100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Aug. 16, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Death of Capt. T.A. Nettles: Many of his friends in Wilcox County will regret to learn of the death of Capt. Tom Nettles, which occurred at his home recently. Capt. Nettles was born at Pineville in Monroe County and at the time of his death was 75 years old. He was twice married, first to Miss Mattie Robins and after her death to Miss Mary E. Lee. He leaves surviving him a wife and four daughters viz. Mesdames S.J. and W.A. Stallworth of Beatrice, Mrs. J.E. Cook of Montgomery, Mrs. W.S. Nash of Tunnel Springs and 10 sons, all being worthy men. He was a prominent figure in Monroe County, being a large planter and merchant, an upright Mason and a true Confederate soldier; a worth husband, father and friend.

Dr. T. Warb Jones, who volunteered for enlistment in the great war now pending, has been accepted for service. He will be commissioned either as a lieutenant or captain.

A large rattlesnake about four or five feet long and with eight rattles and a button was seen in the courthouse yard last Tuesday. It was killed by John Miller while on a hunt in the river bottoms.

Furman: Dr. W.L. Hurd of the U.S. Medical reserve corps is visiting Dr. J.D. Perdue.

Mr. Leslie Duke is at Hot Springs, Ark. for relief from rheumatism and is reported to be improved.

Cotton picking baskets are being brought to town for sale.

Mesdames C.R. Duke, J.H. Duke, W.B. Jones, T.W. Jones and S.R. Fairly attended the Baptist Women’s Missionary Society at Oak Hill last Tuesday.

Mr. W.S. Capell of the Grampian Hills says the cotton crop is splendid and the corn crop is better than he has ever seen it and the present prospects are that more velvet beans will be made than can be gathered. It is the best corn crop this year that has ever been made on Pusley Creek and Mr. Capell has lived near there all of his life. Cotton is doing fine and hogs are plentiful.

New mown hay is now coming to town and plenty of it.

Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Jones of Selma were visitors to Camden last Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Cook new reside in Selma.

Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Alford Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Alford Jr. and Mr. R.L. Rentz have returned from a trip to Louisiana.

Mr. W.S. Irby Sr. of Lower Peach Tree says that we have the best crops here than in the last three or four years, and I refer to corn, cotton, beans, peas, sugar cane and millet. Potatoes are late on account of dry weather. Cattle and hogs are fine.

The following county citizens were in Camden last Monday attending Commissioners Court: Messers E.T. Wilkerson, P. Giddens, M.L. Stabler, H. Wilkerson, Ben Stabler, E.L. Cunningham, Sam Wright, Joe Lambright, W.D. Kennedy, S.R. Thompson Jr., D. Berson, W.M. Reaves Jr., K.A. Mayer, Jeffreys Gibson, I.E. Agee, K.E. Agee, R.F. Stokes, W.L. Bruce, Dan Hestle, W.A. Minifee, E. Twilley, B. Minefee, Dr. W. Fudge, B. Crocker, W.S. Irby Sr., W.S. Irby Jr., Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Shelly, W. Vaughn.