The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Oct. 27, 2015

THREE YEARS AGO

OCT. 25, 2012

“The 21st Annual South-East Regional Fly-In is scheduled to officially open tomorrow at Middleton Field in Evergreen.”

“The Courant teamed up with Monroe Journal reporter Josh Dewberry and paranormal investigator John Higginbotham Saturday night to investigate the supposedly haunted old Castleberry bank building.”

“In what investigators are calling a ‘low down’ crime, they are asking anyone who might have information about the vandalism of a scarecrow display on the grounds of the Old Evergreen City School to contact the Evergreen Police Department.

“In the days leading up to Saturday’s 10th Annual Evergreen Sausage Festival in downtown Evergreen, members of the Conecuh County Cultural Foundation staged a ‘Scarecrow Convention’ in front of the old school building. The display of scarecrows included dozens of scarecrows made by young children from every school in the county.

“According to Evergreen Police Detective Mike Ellis, an unknown number of vandals destroyed almost all of the scarecrows in the display except for those closest to Perryman Street. Police believe that the vandalism took place sometime between 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday morning.”

“Evergreen native Gaston Bozeman was among a number of entertainers that took part in the 10th Annual Evergreen Sausage Festival Saturday in downtown Evergreen.”

18 YEARS AGO

OCT. 30, 1997

“Cass Ralls, daughter of Eddie Ralls and Sandra O. Ralls, was crowned Miss Homecoming 1997 during Sparta Academy’s Homecoming activities Friday night, Oct. 24.”

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported 1.11 inches of rain on Oct. 24 and a total of 3.46 inches between Oct. 21 and Oct. 26.

“Cary’s Grocery Murder Trial Set To Begin In Mid February: After much anticipation, a trial date has been set for one of the men accused of three counts of capital murder.

“Ethan Eugene Dorsey, a 28-year-old black male, will stand trial beginning Feb. 16, 1998 in Judge Sam Welch’s courtroom.

“Dorsey is accused of killing Richard Cary, 52, Scott Williams, 39, and Timothy Bryan Cane, 13, on Nov. 20 at Cary’s Store in the Brooklyn community.

“Also charged in that case is Calvin Middleton. Both of the accused are residents of Andalusia.

“The three victims were found gunned down at the store on Wed., Nov. 20, 1996, sometimes after 8 p.m.

“According to District Attorney Tommy Chapman at the time of the murders, forensics determined that three guns had been used to kill the victims.

“Cary was killed by a blast from a shotgun to the head. Williams was apparently killed with a .357 caliber pistol and Crane died as a result of being shot with a .22 or .25 caliber weapon."

32 YEARS AGO

OCT. 28, 1982

“A freak accident ended with this big North American Van tractor and trailer rig blocking the Rural Street-West Front Street intersection in downtown Evergreen for several hours Monday afternoon. A sliding tandem on the rear of the trailer broke loose, dumping the back end of the trailer on the street. The rig was heading south when the tandem broke loose. Evergreen police did an excellent job of directing traffic while folks from Knud Nielsen Co. unloaded the 30,000-pound cargo onto a flatbed trailer from Poole Truck Line, and Conway Diesel Co. got the trailer up, the tandem back under and the truck able to move. It all created a good bit of excitement on an otherwise dull Monday afternoon.”

“Heritage Festival is Nov. 6: Artists and craftsmen are registered for the arts and crafts division of the Conecuh Heritage Festival to be held in downtown Evergreen on Sat., Nov. 6.

“Exhibits of historic interest will go on display in downtown show windows on Mon., Nov. 1, and remain throughout the week. In addition to the Arts and Crafts Fair and the historic exhibits, the festival will include a mini-county fair in the historic Evergreen Depot.”

“An air show will be staged Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Evergreen’s Middleton Field Municipal Airport on Highway 84 West. The gates will open at 12 noon for the big show which is sponsored by the Conecuh County Rescue Squad.”

48 YEARS AGO

OCT. 26, 1967

“Members of Battery D – 278th Artillery – Brewton National Guard pulled a surprise inspection at the Boy Scouts Fall Rally Camp at Camp McMillan this past week end.

“National Guard members were impressed with Evergreen Troop 40 and their ready answers to questions. Leaders for the Camp were Ruben Hyde, Ralph Garrett and Fred Stevens.

“Boys attending from Evergreen were Sammy Garrett, Kenny Brown, Allen Covin, Mike Chambers, Len Price, Troy Bakel, Fred Stevens, Lewis Price, Frank Murphy and Lester Daw.”

“VIETNAM – Marine Lance Corporal Calvin D. ‘Snuffy’ Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith of 147 Knoxville St., Evergreen is serving with the 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division of Vietnam. The mission of the battalion is to build and maintain roads, support the infantry units and instruct Marines in the use of mines and booby traps. In support of infantry units, the engineers clear mine fields, destroy caves and tunnels and other enemy fortifications.”

“Carl Wilson, DVM announces The Opening of a new Veterinary Clinic to be known as Animal Health Center with Facilities for large and small animals. Located on Yarbrough (Old Sparta) Road.”

“Power outage is set Sunday: A power outage to do necessary work is scheduled this Sunday morning beginning at the City Café and extending to the Highway 31 South area. The current will be turned off at 7 a.m. and should be back on at approximately 9:30 a.m., according to J.W. Weaver, City Electrical Superintendent.”

63 YEARS AGO

OCT. 30, 1952

“The Evergreen City Council has approved the zoning plan and ordinance as presented to them by the City Planning Commission. The council will hold a public hearing on the proposed plan and ordinance at a date to be advertised soon. Following the public hearing, the plan and ordinance will come up before the council against before going into effect.

“The council also announced the employment of a new member of the city police force. The new policeman is Otto Bush of Greenville. He will start work on Nov. 1. H.L. Riley, present member of the force, has been given a leave of absence.”

“Most Deeds Are Signed For Paving Of Highway 84 County Board Reports: The Conecuh County Board of Directors reports that most of the remaining right-of-way deeds on the paving of Highway 84 through Herbert and Cohassett to Andalusia have already been signed.

“Once all the right-of-way deeds have been secured the project will be advertised for bids and the contract let. County officials have sought to have this highway paved for a number of years.”

“The state has completed the construction of the new bridge over Murder Creek between Evergreen and Fairview. The approaches to this bridge are now being completed. The project should be finished at an early date. It is a federal aid project.”