120-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from May 1896

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 May 1896. Those issues, which were dated May 7, May 14, May 21 and May 28, 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 7, 1896

Capt. F.M. Jones, after spending several weeks with relatives and friends at Monroeville, left Wednesday for his home at Milton, Fla., accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Q. Salter.

Married, on April 29, at the residence of Mr. Jeff Sessions, Wilcox County, Mr. R.C. Abernathy of Tinela and Miss Alabama Perkins of Marion, Ala., Rev. N.B. Keahey, officiating, assisted by Rev. G.W. Jones.

Mr. J.M. Lee and wife arrived a few days ago from Waxahatchie, Texas, bringing the two children that were left orphans by the death of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Stallworth a year or so ago, and who as a last request committed their helpless little ones to the tender, fatherly care of their brother, Hon. N.J. Stallworth.

Circuit Court adjourned on last Thursday afternoon and Judge Anderson and Solicitor Elmore left on the following morning for their home at Demopolis. There were five persons convicted and sentenced to terms in the penitentiary, two for murder and three for grand larceny, viz: Annie Nettles, manslaughter, two years; Sam Rogers, murder, 10 years; Sam Williams, grand larceny, 18 months; Dan Brown, same charge, three years; Tom Ross, same charge, 25 months. Marion Mixon, white, charged with murder, was acquitted.

PINEVILLE: Bro. B.H. Crumpton filled his regular appointment at the Baptist church Sunday.

MEXIA: Mr. L.N. Lambert has purchased an interest in the mercantile establishment of Messrs. Sawyer and Brown.

Jones Mill: Jones and Sawyer are putting a front to their store house.

MANISTEE: It has been reported that the small pox was raging around here, but it is not the small pox we are glad to know.

I WANT TO BUY: Confederate School Books, Confederate Bibles, Confederate Prayerbooks, Confederate Sheet Music, Confederate Song Books, Confederate Stamps, Confederate Magazines, Confederate Newspapers, Confederate Buttons, Confederate War Buckles, Confederate Paroles, Confederate Documents, Anything and Everything Published during, or relating to the late war. Write with stamp to Wm. E. Mickle, Mobile, Ala.

MAY 14, 1896

Hire of Convicts: The convicts sentenced to hard labor for Monroe County will be let to the highest bidder before the courthouse door of said county at 2 p.m. on Monday, the 13^th day of July, 1896. – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

Mr. C.W. McClure was appointed hard labor agent to hire convicts sentenced to hard labor for the county and to look after same.

MEXIA: Mr. Q. Salter of Monroeville spent last Thursday at Mexia registering voters.

The regular term of commissioners court convened on Monday and remained in session until Wednesday, commissioners Burson, Richardson and Fore in attendance. Among the business of special importance transacted was the following:

A petition for the establishment of a public road beginning at the Snow place on the Bellville Road, running westward and intersecting the Perdue Hill and at the B.F. Ledkins place, was granted.

The petition for the establishment  of a new beat in the southeastern section of the county, to be composed of what is known as the Wild Fork precinct, was overruled on account of informality in the notice and noncompliance with the conditions required by law.

RIVER RIDGE: Mr. John Bradford has been suffering greatly with toothache, but has been relieved by Bells Landing’s good dentist, Dr. Nettles.

PINEVILLE: Miss Lizzie Stallworth, one of Camden’s fairest belles, who has been visiting her grandmother, Mrs. S.A. Stallworth, returned home Tuesday.

Masonic Notice: Monroe Chapter No. 4 will hold a regular convocation, May 21, 1896, in Masonic Hall, Perdue Hill, Ala. at two o’clock p.m. A vital question will be considered and the election of the officers for another year.

Don’t forget the dues. Companions Canoe Station, Ala. are requested to be present.

W.J. McCants, Sect’y.

Carlisle: We have had plenty of rain for some time which was fortunate for those who had timber in Flat Creek. Some 25 or 30 clamps have been successfully run down. A number of the fair sex came down to witness the launching. It is intimated that there were some on the rafts that they wished more to see. Well, now, I like that.

