100 YEARS AGO, MARCH 1919
The Inverness Gun Club holds its shoots on Tuesdays and Fridays. A cordial invitation is extended to all boys to test their skill at the clay birds. Last week, Robert Baird was leader with 23 of 25.
Mrs. J. B. Baird’s handsome home, Oakhurst has been turned into a hospital for the victims of the recent cyclone. She has six convalescents there at present
LOCAL AND
PERSONAL
Judge C. C. Moody who is recouping from a serious illness came in from Denver Sunday to conduct a term of court. He will then return to Colorado for a time to build up his health.
50 YEARS AGO, MARCH 1969
Oscar Burnham Townsend, who came to Indianola in 1928 to practice law, died in a Jackson hospital. He was 64 and was a native of Winona.
Sunflower County Representative O. B. Bennett presented his plan for better highway conditions at last week’s Rotary Club meeting.
The Sunflower Bridge Club met last Wednesday in the home of Mrs. Bill McClatchy. Players were Fay Wilson, Lucy Fisher, Margaret Curry, Billie Griffith, Marcelle Lancaster, Lizzie Lancaster and Gertrude Butler. Lucy Fisher won high score.
25 YEARS AGO, MARCH 1994
Eddie Jean Harbour, Youth Court Counselor, was one of the speakers who addressed citizens at last week’s meeting concerning youth and violence.
When Gentry students Orlando Battle and Torrey Worship went to Modern Line Products for Career Day, they were greeted by their mothers, Betty Battle and Marie Worship who are employees there.
Mark Polk, President of the Indianola Rotary Club presented silver trays to Billy Robertson and Ira Crosby for their 50 years of service to the local chapter.
15 YEARS AGO, MARCH 2004
The March meeting of the Indianola Garden Club was held in the board room of Planters Bank. Ruth Jeffcoat, Mary Lou Robertson and Lee Towery were hostesses. Josephine Tierce, president, called the meeting to order
Mid Delta Arts Association will present The Generations in concert on April 23-28. Bret Reynolds sings first tenor, Andy Daniels is the second tenor, John Brindley baritone, and Robert Sledge, bass. They are accompanied by Linda Hull Arant and Jackie Lipe Burkhalter.
Oakhurst Still Standing and Remains in the Same Family
Jack Harris, great grandson of Mrs. J. B. Baird who is mentioned in the 100 years ago section states that he had never heard about his ancestor’s stately home serving as a hospital for storm victims but wasn’t surprised as there are many family legends about her eagerness to help others.
Marie Hemphill wrote about Oakhurst in her Fevers, Floods and Faith.
Mrs. Joseph Bedent Baird had written a memoir for her family of early life in the Delta.
She was originally from Columbus and after her marriage, she and her groom left by train to come to the Delta which was still undeveloped.
Her first home was a log house with two rooms, and mud was used to fill the cracks between the logs. In time, the Bairds built their stately home of Oakhurst in 1904, the oldest home in Inverness.
“Our family has retained ownership of the home. At this time, it is owned by my cousin, Jack Barnes of Oxford.
Through the years, family has lived there and during some of the years when no family member resided there, it was rented out for weddings and such. At the present time, Jack is having some repairs and restorations done,” Harris said.
The Delta is known for traditions and hospitality and Oakhurst personifies this.
Oakhurst is open for business and for events like weddings and receptions.
Barnes can be reached at 662-513-4311 to book events.
