Sunday, November 15, 2015

120-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Nov. 1895

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, likely published four editions 120 years ago during the month of November 1895. Those issues were dated Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28. All of those issues except for the Nov. 7 issue can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from the three editions that are available on microfilm. Enjoy.

NOV. 14, 1895

Chancery court convened Monday and remained in session until Tuesday. Chancellor W.H. Tayloe presiding.

An Assault: There was quite a sensation in town Tuesday morning causing considerable excitement. Top Moseley… was interfering with an employee on Judge Stallworth’s place, and the Judge ordered him off the premises. (Moseley) “talked back” and declined to obey, whereupon his honor struck him with his cane. (Moseley) seized the cane and attempted to wrench it from the Judge’s grasp, at the same time dealing him two blows on the face in quick succession, and then took on his heels. The alarm spread rapidly and a crowd of boys were soon in pursuit of the fleeing man. Several shots were fired which served only to increase his speed. He took to the woods and the chase was abandoned. It would not be safe for Moseley to show his face in this community.

An unsuccessful attempt was made to rob the store of the Alliance Stock Co. at Tinela, this county on last Sunday night. A hole several inches in diameter was cut through the wall for the purpose of unloosing the fastenings of the door; failing in this, an attempt was made to prize open the windows. The job was a very clumsy one and was evidently done by amateurs.

The convict agent came down last week for the prisoners convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary at the late term of Circuit court. They were: Albert Jackson, 25 months; Lazarus James, three years; Mose Hall, four years.

NOV. 21, 1895

We learn that McCreary & Co.’s store at Turnbull was burglarized one night last week. The robbers helped themselves to a new suit of clothes, a barrel of flour, a side of bacon and a few smaller articles.

Last Sunday, Mr. J.H. Douglas, a Nashville shoe drummer, hired a team and driver from Mr. Irwin to go over to Repton. Night overtook them a mile from Repton. In a dark place in the road, two men, apparently white, suddenly appeared and stepping up deliberately to the buggy, thrust a pistol in Mr. Douglas’ face commanding him to halt. Not being prepared for a battle, he put whip to the horses and left the would-be robbers standing in the road.

Miss Ada Thames of Perdue Hill is teaching a flourishing school at this place (Packers’ Bend). There are 16 regular attending pupils enrolled already.

On Tuesday night, while the family were at supper, the residence of Mr. Jas. A. Brady near Puryearville was entered by some person unknown and a trunk containing quite a sum of money and other valuables stolen. The trunk was found at a distance of about 200 yards from the house, broken open and about $75 in cash abstracted. One Israel Davison has been arrested on suspicion.

A difficulty occurred last Tuesday evening between Joe Kyle and Henry Gray, two boys working on Mr. J.H. Tucker’s place, resulting in the former being shot by the latter. The boys became involved in a quarrel and Kyle charged Gray with stealing 50 cents from him. Gray denied the charge and threatened to shoot Kyle if he repeated the accusation. Kyle reiterated the charge, when Gray seized a shotgun and discharged its contents into the anatomy of Kyle. Kyle’s injuries are serious. Gray is enlarging his geographical knowledge.

Boiler Explosion: At an early hour on last Friday morning, the boiler of Mr. W.J. Newberry’s steam mill and gin establishment at Mexia, five miles west of town, burst, wrecking a part of the machinery and killing Tom Nettles, the fireman. (Nettles) was horribly bruised and scalded. Mr. Newberry’s loss will amount to several hundred dollars.

NOV. 28, 1895

Fire at Perdue Hill: Three warehouses stored with furniture, undertakers’ goods, grain and groceries, etc. belonging to Messrs. Savage & Roberts, were destroyed with their contents by fire at Perdue Hill on the night of the 22nd inst. The fire originated in the furniture house, and when discovered had gained such headway that it was impossible to check it with the facilities at hand. From this it rapidly spread to the others which were soon in flames. The three warehouses were situated between Savage & Roberts’ store and the Locklin House, and it was with great difficulty that those houses were saved. Had they burned, the fire would have swept the town. Messrs. Savage & Roberts’ loss is quite heavy, amounting to several thousand dollars, with little or no insurance. It is believed that the fire was of incendiary origin.

Capt. John Burns of Pineville was in Monroeville Saturday.

Messrs. W.G. McCorvey, Jas. P. Stallworth and C.A. Seymour left Monday afternoon for the cotton state and international exposition at Atlanta.

In its appropriate department in this issue appears the announcement of Mr. W.S. Bowden for the office of Sheriff of Monroe County, subject to the action of the Democratic party. “Sam” Bowden, as he is familiarly known, is in every way qualified for the office, and The Journal takes pleasure in commending him to the voters of the county as a gentleman worthy of their support.


Mr. Jas. H. Wiggins and son, Osborne, left Thursday for Texas, where they will make their future home.

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