Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mystery man killed by train in Evergreen 100 years ago

It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in April 1911.

In the April 6, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that, “A man about 24 years old was killed by a freight train near the depot Thursday night at about nine o’clock. He is supposed to have been stealing a ride and fell from the train.

“The wheels passed over the body, severing it in the middle. On his arm was tattooed the name John Hartley South Wales. Sheriff Hines took charge of the body and will await for instructions from Superintendent McKinney.”

Under the headline, “A Big Storm,” reading learned that, “Tuesday night, Evergreen was visited by one of the worst storms known here for years. Rain fell in torrents and the wind reached a high velocity. Many of our citizens passed a night of anxiety expecting a cyclone or something worse if that is possible. Over six inches of water fell during the night but no damage of any importance was done, except that many of our farmers report that their land was badly washed and crops damaged to some extent.”

Whitcomb also let readers know that week that “M.C. Brooks, who suffered an accident at Flomaton several days ago, is at home and is doing very well. Dr. Mason of Owassa is the attending physician.”

Subscribers that week also read that “R.A. Johnson, representing the Atlanta Journal, was here last week, looking after the interests of his paper.”

In the April 13, 1911 edition of The Record, under the headline, “Bitten by Rattlesnake,” Whitcomb reported that, “While rabbit hunting last Sunday, Sidney Johnson was bitten on the face by a large rattle snake. He was brought to the city and given medical attention and is in a fair way to recover although his face is still badly swollen.”

He also let readers know that week that, “We are informed that a number of our young men have organized a Bachelor’s Club. We will give a detailed account of it next week.”

Readers that week also learned that, “The banks and post office closed Thursday in observance of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.”

Subscribers also read that, “Evergreen was visited by another heavy rain on Tuesday, which did considerable damage to crops and washed out some of the roads, many of the streams are out of the banks.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that, “Joe Munday lectured to men only Wednesday night to a full house. He is a good entertainer.”

It was also reported that week that, “The Orpheus Club entertainment last Friday night was thoroughly enjoyed by lovers of music. After the program, refreshments were served to the guests.”

In the April 20, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “On Wednesday evening at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, was solemnized a wedding of unusual interest and beauty, that of Mr. James M. Cathcart of Mobile to Miss Hollie Pomeroy Savage. She was attracted by Mr. H.J. Savage as matron of honor. The impressive Episcopal ceremony was performed by Dr. Tucker of Mobile.

“The bride and groom left on the 10:45 train for New Orleans, after which they will return to Mobile from whence they will sail for Tampa, Fla., their future home.”
Readers that week also saw the following report from the Conecuh County grand jury.

“To the Hon. A.E. Gamble, Judge presiding at the Spring term 1911 of the Circuit Court of Conecuh County, Alabama: We the grand jury empanelled for the present term of the court beg leave to report that we have made diligent inquiry into all indictable offenses given us in charge and brought to our knowledge which were committed or triable in this county, and in such cases as the evidence warranted, we have found indictments against the offenders.”

The grand jury also inspected the “poor house,” court house, county jail, public roads and “official bonds of all the county officers.”

“We failed, however, to make an examination of the books of the county superintendent of education, this officer, we are informed, being absent from the county at this time and his books were not accessible.”

In the April 27, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “C.P. Deming and W.M. Newton have two new automobiles. They brought them through the country from Mobile.”

Readers that week also learned that, “All trains on the L&N are tied up on account of damage done to bridges by the storm Wednesday between Mobile and New Orleans. Some rain fell in Evergreen with a cold northeast wind blowing but no damage has been reported.

“Unusually cold weather has prevailed in this section for the past week with a cold north wind blowing most of the time.”

Whitcomb also reported that, “Sunday night, a large meteor emitting sparks fell somewhere in this state. In Evergreen, it illuminated the sky as bright as day and was a beautiful sight.”

Readers that week also learned that “Hon. Samuel Blackwell will deliver the annual commencement address at the Agricultural School on May 12.”

Subscribers also read that week that, “A board of school trustees was elected. H.W. Dunn, W.M. Newton, E.A. Beaven, C.R. Talaferro and W.B. Ivey compose the board.”
Whitcomb also reported that week that, “During the past few weeks quite a number of cases of measles have been reported in this city. The disease is not confined to children but many of the older people have been afflicted.”

Whitcomb closed out the month by reporting that, “Large quantities of strawberries are being shipped from Castleberry this year. The berries are in good condition and are bringing on an average $1,000 per car, which is a good price.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of May 1911 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.

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