Friday, July 27, 2012

Baldwyn High School Scenes

Kids loved volleyball. Usually there was a net for boys on one side of the building and another for the girls elsewhere. Mr. B. didn't like mixed playing, but it eventually happened little by little. West side of school shown.

A look at the east side facing Second Street: Remember how hot the rooms were after recess sports? I see the windows are open here. This is the school we knew in the 40s, 50s and 60s. It burned in 1991.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Damon Williams, Local Icon



   Damon Williams was a local well-liked figure in Baldwyn in the 40s and 50s. A kind and gentle man, he always hung around uptown, mostly near Jones and Co. Dry Goods store. He would wait for traveling salesmen to visit the stores and would get a nickel or dime tip from them by carrying their sample cases in and out of the stores
   He had two nicknames that we remember - "Hot" and "Hosie". The latter, according to him, was from the "prophet Hosea" in the Bible. He was a cigarette smoker and conceived a way to get free cigarettes. He could hold a single cigarette in one hand at waist level, hit it somehow with his other hand, sending it flying in the air and catch it in his mouth just right for lighting. Then you had to light it for him as he carried no match or lighter (he may have had some matches).
   He knew many gospel songs and hymns I am told and would sing in the porch swing at his home on Cemetery Street near the ice plant across from the old cotton loading platform.
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This is probably the only known photo of him and is the property of John Olan Cunningham. Sorry it couldn't be restored any better.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Show Me The Money!



Another photo of the crowds that waited patiently for the money drawing in the center of town many years ago. The merchants gave ticket stubs to customers for the amount of money they spent up until time to roll the barrel and pick some lucky winners out.

Mayor Bernard Coggins has a winning ticket about to be called out. In the truck also is Sam Johnson, the Western Auto dealer. Around Sam you can see Robert Jobe, Charles Weatherford, and Gary Norman. By the left door of the truck stands Nora Dean Mink. ALso on the left (rear) of the barrel is Buddy Miller. In the lower left of the photo is Betty Jean Franklin.

Can you locate anyone else you remember?
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Photo courtesy of Edwina Carpenter.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Donation to BHS Library


  Mr. Claude Gentry presents a copy of his first book, "Private John Allen" to Mrs. Clyde Bryson, librarian at Baldwyn High School, in 1951. Mrs. Bryson was a teacher also.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

More Real Southern Belles



L-R Nancy, Jackie, Barbara, Monte Jean, and Linda. Dr. R. B. seems pretty proud to be in their company...
 Evidently made in 1954 at the 90th celebration of the Battle of Brice's Cross Roads.

Photo courtesy of Edwina Carpenter.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Some young Basketball Players

This undated photo shows a coach and some young players, many of whom we know. I believe this may be at Wheeler, but I may be badly wrong.

I see Tommy Carpenter, Doug Waters, Larry Roberts, Hulon Cox (55), possibly James and Judy Bryant's older brother Tommy (66)??, and others I recognize but cannot name. Any help?

Sunday, July 1, 2012

1954 Battle Reenactors


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    Clipping courtesy of Final Stands (Brice's Cross Roads) Museum and Interpretive Center.