100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from August 1914

Under editor and publisher Q. Salter, The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville published four editions 100 years ago during the month of August 1914. Those papers came out on Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20 and Aug. 27. What follows are a few new highlights from each of those papers. Enjoy.

AUG. 6, 1914

GOOD ROADS MASS MEETING: A call has been issued for a mass meeting at Monroeville on Sat., Aug. 8, of all citizens interested in good roads, and particularly of those in sympathy with the movement to have the Old Federal Road adopted as a part of the State Highway from Birmingham to the Gulf.

The local baseball team crossed bats with the Pensacola team on Thursday and Friday of last week, winning the best two out of three games. The scores were as follows: First game 8 to 1 in favor of the home team; second game 3 to 0 in favor of Pensacola; third game 8 to 7 in favor of Monroeville. On Friday and Saturday of this week Monroeville will play Finchburg at the new baseball park.

The Monroe County Masonic Conference will convene with Monroe Lodge No. 485, Franklin, Ala., on Aug. 13, 14 and 15, 1914. Bro. A.M. Scott, State Lecturer, has fixed this as the time. Let every lodge in Monroe County be represented by delegates. W.S. Nash, Secretary.

Messrs. J.U. Blacksher and J.J. Dunn of Maros were visitors to the county capital the first of the week.

Miss Sallie Hibbard and Miss Mamie Buroughs are spending a few weeks at the mineral wells (in) Marlin, Texas.

Mr. H.J. Coxwell, local farm demonstration agent, is attending a special meeting of agents at Auburn this week.

The county court held busy term during the first two days of the present week, and the road working crew is increased by several able-bodied recruits as a result of the term.

AUG. 13, 1914

Sheriff B.H. Stallworth was business visitor to the state capital the first of the week.

Miss Jennie Faulk leaves today for St. Louis, Chicago and other leading markets where she will spend several weeks in study of the latest and best in millinery and in the selection of her fall stock.

Messrs. J.K. Kyser and J.F.B. Lowrey of Burnt Corn attended the good roads meeting here Saturday. Both gentlemen are active and enthusiastic advocates of good roads.

Contractor Lambert has a large force of men employed in the construction of the brick garage and twin stores for Mr. B.H. Stallworth and rapid progress is being made on the walls. We learn that both stores will be promptly occupied when completed.

A mass meeting of citizens was held in Monroeville on Sat., Aug. 8, and the organization of a permanent Good Roads Association was perfected for Monroe County, and also a temporary organization of the “Federal Good Road Association.”

The following were elected officers of the County Good Roads Association, viz: President, J.U. Blacksher, Maros, Ala.; First Vice President, J.K. Kyser, Burnt Corn, Ala.; Second Vice President, Q. Salter, Monroeville, Ala.; Secretary and Treasurer.

AUG. 20, 1914

Lost – Between Burnt Corn and Monroeville, a pair of pants marked “C.W.C.” Finder will be suitably rewarded by leaving same at post office.

Mr. Lige Biggs left Sunday to accept a position as stenographer for the L&N Railroad Co. at Evergreen.

Monroe County Masonic Conference: The Monroe County Masonic Conference held a most pleasant and profitable two-day session with Monroe Lodge No. 485 at Franklin, Aug. 13 and 14. All subordinate lodges in the county with one or two exceptions were represented by delegates and visitors and there were a number of visitors from adjoining counties.

Prof. Angus M. Scott, grand lecturer, whose knowledge of ritualistic work is probably unequaled in the state, was present and his exemplification of the various degrees and delivery of lectures were alike instructive and impressive. Dr. J.H. McCormick, secretary of the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Mobile was also present and delivered illuminating addresses on various occasions.

The Brethren of Monroe Lodge and the community generally did everything needful to render pleasant the brief sojourn of their guests and all together it was one of the most pleasant conferences that has been held in the county.

Blacksher Lodge, Maros, Ala., was chosen as the next place of meeting, the date to definitely be fixed hereafter.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Whereas, the Monroe County Masonic Conference, the guest of Monroe Lodge No. 485, has enjoyed the hospitality of the citizens of Franklin and community, therefore be it

Resolved, 1. That the thanks of the conference are due and tendered the officers and members of Monroe Lodge No. 485 and to their good people generally for their many courtesies and kindnesses shown us while their guest.

2. That the Conference extend its unbounded gratitude to the ladies of the community for the good meals served us and for their many hospitalities which have helped to make the conference a success.

3. That the Conference feels congratulated upon the presence of Bro. A.M. Scott, our Grand Lecturer, and expresses the hope that he be spared many years to teach the lessons of Masonry, as he does by precept and example.

4. That we congratulate ourselves and our beloved Chaplain, Bro. J.J. Sessions, on his presence with us and express the hope that he may be with us for many years to come to aid and guide us along the path of Masonic duty.

