Basil Rathbone Visited Speech Class

Who knew that in about 1956, star of film, Broadway, and TV, Basil Rathbone met with Miss Ruby Krider’s speech class at Grove High? The afternoon before his performance at the City Auditorium, he made an appearance in the small speech studio on “The Hill”. We were totally intimidated by him and I only remember his aloof demeanor, his aristocratic accent, and his dislike of former President Harry Truman. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Coal Direct

Who knew that Mrs. Bernice Rainey’s store at Jones Mill is heated with coal delivered directly from a mine? When Mrs. Rainey, sole proprietor of the store since 1945, was told that small lot coal was no longer available, she knew someone who convinced a Kentucky mine operator to sell coal for her tiny stove. Source – Conversation with Mrs. Rainey while loafing at her store – Ray Harding.

Telephone Trivia 4

Who knew that a letter after the telephone number (1086-W) meant a party line. One ring was for the Homer Bucy family, and a nosy ol' maid down the street. Two rings was just for the nosy ol' maid. Submitted by Jean Bucy Owens.

Telephone Trivia 3

Who knew that Owens Electric Service had the telephone number of 292 in the early sixties. When I was six years old, in 1961, I would pick up the telephone and an operator would say, "Number please." I would reply "292", then I would be connected to Dad at work. If I was at the shop and wanted to talk to Ma, I would ask the operator for 3031. Submitted by Rick Owens.

Telephone Trivia 2

Who knew that Paris Insurance Agency's number in the 60's was 17. I have a coke bottle opener that has it on there... Rick Conger, Paris.

Telephone Trivia

Who knew that simpler times were not all that long ago? In 1962, the phone number for Charles Neese, Attorney, 105 E. Wood St. was "1". Source - April, 1962 Telephone Directory. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Hands-on Education

Who knew that, for many years, everyone taking physics from Mr. Robert Williams at Grove School was required to build a working electric motor? There was much collaboration and some of the motors were Rube Goldberg affairs, but on the appointed day, they usually all ran. Around 1978, Mr. Williams dusted off a motor submitted by Jack Nichols 20 years earlier and ran it for his class. Source - Jack Nichols. Submitted by Ray Harding (mine ran on the test day)

Grades Shared Classroom

Who knew that Miss Mary Margaret Richardson taught first grade and Miss Robbins taught second grade, at the same time, in room 8, at Lee School, in 1954. Source: Jean Bucy Owens

Little House House Books are Timeless

Who knew that Miss Stella Dunn, second grade teacher at Lee School, would read to her students each day after lunch? She read from the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In 1954, second grader Helen Harding (Henderson) wrote a letter to the 87 year old author. Helen soon received a hand-written personal letter from Mrs. Wilder, which is now framed and on display in her home. Source - Helen Harding Henderson by Ray Harding.

Spiral Slide Fire Escapes Inspired Students

Who knew that long time Lee School Principal Miss Charlie McGehee had an interesting way to familiarize students with the spiral slide fire escapes and encourage academic achievement at the same time? Children who made 100% in spelling on certain Fridays would be allowed to go down the slides at the end of the day.  Source – Ray Harding

Mr. Mack Guerin - 44 Years

Who knew that Mr. Mack Guerin, beloved Janitor at Lee School for 44 years, was hired in 1924 and retired in 1968 at age 90?  Described as a “silent, comforting presence”, he was known simply as "Mack" to generations of children. He would clean up anything that hit the floor at the school without a trace of grimace. Source –Tribute to Mack at the 2008 Lee Association Annual Meeting. Ray Harding

Students Couriers

Who knew that in the early 1950’s Miss Charlie McGehee used students as couriers to deliver large amounts of lunch room money to the bank? In 1950-1953, John Collins and I would regularly carry a bank bag to First Trust Bank and seek our favorite teller, Mr. Ralph Bowden. Always vigilant en route for robbers and desperadoes, we never had a problem. Source – Ray Harding

California Vacation 1923-style

Pictured here is a car very similar to the one used for the trip, from the New York Public Library's collection.

Who knew that in 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Henry McNeill, with Bob and John B. Arnett took a 2 ½ month trip to California in a Buick with a cloth top and no glass side windows? Roads were mostly gravel and unmarked. A tent would be attached to the car each night and Mrs. McNeill cooked the meals. They said the trip covered 10,000 miles. Source – Ray Harding’s video interview with Mr. Bob Arnett in December, 1987.  

9-1-1

Who knew that a teenage girl saved Lee School from catastrophic damage? In May, 1972, 14 year old Amy Weber spotted smoke coming from the tower. She ran to her nearby home and her mother called the Fire Department. Three trucks confined the damage to the tower and an upper room. Origin of the fire was never determined. Source - PI files; submitted by Ray Harding.

Rhea Public Library Beneficiary Dr. W.G. Rhea

Who knew that, in 1972, Dr. W.G. Rhea donated the corner lot at Washington and Caldwell Streets across from the City Hall for the purpose of building a new library. Source: RheaPublicLibrary.com.

Historic Photos Online

Who knew that the Tennessee State Library and Archives has 36 pages of historic photos online (with some Paris, France photos mixed in), including these photos of Paris Bakery proprietor Benjamin Franklin Hunter and daughter Helen.

Margaret Blanton Reeves Recalls School Days

Who knew that the late Margaret Blanton Reeves attended Lee School, starting in first grade around 1909. At recess, the children would sometimes choose sides and play “Civil War”. She said she never liked being on the blue side! Source: Told to Ray Harding by Mrs. Reeves at her 100th birthday party in October, 2003.

Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic

Who knew that druggist Edwin Grove concocted Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic in 1878 and used his wealth to build the state’s first privately endowed public high school in Paris (pop. 9,763), referred to as “the school that came out of a bottle.” Source: Tennessee Trivia & Tidbits, part of AmericanProfile.

First Lady of Hunting

Who knew that Brenda Valentine, nicknamed "First Lady of Hunting", is host of Bass Pro Shops' Real Hunting television program. She was born and raised in a remote area of Henry County and began hunting as a child to provide food for her family. She is the first female inductee into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Source: Tennessee Trivia & Tidbits, part of AmericanProfile.

Sidney Mandle Estate Employed Workers

Who knew that, in 1933, local clay magnate Mr. Sidney Mandle provided work for numerous unemployed workers? Using a Memphis architect and local craftsmen, he transformed his bungalow home at 505 Walnut Street to a classic federal style. The year-long project doubled the size of the house, added a pool and replaced all the brick. Except for removal of the pool, it remains unchanged. Source – Told to Ray Harding by the late Jeanette Mandle Dunlap.