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 September 1914.
In the Sept. 2, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant,
editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “John P. Anderson died on
Thursday last at his home near Sparta following a lingering illness. He was one
of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of this county. He was
about 70 years old.”
Readers that week also learned that “N.B. Jones died on
Wednesday night last, Aug. 26, after eight weeks illness, in the 73rd year of
his age. Deceased had been a well known and highly esteemed citizen of
Evergreen for many years. He was postmaster here at one time, and was for some
years engaged in the mercantile business.
“When the war broke out, he enlisted as a private and
served honorably throughout that memorably conflict. He was an honored member
of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee UCV.”
Elsewhere in the paper, readers saw that “Troy Pullen of
Vinegar Bend spent the weekend with relatives here. He came for the purpose of
being at the funeral of his late uncle, N.B. Jones, but reached here too late.”
Salter also reported that week that the “City School will
open on September 21st.”
That week’s paper also included the following announcement -
“NOTICE is hereby given that the Court of County Commissioners of Conecuh
County will sit at the courthouse in Evergreen, Ala. on the 8th day of September
1914 for the purpose of providing for the care of the paupers of the county and
to consider applications for the position of superintendent of the poor for the
ensuing year.”
In the Sept. 9, 1914 edition of The Courant, the big news
was about the opening of the new Conecuh County High School in Castleberry.
“Preparations are being made by the good people of
Castleberry to have a great educational rally at the opening of the high school
on Sept. 21.
“There will be speakers from the University, Auburn, the
department of education in Montgomery and other places. A big barbecue is being
planned. Altogether, it is hoped to make it the most momentous day in the
history of Conecuh County.
“Miss (Sarah E.) Luther, principal of the high school, is to
entertain the students informally on Friday night.”
Salter also reported that week that the “members of Camp
Capt. Wm. Lee No. 338 will meet at the courthouse on Oct. 1 for election of
delegates to state reunion in Mobile on Oct. 22-24 and payment of dues and
other business of importance. All are urged to attend and remain until the
meeting is over. (Signed) M.B. Salter, Sgt. Major.”
Salter also let readers know that week that “all Confederate
Veterans of Conecuh County, or, in case of death, their widows or oldest lineal
descendants, who have not yet received their Southern Crosses of Honor, are
urged to make application for same through the presidents of U.D.C. Chapters in
Conecuh County: viz. Mrs. Edwin Page, President Pinckney D. Bowles Chapter,
Evergreen.”
Readers that week also learned that “Wm. A. Burnett, a
former well known citizen of Evergreen and Castleberry, died yesterday at his
home in Pollard after a lingering illness.”
In the Sept. 16, 1914 edition of the newspaper, Salter
reported that “preparations are concluded for the Educational Rally and big
barbecue at Castleberry, Mon., Sept. 21. The Castleberry citizens are sparing
no pains to make the day a great one. Noted speakers will be present. The
Conecuh Guards, our military company, will give an exhibition drill. Baseball
game, doubleheader, with Garland. Barbecue and other features with dinner in
abundance. Everybody interested in the success of the Conecuh County High
School is cordially invited to be present.”
Readers that week also learned that “Frank Jones, son of
Marshal J.C. Jones, was taken to a Montgomery infirmary last week for
treatment. He is suffering from effects of injuries sustained when he was run
over by a wagon two months ago.”
Salter also reported that “a large force of laborers and
teams are engaged in grading and widening the road from J.R. Irwin’s residence
to the bridge beyond. The town and county teams are being used and the work is
being supervised by Byron Dean and Marshal Jones.”
Salter closed out the week by letting readers know that “the
city primary (election) for the nomination of mayor and councilmen was held on
Monday, resulting in the nomination of the present town officials without
opposition. The regular election will take place on Monday next 21st instant.
Those nominated are the following: Mayor – W.B. Ivey; Councilmen – R.F. Croom,
J.G. Lunday, A.H. Mason, F.A. Pritchett, H.A. Shields; Executive Committee –
H.W. Dunn, E.J. McCreary, E.E. Newton.”
In the Sept. 23, 1914 edition of the paper, Salter reported
that “Monday was a gala day in Castleberry. It was the occasion of the opening
of the Conecuh County High School. It was a history-making day, and it will be
pointed to in the years to come as one of the greatest occasions in the history
of Castleberry.
“There was an immense concourse of people from many sections
of this county and the immediate surrounding country. A very small percentage
of those assembled was able to witness the exercises as the spacious auditorium
was filled to overflowing, leaving the larger number on the outside.
“Speeches were made by Mayor E. Downing, Supt. R.E.L. Key,
C.S. Rabb and State Superintendent W.F. Feagin and members of the school
faculty, the principal speech being made by Mr. Feagin.
“The new school building is ornate in appearance and splendidly
constructed, affording ample room for present and future needs. The school is
situated about one mile from the business part of the town near the center of a
six-acre lot. No prettier location could have been selected. Miss Sarah E.
Luther, principal of the school, has the distinction of being the only lady
principal of a high school in the state.”
Readers that week also learned that “the Agricultural School
(in Evergreen) opened on Thursday last with appropriate exercises and with the
largest enrollment of pupils in a number of years. Ninety pupils are enrolled
and more are expected very soon.”
An advertisement in that week’s edition also encouraged
readers not to “fail to see the second series of The Adventures of Kathlyn at
the Arcade Theatre on next Monday night.”
In the Sept. 30, 1914 edition of The Courant, that “the
Buick Automobile Co. will buy four bales of Conecuh County cotton at 10 cents
per pound. E.C. Hines, local agent of the company, was instructed by wire on
Monday to purchase the cotton. The company will buy cotton in every county
where it has an agency.”
Readers that week also learned that “Haimon Long said Monday
that the firm of I. Long & Sons would buy 1,000 bales of cotton, paying 10
cents, half cash and half in trade, or they will pay all cash and give 15
percent more than the ruling market price on the day of purchase.”
Salter also reported that “Attorney E.C. Page reached home
on Sunday from Montgomery where he has been for two weeks for medical and
surgical treatment.”
That week’s paper also let readers know that “the annual
reunion of Alabama Division United Confederate Veterans will be held in Mobile
Oct. 22nd to 24th. Special railroad rates will be given on this occasion.”
Readers that week also learned that “Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
Crook went down to Milton, Fla. last week in their touring car.”
Salter closed out the month with a report that “Mrs. A.L.
Johnston returned home last Monday from Beatrice where she was called to the
bedside of her mother, Mrs. Laban Turk. This good woman passed away while Mrs.
Johnston was with her.”
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 October 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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