Sunday, March 1, 2015

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from March 1915

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years ago during the month of March 1915. Those editions were dated for March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25 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.

MARCH 4, 1915

Asa Goodwin, the oldest man in Alabama, died at Bessemer Feb. 28 on the eve of his 108th birthday. He was born in Henry County, Ga. in 1807 and had lived since 1829 in Alabama and Mississippi. He is survived by one son, 74 grandchildren, 227 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

The local military company has been mustered out of service, having failed to measure up to the requirements of the military department on recent inspection.

The local lodge Knights of Pythias held a meeting Tuesday evening under special permit for the election of officers. The former officers were elected for the present semi-annual term.

Since the work of grading has been completed, the public square presents a much more pleasing appearance which will be still further improved when sodded with grass. The walks surrounding and passing through the square are now being graveled and the square will be enclosed with a wall or fence.

Mr. J.L. Wiggins has resumed the management of the Wiggins Hotel, which has been closed for several months.

Mr. Charles R. Broughton, an attaché of The Evergreen Courant, spent a few days with his parents last week.

The Excel Dramatic Club gave a pleasing presentation of the three-act comedy, “Topsy Turvy” at the high school auditorium on Thursday evening of last week.

MARCH 11, 1915

SEVENTEEN PASS STATE BAR EXAMS – Seven Of Successful Ones To Be Admitted From Birmingham – TWO FROM MONTGOMERY – Two From Tuscaloosa – Camden, Evergreen, Monroeville, Huntsville, Geneva, Greensboro One Each: Montgomery – Of 31 persons taking the state bar examination recently, only 17 passed, according to announcement of the State Board of Examiners. Seven of the successful ones are from Birmingham. The list follows:
C.C. McNabb, L.R. Hanna, C.W. Walker, R.S. Allen, E.W. Turlington, W.H. Levie, H.D. Moorer, Birmingham; H.A. Burns, A.V. VanderGraff, Tuscaloosa; D.B. Goode, Camden; Y. Shaver, W.M. Rogers, Montgomery; R.H. Jones, Evergreen; A.C. Lee, Monroeville; J.B. Young, Huntsville; J.S. Mullins, Geneva; Manley A. Collins, Greensboro.

There have been several transactions in local real estate within the last few days and several new dwellings will shortly be erected.

Mayor W.A. Giddens of Roy was circulating among Monroeville friends Monday.

Mr. J.U. Blacksher of Uriah was here Monday to attend a session of the Highway Commission.

Mr. H.B. Mims, a leading merchant of Beatrice, was a business visitor to the county capital a few days ago.

MARCH 18, 1915

As Chairman of the Entertainment Committee for the observance of Memorial Day on April 26, I desire to obtain the name of every Confederate veteran in Monroe County. If someone in each community will kindly furnish me with a list they will oblige the committee by writing at once – D.F. Ellisor, Chairman.

Circuit Court: The spring term of the circuit court convened on Monday, Judge Benj. D. Turner, Chatom, presiding. After invocation by Rev. A.J. Kempton, the grand jury was empanelled and charged by His Honor in a most lucid manner. Mr. E.A. Thompson is foreman and Mr. J.A. Sawyer bailiff.
There was very little litigated business on the civil docket and the petit jurors were all discharged on the third day of the term.
Judge Turner has already won a warm place in the esteem of the bar, court officials and our people generally through his ready grasp of the situation, his rapid dispatch of business and his unfailing courtesy.

Hon. Oscar L. Gray was a visitor to the city this week, looking over the local situation to see what manner he can best serve his constituents on assuming his seat in congress. Mr. Gray’s friends in Monroe are always delighted to see him and especially gratified to see him looking so well.

Mr. E.P. Morrisette of Peach Tree was a pleasant caller at The Journal office while in the city the first of the week.

Mr. W.C. Tucker was up from Jeddo Monday.

MARCH 25, 2015

The railroad depot at Beatrice was broken into Sunday night last by burglars, entrance being gained through a rear door by means of a crow bar. Careful examination failed to show that any articles were missing. There is no clue to the perpetrators of the would-be robbery.

Hickory Grove Church Burned: The Hickory Grove Methodist Church was destroyed by fire on Sunday morning. It is said that a little orphan boy was sent out in the cold at an early hour in the morning by the family with whom he had been living to gather firewood. Being barefoot and thinly clad, he lighted a fire to warm himself. The grass and weeds caught from this and rapidly spread to the church which was soon in flames. The little boy has since been taken from his former custodians and placed in the care of the Baptist Orphanage at Evergreen.

The “Oldest Inhabitant” recall few, if any, spells of cold weather as late in the season and long continued as that we have been experiencing for more than a week past. There was a light fall of snow on the 20th inst. and frost and ice almost every morning since. Icicles remained on the tower of the local waterworks all day on one or two occasions.


Circuit Court adjourned on Wednesday morning, all cases on the docket having been disposed of. The case of the State vs. J.R. Bailey, charged with murder, resulted in acquittal. This case was tried more than a year ago and resulted in conviction and a five-year sentence. The defendant appealed and the case was reversed by the supreme court. 

No comments:

Post a Comment