The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 5, 2014

The old L&N Depot in downtown Evergreen.

NINE YEARS AGO

MAY 12, 2005

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .55 inches of rain on May 5, 2005. He reported a high temperature of 82 degrees on May 8 and lows of 50 on May 3 and May 6.

“Sparta Academy will hold their baccalaureate services this Sun., May 15, at 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Baptist Church. Graduation exercises will be held Fri., May 20, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Members of the Class of 2005 are Samantha Seaman, Toni Johnson, Valedictorian Katie Johnson, Salutatorian Rachel Smith and Andrea Godwin, Katie Wilson, Torey Raines, Blake Stanford, Brandon Pipkin, Preethi Covin, Cody Godwin and Jessica Harden.”

“In honor of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Franklin on their 50th Wedding Anniversary their children are hosting a reception on Sun., May 22, 2005 from two until four o’clock at the Historic L&N Depot in downtown Evergreen. Mrs. Franklin is the former Lois Holley and they were married May 28, 1955 in Rutledge.”

“The Weyerhaeuser Co. Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Conecuh County Junior High School for the Urban Forestry and Landscaping Program. Presenting the check to Patsy Lazenby, Principal of Conecuh County Junior High School, is Lou Etheredge, Human Resources Manager for Trus Joist. Also pictured is Castleberry Mayor J.B. Jackson.”

24 YEARS AGO

MAY 10, 1990

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .12 inches of rain on May 4, 1990. He reported a high of 90 degrees on May 3 and a low of 50 on May 6.

“Tommy Chapman appointed DA by Governor Hunt: Evergreen attorney William Thomas (Tommy) Chapman II was sworn in last Thursday morning as district attorney for Conecuh and Monroe counties, replacing Ted Pearson of Monroeville. Pearson is taking supernumerary status or in effect, retiring, and Gov. Guy Hunt appointed Chapman to replace him.

“Chapman, 40, is a former Conecuh County District Judge and at the time of his appointment was serving as Evergreen city attorney and had a private law practice. Chapman is a 1968 graduate of Evergreen High School, a 1972 graduate of the University of Alabama with a BS degree in Business Administration and a 1975 graduate of Cumberland School of Law with a Doctorate of Juris Prudence.”

“Third District Commander Leonard Peavy administered the oath of office to new officers of Alma Martin Post 50 of the American Legion at a meeting Monday night at the Legion Hall in Fairview. New officers sworn in are Dwight Roberts, first vice-commander; Joe Merrill, second vice-commander; Jimmy Warren, chaplain; Gene Shipp, sergeant at arms; and Howard Fore, adjutant. Wayne Padgett, post commander, was not present at the meeting Monday night due to being at National Guard camp.”

39 YEARS AGO

MAY 8, 1975

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.6 inches of rain on April 30 and 0.6 inches on May 3. He reported a high of 83 on May 2 and a low of 56 on April 28. Total rainfall in April 1975 was 16.7 inches.

“Armed robbers hit bank at Castleberry: Three armed men, all white, robbed the Union Bank of Castleberry at noon Tuesday and got away with approximately $6,400, according to Sheriff Edwin Booker. He said that his office was notified of the robbery, which occurred moments earlier, at 12:59 p.m.

“According to the sheriff, two armed men with pistols entered the bank and robbed two women tellers at gunpoint. A third man drove the get-away vehicle, a 1970 Ford pickup with camper body.”

“The Louisville and Nashville Railroad Depot in Evergreen, Conecuh County, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the Alabama Historical Commission announced today.”

“The U.S. Postal Service today announced a new plan to improve mail service to the SCF Evergreen mail processing area.

“Gene Hyde, Postmaster at Evergreen, said outgoing mail originating in Evergreen and its 44 associate offices, which has been sorted manually at Evergreen, would now be processed on high speed equipment at Montgomery, effective Sat., May 10.

“The mechanized Montgomery Post Office is equipped with two letter sorting machines, each using 12 operators with a combined capability of sorting 60,000 to 70,000 ZIP-coded letters an hour.”

54 YEARS AGO

MAY 12, 1960

“Alma Martin Post 50, American Legion, will dedicate their new post home Thurs., May 19, according to commander J.B. (Bernie) Harper.

“The new post headquarters is located on Highway 31 South, about two miles from the Fairview Community.

“In charge of the arrangements for the affair are Truman Hyde, chairman, assisted by Wendell Hart, County Commander, and Ray Owens, Post Chaplain.”

“Mr. and Mrs. James Clyde Nobles of Evergreen announce the birth of a son, James Richard, on May 10, 1960 at The Conecuh Hospital.”

“Schools of Conecuh County will close on Fri., May 27, according to Guy S. Kelly, County Superintendent of Schools. Schools will reopen for the next term about Sept. 12.”

“CAP Commander Gives Officer Assignments: Ceylon P. Strong, 1st Lt. (CAP), named his staff officers this past week: They are as follows: Commanding Officer, Ceylon P. Strong, 1st Lt.; Executive Officer, George D. McKenzie, CWO; Information Officer, David E. McKenzie, 2nd Lt.; Adjutant, Alton L. Dean, 1st. Lt.; Finance Officer, Robert V. McLendon, 2nd Lt.; Supply Officer, Gordon N. Wright, CWO; Operations Officer, Lawrence E. Dean, CWO; Training Officer, Robert D. McLendon, CWO; and Transportation Officer, Claudie B. Townson, Senior Member.”

69 YEARS AGO

MAY 10, 1945

“German Prisoners Are Moved To Camp Rucker: The German prisoner of war camp located at the old convict camp near here (Evergreen) has been discontinued and the prisoners have been transferred to Camp Rucker near Ozark. Most of the soldier guards which were attached to the camp were moved to Rucker also. The Courant was not able to learn reasons why the camp was discontinued.”

“Lt. W.D. Johnson Jr. Awarded Air Medal: Lt. W.D. Johnson Jr. of Evergreen, a co-pilot on a B-29, is based in the Marianas with the 21st Bomber Command. Recently, he was awarded the air medal for his achievements in 15 missions completed over the mainland of Japan.”

“J.E. Miller who operates a farm four miles east of Evergreen on Highway 31 has several acres of well established kudzu that he is utilizing now by letting his cows graze the kudzu.”

“Commencement exercises of the Conecuh County High School will begin with the commencement sermon to be delivered by Rev. H.G. Bass, pastor of the Castleberry Methodist Church, at 11 o’clock, Sun., May 20, in the school auditorium.

“Graduation exercises will be Friday night, May 25, at eight o’clock.

“The following will receive diplomas at the conclusion of the exercises: Rosalie Bethune, Dorothy Hardin, Flora Beatrice Weaver, Charlene Beasley, William Riggs, Evelyn Pate, Louise Pate, Myrtice Williams, Matilda Salter, Nell Lecroy, Hazel James, Margaret B. Fussell, Clete Walton Clark Jr.”