Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for July 16, 2015

36 YEARS AGO
JULY 19, 1979

“Castleberry Mayor Forrest Moore Castleberry, 76, died Fri., July 13, in a Monroeville hospital. He had served continuously as mayor since 1963.
“A native of Castleberry and member of a prominent family, Mayor Castleberry attended the University of Alabama before beginning a journalism career that lasted 40 years, from 1923 until his retirement in 1963. During his long, outstanding career, he worked at newspapers in Alabama and Florida as a reporter and news editor including The Courant, The Birmingham News, The Montgomery Advertiser-Journal and The Mobile Register. He also was bureau chief in the capital for United Press International at one time.
“Mayor Castleberry’s last journalistic assignment was as political reporter of The Alabama Journal. In addition to serving his hometown as mayor, he also represented Conecuh County in the State House of Representatives at one time.”

“Circuit Judge Robert E.L. Key administers the oath of office to Tax Collector J. Marvin Johnston for his third term of office. Johnston was first elected to the office in 1966, re-elected in 1972 and again last year.”

“Tax Assessor Delma E. Bowers was sworn in by Circuit Judge Robert E.L. Key for his fourth term of office as assessor. Bowers was first elected to the office in 1960 and won re-election in 1966, 1972 and again last year. Judge Key administered the oath of office to Bowers and Tax Collector Marvin Johnston on Friday.”

51 YEARS AGO
JULY 16, 1964

“Howard Cook killed this monster rattlesnake last week near Jay Villa. The rattler measured five feet, five inches long and was five inches wide across the back and three inches wide across the jaws. Howard said he was changing a flat tire when he heard the snake singing, got his gun and shot him.”

“Evergreen’s 2nd annual horse show will be staged here Saturday night in Brooks Stadium starting at 6:30 o’clock. The show will be complete with pretty girls, an outstanding speaker, good barbeque and, of course, handsome, high-stepping Tennessee walking horses.
“The outstanding speaker is probably the youngest ever featured here, George Wallace Jr., son of Alabama’s governor. While her appearance is not a certainty, Alabama’s first lady, Mrs. George Wallace, has assured the Jaycees that she will accompany her young son here if at all possible, and will address the crowd.”

“Army Pvt. Dennis E. Bailey Jr., whose father lives in Owassa, arrived in Germany July 1 and is now assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. The 23-year-old soldier is a 1958 graduate of Evergreen High School.”

“Thirteen candidates will run for municipal posts in the mayor and council races here on Aug. 11. Two have qualified for mayor and 11 in the council races. Running for mayor are H.L. Dees and M.A. Hanks. In the council race are E.M. Brantley, C.F. Carter Jr., Eddie Rogers, George Armstrong, John E. Davison, G.H. Dees Sr., J.L. Dees, Joe Kelly, W.O. Lowery, Bobby Regan and Carl W. Ryals."

66 YEARS AGO
JULY 21, 1949

“Evergreen Power Contract In Hands Of Public Service Commission Now: Ruling Promised Prior To September First: The approval of the City of Evergreen’s contract with Alabama Power Company for the purchase of electricity at wholesale now rests with the Alabama Public Service Commission. This body has promised a ruling prior to Sept. 1, which is the expiration date of the city’s present contract with Alabama Electric Cooperative.
“The proposed change by the city from AEC to Alabama Power Company stirred up quite a scrap here with Conecuh County members of the Southern Pine Electric Cooperative making a strong protest against the city’s action. In addition to local opposition, the entire Southern Pine Coop and officials of AEC also protested the change.
“The Public Service Commission held a hearing on the contract last Thursday, but as only the city’s side of the case was finished at that time, the hearing was continued to Mon., July 18, at which time it was completed.”

“Gene Raynor, formerly of Fitzgerald, Ga., arrived here Tuesday to assume his duties as manager of the Pix Theatre, succeeding Clarence E. Moses, who has been transferred to Marietta, Ga. as manager of one of the Martin theatres in that city."

81 YEARS AGO
JULY 19, 1934

“Young Conecuh Soldier Meets Tragic Death: Relatives here received word late yesterday afternoon of the tragic death of Jesse Dickerson who was killed instantly by a stroke of lightning at Camp Jackson, S.C. at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Young Dickerson was in camp there with the local National Guard unit. He is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Dickerson, who live several miles north of Evergreen in the Holly Grove community.”

“Accident Proves Fatal To Brewton Man: Castleberry, Ala., July 18 – William Gowan, 20-year-old district agent for the Shell Petroleum company, was killed almost instantly here today when he fell from a height of 20 feet to the pavement at the Blue Bell camp.
“Gowan had climbed a ladder and was preparing to stretch a wire from one pole to another across the highway on which Shell advertising signs were to be hung. According to spectators, he apparently lost balance and took hold of a live wire of the Deuel Power company which was stretched near him.
“He fell almost immediately to the pavement, landing on his chin, never to recover consciousness, and died about 40 minutes after the accident, while on the way to a Brewton hospital.
“Physicians were uncertain whether the shock or the fall or both caused death. No bones were broken.
“Young Gowan had only recently been made district agent for the oil company and was a member of a prominent Brewton, Ala. family, the son of Dr. Gowan.”

96 YEARS AGO
JULY 16, 1919

“Circuit Solicitor G.O. Dickey and family will shortly become citizens of Evergreen. They will occupy the H.L. Tucker place. They will be cordially welcomed.”

“Hail storm and cloud burst visited Leeman L. Lee’s farm, six miles northwest of Castleberry, at about five o’clock Friday and literally stripped his corn and cotton into small strips, damaging his crop to the amount of four or five thousand dollars. The hail was so heavy that it actually bursted melons open.”

“Drs. Dickinson and Stewart, E.J. McCreary, T.S. Hagood and J.W. Byrd attended a meeting of the Orphanage Board in Montgomery on Thursday last.”

“When Conrad Davis and a few other boys, return to Evergreen, our boys will all be back home again. We are glad to see every returning soldier.”

“Mrs. W.R. Bennett will teach in the City School this year. Evergreen is fortunate in the selection of teachers.”

“F.M. Yarborough has moved into the home vacated by Prof. Worley.”

“Mrs. Ad McCreary from San Antonio is visiting her sister, Mrs. S.P. Dunn.”

“Prof. Adams of Tennessee is guest in the home of his sister, Mrs. R.R. Phillips, this week.”

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