Karen Reynolds
Contributing Writer

Versailles residents met September 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tyson Library to celebrate the legacy of James H. Tyson or “Uncle Jim” by having a birthday party in his honor.

A total of $506,435.10 was awarded to three entities: the Town of Versailles, Tyson Library and the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department.

• The Town of Versailles received $358,435.10 to be used for the following:

Water Plant Bond, $156,190

Old Water Bond, $108,000

Sewer Bond, $71,290

Codify Town Ordinances, $10,000

Pumpkin Show, $8,000

Courthouse Clock, $3,500

Blacktopping, $1,455.10

• Tyson Library: $110,000 to be used to maintain operating costs of the library.

• Versailles Volunteer Fire Department: $38,000 to be used to make a truck payment.

The birthday party included good food, an excellent performance by the South Ripley Young Confederates directed by Patsy Holdsworth, and the disbursement of Tyson Funds.

The Tyson Fund was established in 1930 by “Uncle Jim” as a gift to his community to promote religious, educational, literary and social advancement in the town of Versailles and to promote relief from a portion of the burden of taxation among its inhabitants.

KAREN REYNOLDS PHOTO A large crowd gathered at the annual "birthday party" to celebrate the legacy of James H. Tyson, or "Uncle Jim" as he is affectionately referred to. The meeting was held on Tyson's actual birth date, September 14. A fund to help the Town of Versailles was established by Tyson and residents were at the meeting to see how the half million dollars would be dispersed.