George Singleton tells of 1988 trip to Nancy Mountain

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Man needs beauty to survive,” was originally published in the March 17, 1988 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

A few Sundays back, my wife and I put together a basket of goodies and a cold jug of iced tea and took off for parts unknown to get close to nature and enjoy the wonderful outdoors.

For one reason or another, we ended up atop Nancy Mountain to have our dinner under the open skies. It seemed as though our automobile just headed that way as some unseen hand took over the driving. We didn’t discuss or decide which way we might go. When we realized where we were, we had almost made it to the high hill above the ferry and the river.

It’s amazing just how much a person can eat when there is no one to hinder him or no noisy television or telephone ringing during meal time. After unloading the basket of food and a large plastic container of good iced tea, we got down to the business at hand of fried chicken and potato salad, mixed along with some sweet pickles, sweet onions, sliced apples and several slices of cheese.

Nothing in the way

When one is not in a hurry, one can eat much more than when there is a schedule to meet or a place to go. This was such a time, when all could be put aside and there was nothing to get in the way of you and the fried-chicken plate.

To me, there is nothing quite as good as some real home-cooked Southern-fried chicken. Then, to take a bite of one of those sweet pickles, not to mention a swig from that large container of iced tea. You might add some potato salad, some sweet onion, a bite or two from an apple slice, and then slip in a bite of cheese to give it flavor. I don’t think mankind could ever wish for anything to eat that would surpass this mixing.

The after-dinner entertainment was watching two lizards that appeared on our table. There wasn’t any chicken to share with them because it had been all et, but we placed some crumbs of bread over at the far end of the table and began to watch and see if the lizards would eat the food of us humans. To our amazement, the lizards would not touch the crumbs of bread, but we noticed that the bread had been discovered by some small ants and some other insects.

Lizards snatched insects

To our surprise, the lizards would kind of move back and let the ants and the various insects come forward to the bread crumbs. Then, as quick as a flash, the would dive forward, within the distance where the insects could be reached with their tongues. Then a tongue would shoot forward, almost too fast for the eye to see, and pick an insect that was carried into the lizard’s mouth.

The show went on for quite some time. It seemed that each lizard had eaten more than it was used to eating. They had begun to get choosy as to which ones they would pick each time. This was when we brushed the crumbs off on the ground and let some of the larger ants carry them off to their nearby ant beds or wherever.

Looking to the north, we could see the great river in plain view. At this time of year, the view was wonderful. The river looked like a long, large, gray ribbon winding its way along the edges of the bluff there in the distance. Time seemed to stand still; there were only the sounds of birds and occasionally the call of a quite large Indian hen, down the steep bluff that was close by. It seemed that the Indian hen was calling just for our entertainment.

Numbers diminishing

The call of this rare bird has become few and far between in today’s world. This is becoming one of our endangered species. It’s a pity because it is one of our more beautiful birds, with a quite large wingspan and a jet-black color, as though polished to a beautiful finish.

No evening is complete atop Nancy Mountain without breaking out the jungle hammocks and taking a quick nap. So, with the entertainment coming to a close, we did just that. Quickly tying the hammocks between some trees, we got in about 40 minutes of good sleep and rest before the time came to pack up and start back toward that thing called civilization.

I sometimes wonder if I may be a throwback from an earlier time in man’s stay on our planet, for each time I go out into the quietness and solitude of the deep woods and the hill country, I find myself having crazy thoughts that I might not want to return to the problems of our civilization. This can be quite disturbing.

Live in harmony

I feel that man must live in harmony with nature. I do not believe that we can worship the Creator if we do not believe in His greatness of creation. I believe, too, that man is missing a great part of his life if we do not become involved in our earth’s mother and embrace and hold close to the things that were put here for us to live with.

I feel that if we are to survive, we must protect and take care of the many things that we abuse so much today. Man is only a small part of this creation. With all our knowledge, we are the most helpless of all creatures. We have brought this weakness upon ourselves. Man must have beauty to survive. There is no other way out. Our destruction of our natural beauty is at an all-time high. It might be too late...

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

George Singleton writes of 'Dixieland' and Southern culture

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Why did song ‘Dixie’ disappear from culture,” was originally published in the March 9, 1989 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The name “Dixie” is probably a bit of Franco-American slang born in the Mississippi River boat trade, though some same it derived from the Mason-Dixon Line, the imaginary boundary line between North and South.