MAY 21, 1896

At a regular communication of Monroe (River Ridge) Lodge No. 485, the following officers were elected for the ensuing Masonic year:

R.W. McCants, Worshipful Master; D.M. Stabler, Senior Warden; A.H. Johnson, Junior Warden; J.G. Johnson, Treasurer; T.G. Reynolds, Secretary; J.F. Rowell, Senior Deacon; A.H. Hays, Junior Deacon; W.A. Locke, Chaplain; T.M. Piggott, J. Hetherington, Masters of Ceremony; A.J. McKinley, C.G. Reynolds, Stewards; J.A. McKinley, Tyler.

Buena Vista: Fri., May 15, 8 p.m. found a large crowd congregated in the dramatic hall to witness the closing exercises of Buena Vista High School. This session of ’95 and ’96 has been successfully taught by Miss Mamie Boroughs of Pineville. The next day a basket picnic was given at Snell bridge in her honor.

MANISTEE: Rev. A.J. Lambert preached a most excellent sermon last Sunday to a large crowd.

PINEVILLE: Miss Mamie Boroughs, one of Pineville’s charming young ladies, who has been teaching school at Buena Vista, returned home Sunday.

The steamer Tinsie Moore announces the following summer schedule:

On and after May 1^st, until further notice, the following schedule will be run, water, etc., permitting: Leave Mobile Saturdays 6 p.m., leave Selma Mondays 7 p.m., arrive Montgomery Tuesdays 9 a.m., leave Montgomery Tuesdays 12 p.m., leave Selma Tuesdays 10 p.m., leave Burford’s Wednesdays 8 a.m., leave Lower Peach Tree Wednesdays 11 a.m., leave Bells Landing Wednesdays 12 p.m., leave Claiborne Wednesdays 4 p.m., arrive Mobile Thursdays 6 a.m.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES: The Journal acknowledges an invitation to attend the annual commencement of the Southwest Alabama Agricultural School, Evergreen, on May 31st and June 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. Following is the program…

Tues., June 2 – 10 a.m., Graduating Class exercises and awarding of diplomas by Rev. B.F. Riley, D.D., Athens, Ga.

Class of ’96 – Mary Howard Watkins, Elvie Liverman, Sallie Stallworth, Mary Robbins Sampey, Fannie Kemp Dennis, Hallie Watkins, Mary Liverman, Arthur Cunningham, Willie Wilton Watts.

Dr. and Mrs. J.L. Sowell of Perdue Hill spent last Sabbath with Dr. Sowell’s parents at this place.

Prof. Powers is making preparations for the closing exercises of his school.

The physicians report considerable sickness in the vicinity of Monroeville, not of a very aggravated type however.

Perdue Hill High School: On the night of the 23^rd inst. there will be, at the city hall at Perdue Hill, a contest for a medal to be awarded to the best orator among the advanced male students of Perdue Hill High School.

On the following Friday night the annual exhibition, consisting of charades, drills, etc., will take place. – J.N. IVEY, Principal.

MAY 28, 1896

Mr. A.T. Sowell has accepted a position as salesman for the Bear Creek Mill Co.

Mr. John Hassell returned Saturday from a trip to Tuscaloosa, having carried two patients to the asylum.

At a regular convocation of Monroe Chapter No. 4, the following officers were elected for the ensuing Masonic year, May 21, 1896 – J.A. Savage, H.P.; H.J. Savage, K; J. DeLoach, S.; R.F. Lowrey, Treas.; W.J. McCants, Sect’y; W.A. Locke, Chaplain; I.D. Ro     qerts, C of H; S.F. Gaillard, P.S.; J.B. Williams, R.H.C.; E.T. King, M. 3^rd V; J.L. Ballard, M. 2^nd V.; C.R. McNeil, M. 1^st V.; Wm. Tomlinson, Sentinel.

 MOUNT PLEASANT: Mr. J.S. Lambert of Mount Pleasant is now in Atlanta, Ga., being treated by the doctors of the National Surgical Institute.

MANISTEE: The Bear Creek Mill is running regular after some repairs.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES: The following is the order of the commencement exercises of the Monroeville Academy:

Sun., June 14, 11 a.m., commencement sermon;

Mon., June 15, 8 p.m., prize declamation;

Tues., June 16, 10 a.m., annual literary address by Hon. J.G. Harris of Montgomery, Ala.; 3 p.m., meeting of the board of trustees; 8 p.m., annual concert and awarding of medals.

All are cordially invited to attend.

-          J.N. Powers, Principal