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 August 1912.
In the Aug. 7, 1912 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “the local military company reached home Sunday afternoon from the annual encampment at Anniston. All the boys were in good shape but considerably tanned.”
Readers that week also learned that “A.G. Smith landed a 12-pound trout out of Sepulga creek one day last week, using rod and reel. This is the largest specimen of the finny tribe we have heard of being taken from local streams. Mr. A.G. is a great lover of the sport.”
Subscribers also read that week that “Prof. McKee is having a general cleaning up of the grounds around the Agricultural School building. Weeds, grass, dilapidated fences and other rubbish is being removed and will note a vast change in the appearance of things.”
Salter also reported that week that “Express agent Jordan requests us to say that the free delivery of express packages applies only to the business district of the town and not beyond.
“Henry Kyser now has a regular run as assistant express messenger. Henry is one of our best boys, and we wish him every success.”
Readers also saw that week that “a revival meeting is in progress at the Methodist church and will continue for several days. Rev. W.T. Ellisor, the pastor, is doing the preaching.”
In the Aug. 14, 1912 edition of The Courant, under the headline “County Board of Education elected,” it was reported that “a meeting of the chairman of the board of trustees of the various school districts of the county was held on Saturday at which the following were elected to constitute the county board of education: T.A. Jones, E.J. McCreary, R.E.L. Key and Dr. E.L. Kelly.”
Also that week, readers learned that “the well at the orphanage is now more than 1,000 feet deep, and the drilling continues. Another rock has been struck and many indulge the hope that when this substance is penetrated the water will gush out in great volume."
Readers that week also saw, under the headline “Notice to the Public,” that “the Town Council and Trustees of Evergreen public school beg to give notice that we have purchased the P.D. Bowles residence property for a site for the city school building. The school will be opened on Sept. 23rd in the old residence, which will be renovated and made as comfortable as possible, where the school will be conducted until a modern and adequate building can be provided.”
Probate Judge F.J. Dean also ran the following public notice in that week’s paper.
“Notice is hereby given that the free scholarship in the Alabama Medical College in Mobile, Ala. for the season 1912-1913 will be awarded by the Court of County Commissioners of Conecuh County on Monday, 19th day of August, 1912.”
In the Aug. 21, 1912 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “cotton is opening rapidly and before many days Evergreen will receive her first bale of new cotton.
“Farmers desiring to hold their cotton this season and borrow money on it, can place same in one of the Evergreen warehouses and deposit the receipts with The Peoples Bank of Evergreen, who are amply able to accommodate every farmer in the county.”
Also that week, under the headline “E.G. STAMPS KILLED,” readers learned that “Edward G. Stamps was shot and killed this morning in Samson by Mayor Mizell.
“The news was conveyed to J.H. Stamps, father of the dead man, in a telegram received here about seven o’clock from the depot agent in Samson.
“No particulars concerning the tragedy could be learned. The remains will be brought here for interment probably tomorrow.”
That week’s paper also included the following story, under the headline “Bridge Across Murder Creek Will Be Repaired.”
“W.M. Newton, one of the county commissioners, having charge of the bridge building and repairs for the county, was in Castleberry today and placed the contract for the recovering of the steel bridge across Murder Creek at this place.
“Mr. Newton stated that other improvements would be made of smaller bridges in this vicinity as soon as the steel bridge could be repaired, which will take about three weeks.”
In the Aug. 28, 1912 edition of The Courant, Salter updated everyone on the well at the orphanage.
“The well at the orphanage has reached a depth of 1,020 feet, and the drilling is exceedingly tedious, an almost impenetrable rock having been encountered some days ago.”
Salter also reported that week that “Evergreen received its first bale of this year’s cotton on Wednesday last. J.S. Johnson of China, one of the most progressive farmers in the country, raised it. It was purchased by Messrs. Northcutt and Rumbley, classed middling and brought 11-3/4 cents.”
Readers also learned that week that “Gov. O’Neal has approved the election of the school board of Castleberry, which was voted on recently by citizens of that town. The following members compose the board: Dr. L.W. Kirkland, E. Downing Jr., P.M. Skinner, Allen Page, J.P. Matthews Jr. The town of Castleberry was recently incorporated.”
That week’s paper also included the following “Election Notice,” which submitted to the paper by Evergreen Mayor W.H. Moorer.
“Notice is hereby given that an election will be held at the courthouse in Evergreen on Monday the 16th day of September 1912 for the purpose of electing a mayor and five councilmen to serve the Town of Evergreen for the next ensuing two years.”
Salter closed out the month of August with the following news item, which appeared under the headline “Boll Weevils in Monroe.”
“Local Demonstration Agent H.J. Coxwell received in the mail last week a box containing several boll weevils and punctured cotton forms taken from the farm of Mr. E.E. Harris of Eliska.”
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 September 1912 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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