Olympic Park Bleacher Collapse of 1884
By Joe Lowry Edited by Trish Gully By the end of the 1800s, Memphis would
Joe Lowry
The Great Balcony Collapse of 1930
By Joe Lowry Edited by Trish Gully Memphis and Shelby County is no stranger to
Chief Duane E. Mallery
By Joe Lowry Edited by Trish Gully From chasing fire engines on his bicycle to
Four Alarm Fire – Firefighters Injured & Police Officer Killed
It all happened October 22, 1931. A four alarm fire consumed five stores on South
Diggs Nolen – Memphis Underworld Boss
by J.V. Lowry In a town where there was no Mafia, and E.H. Crump made
John Matthew Dolan
John Matthew Dolan.. a Memphis Fire Department icon was born December 19, 1866, one of
The Burning of the Robert Church Jr. Home
February 26, 1953 The telling and retelling of this one event has over the years
Four Who Served
By Michael Vanelli and Joe V Lowry, with research and editorial assistance by Trish Gully.
B. T. Washington High School Co-ettes Club
Every once in a while, I stumble into a story that has all kinds of
Band Director Roscoe Roy Coats
Three years ago I sat down my childhood friend Ray Ransom, who spent his entire
Ministers In Mayor Crump’s Pocket
(When political power was the prize, legendary politician Edward Crump knew how to get the
Forgotten Hero – Elijah William “Will” Hale, Senior
The Nashville Tennessean Newspaper was quoted as saying “he ran the day to day business
Thomas Frank Cassels – Memphis’ First Black Attorney
I was truly amazed when I started doing the research on this fine Memphian. After
The First Black Firefighters
Written by Joe Lowry with research and editorial assistance by Trish Gully. It was the
Pvt. Edward O. Cleaborn
Our wonderful story is about Edward O. Cleaborn. A forgotten Memphis hero, this 18-year-old U.S.
Forgotten History – Memphis Responds to Tupelo, MS 1936
Over the past 100 years when a neighboring community experienced a devastating disaster, like a
Forgotten History – American Snuff Strike of 1950
Most of us have never heard this story and I admit I was a bit
The Crump Machine and Memphis Police Revolt of 1943
Just like every other city employee of the day, Fire, Public Works, and Teachers, they
Joseph Newberger, Cotton Man, Philanthropist
Written by Joe Lowry with research and editorial assistance by Trish Gully. Joseph Newberger, born
G. P. Hamilton
As Memphis history goes, G. P. Hamilton, was one of my heroes. If you get
William B. Fowler
A forgotten name and family who made a real difference in our community, William B
Hero Spotlight: Sargent John Foppiano
The Memphis Police Depart Detective Squad and Sgt. John Foppiano. Written by Joe Lowry with
Hero Spotlight: Julio “John” Vannucci
Julio John Vannucci was born December 25, 1887, in Venice Italy and came through Ellis
Hero Spotlight: Deputy Chief James Price “Pete” Leach
Born 1919 Died June 14, 1972 Entered the MFD 1942 as a private on Engine
Hero Spotlight: Chief Irby Klinck
December 1933 Fire Chief John Moore retires, and Chief Irby Klinck is appointed. One of