Sunday, October 9, 2016

110-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Oct. 1906

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 110 years ago during the month of October 1906. Those issues, which were dated Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Oct. 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.


OCT. 4, 1906

Crops Damaged by the Storm: In common with other sections of the Gulf States, Monroe County came in for her share of the tropical storm which swept over this region last week. While the damage to crops and forests has been great, fortunately no lives were lost so far as known. The storm was characterized by winds of great force and velocity and a heavy and almost incessant downpour of rain for many hours.

PASSENGER TRAIN DITCHED: The southbound passenger train on the Southern Alabama division of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad ran into a washout just north of Monroe Station at noon last Thursday, and ditched. The engine and tender were thrown down the embankment and turned over. The baggage and smoking cars were jammed in the ditch while the passenger coach remained on the track.
The engineer, Capt. H.H. Jeannette was fatally scalded and the fireman severely burned. Capt. Jeannette was brought to Monroeville as quickly as possible and given prompt medical attention. He lingered in great pain until Tuesday night when death came to his relief.
Capt. Jeannettte was about 50 years old and had been in the employ of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Co. for 25 years or more. The body was shipped to Pensacola today for interment, accompanied by a delegation from the local lodges Knights of Pythias.

Messrs. J.K. Kyser of Burnt Corn, J.C. Griffin of Excel, John McDuffie of River Ridge and Dr. D.R. Nettles of Peterman were visitors to the county capital Monday. They all related kindred stories of the havoc wrought by the storm in their respective communities.

OCT. 11, 1906

The Journal has interviewed citizens from all sections of the county in attendance on the present term of court, and it appears that the injury done to crops by the recent storm was not overestimated by first reports. In some neighborhoods the crops of both cotton and corn along river and creek bottoms will be a total loss; on uplands damage was not so great, and a considerable portion will be saved.

GOODWAY: A terrific wind and rainstorm passed this and surrounding neighborhoods on the night of the 26th and 27th, causing much destruction and damaging cotton and corn to a large extent; the roads in places were completely blockaded with fallen timber. It is said to be the worst cyclone witnessed in this section in years.

PINEVILLE: Although the tropical storm spent its fury south of here, the touch of it which we had almost entirely demolished the crops, and the continued rains since have hindered the farmers in getting what remained.

CHESTNUT: For the past two weeks, the sun has failed to shine. Dark cloudy days with high winds and heavy rains have made it very discouraging to the farmers. They have suffered great loss, timber blown down, gardens damaged and the beautiful umbrella plant, which adorned our homes are nearly all blown down. The crops are badly damaged, cotton being blown out and much of it washed away.

OCT. 18, 1906

MANISTEE: Our town is quiet since the storm. There was no great loss sustained through this section, except cotton, there was quite a lot of cotton in the fields which was somewhat damaged. Some of our farmers are about through picking while others are in a rush.
Miss Jeannie K. Burns, who is teaching at the Grimes school house, visited her sister, Mrs. L.N. Lambert at Perdue Hill Saturday and Sunday.
We have a new postmaster at this place, Mr. Braxton Hobdy. Mr. Hobdy has been assistant for Dr. Harper, the former postmaster, for quite a while.
Our town is still on the boom, new houses continue to go up. The new Methodist church is near completion, and we are looking forward to the building of a new Masonic Hall on north highway which we hope to see erected in the near future.

McWILLIAMS: Mr. Dave Maxwell brought his new wife home on the 11th. They will occupy the hotel.

PINEVILLE: There has been considerable sickness caused by dampness, cold and malaria.
Dr. W.C. Farrish of Camden was in our neighborhood last week engaged in the practice of his profession. He is to come again and do more work.

The Monroe County Medical Society held its annual session in Monroeville on Wednesday of last week with a very good attendance of members.

BUENA VISTA: Miss Mabel McWilliams of Camden began her duties as teacher of the Buena Vista school last Monday.

OCT. 25, 1906

Miss Callie Faulk is with the home folks, her school at Franklin having closed a few days ago.

Confederate soldiers and widows of soldiers will receive from the state this year a total of $473,250, the largest sum ever expended by the state for this purpose.
Each pensioner on the roll will receive the maximum limit authorized by the present law for the several classes, that is to say, for pensioners of the first class, $60; second class, $50; third class, $40; and fourth class, $30.
In Monroe County, there are six pensioners of the first class, three of the second class and one of the third and 181 of the fourth class and those beneficiaries will receive the aggregate sum of $5,980.

The fall term of circuit court adjourned on Saturday morning last, after two busy weeks. Judge Lackland and Solicitor Gray left on the noon train for Grove Hill, where court is now in session.

CHESTNUT: Dr. Jim Hestle left a few days ago for Atlanta, where he will enter college and take up his profession, dentistry.

Dr. R.A. Smith of Nadawah was at the county capital the first of the week.

D.K. Smith is taking in the Alabama Agricultural Fair at Montgomery this week.

Dr. T.M. McMillan was called to Finchburg Monday on professional business.

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