The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published five editions 120 years
ago during the month of January 1895. However, only four of those editions
(Jan. 3, Jan. 10, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31) can be found in the microfilm collection
at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville. What follows are a few news
highlights from each of the January 1895 editions that can be found on
microfilm. Enjoy.
JAN. 3, 1895
Tax collector F.E. Robison is proving a most capable and
efficient officer. His genial and gentlemanly manners render him universally
popular.
Tax-gatherer Robison reports a very good collection during
the past month, about $4,000.
Prof. Marsh reopened school at the Academy on Monday after
the holiday recess with an increased attendance.
Mr. J.A Grace, the popular proprietor of the Claiborne Upper
Warehouse, dropped in to see us on Wednesday. He reports the shipments of
cotton through his warehouse this season about 2,500 bales, which is several
hundred in excess of last year. The total shipments through the two warehouses
at Claiborne during the season will reach nearly or qnite (sic) 6,000 bales.
A riot occurred at a negro fair near Pine Apple on Saturday,
Dec. 22, in which five are reported killed and 13 mortally wounded. Those
killed were the three Vanmetten brothers and Alex and Ed Kayer. Whiskey was the
cause.
A little colored child about five years old, living in the
Clausell Quarter, two miles west of town, caught fire accidentally and was
severely burned on last Monday.
Mr. W.L. Pritchett of the Bear Creek Mill Co. was in town
this week on business connected with the land office.
Mr. H.J. Coxwell of Perdue Hill was in Monroeville on
Monday. He reports an uneventful Christmas at the Hill.
JAN. 10, 1895
We had a pleasant call on Saturday from Hon. W.B. Kemp,
State Senator from this district. The Captain is in excellent health and seems
to be enjoying his holiday vacation.
The County Board of Education met in Monroeville on last
Saturday and a number of teachers from various parts of the county were in
attendance. All returned home disappointed however in the matter of drawing
their quarterly pay, the funds for that purpose having failed to arrive.
Work on the interior improvement of the courthouse was
resumed on Monday after several days’ suspension. The walls will be ready in a
few days for plasterers to begin work.
County court was in session Monday and a part of Tuesday.
The docket was heavier than usual.
Messrs. W.F. Garrett and M.D. Lambert, two of Monroe’s best
citizens, left on Monday on prospecting tours, the former for Texas and the
latter for Florida, with a view to locating. The Journal contemplates with
regret the loss of such valued citizens.
The Monroeville Academy continues to grow and flourish.
Several new pupils were enrolled Monday. The talented Miss Ida Russell is in
charge of the music department.
Capt. Thomas A. Nettles of Longstreet dropped in for a few
moments on Monday.
JAN. 17, 1895
Unfortunately, this issue of The Monroe Journal is missing
from the microfilm records at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville.
JAN. 24, 1895
Notes from Nero: We had a snowfall here last night of about
half an inch in depth and have had one of the hardest freezes we have
experienced in several years.
A New Railroad: It is understood that application will be
made to the legislature to grant a charter for a new railroad from Searight,
Covington County, via Brooklyn in Conecuh County, crossing the Louisville and
Nashville railroad at Evergreen, thence westward via Belleville, Monroeville,
Monroe County, Grove Hill and intermediate points intersecting the Mobile and
Ohio railroad at State Line, Miss.
We understand that there are quite a number of wealthy and
enterprising gentlemen interested in the project, which strengthens the hope
that the enterprise will be urged to speedy accomplishment.
The building of the road above mentioned, traversing the
entire breadth of the county from East to West, and the construction of the great
Pensacola and Northwestern, extending from North to South forming a junction at
this place, would signalize the dawn of a new era for Monroeville and Monroe
County. With either of these roads we should in a few months take our place in
the front rank of live, progressive towns; with both of them we should surpass
them all.
A Mite party was given at the residence of Capt. Thos. S.
Wiggins on Monday night for the benefit of the Presbyterian minister. The
attendance was fair and contributions liberal.
Hon. W.G. McCorvey, Monroe’s representative in the lower
house of the General assembly, returned to Montgomery last Saturday. The
legislature reconvened on Tuesday.
Mr. C.M. Simmons is erecting a large residence in the
southern part of town. When completed it will be occupied by Prof. J.F. Marsh.
Masonic Notice: Monroe Chapter No. 4 will hold a regular
convocation Thurs., Feb. 7, 1895 at 7:30 p.m. at Perdue Hill, Ala. Companions
are requested to be present. A good time may be expected. W.J. McCants, River Ridge,
Jan. 10.
Work on the courthouse is progressing rapidly. A few days
more and Monroe will have the largest, neatest and most conveniently arranged
courthouse of any interior county in Alabama.
The large oak trees surrounding the courthouse have been topped
and trimmed adding greatly to the appearance of court square.
The Journal received a call on last Saturday morning from
Mr. Frank C. Carpenter, who was walking from Cincinnati to Mobile on a wager.
He left Cincinnati on Dec. 1 and under the conditions of the wager was required
to accomplish the journey on foot and without other pecuniary assistance than
that he should earn while en route by the 30th of January. We found Mr.
Carpenter, who is a native of San Francisco, a very intelligent and agreeable
gentleman, and apparently none the worse for his long tramp. We presume that
ere this he has reached his destination.
JAN. 31, 1895
Attention, Monroe County Corps! General Order No. 1 – Every
member of the Monroe County Corps, Co. M, 1st Reg. A.S.T., will appear in
uniform at Monroeville the 2nd Monday in February for the regular monthly drill
and to attend to other matters of importance. The Co. will meet at 9:30 a.m.
All equipments must be on hand and in good order. T.B. NETTLES, Captain, Co. M.
Two Negroes were killed by lightning near Suggsville last
Monday – a man and a woman. Ten of them had taken shelter from the rain in a
small house and it is said that electricity came down the chimney and passed
out at the door knocking all 10 of the Negroes down and killing two.
Mr. Lafayette Riley of Burnt Corn was in Monroeville on
Tuesday and gave The Journal a pleasant call.
Col. W.G. McCorvey, Monroe’s distinguished representative in
the legislature, has introduced a bill in the house empowering the counties of
the state to issue bonds for the building of jails, courthouses, bridges, etc.
We suggest that the Colonel amend his bill so as to include public roads and
other internal improvements.
Rev. N.B. Keahey and family arrived at Monroeville last week
and are occupying the Thompson residence. They are cordially welcomed to our
community.
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