Thursday, June 2, 2011

June 1911 news headlines from Conecuh County

It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in June 1911.

In the June 1, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, editor J.D. Whitcomb reported that, “The Bachelors Club will give a dance at the armory Tuesday evening at nine o’clock. This dance will be a brilliant affair.”

Readers that week also learned that “Sunday was the hottest day of the season thus far. The government thermometer registered 100 degrees. A thunderstorm late in the afternoon cooled the atmosphere for a time.”

Subscribers that week also saw that “Mrs. Marie Louise Woodson died at the Orphans Home last Friday after an illness of several years. The remains were taken to Selma, her old home for interment. A number of years ago, Mrs. Woodson deeded her property to the home, which bears her name, The Louise Short Baptist Widows and Orphans Home. The last two years of her life were spent at the Home.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “W.B. Coker, residing three miles from Evergreen, brought in to Lee & Pridgen the first cotton blossom of the season. Mr. Coker is one of Conecuh’s most progressive farmers.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Crumpton Jr. are visiting here this week. Mr. Crumpton is the president of the Agricultural school at Blountsville.”

Subscribers also saw that week that the “new organ for the Enon Baptist church arrived Friday and the young people met Sunday to practice.”

In the June 8, 1911 edition of the paper, Whitcomb reported that “five illicit stills were destroyed in Monroe County last week by Deputy Collector Nabors.”

Readers that week also learned that “Owing to repairs being made on one of the boilers at the powerhouse, the water supply is not up to the average, also the electric lights are not what they should be, but both will be in their normal condition within a few days.”

Subscribers that week also heard that “During the month of May, all postmasters were required to count every piece of mail matter that they handled. Postmaster Dean informs us that during that month he handled 127,121 pieces of all kinds; 89,939 pieces of the above was first class matter. In addition to the above, he registered 335 pieces of mail matter. Mr. Dean says that in the busy season he handles nearly double the above amount.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “Both the county and commissioners courts were in session here this week.”

Readers that week also learned that “Tuesday night, the Bachelors Club gave a dance at the armory, which was attended by many young people from neighboring towns and the representative youth of the city. It was a brilliant affair.”

In the June 15, 1911 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Again the death angel visited our midst and this time took away the beloved wife of Ennis Angle. Her death was a shock to the entire community (Owassa). She was only sick a short while. She was only 26 years old and had been a member of the Baptist Church here for some time. She had many friends who with regret learned of her death. Before her marriage, she was Miss Georgia Meyers. She is survived by her husband and one child.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “During the past week, the thermometer ranged from 100 to 103 degrees in the shade. A good rain Friday night cooled the atmosphere to some extent but it is still hot for this season this year.”

Also that week, under the headline “NOTICE,” readers learned that “The quarterly meeting of the old soldiers will be held at the court house July 12 at 10 o’clock a.m. All are requested to be present. M.B. Salter, Com.”

Subscribers also saw that week that “Last Saturday night, Oscar Stephens was badly cut by another man. His wounds are not dangerous. The other man escaped and has not yet been captured.”

In the June 22, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “The recent Federal Grand Jury indicted nine of Conecuh’s best known farmers for conspiracy to commit peonage. They are J.E. Dean and two sons, T.L. Brantley, W.T. McCrory, S.S. Kendrick and Steve Hanks and his two sons. They have already surrendered to the U.S. Marshal at Mobile and were released on bond.”

Also that week, under the headline “Len Baggett killed,” readers learned that “Len Baggett, son of J.T. Baggett of Castleberry, was killed last Saturday at Jessika, La. Facts as to how he met death are unknown. Mr. Baggett was in the saw mill business at the above place.”

Also that week, under the heading “Announcement,” subscribers saw that “Professor Chas. Lane will lecture at the court house Friday night June 23rd at 8:30 o’clock. Subject, Analysis of laughter.”

Readers that week also saw the following business plug – “Gantt is the man who will clean and press your clothes so they will look like new.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “The picnic planned for July 4th promises to be the largest one held in this county. The managers have secured a brass band which will render music during the day. Soft drinks will be served free to everybody, barbequed meats of all kinds will also be served free. Everybody come and bring a basket.”

In the June 29, 1911 edition, under the headline “Boll Weevil,” it was reported that “Several farmers residing east of Evergreen report that a bug resembling the dreaded boll weevil has appeared in their cotton fields and it is doing considerable damage to the crop. Some claim that the bug is the genuine boll weevil.”

Readers also learned that week that “Circuit Clerk S.L. Tisdale has been ill for the past week but is now able to be about.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Miss Florine Thomason returned last week from Boston where she has been for several months studying music.”

Subscribers also saw that “The baseball season opens here today when a series of three games will be played with Andalusia Thursday, Friday and Saturday. George Farnham is manager of the home team, which is an assurance that we will have some good sport during the balance of the season.”

Whitcomb closed out the month by reporting that “The reckless speeding of automobiles on Main Street in old Evergreen is becoming dangerous to the lives of the residents of that street, especially to children. We believe there is an ordinance regulating the speed of automobiles inside the city limits and we trust that the mayor will have the law enforced at once.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of July 1911 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.

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