The Evergreen Courant celebrates its 117th birthday

The Courant's famous chair.

This week’s edition of The Evergreen Courant marks the newspaper’s 117th birthday.

Since 1895, The Evergreen Courant has served the citizens of Evergreen and Conecuh County, and its future looks as bright today as it did over a century ago.

“I am very proud of the fact that The Evergreen Courant has served Evergreen and Conecuh County for 117 years,” Courant publisher and editor Robert Bozeman III said. “I am even more proud of the tradition set by my grandfather, R. Gaston Bozeman Sr., continued by my father, R.G. ‘Bob’ Bozeman Jr. and myself of providing a family newspaper built on community service.

“It is my sincere hope that the people of this wonderful community will continue to support The Evergreen Courant for many years to come. After all, The Evergreen Courant belongs to this community as much as we feel we belong to you.”

G.W. Salter founded The Courant – then known as The Conecuh Record – and owned it until 1924, when he sold the newspaper to a stock company. That company ran the newspaper until 1927, when it was sold to Robert Gaston Bozeman Sr., the grandfather of current owner, publisher and editor, Robert Bozeman III.

While Robert Gaston Bozeman Sr. owned and operated The Courant, his children also got involved in the newspaper business. His oldest son, Bob, became editor of The Courant in 1947 at the age of 21. At that time, he was the youngest editor in Alabama.

Bob Bozeman’s brother, Dickey Bozeman went on to own and edit newspapers in Clarke, Sumter and Choctaw counties. His brother, Pace Bozeman, also went on to own and edit The Thomasville Times.

Bob Bozeman went on to own The Dadeville Record from 1954 to 1956, and also served as editor of The Brewton Standard for a year.

In 1957, Bob Bozeman bought The Courant from his father, who remained on the newspaper’s staff as Publisher Emeritus. He continued to write his weekly column for several years thereafter. He died on a Wednesday – deadline day – in October 1974. For his work in the journalism field and as president of the Alabama Press Association, he was inducted into the Alabama Newspaper Hall of Honor on Oct. 18, 1980.

Bob Bozeman served in a ranking editorial position for 44 years. He passed away in 1991, and was placed in the Alabama Newspaper Hall of Honor in November 1999.

On his death at the age of 64, his wife Maurice Bozeman assumed the position of publisher, while his son, Robert Bozeman III, became editor. Maurice Bozeman passed away in July 2004 at which time her son took the title of publisher and editor.

Over the years readers have noticed minor changes with the newspaper, but never a complete redesign. When urged to make changes, Robert Bozeman III is quick to point out that he is like his father because Bob Bozeman did not like changes.

Today, the weekly paper is printed at The Monroe Journal. New upgrades and complete replacement of computer equipment is allowing the staff to provide a newspaper residents can depend on.

Today, The Courant’s staff brings a combined total of 125 years of newspaper experience to the table each week.

Butch Adams is the newspaper’s longest tenured employee with 41 total years at The Courant. Adams began working at The Courant in April 1971 and wears many hats at the newspaper. He is the print shop manager, printing coordinator, job pressman, photographer and page composer.

Cheryl Johnston, who is also Butch’s sister, has put in 38 years at The Courant. She began working at the newspaper in April 1974 and holds a number of titles at the office. She serves as the office manager, bookkeeper, circulation manager and accounts receivable manager. She also works as a proofreader and copy editor.

Robert Bozeman III, who has been around The Courant’s offices all his life, began working full-time in his current position at the paper over 23 years ago, in June 1989. Today, he serves as publisher, editor and advertising manager.

Kristie Garner began working at The Courant 11 years ago in February 2001. She is a staff writer, typesetter, copyeditor, photographer and classified advertising manager.

Shelly Hyde has worked at The Courant for over seven years, starting work at the newspaper in April 2005. Hyde serves the paper as a graphic artist, layout and design coordinator, page composer and photographer.

Lee Peacock is The Courant’s newest employee with five years under his belt at the newspaper. He began working at The Courant in June 2007 and is a staff writer and photographer.

Of course, no story about The Courant’s birthday would be complete without a mention of the newspaper’s longest unpaid employee, that is, the wooden chair that has “sold” papers outside The Courant’s Rural Street office for decades. No one is exactly sure when the chair was first used, but most agree that it has been “selling papers” since World War II and possibly quite longer.