It happened, years ago

Richard Nixon carried Clay County in the presidential election 40 years ago last week, narrowly edging out George Wallace. Countywide totals were Nixon 2,410, Wallace 2,258 and Hubert Humphrey with 1,663. In the local alderman races Charles Haywood was un-opposed, while W.C. Woolf beat Jim McKenzie; C.W. (Bill) Smith got by Joseph Adams and Ernie Hampton beat Frank Doty.

In other news, members of the Clay County Fair Board met Oct. 29 at Corene's Restaurant to discuss the 1969 event.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "The Odd Couple", and Saturday night there'll be a double-feature that includes "The Flim Flam Man."

Brenda Cate was crowned homecoming queen for 1968, her court included--Julia Pollard, Cheryl Haywood, Angie Olds and Cindy Rogers. As for the annual football game, the Mohawks got by the Hayti Indians 14-7 to move to 9-0 before a crowd of 1,500 fans. The Tribe didn't score until late in the first half, and then scored again moments later after Teddy Bellers recovered a fumble on the following kickoff. Eddie Winberry had a big game on defense with a fumble recovery and a long interception return. Up next will be a visit to the Paragould Bulldogs.

1978

Cupie Mack won the race for Clay County judge over Oral Moore, as local voters went to the polls. Monedith Wright beat Triply Muse for city clerk, C.W. Knauts downed Gus Camp for city attorney..and the winners of the council races were Dr. Hillard Duckworth, Joe Johnson, Donald Foster and there will be a run-off between Junior Harris and Lester Edwards.

In births to announce this week, a daughter Kylie Nicole, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Howell of Piggott on Oct. 26, at Doctor's Hospital in Poplar Bluff.

Daniel Gossett Jr., age one and a half, got his first haircut from Doyce Benson on Friday, Nov 3..and speaking of the barber shops; it was announced by Benson's Graddy's and Edward's barbershops that prices will be raised effective Nov. 14, as haircuts, shaves and shampoos would all climb to $3.

The Mohawks ended their season with a 0-12 loss to Corning, and finish at 4-5. The Tribe's Jim Mann also sustained a wrist injury and will be lost for the first couple of weeks of basketball. Coach Black noted, "a man has not really been beaten up until he gives up..and Mohawks don't give up" as he looked back on the season. Meanwhile, the junior Mohawks beat South Pemiscott 14-12.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Coach" while the late show feature was "The Dirtiest Girl I Ever Met" and specials at the A&W included a hot beef plate for $1.50, fish and chip boat for .99 or a shrimp boat for just $1.49.

1983

Topping the news 25 years ago this week is the announcement that The Piggott Times had been sold by T. W. Leggett to KMB Publishing, owners of the Clay County Democrat since 1977. The new publishers Ron and Nancy Kemp, and their children Jonathan, 7, and Ashley, 6, were pictured on the front page.

Also in the news this week, the Quorum Court discussed salaries at their recent meeting, and heard they were below average. Circuit Clerk Gary Magee noted that his $13,000 salary is well below the $16,000 average for the job in other counties. The JP's also authorized $3,000 in improvements at the fairgrounds.

Celebrating 50th wedding anniversaries were Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Russell Nov. 12 at the country club and Mr. and Mrs. Troy Graddy Nov. 19 at the community center.

In sports, the Mohawks ended their season with a 13-28 loss to Corning and end the year at 3-7. The seniors include Scott Carpenter, Chuck Davis, Travis Cashion, Greg Moore, David Swift, John Settlemoir, Neil Morgan, John Winberry, Benny Fry, Coy Mauldin, Troy Jenkins, Mark Lewis and Mark Self. The Bobcats, at 9-1, will play Hughes in the first round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, down in Greenway the Tigers are underway with the basketball season. The girls teams split with Rector in the past week..while the boys stand at 0-4 and 1-3 after seeing action with Rector, Armorel, Knobel and Dell.

1988

Michael Dukakis carried Clay County in the presidential election 20 years ago last week. In the local races, Jim Poole beat Eugene Mann 839-653 and Ronny Dixon downed Junior Harris 922-574 but there will be a run-off in the other race. Norman Muse got 605 votes, Scot Sale received 500 and Ann Blair got 443 votes setting up a runoff between Muse and Sale.

Former principal William Holifield helped conduct a mock election at PES, and the winner was George Bush over Michael Dukakis 41-27. Pictured voting were Kylie Nichole Howell and Heather Jean Holifield.

In other news, the city council discussed funding for the new wastewater treatment plant..and heard from Dr. Larry Winberry of the Parks and Recreation Commission on the plans to build a new baseball field complex and the $98-thousand it would cost to complete.

This week's paper also contained a feature on Lt. Col. Alvin "Royce" Williams and his 27 year career in the National Guard.

In births to announce; a daughter, Amanda Kay, was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Howell of Piggott on Sept. 27 at Doctor's Regional in Poplar Bluff. Meanwhile, little Emily Gatewood, 5, of Piggott is recovering at Memphis from a broken leg and hip she sustained when she ran in front of a car on West Clay Street. She's the daughter of Mike and Renee Cary.

In sports, the Mohawks closed the season with a 32-14 win over Corning as they finish at 3-7 overall. Jeff Henderson led the way with 242 yards and a touchdown, while Ricky Shaw had 115 and two touchdowns in the win.

And Nov. 17 is the date that the sixth grade class at Piggott Middle School will appear on "Good Morning America" on ABC…giving that famous greeting to a nationwide audience. The greeting was taped recently by a film crew from KAIT in Jonesboro.