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| Sappidalaza fruit. |
In the April 3, 1913 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “there was an attendance of 41 old veterans at the meeting last Tuesday and an interesting session was had. The following were elected to the national United Confederate Veterans gathering at Chattanooga May 26, 27 and 28 – Cook, Tomlinson and Powell. To the reunion of the blue and the gray at Gettysburg July 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Williamson, Pritchett and Simmons. All of the officers of the camp were present.”
In news from the Finklea community that week it was reported that “the cyclone which passed through this section a short time ago left 32 families homeless. Some are rebuilding.”
Readers that week also learned that “Dr. Daley of Monroeville had the misfortune to have a runaway on our streets while ‘trying out’ a horse and buggy which he had just purchased. Damage slight.”
Whitcomb also reported that “Dr. J.R. Brooks and wife of Red Level arrived here this week. Dr. Brooks will open a dental office in the first national bank building within a few days.”
It was also reported that week that the “strawberry growers are hopeful of a good crop. The pleasant weather during the past week has given them a good start.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by saying that “several nice strings of fish were brought in by the boys the past few days.”
In the April 10, 1913 edition of The Record, under the headline “THE MOBILE BOOSTERS,” it was reported that the “Mobile boosters met with a royal reception when they reached Evergreen Wednesday afternoon on their tour of the state. They were met at the depot by an immense crowd, headed by the leading businessmen of the city.
“Hon. J.F. Jones, on behalf of the city, delivered a brief but eloquent address of welcome, which was responded to by Mayor Swarz of Mobile, after which L.W. Savage and Rev. Wyatt Brown, members of the party, made appropriate talks.
“Then followed a general handshaking amidst the shriek of whistle and music by the band, after which the party, consisting of about 100 members, was given a hurried ride over the city, with which the tourists were profuse in their expressions of delight. The party is made up representative citizens of Mobile and the elaborately planned tour cannot fail to result most beneficially to the enterprising ‘city by the bay.’”
Elsewhere in the paper, Whitcomb told readers that the “unearthly shriek of the city fire whistle joined in the general welcome to the Mobile boosters.”
Also that week, readers learned that the “new and beautiful home of C.R. Taliaferro was threatened with destruction by fire on Tuesday afternoon. The fire department was prompt to respond but the blaze was extinguished before the arrival of help and no damage done.”
In the April 17, 1913 edition of the paper, Whitcomb reported that “Mayor W.B. Ivey disposed of a number of whiskey cases Monday and imposed heavy fines on the offenders.”
Readers that week also learned that the “organization of the Livestock Breeders association at the court house last Saturday was a move in the right direction. Some of the leading farmers of the county were in attendance and became identified with the movement by active membership. The following officers were elected: W.R. Shaver, president; A.G. Smith, secretary and treasurer. A board of directors will be elected next Saturday. The object of the association, as its name implies, is the introduction of an improved breed of stock in this section.”
Whitcomb also reported that “one of the largest and handsomest roses the writer ever saw was grown in the flower yard of Mrs. C.P. Deming.”
It was also that week that “both banks were closed Monday in observance of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.”
Readers also saw that “Dr. and Mrs. W.F. Betts are in Mobile, where Dr. Betts is attending the meeting of the state medical association.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by reporting that “quantities of strawberries are being shipped from this point daily.”
In the April 24, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “a friend of J.T. Amos, residing at East Key, Fla. sent him a few days ago several dozen Sappidalaza (if you know what that is, we don’t), a most delicious fruit resembling a half grown pear of the LaConte variety. It has a large flat seed of a rich purple color.”
Readers that week also learned that “several Evergreen ladies are attending the opera in Atlanta this week.”
It was also reported that “Group Seven of the Alabama Bankers’ Association met in Evergreen Tuesday. The session was held at the Country Club and was presided over by A. Cunningham, V.P.; J.D. Wright, secretary. E.C. Page welcomed the visitors in a neat speech. Dr. W.E. Hinds delivered an interesting address on the boll weevil. J.H. Frye of Birmingham and L.B. Farley of Montgomery made short talks on banking. W.F. Lamont was elected vice president. The session ended with a barbecue which was enjoyed by all.”
Whitcomb ended the month by reporting that “Mrs. Amos, mother of E.N. Amos of Brooklyn, died rather suddenly last Saturday morning. She was one of the most consecrated Christians we ever knew and the gracious influence exerted during her long and consistent life was a power of good. A noble woman has gone to her reward, leaving behind many relatives and friends to mourn her loss.”
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 1913 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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