Sunday, November 2, 2014

125-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from November 1889

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala. likely published five editions 125 years ago during the month of November 1889, but only four of those editions are available on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville. Those papers, which were published by Journal editor and proprietor Q. Salter, are the Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29 editions. What follows are a few new highlights from each of those papers. Enjoy.

NOV. 1, 1889

Judge Sowell requests us to say that the warrants for the money appropriated for the relief of maimed and disabled Confederate soldiers and widows of soldiers have been received and can be obtained on application at his office.

Sheriff Harrengton returned from Tuscaloosa Sunday.

Wanted, at this office, cash, country produce or wood for subscriptions to The Journal.

Circuit Court will convene Monday week as will also the court of County Commissioners.

Mr. E.D. Conover has returned from Perdue Hill where he was last week with his photograph tent.

The horse attached to the Claiborne mail hack ran away last week, breaking the vehicle and bruising the driver considerably.

MASONIC – Monroe Chapter No. 4 will hold its regular convocation in the Masonic Hall at Perdue Hill, Ala. on the first Thursday in December. W.J. McCants, Secretary.

BUENA VISTA – Dr. J.S. Jenkins, one of Monroe’s oldest and best physicians, who for many years lived and practiced his profession at Monroeville, is quite sick at his home at Buena Vista.

Capt. W.B. Kemp was in Monroeville Saturday.

Judge Leslie predicts a warm month for November.

NOV. 15, 1889

Just as we go to press we are shocked by the intelligence that Mr. Willie Stevens, son of Mr. T.J. Stevens, was shot and instantly killed by his uncle Mr. T.W. Marshall near Finchburg this (Friday) morning about eight o’clock. We are unable to learn any particulars, except that both Mr. Stevens and Mr. Marshall were under the influence of whiskey. The news of the sad tragedy has spread a gloom over the entire community and the sympathy of all is enlisted for the stricken family.

LOST! Two 1-20th tickets in Louisiana Lottery: Suitable reward will be paid for their delivery at The Journal Office.

Court convened Monday at 12 p.m. The attendance upon court is quite large.

Among the prominent visiting attorneys attending court, we notice the familiar faces of Col. Nick Stallworth and Hon. G.R. Farnham of Evergreen, Col. J.W. Posey and J.O. Cloud of Mobile and Thomas L. Sowell, esq., of Jasper.

We regret to learn of the painful accident which befell Mr. Wm. Ivey of Fork, a few days since. He was thrown from his horse, dislocating his hip and otherwise injuring him.

Two persons have been sentenced to the penitentiary during the present term of court. Tom Hall, convicted of grand larceny and sentenced to the penitentiary for four years, and Howard Snyder, convicted of assault with intent and sentenced to the penitentiary for five years.

NOV. 22, 1889

In noticing the killing of Mr. W.C. Stevens by Mr. Theo. Marshall last week, we stated that our information was that both parties were under the influence of liquor; this, we are informed, was an error, and that both were entirely sober. We make this correction in justice to all concerned.

Mr. Conover, our photographer, will be at Pineville on Dec. 2nd with his photo tent and will remain one week. Those desiring work in his line will avail themselves of this opportunity.

The loud noise which we heard (at River Ridge) some time ago was a large meteor. It fell about three o’clock in the evening. It reminds me of the Irishman’s remark about a noise. A fresh imported Irishman, hearing a gun fired at sunset from a man-of-war in N.Y. Bay, asked what the noise meant. Being told that it was the sundown gun, he exclaimed: “Does the sun make such a devil of noise going down in this country?”

Circuit Court adjourned Tuesday.

GUNS! GUNS! Another lot just received. Double barrel shot guns from $6.50 up, at Roberts, Locklin & Co’s.

Judge Clarke and Solicitor Taylor left Wednesday for Baldwin County where court will convene next week.

The deliberations of the grand jury occupied the whole of the first week and part of the second week of court, during which time, they investigated 99 charges and returned 57 true bills.

NOV. 29, 1889

The most important case tried during the recent term of court was that of the State vs. Lambert for assault with intent and attracted wide interest and a large audience of spectators. The case was called on Monday of the second week, the time set for its hearing, and the entire day consumed in the examination of the witnesses, of whom there were about 40, after which the court adjourned until the following morning, when the case was argued with much ability on both sides. The plea of the defense was insanity and was most ably and eloquently argued by Col. D.L. Neville of our local bar and G.L. Smith, esq., of Mobile. Compliments of the speech of the former were especially numerous and well deserved. The jury sustained the plea and the defendant was sent to the insane asylum in compliance with the provisions of an act passed by the last legislature, bearing on cases of that character.

Mr. John Sowell, who is teaching near Claiborne, spent last Sabbath with his parents.

From the Evergreen Star we learn that our whilom friend Jno. W. Davison has returned to Washington, where he will remain during the coming session of congress as the special correspondent of the Birmingham Age-Herald and several other leading papers in the South.

Geo. D. Whitson, Special Agent of The National Life-Maturity Insurance Co., will remain in Monroeville for several weeks. All parties desiring insurance can call on him at the Hudson Hotel.


Miss Carrie French, one of Wilcox’s lovely young ladies, is visiting relatives and friends at this place.

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