Today's Opinions

The names Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth will forever be linked in the first-ever assassination of a U.S. President.

Not so well remembered are the eight co-conspirators in the assassination -- one of whom grimly became an historic first herself.

It was 144 years ago Tuesday in Washington that, alongside three of the other conspirators (George Atzerodt, David Herold and Lewis Powell), Mary Surratt became the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government.

Many of you read Scott McDaniel’s recent story on Mary Surratt (“The Story of the First Woman to be Hung by U.S. Government” 7/8/2009) who was found guilty of conspiracy to murder President Lincoln.  I dare say, however, that only a handful of people know of the Shelby County connection to Mrs. Surratt. The connection is my great-great grandmother Emily Barry, but first, you need some history of the Surratts. 

 Bekaert Corporation’s introduction recently of a new processing system that eliminates lead and replaces it with water was a clear example for all local industry and our community as a whole.

Making our county “greener” was on The Sentinel-News’ list of goals for 2009. We challenged our governmental and industrial leaders to take up this challenge and make improvements this year.