Category: Stories of the Delta
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Shoot out at Austin
In 1879, Tunica County was still in a state of unrest after the murder of Sheriff M.J. Manning. Nerves were on edge when a series of events took place which made things even more stressful. This latest incident started down in southern Tunica County at the small settlement of Slab Town, which later became Dubbs.…
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Missing Historical Marker
As a little boy, I grew up passing this historical marker. It was located, well is located, on the line between Tunica and Coahoma counties in North Mississippi. Just north of it was Lula Moat Gin which is pictured behind the marker. At one time this thriving business employed over twenty people. Both are gone…
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End of the Kate Adams 1
Steamboats were the main means of transportation in the 19th century and hundreds of them made their trips filled with passengers and goods up and down the Mississippi River. One of the most grand of these steamers was the Kate Adams. The ship was owned by the Memphis & Vicksburg Packet Company. John D. Adams…
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Moore-Hornor House (Part 1): Sheriff Arthur Thompson
The saga of the Moore-Hornor House on Beech Street is not just about a house or family, it is the story of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. From its construction this house has witnessed the growth, destruction, expansion and change that has occurred in Helena and Phillips County. It has also stood witness to changes that took…
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Standard Oil of Memphis Robbery – 1927
In February 24, 1927 two masked men entered the central office of Standard Oil Company in Memphis, Tennessee armed with revolvers. Their intent was robbery and cashier J.P. Tucker was their target. The dutiful employee had just finished preparing the receipts for transfer to the bank when he was startled by the brazen act. One…
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A Barber Has a Close Shave: The Sisks of Wynne.
A family drama played out Saturday, July 8, 1922 across two communities in Cross County, Arkansas that left a local barber with a close shave which was not of his choosing. This harrowing and wild event involved Edward Pierce Sisk and his wife Minnie. Edward was a barber living in Wynne along East Union Street.…
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Murder For Money and Hides: The Death of Abraham Levine
The Sunday of December 5th, 1926 looked to be promising for Abraham Levine. He had been told that a Mexican living out from Lula had hides for sale. All he had to do was meet the middle man of the deal, who knew where to take him. Mr. Levine had traveled halfway around the world…
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Archibald Dobbins on the Run
On November 5, 1855 a dastardly incident took place in the small town of Friars Point in Coahoma County, Mississippi. Archibald Dobbins stabbed to death Littleton Tennill while the two men were in a fight and he then escaped. According to witnesses the incident was in regard to the state election taking place on November…
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“The Red Headed Bandit” Ira G. Allen
Masked gunman from the 1920s. On February 24, 1927 two masked men entered the central office of Standard Oil Company in Memphis, Tennessee armed with revolvers. Their intent was robbery and cashier J.P. Tucker was their target. The dutiful employee had just finished preparing the receipts for transfer to the bank when he was startled…
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Robbery at Rendezvous Lodge
Moon Lake: picture by James Dean Moon Lake in Northern Coahoma County was known as a resort for the surrounding counties during the 1920s and 1930s. Young and old flocked to the lake’s banks to fish, picnic and enjoy parties held at any number of lodges and homes. One of the most well known of…
My Delta World 