Friday, November 8, 2013

Accused poisoner shot, killed by son-in-law a century ago in Monroe Co.


Metz Model 22
Monroe County has changed a lot in the past century and you’ll really notice the big changes if you review the pages of old editions of The Monroe Journal newspaper. Earlier today, I took advantage of the archives at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville and looked closely at the four editions of The Journal printed 100 years ago this month, way back in November 1913. Here are some of the news highlights from those papers.

NOV. 6, 1913

“Formal Opening of Roy: More than 2,000 people attended the Sale of Town Lots – Excursion from Pensacola: Tues., Nov. 4, was a red letter day in the history of Jones Mill community, marking as it did the formal opening of the new town of Roy, destined to be the most populous and prosperous little city on the G.F.&A. railroad between Pensacola and the junction of that road with the Southern railway west of the Alabama River.”

“There were 15,101 bales of cotton ginned in Monroe County from the crop of 1913 prior to Oct. 18 as compared with 11,334 bales ginned prior to Oct. 18, 1912, S.D. Nettles, Special Agent.”

“Dr. Dennis and Judge McCorvey joined a party from Tunnel Springs and Chestnut Monday for a bear hunt in the fork of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers.”

“Rev. P.F. Brumbeloe filled his regular appointment at the Mineola Methodist church Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.”

“Mr. Alfred C. Hixon, one of the most prominent and prosperous merchants and planters in the county, died at his home at Hixon on Sunday morning, Nov. 2, aged 62 years. Interment was made at Hamilton Hill cemetery with Masonic orders.”

NOV. 13, 1913

“Mayor W.A. Giddens was up from Jones Mill the first of the week.”

“Dr. Dennis and Judge McCorvey reported a fairly successful hunting expedition in the fork of the two rivers last week. Dr. Dennis killed a black bear and a fine buck and the party bagged many squirrels and other smaller game.”

“The dwelling of Mr. Jack Lyon together with all its contents was destroyed by fire at Beatrice Sunday morning, involving a loss of about $4,000.”

“Congressman Richmond P. Hobson delivered his second address at the courthouse in Monroeville last Friday evening in behalf of his candidacy for the U.S. senate.”

“Tax Collector J.L. Marshall, who has just completed his official tour of the county, reports heavier collections during the past month than during any similar period since he has held the office.”

“McPheeters & Son have removed their photography gallery to the vacant store building on the north side of the public square.”

NOV. 20, 1913

“Jeptha Langham was shot and fatally injured by his son-in-law, James Mixon, near Midway, this county, last Saturday night.
“Langham was the same man who was held in jail here a few weeks ago on the serious charge of having administered poison to his wife, but who was discharged on the certificate of the state chemist who failed to discover any traces of poison in the contents of the stomach submitted to analysis.”

“The Brewton Collegiate Institute basketball team played the Monroe County High School Friday afternoon. The result was a score of 18 to 0 in favor of Monroeville. The visitors were a fine set of young athletes but our boys were too much for them. Prof. Harris wore the smile that wouldn’t come off when the game was over.”

“Mrs. A.C. Lee and little daughter returned Monday from a visit with relatives at Finchburg.”

“Mr. S.M. Roberts, who was recently appointed postmaster at Monroeville, has entered upon the discharge of his official duties.”

“Mr. L.L. Lambert of Manistee, reports a yield of 55 bushels of sweet potatoes on a plate of ground less than a quarter of an acre in area.”

NOV. 27, 2013

“Jacob Lowrey was over from Burnt Corn Wednesday driving the dandiest little car exhibited on our streets – a Metz 22, to which Mr. Lowrey has the sales agency in his territory.”

“Mrs. Tom Grimes of McGill sent to The Journal office on Monday a mammoth lemon, the largest shown here. It was of the ponderosa variety, measuring 16 inches in circumference and weighing more than three pounds when pulled. It was one of 54 which grew on the same tree.”

“Mr. Miles C. Allgood of Oneonta, candidate for State Auditor, was a visitor to the city the first of the week.”

“Dr. W.E. Hinds, state entomologist, is billed to address the farmers at Beatrice on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m., Peterman, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. and Monroeville at 2 p.m. on same day.”

“Last week we recorded with pleasure the basketball game played between the Brewton Collegiate Institute and the Monroe County High School. This week we tell, but not with the same desire of pleasure, of the game played last Friday by the same teams. Two games were played, both resulting in a victory for the B.C.I. The score of the first was 23 to 5; the second, 8 to 3.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for today. Next month, I’ll take a look at the events of December 1913 in Monroe County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s history yourself, take advantage of the Monroe County 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 your started.

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