News headlines from Conecuh County from a century ago in July 1914

Hugh M. King's grave 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 July 1914.

In the July 1, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor George W. Salter Jr. reported that one of Conecuh County’s most prominent citizens, Hugh M. King, had passed away at the age of 82. A native of Georgia, he graduated college in 1853 and began working as a lawyer a year later. In 1859, while continuing to practice law, he became the owner of The Bainbridge Argus in Bainbridge, Ga. and was elected mayor there in 1859.

At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted, organized the Hardee Rifles and was elected the unit’s captain. He was commended for gallantry at the Battle of Santa Rosa Island and went on to take part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Dalton, Atlanta and Bentonville. He also fought in 85 smaller conflicts and was wounded three times. He had two horses killed under him and once, while wounded, he killed four Yankees and captured two.

King came to Evergreen in 1889, began working as a lawyer, helped publish The Conecuh Star newspaper and was elected mayor of Evergreen three times. He joined Greening Masonic Lodge No. 53 in 1904.

Salter also reported that week that “last Friday was the hottest day known in Evergreen for many years, the thermometer registering 106. The temperature for four days previous ranged from 102 to 105. The weather bureau states it’s a fact that this has been the hottest June since 1881.”

In the July 8, 1914 edition of The Courant, readers learned that “Thos. Reid was drowned in the El Pond on Saturday afternoon. He was about 21 years old.”

That week’s paper also included a death notice regarding J.C. Johnson, a 67-year-old Confederate veteran. Johnson enlisted in the Confederate army on Feb. 1, 1863 and served in Co. B of the 3rd Alabama Cavalry. He was wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.

Salter also reported that week that “Joe Johns, who resides five miles east of Brewton on the Brooklyn road, killed a large rattler on his place one day last week. His snakeship measured about seven feet in length, and strange to relate had only two rattles and the customary button. Mr. Johns skinned the reptile, shipping the hide to New Orleans.”

Readers that week also learned that “Wm. Ellis exhibited a piece of broken earthenware here recently which he says he found 30 feet under the surface of the earth while boring a well on his premises. How it came there is unexplainable.”

It was also reported that week that “the Fourth (of July) was generally observed in Evergreen notwithstanding the fact that it came on Saturday, usually one of the best days for trade for merchants. Numbers of people attended picnics at various places in the country, but it appears that a large percentage spent the day quietly at home. In the afternoon, a large crowd enjoyed a baseball game between Evergreen and Montgomery. Evergreen, as usual, captured both games of the doubleheader.”

Salter closed the week by saying that “the finishing touches are being placed on E.A. Beaven’s new home on Belleville Street, and in a few more days it will be ready for occupancy.”

In the July 15, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “Evergreen baseball lovers enjoyed the first real treat of the season on Monday afternoon when the first of a series of games with Gantt was pulled off, Evergreen winning the game in the 10th inning by the close score of 2 to 1. It was a pitcher’s battle between Arant for Evergreen and Manning Smith for Gantt. The feature of the game was the running catch and long throw from deeper center to first by Johnson of Evergreen. In the tenth inning, three hits scored the winning run.”

Readers that week also saw the following news item, under the headline “New Train on L&N” – “July 26 is the date set for the inauguration of a new train service by the L&N Railroad, when a new train will be placed in operation running between Georgiana and Flomaton, where it will connect with local trains for Mobile and Pensacola. The train will leave Georgiana about six o’clock a.m. Returning it will leave Mobile and Pensacola about four o’clock in the afternoon thus enabling patrons along the line to transact business in either city or at any point along the line and return home the same day. It will prove a great convenience to the traveling public.”

Readers that week also learned that “a farmer named Rogers residing in Covington County near the Conecuh line had the misfortune last week to lose three valuable mules when his barn was blown down by a windstorm. Three others were severely injured.”

Salter closed the week by saying that “we appreciate the favor if you will telephone news items to The Courant. Call No. 138 or 203.”

In the July 22, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported that “H.A. Shields has returned from a tour of inspection of the St. Louis division of the L&N Railroad. He said while he was in Evansville, the thermometer registered 118 degrees, and that he was reminded of what he had often said that we live in the greatest country on the earth. He said when he reached home, he had to put his coat on to be comfortable.”

Also that week, under the headline “Crocket Janes Dead,” it was reported that Janes died at his son’s home on July 9. “While his exact age is not known, he was about 100 years old. He enlisted in the army in 1861 at the age of 46, was wounded three times, but served the whole four years.”

Salter also reported that week that “J.F.B. Lowrey of Burnt Corn is greatly interested and enthused over the scheme to have the proposed trunk road from Montgomery to Mobile to follow the Old Federal Road – more commonly known as the Old Stage Road. State Highway Engineer Keller will today accompany a party of gentlemen over this road traversing the route from Fort Deposit to a point in Baldwin County. On August 3rd, Mr. Keller and party will begin a tour of the route by Greenville, Evergreen, Brewton and Bay Minette.”

Salter closed that week by saying that “the greatest athletic novelty in the world is the Nebraska Indian baseball team which has created so much comment by its brilliant playing and wonderful success it has achieved during its 17 years of travel throughout the United States and Canada. It will be a great treat to see them play the Evergreen team at the ballpark on Fri., July 24.”

In the July 29, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported, under the headline “Evergreen Defeats Indians,” that “the largest crowd that ever witnessed a game here was at the game between the Nebraska Indians and the locals, the latter winning 7 to 6. The features of the game were the sensational fielding and hitting of Randolph Moorer for Evergreen, who made two of the most thrilling catches and registering three singles, one double and one triple out of five trips to the plate; the home run of Arant for Evergreen.”

Elsewhere in the paper, under the headline “Scouting Party Traverses Old Stage Road,” Salter reported that “quite a number of Conecuh citizens joined the scouting party over the Old Stage Road route on last Wednesday. There were about 25 automobiles in the party, which included State Highway Engineer Keller, prominent men from Lowndes, Butler and Monroe as well as Conecuh.

“The party reached Burnt Corn about noon where a splendid dinner was served by the citizens of that community, after which the trip was continued through Baldwin County. It was an enthusiastic crowd and demonstrated the keen interest that the people are taking in the proposed trunk highway between Montgomery and Mobile.”

That week’s paper also including the following news item – “Masonic Officers Installed at Belleville: The officers of the lodge of A.F.&A Masons were installed yesterday by Past Master Dr. Percy B. Skinner as follows: Claude T. Livingston, W.M.; Alvin L. Riggs, S.W.; Dr. Henry S. Skinner, Treasurer; Richard H. Riggs Sr., Secretary; Perry H. Hayman, S.D.; J. Isaac Andrews, J.D.; Frederick P. Hines, Tyler; John E. Baggett and Levi Lee, Stewards; R. Earl Ivey, Marshal.”

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 August 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.