 |
| Madame Louise Dotti |
In the June 5, 1913 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “the numerous friends of J.A. Feagin of Brooklyn will learn with regret of his critical condition, the result of injuries sustained by being thrown from a motorcycle, in addition to a broken collarbone, he was also injured internally. Grave fears of his recovery are entertained.”
Further down that column in the same edition, Whitcomb reported that “since writing the above we learn that Mr. Feagin died Wednesday evening at seven o’clock. The news of his death will be received with profound regret by his friends throughout the county.
“Mr. Feagin was a member of the board of county commissioners and a successful businessman, and esteemed by all who knew him for his sterling qualities and genial disposition. The bereaved family have our heartfelt sympathy.
“Quite a number from Evergreen attended the burial at Brooklyn today.”
Readers that week also learned that the “banks were closed Tuesday in honor of Jeff Davis’ birthday.”
Subscribers also read that “Dr. Kendrick will be absent from his office from the 9th to the 14th inst., while attending the session of the Alabama dental association in Birmingham.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by letting readers know that the “one-mil school tax election which was held on Thursday of last week resulted as follows: 574 for and 84 against, which is a pretty definite expression of opinion on the subject by the people.”
In the June 12, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “Section Foreman Goodson, while on his way out to his work near town, met a man with a suspicious looking sack and decided to investigate and sure enough, his ‘diagnosis of the case’ proved correct as he found 34 roosters, hens and fryers in the bag. Knowing the man was not running a poultry farm, he turned the fellow and his loot over to the authorities.”
Readers that week also learned that the “backbone of a long extinct mastodon has been found in Mississippi.”
That week’s paper also included the following “NOTICE” – “A special meeting of Camp Wm. Lee, U.C.V., will be held at the courthouse Tues., July 1, at 10 a.m. Business of importance. (Signed) G.R. Boulware, Commandant.”
Whitcomb also reported that “never has an audience of music lovers in the town of Evergreen been given a more delightful and rarely beautiful musical treat than that given on the evening of June 2 by Mrs. Maude Dabbs, assisted by some of our best local talent. Mrs. Dabbs has but recently returned from the Cincinnati college of music, where she studied voice culture under Madame Dotti. Madame Dotti enjoys an international reputation as a prima donna, having been associated and alternated leading parts for many years with the most celebrated artists.”
In the June 19, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that a “man by the name of Findley and a mule were killed by lightning near Brooklyn Wednesday afternoon. Findley’s brother, who was also shocked by the same electric bolt, is reported to have died a few hours later.”
Readers that week also learned that “Rev. J.M. Thomas of Andalusia has been engaged several days this week putting up tombstones in Evergreen cemetery.”
Whitcomb also reported that “Agent Hawkins informs us that the express business is unusually heavy just now, that a carload of tomatoes has gone forward each day for the past 10 or 15 days. A pretty big item itself, when you come to think about it.”
Subscribers also read that “J.G. Posey, route superintendent for the Peerless Laundry, Mobile, has established an agency here at the Farnham Pressing Club.”
It was also reported that the “city fathers are doing some good work on the streets and sidewalks of the city.”
Whitcomb closed out that week by saying that “Conecuh County is destined to play an important part in the development and general growth of Alabama within the next few years. Watch us make good.”
In the June 26, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb let readers know that he “gave the particulars of the dreadful work of the lightning near Brooklyn last week just as they reached us, without the time or opportunity to verify them. John Finley was killed and his brother, Henry, badly shocked, but who is now improving.”
Whitcomb also reported that “Mark Travis of Jamestown beat has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the board of county commissioners caused by the death of J.A. Feagin.”
Readers that week also learned that “W.W. Lamb is in Jackson, Ala. for the purpose of opening a hotel. He will continue to run Hotel Evergreen in this city.”
Subscribers also read that “Circuit Clerk Tisdale is trying his luck angling for the finny tribe at Bluff Springs.”
Whitcomb also reported that week that “we were shown a freak of nature a few days ago in the shape of a tooth about one half inch long which was drawn from the roof of a lady’s mouth. The tooth was extracted by Dr. Grimes of Opp.”
Whitcomb closed out the month by saying that “rain is badly needed in this section, vegetation is suffering for want of moisture.”
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 July 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment