Headlines from The Evergreen Courant a century ago in May 1914

Cross of Honor

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 May 1914.

In the May 6, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor George W. Salter Jr. reported that “at an early hour yesterday morning the Negro Baptist church, situated just beyond the orphanage, was completely destroyed by fire together with all its furnishings. The fire was discovered at four o’clock, but the building was then enveloped in flames, and was soon reduced to ashes. The church was nicely furnished and the entire loss is estimated at nearly $3,000. It was not insured. It is generally believed the fire was of incendiary origin, but no clue yet as to the guilty party.”

Also that week, readers learned that “the members of the P.D. Bowles Camp will serve ice cream on the school lawn Friday afternoon at 4:30. The public is cordially invited.”

That week’s paper also included the following advertisement – “COWS WANTED: The Baptist Orphanage wishes to buy four or five milk cows. Address Baptist Orphanage, Evergreen, Ala.”

In the May 13, 1914 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Conecuh Citizen Dies of Poisoning,” it was reported that “Mr. C.A. Van Nordstrand, one of the leading strawberry growers, died here this afternoon (May 11) at two o’clock at his home two miles north of Castleberry from ptomaine poison and a weak heart. He was taken sick Sunday night about eight o’clock, and it was soon discovered that he had been poisoned. The family had been served some canned goods. All of the family partook of the same meal and none of the others were affected.

“Mr. Van Nordstrand came here some 10 years ago when the strawberry business was in its infancy, being among the first of the northern people to settle here, and he had a nice farm and was one of the best growers. He was a man of high standing and influence in the community.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Capt. J.C. Cheney came down from Montgomery to vote on Monday and went down to Herrington to spend several days fishing.”

It was also reported that week that “funeral services will be conducted at the grave of the late J.A. Yates by the local Masonic lodge at Owassa cemetery on next Sunday morning the 17th inst. at 10 o’clock a.m.”

Subscribers that week also saw that “all the teachers in the City School were re-elected at a recent meeting of the school board with the exception of Miss Simmons, who will be a member of the faculty of the Agricultural school. The teachers are Misses Willie Cunningham, Ethel King and Sue Stallworth.”

In the May 20, 1914 edition of the newspaper, Salter reported that “the store of Wild Bros. Hardware Co. was burglarized sometime during Sunday night. Articles missing were several pistols and pocketknives and $8 from the cash drawer. The miscreant affected entrance from the back door by breaking out a section of glass.”

That week’s paper also reprinted an unusual news item that originally appeared in the “Brewton News” – “Big Bee Tree: Recently, at Fish Trap Landing on Burnt Corn Creek, seven miles northwest of Brewton, several neighbors gathered and cut a bee tree. The tree had been found by W.M. Godwyn many years ago. The cypress, measuring 68 feet in height and 7-2/3 feet at the base, contained six feet of solid honey – several hundred pounds. Charley Clifton, Joe Emmons, Wash Emmons, Lewis Baggett and others used axes and were rewarded for their labor by a large quantity of a splendid quality of honey.”

Also that week, under the headline “Ordaining of Deacons,” it was reported that “at the Baptist Church in Belleville, Sunday, May 24, three of the members, Golson Miller, Robert Gaston and Isaac Andrews, will be ordained as deacons of the church. Rev. J.G. Dickinson of Evergreen, Rev. Sam P. Lindsey of Belleville, and Deacon J.W. Gaston of Repton will assist the pastor, Rev. M.M. Wood, in the services.”

That week’s paper also included the following notice – “I have opened a first class gun, bicycle and sewing machine shop. All work first class, best of material used. Work guaranteed. Your patronage will be appreciated. Shop in rear of Kelley’s Blacksmith Shop.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Eugene ‘Short’ Millsap, who went to Mobile a week ago for medical treatment, is still in the hospital, but his numerous friends will be gratified to know that he is improving steadily.”

Salter also reported that week that “friends in Evergreen have received news of the death of Ben L. Moreland, which occurred on May 12 at the home of his sister in Florida. He was well known here, having plied the vocation of plaster and paper hanger for several years past.”

In the May 27, 1914 edition of the paper, under the headline “New Principal of Agricultural School, “ it was reported that “at a meeting of the board of control of the Agricultural School here held in Montgomery on Monday, Prof. W.C. Blasingame was elected principal. He will reach here about July first to enter upon his new duties. Prof. J.T. McKee has accepted a place on the faculty of the State Normal School at Florence.”

It was also reported that week that “the P.D. Bowles Chapter U.D.C. will on June 3, 10:30 a.m., at Mrs. John D. Burnett’s residence, Evergreen, bestow Crosses of Honor on the following applicants from Camp Lee No. 338: W.T. Joyner, J.F. Frashler, W.T. Warren, James Alexander, T.S. Hagood, N.C. Walters, Albert Williams, J.M. Butler, W.R. Watson.”

Salter closed out the month with the following story, which appeared under the headline “Prominent Brewton Man Dead” – “Brewton, Ala., May 23 – Thomas R. Miller, president of T.R. Miller Mill Co., of the Citizens Bank, and one of the wealthiest men of this city, died this afternoon at 3:15 o’clock in Atlanta.

“He had been in failing health for some time and left the first of the week for Baltimore to undergo treatment at the John Hopkins Infirmary, but was unable to stand the trip and was taken to an infirmary in Atlanta where he lingered until this afternoon.”

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 June 1914 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.