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 March 1912.
It appears that J.C. Whitcomb, the editor of The Conecuh Record, was out of town during the week of the March 7, 1912 edition of the newspaper, and that other members of the paper’s staff were in charge of that week’s news. True to the old saying that “when the cats away, the mice will play,” it appears that some of his co-workers took the opportunity to poke a little fun at their boss.
“Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Whitcomb were visitors at Montgomery this week to attend the aviation meet – whatever that is.
“We confess to a vague feeling of uneasiness for the personal safety of the editor of The Record while absent at Montgomery, for the reason that he hasn’t ‘been about’ much of late years and is naturally a little ‘rusty’ as to the metropolitan ways of a big town, and he might get run over by an airship. We trust, however, to the watchful care of Mrs. Whitcomb to keep him clear of the danger zone.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper it was reported that “a young street waif was picked up in Montgomery for humanity’s sake, brought to Evergreen and given a home by Ralph Irwin, but in a spirit of base ingratitude, the lad betrayed the confidence of his benefactor by stealing some jewelry belonging to Mrs. Irwin. The misguided boy was allowed to go without prosecution.”
Also that week, readers learned that “J.A. Mills is the new clerk at the depot,” and that “a heavy hailstorm visited the neighborhood of Finklea recently.”
Whitcomb was back on the job for the March 14, 1912 edition and reported that the “Evergreen Motor Car Co., despite the prevailing dullness in business circles, has made a new record in selling automobiles – four or five cars being sold in the last week or two and an order placed for a carload of new machines. All of which indicates rare hustling qualities on the part of Manager Rob Whitcomb.”
Readers that week also learned that the “livestock dealers of Evergreen seem to be doing a pretty good business.”
In news from the Belleville community, signed by a correspondent named “X,” it was reported that “none of our farmers have been able to plant anything thus far this spring. The ground is too wet for any kind of farm work.”
That week’s paper also included the following announcement – “The first quarterly meeting of the Farmer’s Union of Conecuh County will meet at the court house in Evergreen on Tuesday, March 26, at 10 o’clock a.m. Locals will take notice. (Signed) F. Simmons, Secretary; R.T. Shipp, President.”
Subscribers also read that “John W. Abercrombie, candidate for congressman-at-large, was in the city Tuesday.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by saying that the “winter of 1912 has passed into history, making a decided and enduring dent in it.”
In the March 21, 1912 edition of The Record, Whitcomb had a little crime news to report.
“Thanks to the vigilance and shrewd detective work of Sheriff Hines, a blind tiger was caught in his lair a short distance from Evergreen the other day. The dusky operator is now behind the bars.”
That week’s paper, under the headline “Great Excitement At Mobile,” it was also reported that “Hundreds of people afflicted with all kinds of diseases are flocking into Mobile to consult the celebrated electro-radio physicians.
“These doctors have a $5,000 machine which reveals the inner workings of the human body. The stomach in action, the kidneys and liver secreting their juices and the rise and fall of the diaphragm. They can readily detect the cause of disease and offer a free examination to all those in this vicinity who take the trip at once and call at 106-1/2 Dauphin St., Mobile, Ala.”
Readers that week also learned that “John Lott, prominent citizen of Herbert, died last Sunday. He leaves a wife and five children.”
Whitcomb also reported that “P.B. Skinner and E. Downing were up from Castleberry Tuesday, soliciting funds for a high school to be located in their town.”
Subscribers also learned that “Kyle B. Price delivered an address at the court house Thursday.”
In the March 28, 1912 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “R.G. Wood, leading merchant of Red Level, transacted business in the city Tuesday.”
In news from the Fletcher’s Cross Roads community, submitted by correspondent “Blue Violet,” its was reported that “F.F. Beasley is teaching school at the McCreary school house. His school will close the last Friday in this month.”
In news from the Owassa community, written by correspondent “Chips,” readers learned that “Rev. Fletcher filled his appointment here the third Sunday. Rev. S.E. Spencer preached at the Baptist church here Sunday.”
That week’s paper also included the following announcement – “We, the undersigned, announce ourselves as Underwood delegates to the state convention to be held at Montgomery, April 15, subject to the action of the democratic primary: W.D. Brown, J.R. Smith, S.P. Dunn, Henry L. Dees, D.J. Foshee, Walter Lee, W.K. Horton.”
Readers also learned that the “Alabama Sunday School Association will hold a convention in Selma April 10, 11, 12. A large attendance is expected.”
Whitcomb closed out the month of March by letting readers know that the “McCreary Drug Co. has just received a large assortment of fishing tackle – hooks, lines, reels, rods and minnows.”
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 April 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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