Sunday, May 24, 2015

130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from May 1885

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of Editor H.R. Hood and Publisher Q. Salter, published four editions 130 years ago during the month of May 1885. Those issues, which were dated May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those four editions. Enjoy.

MAY 4, 1885

As we go to press this (Friday) evening we learn that our esteemed townsman Maj. C.L. Scott has been appointed Minister to Venezuela by the President. A true and deserving patriot has been fittingly rewarded.

Miss Ima Russell, who has been teaching in the academy at Evergreen, has returned home.

Burnt Corn – It was rumored upon our streets last week that Mr. Richard Mosley of Burnt Corn had died Friday the 24th ult. Mr. Mosley had been seriously ill for some time.

Mount Pleasant – The lumber business is lively at the mills, abundant water power and good demand for sawn timber.

Mr. Samuel W. Yarbrough, a thorough-going young businessman, has charge of the steam saw and grist mill of Messrs. Russell & Hudson and has an advertisement in this week’s Journal, to which we would call special attention. He sell lumber from 40 cents to $1 per hundred feet and solicits orders for bills of lumber which he can fill on short notice.

The White House – I have again leased this house and thus give notice that it will remain open to the public under my proprietorship during the present year, and I solicit a continuance of that patronage so liberally extended me in the past. Recently many improvements have been made in the general arrangement of the House and many other improvements have been made for the public accommodation. Meals, as usual, 25 cents. W.B. Jones, Proprietor.

MAY 11, 1885

Large numbers of hogs have been destroyed by cholera in this and other parts of the county this Spring.

Monroeville is soon to have a lemonade and Soda water stand.

Maj. and Mrs. C.L. Scott, Col. and Mrs. B.L. Hibbard, and Master John Hibbard left for Mobile last Thursday. Major Scott and Col. Hibbard left Mobile Saturday night for Washington, D.C. Mrs. Hibbard and John will attend the Exposition, while Mrs. Scott will remain in Mobile.
Col. Hibbard will accompany Maj. Scott on his mission to Venezuela. They left Monroeville Thursday evening last, for four years and probably forever. We wish them a pleasant voyage and safe return.

The Third Regiment, Alabama State Troops, was formed in Selma on Tuesday, as is learned from The Times, by the election of S.W. John of Selma, Colonel; W.E. Yancey of Talladega, Lieutenant Colonel; W.R. Oliver, Major; N.G. Winn, Adjutant; Z.J. White, Surgeon; T.F. Mangum Jr., Sergeant Major; Christian Laubeinheimer, Color Sergeant. The Talladega Rifles, Morgan Rifles, Pelham Guards, Wilcox Greys, Pelham Rifles, Selma Guards and Pettus Rifles were registered.

Commissioner’s court meets today, Monday.

Died – On Tuesday, the 28th ult., about eight miles south of Monroeville, of dropsy, Mr. John Folk, aged about 80 years.

MAY 18, 1885

The editor of this paper is quite sick, which will account for our many shortcomings in this week’s Journal.

The Monroeville jail has 10 inmates at present.

Mr. John L. Stallworth of Pineville passed through town Thursday evening en route to Pensacola with a drove of sheep.

Judge and Mrs. J.W. Leslie are attending the Exposition at New Orleans.

Monroeville was represented by 13 persons at the Exposition on Alabama’s Day.

Mrs. John Herrington and Mrs. McConico of Pineville were in town last week.

The family of Col. T.C. McCorvey of Tuscaloosa is visiting the family of Dr. J.T. Packer at this place.

Col. D.L. Neville is out on the streets again after a few days illness.

Rev. P.C. Morton preached a very eloquent, entertaining and instructive sermon at the Presbyterian church Friday night last.

Mrs. Emma Seymour will leave for the North this week, where she expects to make her future home.

Fork – Crops are looking sick. We had frost on the 10th and 11th of this month.

MAY 25, 1885

In a private letter to a gentleman of Monroeville, Maj. C.L. Scott, our new minister to Venezuela, says that he and Col. Hibbard, his private Secretary, will sail from New York for Caracas on the 28th instant.

Mr. L.H. Henley of Burnt Corn was in town a short time ago and, we learn, took the first degree in Masonry.

There is some talk of a soda fount being established at Monroeville. It will pay.

Mr. W.B. Jones has again opened his Beef Market at this place, where he will be pleased to furnish his customers with choice beef at lowest market price. Market will be open every Saturday morning at 6:30, N.E. Corner, Public Square.

The draught and backgammon board furnish an unending source of amusement to the “gentlemen of leisure” of this place. It is a more sensible source of pleasure than roller skating or base ball.

Death of Mr. J.S. Parker (Mobile Register) – Saturday night, there died at the Providence Infirmary, Jacob Scott Parker, death being caused by disease of the heart and Bright’s disease. He was born in Monroe County, Ala. in March 1847 and was consequently 38 years of age. He came to Mobile in 1870 and engaged in the cotton compress business with his brother, Duncan T. Parker.

The remains were buried at 10 o’clock Monday morning from the residence of his brother, Mr. J.J. Parker, at the corner of St. Emmanuel and Monroe streets. The funeral was largely attended by his friends and relatives.

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