viewer.

Walter Ferguson: Billy Lieblong just sent me the link to the site. It's great. I've been living outside Nashville, Tn. for 25 years doing music. I love all the comments about FC. It WAS a great place to come of age. I talk about growing up there often to people everywhere. St. Francis county will always be apart of my life. I'd love to hear from old classmates. wfergus5@bellsouth.net

Walter Ferguson, Jr. Class of '65

Re Nan Montgomery: My dear friend, Nan Montgomery, (Booger and Bobbie's sister) lived in Bay St Louis, MS last year. Because of Hurricane Katrina, she and her family lost everything. The furniture, clothing, etc. have been replaced, but she has no pictures of her childhood or any other pictures for that matter. I ask that if you have any pictures with Nan in them to please make a copy and send to her. Her name and address: Nan Montgomery Signorelli, 1568 Brookshire Drive, Benton, AR 72015. Thanks, Chris (Fogg) White

60's Culture: Vietnam Vets

Homecoming Party

Hank Haven (Pennsylvania):
I went to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam as a Phantom II (F4C) fighter pilot in July 67 and returned in July 68. It was a time of anti war upheaval in the United States (The GI’s knew as “The Real World”). Protesters were everywhere demeaning the returning GI’s. I had been home about two weeks trying to get my time zones turned around from the jet-lag of being halfway around the world, when I found out about a ‘small’ party that was being set up in my honor. Mom and Dad, with the help of a lot of family and friends had set up a dance floor, juke box, hurricane lamps, food tables, drinks and chairs. They had invited what seemed about half the town (600 people) to welcome me back home. There was our Congressman, Mayor, family and friends all there to greet me and to show that they didn’t agree with the protesters. It was an extraordinary event that I’ll never forget. Very few people asked me about the war but they did ask me if I had seen “The Graduate” with Dustin Hoffman. They seemed to think I favored him a little. Thank you for your kindness.

This is one of my mission pictures.

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ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Another Vietnam Vet

Walter Ferguson, Dickson, Tn. I was in Vietnam in 68. I was a doorgunner with the 121st Assault Helicopter Co. in Soc Trang. Richard Hodges was there at the same time and we sent a photo to the Times Hearld. Our parents were so surprised. We were standing next to a chopper. J.O. Smith, Keith Harrelson.....I'm not sure who else went. After I got home I remember talking in Mr. Webbs history class to kids about what I did. I'm so thankful to be alive. St. Farncis County has a long history of Veterans. WF

Bogie: Thanks so much for your service. I pray for our guys overseas now and hope that they can come home soon. The freedoms I enjoy come only from one place--our vets!Thanks again and God bless you!

CLASS of 82

Preston: There are lots of you guys on here from the 50's and 60's...but I have to tell you the early 80's were not that much different in Forrest City....The only thing that was different was that we hung out at The Sonic instead of The Skipper. We still enjoyed going to the Imperial to the movie...but were given a second choice for a couple of years after The Twin Cinema opened...and we were still able to enjoy The Skyway Drive In.....Is there anyone else out there who graduated in the early 80's?

Drive-in movie

Carol Class of '51 : Who remembers the old drive-in theater? That was THE place to go on a date. So many of us would pile in one of our parent's cars (even in the trunk) and have a ball. Sometimes we even watched the movie.

Butch Class of 60: Was it the "Sky Vue Drive-In"? I have a few memories about that place, too. I remember the first time we went as a family. The drive-in was new and it was a really convenient and inexpensive place to take the whole family to the movies. The Ford family didn't go to the movies much....more like never before or after. The Ford kids had their jammies on and the back floor was made level to the back seat with quilts. It was pretty neat. I would like to think we took our own popcorn and snacks, but I really don't remember.

Years later, my Dad's pickup truck was my primary vehicle. I remember taking the truck to the drive-in a couple of times. I usually took the cover off the bed. Had to, it had FORD'S FOOD CENTER on both sides. You couldn't get away with very much in FC in those days. It was a cinch you couldn't with that kind of publicity riding around on the back of your transportation.

Back to the point. The drive-in was often referred to as the "passion pit." A couple of us guys got a bale or two of hay and spread it around in the back of the truck, got dates and went to the drive-in for a genuine hay ride. (There were some other hay rides back then that were memorable.) All we had to do was park backward. It didn't work. The hay got all over us, down our necks, everywhere. Plus, it was pretty warm and the hay stuck to the sweat. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I remember those little curly green things you could light and the fumes were supposed to keep the skeeters away. Nothing keeps St. Francis County mo-skeeters away. Cigarette smoke was probably just as effective. How about the guy with the fogger who would fog up the place between movies. He would look for cars with kids he knew, especially if they were making out, and fog 'em good. I don't remember that the fogger had any real effect on the mosquitos, but it had a sudden and negative effect on the make-out part.

50's Culture: Elvis

Elvis Presley played at least 2 times in Forrest City, which is just 40 miles West of Memphis. (As reported on the webiste "The Girl's Guide to Elvis" ). This bit of history is curtesy of Marianne (via Paul Gibson, her brother).

"In Forrest City he [Elvis] performed at Smith Stadium on 9/5/55 as part of the Labor Day celebration and on 11/14/55 at the Forrest City High School Auditorium to benefit the Crowleys Ridge Shrine Club."

The high school auditorium? Anyone recall it?

Bogie: I'll have to answer for my sister, Mary Lynne. She remembers Elvis' visit--boy, does she! She and a friend climed into the back of his car when the concert was over and he asked them if they wanted to "go to Memphis"! She had to decline. We had our photo made with Elvis shortly after at his home on Audubon Drive. He was being interviewed by a couple of reporters and photographers in the front of his home. We were just out for a ride and decided to go by his home to see if he was there. He was! Our photo appeared in the Oct. issue of "Elvis Speaks" 1956--the very last picture in the magazine. I was 12, Mary Lynne was 18, and our cousins, Bill and Shirley were 14 and 15--we were in heaven!!

Bogie:
When? Summer of 1956
Where? Elvis' house on Audobon Drive, Memphis, TN
Who? Left to right--My sister, Mary Lynne Bogart, 18, cousin,
Shirley, 16, Bogie, 12, and cousin, Bill, 15.
How? Went riding one Sunday afternoon--checked to see if
Elvis was home--he was! And so were two reporters and
a photographer with The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
picture didn't make the newspaper--it was on the last
page of a magazine called "Elvis Speaks", released in
October, 1956. Ain't we sum'um'!!??

