Friday, June 6, 2014

News headlines from Conecuh County from 100 years ago this month

Historical marker near site of old orphanage in Evergreen.
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 1914.

In the June 3, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor George W. Salter Jr. reported that the “Board of Commissioners is in session this week, the full board being present. Tax matters and routine business are being considered.”

He also reported that the “Hon. D.F. Crum sustained a painful accident one day last week and was confined to his room for several days in consequence. He and J.D. Moorer were fishing on Murder Creek, and while he was sitting near the railroad trestle a piece of coal or some other missile fell from a passing engine striking him with great force on the forehead, producing an ugly wound. He was brought home as quickly as possible and given medical attention.”

Also that week, the correspondent from the Cedar Creek community reported that “the baby girl of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Kirkland fell from the veranda floor to the ground, about four feet, last Thursday, striking on her head and was seriously hurt, but the telephone and the automobile brought the doctor 7-1/2 miles in 40 minutes, and at this writing , the little girl is getting along fine.”

Salter also reported that week that the “Rev. J.L. Hughes preached two interesting sermons at the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning and evening. Mr. Hughes will serve the church until September when he will return to school to prosecute his ministerial studies.”

Readers that week also learned that the “first tomatoes of the season were shipped from here last week. Since that time increasing quantities have gone forward daily by express.

In the June 10, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported, under the headline “Castleberry Masons Elect New Officers,” that at the “annual meeting of Downing Lodge, No. 580, A.F.&A.M., held on Friday night June 5, the following officers were re-elected to serve the ensuing Masonic year: Elisha Downing Jr., W.M.; Richard T. Holland, S.W.; Lee A. Kirkland, J.W.; Robert E. Buffington, S.D.; Robert A. Baird, J.D.; James A.T. Baggett, chaplain; John T. Monk and John M. Branch, stewards.”

Readers that week also learned that “Col. Hugh M. King died on Friday afternoon last, June 5, at the advanced age of 81 years.

“The funeral occurred from the family home on Main Street on Saturday afternoon, the obsequies being performed by the local Masonic lodge of which deceased was a devoted and consistent member.

“Col. King had been a citizen of Evergreen for many years. He formerly resided in Columbus, Ga. and later in Tuskegee, Ala. During the early portion of his residence here, he was principal of the Evergreen Academy. He gave up teaching however, about 25 years ago, and thereafter devoted his talents to the practice of law and to literary pursuits for which latter especially he was peculiarly fitted by learning and inclination.”

Salter closed the week with a report that “three interesting games of ball were played on the local diamond on Thursday and Friday last between Evergreen and Flomaton teams. The Evergreen team so far outclassed the visiting team that we refrain from giving the score, Evergreen taking the three games with ease.”

In the July 17, 1914 edition of the newspaper, under the headline “Sad Accident at the Orphanage,” it was reported that “last Sunday afternoon one of the boys, Reese Carlisle, met instant death by falling from a tree. He only fell about eight feet, but falling on his head, his neck was broken and he was dead before parties standing nearby could reach him. Reese was a bright, affectionate boy about seven years of age and was generally beloved. This unavoidable and distressing accident cast a gloom over the entire institution.

“The funeral took place Monday morning at 11 o’clock, six of the largest boys acting as pallbearers, and all of the children followed the remains to their last resting places.”

Readers also learned that “a scheme was inaugurated here on Monday by progressive businessmen to exterminate mosquitoes and they in connection with Mayor Ivey’s clean-up campaign should make a clean town. It is proposed to use a large quantity of kerosene oil along branches and in damp places and wherever breeding places for flies and mosquitoes can be located. Several hundred dollars will be spent for this purpose.”

Salter also reported that the “commencement exercises of the Agricultural School occurred on last Wednesday evening when an interesting program was rendered. The following named persons were graduates at this session: Lydia Guice, Lillie Hunter Moore, Lucius Waters, Randolph Moorer, Milton Moorer, Zell Murphy, Thomas Mills, Wallace Ward, James Huff.”

Salter closed the week with a report that “Geo. A. Snowden, a well known citizen of Brooklyn, died at that place on Sunday night of typhoid fever. Deceased was about 40 years old.”

In the June 24, 1914 edition of the paper, Salter reported that “at the regular communication of Greening Lodge, No. 53, A.F.&A.M. Saturday night, the 21st, the following officers were elected: H.A. Shields, W.M.; W.B. James, S.W.; T.B. McDonald, J.W.; J.W. Hagood, S.D.; Byron Tisdale, J.D.; H.H. Floyd, Treasurer; J.A. Smith, Sect’y; D.J. Wright, Chaplain; H.L. Tucker, S.S.; S.L. Tisdale, J.S.; J.H. Stamps, Tiler.”

Readers that week also learned that “one man dead and another badly wounded are the results of a shooting affray near Old Town on Thursday morning last.

“About daylight, the two men, Handy Randolph and Ed. Pleasant, who it seems were looking for each other and each armed with a shotgun, met and immediately opened fire. A charge of shot penetrated the side of the face and throat of Randolph, producing instant death, while Pleasant was struck just above the knee by a charge from Randolph’s gun, shattering the bone. Pleasant is now in jail suffering from the effects of the wound.”

It was also reported that week that “Mayor E. Downing of Castleberry was in town Monday.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Owassa Camp No. 375 W.O.W. will unveil the monument of Sov. J.A. Yates at Owassa cemetery on Sun., July 12, at 3:30 p.m. All camps are invited to attend.”

Salter closed out the month with the following announcement – “Warning: All persons are hereby warned against bathing in the pond of the Utopian Fishing Club. Anyone disregarding the warning will be prosecuted. (Signed) W.H. Moorer, Pres. and Geo. W. Salter Jr., Secy.”


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 1914 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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