Virginia Echoes of the Past
Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The Virginian Review and other publications archived since 1914. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical purposes and accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original, unedited form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
JUNE 1923
100 Years ago
Largest class ever to graduate from high school
The twenty-seventh commencement exercises of the Covington High School were held in the Strand Theater last night. Long before the time scheduled for the exercises, the house was crowded with relatives and friends of the class.
The class was the largest in the history of the school, comprising 38 young men and ladies. As usual, the girls predominated, there were 26 girls and 12 boys.
The stage was handsomely decorated with ferns and cut flowers. The girls looked beautiful in their white dresses, and the boys in black coats and white flannel trousers made a good appearance.
JUNE 1948
75 Years ago
Forest fires rage along 72-mile front
Toronto, Ont. – Two roaring forest fires merged last night in the Mississagi and Chapleau areas of northern Ontario and are burning on a giant 72-mile front.
The fire, regarded by many as the biggest and most expensive in Ontario’s history, is traveling toward rich timberlands on bark lake area.
Smoke and flames are sweeping over 150,000 acres of green timber north of Blind River, Algoma district lumbering town midway between Cault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.
The big fire covers about 130,000 acres or more than 200 square miles of the region. Millions of dollars of damage already have been done, forest officials said.
Smoke in the green timber is billowing nearly two miles into the sky and a haze lay over the communities on the north shores of Lake Erie and Ontario more than 200 miles south of the fire.
JUNE 1973
50 Years ago
House approves hike in minimum wage rate
The house has voted to boost the minimum wage to $2 this year and $2.20 in 1974 and in covering government workers and household domestics under the law.
The 287-130 vote that sent the bill to the Senate Wednesday reversed a bitter defeat suffered last year by the House leadership, which has been trying since 1970 to increase the minimum wage.
The votes of newly elected members and rural Democrats who want support later in the session for a farm bill turned the tide in favor of the legislation.
JUNE 1998
25 Years ago
Beth Catron is crowned Little Miss by Heart unit
Beth Lee Catron, the seven-year-old daughter of Kevin and Wanda Catron, was crowned Little Miss Queen of Hearts Saturday night by Lindsey Morgan, 1997 Little Miss Queen of Hearts.
First runner-up was Kayla Nicole Pauley, the seven-year-old daughter of Greg and Paula Burton. Second runner-up was Sarah Jo Woodson, the eight-year-old daughter of Bill and Debbie Woodson. Johnna Kaitlin Waugh, the eight-year-old daughter of John and Charlotte Waugh was third runner-up. Tayler Jeane’ Ross and Laura Grace Graham tied for fourth place. Taylor is the eight-year-old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Lavern Cooper. Grace is the four-year-old daughter of Randy and Lisa Graham.
The twenty –five contestants and their fathers as escorts entered the auditorium to “Butterfly Kisses.” Entertainment for the evening was provided by Nicole Shinault, Amber Ballard, Kimberly Hinebaugh, Christopher Smith and David Crosier. Beth Miller and David Crosier were emcees for the evening.
Linda Rice served as pageant director. She was assisted by her two daughters, Tricia Eggleston and Kimberly Rice, along with Martha Rice. Miranda Eggleston was the pianist.