Lin: Elvis left one broken hearted teenager in his wake when he played FC. It seems that Linda Carroll kissed Elvis in front if my older brother Nick. To this day he says that the trauma of seeing Linda kiss Elvis destroyed his ability to like music for life. That is his story and he has stuck to it for fifty years.

Parking

Bogie said...
Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue were the celebs of the day. Dates consisted of a movie at the Imperial and a burger, fries and coke at the Skipper. Then home! Ha, we never parked!!

Anonymous said...
Wellllllll...girl, your know by the 60's Marilyn died, there were 6 James Bond movies (which included the infamous girlfriend, Pussy Galore), Lolita, Tom Jones, The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf...Hullabaloo dancers, Laugh In with Goldie Hawn dancing in a bikini on TV-- by the late 60's parking had become pretty standard after the same burger, fries and a coke at the Skipper! In fact, I can recall guys rushing to the "choice" parking places around town to get them first before they got taken. Dead end, undeveloped streets in Washington Heights, the old cemetary, behind the old DBS house, Stuart Springs...country roads... if you were looking for someone & they weren't in the usual places, you would then go by their favorte parking place (which you would know where that was). The biggest hazard was the police shining a flashlight inside the car before you saw them coming.

CLASS of 81

Class of 81, Can You Hear Me?
Thanks for creating this blog! Even in the early 80s, Forrest City had some of that Mayberry quality left. The class of '81 has their 25th reunion coming up later this month. Anybody from the Class of '81 out there? -- dw, flora ms

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ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Hangouts: The Skipper

Harrelson coming out of the Dairy Diner with a coke (probably for a SPO member). Note the Skipper in the background.

I know there are a ton of stories here from the 50's & 60's...gotta be! Break-ups...first dates...getting pinned...fights...plots hatched...I can recall a sea of cars and kids, the old aluminum trays on the car windows from curb service, french fries, burgers, shakes...so many girls in one car we were sitting on each others' laps...some girls had pledge boxes with sticks of gum, running up to cars asking if they wanted gum...clove gum was in high demand...squeal-outs on the highway. When did the Skipper open & when did it end (as a drive in)...was it a fire?

CLASS of 51

Kudos to whoever started the Peach Tree Chronicles. I couldn't resist writing from the class of '51. There are six of us girls who get together for lunch every two months or so. It's the most amazing thing, that even though there are wrinkles and other signs of "mature" women (but no gray hair) we are all still beautiful, vivacious Forrest City belles. We have decided that it's the water that makes Forrest Citians so special. When we were young we used to go most nice Saturdays to Norfleet's Springs, later named Stuart Springs. We would roam the woods and always drink the water from the springs.

I must respond to the haunted house article. I was born in the house that is now the museum. The Rush's were my grandparents. We lived there until I was five and it wasn't haunted then or when my friends and I were older and played and spent the night there. My aunt, who lived there later, kept hearing noises upstairs, but when she called the police they discovered that racoons had gotten in. So, if it is haunted it must have happened when the museum moved in.

So many good memories from growing up in Forrest City. Does anyone remember the hot tamale man pushing his cart? the tamales were three for a quarter and delicious.

Another note from the Class of '51: I have such fond memories of the swimming pool every day in the summer and Butler's for delicious barbecue. And that was almost out in the country! We would take up collection on Sunday afternoons (all of 50 cents) and ride around all afternoon. I was a cheerleader and the Mustang football games were such fun and the dances afterward. I can attest that Dr. Rush's house (now the museum) was not haunted. We had fun there and they had a player piano that we enjoyed. Going to Memphis and the Peabody for the sorority and fraternity formals is another fond memory. And the picture show on Sunday afternoons. I remember walking to the picture show down Washington in my first pair of high heels. Forrest City was a wonderful place to grow up in!

Drugstores

I'll have a Cherry Vanilla Coke, please.
Okay, let's dalk drug stores. I remember three fountain drug stores in town, but I only remember one having booths to sit in. Who can name them, and where was the one with the booths, or did they all have booths? B.J.

Paul G said...
I think Ferguson's Drug Store (on Rosser ?) had both the fountain/bar and the booths, the Palace Drug Store (on the corner of Broadway across from the Methodist Church) also had a fountain (no booths that I remember), and then there was the drug store on South Washington with a fountain - but... I don't remember the name! We used to go there after Sunday School and get "adult novels" to read in the balcony of the Methodist Church during the service (while B.J., Jan, Nancy, Dora, et.al. were skipping church all together!). Once when I was in the 2nd grade, my mother had just bought me a cherry vanilla coke at this drug store after school. I was just about ready to take a big sip when I looked up and saw Mrs. Danehower (my teacher) standing in front of me! I had never previously seen one of my school teachers outside of school - and was so STARTLED that I dropped my coke on the floor! I guess I just assumed that teachers LIVED at the school. lol
Sun Jul 02, 12:57:32 PM 2006

B.J. said...
That's the drug store I was thinking about, too, but I don't remember the name either. Could it have been City Drug Store? I don't know why, but that sounds familiar. I remember sitting in the booths later as teenagers shooting straws at each other. The drinks came in real glass glasses. Did they have paper drink cups back then? I don't remember getting drinks "to go". We had the time to sit and enjoy it there anyway, which we much preferred.
Sun Jul 02, 07:55:35 PM 2006

Sula said...
When I visited my grandparents from age 6-9 and lived with my grandmother from 9-11 I practically lived at the Palace Drug Store. No booths. Table, chairs and stools at the fountain. I would walk down there by myself and get a Superman comic book or Supergirl and get an ice cream cone in a sugar V-cone and eat it as slowly as possible finally when I had nibbled it down so there was only a small little v cone left, I would ask them to put a tiny dollop on top to make it look like a doll ice cream cone. Most of the kids coming in there when I was there were older(I didn't know them. They would read the comic books on the stands while having an ice cream or soda... you had to buy one to read them but you could exchange the one you sat with at the table and read with a soda before you left, with one you hadn't read. But I didn't do that. I bought one each day & finally had read every single one on the stand. I took mine home & read it over & over. I would go down there every day waiting for the newest one to come out & would buy it. We had STACKS, BOXES of Superman & Supergirl comic books. I knew everything about Superman, Superboy & Supergirl. Wish I had them now! I can see almost everything in the Palace Drug Store in my mind now...where the drug counter was (back) and there was a back door there, the Whitmans' candy counter(on left). I think B is right...the City Drug Store was the last fountain to close in town. I recall going there in 1968, senior year, and it was the only one left.
Sun Jul 02, 09:07:02 PM 2006

