125-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from October 1889

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville published four editions 125 years ago during the month of October 1889. Those papers came out on Oct. 5, Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25. Q. Salter was the newspaper’s editor and proprietory. What follows are a few new highlights from each of those papers. Enjoy.

OCT. 5, 1889

The Monroeville Academy opened three weeks ago with about 40 pupils, since which time the number has been increased to fifty-three or four. It is probable that before the close of session the scholarship will reach 75.

Mr. J.B. Downs informs us that he killed an alligator a few weeks ago, measuring something over seven feet in length.

The Brewton Gauge announces the dissolution of the Escambia Rifles, Brewton’s local military company.

A lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organized here last Sunday evening by Lodge Deputy L.N. Lambert of Perdue Hill. The lodge begins with 13 members, with Mr. F.A. Seymour as Chief Templar. The next meeting will be held on Sun., Oct. 13, after which the meetings will be weekly.

Mr. S.W. Yarbrough left for Nashville a few days since to complete his dental course in the Vanderbilt University.

Mr. J.F. Fore is recovering from a severe attack of typhoid fever.

The Sullivan Timber Co. of Mobile and Pensacola has given to an Erie, Pa. company a contract for the immediate erection of a large saw mill at Wallace, Ala. on the P&S Railroad. The mill will have a capacity of about 100,000 feet of lumber per day with a dry house and planing mill with a capacity of from 18 to 20,000 feet a day, and it is expected that the mill will be in operation by the first of the year.

The erection of this mill may mean a great deal to Monroeville and the section contiguous hereto.

OCT. 11, 1889

County court was concluded last Monday by candle light. Two persons were tried for disturbing religious worship and convicted. The fine and costs in each case will amount to about $80.

Dr. Wiggins and Mr. W.R. Lowrey have both received and adjusted their steam engines and machinery, and the fleecy staple is being prepared for market at a rapid rate.

Charles J. Torrey, esq., has been elected city attorney of Mobile by a flattering majority. Mr. Torrey is a native of Monroe and was register in chancery at Monroeville for several years before his removal to Mobile in 1875. In 1886, he was defeated for judge of this circuit by one-third of a vote. While we regret that his new duties will make his visits to our county less frequent, we are glad to know of his preferment.

Buggies and Road Carts: Open Top Buggies, beautifully painted in several colors, Tompkin and Brewster Springs, Nickle hub bands, Nickle Tap nuts, Genuine leather dash, with nickel rim. Rubber boot on back. Corning and piano bodies at the low price of $47.50. Top buggies of same make at $57.50. Road carts at $17.00. Harness from $6.50 up. If you need anything here, don’t order it from some other market, but come to see us, and we’ll sell you as low as any market. Roberts, Locklin & Co.

OCT. 18, 1889

We would gladly take several cords of hard wood in exchange for subscription to The Journal.

Mr. John Thames of Perdue Hill, our efficient court Superintendent of Education, was in Monroeville Monday on business.

Mr. B.F. Lambert, who has been confined in jail for several weeks, has been sent to the insane asylum at Tuscaloosa. Mr. Lambert has been more or less insane all his life, but recently he became violent and assaulted his mother and came near killing her. Mr. Lambert is a brother of Mr. I.S. Lambert, who is charged with shooting Mr. T.D. Hestle last year, while insane, as his friends claim.

The case of the State vs. I.S. Lambert, charged with assault with intent to murder Mr. T.D. Hestle, is set for Monday of the second week of Circuit Court, Nov. 18, hence the witnesses and friends of the defendant need not attend until Monday of the second week.

The case will be a very interesting one, as we understand the plea of insanity will be interposed, and the defendant will be represented by D.L. Neville of our local bar and G.L. Smith, esq., of Mobile, both able lawyers.

DIED – Near Bell’s Landing, on Oct. 13, Jack Crosby, an old colored man who was highly respected for his honesty and integrity by all who knew him. He was something over 90 years old.

W.G. McCorvey, esq., is “taking in” the South Alabama Fair which opened at Greenville on the 15th inst.

There are four steam, one water and half a dozen horse and mule ginneries within a radius of five miles of Monroeville, all doing a good business.

The Temperance Society recently organized at Monroeville held its first meeting last Sunday afternoon.

State Superintendent Palmer has reappointed Mr. John Thames county superintendent of education of Monroe to serve for one year, when the office will become an elective one under an act passed by the last General Assembly. Mr. Thames has filled this position since the resignation of Mr. Graham, with entire satisfaction to the people and his reappointment will meet with their hearty endorsement.

Our inimitable photographer, Mr. E.D. Conover, will go to Perdue Hill with his Photo Tent next week, Oct. 21, and will remain one week, and will, in all probability, take the shadows of all the beauties, and also some of the ugly mugs. We predict for him a busy week. The people of Perdue Hill and Claiborne should avail themselves of this opportunity, as it is only once in a hundred years that such a fine artist will be there. Mr. Conover will return to Monroeville and remain until Nov. 6 when he expects to go to Georgia again. Everybody should have their picture “tooken” before he leaves.

OCT. 25, 1889

Sheriff Harrengton left Wednesday for Tuscaloosa with Mr. B.F. Lambert, who will be confined in the insane asylum.

Considerable sickness is prevailing in Monroeville and vicinity. Several cases of typhoid fever are reported.

Several students in the Academy are confined to their beds, and their physicians report their symptoms are indicating typhoid fever. Messrs. Ben McMillan and Charlie Kelly are confined to their beds at this writing, and several others are out of school.

Dr. J.T. Russell, the attending physician, informs us that the little daughter of Sheriff Harrengton that has suffered from typho-malaria fever for several weeks, is in a convalescent condition. He also reports the symptoms of Miss Blanche, the little daughter of Col. Neville whose protracted illness from the same cause has occasioned the family and friends much uneasiness, more favorable, and in the ordinary course of events is sanguine of her recovery.

WANTED – We want a live, energetic correspondent who will represent The Journal as solicitor or reporter at every post office in the county. The business will not necessarily interfere with your private interests, and will prove both pleasant and lucrative. We would be pleased to have you correspond with us on the subject, when we can more fully outline our plans and the duties that will be required of you, compensation, etc. No former experience necessary to enable you to begin work at once.

Mr. W.G. McCorvey has returned home and reports the South Alabama Fair at Greenville a grand success.

The work of ceiling and otherwise improving the Methodist parsonage is progressing steadily and when completed will add greatly to the comfort of the building.