It had become a universal nickname for the South long before the Civil War. But the believed origin was derived from the most endearing of all commodities, money.

The financial houses of New Orleans had within their bank notes a $10 bill. On the corners of this bank note was the French word “dix.” The rough, rugged boatmen and stevedores of the New Orleans waterfront called these bills “dixies.” Thus, the story goes that because of this, the great river basin in the lower South acquired the name “Dixieland.”

Many rumors give evidence as to who actually wrote the song “Dixie.” It was 1859 before the words made their formal debut in song, though the early stages of the Southern anthem, or something quite like it, had been sung on the plantations and steamboat decks for generations before.

What actually started out as a minstrel-show tune, changed meaning when on Feb. 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis was inducted as president of the Confederacy in Montgomery.

As a small band wound its way up the hill toward the Capitol under the direction of Herman Arnold, a naturalized German music teacher, the small marching band struck up Arnold’s version of “I Wish I Was in Dixieland.” Soldiers from the 1^st Alabama Regiment were the escort. They were the first to march to the peppy music of the grand tune.

The song was an overnight sensation; even Abraham Lincoln liked it. Just a little more than four years after its Montgomery debut, he was in the final week of his life, President Lincoln took “Dixie” back into the Union.

It was April 8, 1865. President Lincoln was returning from a tour of the Union Army camps near Richmond, Va. He had boarded a paddle-wheel steamer, the River Queen, for his return trip to Washington.

A Federal Army band was aboard. Mr. Lincoln asked the director of the band if he knew “Dixie.”

“It has always been a favorite tune of mine,” stated the president, “and since it is now Federal property, we have the perfect right to enjoy it. Also, the Rebels can now be free to hear it and play it whenever they choose.”

The Federal Army band on board the River Queen struck up the sweet, inspiring tune “Dixie.” When the music had died away, there was clapping of hands and other applause.

Within minutes, the River Queen slipped away downstream, bearing President Lincoln on the last trip of his life.

With all the history that is associated with this grand old tune, why must our society of today hide a song that has meant so much in the past?

Nowhere in the lyrics of the old song do I recall anything about hate, race or slavery. As I have stated many times, our modern-day history tends to fabricate and misquote the actual happenings of yesteryear.

As we sink deeper into our worlds of fantasy, we are widening the gaps from truth and reality. Our fantasies will soon push us forever from the pages of our true heritage to the make-believe world of fiction and falsehood.

Our national cemeteries, where those who have fallen in the defense of their beliefs wait for the final roll call of judgement, will be sold to the highest foreign bidder, and a video factory will fill the landscape that once was hallowed ground.

Gone forever will be America as we knew it, and the pitiful few who dare to recite our National Anthem will have to do so in top secrecy for fear of their life.

Sadly, but not with upbraiding,
The generous deed was done.
In the storm of the years that are fading,
No braver battle was won.
Under the sod and dew of the evening,
Waiting for the judgement day,
The forgotten graves of the Blue
And the not-remembered graves of the Gray.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

Singleton tells of ancient Indian village site in Monroe County, Ala.

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Turn back the clock and watch for tribes of the past,” was originally published in the March 5, 1992 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

In a north by northeast direction from the city of Monroeville, many strange sights might be seen. Along the edge of the steep hills, just before the land drops off into the bottoms near Flat Creek, time has almost stood still for nearly a thousand years.

What could be going on in an area so near to a much-traveled highway and a not-too-far-away railroad? If one could turn back the clock for a few hundred years and be able to observe the happenings and witness the activity along this large creek, one would find that quite a large civilization rested on the slopes of the high hills in this area.

Let us travel back in time and find a hidden spot where no one will see us. Let us be able to witness and listen as the women-folk and children of the early tribe go about their farming chores along the bottom of the ridges near the large creek.

As the early hours of a spring morning slowly creep from the high hills, see them walking down the hills to where the crops of squash and corn will be planted in the rich soil.

They will not carry modern farming tools as we have today. Their tools for digging are sharp points fashioned from pieces of flint that came from the rich flint deposits not too far to the southeast, near what is now the ridge.

These pieces of had flint are tied securely with a piece of rawhide to a stout stick, about three feet in length. Ties were made with green rawhide, before it had time to dry. As the rawhide dried, it became almost as if the piece of flint and the stick were one and the same.

Then, there was the first ax, which had no handle. The first ax was a large piece of sharp flint about the size of a large cooking spoon. They were mostly used to dig around the growing plants to keep the soil loose and to chop the weeds and grass away.