Contributor said...
The drug stores I can remember were the Palace, City, Broadway, Jim Edgar, and Ferguson. I think it was the City or the Broadway that had the booths. They were close to each other downtown on Washington Street. One of my best friend's parents owned the Palace and I remember that we drove the Gray's nuts going in there so much and Ruth Ann getting behind the fountain to fix our sodas.
Sun Jul 02, 09:30:25 PM 2006

Bogie said...
The drug store on South Washington was the Broadway. My buds, Gylinda Bounds, Cathy Rosica, Joyce Gray and MaryAnn Burrows stopped in there all the time to read Photoplay magazines and sip on our chery cokes! Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue were the celebs of the day. Dates consisted of a movie at the Imperial and a burger, fries and coke at the Skipper. Then home! Ha, we never parked!!
Mon Jul 03, 2006

Jeannie said...
D.B. and I used to go to the Palace Drug Store and sit in the window, literally, as we read the comic books and drank a coke. It is hard to believe that Joe and Marion Gray never said a word to us about how long we stayed and/or never buying one of the comic books! Then there was Mrs. Lockhart that used to follow us around in Ferguson's Drug Store. We would go in together and split up just to see what she would do. Those were the carefree days!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

CLASS of 62

REUNION CORRECTION: Hey Guys! Please correct the announcement of the Class of '62's coming reunion--I said the band hired for the party is from Jackson, not----they're from Memphis, TN. Please make that correction for me. We have so many great bands in this state that I just errored in naming the town they are from. I guess I just wanted to take credit for having them from here also!

We were able to hear "Solid Gold" again last night--they are great! They wanted me to remind everyone that can appreciate the music from the '50's and '60's to be there. They want a good crowd and folks that will dance! They won't have any trouble from me!

Another little bit of trivia--the first gig that "Solid Gold" had was the Forrest City Country Club, in 1975!!

Hope to see all my blog buddies there! Love ya, Bogie

May, 1962 Senior Day
Well, it has happened again! There I was, sitting peacably in the Emissary room, when Mrs. Barry up and assigns me to write about Senior Day at Bear Creek Lake, which has to go in the "Senior Edition" of the Emissary.

I was never one to get all excited about writing an article and I usually waited until the last day before the Emissary was to be out before I would get my article in. But that was a little different. We had such a grand time, that I just wanted to tell you people all about it.

To start off with, the sun (bless its heart) was shining brightly, which made it a perfect day for Bear Creek Lake --perfect for blistering, that is.

We started off bright and early in shorts, bathing suits, etc. Upon our arrival at Bear Creek, there was a mad scramble as we all scurried over to the boat house to rent boats. Mr. Bratton, calm as he is, got out of the way one second too late, as he was trampled in the stampede.
After the boats were rented, we really started having fun! Most everyone was out in a boat and the ones that weren't were sunning themselves on the boat deck or exploring the surrounding woodlands. You should have seen Mr. Henley rowing Mrs. Henley around the lake at full speed.
All the motor boats had to run for their lives! Linda Kyle and Barbara Myers tried to teach Mr. Bratton how to twist while M.L. Cowan tried to teach himself how to swim. I understand Agnes Hubert rode Linda Williford and Mary Frances Lindauer "piggy-back" all day.

When it came time to eat, it was worse than "rush hour at the Korner Kream" as you can imagine! We were all about to drop from hunger! Man, the food certainly was good-fried chicken, sandwiches, chips, pickles, drinks (soft), and all the trimmings.

We were all having a marvelous time when the call came for us to go home. After a lot of groaning and moaning and "don't touch the back of my shoulders", we finally got loaded and were on our way home. Amid the roar of the "big city life" of Marianna, the faint sound of a siren was heard. We had a police excort!

All in all, we had a wonderful time that we will remember always and if we had it to do over again, we would have done the same thing.
(writer unknown)

The Emissary staff:
Editor.....................................................Agnes Hubert
Layout Editor..........................................Retha Ellis
Business Manager..................................Kaye Leftwich
Circulation Manager................................Gene Woods
Sponsor.................................................Mrs. David Barry
Typists...................................................Nita Davidson and
Van Gore
Reporters................................................Jessica Shelby, Don
Gattinger, Shirley
Spencer, Reece France,
Betty Bridgforth, Lee
Ora Chapman, Larry
McNair, Karen Cecil,
and Constance Gilbert.

Stay tuned for more installments from the 1962 Emissary Senior Edition. Bogie


2007 REUNION NEWS!

OK you guys, mark it down on the calendar!! Sept. 29 weekend in FC for our 45th!! I know some of you didn't graduate with the class of '62, but you're still invited to the dance on Saturday night at the Civic Center. Plans are being made now for the activities for Friday and Saturday so watch for future e-mails and details (wow! I just made a poem! Mrs. Wall would be so proud!) For all of us who will be attending, the band selected by the committee will absolutely blow you away!! One of the best rock 'n roll bands with songs from our era will be on hand that Saturday night--everyone who appreciates our music should be there!! They are "Solid Gold" from Jackson, MS!! I know some of you have heard them and know what I mean!! Money will be discussed at a later meeting--next one is scheduled for April 10 in FC. If you want to come--come on! There are plans to invite the classes '61 and '63 to join us for the dance and other activities. We may have our meals and programs in separate rooms at the Civic Center. Anyway, all that is still to be determined and I'll let you know thru e-mail and post-mail about other plans. If you have any special requests-you can send to me at my e-mail address and I'll pass along at future meetings.
Thanks and I love you guys!
Bogie

Bogie: Anyone know "legs"?
Sula: Girl, you haven't changed a bit!
And I haven't even met you in person yet!













1956

Bogie with some classmates at a recent reunion--Jerry Patterson and Collie Walker. Jerry missed all reunions up to the 35th year due to his commitments to the US Armed Forces. We finally got him to one and he vowed never to miss another! Collie hasen't missed a reunion--thanks to him and his lovely wife, we enjoy breakfast each and every reunion at their home on Forrest Street. Collie, along with classmate, David Hamby play a vital role in the program every year--both have given their all to make sure we have a great time and wonderful program--they share the Emcee roles! But just try to get them to shut up!! HA! Bogie

SENIOR PARTIES

Some of our greatest memories besides all the mischief has to be our senior parties. Celebrating the end of our school years and the beginning of ..................(well, whatever)! Our Jr. Sr. Banquet, class of '62 was honored that night by the class of '63 with a "Gay (it had a different meaning then) Paree" theme and I had a date with Kenny Archer--my steady, Neel Moore was in college and couldn't take me--we danced the night away to "The Tune Dexters". (I cannot remember that band!!) My bud, Cathy Rosica had a date with Jim Wirski and, of course, Peggy Pipkins was with Steve Toomey (they later became Mr. and Mrs.).

