Monday, September 29, 2014

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Sept. 29, 2014

Evergreen city officials in 1972.
12 YEARS AGO
OCT. 3, 2002

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported 1.28 inches of rain on Sept. 24, 3.10 inches of rain on Sept. 25 and 1.10 inches of rain on Sept. 26. He also reported a high of 87 degrees on Sept. 23 and lows of 64 on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28.

“A big crowd was on hand for the ribbon cutting at the new office of Horton Insurance. The insurance company moved to their new location on Rural Street last Wednesday. Pictured at the ribbon cutting are Chamber Executive Director Eric Basinger, Chamber President Zebbie Nix, Horton Insurance Evergreen Office Manager Jim Ryan, Horton Insurance Co. owner Earl Horton, Horton employees Deborah Ealum and Tonya Tolin and Chamber board members Christy Bulger and Alesia Stuart.”

“The Conecuh County Board of Education voted three to two to take bids for the sale of the National Guard Armory that they purchased from the state. Superintendent Ronnie Brogden told the board members that he had several inquiries about purchasing the building from the board, and he wanted to know if they would like to take bids to sell the building.”

“Under old business the (Evergreen city) council brought back up the appointments to the Industrial Development Authority. The council unanimously appointed Bobby Watkins to the Industrial Development Board and Robert Bozeman to the Economic Development Authority Board.”

27 YEARS AGO
OCT. 1, 1987

Evergreen weather reporter Earl Windham reported no rain between Sept. 22 and Sept. 28. He reported a high of 88 on Sept. 28 and lows of 52 on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.

“Mrs. Carolyn Pate Castleberry began her duties as Conecuh County Tax Collector today. She took the oath of office Friday. Gov. Guy Hunt appointed Mrs. Castleberry to fill the remainder of the term of office of Tax Collector Marvin Johnston who retired. The term expires Sept. 30, 1991.”

“Mrs. Willene Whatley, president and general chairman of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, holds a plaque from the Southeast Tourism Society that designates the Conecuh Heritage Festival as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast during October, November and December.”

“Thomas Watson Spence, 79, of Montgomery and a native of Conecuh County died Sat., Sept. 26, in a Montgomery hospital. Mr. Spence was a member of a prominent, pioneer family and a former superintendent of education of Macon County and a former sales representative for Scott-Forman Book Co.”

“A positive rabies report was made Tuesday on a coon found Sunday at Old Town. The coon was suspected to be rapid and the report confirmed this, according to Jim Bricken, DVM, County Rabies Inspector.”

42 YEARS AGO
OCT. 15, 1972

“It was announced this week by the Board of Education that Wayne Pope had been appointed as County Superintendent of Schools effective Oct. 1, 1972. This action was taken by the Board of Education in a meeting held Tuesday night, Sept. 26, 1972 and the appointment is to fill the unexpired term of Harvey G. Pate, who has submitted his regsignation, effective as of this date.”

“Everybody was happy Monday morning after the (Evergreen) mayor and council were sworn into office by Circuit Judge Robert E.L. Key. Seated are Tal Stuart III, youngest member of the council, Mayor Coy L. Harper, former Mayor Henry Sessions; standing, Councilmen Robert M. Glass, Knud Nielsen Jr., dean of the council, Clarence E. (Buddy) Evers, mayor pro tem, and Ronnie Mullen.”

“Navy Petty Officer Third Class Larry L. Andrews, son of Mr. Roland Andrews of Rt. D, Evergreen, has left his homeport at Alameda, Calif., for a Western Pacific deployment aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.”

“City police department employees and others at City Hall had a surprise party for retiring Chief Tom Melton and presented him with a handsome gold wristwatch. Sgt. James Ellis was named Acting Chief. Shown as they formed up for their last shift change under Chief Melton are Mrs. Mildred McNeil, secretary, radio and teletype operator, Melton, Assistant Chief Tal Smith, Henry Hooks, Ellis, Albert Salter, James Powell, Jimmy Hawsey, Ronald Seales, Henry Vickery, Arthur Mason, radio operator and Larry Morrison.”

57 YEARS AGO
OCT. 3, 1957

“Bozeman In For Bozeman: This is the first issue of The Courant under new management in over 30 years. However, we hope it won’t be considered exactly ‘new’ management. After all, this new editor and publisher (R.G. ‘Bob’ Bozeman Jr.) grew up under the kind, yet firm, tutelage of (R.G.) Bozeman Sr. You’ll find no drastic changes in policy. The Courant will continue to be a family-type country weekly, and will also continue, we hope, to be widely read one.
“Also, dear readers, we want to assure you here and now that the popular column, ‘As A Man Thinketh’ will continue to appear on the front page of the paper. It may not, the columnist informs us, appear with the regularity it has in the past, but it will appear as often as The Man Thinketh and Writeth.
“And, as for Bozeman, the younger, let us mince no words. He is right proud to be back among the homefolks, and more than happy to be at the helm of the paper on which he cut his editorial teeth. You have been good and faithful to the elder. We ask for your continued support of the younger.
“We will be here week after week working always for what we believe the best interests of Evergreen and Conecuh County. Call on us when we can help. Stand with us when we are right. Bear with us when we are wrong.”

“Alma Martin, Post No. 50 of the American Legion will honor veterans of World War I and the Korean War at a special meeting Monday night, Oct. 21.”

72 YEARS AGO
OCT. 1, 1942

“Conecuh Gallows Irons Will Continue Death Mission: Several hundred pounds of iron fixtures, parts of the old gallows at the county jail, were released Tuesday by county officials to the local salvage committee to be placed in the scrap metal now being collected, and which will be used in the manufacture of war materials. So, it will continue its mission of death, but in a somewhat different role. Perhaps as a part of a tank, or airplane or maybe a shell or a gun.
“The old gallows has been in disuse for nigh on to 20 years. The last occasion it was used was on Jan. 22, 1926 when Murray Rankins, negro, convicted of assaulting a white woman, was hung. A.M. Barfield was sheriff at that time, and it was he who sprang the trap which sent Rankins to his death. Not many years after that, hanging as a means of putting criminals to death was outlawed and electrocution instead was provided by law. Condemned persons are now electrocuted at Kilby State Prison.”

“Arrives Safely Overseas: Lt. Laula Middleton has arrived safely overseas according to a cablegram which his family received Saturday. The message was sent Fri., Sept. 25. His family believes that he is in England or Ireland but there is no definite information to this effect.”

“There are approximately 600 Conecuh County boys now in the various branches of military service of this country…”

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