As the corn or squash seeds were dropped in the freshly dug hole, a small fish, or a piece of a larger fish, was put in the hole as fertilizer. The nearby large creek supplied the necessary fish for the spring planting, not to mention the fish that were consumed by the tribe as part of their daily diet.

A few days back, I journeyed into this area and marveled at the evidence that after several hundred years still could be found. In looking at one rather steep hill, it appeared as if the dirt had been carried from somewhere else to form this high point.

Here was where the chief or the ruler of the tribe lived. At about this time in early history, the chiefs would place their lodgings above the rest of the villagers, nearer to the heavens.

As I tried to picture in my mind just where I would have put a fire pit had I been there during this time, I was able to find two old locations that had survived hundreds of years.

I carefully brushed the pine needles and rotted leaves from the blackened stones that had surrounded the fire pit, and I wondered how many had rested around these fires and listened to the tales that abounded there.

I could imagine a tall, strong man standing there where I sat, telling of a bear hunt that had taken place along the large creek to the south. I could imagine the women and children as they sat spellbound and listened to the hair-raising experiences of hunting the bear or panther. I could almost smell the meat hanging from the cooking prongs over the fires.

I could see the members of the tribe slowly moving away from the large fires and seeking the comfort and warmth of the bear and deer skin wraps that would protect them from the chilly winds of the night.

In my mind I could see the crude thatched huts that were made of sticks and brush and sealed with the sticky mud that had been brought from the nearby creek. I would think that life had been quite pleasant for these early people along the slopes, here near the large creek.

As I made my way around the area, I knew that sooner or later I would probably come across that evidence that would give witness to the sadness and heartbreak of the early inhabitants of the village. As I followed the base of the steep slope, I found what I expected I would. There, under the dense undergrowth and fallen leaves, were about 30 piles of small stones ranging in size from an egg to some almost the size of a large hat.

Some of the mounds of stone were larger than the others. I remembered that perhaps those who were buried under the large mounds were older members of the village, or someone of greater importance in the village society.

As was the custom, after a member had died and been put to rest, a few stones were placed on the grave. Then each time someone who knew the deceased passed the grave, they would place a stone on it as a tribute in remembrance to the one who slept there. This would go on for several years until all the family members and friends of the deceased had either died or moved away.

As I sat there in the quietness of the afternoon, I wondered how long it would before this too would be destroyed as man pillaged for wealth and profit.

I wondered too if sometimes maybe during the nights of the full moon, the ghosts of this earlier time might gather again around the evening fires for a night of story telling and togetherness. They would gather before it was time to return again to that place that only they can know and are free to enter.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

Singleton advises to consider, appreciate God's marvelous creations

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Consider and appreciate God’s marvelous creations,” was originally published in the Feb. 22, 1996 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The Holy Bible tells us that there’s a time for everything. A time to work, a time to play, a time to laugh, and a time to cry. If you read far enough, this passage covers just about everything.

Within a few short weeks, the time will be at hand to put into practice some of the above scripture. As the early days of spring approach, the time will be at our fingertips to look at nature in all its splendor and cast aside all the prejudices and misgivings that dwell within our hearts and minds. The time will be such that we can open our hearts and eyes to the endless beauty and creation that surrounds us on this earth.

The time will be at hand to exercise the love that has been stalemated within us and bud forth, seeking the beauty in the thousands and thousands of simple things that are so often overlooked in our hurry to get ahead in this crazy, mixed-up world.

I know that it is a little late for the customary New Year’s resolutions, but it’s not too late to promise yourself to look, seek and enjoy all that has been placed here by the creator.

Promise yourself that each day a small insignificant flower or blossoms will be looked at and examined in detail. Promise yourself that life will be more enjoyable, that more time will be spent on the minor, less-noticeables that grow in the rocks and hard-to-get places.

Few among us have stopped and taken time to examine a small, blooming violet or a short, unnoticed jonquil that grows deep in the corner of the yard fence.

Beauty is always to be found if you look long enough. Take, for example, a dangerous, ugly rattlesnake. If you look closely, you will see that the patches on the skin of a snake are always exact and the edges are square, as though an instrument was used to draw the exact patterns.

Look ever closer, and you will see the deepness of the colors of the skin. Always remember that Mother Nature never leaves any job unfinished – always completed, never half done.