Senior Day was a picnic and swim party at Bear Creek Lake--Cathy, myself, and Dot Laws got so sunburned by the sun and the ride home in Wirski's convertable that we couldn't get undressed for 3 days! You can imagine us trying to pee!!

A street dance honoring the seniors by the parents was held in front of our home on Fussell. The entire block between Washington and Izard Streets was blocked off by the police and we had our entire front and side yards full of grads, parents and guests. Dancing to the juke box, food and cold drinks along with the fortune teller made a great party.

One other great party held our junior year was our "Sadie Hawkins" dance. This one the girls ask the boys! Weeeeeeeeeeeee!! Finally, I'll have a date! Thank you Danny Clark! Cathy was with Eddie Anderson, Mary Lynn Green with David Danehower,Diane Clark with Rusty Lindsey, and I have a photo with Cathy Rosica, Paul Parker and Peggy Pipkins.

There were coke parties, brunches, lunches, afternoon teas, (we wore heels and hose to those affairs) and I remember a coke party given for Dot Laws by Diane Clark. We were going to lose Dot, she was moving, so a bunch of us girls got together and gave her a"going away". Goodness!! We had so many great times--wish they had not ended! But as you all know, we still look for a reason to have a party!
Bogie

Bogie Class of 62:
DANCE PARTY: Dianne Clark and Clarence Kennedy--won the contest on "The Top Ten Dance Party", April 8, 1961. Remember Wink Martindale and the show? It was on Saturday nights, WHBQ-TV, channel 13 and different schools from around the area of eastern Arkansas, west Tennessee, and north Mississippi would be invited to or ask to be on the show. This particular night, Forrest City was featured and Clarence and Dianne won the contest! I think their prizes were the transistor radios they are holding.

JR SR BANQUET CLASS OF '62
Weren't we the great rock 'n rollers! That's Karen Sutton, Bogie, Kenny Archer, and Ricky Stephens at the banquet with J. D. Sharpe and Delia Kennedy dancin' to a rock 'n roll hit!

CLASS NIGHT '62

That's Bogie with her parents, Pauline and Forrest Bogart, Bogie with her love, Neel Moore, and Gylinda Bounds--wasn't she just the absolute beauty!!?? She still is!
We lost Neel a couple of years ago--he is greatly missed--one of the sweetest guys ever!
Notice how Gylinda's rose still has its leaves and mine dosen't--I must have really been nervous!
Bogie

More Friends of Bogie-

(Left): Butch Ford (Class of 60)
Under Butch: Terry Hutcherson, class of '59 munching on his fritos!
In the collage:

(Left) Cathy Rosica, Gylinda Bounds and Joyce Gray (Class of 62) walking home from the library one fall day after school,

(Right) Gylinda Bounds and Gail Fleming next to a '57 or '58 auto (not theirs),

(Middle) Butch Ford
(Lower Middle) Joyce Gray and Dot Laws (both Class of 62)
Next to Butch is Gylinda hanging on the phone pole, under Gylinda and the pole, is Gylinda and Bogie eating hugh apples, and over to the left, we carve our initials in a tree at Bear Creek at a FBC GA camp. Ah! Those were the days!! Bogie

Hi Folks!
The FCHS Class of '62 will convene again next year for our 45th year class reunion! Needless to say the class of '62 has set the presidence for class reunions over the years! We have not only celebrated each 5th year since the 20th, we celebrated our 50th birthday in '94, the Millennium in 2000, and our 60th birthday in '04!! (Pictures below).

Now that all of you know how old we are, let me remind you of how young we are! If you were ever a kid or young person in the '50's you will never grow old. You may grow up or mature, but you will never grow old. You had at your disposal some of the greatest movies, music, t.v., cars, drive-ins (both for eating and movies), parents, neighborhoods and role-models ever in the twentieth century! Those 10 years were undoubtly the best to be a kid! Our folks didn't have to worry about the t.v. we were watching or movies we saw at the Imperial. We would walk to town every day after school and get a soda at the Broadway Drug Store and continue on to the library to check books out for the next book report. We always had our transistor radio at our ear to listen to the latest from WHBQ!

There are so many great memories we can share with everyone about those days and the Class of '62 will be glad to share them with you. We are in the process of recording our memories in scrapbooks to be presented to the St Francis County Museum on the occasion of our 50th year reunion in 2012! Stay tuned for more installments!

See ya,
Paulette Bogart Fancher
Class of '62
Greenwood, Mississippi

CLASS OF 62- 60th BIRTHDAY PARTY
The birthday party was a huge success--largely due to the efforts of these classmates--Nita Davidson, Barbara Myers, Janet Montgomery, Mary Ann Taylor, and Cathy Rosica. Not pictured, Larry Kelly and Faye Carroll Wilson (Mr and Mrs) attended but couldn't stay long. You guys don't look 60!! Bogie

From Bogie...The class of '62 celebrated their 60th birthday with a great day in FC by touring the new school and eating, drinking, and catching up at Oscar's in October of '04. These are some of the photos from the events. We should be easy to identify--we haven't changed!!









The guys thought they would try their hand at a little "YMCA"!

The girls put on a great show of "Stop In the Name of Love" and Bratcher tried his hand at a few Elvis tunes!!

The tour of the new school was great! We were all very impressed with all the changes and the way they were able to preserve some of the old school made it that much more fun for us. The gym and auditorium brought back a lot of memories! Lunches in the gym and senior home room in the auditorium. Whew--it just can't be that long ago!!

CLASS of 76

The pictures have been great to see and the comments great to read. This is a wonderful idea and I thank you for sharing. I am right now missing my 30 year reunion and this then makes me sad for my decision. Oh well, the 70's in Forrest City were tough times. We unfortunately, the class of '76 don't stay in close contact.

