The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published five editions 100 years
ago during the month of July 1915. Those issues, which were dated July 1, July
8, July 15, July 22 and July 29, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County
Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those
four editions. Enjoy.
JULY 1, 1915
Murder and Arson in Conecuh: An atrocious murder was
committed in Conecuh County some mile east of Burnt Corn one night last week.
Two Negroes went to the home of Wiley House and covering him with a pistol
demanded his money or his life. When his housekeeper, Mrs. Lassiter raised an
outcry, the Negroes shot her, inflicting mortal wounds. They also stabbed Mr.
House, leaving him for dead; they then set fire to the house, which was
entirely consumed. Mr. House regained consciousness in time to drag the body of
the murdered woman from the burning building. As soon as the circumstances were
learned by neighbors, the sheriff was notified and posse organized to search
for the culprits. Aided by the description furnished by Mr. House, they were
soon captured and placed in jail in Evergreen, but later removed to Montgomery
to avoid possible mob violence. It is said that the Negroes confessed the
crime, stating that they made the assault upon Mr. House in belief that he was
in possession of a large amount of money.
Monroe County Masonic Conference: The Monroe County Masonic
Conference will be held with Blacksher Lodge, No. 593, on July 19, 1915 at 10
a.m. Let every lodge in the county be represented. The above date was fixed by
Grand Master Miller. – W.S. Nash, Secretary.
The new Methodist Church at Burnt Corn will be formally
dedicated on the second Sunday in July. Bishop McCoy will deliver the
dedicatory sermon and officiate in the ceremonies. A cordial invitation is
extended to everyone to attend this service.
JEDDO: The many friends of Mr. J.C. Kyle were indeed sorry
to learn that while at a ball game here last Saturday afternoon he had the
misfortune to be hit on the side of his face by a pitched ball, resulting in
fractured jawbone. He was hurriedly conveyed to Uriah, where Dr. G.H. Harper
deftly bound up the fracture. We hope he will soon have complete restoration.
Mr. Leroy Baggett is erecting a new dwelling in Monvil Park
addition. Mr. J.M. Daniel is the contractor.
Local physicians report numerous cases of typhoid fever in
the vicinity of Monroeville. No cases have developed within the corporate
limits but many of our citizens are taking the inoculation treatment as a
preventative.
Prof. E.B. Kay of Tuscaloosa was a visitor to Monroeville
this week. Prof. Kay is a well known civil engineer who has been connected with
some of the largest water power enterprises in the state. While here he took
occasion to inspect some of the fine streams in the vicinity of Monroeville. It
is possible that he may be employed to make surveys and estimates in the near
future with a view to their industrial development.
Dr. Dubose of Mobile preached at the Presbyterian church on
Tuesday night of last week.
Mr. Calvin Nettles was down from Natchez Monday and reported
fine corn crops in his section.
JULY 8, 1915
The Monroeville and Atmore baseball teams crossed bats on
the local diamond last week. The Journal has not been furnished with the score.
Monroeville defeated Brewton 7 to 4 in a game of 11 innings
Monday. A number of local fans accompanied
the home team to Brewton.
JEDDO: Several of the young men from here attended the
baseball picnic at Megargel on the 1st inst. and also the ice cream supper at
Butler Street on the night of the 3rd.
Rev. C.W. Henson is engaged in a protracted meeting at Enon
Baptist Church this week.
Dr. B.F. Riley of Birmingham spent a few days among
relatives and friends in Monroe this week.
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Lazenby were called to Greenville Monday
to attend the funeral of their nephew, Mr. Claude Lazenby, who met his death in
a railway accident at Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday. The unfortunate young
man was the eldest son of Mr. G.S. Lazenby of Forest Home.
Editor Journal: Please announce that the next regular
examination for teachers certificates will be held at the courthouse in
Monroeville, beginning at 10 o’clock Mon., July 19, 1915.
Let all applicants be present by 9:30 so that they can be
enrolled in order to be ready to begin actual work at 10. – J.A. Barnes, County
Superintendent.
JULY 15, 1915
The commissioners court is in regular quarterly session this
week.
Mr. English of the Roy Bottling Works was transacting
business in Monroeville Monday.
The dedication services conducted by Bishop J.H. McCoy at
the Burnt Corn Methodist Church last Sunday was pronounced by all who attended
a most delightful occasion. An immense congregation was present from all the
surrounding country and Bishop McCoy was at his best. A pleasing incident of
the occasion was the presentation of a beautiful loving cup to the pastor, Rev.
D.F. Ellisor in which gift each member of the local congregation was represented.