Look deeply into the blossom of a Camellia. See the exactness in the ever small strands that make up the structure of the bloom. Never will you see one that looks as though it wasn’t finished. The beauty is always there. The perfection of the creator cannot be equaled by the most skilled craftsman. The touch of his hand is ever present.

It’s so pathetic that today we must turn to violence for entertainment. We sit for hours on end and watch the endless killings and brutality that plaque our televisions.

The normal television addict will witness at least five or six murders during an evening of watching the boob tube. Our children are exposed to seeing the most brutal crimes committed under the disguise of good, clean entertainment.

Our fantasy living has taken us away from all the beauty and the simple things that we should appreciate and has replaced them with filth and make believe. We cannot be happy and content with the wonders of the creation. We must look to the myths and oftentimes the various cults that have abounded within our society for satisfaction and pleasure.

I do not want to sound like the voice of doom, but I believe that unless we turn to the good and simple things that have been placed here for us to appreciate and enjoy, we are doomed as a nation to wander on the winds of oblivion for now and forever.

As I climb down from my stump and end this article, the simple prayer of the old Indian wind-walker seems most appropriate.

O Great Spirit, give me strength that I may stroll across the land and marvel at they creation.
Let me go where the wild flowers sway in the gentle breeze.
Let me smell the fragrance of the wild honeysuckle, as I rest in the shade of the mighty sweet-gum tree.
Make me know they presence, as I feel the bark of the birch tree and smell the blooms of the dogwood.
And let me linger to the lullaby of the winds.
Give me sight so I might see the fowls of the air as they wing their way to the lofty heights.
Let me view the mighty eagle as he rides the winds of the evening and soars through the shadows of the setting sun.
And when the shadows of this life gather on the horizon and I stand in they presence, let me be judged for my love of they beauty and they creation.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Oct. 28, 2025

57 YEARS AGO
OCT. 24, 1968

Luverne Tigers hand Aggies 2nd loss 7-0: A band of Luverne High Tigers, all fired up for their homecoming celebration, punched across a score early in the second quarter and made it stand up for a 7-0 win over Evergreen Friday night.
Evergreen’s defense was adequate, but Coach Wendell Hart’s men could never get a sustained offensive effort underway.
Buck Quarles led the Aggie runners with 50 yards on nine carries while (Jimmy) Bell netted 13 on nine trips and Hollis Tranum, three on four tries.
(Other outstanding Evergreen players in that game included Jimmy Hart and Charlie Wild.)

Evergreen High School will observe homecoming tomorrow with festivities getting underway with the parade at 12:30 p.m. Leading the parade will be Miss Homecoming, Joy Bowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bowers, and Miss Football, Cindy Majors, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Majors.
Pre-game activities will begin at Brooks Stadium at 7:45 with the homecoming court being presented to the spectators and Miss Homecoming and Miss Football will be crowned.
The kickoff between Red Level and Evergreen will be at 8 p.m. and the halftime show will feature the Aggie marching band.

Lyeffion High School will observe its annual homecoming this Saturday night. The featured event will be the homecoming game between the Yellow Jackets and Coffeeville at 7:30.

72 YEARS AGO
OCT. 22, 1953

Lyeffion Jackets Trip Coffeeville 12-7 For Fourth Victory: Striking for touchdowns in the first and third quarters, Coach William Andrews’ Lyeffion Yellow Jackets whipped Coffeeville 12 to 7 Friday night for their fourth straight win.
(Sam Smith scored Lyeffion’s first touchdown on a two-yard run, and Wayne Thames scored the winning touchdown on a five-yard run. Other outstanding Lyeffion players in that game included Frank Chavers, Bobby Coker, Clay Kelly, Jackie Parrish, Bill Raines and Cecil Raines.)

Famed Marksman Will Shoot Here Wednesday: Ken Beegle, one of the United States’ ace marksmen, will give an exhibition of his shooting abilities here next Wed., Oct. 28, at Brooks Stadium behind Evergreen High School at 1:30 p.m.
The exhibition next Wednesday is brought to Evergreen under the sponsorship of local dealers who handle Remington shells and guns. It is free and the public is invited to come and see the amazing trick shots made by Beegle.

Repton High School will observe its annual homecoming on next Thurs., Oct. 29, it is announced by Principal E.H. Penny.
In the feature attraction of the day’s events, the Repton Bulldogs will play the Beatrice Eagles in the homecoming football game. Kickoff will probably be at 7:30 Thursday night at the Repton field.

