Friday, December 12, 2014

100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant from December 1914

G.R. Boulware
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 1914.

In the Dec. 2, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, owner and editor George W. Salter Jr. reported, that the “horribly mangled body of Marion Smith was found on the railroad near Wilcox station on last Thursday morning. The man was supposed to have been killed by passenger train No. 2. The dead body was discovered by trainmen and the matter reported to the sheriff’s department.

“Investigation showed that the man was not the victim of foul play and the body was buried by the railroad company, the identity of the man not being known at the time. It developed later that he had been in the community several days and was known to a number of persons in the community. He left the home of W.T. Tanner during the early part of the night previous saying he was going to Owassa to catch a freight train for Georgiana, where he expected to join his wife.

“That was the last seen of him until his dead body was identified. Deceased was a kinsman by marriage of Mr. Tanner’s wife. They had been residing at Pine Hill.”

Salter also let readers know that week that “the farmer’s institute to be held at the court house on Dec. 16 should attract the largest gathering of farmers and businessmen ever assembled in Evergreen. Matters of the most vital importance to every citizen will be discussed by men who are trained in their respective lines.”

In the Dec. 9, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “The City Grocery’s doors were closed last week through voluntary bankruptcy.”

Readers that week also learned that “County Court was in session on Monday, quite a large number of cases being up before His Honor, Judge Dean. The courthouse had much of the appearance of circuit court times.”

In the days leading up to Christmas, the Cornut Co. announced that they were “now prepared to make special orders for fancy, French candies, chocolates, fondants, etc., any colors for special occasions. Give us three days notice when ordering.”

Also in that week’s paper, under the headline “Peanuts as a Money Crop,” Salter reported that “there may never be big money in the raising of peanuts, but that they will bring the cash as a commercial crop there is no doubt. In an interview a few days ago with C.A. Jones, manager of the local oil mill, he stated that his company would be prepared to use peanuts next season, and that so far as he was now informed, the price would be about $40 per ton.

“The Courant will have more to say on this subject from time to time between now and planting time with the hope of arousing interest among the farmers to grow peanuts extensively. One farmer stated this week that it was his intention to plant 50 acres next year.”

That week’s paper also included the following “Notice,” submitted by Sgt. Major M.B. Salter – “The members of Camp Wm. Lee, No. 338, of Old Soldiers will meet Fri., Jan. 1. The most important meeting of the year. Come one, come all.”

In the Dec. 15, 1914 edition of the newspaper, readers learned that “Judge P.C. Walker, for many years a prominent citizen of Evergreen, died at Salisbury, N.C. on last Thursday night after a lingering illness. His remains were taken to Columbia, Ala. for interment. Judge Walker was probate judge of this county for a number of years and had many friends who will learn with regret of his demise. He is survived by his wife and several children.”

Elsewhere in that week’s paper, it was reported that “Jesse Underwood was killed near Sparta on Sunday night by leaping or falling from passenger train No. 10. He struck the ground head foremost and death was instantaneous. Underwood and another man got on the blind baggage at Castleberry for the purpose, it is said, of beating their way to Evergreen, and when near Sparta the conductor opened the door and discovered them and commanded them to go inside the car. One of them obeyed, but Underwood either leaped or fell from the train, meeting instant death.”

Readers also learned that “up to Dec. 1 there had been 15,184 bales of cotton ginned in Conecuh County, compared with 14,984 to the same date last year.”

That week’s paper also included the following “Notice to Veterans” – “Twenty-fourth annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans of Camp Wm. Lee, No. 338, will meet at the courthouse Jan. 1, 1915. Business election of officers, appointing committee, payment of dues to the National reunion, which is 10 cents per capita and any other business which is pertaining to the camp. All members are expected to attend in person, or send dues. Daughters of the Chapter P.D. Bowles are most cordially and earnestly invited to attend, and participate in the meeting. The most important meeting of the year. (Signed) G.R. Boulware, Commander; T.A. Jones, Adjutant.”

In the Dec. 23, 1914 edition of the paper, Salter reported that “the farmers institute held here on Wednesday and Thursday last was a complete success notwithstanding the small attendance due to the bitter cold weather that prevailed on both days. It was the best farmers meeting ever held in this county. For the reasons stated, many persons were prevented from being present who had all along intended doing so.”

Also that week, under the headline “Near Jail Delivery,” readers learned that “18 prisoners confined in the county jail came near gaining their liberty one night last week, but were discovered in their attempt by Sheriff Hines in time to prevent their escape. The removal of a couple of more bricks would have afforded them an aperture sufficiently large to have gotten out unmolested but for the timely discovery by the sheriff. The iron bar supports to their cots were used effectively to batter out the bricks and iron bars to the window. They had torn their blankets into strings and tied them together to aid them in reaching the ground.”

That week’s paper also included a sad story out of Greenville, under the headline “Foolish Prank Cost One Life.”

“Greenville, Ala. Dec. 18 – The careless handling of a single barrel shotgun in the hands of Bill Rogers resulted in the death of his friend Bob Roberts here today. The two young men were talking near the home of the former when the gun was discharged, the full load entering the lower abdomen of Roberts, who died about three hours later.

“It is said that Rogers jokingly said, ‘Bob, you don’t believe that I will shoot you.’ The answer to this by Roberts was, ‘Go ahead and shoot.’ The trigger was pulled and both fell, Rogers fainting as he saw what was done.

“Before the wounded man died he stated that the occurrence was accidental, and that he did not want anything done to his friend. This is one of the saddest accidents that has ever happened in the southern part of this county.”

On the front page of the Dec. 30, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reprinted an interesting Dec. 21 letter he’d received from Caddo Mills, Texas, under the headline “Former Conecuh Citizen Writes From Texas.”

“Dear Sir – Through the courtesy of my nephew, A.G. Smith, Evergreen, I receive The Courant and enjoy its pages.

“In November 1862, I went to Camp Tatne, near Brewton station, and joined Co. H, 2nd Alabama Cavalry. At that time, Jim Cunningham was colonel and J.H. McCreary, captain. We went from there to Mississippi, then to Alabama, to Georgia, to South Carolina and North Carolina and back to Georgia.

“Was discharged at Forsythe, Ga., 8th day of May 1865 and reached home, Evergreen, on 15th of May 1865.

“I left Evergreen on 28th of December 1865 for Texas and arrived at Jefferson January 1866, living near there 18 years.

“Dec. 20, 1883, I came to Caddo Mills, Hunt County, Texas; was 77 years old last July 27, and am in good health and enjoying life, except am troubled by failing sight.

“Yours truly, Joseph R. Bass.”

The Dec. 30 edition of The Courant was the final edition of the 1914 calendar year, and Salter wrapped up the year with this not-so-subtle paragraph.

“If you owe The Courant for subscription, for printing, or for advertising, an early settlement is requested and will be greatly appreciated. A dollar or a few dollars to each individual is a small matter, but if the several hundred persons who owe us will favor us with a settlement we would be able to meet obligations that are now pressing. We hope our friends will not withhold payment.”


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 1915 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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