Sunday, December 4, 2016

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Dec. 1916


The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years ago during the month of December 1916. Those issues, which were dated Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those four editions. Enjoy.


DEC. 7, 1916

Dr. A.B. Coxwell left Tuesday to attend the Masonic Grand Lodge in Montgomery.

Mr. A.H. Johnson Jr. of Franklin passed through town Tuesday en route to Montgomery to attend the Masonic Grand Lodge.

An oyster supper will be served at the Beatrice Academy on Friday evening, Dec. 8, 1916 for join benefit of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Hall. The public is cordially invited to attend.

The football game between the Monroe County High School and Selma YMCA teams at Vredenburgh on Thanksgiving Day attracted a large number of visitors not only from Monroeville but from all the country around. The score stood at the close of the game, 12 to 7, in favor of Selma.

The new building for the accommodation of the manual training and domestic science departments of the County High School is in the course of erection. The structure is situated adjacent to the main building, is commodious and will greatly facilitate systematic work in these departments.

The management of the Lyceum Course for this season is fortunate in securing a special attraction for Monday night next in the person of Dr. Charles Lane, the south’s most celebrated humorist, and no one who enjoys fun that convulses should miss this opportunity of hearing him.

The School Improvement Club of Peterman will give a Parcel Post Bazaar and Oyster Supper at the school house on Friday night, Dec. 8.

DEC. 14, 1916

Postmaster W.A. Giddens of Roy was a visitor to the city Tuesday.

Homicide at Excel: Another deplorable homicide occurred on Thursday evening of last week near Excel when Raymond Ousley shot and killed Robert Lee, his brother-in-law. There was no eyewitness to the tragedy, hence the only story of circumstances leading up to the killing is that given out by the defendant. This, however, is corroborated in some particulars by others who have knowledge of previous trouble between the parties. Ousley voluntarily surrendered to the sheriff and claims self-defense. The dead man leaves a wife and one child.

FIRE AT JONES MILL: The town of Roy suffered a costly fire on Monday night resulting in the destruction of two mercantile establishments and two other buildings used for storage purposes, causing an aggregate loss of between $10,000 and $12,000.
The fire originated in the store of W.J. Galloway & Co., but as the night was cold and rainy and few people moving about out of doors the fire was not discovered until 11 o’clock or later. The alarm was given, but before the awakened citizens reached the scene the fire had progressed beyond control. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent buildings and these were soon reduced to ashes.
C.E. Eddins, one of the leading merchants of the town, was the heaviest loser in the conflagration. His total loss is estimated at $8,000 to $10,000 with no insurance.

DEC. 21, 1916

Raymond Ousley Makes Bond: One the 14th inst. the day appointed for the preliminary hearing in the case of Raymond Ousley, charged with the killing of Robert Lee near Excel a few weeks ago, the defendant waived examination and was bound over in the sum of $500 to await the action of the grand jury. Bail was promptly furnished and the defendant released.

The County High School and Grammar School will suspend tomorrow for a week’s holiday vacation. Most of the teachers and out-of-town students will disperse to their several homes.

Mr. C.E. Barker who has held the position of County Engineer for about a year past, has tendered his resignation to the Board of Revenue and the same has been accepted.

At the late session of the Board of Revenue, Mr. D.D. Mims was designated as custodian of county funds for the coming year, of the office of County Treasurer having been abolished by the last legislature.

Mr. Harry Lazenby is home from the Southern University, Greensboro, for the holiday vacation.

Ladies of the Methodist Church will serve oysters on Thursday and Thursday night, Dec. 28, in the vacant store next door east of post office.

Mr. F.H. Melton of Pine Apple, auto license inspector for this district, was here Tuesday on official business. It is reported that the probate office did a thriving business in the issuance of motor vehicle licenses on that day.

DEC. 28, 1916

Mr. Carl E. Barker has accepted the position of chief engineer in charge of extensive construction work at Armore, Oklahoma and leaves this week with his family for that city.

Mr. F.E. Salter and family are occupying their cozy new dwelling on State Street.

The Christmas offering by the Methodist Sunday school for the Orphanage amounted to $11.85.

Prof. H.T. Jones and B.E. Jones, Esq., partook of Christmas cheer with their parents are Roy.

Dr. W.A. Lovett and family, late of Tunnel Springs, are again welcomed as citizens of Monroeville. Dr. Lovett resided here for several months some 10 years ago.

Dr. T.E. Dennis and party who motored to Baldwin last week on a hunting expedition, report a “water haul” in more than one sense. The downpour of rain prevented the pursuit of game while the condition of roads and streams made travel difficult and dangerous.

Dr. C.B. Simmons of Spartanburg, S.C. is spending the holidays with his mother.

Mr. J.K. Kyser of Burnt Corn transacted business at the county capital Thursday.

Mr. J.T. Salter and son George returned to their home at Milton, Fla. for the holidays.

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