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Beckwith recalls terrifying late night threat after Morris murder: 'You're next'
 A short time after Frank Morris died as a result of the arson of his shoe shop, two black men were run out of Ferriday because the Klan and sheriff's deputies feared they could identify the men who killed Morris.
One of these black men -- Tee-Wee Kelly -- died in 2000, while the other recalled for The Sentinel this week the harrowing night of December 16, 1964 -- two days after Morris' death -- when an anonymous caller warned him several times, "You're next."
John "Bubba" Beckwith was 22-years-old in 1964, a good friend of Frank Morris and was working at Richardson & Sims Funeral Home. He was born and reared nearby in Gilbert, dreamed as a teenager of owning his own funeral home one day but was forced out of Ferriday 45 years ago never to return.
"Frank Morris worked hard and was a good business man," said Beckwith, who didn't let his brush with the Klan dash his dreams. After being forced out of Ferriday, he made his way to Dallas, Tex., and today, according to son John Beckwith Jr., owns the largest African-American funeral home chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex -- Golden Gate Funeral Home -- and he opened a facility in Tallulah, La., in 2002. |
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News
Vidalia recreation director terminated
Concordia Recreation District No. 3 Recreation Director Mike Bowlin said he was shocked and disappointed upon receiving a letter on Feb. 25 saying his job would be terminated on Feb. 28. |
Anders files bill on milo assessment
District 21 State Rep. Andy Anders of Vidalia has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming 2010 legislative regular session that he hopes will provide some financial relief for grain sorghum (milo) farmers. |
Donelson speaker at Rotary luncheon
Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon brought his "Tax Tour" to Ferriday Thursday and not surprisingly most of the talk at the Ferriday Rotary Club luncheon centered around Hurricane Katrina and Rita. |
Tibbee Creek Site topic at Grand Village
The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians will present an illustrated talk by John O'Hear entitled "So Wrong for So Long: A Reappraisal of the Tibbee Creek Site" in the museum auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2010. |
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Columns
The perilous river journey of Anthony, Anne & Toney -- Spring 1773
River travel was dangerous enough for the solitary trapper in the 1700s but imagine loading your children, spouse and every possession you owned onto flatboats and riding the swift river currents of springtime through hostile lands to your destination hundreds of miles away. |
It's only a deadline
March 1 came and went and the V-Vehicle automobile manufacturing project in northeastern Louisiana is alive and well for the time being. |
Editorials
Two wrongs don't make a right
One would like to believe U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu had learned how to exercise some diplomacy by now in airing grievances with officials from her home state. |
Sports
Scott commits to Mississippi State
Ferriday High Junior Davonte Scott was so impressed with his visit to Junior Day at Mississippi State on Feb. 20 that he committed to the school as an athlete. |
Vikings dismantle Bogalusa
Top-seed Vidalia High started slow, but finished with a flurry as the Vikings dismantled Bogalusa 90-50 Tuesday at Vidalia in a Class 3A Regional contest. |
Vikings get Lumberjacks' vote
In preparing for his second round playoff game at Vidalia, Bogalusa High head boys basketball coach Kenneth Martin heard the same response from coaches who had played the Vikings earlier in the season. |
Vidalia hosts Rayville
Rayville High brings its high-scoring offense to Vidalia Friday as the Hornets and Vikings meet for the right to participate in the Top 28 Tournament in Lafayette next week. |
Vikings go 1-1 at tourney
Vidalia High defeated Franklin Parish 7-2 before losing to LaSalle 13-0 at the Mangham Tournament Saturday. |
Lady Vikings lose heartbreaker
Bunkie High scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Vidalia 4-2 in the District 3-3A opener for both teams in Vidalia. |
Poole tops district team
Ferriday junior Chante Poole was named District 2-2A Player of the Year for the second straight year. |
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| Frank Morris Murder Series |
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