Monday, May 2, 2022

The Natchez Democrat: Turning tragedy into triumph

Annual memorial awards scholarship, promotes storytelling

#VisitNatchez
#RhythmNightClub

On Saturday, April 23, 2022, I served as guest speaker for the 82nd anniversary of the Rhythm Night Club fire. Reporter Hunter Cloud of The Natchez Democrat covered the event. His story opens as follows:

NATCHEZ — Roscoe Barnes with Visit Natchez was a guest speaker at the 82nd anniversary of the Rhythm Night Club fire. Monroe and his wife Betty Sago own the museum built on the hallowed grounds of the worst fire to hit Natchez. 

This year’s theme was Get up, Get dressed, we have work to do after a saying Betty heard as a kid growing up on a farm. Barnes, an Indianola native, described the night’s tragedy and impact on Natchez as if he was there when 209 souls perished in the inferno. 

“Tears were shed, blood was splattered and bodies burned. It was a sad night. There was crying into the night. People bowed under the unbearable weight of grief,” Barnes said. “They saw what no one should have to see here. Had it not been for the Sagos no one would know this story. People from all over are learning about this piece of history.” 

The full story by Reporter Hunter Cloud can be viewed here or by following this link:

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