Sgt. Maj. Ernest Brown devoted his most of his life to his country by serving in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. In 1974, he’s embarked on a new adventure: college.
100 years ago
March 7, 1924
• A suspect is expected to make bond after his drunken rampage put a man in the hospital.
A.S. Overfield told police he remembers nothing from the night of March 5, when he stabbed Herman Mofield in the abdomen at a bar, fled the scene and later brandished a butcher’s knife at motorists around Fifth Street and Park Avenue. Mofield is resting in Cadwell Hospital today, but doctors said his recovery remains uncertain since the wound punctured his intestine and put him at risk for blood poisoning.
Overfield’s bond was fixed at $3,000, and his attorneys expect him to secure his release sometime tomorrow. Ironically, Overfield’s lawyers L.E. Tedrick and Byron Kearbey were two of the drivers he threatened at knifepoint.
A preliminary hearing is set for March 14.
75 years ago
March 7, 1949
• Piedmont’s former chief of police is unconscious and in serious condition, but no one knows why.
Curtis Hovis apparently collapsed on the sidewalk near his restaurant in Piedmont around 10 p.m. March 4 and was later found “near death,” the article notes. He was taken home, then transferred to St. Mary’s of the Ozarks Hospital in Ironton when his physician couldn’t wake him up. Hovis’ condition was attributed to a stroke, a heart attack or food poisoning until a full examination yesterday revealed a severe concussion and possible skull fracture.
Wayne County Deputy Sheriff William Burton said a witness told Hovis’ wife he saw a man strike Hovis, but Burton has been unable to locate the witness since that conversation.
50 years ago
March 7, 1974
• On March 6 a local chapter of the Bowlers Victory Legion donated seven 18-inch color televisions and $500 to the Veterans Administration Hospital (now known as the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center). This is believed to be the largest single donation the hospital has received to date.
• A veteran of three wars enrolled Three Rivers Community College after retiring from the Army, and this year his children joined him on campus.
Sgt. Maj. Ernest Benjamin Brown, known as “Sarge” by his fellow students, entered the service before earning his high school diploma. He held several non-combat positions during and after WWII, followed by 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam and 18 months as the chief of the transport division at a depot in Vietnam. During his career he married Veronica (Green) Brown, with whom he has four children, earned his high school equivalency certificate at age 45, and settled in Bernie.
Brown retired due to a heart condition in 1972 and began studying business to keep his mind sharp. Now 59, he attends TRCC on a GI education bill. His eldest children Benny, 20, and Arsula, 19, followed his lead and enrolled in TRCC business programs this year. The Browns’ teenaged daughters Shelby and Marilyn are also considering college.
“I’ve had very little trouble adjusting to getting along with young people. I have always tried to circumvent the generation gap and I thoroughly enjoy my classes with all these kids,” Brown said.
TRCC is now called Three Rivers College.
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