Smoke Signals and other news
Hopefully, everyone enjoyed some time with family and friends during the 4th of July holiday and stayed reasonably cool. Our ancestors fought and some gave their lives to obtain and preserve this right our freedom. I am afraid we may forget and or abuse this freedom.
We have celebrated this holiday in many ways over the years. Money wasn’t spent on frivolous things such as fireworks during my childhood, but occasionally, an aunt would bring some sparklers we could light and watch the magic. In adulthood, my mother insisted on family gatherings every holiday, so there was lots of food and family. When camping during the 4th of July week, we enjoyed fireworks over various lakes and attended a few local fireworks shows. My brother-in-law, Bill Wagg, loved fireworks. His family lived in the suburbs of Chicago and would head to Mississippi around the fourth of July. He would load his van with every imaginable firework, even some “commercial” grade ones, and put on a show out over our pond for family, friends, and neighbors. One year I worked in a firework stand over the Christmas Holidays and came away loaded with fireworks that lasted until July.
Mark your calendars for the next movie night at Byhalia Walking Track. On July 14th “Super Mario Bros” Movie will be presented beginning at 7:45 p.m. free of charge for your family to enjoy. Included will be free snacks, water, and juice. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.
On Saturday, July 8, Country Bull Events, 73 Chase Street in Byhalia, will host a one-year birthday celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Italian Ice will be available. Inflatables and family entertainment will be on site.
I mentioned in last week’s article about the Family Puzzle Time at Ruth B. French Library every Friday from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Some of you remember the wonderful lady Mrs. French and how blessed we were to have her as a teacher. Her daughter-in-law, Belinda French reminded me how much she loved working on crossword puzzles. Belinda said it was fitting for the library, which holds her name, to be having a family puzzle time.
Be kind to those who must work outside in this sweltering heat. It drains the body so stay hydrated and take necessary breaks if you must work in the heat outside.
This week our Marshall County 10- year-old softball all-star team plays in the World Series at Greenbrook Softball Complex in Southaven. We are grateful that this event has been held in Southaven for several years, making it easier to send teams. The Dizzy Dean officials make sure the girls not only get to play some competitive games but have a great experience overall. Pray that they can stay cool and have fun!
Two major events within four years halted Byhalia’s progress and growth for thirty years. The first was Holly Springs obtaining a railroad. In 1852 the Mississippi Central was chartered to run from Holly Springs to Grand Junction, Tennessee, where the connection could be made to Memphis or as far east as Charleston, South Carolina. With the railroad complete, the stage line soon became obsolete, as larger pieces of freight and more passengers now had access to a more modern means of transportation that did not get stuck or bounce over rough roads. Byhalia was only a stop on the stage route, and the stage line could not compete against the railroad from Memphis to Holly Springs or Oxford. Service was suspended in 1856. A Memphis newspaper advertised the “great fair in St. Louis” in September 1859 on the Memphis and Ohio Railroad “reaching St. Louis in 20 hours!” The demise of the stage line was a blow to the economy and prestige of the town. Merchants had to revert to wagons for all their freight. Passenger travel through Byhalia was largely halted. Another railroad line, The Holly Springs and Mobile (Alabama) Railroad, was chartered by an act of the legislature in 1859. However, this line never saw service until 1887, and by then was the Kansas City, Memphis, and Birmingham Railroad. This railroad did come through Byhalia.
Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901 246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.