Nashville High School - Scrapper Yearbook (Nashville, AR)

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Crowds of spectators, high school studonts included, watch the progress of the fire from across the street. After an unsuccessful battle with the blaze which demolished Harris Furniture, volunteer firemen concentrate on dampening the flames of Hastings Music Store next door. All three buildings were a total loss. The cosmetic store saved only 30% of its stock, losing about $ 12,000. The trophy shop lost about the same amount. Bystanders removed most of the instruments and showcases from Hastings Music Store. Other buildings on the block, including an office belonging to an accountant. Mr. Ronny Woods, and the Nashville Recreational Hall reported fire and water damage. Cleggs Cleaners, Steel and Steel’s law office, the Gift Shop, and James TV removed files, merchandise, and equipment when the fire threatened to spread to the entire block. The fire was mostly under control by 1:15 p.m. It was termed by the Nashville News as Nashville's most destructive fire of the 20th century. The day that had begun as a typical Sunday was to be remembered for the acrid smell of burning timber that filled the air and the heaping pile of rubbish filling a gap on North Main — a souvenir left over from the fire that marred Main Street. Student Life 27

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The Fire That Marred Main Sire March 25 began much like any other Sunday morning. Church was in service, the back row snoozers were getting their 20 winks, and clergymen were preaching sermons. Then the fire alarm sounded. Volunteer firemen rushed out of church. Lights flickered on and off. Organs lost power to create an eerie atmosphere. Three churches. First Methodist, First Baptist, and Assembly of God. were located on Main Street only blocks from where a black inferno of smoke began billowing from Harris Furniture Store around 11:00 a m. As churches dismissed, downtown merchants and church crowds flocked to the scene. As the hour progressed the situation worsened. The ebony smoke became visible for miles and people flooded in from all around. Renee McClure said, “It seemed as if everyone in the area was reminisced, I was standing in there. Dox and the tin was burning. II Firemen from Mineral Springs, hot I had to move. Dierks, Weyerhauser, Center Point, When the back wall c Murfreesboro, Delight, Hope, and furniture store blew out it causi DeQueen assisted Nashville's volun- side walls, which were higher teers, some of whom still wore their Sunday suits. A Nevada County Rescue Unit and Tyson’s water tank also aided in quenching the flames. Fearing the worst — that the fire those of surrounding stores, t outward. The rubble which desce on the ajoining buildings, t through the roofs. This spread the south into the McLaughlin Built would engulf the entire block — which contained an insurance c townspeople, including some pany, a Merle Norman Cosmt students, broke out glass in some of business, and a trophy shop. To I the endangered stores to remove north, flames consumed the buildi merchandise. Others helped by containing Hastings Music Stor detouring traffic around the fire area, Hughes Printing Company, and permitting firemen to concentrate on room used for dance lessons. combatting the fire. As firemen battled the blaze, Momonf baton tho climactic crumbling o more people crowded into the area ,h ,,0f ,ron,‘ M 'n 8,r f •• i nyn d Wl,h Laurie White who watched the fire furn'»ur - Of0 n ' P,,no - ,nd o,h0r Laurie wnite, wno waicneo me nre Mlvag0d lrom ihop, 0„ ,h0 Wock (photo from Main Street opposite the inferno, courtly of tt» NmIwM Now )

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Stepping Out The word “banquet” possessed a special meaning at high school. When it was mentioned, it cast an air of anticipation. All of the banquets required formal attire and presented an opportunity for a date, with some exceptions. When banquet time rolled around, many girls sat home waiting to be asked and boys dreaded popping the question. Then, after the date was secured, came the mad dash to all the stores to find a new formal, and the boys dragged out the suit and tie. Various organizations and athletic teams choose to hold banquets to honor their outstanding and talented members. These banquets were scattered throughout the year. The annual Rotary Football Banquet kicked off the festive schedule in December. This banquet had an unusual At the FFA Banquet, keynote speaker Doyle Cook, an employee of Production Credit Association, talks on the value of Arkansas' agriculture. menu of “roasted coaches.” Senior football players paid their last respects to the coaches by roasting them in the manner made popular on television by comedien Dean Martin. All kidding aside, each of the coaches received a placque in appreciation of their time and hard work. The team also presented senior cheerleaders Gaye Goodrum and Debbie Chesshir, field commander Martha Bowers, and majorette Tammie Wilson with trophies. Coach Gary Segrest took the podium and spoke about each senior, paying them back a little with a few jokes. He honored two noteworthy Scrappers, leading rusher Stacy Boles and leading tackier Stan Staggs. An expert on Scrappers, former coach and superintendent Dwight Jones was the guest speaker After his Coaches, wives, Rotarians, football players and dates applaud as Rotary President Jay Romine presents Robbye Westfall the Rotary Most Valuable Player of the Year Award. 28 Student Life