I have been asked, and I have also asked this question, who named the Whippets? So far no one seems to remember. The Kosciusko-Attala County History book, my source of information states the following:
1929: The most downright exciting news of the year was our “Whippet” football team! Victory after victory was won. The first part of December found them playing in Lexington against Indianola for the semi-state finals. Before a crowd of thousands, they won by a score of 20-7. Then, Kosciusko “Whippets” in Championship game 13-12. On December 13, the state high school championship was played on the Millsaps Field in Jackson against the Jones County Aggies of Ellisville. A special train traveled from Kosciusko to Jackson for this event. The cost of the round trip fare was $1.75. The starting lineup of players for the Whippets was Hugh Potts, Gary Burdette, Tarver Sanders, Red Turner, James Parham, Herbert Burdette, B. W. Jordan, Hilliard Jordan, Jeff Smythe, Doty Jackson, Jr. and Frank McCool. Substitutes were Fred Guyton and J. R. Lane. The coach of this outstanding team was Mr. D. W. Aiden. The above tells us that the Whippets had received their name before 1929.
1930 was a red letter day for movie fans – talking pictures came to the A-Muse-U Theater in March of that year. Also, during this same month, a franchise was granted to the Mississippi Gas and Electric Co. for natural gas for Kosciusko. On May 10, the gas was turned on. This was quite a boom in our town, though some in the city thought everything was doomed to explode as a result.
1931: This was the year that Attala County actually began to feel the depression. One of the better things that happened during the depression years was the news that Kosciusko would have a Federal Post Office Building. Until this time, the Post Office was located on the court square.
The February 8 issue of the Star Herald carried this editorial: “Attala County Faces a Crisis. The time has come when the people of the county must act and act quickly to avoid actual want. We have reached the place where it is imperative that all our people work together to prevent disaster. The time has come when we must stop thinking about making money and begin to think about making a living. The Good Lord has given us the natural means whereby we can certainly live if we avail ourselves of the resources that He has provided.”
The above article goes on to say that the only way to avoid impending disaster is by putting heads together and using the collective common sense that the present demands. The businessmen and farmers have learned that the only way to solve serious problems is by working together. A mass meeting was called for on February 12 at the Court House from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. All the stores in Kosciusko closed during these hours, and all citizens were urged to attend. Many speeches and many suggestions were made.
Ironically, the above, though written 85 years ago, rings true today. We are at a threshold in Kosciusko, and everyone calling KO home needs to take it seriously.
We have the opportunity to bring our community back through tourism. Many small towns in our situation have done it.
Tourism in the South is big business, so why not take advantage of the history that we have, such as the old Natchez Trace and Red Bue Springs located right in the middle of our town.
Source of information, Kosciusko-Attala History book