A homecoming inspired team and a ‘souped up’ halfback were more than the Aggies could handle Friday night as Greenville continued its mastery over Evergreen with a thrilling 33-19 win.
Coach Luke Whetstone’s staff had the Aggie running game well scouted and an inspired Tiger line completely enveloped the Aggie backs holding them to 97 yards on the ground. Coach Wendell Hart sent his boys into the air and they racked up 155 yards on the passing arm of Jimmy Frazier and the catching of Buck Lewis, Ronnie Edson and Ward Alexander.
(Other outstanding Evergreen players in that game included Wayne Bell, Walter Carrier, Sam Cope, Wayne (Dog) Douglas, Ronnie Edson, Eugene (Pee Wee) Hyde, Alvin Reeves, Lamar Sheffield, Richard Taylor, Bud Ward and Randy White.)

Among those here attending the Alabama-Tennessee football game in Birmingham Saturday were Mrs. L.T. Rutland, Miss Louise Rutland, Mr. and Mrs. Lawton Kamplain, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kinzer and Mr. and Mrs. V.P. Smith and Palmer.

Evergreen Will Try To Stage Comeback In McKenzie Friday: The Evergreen High School Aggies will attempt to hit the victory trail again Friday night losing their first game of the season last week. Kickoff has been set for 7:30 at the McKenzie field.
The Aggies may depend heavily on their rapidly improving air attack. Jimmy Frazier is developing into one of the best passers ever to throw for the Aggies. Thus far in the 1953 campaign, he has thrown 41 times and completed 19 good for 374 yards and five touchdowns.

87 YEARS AGO
OCT. 27, 1938

Evergreen High School: Friday afternoon, down on our two new volleyball courts, the Jr. I girls walloped the Jr. III’s, for their first success of the season. Meanwhile the Jr. III’s snowed the Jr. II’s under.

Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Jones, Mrs. L.T. Rutland and Deming Jones and John Deming, students at A.P.I. in Auburn, attended the Auburn-Tech football game in Atlanta Saturday.

Troy State Teachers College will be host to both alumni and the Association of Elementary and Junior High School Principals on annual homecoming, Oct. 29.
Afternoon will be marked by a meeting of the Alumni Association and a freshman football game on Pace Field. At night the Troy-Marion game will be played on Trojan Field.

102YEARS AGO
OCT. 24, 1923

SPORTSMEN FORM ORGANIZATION: An enthusiastic meeting of sportsmen of Conecuh County was held at the courthouse on Friday afternoon when the Conecuh County Game and Fish Protective Association was formed.
The following officers were elected: R.F. Croom, President; A. Cunningham, J.R. Brooks, Ebin Hines, vice presidents; H.C. Fountain, secretary and treasurer; Board of Directors: R.F. Croom, A. Cunningham, J.R. Brooks, Ebin Hines, F.F. Feagin, R.G. Kendall, C.R. Taliaferro.
The organization began with 45 members.
Hon. I.T. Quinn, state commissioner of conservation, was present by invitation and made an excellent talk on the subject of protection and conservation of game and fish. Mr. Quinn stated to a reporter before leaving: ‘I want to see these clubs of sportsmen and conservationists in every county in the state. It is the only way we are going to really get anywhere. We have the best code of conservation laws of any state in the South now; but it takes local public sentiment and aid and enthusiasm to make them effective. The fine work inaugurated at Birmingham with its Alabama Fisherman and Hunters Association has demonstrated to me that the county without a good organization is not going to get far along the road to better things. Not only for aid in enforcing the law, but as the association at Birmingham has done, in so educating  fishermen and hunters until they see it is to their own benefit to observe the laws of good sportsmanship and aid in making conditions better.

Weston Field Gun Shells are the best. All sportsmen admit this. We carry all size loads and most any size shot and for all gauges of guns. L.L. Moorer.

A crowd of boys (from Range) went opossum hunting Friday night and brought in three fine opossums.

