Monday, December 24, 2012

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Dec. 24, 2012

23 YEARS AGO
DEC. 28, 1989

“Folks who had been wishing for some ‘real Christmas weather’ in recent years certainly got their wishes answered in abundance last week. The mercury plunged into the teens Thursday with a low of 17 and was in the single digits Friday at 7 and Saturday and Sunday at 6 degrees. Even though it started ‘warming’ up Monday, this downtown fountain was still completely frozen at noon Tuesday.”

“The weather during the past week went from cold to downright frigid as Harry Ellis reported three one digit lows and another in the teens. One a couple of warmer days, he recorded two showers, .37 of an inch on Dec. 18 and .71 on Dec. 19.”

“John Raines, son of Ed and Liz Raines, was recently presented a certificate from Alma Martin Post 50 of The American Legion in recognition of his achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts, The Eagle Scout Badge. The American Legion works closely in support of the Boy Scout program. Taking part in the presentation were Mayor Lee F. Smith, Howard Fore, a past post commander, John and Post Commander Bill Durant.”

“Mr. and Mrs. John Sirmon’s residence on Ted Bates Road won first place in the Spirit of Christmas residential category of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Decoration Contest. John and Mary also won Most Elegant.”

38 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1974

“Officer Johnny Blackmon of the Evergreen Police Department achieved the highest achievement award of the 13th Class to graduate from the Police Academy at Faulkner State Junior College in Bay Minette. The award was presented at graduation exercises on Nov. 27.
“Blackmon had an average 95.3 out of a possible 100 to lead his class in scholastics. He also scored 91 out of a possible 100 on the pistol range.
“Blackmon was commended by Van Davis, chief instructor at the Academy, for his achievements. Davis is a native of Evergreen.”

“Eric Pugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Pugh of Evergreen, will graduate Jan. 4 from Naval Prototype Training Unit, Idaho Fall, Idaho. He will have completed over a year of nuclear reactor theory and operation training.
“The training plant is located at the National Reactor Testing Station of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in central Idaho.”

“R.G. (Bob) Kendall Jr., executive director of the Alabama Railroads Association, was guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club last week. Kendal presented a program on the dangers of railroad grade crossings, including a very graphic film with Jim Cowart at the projector.”

“Willie H. Tucker, Area Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service in Grove Hill, is retiring Dec. 31 after 39 years of service.”

68 YEARS AGO
DEC. 28, 1944

“Disastrous Fire Sunday Night Inflicts Great Property Damage: Ten Business Concerns Burned Out In City’s Wrost Fire: What was perhaps the most disastrous fire in the history of this city occurred Sunday night, Dec. 24, inflicting a property damage in the business section which has been variously estimated at from $150,000 to $200,000. The first is thought to have originated from defective wiring in or near the rear of Dees food Store or the Radio Sound Service Co. and soon spread to the Hotel Evergreen on the second floor, as well as to stores and business places downstairs. The fire alarm was turned in about 7:30.”

“The Western Union Telegraph Co., is temporarily located at the Lone Star Service Station since the fire Sunday night.”

“A former chipper in a shipyard, Private First Class John Griffin of Evergreen, Ala., is now chipping off Japs in the Philippine Islands.
“Private Griffin, son of Mrs. Bertha Griffin, Box 296, Evergreen, is a gunner in mortar platoon of the First Cavalry Division now fighting in Leyte. He helped knock out a Jap emplacement on a ridge that repulsed four attacks by an assault troop of the division.”

“Marine Private First Class William Anderson Thames, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Thames of Brooklyn, Ala., has returned to the states following long overseas service.
“Pfc. Thames served 34 months in the South Pacific and took part in the Guadalcanal campaign, and Guam. “

83 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1929

“Work is to be started on a handsome $25,000 telephone building in Evergreen about Jan. 15, according to a statement given this paper by M.V. Bower, local manager of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co. The building is to be located on Rural Street, just west of Ellis Filling Station. A dwelling house is on the lot now, but the tenants of the house have been notified to move in order that the building may be razed.”

“This Section Visited By Extreme Cold: This section of the country has just experienced the coldest weather it has had in a number of years. Saturday night snow and sleet fell in larger quantities than in 25 years some say. Citizens on arising Sunday morning observed the trees, wire fences, telephone and electric light wires bending and swaying under a tremendous load of ice which had fallen during the night. Such trees as pines, cedars and some others, suffered considerable damage from broken limbs caused by the excessive load of ice.”

“There were 238 head of hogs sold in the sale held here last Tuesday by the Conecuh Livestock Association according to information furnished this paper by P.R. Pettis, county agent who conducted the sale.”

“The beginning of the New Year will bring about a number of business changes of interest here, among which will be the removal of the jewelry store of J.H. Dey from its present location to the new Jones-Deming building on Rural Street, next door to the Evergreen Motor Car Co.”

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