We'd love to hear from the Class of '76 about their 30 year reunion!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (at right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Hall of Fame

By popular demand, we hereby name those who have achieved fame into the Peach Fuzz Chronicles Hall of Fame (Please add - these are only a start)

Nathan Bedford Forrest: (This overview is plagarized from Wikipedia) b. 1821 Tenn. d. 1877. This intriguing character who became head of the family at the tender age of 17 managed to raise his family out of poverty to become one of the South's richest men in pre-war Memphis. At first a farmer, then a plantation owner, he was a slave trader on Memphis' Front St. market when the Civil War started. During the War, he became a legendary rebel, confederate general and perhaps the American Civil War's most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). Regarded by many military historians as the war's most innovative and successful general. His tactics of mobile warefare are still studied by modern soldiers. Locally, in one humiliating raid, his band stormed and temporily freed Union-occupied Memphis and in another, he stole the occupying Union general's uniform from his bedroom while he slept. In modern times, Forrest's reputation suffers not only because of the immoral stain of being a slave trader but due also to his involvement in the first few years of the Ku Klux Klan following the war. Forrest later called for the disbanding of the Klan, distanced himself from it, and in 1875 was invited as the first Anglo-American man to speak before a forerunner organization of the NAACP, where he declared his belief in a peaceful inclusion of African-Americans in public life. (See Bio link below for exerpts of his speech). However, his early connection with the slave trade and the start up of the klan still creates controversy and carries a stigma. After the Civil War he became the president of the Marion & Memphis Railroad and established a camp at the present site of Forrest City, Arkansas. He became interested in the area around Crowley's Ridge during the war. Afterwards, he contracted with railroad companies in Memphis and Little Rock to cut through the rough ridge and succeeded in linking the two cities by rail in 1868. General Forrest later built a commissary located on Front St. and Colonel V.B. Izard began the task of designing the town. Most citizens were calling the area "Forrest's Town," thus the evolution of the name Forrest City. General Forrest's camp was incorporated 1870. The county seat was permently moved to Forrest City in 1874. Continued Nathan Bedford Forrest bio.

Rev. Al Green: As stated on Rev. Green's official website, "Green started singing professionally at age 9, when he and his brothers formed a gospel quartet, the Greene Brothers, in their hometown of Forrest City, Arkansas." (The "e" was dropped when they went professional). In the early 1970's Green carved his place in music history with a run of celebrated hits that made him an R&B star and pop icon. Since 1979 he has led his Baptist congregation, the Full Gospel Tabernacle, in Memphis, Tenn. "The music is the message, the message is the music. So that's my little ministry that the Big Man upstairs gave to me—a little ministry called love and happiness." Bio.

Don Kessinger: b. 1942 Forrest City. Former Major League Baseball shortstop. six-time All-Star, signed by Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1964. Married Carolyn Crawley also b. Forrest City. Bio.


Charlie Rich: Class of '50. b. 1932 Forrest City, d. 1995. Called "The Silver Fox." Married Margaret Ann Green of F.C. Grammy award winning Musician, songwriger & performer in diverse genres of country, jazz, R&B, gospel & Rock n Roll. His three #1 country hits won him fame when he slammed the 1973 Country Music Awards. His Official Website says, "He was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, the same town that produced Al Green. A little-known fact is that Charlie and Al worked the very same land for a time." One of his earliest musical experiences involved a sharecropper by the name of C.J. Allen who worked the family land, a blues piano player. C.J. would teach Charlie basic blues piano riffs, serving as a powerful influence in Charlie’s musical development. Charlie played the sax in F.C. High school band & attended Arkansas State on a football scholarship. Served in the Air Force. Afterwards, he farmed while playing part time around Memphis. Margaret Ann, a musician also, dropped off his music at Sun Record and finally Charlie went professional full-time, joining Sun Records as a session writer/musician. Family photos of Charlie & Margaret Ann. Full Bio.


Richard Trail: Class of '62. He did a great job for FCHS and the U of A. He competed in football, basketball and track. He was named All-District and All-State along with being awarded a full football scholarship to the U of A where he enjoyed being a part of the Arkansas Razorback national football Championship team. He brought a great deal of class to our city and our school. (Submitted by Bogie)

Charles "Sonny" Liston: b. 1927-1932? one of seventeen children of Tobe Liston and Helen Baskin. Sand Slough, St Francis Co, Arkansas. d. 1970. Ran away from abusive father at age 13 to reunite with his mother in St Louis. World heavy weight champion boxer. Life and personality were obscure and stormy. Thought of by many to be one of the most powerful punchers in the history of the heavyweight division. Death was featured on TV's Unsolved Mysteries. bio (Submitted by Dora).

Henry Loeb: b. 1921 d. 1992. Dynamic political renegade and controversial 2 term mayor of Memphis busted the old Boss Crump machine that long controlled the city before the mid 1950's. Loeb served during turbulent social upheaval and racial strife, including the asassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968. He moved to St Francis County, Arkansas in 1972. Popular Henry Loeb Dutch Treat luncheons started during his mayoral reign continued throughout his life to present day in Memphis. Loeb, who had tall movie-star looks and a colorful personality, and his wife Mary Gregg (from a St Francis Co land owning family) who was 1950 Cotton Carnival Queen, married in 1951. During his retirement from politics, Loeb was a prominant Forrest City businessman who owned the first farm implement business in the city. He and Mary lived on and managed a 150 acre farm in Madison that had belonged to her family. Profile/Interview.

Jim Lindsey: Class of '62. Running back for the Minnesota Vikings from 1966 to 1972. Lindsey was a member of the 1964 National Championship football team at the University of Arkansas, and founded Lindsey & Associates in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1972. Lindsey is a member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, and has been central to many of the decisions made by the board, including the hiring of head football coach Houston Nutt in 1997 and the decision to continue to play football games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.

John W. Henry: b. 1949, Quincy, Ill. His early childhood years in Forrest City were spent learning about farming and raising the land in on some land owned by his parents who were farmers by profession. At the age of 15 his family moved to California. At one time, John was a singer-songwriter who travelled the US as a professional singer. John is founder of a company which is the 8th largest managed futures advisor in the world by Assets under Management. Among others he serves as a trustee for the Library of Congress and the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard University. He also received the Ted Williams Lifetime Achievement award. He is the current principal owner of the Boston Red Sox which won the World Series in 2004. Bio.


Your turn: Comment (below), Email
submissions to ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

60'S Culture: Cool Guys

King Cool of the 60's
Ok folks...I want nominations. Gotta be a Forrest City guy, any age, any reason. Give Name & short reason why. (Girls and Guys both nominate)

Lin: Without a doubt the FC King of Cool in the 60's was Stevie Stevens. From the 60's until the day he died he reigns as the FC Kof C.

