130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Feb. 1887

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 130 years ago during the month of February 1887. Those issues, which were dated Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24, 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.

FEB. 3, 1887

NOTICE – The Journal is considerably behind time this week on account of the failure of our shipment of paper to reach us at the proper time.

Sheriff Burns spent several days with his family at Newtown Academy last week.

Mr. W.T. Nettles of Kempville, our popular county surveyor, was in town Wednesday.

Capt. DeLoach received a fall from the steps of his store gallery last week, severely injured his right knee, from which he has not yet entirely recovered.

Mr. Hillary Hudson has made extensive improvements on his place recently.

Mr. John Watts now has charge of the Repton mail route.

Burnt Corn will soon have a school to the satisfaction Burnt Cornites, a Miss Buel of Mobile will be the teacher.

Capt. Heck Graham went to Evergreen this week on business.

Dr. R.N. McMillian of Carlisle was in town Friday.

County court will convene Monday.

Dr. S.F. Dailey of Kempville was in town Friday.

Mr. Charlie Savage of Evergreen passed through Monroeville last Sunday on his way to Perdue Hill to visit his father, Col. H.J. Savage.

FEB. 10, 1887

The County Medical Society met in Monroeville Monday.

Sheriff Burns returned Sunday from a brief visit to Montgomery.

There are four prisoners confined in the county jail, partaking of and enjoying the county’s hospitality.

Capt. W.S. Wiggins went to Mobile Sunday to purchase a stock of spring goods, groceries and plantation supplies.

Rev. B.J. Skinner will preach at the Baptist church Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.

Mr. J.H. Moore, the popular proprietor of the Claiborne Lower Warehouse, gave The Journal a pleasant call Tuesday.

Mr. W.M. Webb, principal of the Perdue Hill High School and a polished young gentleman, was in Monroeville last Saturday.

G.W. Gaillard, Perdue Hill’s favorite young doctor, gave The Journal a call Monday.

County Court convened Monday, Judge W.C. Sowell presiding.

Capt. T.A. Nettles, the live and progressive merchant of Longstreet, Kempville, was in attendance upon the county court Monday.

Married – At the residence of the bride’s father, Wed., 9^th inst., Mr. Peter Stanton to Miss Alice Carter, G.W. Salter, Esq., officiating.

FEB. 17, 1887

A bill was passed by the House last Saturday, appropriating 5,000 dollars to the building of the Confederate Monument. The bill now goes to the Senate for final action.

A number of young people of this place will attend the Mardi Gras at Mobile on the 22^nd.

Capt. C.W. Locklin of Perdue Hill, a member of our efficient board of commissioners, was in attendance last week.

Perdue Hill – Rev. W.A. Lock is arranging the “Cotter Hotel” for use as a private residence, which he and his family will soon occupy.

Mr. John McDuffie of River Ridge was in town Monday.

Tax assessor Jones spent several days with his family last week.

Sheriff Burns treated himself to a fine saddle horse while in Montgomery recently.

The board of commissioners met Monday with a full attendance.

The commissioners devoted Monday to the consideration and disposal of pauper claims.

Rev. B.J. Skinner filled his regular appointment at the Baptist church Saturday and Sunday.

Dr. R.I. Draughon of Perdue Hill was in town last week.

Bermuda – Capt. Heck Graham has sold out and is going to Evergreen.

FEB. 24, 1887

We offer as an excuse for the scarcity of local and editorial matter and the delay in issuing The Journal this week that the proprietor, editor, reporters, foreman, compositors and devil – two persons in all – have been “taking in” the Mardi Gras at Mobile and did not return until Wednesday evening. We will try to make it up in our next issue.

Louise Henderson, a colored woman, was found dead near Hatters mill, about four miles from Monroeville, last Saturday. She left home on some errand and not returning the family became alarmed and started in search of her and found her sitting in a fence corner dead.

Chancellor Foster was taken ill while holding court here last week in consequence of which the court was adjourned and the Chancellor returned home via Evergreen.

Our worthy tax assessor, Capt. F.M. Jones, thinks he will be able to increase the tax assessment for this year $100,000.

Dr. R.I. Draughon of Perdue Hill delivered a lecture at the courthouse Thursday night on the “Science of Language and English Composition.” The attendance was quite small on account of the very inclement weather though the lecture was none the less instructive because of that.

Light but continuous showers of rain have fallen here for several days past, in consequence of which the roads are in a very disagreeable condition.

Dr. W.W. McMillan of Glendale was in town last week.