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| Historical marker near site of old orphanage in Evergreen. |
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 June 1914.
In the June 3, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant,
editor George W. Salter Jr. reported that the “Board of Commissioners is in
session this week, the full board being present. Tax matters and routine
business are being considered.”
He also reported that the “Hon. D.F. Crum sustained a painful
accident one day last week and was confined to his room for several days in
consequence. He and J.D. Moorer were fishing on Murder Creek, and while he was
sitting near the railroad trestle a piece of coal or some other missile fell
from a passing engine striking him with great force on the forehead, producing
an ugly wound. He was brought home as quickly as possible and given medical
attention.”
Also that week, the correspondent from the Cedar Creek
community reported that “the baby girl of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Kirkland fell from
the veranda floor to the ground, about four feet, last Thursday, striking on
her head and was seriously hurt, but the telephone and the automobile brought
the doctor 7-1/2 miles in 40 minutes, and at this writing , the little girl is
getting along fine.”
Salter also reported that week that the “Rev. J.L. Hughes
preached two interesting sermons at the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning
and evening. Mr. Hughes will serve the church until September when he will
return to school to prosecute his ministerial studies.”
Readers that week also learned that the “first tomatoes of
the season were shipped from here last week. Since that time increasing
quantities have gone forward daily by express.
In the June 10, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter
reported, under the headline “Castleberry Masons Elect New Officers,” that at
the “annual meeting of Downing Lodge, No. 580, A.F.&A.M., held on Friday
night June 5, the following officers were re-elected to serve the ensuing
Masonic year: Elisha Downing Jr., W.M.; Richard T. Holland, S.W.; Lee A.
Kirkland, J.W.; Robert E. Buffington, S.D.; Robert A. Baird, J.D.; James A.T.
Baggett, chaplain; John T. Monk and John M. Branch, stewards.”
Readers that week also learned that “Col. Hugh M. King died
on Friday afternoon last, June 5, at the advanced age of 81 years.
“The funeral occurred from the family home on Main Street on
Saturday afternoon, the obsequies being performed by the local Masonic lodge of
which deceased was a devoted and consistent member.
“Col. King had been a citizen of Evergreen for many years.
He formerly resided in Columbus, Ga. and later in Tuskegee, Ala. During the
early portion of his residence here, he was principal of the Evergreen Academy.
He gave up teaching however, about 25 years ago, and thereafter devoted his
talents to the practice of law and to literary pursuits for which latter
especially he was peculiarly fitted by learning and inclination.”
Salter closed the week with a report that “three interesting
games of ball were played on the local diamond on Thursday and Friday last
between Evergreen and Flomaton teams. The Evergreen team so far outclassed the
visiting team that we refrain from giving the score, Evergreen taking the three
games with ease.”
In the July 17, 1914 edition of the newspaper, under the
headline “Sad Accident at the Orphanage,” it was reported that “last Sunday
afternoon one of the boys, Reese Carlisle, met instant death by falling from a
tree. He only fell about eight feet, but falling on his head, his neck was
broken and he was dead before parties standing nearby could reach him. Reese
was a bright, affectionate boy about seven years of age and was generally
beloved. This unavoidable and distressing accident cast a gloom over the entire
institution.
“The funeral took place Monday morning at 11 o’clock, six of
the largest boys acting as pallbearers, and all of the children followed the
remains to their last resting places.”
Readers also learned that “a scheme was inaugurated here on
Monday by progressive businessmen to exterminate mosquitoes and they in
connection with Mayor Ivey’s clean-up campaign should make a clean town. It is
proposed to use a large quantity of kerosene oil along branches and in damp
places and wherever breeding places for flies and mosquitoes can be located.
Several hundred dollars will be spent for this purpose.”
Salter also reported that the “commencement exercises of the
Agricultural School occurred on last Wednesday evening when an interesting
program was rendered. The following named persons were graduates at this
session: Lydia Guice, Lillie Hunter Moore, Lucius Waters, Randolph Moorer,
Milton Moorer, Zell Murphy, Thomas Mills, Wallace Ward, James Huff.”
Salter closed the week with a report that “Geo. A. Snowden,
a well known citizen of Brooklyn, died at that place on Sunday night of typhoid
fever. Deceased was about 40 years old.”
In the June 24, 1914 edition of the paper, Salter reported
that “at the regular communication of Greening Lodge, No. 53, A.F.&A.M.
Saturday night, the 21st, the following officers were elected: H.A. Shields,
W.M.; W.B. James, S.W.; T.B. McDonald, J.W.; J.W. Hagood, S.D.; Byron Tisdale,
J.D.; H.H. Floyd, Treasurer; J.A. Smith, Sect’y; D.J. Wright, Chaplain; H.L.
Tucker, S.S.; S.L. Tisdale, J.S.; J.H. Stamps, Tiler.”
Readers that week also learned that “one man dead and
another badly wounded are the results of a shooting affray near Old Town on
Thursday morning last.
“About daylight, the two men, Handy Randolph and Ed.
Pleasant, who it seems were looking for each other and each armed with a
shotgun, met and immediately opened fire. A charge of shot penetrated the side
of the face and throat of Randolph, producing instant death, while Pleasant was
struck just above the knee by a charge from Randolph’s gun, shattering the
bone. Pleasant is now in jail suffering from the effects of the wound.”
It was also reported that week that “Mayor E. Downing of
Castleberry was in town Monday.”
Also that week, readers learned that “Owassa Camp No. 375
W.O.W. will unveil the monument of Sov. J.A. Yates at Owassa cemetery on Sun.,
July 12, at 3:30 p.m. All camps are invited to attend.”
Salter closed out the month with the following announcement
– “Warning: All persons are hereby warned against bathing in the pond of the
Utopian Fishing Club. Anyone disregarding the warning will be prosecuted.
(Signed) W.H. Moorer, Pres. and Geo. W. Salter Jr., Secy.”
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 1914 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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