Thursday, December 1, 2011

December 1911 newspaper highlights from The Conecuh County Record

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 December 1911.

In the Dec. 7, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, editor J.D. Whitcomb reported that “the McNamara brothers, dynamiters, confessed their guilt, one being sentenced to the penitentiary for 15 years while the other goes up for life.”

Subscribers also read that week that “another man has shown up who can make gold from the baser metals. He was due. It is five or six years now since the sucker crop was harvested on that game, and there must be a new lot ready.”

Whitcomb also let readers know that “the sessions of the Alabama Grand Lodge of Masons, which met Dec. 4 in the Masonic Temple in Montgomery, was largely attended.”

Under the headline “NOTICE,” readers learned that “a teachers’ examination will be held at the courthouse in Evergreen on Mon, Dec. 18, at 10 o’clock a.m. All applicants are requested to be present at 9 a.m., G.M. Harper, Superintendent of Education.”

It was also reported that week that “T.L. Waters, W.G. Daily, L.L. Owens and E.D. Crenshaw of Pensacola arrived here Tuesday night in their auto. They are on a pleasure trip through the state.”

Whitcomb also reported that week that “a large quantity of hardwood is being shipped from this point.”

Editor Whitcomb closed out that week by saying that “our merchants are preparing for a big holiday trade.”

In the Dec. 14, 1911 edition, it was reported that “W.H. Wild left Thursday for South Bend, Ind. He is the guest of the Oliver Plow Co.”

Under the headline “NOTICE,” subscribers read that “all farmers in the Conecuh Fertilizer Company’s free wagon contest must have their affidavits in on or before Dec. 15, 1911.”

Subscribers also read that “Gen. J.B. Stanley, editor of The Greenville Advocate, was in Evergreen Monday.”

In news from the Brooklyn community, submitted by correspondent “Rose Bud,” it was reported that “four deer have been killed in this vicinity within the past few days” and that “G.R. Boulware is ill with lagrippe and has been confined to his bed for several days.”

That week’s paper also included the following announcement.

“Annual meeting of the U.C.V.’s of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee, No. 338, Jan. 1, 1912. Members of the camp will please take notice and make special effort to attend. This is the most important meeting we have. Election of officers for the ensuing year, reports of committees, election of delegates to the reunion at Macon, Ga. and camp dues and national dues. G.R. Boulware, Commander.”

The most prominent item in the Dec. 21, 1911 edition of The Records was the following, large advertisement.

“COMING: Tiger Bill’s Wild West and Indian Village Shows: Evergreen, Mon., Dec. 25 (Rain or Shine): Introducing all the Cowboy Sports and Pastimes – Broncho Charley, the world famous fancy rifle shot; Old Virginia Reel on horseback; Fancy Rope Springing and Lariat Throwing; Texas Wonder Champion Trick Riding on Cowboy Saddle.

“See Band of Genuine Souix Indians in their Sun and War Dances; Oklahoma Clara Lady Buck Horse Rider; Fight over Water Hole between Cowboys and Indians; Geo. Legar, King of Wild Horse Riders.

“Tiger Bill and his Education Horse, ‘Max.’

“Madame Josephine, queen of Flying Wings; Old Denver Stage Coach held up by Bandits and Indians and rescued by Cowboys.

“Will break to ride all bad mules, horses or steer free of charge, if brought to show ground on day of exhibition.

“Highclass show, Remember the date, Mon., Dec. 25, Two Performances Daily, at 2 and 8 p.m.

“Big FREE STREET PARADE at 1:15 p.m.”

Elsewhere in the paper, Whitcomb wrote that “the Wild West Show is clean and moral, Mon., Dec. 25.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by saying that “Santa Claus is at Gantt’s (store) with everything that will please the little ones.”

In the Dec. 28, 1911 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “the freight wreck which occurred early Sunday morning, resulted in the smash up for several freight boxes. The track was soon cleared and traffic resumed.”

Subscribers also read that “the Christmas holidays passed off quietly in Evergreen. The turkeys left over can now get together and form a survivors association.”

It was also reported that “the holiday trade in Evergreen this year was far from satisfactory. The inclement weather kept many people from coming to town, but the principal reason was a lack of money with many.”

Whitcomb also told readers that “many accidents resulting from holiday fireworks reported from almost every section of the country.”

He also reported that “the different secret orders in Evergreen are reported in prosperous condition.”

Readers that week also learned that “the popular University of Alabama Glee Club will give one of their inimitable entertainments at the courthouse in Evergreen Thursday night, Jan. 4.”

Whitcomb closed out the year by saying that “The Record wishes for each of its patrons and friends a happy and prosperous New Year.”

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 January 1912 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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