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| The 'Nettie Quill' steamboat. |
The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 120 years
ago during the month of February 1895. Those editions were dated for Feb. 7,
Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 and can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County
Library in Monroeville. What follows are a few news highlights from both of
those editions. Enjoy.
FEB. 7, 1895
Shooting at Perdue Hill: An unfortunate shooting affray
occurred at Perdue Hill, this county, on last Friday morning in which Mr. Sam
Thames sustained painful injuries at the hands of Mr. I.D. Roberts. The
circumstances as gathered by The Journal, are substantially as follows:
Mr. Roberts had observed on frequent occasions indications
of the depredations by someone’s stock on his oat field, but despite his utmost
vigilance, could never find them in the field nor in what manner they gained
entrance, as the fences were in good order. On Friday morning, however, he went
at an early hour to the oat field and discovered a mule quietly grazing on the
oats. Concealing himself in a position favorable to his purpose, Mr. Roberts
sat himself down to await developments. Shortly he observed in the imperfect
light of the breaking dawn the figure of a man dimly outlined against the
horizon, cautiously approaching the mule which he proceeded to bridle. Mr.
Roberts raised his gun and fired with the intention of frightening the man, but
the weapon being easy of trigger, in his excitement he discharged it
prematurely, the entire load taking effect in Thames’ neck and shoulder.
Fortunately the gun was charged with very small shot, otherwise the result must
have proven fatal. The occurrence is greatly regretted, but none, perhaps, more
than Mr. Roberts.
Mr. Thames’ wounds were dressed by a skillful physician, and
will occasion him no inconvenience other than a few days imposition.
The writer (from Mexia) visited Blackshers mill a few days
since. It is located half mile below Mr. Sam Roberts old Mill on the same
stream. They have gone to work putting it up and expect to be running in a
short while.
Mr. John S. Harrengton is again in harness as Sheriff of
Monroe, Mr. I.B. Slaughter having engaged him to discharge the duties of that
office, pressing private affairs rendering it impossible for him to give the
necessary personal attention to the office. Mr. Harrengton will give to the
office the same efficient personal attention that characterized his former
administration.
Mr. Walter Roberts, who has been merchandising at Arlington,
Wilcox County, has disposed of his business at that place and returned to
Monroe to accept a position with the Blacksher Mill Co.
Capt. Thomas S. Wiggins is visiting the Capital City this
week.
At the Old Stand: The Journal is pleased to learn, as are
their friends everywhere, that Messrs. Roberts, Locklin & Co., who were
some months ago forced to assign for the benefit of their creditors, have
settled up their indebtedness and resumed business at the old stand at Perdue
Hill, under favorable auspices, where they will be pleased to meet their
friends and former patrons.
Bacon, pork, molasses and sweet potatoes constitute the
principal currency in Monroe. From observation and inquiry, we conclude that
the volume is ample for the present, at least, and always floats at par.
Treasury officials (farmers) contemplate a large increase of the volume the
coming season.
FEB. 14, 1895
Accident to the “Nettie Quill”: The Alabama River steamer
“Nettie Quill” had a narrow escape from sinking at Cobb’s Landing, 225 miles
above Mobile, on last Thursday morning.
The accident occurred about eight o’clock while the boat was
making a landing, and was caused by her striking a snag concealed under the
water. The presence of the snag was well known to the pilot, but as he was
holding the boat in to the bank the high wind prevailing at the time drove it
sideways right onto the snag with such force that a hole four feet by 20 inches
was stove in her starboard side, and the water rushed into her hold with such
rapidity that threatened to sink her in a few minutes.
The carpenters set to work immediately to construct
bulkheads around the hold, while the passengers and freight were put ashore.
After working all day and part of Thursday night, the icy waters being up to
the waist of the workmen in the hold much of the time, the bulkheads were
finally completed and the flow of water checked. When it was found that the boat
was saved the freight was again put aboard and the boat turned back to Mobile,
arriving at her wharf at six o’clock Saturday morning.
