I have spent considerable time since last week’s paper worrying over what to write in “Charlotte’s Attic” this week. I wanted it to be something about elections but just couldn’t put my mind on any one subject. Then Sunday night, while staring at the computer, I remembered that the new owners wanted us to do something like “50 years ago today, 75 years ago today, or 100 years ago today!” I explained to them that it would be difficult to do 100 years ago since The Vidette office was destroyed by fire in the early 1940s when it was published in the basement of the old Mineral Springs Hotel. All records and old papers were destroyed.

I remembered about a special paper, that over the years various people have brought by the office that they would find while cleaning out houses. This paper, in particular, must have been very popular because issues of the same paper were brought to us throughout the years. I remembered it was an election year paper and it might be of some interest to my readers. I found one in my “attic” and guess what, it was printed 100 years ago this week! I had never noticed the date, I just knew it was old. I was always amazed at what a superior printing job it was for the time period. It is four pages containing the history of Iuka and Tishomingo County and photos and biographies of local business people and candidates seeking office. Much work was put into this 4-page issue.

According to our records, The Vidette, at the time was owned by R. M. Sparks. Dr. F. T. Carmack had been the editor until July 9, 1914, and in February of 1914 R. M. Sparks moved to Iuka to work with Dr. Carmack. In 1915 Sparks and Sparks, father and son, became editor and publisher. The old paper is Volume XXXIX No 48, dated August 2, 1923, $1.00 a Year.

Advertisements in the special edition were: The Shockley Shop, a millinery store; Men’s Summer Sale at Reid Bros.; That Good Gulf Gasoline and Oils, Free Air, at McKnight’s Fancy Groceries; August Sale at W. S. Brown & Co.; and Allen’s Tishomingo Gravel, 414 Exchange Building, Memphis.

News included:

• Headlines: President Harding is Dead! Death is Instantaneous and Unexpected. Nation Mourns Chief Executive. President Harding died at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Thursday night, August 2nd. Was conversing with members of his family. Death was due to apoplexy, it is thought. His physician states that, “During the day he had been free from discomfort and there was every justification for anticipating a prompt recovery.”
• Picnic at Iuka: There will be a picnic at Iuka Monday, August 6th. Everybody invited. Come and bring a well-filled basket. Chamber of Commerce.

Political hopefuls announcing in the paper were:

• O. C. Miller, Candidate for County Superintendent
• P. R. Adams, Candidate Re-election Circuit Clerk
• L. C. Paden, Candidate for Circuit Clerk
• J. O. Epps, Candidate for Re-election County Superintendent of Education
• Geo. W. Stricklin, Candidate for Superintendent of Education
• Ben Busby, Candidate of Sheriff
• Joseph E. Johnston, Candidate for Sheriff
• Luther Owens, Candidate for Chancery Clerk
• John Raymond Gravette, Candidate for Sheriff
• Miss Willie Leone Hiett, Candidate for Chancery Clerk
• Ernest R. Ligon, Candidate for Representative
• T. M. McDonald, Candidate for Representative
• J. C. Holton of Winston County Candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture
• Dennis Murphree of Calhoun County, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
• Stokes V. Robertson, Candidate for Re-election State Revenue Agent.