G. Wayne Dowdy - On This Day in Memphis History

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by G. Wayne Dowdy

All rights reserved

All images are courtesy of the Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library and Information Center unless otherwise noted.

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62584.591.7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Dowdy, G. Wayne.

On this day in Memphis history / G. Wayne Dowdy.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-136-5

1. Memphis (Tenn.)--History--Calendars. I. Title.

F444.M557D695 2014

976.819--dc23

2014005700

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book would not have been possible without the love and support of my family. I dedicate this book to my parents, Barbara Ann Nance and Gerald McLain Dowdy; my grandparents, John McLain, Ivy Lucile Heckle Dowdy, William Herbert and Lurline Belle Griffin Nance; my brother and sister-in-law William Johnathan Bud and Robin Paige Clement Dowdy; my niece Britney Amber Dowdy Pierce; nephew-in-law Larry Hank Pierce and grandniece Mallorie Ann Pierce; my nephews Cody Austin Dowdy and Brandon Ryan Dowdy; Uncle J.B. and Aunt Carole Nance; Uncle Larry H. Nance, Uncle Ron G. and Aunt Donna Nance; Aunt Viola Heckle; and my cousins: Justin, Clay and Clint Nance; Lisa Nance Brooks; Mike and Forrest Brooks; Chris, Heather and Haleigh Nance; Gene and Jean Hair Miller; Laura Leigh Miller Traylor; John, Olivia Belle and Conrad Traylor; Eddie, Rachael, Alex and Stuart Miller; Lanie and Martha Miller; Faye Stabler; Kim Hair Sox; Donald, Corey and Luke Sox; W.D. Hair; and Ann and Harold Waldon.

I also wish to thank Director of Libraries Keenon McCloy and my colleagues in the History and Social Sciences Department at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central LibraryBetty Blaylock, Joan Cannon, Jeramy Clark, Gina Cordell, Laura Cunningham, Dr. Barbara D. Flanary, Sarah Frierson, Jasmine Holland, Verjeana Hunt, Dr. James R. Johnson, Thomas W. Jones, Patricia M. LaPointe, Bryan Massey, Patrick W. ODaniel, Lanny Rodell Ross II, Belmar Toney and Marilyn Umfressfor their friendship and encouragement over the years. This also goes for Ken Kimble, Walter Hoehn, Paul Prothero, Dave Truck Robinson and Grant Wade. The History Press is a wonderful publisher to write for, and I thank everyone there for their support. I especially want to thank my editor Banks Smither for asking me to write this book and for his faith and kindness throughout the writing process. And last but not least my love goes to Gina Cordell, Paul Gahn, my godson Ellis Nelson Cordell Gahn and Carey, Beena, Natacha, Mischa and Dennis White.

INTRODUCTION

As a student of Memphis history, I have often uncovered fascinating stories about the Bluff City that do not fit into a larger narrative. On This Day in Memphis History seeks to tell these stories within the framework of a day-by-day accounting of the citys history. Above all things, Memphis is a creative town, and that is reflected in the 365 days that make up this volume. As you will see, this creativity took on many forms: in music, obviously, but also in art, barbeque cooking, entrepreneurship, literature, medicine, sports and, sadly, violent crime. The challenge in writing On This Day in Memphis History was to avoid the most familiar incidents in the Bluff Citys history while still paying attention to the people, places and events that Memphians hold most dear. My hope is that most of the daily entries are not known to those who have studied Memphis history or even just lived here for a long period of time. Although by necessity each days entry is short, whenever possible I have placed the story within its historical context. It would not do, I think, to introduce you to a moment in time without sharing how it all comes out. Within these pages, you will meet the prophet who vowed to sink Memphis into the Mississippi River, experience a violent Saturday night on Beale Street, watch the Tigers smash the Green Bay Packers, live through the day it rained snakes, meet the scientist who died experimenting with X-rays, smell slow-cooked pulled pork and hear the steady beat of blues, jazz and rock n roll.

So let us travel back to January 1, 1950, where a New Years celebration gets a bit out of hand.

JANUARY

January 1, 1950

Battle Erupts on Main Street

Hundreds of Memphians armed with firecrackers and other explosives poured onto Main Street early on this holiday morning. As the hour neared midnight, the staccato sounds of explosions filled the air as Memphians began, in the words of newspaper reporter Roy Jennings, a prolonged bombardment with firecrackers and sidewalk torpedoes. The crowd was very large, and according to one observer, At least half of the people on the streets [were] shooting fireworks. One zealous celebrant, John Brown of South Dunlap, temporarily lost his head and threw a large firecracker at the feet of two police officers. When it exploded, Brown immediately lost his freedom and was charged with disorderly conduct. As similar explosions rocked the downtown area, David Booker and Walter Henderson were also arrested for selling fireworks in violation of city ordinances. Police commissioner Claude Armour explained that because Saturday night was New Years Eve and spirit was at its highest in Memphis, our main interest was to see that no one was injured. Although the use of fireworks is a violation of the law, we didnt try to interfere unless there was an aggravated case.

January 2, 1955

Rhythm and Blues Singer Laid to Rest

The funeral for rock n roll pioneer John Marshall Alexander, known to music fans as Johnny Ace, was held on this day at Clayborn Temple AME church. Known for such hits as The Clock, Pledging My Love and Never Let Me Go, Ace had begun his career as a piano player for blues performer Joe Hill Lewis. He later played with B.B. King and hosted a radio program on WDIA. On Christmas Day 1954, Ace retired to his dressing room after performing for 3,500 people at the auditorium in Houston, Texas. Ace was fiddling with a .22-caliber revolver, pointing it at those in the room with him and pulling the trigger. After singer Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton told him not to snap the pistol at anybody, Ace then pointed the pistol to his head and declared, Ill show you that it wont shoot. Unfortunately, he was mistaken. The pistol did shoot, and Ace lost his life. Attending the funeral conducted by Reverend R. McRae and disc jockey Reverend Dwight Gatemouth Moore were Peacock Records owner Don Robey and musicians B.B. King and Willie Mae Thornton. Pallbearers included recording artists Rosco Gordon and Little Junior Parker and jazz drummer Finas Newborn. According to historian James M. Salem, Aces Pledging My Love will forever be the transitional record between rhythm and blues and rock n roll, and the singer/songwriter himself will always be associated with the card still featured prominently on the cover of his only LP: Johnny Ace was, after all, the ace of hearts.