There was no consternation on board, the officers and crew
acting as coolly and collected as if the occurrence had been of the most
ordinary character, and to this fact, perhaps, is due the saving of the boat.
The damage was repaired in time for the Quill to make her
regular trip this week.
The Commissioners Court convened is regular quarterly
session on Monday, his Honor the judge and the full board in attendance. A new
public road leading from Tekoa intersecting Perdue Hill and Repton road was
established.
The weather during the past week has been the coldest and
most disagreeable for many years. On last Thursday, the temperature dropped to
10 degrees above zero, the lowest point within the memory of the oldest
citizens. Rain, snow and ice is reported everywhere.
Public Improvements: The improvements on the courthouse have
been completed with exception of a few finishing touches which the disagreeable
weather has delayed. New seating accommodations have been provided in the
courtroom, fashioned after the opera house style; the offices have been
tastefully painted and trimmed and many other improvements made. The commissioners,
after a thorough inspection, express themselves as being well pleased with the
work. Altogether the building and its appointments are a credit to the county
and speaks well for the progressive ideas of the Board of Commissioners. When
the taxpayers come to realize the many advantages that will result from these
improvements their censure will be turned into praise.”
The Journal is gratified to note that the citizens of
Monroeville have at last awakened to the necessity of taking action to preserve
better order in our town. The various kinds of disorder which have existed for
some months past, making the nights hideous, are a positive disgrace to a
civilized community and in some respects would put to shame the border towns of
the wild west. These disturbances have been borne very patiently by our
citizens, but forbearance has ceased to be virtue and forces will now be put in
operation that it is hoped will improve the moral atmosphere.
FEB. 21, 1895
Monroeville was snowbound for several days last week, all
communication with the outside world by mail and otherwise being cut off by the
snow.
The snow last week afforded rare sport to the boys and
battles of the balls were waged with vigor.
The largest mail ever handled by Monroeville post office was
received on last Monday – the accumulated matter of four or five days –
delivery to local patrons and dispatch over the various star routes radiating
from this place. Postmaster Ricou proved himself equal to the occasion,
however, and accomplished the task with great facility.
The Journal is indebted to Mr. C.M. Simmons for a delightful
sleigh ride during the last week’s snow. Enjoyment of this character is rarely
experienced in this latitude.
Important to Famers: Capt. W.B. Kemp, President for Monroe
County of the American Cotton Growers Protective Association, requests The
Journal to announce that a meeting will be held in Monroeville on Sat., March
2, 1895 for the purpose of organizing a County Association to the end that the
active cooperation of the farmers may be secured in the movement to restrict
the acreage and production of cotton in 1895.
FEB. 28, 1895
A little colored girl was shot and killed by her brother
near Perdue Hill last week. The two children were playing with an old gun which
went off with the above result.
A serious accident occurred on the Louisville and Nashville
railroad three miles south of Greenville on last Saturday morning, caused by
the spreading of the rails. The engine, express and baggage cars and several
passengers coaches were precipitated down an embankment severely shaking up the
occupants. One man was killed and a number painfully injured. A large number of
Mardi Gras excursionists were on board and it is remarkable that so few
casualties resulted.
The low price of logs and timber has compelled the mills to
shut down (at Nero), throwing a large
number of men out of employment.
From Buena Vista: I (J.H. Riffe) accepted a call in December
to serve the Baptist Church at Buena Vista one-fourth of my time for the year 1895,
but being absent from the state during January, I began my work there as pastor
the fourth Saturday and Sunday in February. I verily believe that this is a
good church and is composed of some excellent good people; but they seem to
have been somewhat indifferent and inactive for quite a while having been
without a pastor about a year.
Mr. John B. Williams of Finchburg was in to see us on Wednesday.
He says the oats were pretty well all killed in his section, and farmers are
plowing up and planting again. The cotton acreage, he thinks, will be
materially reduced.
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