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Daily Corinthian Vol. 121, No. 191
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
Missing Corinth man found alive BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
A 69-year-old Corinth resident who had been missing since Monday was found alive in a wooded area Thursday evening. Herchial Lonnie Jones, a resident of Corinthian Arbors on North Harper Road, was found by a K-9 unit after 7 p.m. following an extensive search of the wooded area near the apartments. Police Chief Ralph Dance said
the man is likely dehydrated, but it looks like he’s going to be OK. He was taken to the hospital. With the potential for dehydration in the heat, Dance said it was starting to look grim before the man was found in a dense wooded area off North Harper Road well behind a house. “He is a strong old man,” said Dance. “He is a survivor, there’s no doubt.” Several years ago, Jones survived being hit by a train while
hunting in a wooded area. He is known to spend a lot of time walking in the woods, said Capt. Dell Green. Jones was reported missing by family on Wednesday. He had last been seen Monday near the wooded area that runs adjacent to the apartment complex. The manhunt focused on the wooded area and along Phillips Creek, which is just west of the apartments. “I want to thank our detective
Riding for Warriors
division for an outstanding job,” said Dance. “They’ve been working on this ever since he was reported missing by the family.” It was a dog with the Benton County Rescue Squad that found the man Thursday evening. Dance expressed thanks to them, local volunteers and a team from Homeland Security who joined in the search. “We appreciate everybody’s help,” said Dance. “It was a coordinated effort.”
jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff Photo by L.A. Story
Retired Navy S.E.A.L. Ricky Sanchez is TNO Fishing’s chief operations officer and is the rider of the American Original-themed Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The tour began as a business promotion, but has also become a fundraiser for Special Operations Wounded Warrior.
Patriotic tour makes a stop locally BY L.A. STORY An Arkansas fishing company made a stop at a local business in Corinth Thursday morning as part of a charity project and business promotion. TNO Fishing rolled into the
parking lot at Lonnie’s Sporting Goods led by a custompainted, USA American Originals-themed Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S and with an entourage in tow. Lonnie’s Sporting Goods’ Tom Oaks said the store carries
Ralph Dance Police chief
Planning project continues for City of Corinth BY JEBB JOHNSTON
lastory@dailycorinthian.com
“He is a strong old man. He is a survivor, there’s no doubt.”
some of the company’s products and they wanted to make Lonnie’s Sporting Goods a stop on their “Operation American Original 2017: Riding for Heroes” tour. Please see WARRIORS | 2A
The planners for Envision Corinth 2040 continue to digest the community’s ideas as a comprehensive plan begins to take shape. The process, when complete, will give the city a new development code and template for future growth. Bob Barber, partner with Orion Planning + Design, talked about the latest developments with Envision Corinth 2040 in a joint meeting of civic clubs Thursday at Franklin Courtyard. “You’ve got the ingredients for something really special in the years ahead if, and only if, it is well treated,” said Barber. “You well treat it by thinking about the future, planning well and executing well. I can guarantee you one thing about your city — it will change over the next decade, two decades. The question is: How will you shape the change? Will it be left to its own devices or will you create a community second to none?” The consultants expect to have a draft plan on the table
in about a month. It will be designed to help the city address areas of concern. “A ride down 72 would not indicate that you have a worldclass historic downtown a half a mile away,” said Barber. “The quality of the community is very high, and there are places where the community can be improved to better reflect the beautiful assets that you have.” One thing the plan will address is revitalization of older neighborhoods — those with marginal housing stock, deferred maintenance and other issues. “One of the ways is to deal with the development code,” he said. “You’ve got a development code that’s a 1970s model. You’re trying to do business in the year 2017 with an old Datsun. It’s hard to do.” As an example, Barber showed how setback requirements require a new home to be built well off the street in older neighborhoods where the existing homes are close Please see PLANNING | 2A
Legendary murder remembered 50 years later BY L.A. STORY lastory@dailycorinthian.com
ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. — The murder was as tragic as it is legendary and this year the victim will be remembered 50 years later. It is a series of events caught in a perpetual time loop in the minds of those who remember the details and for new generations who hear the telling of it for the first time. The brutality of the story sounds like elaborate fictional prose meant to become a Southern version of “The God-
father,” but the sad news is that the story is true. Pauline Pusser, wife of the late former McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser, was murdered in an ambush on the morning of Aug. 12, 1967. It was an ambush, as legend has it, that was meant for her husband. In fact, it was the book “The 12th of August” by the late W.R. Morris that inspired the movie “Walking Tall” by Bing Crosby Productions. According to Pusser’s account of events leading to the
murder, the sheriff’s phone rang in the predawn hours on Aug. 12, 1967. He received a report of a disturbance on New Hope Road in McNairy County, and Pauline rode along on the call. At sunrise, as they passed the New Hope United Methodist Church, a blue 1965 Cadillac pulled out from behind the church and began shooting. Pauline was shot in the head, but was still alive. Pusser thought he’d gotten away and
Please see MURDER | 5A
Pauline Pusser was the wife of the late former McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser. She was murdered in an ambush believed to be intended for her husband. The book “The 12th of August” by the late W.R. Morris inspired the movie “Walking Tall” by Bing Crosby Productions. Pusser began carrying a big stick in 1971 to promote the “Walking Tall” movie. Pusser was never known to carry a big stick while he was sheriff form 1964-1970. He died in a car crash the day he signed a movie deal to portray himself in the “Walking Tall” sequel.
25 years ago
10 years ago
A caboose is placed at the historic Corinth Depot. The train car is a donation from Mid-South Corporation.
Work is underway on a foyer with handicap accessible restrooms at the Biggersville gym.
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