117 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1908

Hunting Permits! Hunting permit books for sale at The Courant office at 15 cents each.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Oct. 8, 2025

125 YEARS AGO
OCT. 8, 1891

THE EVERGREEN STAR

Information Wanted: The following letter addressed to me as coroner of Conecuh County has been received.
STILLWATER, MINN., Sept. 28, 1891.
DEAR SIR: We have just been informed of the death of our uncle, Benjamin Morgan of Alabama, who died in 1885. If he died in your county, please let us know the manner of his death, as business of importance is to be settled at once.
Yours truly,
CHARLES M. MORGAN

The name of Benjamin Morgan is not on the register of deaths for Conecuh County, therefore I am sure he did not die in Conecuh County.
Inquiry has also been made through a German consul about the death of Louis Rudolph Goldbeck by a railroad accident near Evergreen. A transcript from the register has been forwarded, showing a man aged about 25 years was killed by a railroad accident near Evergreen on Dec. 4, 1884. He was considered a tramp.
His death was reported by Mr. J.T. Amos, the railroad section master, who said it was impossible to ascertain a name from anything on his person or otherwise. This is the only instance that a death is reported in the register with name and other data unknown.
A.A. McKITTRICK, M.D.
Coroner, Conecuh County

Hon. G.R. Farnham returned from Montgomery Tuesday morning where he had been assisting in the prosecution of Bradford Dunham for the killing of young Cunningham.

110 YEARS AGO
OCT. 10, 1906

Veterans Hold Meeting: A meeting of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee, U.C.V., was held in the grand jury room on Monday morning and was largely attended.
G.R. Boulware of Brooklyn was elected commander to succeed the lamented Dr. Bruner. B.M. Johnson was adjutant pro tem.
The following were elected delegates and alternates to the State reunion: Wm. Morris, J.W. Darby, J.L. Bowden, W.L. Stallworth; alternates – M.B. Salter, J.R. Myers, J.W. McInnis, H.J. Beasley.
A resolution was adopted requesting the county tax assessor and collector to procure a complete list of all veterans in the county and furnish same to the Camp historian.
The following comrades were in attendance: W.L. Stallworth, J.W. McInnis, G.W. Riley, R.H. Riggs, M.A. Gantt, P.D. Bowles, G.R. Boulware, T.A. Jones, C.G. Russell, J.A. Golson, J.H. Northcutt, H.J. Beasley, W.K. Burt, J.C. Travis, A.A. McKittrick, Jas. W. Darby, A.H. Stokes, J.M. Shell, J.L. Bowden, W.R. Watson, B.M. Johnson.

At the Opera House, one night only, Wed., Oct. 10^th, the grand opening of the season, Mr. Brandon Courtney presents the new, bright, breezy, snappy musical comedy, “Violette,” featuring Corinne Frances, America’s youngest and most talented comedienne, surrounded by a bevy of clever comedians and a chorus of pretty girls. Fifteen big song hits. Carrying a carload special scenery; beautiful electrical effects. Most gorgeous organization ever witnessed. Prices 35, 50 and 75 cents.

95 YEARS AGO
OCT. 12, 1921

A Hundred Years Ago! At Brooklyn Church, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, there will be held services in recognition of the 100^th anniversary of the church. All friends of the cause of religion are invited to be present. Dinner will be served Saturday in the grove where the congregation originally worshiped.

C.E. Mills had the misfortune to lose his private garage at his home, together with two automobiles, shortly after midnight Thursday night. It is not known how the fire originated.

LENOX NEWS: Our school is continuing to grow, the enrollment having reached 107.

PAUL ITEMS: School is progressing nicely, with a total enrollment to date of 90 pupils and more to come in.

Beasley School Items: The death angel visited the home of L.J. Etheridge and took away his beloved wife on Oct. 3. She was 73 years old and is survived by her husband and six children. Mrs. Etheridge was laid to rest in Owassa cemetery, the funeral conducted by Rev. J.T. Peak.

J.P. Langham and his winsome young bride were here Sunday returning from their bridal trip to their home at Repton.

Rev. Stanley Frazer and family from North Carolina are guests of their parents, Dr. and Mrs. J.S. Frazer.

E.T. Millsap and wife motored over from Monroeville Sunday to visit relatives.

80 YEARS AGO
OCT. 8, 1936

New City Officials Now Govern Evergreen: A new administration took charge of municipal affairs in Evergreen on Monday night with inauguration of the newly elected mayor and council.
Dr. J.R. Brooks was formally inducted into office as mayor and J.T. Gaillard, C.B. Wilson, Cecil Hagood, J.H. Robison and J.W. Shannon took their seats as members of the council.
All incumbent city employees were renamed by the council and a new position, that of street foreman, was created and H.Z. Gunter named to take this place. Those re-named were: Clerk and Treasurer, J.R. Simmons; Light and Water Supt., F.M. Wright; Ass’t Supt. Foster Brooks; Chief of Police, Harry L. Riley; Night Marshal, G.W. Moorer; Attorney, J.L. Kelly.

