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| Dr. B.F. Riley |
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 August 1914.
In the Aug. 5, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant,
editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “Covington County’s new
representative in the legislature has a plan for redistricting the state and
putting Escambia, Conecuh, Covington, Coffee, Geneva, Butler, Crenshaw and Pike
counties in the Tenth District.”
That week’s paper also included the following reminder –
“Don’t fail to see the Mexican War picture, a four-reel feature, at the Arcade
Theatre Thursday night, Aug. 6. Admission 10 cents and 20 cents.”
Readers also learned that the “Conecuh County Masonic
Conference was held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last with Sepulga lodge,
and proved to be one of the most interesting sessions held in a long while.
District Lecturer, Dr. B.H. Whittington, conducted the conference. On Friday
there was a public installation of officers of Sepulga lodge and an address by
Dr. Webb of Atmore.”
Salter also reported that “State Highway Engineer Keller
writes the editor of this paper that he was disappointed in his plans to begin
his tour of inspection of the route by Evergreen for the State highway on last
Monday. He promises, however, that the people along the route shall have due
notice of the date when he will make the trip.”
Readers that week also learned that “Haimon Long is on his
semi-annual trip to the Eastern markets to purchase fall and winter stock for
the firm of I. Long & Sons,” and “representing the firm of Riley Department
Store, our progressive merchant friend, F.L. Riley, leaves this week for
Chicago and New York to make fall purchases.”
In the Aug. 12, 1914 edition of The Courant, under the
headline “Conecuh County High School,” it was reported that “the people of
Conecuh County and of Castleberry have cause for congratulation in their new
High School which is to be open for its first session Sept. 21.
“The building which cost $10,000 is in an ideal situation
and is thoroughly modern and up to date. Its equipment will make it second to
none among high schools in this section.
“The building committee, Elisha Downing, Dr. R.T. Holland
and P.M. Skinner, have labored earnestly and well and to them large thanks are
due, as well as to the other loyal citizens whose gifts have made the school
possible.”
Elsewhere in the paper that week, it was reported that “Miss
Sarah E. Luther, principal of Conecuh County High School at Castleberry, was
here Monday and went before the board of County Commissioners asking for an
appropriation from the county to aid in furnishing the new building. Dr.
Holland and Mayor Downing also appealed to the court. Their request was granted
and $200 was appropriated.”
Readers that week also learned that “Mrs. Walter Lee
happened to have an accident while driving her touring car a few days ago which
came near proving serious. In some way her car veered to one side of the
street, striking a telephone pole with such force as to throw her little
daughter forward, shattering the windshield and lacerating the little one’s
face and hands.”
Salter closed the week with a report that “J.S. Johnson of
China is due the credit for the first bale of new cotton marketed in this
county this season. It was brought in on Thursday last and brought 10 cents,
W.B. Northcutt being the buyer.”
In the Aug. 19, 1914 edition of The Courant, Salter reported
that “Highway Engineer Keller is preparing plans for his trip to Mobile by way
of Greenville, Evergreen, Brewton and Bay Minette to look over the route for
the state trunk highway. The date for his departure from Montgomery has not
been announced.”
Readers that week also learned that “Frank Jones, the bright
little son of Town Marshal J.C. Jones, has been confined to his bed since being
run over by a wagon several weeks ago and his condition is regarded as
serious.”
Elsewhere in the paper, Salter reported that “Sheriff Hines
had the misfortune to get a large automobile burned up one day last week at his
father’s home about 12 miles from town. The machine caught fire in some
unaccountable way and all efforts to extinguish the flames were to no avail.”
Readers that week also learned that “two autos collided at
the corner of the cotton warehouse on Wednesday last, but the only damage done
was slight injuries to the cars.”
Salter also reported that “Miss Bertha Johnson has accepted
a position with the L&N Railroad Co. as a telegraph operator.”
It was also reported that week that “C.P. Deming and John
Cunningham are entertaining Capt. J.C. Cheney and Spang, the Advertiser
cartoonist, at the Country Club this week.”
Salter closed out that week by reporting that “The Courant
learns that the first bale of new cotton in this county was produced by W.A.
Baggett of Belleville and marketed at Repton on July 31. The matter was not
reported to The Courant, and the first bale was credited to J.S. Johnson of
China. Mr. Baggett reported the first cotton bloom and is due the credit for
the first bale.”
The big news in the Aug. 26, 1914 edition of The Courant was
that “State Highway Engineer Keller and his scouting party were given the most
enthusiastic reception upon their arrival here Monday afternoon that they have
ever been accorded on any of the scouting trips. Evergreen did herself proud on
this occasion.
“They reached Evergreen about two hours behind schedule
time, the delay being caused by heavy rains and rough and slippery roads
between here and Georgiana, the rough portion being encountered before reaching
the Conecuh graded road.
“As the scouting party emerged from the car at the hotel
they were enthusiastically received, throngs crowding about them to shake their
hands, while the Brewton band discoursed choice music.”
Elsewhere in the paper, it was reported that “Dan Bailey had
a narrow escape from death on Saturday night last. In passing through the yard
at his brother’s home he stepped on the decayed covering of an old well, which
gave way, precipitating him to the bottom where he remained for several hours.
He finally managed to extricate himself, coming out with only slight injuries.”
Readers that week also learned that “Dr. B.F. Riley spent a
few days here last week with relatives.”
Salter closed out the month with a report that “Haimon Long
has just returned from New York, Boston and Philadelphia, buying his new fall
stock, the prettiest line they ever carried.”
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 September 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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