Anonymous: You'll get no challenges to that one! We'll have to take nominations for King Cool's Court instead. Here's a few:
Lanier Fogg - shopped in the black music store for music before it was cool; brassy brainiac; could see your underwear with all your clothes on and a coat; curley headed sultan.
Ollie Warren - Played drums in Roy Orbison's band, the Peppermint lounge in NYC, rode a motorcycle in high school, wore jeans & a white Tshirt and rolled up filterless camels in the shirt sleeve (with pennies in the camel pack), knew how to melt brass knuckles in boiling water; Paul Newman eyes.
O.C. ___ - Great African-American piano player bon vivant with a smile & a tune for everyone
William Ingram- The brave little Black man (12-13 yrs old) who came to Sam Smith Jr High each day in a cab, carrying a little briefcase, all by himself, into an all white school, the first child to do so, quietly with dignity, walking towards the entrance of an empty school yard just after the first bell, while all the kids were in their seats, staring at him out the windows. The image is sealed in my brain forever but I don't recall his name...he was so totally cool, I was in awe...
Tommy Melton The best Beatle boots & Beatle hair in 3 states
Mr Shuford So NOT cool he was cool in a weird way
Don Kessinger a six-time All-Star, was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1964.

Lin: We have to include Charley Rich and the Rev. Al Green in the FC Court of Cool. Their contributions to music have put St. Francis County on the music map.

Anonymous: I have two cool nominees: Collie Walker, who let the cheerleaders leave during study hall in his car to go downtown and sell raffle tickets, and "Flash" Harris, the coolest biology teacher ever.

Paul: Hmmmm...I've contemplated this all week...and can think of a bunch of people who should be nominated - but no one person who stands above the rest. Yes, I did think of Donnie Kessenger too. Didn't B.B. King name his guitar Lucille based on a "fire incident" at a juke joint in Twist, Arkansas?! What say you Eddie? Okay, speaking of musicians...Honorary Mention to Levon Helm (The Band...Yes THAT Band) from Helena, Phillips County (that's pretty close - and we all spent some time in Helena...for one reason or another...lol). By the way, William Ingram, who was the lone Black student to first integrate the Forrrest City School System: You have to wonder how much pressure he was under from a lot of adults in his life who some might say were using a 14 year old for their political purposes. Regardless, it took TREMENDOUS courage to come to school each day - and to stay through til the end. William Ingram finished Forrest City High School with the Class of 1968.

B.J.: ...you're right. I think his courage earned him not just our awe, but our respect as well.

Anonymous: Walter Ferguson's hello note just reminded me-- Walter was a hot musician & a cool dude

Paul: I was a bit too young to attend the dances, but Walter had a reputation as an excellent musician as well as a "wild man" - something about what he did with the microphone and cord while singing (uh, that was in the pre-wireless days kids)! lol I think Mick Jagger may have studied his performances. I vaguely remember some unique car (a convertable?) that Walter drove around - I agree, he belongs on the Cool List!

Anonymous: I was just talking about William Ingram the other day...first time I saw him come to school in front of the Jr. High...we were all waiting for the bell to ring to go in that morning...when the cab pulled up....complete silence, cab door opened, he emerged, and everyone parted like the Red Sea. I can almost hear his footsteps on the sidewalk now...my heart ached for him even then!

Anonymous: I would say Stevie or Walter were the two coolest guys to ever go to Forrest City- and I almost forgot Conrad Snyder and Ollie Warren! Too cool

Anonymous: Are you people on drugs?? [Name withheld] and [Name withheld] as the coolest??!!

Administrator: Yes, we pretty much stay on drugs all the time. We think you could use some too... or a different kind than you are using now. Play nice.

CLASS of 68

2007 CLASS REUNION IS JULY 20th. If you didn't get the final notice to sign up, then there's a problem with your address. Contact Linda or Jim Machen. SEE YOU THERE!

Childhood: Carefree & Happy (1952-1962)

Jan Greene Sprott: I remember life so carefree and happy. Walking to school and coming home for lunch, cutting my bangs right before pictures in 3rd grade I believe. Leaves in the fall---crunchy under your feet or wet and slippery. Bible drills at First Baptist Church and GA's and wanting to maybe be a Methodist because they also got to go to Girl Scouts (GA's met at the same time as Girl Scouts), thinking I had flunked 3rd grade the last day of school until Nancy Collins pointed to where it said 4th grade (I thought the 3 magically turned to a 4 if you passed), loving my Moma's wonderful home cooked and mostly home grown meals and Daddy playing H-O-R-S-E in basketball with me, my home I felt so safe and secure in, playing at Stuart Springs Park and saying cuss words I didn't know the meaning of and swinging from grapevines, a surprise party after school for my 11th (?maybe 12th or 13th--Dora do you rememeber?) birthday and I had to stay after school for talking in class and everyone had to hide behind trees for an hour waiting on me --then getting in bad trouble with Moma for talking in class and having to stay after school--and making everyone hide in the trees for so long, swimming at the city pool everyday from 2 until 6, always having to come home from Janet Crawley's house because her daddy was my doctor and when he walked inthe door I got scared and had to be taken home and that was so dumb because he was so nice always--the memories are endless---and happy. And this was all when I was a littel girl ---before the real fun of teenage years started!!!!!

Postscript: OK, so I wrote all that about Forrest City---then read the blog and mine isn't like everyone else's. Oh well. I could write for a week and not get everything in and maybe this is going into cyberspace anyway so it won't matter after all. On the city's northern border, reared against the sky---------------jan


"Old Friends Still Visit" --Recent Pix From Dora:
Dora Flanagin, Nancy Collins, Jan Greene, Margie Sharp, Sula McAuley, Joan McCain, Billie Jean Rowland, Linda Rosica

60's Culture: Music

Album Released: January 20, 1964
I Want to Hold Your Hand (2:27)
Recorded: October 17, 1963
at Abbey Road, London, England
British Release: November 29, 1963
American Release: January 13, 1964

MEET THE BEATLES!
Dora: We all know where we were when Kennedy was assassinated ,but how many of you remember the first time you heard the Beatles sing and where you were? I was with Pat and Lynda in the little, white corvair and the song, "I want to hold your hand" came on the radio. I was in the seventh grade, Pat the ninth and Lynda the tenth grade. Seems like only yesterday when I heard Pat say to Lynda, "this is that new group from England". Will you still know me when I'm 64? Can you believe Paul McCartney is 64? What happened that we managed to stay 35! This is also the era of when Edie would do her British accent. Sula, Edie and I would go to The Place BEHIND GOLDSMITHS, and she would pretend she was from England. Jan was visiting another teenage club in Levy's while we were at The Place.. I can remember Pat calling our "group of girls" the "in crowd". We were so cool!

Sula: On February 14, 1964, my sweet friend Jimbo Justiss (God love him), gave me a first edition release (sold out by that time) "Meet the Beatles" album. I think the first time I heard "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" was just before that on Wolfman Jack's radio show out of Chicago...only after "lights out," late at night, could you pick up the signal.

