"Remember When...."

 

"The Bloody Bucket" Burned

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

 

 

It was October 18, 1951.....59 years ago, today, that folks on downtown Main Street saw smoke curling from the top of the Broadway Theater, commonly known as "The Bloody Bucket," and one of three Sulphur Springs Theaters, ceased to exist.

Things were different in Sulphur Springs, in 1951. We were in the midst of the Korean Conflict, and many young men from Hopkins County were away, serving their country. Harry Truman was in the White House and Sulphur Springs Superintendent of Schools, Jack Gibson, had been given a "one-year" extension on his contract. Cokes were a nickel!

Ten pounds of Imperial Pure Cane Sugar could be purchased at Bevis and Owens Grocers, for 89 cents and Bridges Grocery and Mercantile was advertising a special on Folger's Coffee for 79 cents a pound. Margarine, and nobody in dairy country would think of using it, was 29 cents for a 1/4 pound tub. Folks used "pure Jersey butter" here in Hopkins County, on their toast and biscuits.

 

 

 

 

Bacon was 41 cents a pound and Fresh, Whole Fryers were 49 cents a pound, with Sirloin steak only 84 cents a pound. A 1000 sheet roll of toilet paper could be purchased for 12.5 cents and Purex was 17 cents a quart!

Of course, "The Bloody Bucket" got its nickname for the bloody movies that always seemed to find their way to the screen. A review of the 1951 archives reveals that earlier in the year it had shown such features as: Tyrone Power in "American Guerilla in the Phillippines;"  "Return of the Frontiersman," featuring Edon MacRae; Errol Flynn and Patrice Wymore in "Rocky Mountain Raid;" John Wayne in "War of the Wildcats;" and Valentine Perkins and Robert Rockwell in "Prisoners in Petticoats."

Sulphur Springs Furniture Company was advertising their new "Maytag Chieftan" wringer washing machine for $149.99, and we really don't know if the "Maytag Repairman" was busy or not!

 

 

 

Wildcat Coach, Clinton "Whizzer" White had been a coach at the high school since 1947, but had resigned this position, then on July 4, 1951, but had revealed that he would remain living in the community.

Merrell Chevrolet was advertising their adequate supply of 1951 Chevrolet Trucks that were "on sale" before the 1952 models came in. Mack Merrell reminded everyone that "Chevrolets were made for the dairy farm!"

And, speaking of local dairy farms, Craver Brothers Hardware had a great deal on "De Laval Speedette Milkers," of course they were bucket milkers, that had to be carried to the milk tank, but they were only $195.00 each. They also had a ready supply of 10-gallon milk cans for $7.95 each. Dairy barn brooms were $1.95 and a box of milk strainers could be purchased for $2.95. Does anyone remember how much bags of lime for the dairy barn floors were in 1951?

The Famous Shoe Store in Sulphur Springs was conducting an autumn sale with shoes $1.00 a pair. What a deal!

Pork 'n Beans were 15 cents a can and sliced peaches were 28 cents a can, with Del Monte Pineapple at 25 cents a can.

Truman had asked for 18 year olds to be included in the Armed Services Draft, in the Defense Plan he'd submitted to Congress.

And, some things seem to always be the same. Dan McDonald, Jim Miller, and Mr. Babe Attlesey were reminding everyone that they needed to contribute to the upkeep of the Reilly Springs Cemetery, that was in need of funds to keep it maintained. They were anticipating hiring a "sexton" to keep the cemetery, because it seemed that no one had time to help keep it weeded!

 

 

Harold Warren had been named Administrator of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital in 1951, and Ol' "Coon Creek" Gandy (Joe W. Gandy) was expelling his wisdom in a weekly column, from down in the eastern part of the county, called "Coon Creek."

Bud Koger and his fellow coaches as the Sulphur Springs Junior High were having a successful 8th Grade Kitten Season. Koger said his philosophy of football was, "A boy's environment has a direct bearing on his activities on the football field. When something at home is worrying the boy, he brings it to school. So, parents, you can help your boy play better, if you provide a stable environment in the home!"

Oak Farms had a special on their milk and Men's new Derby Hats could be purchased for $2.98. Men's rayon-nylon cord slakes were $5.90 each and those beautiful cotton prints for ladies latest fashions could be purchased for 35 cents a yard. A "ready-made" fashionable dress could be purchsed for $8.90, so many women had those sewing machines "whizzing!"

Ashcroft Motors had found that many local dairy farmers didn't own a pick-up truck, so they were advertising that they would haul your feed from the feed store to the farm for

1 4/5 cents a mile.

And, if you were on the 1951 Homecoming Court, in Sulphur Springs, you possibly purchased one of the exquisite "Swiss Miss" formal-wear dresses, for the game. They were on special for $14.95 (quite a fashion investment in 1951).

And, speaking of investments, The Banks Company was advertising their new GE "Space Maker" Refrigerator, for $299.95, with terms. "It was the most modern home investment around!"

Life was quite different in Sulphur Springs in 1951, but many things were the same, and most in the community mourned the passing of an era, when "The Bloody Bucket" was destroyed by fire on October 18, 1951!

 

 

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