Folks in Clarksdale have been in dismay since November over the disappearance of local hero Chafik "Akabah" Chamoun and the unexpected shut down of the Clarksdale Online Register soonafter. The Preacher, likewise, seems to have withdrawn from his prominent limelight since his last attempt at preaching the merits of the equestrian arts. No revival has broken out in Clarksdale.
It seems powerful persons of Italian decent in Atlantic City, NJ were uncomfortable about the investigative reporting of the Register's staff into the "camel connection" and attempted to halt all further reporting. A few phone calls by the Register to a group known as "my friends in Buffalo" has seemed to provide temporary relief, and now the presses are rolling again. Meanwhile, rumors have abounded over the intricate web woven into the "Camel Controversy."
The central concern of the controversy has been the mysterious disappearance of Chafik Chamoun on the night of the election (see Camel Chronicles, part 7). Incredible musings of foul play spread around this small Delta community at the absence of the Lebanese from his prominent establishment, "The Khan on 61." Oddly, some of the frequenters of the diner seemed quite pleased about his departure and even celebrated his presumed demise.
To the astonishment of all, eight days after his disappearance, the dark skinned "Akabah" suddenly reappeared in his familiar seat at the back table of the restaurant. More surprising was his strange behavior, or perhaps lack thereof, for he sat there still as stone, immovable; nor would he speak a word. His countenance revealed he had been in a harrowing experience that left him in traumatic shock.
"What's wrong with Chafik?" customers asked Louise as they tendered their money at the cash register. All she said was, "I dunn know..." and with a total look of unconcern she put the money in the till and went on about her business as if this was Chafik's normal demeanor for forty years of married life.
His dress, however was noticeably altered. Missing was the blue/green jacket with the Sheraton Casino logo he usually wore. He used to boast how his good friend Doyle Varner had given it to him. "This $40 coat only cost Doyle $3,000," he told everybody with a gleeful grin. Instead he was wearing a musty, thread-bare, tweed sport coat, stylish perhaps in the '40's. More puzzling was the black strap pressed diagonally across his chest that pointed to a conspicuous bulge over his left hip under the sport coat. Though Chafik seemed oblivious to his surroundings, a careful observer would notice his right hand instinctively flinch toward that bulge in his coat every time the front door opened.
No amount of interrogation could extract information from Chafik about his disappearance, but officials have uncovered certain other unexplained coincidences. On the eve of Chafik's disappearance, election day, a strange happening occurred nearby Clarksdale. Mississippi's governor, Kirk Fordice was traveling south on Highway 55 (see story) , when his car left the highway in a near fatal accident. Witnesses claimed they saw what appeared to be a crazy man in an unraveling turban racing across the interstate on a two-humped camel, screaming for his life. It is presumed the startled governor swerved to miss this unbelievable apparition. Investigators can't be sure because, like Chafik, Fordice remains in a stupor of silence. Questions of election rigging*, connections to organized crime, legalizing camel racing in Mississippi, and Chafik's relationship to the governor still fester among politicians in Jackson.
Contributing more confusion to the "camel connection," a dead mule was found alongside Highway 61. This might have seemed an insignificant event had not disagreement broken out between Coahoma County supervisors and the sheriff. Sheriff Andrew Thompson requested $50 to pay for shooting the mule in the head, yet the cause of death on the death certificate was "unknown." Thompson explained the $50 was to go the local veterinarian, Gerry Grant, who was to perform the act of mercy. Board attorney, Tom T. Ross cautioned the supervisors not to pay the fee until further investigation. He seemed very concerned that this might be the "last mule" in Mississippi, and voiced suspicion that the mule might be related to the camel/horse race. Upon questioning Dr. Grant, Ross discovered that when the he had arrived at the scene, the mule was already dead. In fact, the mule's head was missing!
In follow-up investigation, the Register uncovered questionable activity (not unrelated) when it observed Johnny Rybolt, a local carpet and floor cleaning specialist, carrying a large plastic garbage bag from the residence of the Chamoun's. There was blood dripping from the bag. Johnny told our reporters that he had been called to the home to clean up a certain mess on the bed post of Chafik's bed. No other information was forthcoming.
In other matters, local entrepreneur Jimmy Walker has been feverishly lining up promotional materials for the upcoming Camel/Horse race. Appointing himself chairman (and sole board member) of the Camel/Horse Racing Committee, Walker has officially declared the date of the Delta Jubilee next summer to be the date of the great race. Evidence that Walker's intentions are genuine can be seen in large Camel billboards recently erected all around town. Folks have already started calling him Jimmy "Joe" Walker. He has also purchased computer equipment and has begun soliciting funds through the Internet. (Credit card donations can be sent to: cameljoe@clarksdale.com.)
Since the controversy began, both ESPN and 60 Minutes have run special features on camel racing. Several nearby casinos are keeping their eyes on developments in Clarksdale hoping to cash in on this opportunity for wagering. Now that the Register is back in operation, we promise to keep you abreast with continual coverage.
*The horse won the Register polling, but no one can be found who voted for it!
