100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant newspaper

Grave of infant Joseph L. Watts.

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 December 1917.

In the Dec. 5, 1917 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported “Joseph M. Houston, son of Pinkney Houston of Garland, was killed accidentally on a railroad in France on Nov. 27. He was Regimental Supply Sergeant, joining the Colors last spring while the 4^th Alabama was stationed here.”

Also that week, readers learned that J.F. Jones “is yet quite ill, though the news from his beside is more reassuring than at any time since he was taken so seriously ill more than two weeks ago.”

Also that week, under the headline “First Carload of Peanuts Out of Evergreen,” it was reported that “the first carload of peanuts ever shipped out of Evergreen went forward this week to the Southern Cotton Oil Co., purchased by the company’s agent, C.N. Stallworth. The growing of peanuts for commercial purposes is just now beginning in this county, and next season there will be many carloads to go to the various mills from Conecuh. In fact, many farmers will grow peanuts next year to the exclusion of cotton, because they are a surer and more profitable crop under present conditions.”

Salter also reported that week that “Commissioners Court was in session on Saturday and Monday transacting routine business, all members of the board being present.”

In the Dec. 12, 1917 edition of The Courant, Salter reported under the headline “Evergreen to Have Modern School Building,” that “a special election was held on Monday last on the proposition of levying a special three-mill tax in Evergreen school district to provide funds for the construction and equipment of a school building here. There was very little opposition to the proposed levy, 80 votes being cast for and eight against it. It is understood that plans will at once be perfected for the work of constructing the building and it is expected that it will be completed and ready for use by the time of the opening of the next session of the city school next summer. Evergreen people have reason to congratulate themselves on this forward step, but Evergreen people can always be counted upon to do the proper thing at the proper time. Evergreen has long needed a modern school building, but there has been an impediment in the way of securing it. That impediment has now been removed, and we should all rejoice because of it.”

Also that week, readers saw the following sad news under the headline, “Infant Found Dead in Bed” – “The entire community sincerely sympathizes with Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Watts in the death of their infant child six months old which was found dead in bed on last Saturday morning. The little one had not previously been sick, though it had been delicate from birth. It was a great shock to the fond parents.”

Also that week, Salter reported that “the second hog sale occurred yesterday and was decidedly a greater success than the first sale. The day throughout was bitter cold and disagreeable and no doubt prevented many persons from bringing hogs who had intended doing so. However, there were 404 sold at auction besides quite a number that were rejected were sold privately or taken back to the farms.”

In the Dec. 19, 1917 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Bold Attempt to Burn Saw Mill,” readers learned that the “discovery of a bold attempt to destroy the dry kiln at the L.D. King Lumber Co. plant was made early this morning by Foreman A.K. Williams. Upon entering the dry kiln, as is his custom every morning, he found the trap set that would in all probability have caused the most terrible conflagration that ever occurred in Evergreen, had it been successful. The trap set consisted of a round pasteboard box about six inches in diameter and about 12 inches high, filled with lint cotton saturated with kerosene oil, on which was placed a candle. The candle had been lighted and had burned probably half way down when the steam extinguished it. Had the candle burned until it reached the oil-saturated cotton, the conflagration would have been started which would probably have resulted in the destruction of the saw mill plant as well as the veneer plant and ice factory of the Beaven-Jackson Co.

“Shortly after the discovery of the scheme, a strange man was seen on the premises, but quickly made his way to a passing freight train. The sheriff’s department was notified and the man taken up when the trained pulled into town. He gave his name as J.H. Conway. He is evidently a foreigner and is being held pending a thorough investigation.”

That week’s paper also included the following notice – “Twenty-seventh Annual Reunion of U.C.V. of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee No. 338, will be held at Evergreen, Jan. 1, 1918, or first fair day thereafter. All veterans are most earnestly urged to attend this meeting. Business of importance to come up. Election of officers, payment of dues and other business of vital importance. – G.R. Boulware, Commander; M.B. Salter, Sergeant Major, Acting Adjutant.”

In the Dec. 26, 1917 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Death of J.F. Jones,” readers learned that “James F. Jones is dead! The announcement will carry sadness to the hearts of many persons who knew and admired him. The end came on Sunday afternoon.

“Mr. Jones was born near Brooklyn April 12, 1853. He had been a resident of Evergreen for more than 25 years, being a practitioner at the bar during these years and had built up a good practice. He represented the county in the state legislature one term and was county solicitor for several years. He was an active and devoted member of the Baptist Church and always took a lively interest in the work of the church and Sunday school both in town and in rural communities.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from the Baptist church conducted by his pastor, Dr. Dickinson, who paid a beautiful tribute to the memory and life work of the deceased.”

Also that week, readers saw under the headline “In Pound,” that Town Marshal J.C. Jones had “one medium-size bay horse, very poor, in pound pen that I will proceed to sell to the highest bidder for expenses if same is not called for by Jan. 1, 1918.”

Salter wrapped up the month by letting readers know that the “University of Alabama Glee Club will be here Friday night, Dec. 28. All those wishing to attend a good entertainment will not fail to see this attraction.”

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 January 1918 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.