Flashbacks

April 16, 2008 09:28 am

— April 17, 1958
Main goals for the Kosciusko-Attala Chamber of Commerce for 1958 have been announced by W.W. (Billy) McMillan, president. They are: (1) completion of plans begun in 1957 for the construction of a modern air strip for Kosciusko; (2) strengthening of business atmosphere of Kosciusko and Attala by securing a new industry; (3) completion of plans for construction of a million dollar Hill-Burton hospital; (4) observance of a June Dairy Festival June 14-21; (5) promotion of diversification of agriculture in this area.
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Lonnie Braswell, water drilling contractor who works in this area drilling wells for private individuals, was recently reworking a 200 plus foot well on he Will Brooks farm near Kosciusko and struck an oily substance that “made the tools greasy”. As the work progressed, the mud pit used by the drilling crew became increasingly covered with a crude form of oil. Drillers tools became so slick that the crew had difficulty handling them, stated Braswell, who then called in Billy Wasson, a geologist. They burned some of the film, which proved to be inflammable and definitely oil. Later Braswell contacted T.C. Pavatt, supt. of the Pickens Division of the Carter Oil Co. and told him of the discovery. Rumors are all over Kosciusko concerning the “find” and there is much oil fever as a result of the reports. Some may be exaggerated, but it is expected that the bailing rig will determine the value of the find.
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One of the biggest stills ever “uncovered” in Attala County was discovered this week in a thickly wooded area three miles west of Kosciusko, Sheriff Roy Braswell said. Five thousand gallons of mash in steel drums, ready for a run, enough to make 500 gallons of “moonshine” were poured out, and the 1200 gallon cooker of sheet metal, weighing about a ton was confiscated. Other materials and equipment were destroyed. Operators of the still evidently had gotten wind of the impending visit by the law and were nowhere to be found, Sheriff Braswell said.
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Jerry Wayne Henley and Ralph Thompson have been named Ethel High School seniors of the week. Henley is the son of Mr. and Ms. J.A. Henley of Ethel, and Thompson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Thompson of McCool. William Adams, son of Supt. and Mrs. W.M. Adams is valedictorian and Lucy Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Miller, is salutatorian of the 1958 senior class of Ethel High School.

April 21, 1983
Mrs. Anne White Foster, a native of Kosciusko, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie E. White, was recently honored at Merrill Lynch Realty’s annual awards luncheon held at the new Westin Hotel, Galleria, Dallas, Texas, for achievements in the real estate industry.
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A limited edition collector poster will be available for the Natchez Trace Festival April 30 in Kosciusko. Kirk Holmes and Melynda Cummins will be outfitted in authentic Polish costumes during the festival selling the posters at the registration booth. The posters will be available prior to the festival at the chamber of commerce office. Mrs. Linda Jo McNeal, chairman of the visual arts committee, assisted in getting Ken Clifford, Mississippi State University art professor, to design the poster.
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Brownie Troop 211 of Kosciusko planted a weeping willow tree last Wednesday for the annual community service project. The tree was planted at the Hugh P. Ellard Park by Claude Gunter, manager of the Parks and Recreation Department, for the city. Helping with the planting were Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Bland, Kelly Sanders, Cassandra Rutledge, Lynette Demas, Rachel Ballard, Misty Branning, and Carrie Carron.
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Scott Cockroft won a second place trophy in the Brown Belt division of the Starkville Open Karate Tournament Saturday. Cockroft has been studying karate for three years and is under instruction of Mrs. Zina Sanders.
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Kosciusko gained two new doctors this week. Dr. John David Wade and his wife, Dr. Cherilyn L. Hebert Wade, moved to Kosciusko this week from Canon City, Co., where they have been in practice for the past year. He is a radiologist and will begin fulltime work at Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital. She specializes in internal medicine and will practice under the name of Dr. Hebert.