Sunday, April 3, 2016

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from April 1916

Rev. Charles Andrew Rush
The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years ago during the month of April 1916. Those issues, which were dated April 6, April 13, April 20 and April 27, 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.

APRIL 6, 1916

NOTICE OF ELECTION: Notice is hereby given that there will be a general primary election held in and for Monroe County, in said state, on Tues., May 9, 1916, for the purpose of nominating candidates for President of the United States, state and county officers. L.M. Sawyer, Sheriff.

Stereopticon Entertainment: Stereopticon lecture at the high school building Friday evening on the “Birth of a Nation,” and there will be some illustrated songs such as “America,” sung as quartette, and the “Swannee River” as solo. Pictures illustrating these songs and 62 pictures of the “Birth of a Nation.” Come and see this. It is educational and inspiring. Admission 15 and 25 cents for children and grown people respectively.

The Board of Revenue at its session on April 3, awarded the contract for grading, draining and surfacing the road from Excel to Goodway through Wild Fork to Skipper, Ward and Kelly. Work will begin on this road within the next 30 days and rushed to completion. This road serves a large population and is badly needed as was shown by the report of the County Engineer.

Road crews and contractors have been busy for the last 10 days repairing the damage to roads caused by the heavy rains.

Candidates for county offices are becoming increasingly active as the date for the primary election draws near.

Solicitor John McDuffie left Sunday for Grove Hill where the Clarke County Circuit Court convened last on Monday.

APRIL 13, 1916

Miss Alma Kearley is in Birmingham taking a course in stenography in a leading business college.

Dr. D.D. Cole of Eliska, accompanied by his two bright little boys, was a business visitor to Monroeville Friday.

Prof. J.B. Little is spending a few weeks of his vacation in Monroeville, having recently closed his school at Old Texas.

Mr. John Gordon Brassell has returned to his home at Sunny South after spending a week with his friend and school mate, Mr. Luke Crapps, at Mexia.

Mr. S.D. Nettles of Tunnel Springs, government agent for the collection of ginning statistics, was in to see us Tuesday. Mr. Nettles believes there is a general disposition among farmers to reduce cotton acreage this year and devote more attention to the growing of food and feed crops.

Mrs. J.B. Barnett and children are visiting relatives at Dothan and points in Pike County.

Mr. R.L. Coxwell and bride are spending a few days with relatives in Monroeville and at Mexia.

Mr. J.W. Hybart of Bells Landing was transacting business at the county capital last week.

Mr. T.A. Rumbley of Puryearville was here the first of the week greeting his numerous friends.

APRIL 20, 1916

After spending the winter at their ranch home at Perdue Hill, Mr. and Mrs. V.J. Reinke returned to LaSalle, Ill. for a few months.

It is learned at The Journal goes to press that Capt. Thos. S. Wiggins is seriously ill and grave apprehensions are felt by his family and friends. Mr. Wiggins has been in poor health for several months.

Mr. J.L. McKinley has been advised of his reappointment as rural carrier on motor Rural Route No. 1. The route will be extended so as to cover a much wider area and serve a larger population.

Mrs. Hudson, who has lived in the near vicinity of Monroeville for nearly half a century, was a visitor to the city on Wednesday for the first time in 18 years. Mrs. Hudson had never before seen the new courthouse, the bank or any of the new brick buildings that have replaced the ancient wooden structures within that time, and scarcely recognized the old town in its new dress. Mrs. Hudson is upward of 83 years old but is quite active for one of her years.

The uniform examination of applicants for teachers’ certificates was held in Monroeville during the first three days of the current week under the supervision of County Superintendent J.A. Barnes. Some 25 or 30 applicants were enrolled.

Pine Barren Picnic: The churches and Sunday schools of the Pine Barren Association will hold their second annual basket picnic on my (R.E. Lambert) farm Thurs., April 27.

APRIL 27, 1916

Mrs. J.C. Finch has returned to her home at Finchburg after spending a few days with her daughter, Mrs. A.C. Lee.

Memorial Exercises: The Monroeville Chapter U.D.C. will observe Memorial Day with a short program at the Baptist cemetery at 2:30 o’clock on the afternoon of May 10, 1916. All Confederate veterans in Monroe County are invited to be present and will be entertained by the men of Monroeville. All veterans who expect to attend the exercises will please notify Dr. G.C. Watson by the 6th of May.

Mrs. Hebblewhite and children of Chicago are here to attend the Locklin-Moore wedding.

Rev. C.A. Rush, D.D., President of the Southern University at Greensboro, was an honored visitor to Monroeville this week in the interest of that splendid institution, which is flourishing under his administration.

NEGLECTED GRAVES: The U.D.C.’s of Monroeville have decided to observe May 10th as Decoration Day for this Chapter. This is the 63rd anniversary of the death of Stonewall Jackson, who was indeed the right arm of Lee in his gigantic struggle.
While we meet to decorate the graves of our loved ones, my heart goes out to the neglected graves that are lost and forgotten – those that never had a flower.
I beg of the readers of this paper who may know of any such graves, that they will communicate with the writer of this article. We shall send flags and make arrangements to have these graves remembered on May 10 on the Sabbath preceding. We, the U.D.C.’s, wish to decorate the grave of every Confederate soldier yearly. Their dust is sacred and every mound marks the resting place of a hero. The names and deeds of these brave men who wore the gray will wither and die unless watered at memory’s fountain, and sprinkled with the tears of love.

Please send the name, regiment and company of all Confederate soldiers who have died in Monroe County, also the name of graveyard, to Mrs. Frank Emmons, Monroeville, Ala. 

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