100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Sept. 6, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Wednesday morning a large crowd of relatives, friends and others gathered at the depot to witness the departure of the drafted boys for military duty at Fort McPherson, Ga. and to bid them Godspeed. There were nine in the party, namely, Everett Beck Pritchett, Robert Boyd Wallace, Percy Smith Jr. of Camden, Lawler Franklin Snowden of Pine Apple, Willie Ed Hall, Claud Pharr of McWilliams, John Thorbert Henry of Oak Hill, Fred Henderson of Miller’s Ferry, John Lee Tucker of Catherine.

Postmaster Dannelly requests us to state that any parties desiring to send magazines or reading matter to the soldiers can do so by leaving them at the post office. No postage will be required.

Capt. J.D. Adams of Montgomery, representing the prison department at Montgomery, was in Camden inspecting the jail and alms house. He found both in good condition and no complaints was heard. However, he thinks the county should make improvements in the jail as it would benefit the health of the prisoners.

Parole Granted: Montgomery, Aug. 31 – Governor Henderson Friday issued a parole to Charlie Wright, sent up from Wilcox County, for alleged murder in the second degree, with a sentence of 20 years.

Death of Dr. George W. Spencer: On Mon., Aug. 27, Dr. George W. Spencer died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Noel W. Crosby, near Bellview, aged 36 years. The deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Spencer Sr., deceased, and was reared in Blacks Bend. He was a veterinary surgeon and was well esteemed in his profession.

Reception for Drafted Men: On last Friday night, Aug. 31, a delightful and patriotic reception was tendered the enlisted young men of Camden, who are now leaving home and dear ones to fight the battle for independence with the Allies, and against the barbarity of the Germans.

The meeting was held at the Camden auditorium, and was presided over by Prof. Claud Hardy. About 300 ladies, men and children were present. Short and patriotic addresses were delivered by Revs. Abernathy, Wallace, Grier and Hon. N.D. Godbold. After the exercises at the Auditorium, a large number went to the Masonic Hall ball room, where the white Selma string band discoursed sweet music for the dancers.

In a few days, the public schools of the town, county and state will open for the next session.

Miss Mary Albritton will teach in the District Agricultural School at Jackson, Ala.

Mrs. D.A. Dunn of Mount Hope has returned from a visit to Montgomery, where she went to see her son before he left for the U.S. Army.

Wilcox True Blues: Miss Maude McWilliams has returned home, after an extended visit to her sister, Mrs. Arnold Cook, at Lansing, Mich. Miss Maude also visited Detroit, the automobile city, and crossed over and looked around in Canada. While in Lansing, Mich., she, with Mrs. Cook, visited the capitol, and in looking over the military museum of the capitol, she saw a beautiful silk Confederate flag with the following gilt letters: WILCOX TRUE BLUES.

She and her sister immediately recognized the letters as being the name of the company to which her father belonged. She asked the keeper for the history of the flag, but they could find no history as to where or when the flag was taken.

This flag is not the company’s first flag. The first flag – the one presented by the ladies of Camden – was taken at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River in 1862 and carried to Madison, Wisc. and placed in the military museum at that place, and was destroyed in 1904 when the museum was burned.

This flag must have been taken at Port Hudson, La. in 1863 at which time the whole command capitulated, after a siege of several weeks. Steps will be taken to recover the flag and have it placed in our State Museum at Montgomery.

The Wilcox True Blues belonged to the First Alabama Regiment Artillery and Infantry and was one of the first companies to volunteer in the Confederate army. The company was made up of men from East Wilcox County, with a small detachment from Camden. Col. I.G.W. Steadman was first captain and was promoted to colonel of regiment and Capt. D.W. Ramsey was elected captain. Both Col. Steadman and Capt. Stanley lived to good old age, and both have died within the past few years. Lt. J.P. Benson of Forest Home is the only surviving commissioned officer of the company and is now more than four score years of age, and very much loved and esteemed by his old comrades.

Of the Camden group now living, R.D. George of Blooming Grove, Texas is the only member we know of. He was Sergeant Major of regiment. Of the Oak Hill and Allenton members who joined the company from first to last and now living are Hon. W.W. McConnico, W. Calvin Jones, Judge J.N. Stanford, E.I. McBryde, Duncan Stanford, Joe Dale and R.E. McWilliams.

The above is all that we know of that is left of the 250 or more members that belong to the company from its organization to close of war.

COUNTY LINE: Mr. Flave Harris, who is a member of the First Regiment, stationed at Montgomery, made a visit to homefolks last week. Many regret to know that Flave will soon leave for France.