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 May 1911.
In the May 4, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, editor J.D. Whitcomb reported that, “The Evergreen Motor Car Co. are preparing to erect a garage and sales room on the ground where the Dunn Hardware Co.’s warehouse was burned some time ago. The building will be modern in every respect.”
Readers that week also learned that “Clarence M. Dannelly, a former Evergreen boy, now of Montgomery, defeated R.K. Wood of Howard College and Saxon P. Poyner of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute last Friday evening in a contest in oratory at the high school auditorium in Birmingham and won the gold medal oratory for the Southern University of Greensboro. Mr. Dannelly is pleasantly remembered here having been superintendent of the City School and also having married one of Evergreen’s charming daughters, Miss Mamie Farnham.”
That week’s paper also included the following advertisement.
“Hughes, The Jeweler, Evergreen, Ala.: New Spring Goods. I have just received a nice line of new high grade up-to-date goods that will give satisfaction. I will show you a few of my goods below: No. 610, South Bend, Elgin and Waltham Watches, All Sizes and Prices; No. 83, Solid Gold Masonic Pin, Price $1.25. Call and see my new line of goods. I am ready to show you through my stock any time. If you never see, you will never know. These are high grade goods and will give entire satisfaction.”
In the May 11, 1911 edition, Whitcomb reported that “C.L. Salter, one of Conecuh County’s sons, graduated at the Medical department of the University of Alabama last Tuesday. Mr. Salter had the honor of graduating second in his class and as a reward for his high standing was given charge of the city hospital. Dr. Salter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Salter of Bonnett, who are to be congratulated on the success of their son.”
Under the headline of “Britt Nelson Captured,” readers learned that “Sheriff Ely Hines made a neat capture of Britt Nelson, who was wanted for the murder of a preacher last November. Mr. Hines has been on his tracks for some time and Monday he left for Anniston and found Nelson at Ohatchie. Mr. Hines placed him under arrest without resistance and brought him back to Evergreen.”
Subscribers also read that, “The strawberry season is over and the growers are through shipping. The season as a whole has been profitable.”
Whitcomb also reported that, “The game law has been changed in regard to the killing of squirrels so that it is unlawful to kill them except from Oct. 1 to May 1.”
Readers also learned that week that the “Hon. W.C. Crumpton is attending Supreme Court in Montgomery this week.”
In the May 18, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that, “A Bachelor’s Club has been organized in Evergreen with a membership of 25 representative young men of the town. The officers of the club are D.E. Witherington, President; B.A. Millsap, Vice President; and J.D. Wright, Secretary and Treasurer. The idea that gave birth to the organization was to bring about congeniality among the young men of the town.”
Readers that week also learned that “P.J. Russell was taken to Mobile yesterday by a deputy marshal to answer to a charge in United States Court of selling liquor without revenue license.”
Subscribers also read that, “The Evergreen Motor Car Co. has opened a repair shop on Rural Street and are prepared to handle all kinds of automobile work. R.L. Whitcomb has charge of the shop.”
Whitcomb also reported that, “Business with our merchants continues dull. Very few people are coming to town as the farmers are all busy with their crops.”
Readers that week also learned that “W.M. Newton, C.P. Deming and A. Cunningham went to Mobile Wednesday to attend a meeting of the Shriners in that city.”
Subscribers also read that “Prof. H.T. Lile has been reappointed principal of the Agricultural School for another year.”
In the May 25, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that, “Last Thursday Henry Barlow and Martin Sheffield engaged in a quarrel which resulted in Barlow shooting Sheffield in the right arm and breast. Barlow surrendered to Sheriff Hines but was released on bond. Sheffield’s wound proved so serious that Dr. Stallworth accompanied him to Montgomery where his arm was amputated at the shoulder. Late reports are that he is recovering.”
Also that week, under the headline, “MASONIC FUNERAL,” readers learned that, “There will be a Masonic funeral at the King graveyard near the Travis bridge next Sunday. Dinner will be served on the ground and everybody is cordially invited to attend and bring a well filled basket.”
Subscribers also read that week that, “The mayor’s attention has been called to the reckless running of automobiles in old Evergreen and assures the citizens that the practice is stopped at once. The high speed at which some of the cars have been run is a menace to the lives of children.”
Also that week, Whitcomb also offered up this rare sports-related item.
“The baseball season is hear and nothing doing in Evergreen. Wake up boys and get things moving.”
Whitcomb closed out the month by reporting that, “Several of our citizens who attended the Confederate reunion at Little Rock are spending several weeks at Hot Springs before returning home.”
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 June 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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