Paul: Yes, the Beatles really shook up our world – along with Elvis, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and before too long…Jimi Hendrix. I think “Meet the Beatles” must have been the most commonly owned record in FC in 1964-65. I also remember doing the Twist at a 7th grade dance party at Dora’s – WHAT?!…Baptists dancing?!! I think I saw “A Hard Day’s Night” three times at the Imperial Theater – and later went to Memphis to see “Yellow Submarine” at the Malco (hmmmm…maybe that was the college years…kinda fuzzy for some reason). I was also really into the Dave Clark Five…and then about the same time as Jimi Hendrix came onto the scene, that FM station in Memphis (can’t remember the call letters) introduced me to LED ZEPPLIN!! I was never the same after that. I still listen to their first album – with the volume turned way up.

Okay, as much as I liked Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull, the Yardbirds, and The Stones, I think we all have to acknowledge that the Beatles paved the way for them all - and Beatles music has stood the test of time. BUT, what record did we play when we really, REALLY wanted to party?!! Louie Louie (The Kingsmen - Portland's first "garage band")!! There has NEVER been a better party song - ever! How many of you thought you knew the words?! Can you ever remember a bad party with Louie Louie playing? I bet Louie Louie takes the prize for the most covered song ever! Sorry, if this creates an entirely new blog...lol (Paul G.)

From Paul: Listen Louie, Louie - Longtime Kingsmen drummer Dick Peterson on the book he's written about the song and the band. (6/12/06; Length 4:47)

From Sula: Here's a vintage video clip of Paul Revere & the Raiders on George Klein's Talent Party, 1966. You gotta see the hair, the dark hose, the dance moves of the girls...and what's that on the back walls? Colored paper plates?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNR7E30i81M

Carnival Knowledge: A Cotton Carnival Experience

*A title “borrowed” from Michael Finger of Memphis Magazine

Paul Gibson:One warm evening back in June of 1964, two years before I could legally drive, a friend and I convinced an older acquaintance (a classmate of my older sister, Neva) with a car and a legal driver’s license, to take us to the Cotton Carnival on the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis. Naively, we thought we might meet and impress some Memphis girls even though we barely had enough money to get in – and had no idea how to dress properly for this event. We were wearing what most teen boys did that summer, blue jeans, sneakers, and white t-shirts.

Once there I was a bit overwhelmed by the size of the crowd. I am not sure I had ever been in the midst of a crowd that large before – and mainly an older “adult” crowd at that. Plus, we had to pay money to park! I think we were all a bit dazzled by all that was going on simultaneously - exhibits, people in costumes, carnival rides, and various performances. After wandering around in shock and awe for a bit, we were drawn to a stage with loud music surrounded by a large enthusiastic crowd. We worked our way around to a back corner of the stage where we could actually see the performers…

There was an all-Black group of musicians playing R&B/blues type music…but…it was the three women dancing on stage that COMMANDED our attention – they were dancing in a very energetic, suggestive, and “liberated” manner… in very short and revealing dresses. The night suddenly got very HOT. Needless to say, I had never seen anything like this on TV!! Elvis was mild compared to the overt eroticism on this stage!. At times I thought I could see up the dancer’s dresses…and I felt flushed all over.

I knew I was seeing something that 14 year olds were not supposed to see and felt too obviously out of place to be comfortable. I was SURE that any moment I would feel the grip of some disapproving adult on my shoulder and a stern warning…”You don’t belong here son – at least not for another 8 or 10 years!” - as they threw me out. But, no one was noticing us!! The entire crowd was MESMERIZED – especially by the lead (middle) dancer who sang, danced, strutted, shaked, shimmied, and gyrated all over the stage…goodness, did she ever dance! After about three songs I finally remembered to breathe. Then the band leader thanked us all for appreciating the Ike and Tina Turner Revue!! Little did I know…

These photos might give you a small notion of how strongly this experience was burned into my memory. Who was with me? I have NO idea – Tina Turner seems to have hijacked all my memory cells from that evening.

http://www.answers.com/topic/carnival-memphis
http://www.carnivalmemphis.org/
http://www.memphismagazine.com/backissues/
august1999/citysignatures.htm#carnival

B.J. said...
What I remember of the Cotton Carnival was going to the carnival at the fairgrounds. We welked through rows and rows of games where we could throw darts or shoot little rifles or throw balls at milk cartons to win a prize. There were always people walking around with huge stuffed dogs or apes they'd won, but all I ever managed to win was a cupie doll. My dad always told me not to bother because the games were rigged. But, there was one game I just couldn't resist. The game i spend the most money at was one where you tried to throw little rings over coke bottles. At this game you could actually win a live Pomeranian puppy! They were so cute, but I never saw anybody win one.I remember rides that were my favorites. The Twister, and the Pippin. My mother and I loved to ride that huge Pippin rollercoaster made out of wood that looked ancient. I can still hear the clacking of the rails and that first big dive over the top with our hands and hair in the air. My dad and brother waited on the ground while we road it two and three times. And of course my favorite thing to eat was cotton candy. I remember the Mid-South Fair later on when I was in high school, but was this just a different name for the same thing? I may be confused in my old age.

Paul says...B.J., I believe the Mid-South Fair was a different event than the Cotton Carnival. I am pretty sure the Mid-South Fair happened in the early fall – sometime in September or early October (like most State Fairs), while the Cotton Carnival occurred in early June. The Cotton Carnival was right on the banks of the Mississippi River near Mud Island in downtown Memphis, while the Mid-South Fair was at…the Fair Grounds (wherever that was! I just know it was “inland” from the river.). I am sure you remember when the Folklores sang in the talent competition at the Mid-South Fair – and won an audition to the Ted Mack Amateur Hour…?

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The Old Courthouse

Walter Class of 65 sent us this great postcard of the Old Courthouse... captures what a true loss it was. Thanks WF.

Bogie Class of 62: On the left (picture) was my mom and dad's favorite photo -Compliments of F.C. and Pauline Bogart.

B.J. Class of 68: Anyone remember the old courthouse? What a fabulous old building it was. It had to have been a one-of-a-kind. Inside was a wide, dark hallway with double doors at either end that let in the light. The floor was old, worn wood, and there was a wooden staircase that led up to the second floor. I remember going to a big room up there once to get my polio shot, the one that left a scar about the size of a dime. I will always miss that building. It wasn't pretty, but it had great character.

