Friday, August 8, 2014

100-year-old Conecuh County news headlines from August 1914

Dr. B.F. Riley
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 August 1914.

In the Aug. 5, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “Covington County’s new representative in the legislature has a plan for redistricting the state and putting Escambia, Conecuh, Covington, Coffee, Geneva, Butler, Crenshaw and Pike counties in the Tenth District.”

That week’s paper also included the following reminder – “Don’t fail to see the Mexican War picture, a four-reel feature, at the Arcade Theatre Thursday night, Aug. 6. Admission 10 cents and 20 cents.”

Readers also learned that the “Conecuh County Masonic Conference was held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last with Sepulga lodge, and proved to be one of the most interesting sessions held in a long while. District Lecturer, Dr. B.H. Whittington, conducted the conference. On Friday there was a public installation of officers of Sepulga lodge and an address by Dr. Webb of Atmore.”

Salter also reported that “State Highway Engineer Keller writes the editor of this paper that he was disappointed in his plans to begin his tour of inspection of the route by Evergreen for the State highway on last Monday. He promises, however, that the people along the route shall have due notice of the date when he will make the trip.”

Readers that week also learned that “Haimon Long is on his semi-annual trip to the Eastern markets to purchase fall and winter stock for the firm of I. Long & Sons,” and “representing the firm of Riley Department Store, our progressive merchant friend, F.L. Riley, leaves this week for Chicago and New York to make fall purchases.”

In the Aug. 12, 1914 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Conecuh County High School,” it was reported that “the people of Conecuh County and of Castleberry have cause for congratulation in their new High School which is to be open for its first session Sept. 21.

“The building which cost $10,000 is in an ideal situation and is thoroughly modern and up to date. Its equipment will make it second to none among high schools in this section.

“The building committee, Elisha Downing, Dr. R.T. Holland and P.M. Skinner, have labored earnestly and well and to them large thanks are due, as well as to the other loyal citizens whose gifts have made the school possible.”

Elsewhere in the paper that week, it was reported that “Miss Sarah E. Luther, principal of Conecuh County High School at Castleberry, was here Monday and went before the board of County Commissioners asking for an appropriation from the county to aid in furnishing the new building. Dr. Holland and Mayor Downing also appealed to the court. Their request was granted and $200 was appropriated.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mrs. Walter Lee happened to have an accident while driving her touring car a few days ago which came near proving serious. In some way her car veered to one side of the street, striking a telephone pole with such force as to throw her little daughter forward, shattering the windshield and lacerating the little one’s face and hands.”

Salter closed the week with a report that “J.S. Johnson of China is due the credit for the first bale of new cotton marketed in this county this season. It was brought in on Thursday last and brought 10 cents, W.B. Northcutt being the buyer.”

In the Aug. 19, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “Highway Engineer Keller is preparing plans for his trip to Mobile by way of Greenville, Evergreen, Brewton and Bay Minette to look over the route for the state trunk highway. The date for his departure from Montgomery has not been announced.”

Readers that week also learned that “Frank Jones, the bright little son of Town Marshal J.C. Jones, has been confined to his bed since being run over by a wagon several weeks ago and his condition is regarded as serious.”

Elsewhere in the paper, Salter reported that “Sheriff Hines had the misfortune to get a large automobile burned up one day last week at his father’s home about 12 miles from town. The machine caught fire in some unaccountable way and all efforts to extinguish the flames were to no avail.”

Readers that week also learned that “two autos collided at the corner of the cotton warehouse on Wednesday last, but the only damage done was slight injuries to the cars.”

Salter also reported that “Miss Bertha Johnson has accepted a position with the L&N Railroad Co. as a telegraph operator.”

It was also reported that week that “C.P. Deming and John Cunningham are entertaining Capt. J.C. Cheney and Spang, the Advertiser cartoonist, at the Country Club this week.”

Salter closed out that week by reporting that “The Courant learns that the first bale of new cotton in this county was produced by W.A. Baggett of Belleville and marketed at Repton on July 31. The matter was not reported to The Courant, and the first bale was credited to J.S. Johnson of China. Mr. Baggett reported the first cotton bloom and is due the credit for the first bale.”

The big news in the Aug. 26, 1914 edition of The Courant was that “State Highway Engineer Keller and his scouting party were given the most enthusiastic reception upon their arrival here Monday afternoon that they have ever been accorded on any of the scouting trips. Evergreen did herself proud on this occasion.

“They reached Evergreen about two hours behind schedule time, the delay being caused by heavy rains and rough and slippery roads between here and Georgiana, the rough portion being encountered before reaching the Conecuh graded road.

“As the scouting party emerged from the car at the hotel they were enthusiastically received, throngs crowding about them to shake their hands, while the Brewton band discoursed choice music.”

Elsewhere in the paper, it was reported that “Dan Bailey had a narrow escape from death on Saturday night last. In passing through the yard at his brother’s home he stepped on the decayed covering of an old well, which gave way, precipitating him to the bottom where he remained for several hours. He finally managed to extricate himself, coming out with only slight injuries.”

Readers that week also learned that “Dr. B.F. Riley spent a few days here last week with relatives.”
Salter closed out the month with a report that “Haimon Long has just returned from New York, Boston and Philadelphia, buying his new fall stock, the prettiest line they ever carried.”


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 September 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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