100-year-old Conecuh County news items from November 1914

W.W. Pridgen's grave in Thomaston, Texas.

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 November 1914.

In the Nov. 4, 1914 edition of The Evergreen Courant, owner and editor George W. Salter Jr. reported, under the headline “House Burned,” that “on Saturday night, the Rountree home at Knoxville was destroyed by fire. The place was occupied by John Smith and family and was owned by Mrs. T.H. Miller. Most of the household effects were saved.”

Also that week, readers learned that “during Sunday night five business houses in Evergreen were entered and burglarized. The places entered were Powell & Son’s store, Moorer-Williams Mercantile Co., and Marlin’s drug store, S. Sudeiha’s fruit stand and Braxton’s meat market.”

It was also reported that week that “the election yesterday was the quietest we ever remember to have observed. The fight was made in the primaries, the people were satisfied and many actually lost sight of the election.”

Salter also reported that “a wagon owned by Cary Ellis was partially wrecked at the Rural Street crossing on Saturday, being struck by passenger train No. 5. The mules were uninjured and the driver sustained only slight injuries.”

Salter closed out that week by saying that the “local picture show is growing in popularity, judging from the increasing numbers that nightly attend. Manager Gantt gets the best attractions that are to be had and he deserves the patronage of the people. He is now showing ‘The Million Dollar Mystery,’ that thrilling story that has recently appeared in so many papers in the country.”

In the Nov. 11, 1914 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Light Vote in County,” readers learned that the “vote cast in this county on the 3rd was the lightest in many years. The Democratic ticket headed by Charles Henderson for governor received 502 votes; Republican Socialist tickets headed by Jno. B. Shields and W.C. Swain each received eight votes, while the Progressive ticket headed by E.H. Cross did not poll a single vote.”

Salter also reported that “L.D. King reached home last week from a business trip to Havana, Cuba” and that “Mrs. M.T. Stallworth with her two boys left here last night for Oakland, Calif. to rejoin her husband who has a position with an electrical house in Berkeley, Calif.”

Readers that week also learned that “the new cotton warehouse is fast nearing completion and in about 10 days more will be ready for storing cotton. Already quite a quantity of cotton has been received for storage.”

Elsewhere in the paper, Salter reported that “very little cotton has been marketed in Evergreen to date. Both warehouses have long ago been filled and a third warehouse will be ready for storing the staple in a few days. Every available space in and about town is being used for storing. Many farmers who will not be forced to sell are storing their cotton at their homes.”

Salter closed the week by saying that “W.W. Pridgen, who has been confined to his bed for the past 10 days, is now reported to be in a serious condition, alarming symptoms having developed within the past three days. He has many friends who sincerely hope he may soon be restored to health.”

In the Nov. 18, 1914 edition of the newspaper, it was announced that “on Dec. 16-17 there will be held in Evergreen under the direction of the State Department of Agriculture and U.S. Farm Demonstration agents in cooperation with local businessmen and farmers, a great mass meeting of farmers, merchants, bankers and businessmen of Conecuh and adjoining counties for the purpose of ‘reasoning together’ on agricultural and other matters of vital interest to all, and to put forth earnest efforts to effect a common understanding for the betterment of all classes under the changed conditions caused by the invasion of the boll weevil and the effects of the European war.”

Salter also reported that “Geo. I. Mixon received a telegram on Thursday morning last announcing the death of his father, J.M. Mixon at Ozark.”

Readers that week also learned that “(Wiley) W. Pridgen died on last Thursday morning after an illness of two weeks duration.”

Pridgen, who was about 50 years old at the time of this death, moved to Evergreen from Brewton in 1896 and was a partner in the stock and livery business with Walter Lee. A native of Texas, who came to Alabama 25 years before his death, Pridgen was later elected Conecuh County Sheriff, and he was an active member of the local Knights of Pythias lodge. His remains were shipped by train to Thomaston, Texas for burial, with his stepfather A.W. Eatman and Walter Lee serving as escorts.

Salter wrapped up that week by reporting that the “report of the census bureau shows that 12,559 bales of cotton were ginned in Conecuh County to Nov. 1st compared with 12,201 to same date last year.”

In the Nov. 28, 1914 edition of the paper, Salter reported that the “number of tramps, or hoboes as they are commonly called, passing through Evergreen is daily increasing. This is due doubtless to lack of employment caused by business depression, and hoboing is in a measure excusable for this reason. The number of crippled or maimed people passing through is also noticeable increasing. A half dozen or more have been here within the past few days. Most of them are horribly maimed, some dreadfully diseased and objects of pity. We have often thought that there should be an institution maintained by the general government where such unfortunates could be cared for and kept off the public thoroughfares of cities and towns. There are many reasons why horribly crippled persons should not be permitted to thus roam around and these reasons are apparent to most thoughtful people.”

Also that week, under the headline “Tax Collector of Escambia Dead,” readers learned that “W.J. Holland, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Escambia County, died at his home here (Brewton) last night, after a short illness. He moved to this county from Conecuh County in 1872 and had resided here ever since. He served as tax collector of Escambia County for the past 17 years, having served four consecutive terms and a little over one year on his present term. He was 67 years old and a Mason. He leaves a widow, several children and grandchildren.”

Salter closed out the month by drawing readers’ attention to the following advertisement – “THANKSGIVING OYSTERS: Phone your order in at once. Shall have large, fine Plants and Extra Selects. Phone 94. RILEY DEPARTMENT STORE.”

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 December 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.