5. That we are glad to have with us Dr. J.H. McCormick of Mobile.

6. That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Conference and that a copy be furnished the Monroe Journal for publication.

On Saturday the handsome and conveniently appointed new Hall of Monroe Lodge was formerly dedicated, the cornerstone and dedicatory ceremonies being conducted by the Rev. D.B. Dismukes as the duly authorized representative of the Grand Master assisted by the following brethren: F.S. Dailey as R.W. Senior Grand Warden; J.J. Dunn as R.W. Junior Grand Warden; G.A. Harris as Senior Grand Deacon; W.G. McCorvey as Junior Grand Deacon; W.S. Nash as Grand Secretary; Reuben Perry as Grand Treasurer; Robert McCants, Grand Tiler; P.S. McKinley and J.J. McMillan as Grand Stewards, J.J. Sessions as Grand Chaplain; and A.C. Lee as Grand Marshal. A very large crowd of interested spectators witnessed the ceremonies and a sumptuous picnic dinner was served.

In the afternoon two exciting baseball games were played between the Franklin and Chance teams. Franklin came off victorious in both games, the score standing 6 to 3 and 8 to 7, respectively. The pitching was excellent on both sides.

Monroeville vs. Brewton: Below is the result of the games of ball just played on the local diamond. First game, Monday afternoon, Aug. 7, Brewton 9, Monroeville 3; batteries Jones and Boykin; Arant and Lindsey. Second game, Tuesday morning, Brewton 2, Monroeville 3, 10 innings. Batteries, Kelly and Boykin, Smith and Ertzinger. Third game, Tuesday afternoon, Brewton 9, Monroeville 2, batteries Lovelace and Boykin, Lockwood, Arant and Ertzinger. Umpires for the three games, Lee and Shands.

The first game was a pitchers’ battle between Jones and Arant, the former winning on account of poor support of the home team. The second game was full of sensational plays by both teams, and was one of the fastest games ever played on the Monroeville diamond. Smith was invincible at all times and received fine support from the entire home team. The third and last game was played on wet ground and was lost by Lockwood, who was sick and could not control wet ball. Arant relieved him in the third inning when the score was 8 to 1 with two men on bases and only one out, and pitched superb ball the balance of the game, letting only one of the men on bases score and shutting Brewton out from then on, while his teammates played errorless ball behind him. The final score was as stated.

The Brewton boys were backed up by a lot of Brewton fans and played decidedly the best ball our boys have been up against this year, and they, together with those who accompanied them here, were one of the finest lot of fellows it has ever been our pleasure to entertain.

Local Fan

AUG. 27, 1914

Judge I.B. Slaughter and family spent last week with relatives in Mobile.

Miss Carrie Ellisor of Evergreen and Mrs. Charles Ellisor of Jeddo spent a few days with their brother, Rev. D.F. Ellisor and family.

Mr. E.O. Calhoun of Grove Hill, farm demonstration agent for Clarke County, was a visitor to Monroeville Saturday and favored The Journal with a pleasant call. Mr. Calhoun reported crop conditions in Clarke about on a parity with what he found in Monroe.

The general complaint of stagnation in business does not seem to affect the building boom in Monroeville. Contractor Lambert will begin the erection of a brick store building adjoining the Lyon Pharmacy for the Messrs. Yarbrough as soon as the buildings now underway are completed.

Broom Corn in Monroe: Mr. J.A. Melton brought to The Journal office on Saturday specimens of broom corn and desert wheat grown on his farm near Jones Mill this year. The broom corn exhibits a fine, tough brush 23 inches and upward in length and to our inexpert eye is the equal of any of the western grown brush utilized in the familiar household utensil. Mr. Melton states that the crop is not difficult to grow, requiring no more cultivation or fertilizer than ordinary sorghum, and when it is remembered that the brush is worth all the way from $150 to $175 per ton, it should become a profitable crop throughout this section.

The Monroe County Sunday School Association will meet in annual session at the Hadley Methodist Church on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. The program for the session is being arranged and a pleasant occasion is expected. One or more of the state workers will attend.

Hardee-Covan: Quite a surprise happened in our community when Miss Hattie Covan and Mr. Sidney Hardee were quietly married at the bride’s home on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 2:30 o’clock. They left Wednesday for their lovely home in Atmore.

Miss Hattie is one of Old Texas’ most popular young ladies and her host of friends regret her departure. Mr. Hardee is one of Atmore’s prosperous farmers. All wish them a happy and prosperous life.

Death of Mr. Sam S. Simmons: Our community was saddened when the tidings were known that the death angel had again visited the home of our friends and borne away the spirit of the loved one, Mr. S.S. Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was sick for over three weeks with typhoid fever and everything that love, care and attention and that medical skill could devise was freely given for his relief, but the dread summons came on Thurs., Aug. 20, 1914 at 2 p.m. and the pure spirit has gone to God who gave it.