Thursday, April 5, 2012

Election news, Titanic were hot news items a century ago in Conecuh County

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 1912.

In the April 3, 1912 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported on that week’s primary election results.

“An unusually large vote was pulled in Monday’s primary, there being nearly 1,600 votes cast.

“Hon. Oscar W. Underwood, Alabama’s favorite son for President of the United States, received about 1,200 votes.

“Below is given the total number of votes received by each candidate:

“For Congressman 2nd District: S.H. Dent, 641; O.C. Wiley, 556.

“For (County) Treasurer: M.B. Salter, 639; C.G. Russell, 392; M. Johnson, 317; J.T. Fincher, 131.

“For Tax Assessor: J.D. Skinner, 667; W.C. Relfe, 425; A.H. Mason, 396.

“For Tax Collector: W.S. Oliver, 713, J.F. Irwin, 333; T.M. Salter, 429; J.K. Ryland, 157.

“For Superintendent of Education: R.E.L. Key, 530; E.D. Mancill, 429; W.G. Johnson, 312; H.T. Lile, 208.

“For (County) Commissioners: J.F. Salter, 821; W.M. Newton, 794; J.A. Feagin, 769; J.T. Hudson, 732; F.P. Hines, 644; M.A. Travis, 620; S.H. Purnell, 615; J.W. Hobbs, 560; J.W. Langham, 157.”

That week’s paper also included the following notice from Probate Judge F.J. Dean.

“Notice is hereby given that an election has been ordered and will be held at the office of S. Castleberry, in the Town of Castleberry, Ala. on the 6th day of April, 1912 to decide and determine the question whether or not the Town of Castleberry shall become and be incorporated.”

In the April 10, 1912 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “a cool wave Sunday and Monday caused tomato growers some uneasiness, but aside from chilling the tender plants no damage was done.”

Readers that week also learned that “Miss Pearl Jenkins of Camp Hill is now assistant to Postmaster Dean. Miss Jenkins is thoroughly conversant with her duties, having had several years experience as postmaster.”

Salter also reported that “Cary Riley has resigned his position as manager of the local telephone exchange on account of poor health.”

Subscribers that week also saw that the “John R. Smith Shows will give Vaudeville and moving picture performances under canvas on the Cooper lot beginning tomorrow night and continue throughout the week at night only. Clean, moral shows.”

The big news that week was that “the plant of the Evergreen Manufacturing Co. was totally destroyed by fire Monday night, entailing a loss of probably $35,000.

“The alarm was sounded about eight o’clock, but the flames had gained such headway that it was impossible for anything to be done to subdue them. The origin of the fire is not known. The plant was owned by W.K. Horton, and his loss is partially covered by insurance to the amount of $20,000.”

The Titanic sank in April 1912 and this tragedy made headlines around the world, including in The Courant. The lead story in the April 17, 1912 edition of The Courant read as follows.

“Greatest Marine Disaster In History of the World: Over Thousand Find Watery Graves As Ocean Liner Titanic Sinks: Greatest Ship Ever Constructed Lies Two Miles Below Surface of Ocean a Complete Wreck: Two miles beneath the surface of the ice strewn seas off the Grand Banks of New Foundland today lies the $10 million White Star Line Titanic, the greatest ship ever constructed, which went down early Monday morning after ramming an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.

“The numbers of souls that perished in the final plunge of the gigantic ocean greyhound is estimated at from 1,200 to 1,500 while the number of those saved in lifeboats and picked up by the Cunard liner Carpathia or other ships is estimated from 675 to 866. The disaster, the greatest ever recorded in the annals of the sea, has thrown a girdle of grief over two continents.

“The disaster will probably cost in money damage upwards of $20 million. In addition to the loss of the costliest ship ever constructed, a vast and valuable cargo also was lost, as well as riches among the effects of the passengers.”

In other news that week, Salter reported that “S.J. Brundage is again on his job as electrician at the city power plant. He left here several weeks ago to take a similar position at Greensboro. He is one of the most efficient men Evergreen has yet had, and the town authorities were fortunate in again securing his services.”

In the April 24, 1912 edition of The Courant, it was reported that “like thunder from a clear sky was the announcement that Prof. J.T. McKee of Cullman had been elected president of the Agricultural school here succeeding Prof. H.T. Lile.”

Readers that week also learned that the “22nd Annual Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans will be held in Macon, Ga. May 7th, 8th and 9th, 1912.”

That week’s paper also included the following notice under the headline, “Stores to Close at Six.”

“Following a long established custom the stores of Evergreen, excluding drug stores and soft drink places, will close at six o’clock p.m., Saturdays excepted, beginning May 1 and continuing Sept. 1.”

Salter also reported that week that “Senator Crumpton and Mrs. Crumpton, Mrs. A. Cunningham, Mrs. Walter Lee and Miss Frances Deming are Atlanta attending a week engagement of the Metropolitan Grand Opera of New York.”

Salter closed out the month of April with the following business-related matter.

“It is respectfully requested that all persons indebted to The Courant make settlement of the same as early a date as possible. Owing to the low price of cotton, which prevailed during the fall and winter, and knowing that many who owed us did not care to dispose of their crop until a material advance in the price and being desirous to aid them in the respect, we did not mail out statements as usual during the early fall.”

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 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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