Work on the Evergreen-Skinnerton highway will begin within the next few days.
Orders have been issued for the transfer of convicts to the state’s newly constructed camp two miles north of Evergreen and they are expected to arrive no later than Monday.
Work will begin immediately after their arrival. The camp is constructed to care for approximately 100 convicts but it is not expected to be filled to capacity at this time.
Construction of the 24-mile stretch is expected to get underway first in the vicinity of the camp, which is located on county property formerly used as a site for the county alms house, recently abolished with the advent of the old age pension system in this state.

65 YEARS AGO
OCT. 11, 1951

Death claimed John Dickerson Diamond, one of Conecuh County’s oldest citizens Friday afternoon at his home some two miles from the Wilcox community. He would have been 100 years old next April.
Mr. Diamond was born in this county and lived here all of his life. For the past 76 years, he had lived in the home he moved into after his marriage and it was in this home that his death came. He was until his retirement a few years ago a farmer, a calling he followed all of his life.

Local Soldier Serving With 24^th Inf. In Korea: With the 24^th Inf. Div., U.S. Army, in Korea – Pvt. John H. Johnson, son of Mrs. W.J. Johnson, Avenue “A,” Evergreen, Ala., is serving with the 21^st “Gimlet” Regiment of the 24^th Infantry Division in Korea.
Before entering the service, Johnson was employed as a mill worker at Evergreen Heading Co.

Sallie Covan, three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Covan, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, when the accidental discharge from a shotgun struck her in both legs. The gun went off at close range and resulting injuries caused the amputation of the right leg.
The accident happened at the Covan’s home northeast of Mabank, Texas. The accident occurred as the father of the child was removing the gun from the floor of the car.
The Covans are former residents of Evergreen and their many friends here will be glad to know that Sallie is recovering.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Oct. 6, 2025

EIGHT YEARS AGO
OCT. 5, 2017

Excel crowns queen: Excel senior Haley Beard, escorted by her father Danny Beard, was crowned homecoming queen Friday night during a pregame ceremony on the football field.

MCHS crowns queen: Monroe County High School senior Erin George, escorted by Percy Parker Sr., was crowned homecoming queen Friday night during the halftime show on the football field.

Bulldogs do it again! – For the second straight week J.U. Blacksher snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when the Bulldogs rallied from a 14-7 deficit to post a 17-14 victory in overtime Friday night in Excel.
Cooper Dean paced Blacksher’s offense, completing 9 of 13 passes for 178 yards and a pair of TDs. Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Dillan Baldwin, a senior linebacker, who had 15 tackles, including four tackles for a loss.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Jacob Bowman, Taylor Graham, Justin Heffington, JaDaniel Tucker, J.T. Tucker and Tanner Weaver. Top Excel players were Keonte Brandon, Trent Jenkins, Jalen Johnson, Carter Ledkins, Ray Maye and K.D. Rabb. Wes Sims was Blacksher’s head coach.)

Enrollment up at six schools: Over the course of the last four years, the Monroe County Public Schools System experienced a steady decline in student enrollment, but that trend changed this year with six of the county’s seven public schools reporting an increase in enrollment. Every school in the system has reported an increase in average daily membership with the exception of Monroe County High School in Monroeville, which saw a decline of 25 students from the 2016-17 school year.

33 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 24, 1998

Church gets growing room: Members of Excel Baptist Church will soon be able to spread out.
With the addition of a 10,000-square foot two-story education building, expected to be ready this week, members will have growing room. The church’s expanding congregation has been crowded in their Sunday School classrooms for the past several years, said the Rev. Tom Daniel, pastor of the Excel church for 10 years.

Frisco remains unbeaten: Frisco City High School snapped a string of seven straight losses to Flomaton High School Friday when the Whippets posted a 20-7 win in Frisco City.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Frisco head coach Scott Fountain, who is in his third season at Frisco. “We beat a pretty good football team last week.”
(Top FCHS players in that game included Roy Bonner, Adrian Bullard, Tony Gibbs, Derrick Harris, Shannon Richardson, William Sheets, A.J. White and Eric Williams.)

Council ceremonies next week: The new municipal councils will be sworn in Monday and Tuesday.
Monroeville, Frisco City, Excel, Beatrice and Vredenburgh councils will be sworn in at various times on Monday by Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs. Town Clerk Margaret Mims will officiate in the ceremony in Repton at the beginning of the council’s regular meeting Tuesday.

