Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for July 21, 2015

Col. P.D. Bowles
45 YEARS AGO
JULY 23, 1970

From “Front Page, Upper Left Corner” by Bob Bozeman – Mrs. Moreno (Mamilu) White invited me up one day last week for a sneak preview of the Pinckney D. Bowles Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy memory book. After giving the book a thorough going over I’m convinced the UDC has a bestseller.
“Anyone interested in Conecuh County history will want one of these little books. You’ll enjoy the stories of early life in the county which have been contributed. Many of these stories are things that different people remember their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, some of them veterans of the War Between the States, telling them.
“There are only a limited number of these books available and orders for them are being taken now. If you don’t want one yourself, you’ll want to get one for your children. And remember, because of the small number printed, these are very apt to become collector’s items.
“Mamilu says that a number of orders have been received, but many people have failed to include payment. To facilitate delivery which will begin on Aug. 1, include payment with your order and if you have turned in an order, please mail the payment.
“The books sell for $1.50 each and checks should be made out to Bowles Chapter U.D.C. and mailed to Mrs. White.”

60 YEARS AGO
JULY 28, 1955

“Castleberry Man Brings In First Cotton Of Year: James Tucker Sr., farmer of Castleberry, Rte. 1, brought in a bag of cotton to the County Agent’s office Friday afternoon. This was the first sack actually reported in person, although The Courant had heard rumors of cotton being picked in various parts of the county
“The first bale of cotton in Conecuh was ginned last year on July 31.”

“City Acquires Parking Lot At End of W. Front: The council of the City of Evergreen approved the lease the city has acquired to the property behind Dr. R.W. Stallworth’s new office for use as a parking lot, city clerk G.L. Wilkinson announced today. The building now occupied by Dr. Stallworth was formerly occupied by the Conecuh Implement Co., and is located at the south end of West Front Street.
“This property is being leased from the Peterman Agricultural Co., terms not announced. The city will soon grade the property, and fix the access road from West Front Street. This will allow more free parking spaces, and it is hoped it will help relieve the congested parking downtown on Fridays and Saturdays.
“In making the announcement, Wilkinson added that if the merchants and business people that parked in No Man’s Land on Fridays and Saturdays would use this new parking area, it would allow more parking spaces for people from out of town that desire to shop.”

75 YEARS AGO
JULY 25, 1940

“William Geo. Riley Dies At Age Of 97: William George Riley, age 97 years, 10 months and 20 days, last surviving Confederate Veteran of this community, save one recently moved here from another section of the state, passed away Monday afternoon at five o’clock at the home he had occupied for the past 53 years after an immediate illness of about three weeks.
“He was born in the old aristocratic community of Old Pineville near what is now Beatrice on Sept. 2, 1842, the son of Sophronia Irvin Autrey and Enoch Riley of Edgefield, S.C.; the grandson of Alexander Autrey who was the second white settler in the community of Hamden Ridge to which he gave the name after the North Carolina section from which he came. He received his education at Old Pineville Academy, renowned in the early pioneer days as an institution of learning. He enlisted for the Civil War at the age of 19, served four years under General Forrest and was severely wounded in the battle of Manassas, which injury was indirectly responsible for his death.
“Following the war, he was married to Miss Narcissi Davison, also of Old Pineville, where they lived until 1887 when he and his family moved to Evergreen and to the house he built and in which he lived until his death.
“As a tribute to him and his long service during his residence here, Mayor John R. Brooks requested all business houses and offices to close during the hour of funeral service and interment at twilight, which was most impressive as the casket was lowered entirely covered with the Confederate Flag under which he rendered such valiant service.
“Interment was in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery and was attended by relatives and friends from many parts of the state and United States.”

90 YEARS AGO
JULY 22, 1925

“CLINTON HARPER DROWNED: Clinton Harper, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Harper of the Burnt Corn community, was drowned last Wednesday, according to information reaching his homefolks, and his body was brought to Evergreen and taken to the Ramah Church cemetery for burial.
“Young Harper was a member of the United States Navy, having enlisted for service about four years ago. Details are meager concerning the accident. Harper is said to have been a splendid young fellow, and has many friends who will sorrow because of his untimely end.”

“WANTED MEN: We need 25 or 30 men to enlist in Troop C, 55th Machine Gun Squadron, Alabama National Guard. We go into encampment at Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. on Aug. 15th to 30th. Apply to Sgt. E.E. Ellis and Johnson Mercantile Co. on Saturdays and at Local Armory on other days.”

“Miss Agnes Warwick will leave her post at the Western Union Telegraph Company the latter part of this week for a two weeks’ vacation. She expects to visit Jacksonville, Fla. during her absence.”

“Miss Margaret Oliver is at her desk in the probate office after a few days confinement at her home on account of a slight attack of mumps.”

“R.C. Holman and family have moved to the Philips place on Magnolia Avenue.”

105 YEARS AGO
JULY 27, 1910

“GEN. P.D. BOWLES DEAD: Well Known Evergreen Citizen Passes Away In Tampa, Fla.: News reached here yesterday of the death of Gen. P.D. Bowles at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cobb, in Tampa, Fla., where he had been for several weeks past. The sad intelligence came in a telegram to J.S. Stearns, nephew of deceased. The remains will not reach here until the arrival of No. 1 passenger train tomorrow. The funeral will take place about five o’clock that afternoon from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The obsequies will be conducted by his pastor, Rev. H.T. Walden, the local Masonic lodge and the Confederate veterans.
“General Bowles health began to fail several weeks ago, prior to his departure for Tampa, but very few, even his most intimate friends, were aware of it except to observe that he did not show his accustomed vigor, and the sprightly step of the venerable man was slower than usual.”

“The Conecuh Guards, commanded by Capt. P.M. Bruner, left on last Wednesday afternoon for the annual encampment at Chickamauga.”

“Postmaster Dean informs us that the receipts of the Evergreen post office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1910 amounted to $6,961.85 as compared with $5,969.25 for the year previous, showing a net increase in receipts for the year of $995.65.”

“NOTICE: Members of Greening Lodge, No. 53, A.F.&A.M., are requested to meet at their Lodge hall tomorrow, Thursday, at three o’clock p.m. to attend the funeral of Brother Pinckney D. Bowles. Visiting brethren invited to attend. – H.A. Shields, W.M.”

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