Thursday, September 1, 2011

September was a busy month 100 years ago in Conecuh County

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 September 1911.

In the Sept. 7, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, editor J.D. Whitcomb reported that “Evergreen is experiencing an egg famine. Anyone having eggs to sell can find a ready market for them here.”

Whitcomb also reported that “the past week has been one of the hottest and most uncomfortable of the summer.”

Readers that week also learned that “cotton is coming in and the gins are busy as usual at this season of the year. About 11 cents is the price being paid for it.”
Whitcomb also dropped this not-so-subtle hint to readers that week.

“When you sell your cotton, don’t forget to call and settle your subscription to The Record.”

Under the headline, “NOTICE,” subscribers read that “the C.S.A. Veterans will meet at the court house on Mon., Oct. 2, per orders of M.B. Salter, Sergeant Major.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “J.G. Barrow, former marshal, was in the city Wednesday.”

Readers that week also learned that “Lee & Pridgen contemplate the erection of a large building on Cary Street to be used for commercial purposes.”

Whitcomb closed the week by reporting that “just as we go to press we learn of the death of Geo. W. Caldwell of Belleville. Mr. Caldwell was the originator of the smilax business in Evergreen.”

In the Sept. 14, 1911 edition of The Record, under the headline, “Modern Dairy,” readers learned that the “Baptist Orphanage has bought out the dairy business of Mr. J.P. Kendall and with their new barn and other facilities are prepared to deliver pure, sweet milk to his former customers. The public generally are invited to inspect our new barn as well as the work of the institution generally.”

Whitcomb also reported that the “office of the Orphans’ Home has been moved from the First National Bank building to the Orphanage.”

Readers that week also learned that “during the past few days the price of cotton seed has advanced from $12 to $21.50 per ton.”

Subscribers also read that “the extremely hot weather of the past two weeks has been the cause of much uncomfort and sickness. When will the cool breezes come?”

Whitcomb also reported that “the cotton worm is still doing business around Evergreen. Nearly every cotton field shows the result of its work. The leaves have been eaten off, but so far as we can learn they have not attacked the bolls.”

Readers that week also learned that “the smilax season has opened early this season and large quantities are being shipped to the North.”

In the Sept. 21, 2011 edition of The Record, under the headline, “Cotton,” readers learned that the “price of cotton has taken a tumble during the past week, 10-1/2 cents being the average price, while cotton seed has dropped to $17 per ton. The exceedingly hot, dry weather is causing the staple to open rapidly and flooding the market at every mart.”

That week’s paper also included the following advertisement, “KODAKERS, Mail Your Films to Boyle’s, Mobile, Ala.”

That week’s edition also featured two interesting “Lost and Found” ads.

“LOST – Ladies breast pin, with blue set stone, hand carved, lost between post office and Miss Mary Salter’s store. Return to G.M. Carter or Miss Marie Carter and receive reward.

“LOST – in Evergreen or between Evergreen or W.K. Horton’s place, one gold cuff button with ‘C.P.D’ engraved on it. Return to C.P. Deming and receive reward.”

News from outside the county in the paper that week included the following story.

“Montgomery – Georgiana is making an effort to secure to county high school for Butler County.

“Mayor W.R. Boom and City Councilman U.W. Black, both of Georgiana, while in Montgomery indicated to State Superintendent of Education Henry J. Willingham their intention to apply for the Butler county school.

“The county high school board probably will visit Georgiana within the course of the next few weeks to see what the Butler county town has to offer as an inducement for the erection of a county high school there.”

In the Sept. 28, 2011 edition of The Record, readers learned that the “Evergreen Motor Car Co. received a car load of Ford automobiles this week. They have them on display at their garage.”

Readers also learned that “Robert Croom has a new automobile,” and that “Dr. W.A. Blair of Herbert was in Evergreen Wednesday and returned in his new Ford car purchased from the Evergreen Motor Car Co.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “S.P. Dunn is opening up a stock of goods in his handsome new store on East Front Street. The store is fitted with all the modern improvements and when completed will be the most attractive salesroom in Evergreen.”

Readers that week also learned that the “price of cotton is still declining. Nine and one-half was the market price here Wednesday. The local dealers do not look for any advance for some time to come. The latest government report estimates the 1911 crop at 13,655,479 bales. This figure is much higher than was estimated a month ago.”

Whitcomb closed out the month with a report that “previous to the departure of Emmet Ray for Atlanta, where he goes to attend a medical college, a banquet was tendered him Monday night at the Sewell hotel.”

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 October 1911 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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