58 YEARS AGO
OCT. 5, 1967

‘Taxes and Termites’ In Third Printing: Shorty Culpepper’s popular book, “Taxes and Termites,” is getting more popular every day. As a result, The Journal this week is beginning its third printing of the publication. A collection of his best newspaper columns in book form, “Taxes and Termites” is gaining recognition throughout Alabama as a favorite means of spreading joy. The book, containing 114 pages of humor, sells for $1.50 plus sales tax. Mr. Culpepper’s regular weekly column appears in The Monroe Journal.

Last Few Seconds Prove Decisive As MCHS Whips Atmore, 14-13: The Monroe County High Tigers upended the Atmore Blue Devils, 14-13, at Vanity Fair Park Friday night in a game whose outcome was not decided until the last few seconds.
With 29 seconds remaining on the scoreboard clock, Ken Kilpatrick rolled to his left only to be turned back by the charging Atmore line. He reversed his field, spotted Edward Philen in the end zone, and tossed him the ball to tie the game at 13-13. With 22 seconds showing, Wayne Turberville drove the ball through the uprights to give the Tigers a 14-13 lead.
Time ran out for the Blue Devils as they had the ball intercepted by Mike Kimberl on the first play after the kickoff.

Centennial Copy Deadline Oct. 15: The Journal again reminds its readers that Oct. 15 is the deadline for receiving copy, pictures, family histories or other items for publication in the Centennial Supplement. The issue, designed to complement the original Centennial Edition published last December, will come out later this year, probably in December.

85 YEARS AGO
OCT. 3, 1940

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hornady, near Hatter’s Mill, was completely destroyed by fire last Thursday morning. When the flames were discovered, the family only had time enough to save a few pieces of wearing apparel and two mattresses.

The opening game of the current football season will be played here this Friday night, Oct. 4, with the Monroeville High team meeting the Thomasville High team. The game is scheduled to start promptly at eight o’clock.
(Players on Monroe County High School’s team who were expected to play in that game included Kittrell Agee, Monroe Agee, Bonner Bivin, Frank Booker, Lester Caine, Jack Dennis, Carl Falkenberry, Charles Falkenberry, Elwell Falkenberry, Robinson Harper, Tiny Helton, Austin Hendrix, Ira Hetherington, Claiborne Hightower, Brutus Lawrence, Bill McMillon, Landis McMillon, Hop Stevens, Carl Taylor, Percy Taylor, Wallace Taylor, Albert Thames and Cortez Tomlinson.)

Rev. William Henry Hasty died at his home in Excel last Friday night at the age of 94 years.
His death marked the passing of the last Confederate veteran in this county.
Burial was in the Excel cemetery Sunday afternoon at 3:30 with Masonic honors.

Two Bands And Football Teams To Parade Friday: At two o’clock Friday afternoon the Monroe County High School band and the football team will parade around the public square, and at 4:30, the Thomasville band and football team will lead another parade.

110 YEARS AGO
OCT. 7, 1915

COUNTY FAIR – Monroeville, Alabama – Oct. 19th to 21st – To encourage better efforts on the part of those engaged in Agriculture, Livestock and poultry raising and kindred employments, the Gulf Coast and Monroe County Fair Associations will cooperate in the award of a large number of Premiums for the best Exhibits in these several lines. – GET YOUR EXHIBITS IN READINESS.

The enrollment of the High School is steadily climbing, 105 being the number last reported.

West Manistee: The school opened at Grimes Schoolhouse on the 4th inst. with Miss Florence Dixon of Andalusia as teacher.

J.W. BROWN – Excel, Alabama – Owensboro Wagons, Buggies, Lumber, Shingles, Brick, Lime and Building Material – GET MY PRICES BEFORE PURCHASING ANY OF THE ABOVE – E.M. Salter is my agent in Monroeville and orders given him for shingles or other building material will receive prompt attention.

Fall Opening – On Sept. 24-26 will have opening of full line of Millinery, Ready-to-wear, Fancy Goods carefully selected during recent trip to market. You are invited to come and look them over. – Mrs. B.F. Spencer, BEATRICE, ALA.

The fourth quarterly conference of the Monroeville circuit was held at the Methodist church on Monday morning, the presiding elder Rev. O.V. Calhoun presiding.