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 September 1912.
In the Sept. 4, 1912 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that the “Hon. C.B. Smith and H.J. Willingham of the high school commission visited Repton Friday to consider the claims presented for the location of the county high school at that place. Castleberry is also bidding for the location of the school. No action has yet been taken.”
Readers that week also learned that “The Courant learns with deep regret of the death of Mrs. Kyser, wife of the late George Kyser, which occurred on Sunday morning at the home of her son, James K. Kyser at Burnt Corn. Deceased was 71 years old and is survived by seven children – two daughters and five sons. The funeral occurred Monday, interment in the family lot in Belleville.”
It was also reported that week that “an enthusiastic Wilson and Marshall club for Conecuh County was organized last week, and the interests of our national democratic nominees will be carefully guarded in this county.
“County chairman W.B. Ivey was elected president of the club and Senator W.C. Crumpton, secretary and treasurer.”
Salter closed out the first week of the month by letting readers know that “W.S. Booker, A.O. Brantley, W.R. Robertson and O.J. Day of Burnt Corn and George J. Foshee of Cohassett were here Monday accompanying their daughters to Brewton to enter the Downing School.”
In the Sept. 11, 1912 edition of The Courant, readers learned that “George Lee of Arkadelphia community says that he killed four rattlesnakes in one day last week, the four reptiles placed end to end measuring 19 feet.”
It was also reported that week that “Steve Blackwell, his son, J.T. Blackwell, Gus Baggett, G.E. Bradley and Jas. Ryals, all white citizens, were placed in jail Sunday and are held on the charge of murdering John Lowrey, a young white man, near Repton Sunday afternoon.
“It is said that bad feeling has existed between the accused and the dead man for several months.”
That week’s paper also included the following advertisement – “Second hand buggy with canopy top and set of practically new harness, for sale cheap. Apply at The Courant office.”
That week’s edition also included the following notice, under the headline “Attention Veterans” – “Quarterly meeting of Camp William Lee, No. 338, will be held at the court house at 10 a.m. Oct. 1. Election of delegates to state reunion in Selma, collection of dues of five cents each, and other business. All members are expected to attend or send their dues. (Signed) G.R. Boulware, Commander and M.B. Salter, Sgt. Major.”
The new school year was just around the corner for many Conecuh County students that week as evidence by the following advertisement – “Three boxes of best school crayons for 50 cents at R.R. Martin Drug Store.”
In the Sept. 18, 1912 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “caterpillars are reported in considerable numbers around Castleberry, Herbert and other points in the county, but they came too late to do much damage to the cotton crop.”
Readers that week also learned that “the town (Evergreen) election passed quietly Monday, many citizens not knowing that an election was being held. Only 51 votes were polled and no opposition to the nominees of the primary of some weeks ago.
“Those elected are the following: Mayor, W.B. Ivey; Councilmen, J.G. Lundy, A.H. Mason, F.A. Pritchett, G.W. Salter Jr. and H.A. Shields.”
It was also reported that week that “the state high school commission on Monday located the Conecuh County High School at Castleberry, which town offered a guarantee of $10,000 and six acres. At the last moment, Repton, the only other contestant, withdrew its guarantee of $7,000.
“The school must be built within a year and opened during next fall.”
Salter closed out that week by reporting that the “Hon. S.P. Dunn found a real gopher on his premises Monday. How the animal reached his premises is a mystery and while the genial tax assessor is not inclined to be at all superstitious, he is curious to know whether its presence is an omen of good or bad luck.”
Big news followed in the Sept. 25, 1912 edition of The Courant. Under the headline “BAD TRAIN WRECK IN EVERGREEN,” readers learned that “one of the worst train wrecks that has been on this division of the L&N in a long while occurred on Saturday morning about 5:30, when passenger train No. 2 and a freight train ran into each other a few hundred feet above the north switch. It was nothing short of a miracle that no one was killed.”
It was also reported that week that “Boll weevils, the genuine Mexican variety, are in Evergreen. This fact was discovered today when the little pests were found in considerable numbers on the farm of E.E. Newton by A.C. Whitehead, district agent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in company with Local Demonstration Agent, F. Simmons.”
Readers that week also learned that “the Agricultural School opened on Wednesday last with a most gratifying enrollment of pupils. Prof. McKee says there are 94 on the roll with prospects of several more next week.”
Salter closed out the month by reporting that “the city school will open next Monday, Sept. 30. As previously stated in these columns, the town council and city school board have acquired by purchase the old residence property of the late P.D. Bowles. It is the purpose of the town and school authorities to erect on this lot a handsome school building as soon as plans can be perfected.”
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 October 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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