The friends of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Lazenby are glad to know
that the statement of the Los Angeles paper concerning the tragic death of
their nephew, Mr. Claude Lazenby, was not true. Mr. Lazenby had purchased a
ticket for Riverside, placed his grip on the train; having 10 minutes to wait,
he walked on the other side of the train where the vestibule doors were not
open. When the train was called, he ran and in endeavoring to get on was
crushed by the car wheels.
LOST – In the grove in front of Judge McCorvey’s residence a
gold ring set with two opals surrounded by chipped diamonds. Finder will be
suitably rewarded by leaving same at The Journal office.
Three mules belonging to J.T. McCarthy & Co. were
drowned, the fourth rescued with difficulty and painful injuries sustained by
the negro driver as a result of the falling in of the Graham bridge on Flat
Creek on Thursday of last week. A wagon loaded with some seven or eight hundred
feet of green lumber was being hauled across the bridge when the accident
occurred. The creek was much swollen from the recent rains and the mules being
entangled by the harness were swept down by the swift current. The bridge was
somewhat old and the timbers said to have been decayed. This bridge has been
rebuilt many times within the last 10 or 15 years, but will probably be
replaced by a steel or concrete structure.
Mr. Simeon F. Daniel died at his home at Century, Fla. on
Mon., July 12, aged 84 years. The remains were brought to Monroeville for
interment. The funeral took place from the home of his son, Mr. J.M. Daniel,
Tuesday morning with Masonic honors.
Mr. Daniel was a native of Monroe County and resided here
practically all of his life until his removal to Atmore and later to Century
some eight or 10 years ago. He was a good citizen and esteemed by all who knew
him.
Mr. A. Holloman, who is in attendance upon the regular term
of Commissioners Court, states that he has never seen a finer prospect for a
corn crop in this section of the county and never before so large an acreage.
The editorial household is enjoying pancakes constructed of
homegrown wheat flour for which we are indebted to our ever-thoughtful brother
of The Evergreen Courant. We are prepared to pronounced the quality of the
flour superior to the market variety grown in the west.
JULY 22, 1915
Hon. H.C. Miller of Birmingham, Grand Master of Masons of
Alabama, passed through Monroeville Monday on his way to Uriah where he held
the Monroe County Masonic Conference.
Representative J.K. Kyser, Drs. W.G. Hairston and H.C.
Fountain, Mr. A.O. Brantley of Burnt Corn, passed through the city Monday on
their way to attend the Masonic Conference at Uriah.
Another bridge collapsed one day last week while a heavily
loaded wagon was being drawn over it. The bridge was located across Lovett’s
Creek on the Mount Pleasant Road in the southern part of the county and makes
the second collapse under similar circumstances in a fortnight. Engineer Turner
of the Highway Commission visited the scene on Monday for the purpose of
investigating the occurrence and will submit his report to the commission.
The Monroe County Masonic Conference was held with Blacksher
Lodge, No. 593, on July 19 and 20, 1915. The names of 102 Masons in attendance
were enrolled by the secretary. Grand Master H.C. Miller of Birmingham was
present and conducted the conference and instructed the craft in the
ritualistic work. The conference was very fortunate in securing his services.
The conference is also indebted to Dr. J.H. McCormick of
Mobile for his lectures on the various phases of Masonry.
There are 12 lodges in the county and all were represented
with one exception.
The next session will be held with Excel Lodge, No. 655, on
July 20, 1916, this date being fixed by the Grand Master at this session.
JULY 29, 1915
The Fancy Grocery has removed to larger and more suitable
quarters in the brick store next door to L.A. Hixon Co. on Westside where the
proprietors have a larger and better stock more elegantly displayed than ever
before.
The new well at the local pumping plant has been completed
and the water was turned in the mains Tuesday afternoon. Although a little off
color at first, the water appears to be of good quality and abundant in
quantity. After 10 days of near famine the convenience of the water system can
be more justly appreciated. The wells of the community were being rapidly
exhausted.
The first open bolls of cotton of the new crop were sent to
The Journal on the 24th inst. by Mr. J.E. Hendrix of Mexia.
The executive committee of the Monroe County Fair
Association met in Monroeville last Thursday to fix the date and arrange the
details for the holding of the County Fair this fall.
Oct. 19, 20 and 21 was fixed as the time for holding the
Fair and a very liberal list of premiums agreed upon to supplement those
offered by the Gulf Coast Fair Association.
Two bridges heretofore mentioned in this paper collapsed
under heavy loads while a third fell in of its own weight within the past week.
The last named bridge was known as the McCorvey Bridge which spanned Limestone
Creek.
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