The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor Horace Hood and Publisher Q. Salter, published four
editions 130 years ago during the month of January 1885. Those issues were
dated Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26. What follows are a few news
highlights from each of those editions. Enjoy.
JAN. 5, 1885
VOLUME NINETEEN: The Journal enters, with this issue, upon
the 19th year of its existence. It has been under its present control since
1875 and while it has been more prosperous once during that time than now, and
brought in a greater revenue to its proprietor; yet it has never, probably,
during the 18 years of its existence, had a brighter future, and entered upon a
new year with greater hopes of future success, financially and otherwise. Its
circulation is larger than it has ever been at any time, and is still growing,
and growing rapidly, if we may be allowed to say it.
As will be seen at the head of this paper, Mr. Q. Salter,
who has had charge of the composing room and business department of this paper
for the past 12 months, has become one of the publishers and his honesty,
integrity and strict attention to business have won for him the respect of the
entire community.
Col. T.C. McCorvey, one of the most gifted, learned, elegant
and polished writers in the State, is the author of a well and beautifully
written essay on “Some Famous Southern Poems” in the Christmas issue of The New
Orleans Times-Democrat.
Rev. B.F. Riley, a fluent and graceful writer, is engaged in
writing a valuable book to be called the “Immigrants and Capitalist’s Guidebook
to Alabama.”
D.R. McMillan, esq., formerly of Monroeville and now a
prominent young attorney of Columbiana, paid a brief visit to relatives and
friends in Monroe during the holidays.
JAN. 12, 1885
A Cowardly and Brutal Assassination – On the night of the
11th ult. Richard Cunningham, a colored man living at Pine Orchard in this
county, was shot and killed by some unknown person. The facts are, so far as
related to us, that Rich had just returned from Evergreen, and was sitting in
his house with his son on one side of the fire and another negro on the
opposite side while Rich sat in front and while warming some villainous person
came to the back door, which was open, and fired upon him with a
double-barreled shotgun, striking him with 40 buckshot in the back, causing
death instantaneously. Rich was a good and inoffensive negro and was liked by
nearly all who knew him. There is no clue to the vile perpetrator of the deed.
It is to be hoped that the blood thirsty villain will be captured and made to
suffer the full penalty of his crime. This is the second assassination that has
occurred in this county within the past four months. It is time some measure
was adopted to put an end to it.
The Jail Contract – The contract for repairing the old jail
which was recently burned, was let out to the lowest bidder by the county
commissioners who met in Monroeville last week for that purpose. Mr. Hillary
Hudson was awarded the contract, his bid being the lowest, $1,189. The old
walls of the jail are thought to be uninjured and the contract is simply to
replace the cover and woodwork. Mr. Hudson has done work of this kind before
and he is fully capable of putting the work through at the earliest possible
day and doing it well and properly. There is no danger but what Mr. Hudson will
perform well his part of the contract and the county will of course perform her
part.
JAN. 19, 1885
Jail Delivery – George and Charlie Davis, two brothers who
were charged with the murder of Mr. D. Morris near Hunter’s mill in this county,
made their escape from jail on the 9th inst. together with seven other
prisoners. The Davis boys were seen by the Bell’s Landing mail boy on Friday
near River Ridge making their way back to their families in South Monroe. The
murder with which they are charged is one of the most cowardly and brutal in
the criminal annals of Monroe, and if they are captured and are ever brought to
trial and found guilty, the severest penalty of the law should be inflicted
upon them.
Since the above was put in type when learn through a letter
to Sheriff Burns from the sheriff of Wilcox, that the Davis boys have been
recaptured, and are now safely lodged again in the Wilcox jail.
At the public sale the other day, the property in the south
side of town, known as the Clausell place, sold for $600 and was purchased by
Mr. C.T. Simmons. The investment is a good one.
Mr. Horace Hood of The Journal leaves for Montgomery
tomorrow to be present at the opening of the legislature Wednesday, the 21st.
Mr. Thomas Nettles, the live man of Long street Kempville,
was in to see us a few days ago. He informs us that his Steam saw mill is now
in full blast, and he is making lumber and can fill any billon short notice.
The grist mill attachment is in fine condition and he is making most excellent
meal. Mr. Gilmore Wiggins, a fine mechanic and machinist, is attending to the
mill for Mr. Nettles.
JAN. 26, 1885
A Foul Murder: Gosport, Ala., Jan. 8th, 1885 – Dear Sir, Our
community was thrown into quite an excitement yesterday by the discovery of the
body of unknown white man who had evidently been coldly murdered and mutilated
by cutting off both ears and the entire scalp, leaving a little hair around the
edges of the back part of the head. Was killed Sunday night or Monday morning
beside a campfire along the road, then dragged about 30 paces into the woods,
thrown behind a log and hastily covered with leaves and pine straw. He was
about five feet, 11 inches in height, brown hair, sandy chin whiskers and
mustache, latter thin, aged about 35 or 40 years. Wore a blue flannel coat and
vest, faded to a grayish color, striped moleskin pants, also faded, and
homeknit socks. The shoes and hat were gone, as well as everything else of
vaine or interest except a memorandum book and pencil. In the book are the
names of S. Daniels, Henry White, T. Creigler and others. On the flyleaf is
written in a feminine hand, Maria E. Daniels. It also contained what purported
to be a “way bill” to Butler, Ala. and started, 1st Evergreen, 2d. Monroeville,
3d. Claiborne, 4th Suggsville, etc. Nothing to identify. A negro preacher who
crossed the river with him late Sunday evening says that he conversed with him
and was informed that he lived in the neighborhood of one Daniel Shepherd
(colored minister also) near your place and that he was going to
Thompkinsville, Ala. on the Bigbee to haul timber.
The above letter is from a reliable gentleman of Clarke
County, and is published to obtain information as to who is missing from the
Old Town neighborhood. At this writing no information has been received at this
office. Several gentlemen have left that community for Choctaw County recently,
nothing definite however, as to the exact time, concurring with the awful
tragedy mentioned in Mr. Bixler’s letter sufficient to designate anyone as yet.
– Evergreen Star.
Mr. Hillary Hudson will commence work on the jail soon.
Prof. W.R. Smyly, piano tuner, of Selma was in town last
week.
Postmaster Seymour a few days ago received a fine hat as a
present from a friend in Springfield, Mass.
Capt. Bondurant of Mt. Pleasant was in town last week.
Tax Assessor Jones has again started on the rounds.
Mr. A.J. Holt, formerly of The Camden Home Ruler, was in
town last week with a drove of nice horses.
Mr. J.L. Stallworth and Mr. W.G. McCorvey will in a few days
leave for San Antonio, Texas to buy stock.
A gentleman from Canada, who has been prospecting in the
northern part of our county, with a view to a home in our delightful climate,
expresses himself as being very much pleased. Let us give all such a cordial
welcome.
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