Paul Class of 68: Yes, I made two court appearances in the old courthouse, but that is another story... Funny, the Old Courthouse was one of the first places my sister (Marianne) and I talked about after Lou first sent out her photos of the Imperial and Rosemary Theaters. It certainly was a memorable structure - right across the street was probably the oldest, most run-down city jail in Arkansas (no, I did not see the inside of that building - just word of mouth). The Old Courthouse looked like it should have been haunted. One of the most striking landmarks at the Old Courthouse was the rickety wooden bridge to it that went over the railroad tracks (since when did they stop building bridges with a 90 degree turn?!!). How many of you remember driving across that bridge - listening to the planks clanking beneath your tires - and praying that it wouldn't fall through - similar to the feeling you got driving over the Old Madison Bridge over the St. Francis River.

Gail Bates: I loved the old courthouse with the clock which never worked in my lifetime! The old “wooden bridge” was always used when a train came through and we were tired of counting the cars. I thought that we were the only ones who actually used that bridge. Scary? You bet! The planks never seemed to be nailed down and I was convinced that it was only a matter of time before we were going to fall through some big hold that must be in that bridge!

Yes, at least one man was hung from the bridge and it was not a “legal hanging.” My grandmother told me about it and it was not to be discussed much. My grandfather had a degree in chemistry and became the first “county agent” for St. Francis County . Before that they had bought property and traveled back and forth to FC. It was on their first trip to FC that the hanging occurred—this was in the late 20’s or early 30’s. My grandmother never forgot. This is the first time that I knew others had heard the story. Was it just this one hanging that has become ingrained in the collective conscious or were there others?


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Haunted Houses

Update: July 7, 2006- See reprint of article on ghost investigation of the Rush House at end, below:

Susie: Oh sure. It's the respectable 100 year old home of the Forrest City Chamber of Commerce today. Before that a quaint antigue shop; all dignified, classy-like. But it wasn't always so. The Becker House they call it -- used to be haunted. In the 50's, catty-cornered from this scary place, my grandparents lived in a proud 3-story, prairie-style manor house with a red barrel roof, and servant's quarters behind it -- where the city's first literary society met. (The Post Office parking lot now). The grandest house in the town was next door on the corner of Izard & Broadway: Baby Williams' (Margie's family and the Harrelson boys' family too): sparkling white, towering 3-story Ante-Bellum palace with huge greek columns. Across the street on Hill & Izard was the town's little phone office, (central receiving where operators connected outside calls to homes with phones) and it had a ringer you could hear around the neighborhood whenever a call came in. Rang all day long. I used to visit Baby Williams and her salt & pepper shaker collection & beautiful dolls to and fro from the soda shop at the Palace Drug Store after reading the latest Superman or Supergirl.

We had to walk to the picture show right by the haunted house. Not so bad going to the early show, but if you went to the late show in Summer dusk, you dreaded coming home after a movie in the dark. We huddled and ran past it on the other side of the street...or if we double dared, on the same side. No one lived in it the whole time I grew up. It just stood there dark, staring at you, watching you, menacing, with weeds all over, news paper trash blown on the porch and peeling paint, dirty windows. The worst time walking home was one night after the Saturday matinee, "Brides of Frankenstein." (We stayed to watch it twice, forgetting it would be dark outside if we stayed for the 2nd show). We thought we saw a shadow through a window and ran screaming home. All the other fine houses are dead, gone, forgotten, torn down. This once ugly, century-old crone has the last laugh.

Postnote: I saw the below picture on the Chamber Website but it did not identify the name or location of the house. Because it gave me a weird feeling and took me back to my childhood and made me think about the haunted house on Izard & Hill...I thought it was the Becker house, home of the Chamber. for a moment it looked a lot like the Becker house facing Izard Street, same color, both are on a corner...and there was the immediate thing in my mind about that scary, haunted feeling. Well, thanks for the friends who corrected me. Actually it is the Rush House, now a Museum which is across the highway and a few blocks away in another neighborhood. I was never familiar with the Rush house and do not recall it at all, so it would be great if someone could fill me in about its history. I've looked on the internet and find nothing about either houses and would to know their histories. If you read the comments below, you'll see a note where, ironically, the Rush house (in the picture here) is actually going to be investigated by Ghosthunters shortly -- which I did not know anything about when I saw the picture and mistakenly labelled it as the haunted house of my childhood!

Dora: I remember walking home from the movie and running past the ally and the house directly behind the movie [Becker House on Izard & Hill]. IT would give me chills and I thought it was haunted I dont remember anyone telling me it was haunted, I just knew! I thought the picture was of the house [Rush House-Museum now] where Mr. and Mrs. David Gates lived in later years. The house belonged to Mrs. Gates Dad. I went to visit them with my mom one time and she took me around the house and showed me all the rooms except one . She said they kept that door locked as it was their personal room and they never let anyone see it. It drove me crazy wanting to know what was in that room!

Lin: Mr David and Miss Ann lived in the locked room. That is where they slept , ate, watched tv and read. They even had a hot plate in this room. The rest of the house was kept in visitor ready condition, but when it was just the Gates, they never ventured out of the 'locked room.' Maybe the ghosts were present back then.

Update from Anonymous:

Thursday, June 22, 2006
St Francis Co Museum's 'ghosts' to be investigated
Alan SmithT-H Staff Writer
There are many stories about "haunted houses" in almost every town or city no matter where you go. Probably the most famous of those places in Forrest City is the St. Francis County Museum. There have been tales for years that people have experienced eerie goings on at the historic J.O. Rush House and there may be some answers coming in mid-July.The Northwest Arkansas Ghost Connection will pay a visit to the museum on Thursday, July 13 and Friday, July 14. According to the organization's website, www.nwaghostconnection.net, the Northwest Arkansas Ghost Connection is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research of the paranormal through audio, video, film and digital photography. Those within their group are professionals with a common goal; to research the paranormal around us and to learn from their findings. They want to help those encountering unseen phenomena and to determine if it is caused by the paranormal. They do not charge for their services.Lori Arhangelsky, founder, case manager and director, spoke about the event and what the Ghost Connection does to find ghosts. She said that a lot of people hear "paranormal investigation" and think about the movie "Ghostbusters.""We don't have proton guns like they did in that movie," laughed Arhangelsky. "We do general research of the land and the buildings we investigate to determine if there is any reason for the haunting. We gather as many facts as we can to determine what type of haunting is occurring."We use equipment to record the events," stated Arhangelsky. "We audio record and ask questions to see if we get an answer from an disembodied spirit. We use equipment to record electro-magnetic fields. Spirits put off high electric signals. It takes a lot of energy for them to affect things here, so if there are spirits they will give off fields. We also use digital camcorders to video the events. We do not use regular VHS tapes because of the quality of the digital recordings."Arhangelsky said that while the Ghost Conn