100 YEARS AGO,
MAY 1920
FRONT PAGE NEWS: We gave learned with great regret that Professor Vandiver of the Sunflower Agricultural High School in Moorhead was suddenly taken ill while attending the State Teachers Conference in Jackson last Friday. We learned that he suffered a stroke and has been taken to a Memphis hospital.
THANK YOU CARD: We desire to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to those who were so kind and sweet to us during the illness and death of our baby. Signed: Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Boyer.
FROM J. A. RICHARDSON EDITOR: I have received a letter from Will Lane, a Negro, who is accused of killing Mr. Faulkner of Blaine. He has been sentenced to death by hanging. I share his own words with our readers. “I don’t know if I killed the man but am willing to bear the blame and die for it. As God is my witness, I was drunk that night and I have no remembrance of what happened. Just a few words to the people of the world. If you will leave off strong drinks, gambling, and loose women, there would be no more killings and hangings. I have nothing against anybody in this world. Goodbye kind people, Willie Lane.”
50 YEARS AGO,
MAY 1970
LOCAL NEWS: Sam Lacy, graduate of Gentry High School and senior at New Mexico State University will be honored by the City of Indianola with a Sam Lacy Day on May 16.
GOLF NEWS: The Delta Masters Golf Tournament will be held at the Indianola Country Club on May 16. In the capacity field of 96 competitors will be Pete Rogers, defending champion. Ernie Baker is in charge of entertainment.
AROUND THE TOWN BY MRS. R, M. YARGROUGH, BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Captain and Mrs. Tony Roughton of Lakenheath Air Base, England, announce the birth of a son. His name is Kevin Owen Roughton.
25 YEARS AGO,
MAY 1995
MOORHEAD ELEMENTRY SCHOOL: Five members of the faculty and administrative staff will be honored upon their retirement on May 12. Mrs. Vera Ball, Mrs. Audrey Miller, Mrs. Ila Home, Mrs. Rose Randle and Mrs. Sara Thomas will be honored.
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH NEWS; Reverend Allen Bailey and his wife, Lavell, were honored at a special church service last Sunday. They were presented the keys to a new 1995 Mercury Marquis.
15 YEARS AGO,
MAY 2005
CITY NEWS BY DAVID RUSHING; Veteran Indianola policeman Charles Smith’s goal was reached when the Indianola Board of Aldermen officially named him as the city’s new police chief.
DIT TOURNAMENT: Archie Manning was the guest of honor at the 35th annual Delta Invitational Tennis and Golf Tournament sponsored by Planters Bank to benefit the American Cancer Society. Over $20,000 was raised at the one-day event.
UPDATE ON RACHAEL SUDDUTH:
In last week’s edition there was an article about Rachael Sudduth setting tennis records at Indianola Academy. Today she is Mrs. David Outzs and together they have three children, Grace and Carter Tackett and Memrie Ellis Outzs. They live in Greenwood and she works for Grenada Dental Clinic as the hygiene business/office manager.
Many Indianolans recall the days of seeing Rachael walk up with a tennis racquet bigger than she was and defeating high school players when she was in elementary school. In her teenage years she was listed in the top players in Mississippi and Southern tennis. Her coach was Fred Myles who was director of recreation for the City of Indianola. “Fred and I are still close, we keep up with each other,” she said.
When asked if she still plays tennis, she laughed and said, “I wish, I keep busy taking the children to lessons and sports they are engaged in. Between them and work, I have little time to play these days but hopefully will get back to it soon,” she commented.
IN MEMORY OF
SAM LACEY
Sam Lacey (also spelled Lacy) was born in Indianola on March 8, 1944 and died on March 14, 2014. He was a standout player for Gentry High School and had numerous scholarships offers to play basketball at different colleges.
He chose the New Mexico State University Aggies where he set records, was All American and was one of the first to be inducted into the Aggies Ring of Honor. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals where he was another record setter.
When he retired, he had accumulated 9,687 rebounds and a total of 10,303 points. The City of Indianola honored him with a special day 50 years ago.
In addition to the records and awards he received in high school, college and the pros, he is remembered for his many charitable contributions, especially those that benefited disadvantaged young people.
