100-year-old news highlights from Conecuh County from November 1917

Nathan Thomas Dean

It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in November 1917.

In the Nov. 7, 1917 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “a boy was killed by a freight train near the McMillan street crossing yesterday afternoon. He undertook to catch the train and was hurled under the wheels and killed, both legs being cut off and his head crushed. It is common to see boys, white and black, swing on to passing trains and it is a great wonder that more tragedies do not occur from such foolhardiness.”

Also that week, readers learned that “there were 3,687 bales of cotton ginned in this county up to Oct. 18, compared with 1,379 for this same date last year, showing an increase over the production last year of 2,308 bales. These figures are official, being furnished by the U.S. census bureau.”

Salter also reported that week that the “county fair opened this morning and the indications are that it will be a complete success. All day yesterday, exhibits were being brought in and placed in the exhibit halls and it now appears that the showing will be very creditable. It is expected that next Friday will be the most interesting of the entire week, being school day. School children from all parts of the county will assemble at the agricultural school grounds, will form in parade and march to the fairgrounds. Last year there were about 3,000 children in the parade. The number on next Friday will be in all likelihood be much larger. At 11 o’clock, Judge W.W. Brandon of Tuscaloosa will deliver an address on education at the courthouse. This address should be heard by every person who can get into the courthouse, as Judge Brandon is a forcible, interesting speaker.”

In the Nov. 14, 1917 edition of The Courant, under the headline, “Prominent Citizen Dies Suddenly,” it was reported that “Thomas A. Jones, for many years a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of the northern portion of this county, died suddenly while partaking of the midday meal on Saturday last at his home in the Fork of Sepulga. Mr. Jones was a prosperous farmer for many years and reared a large family. He had been actively identified with the educational interests of the county and took an active interest in church and fraternal affairs, being a devout member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic order. He served the entire four years in the Confederate war, doing his duty fearlessly at all times. The funeral occurred on Sunday afternoon conducted by his pastor, Rev. Mr. Robinson, and the local Masonic lodge of the community of which he had long been a member. Interment in the family lot at Bethel church.”

Readers that week also learned that “work was commenced on Monday on the construction of a brick store building on the West Front Street, opposite the depot. The building will be 50x80 and owned by Rev. J.A. Taliaferro. C.R. Tate is the contractor.”

Also that week, it was reported that “the County Fair is now a matter of history. The big day and the one which made the fair really worthwhile was School day on Friday when thousands of people thronged the streets from early morning till well up into the night. The sight of many hundreds of children in parade passing in review was at once inspiring, each unit frequently giving lustily the school yell. There were more than 40 schools represented with between 2,000 and 3,000 children.”

In the Nov. 21, 1917 edition of The Courant, it was reported that “one of the largest real estate transactions to take place in this county in some time was consummated last week when Walter Lee purchased the Bargamy place from John W. Brown. This property is situated five miles south of Evergreen on the Castleberry road and consists of some of the finest farming land in this section of the state. Mr. Lee will convert it into a modern stock farm.”

Also that week, under the headline, “Death of Aged Citizen,” it was reported that “Nathan Thomas Dean died on Saturday last at his home at West Side after several weeks illness at the advanced age of 84 years. Mr. Dean was born in Beat One and spent his entire life in this county, with the exception of the four years spent with the Confederate army, and was one of our best known and most highly esteemed citizens. The funeral occurred on Sunday morning conducted by Rev. D.W. Haskew. Interment in Evergreen cemetery.”

Salter also reported that week, under the headline, “First Hog Sale a Big Success,” that “the first sale of hogs by the Conecuh Stock Sales association on last Thursday at the stock pen at the oil mill was a greater success in every particular than the most sanguine member of the association had expected or anticipated. A large crowd of onlookers was attracted and everybody was enthusiastic. Thirty-six farmers brought in 215 hogs, which after being weighed and graded, were offered to the highest bidder and brought the neat sum of $5,018.44, the Davis Packing Co. of Mobile being the successful buyer.”

In the Nov. 28, 1917 edition of The Courant, it was reported that “fire broke out in the roof of the White House hotel on Saturday afternoon, but was quickly extinguished by the bucket brigade before the fire department could respond. A serious fire was thus narrowly averted.”

Also that week, it was reported that “a sneak thief went into the hallway of Prof. Bennett’s home on Friday night last and relieved him of his overcoat, hat and cap. The thief has not been apprehended.”

Also that week, under the headline, “Our Boys Safe in France,” that “several cablegrams received here during the past week by relatives and friends from members of the Rainbow Division announced their safe arrival ‘somewhere in France.’ This good news was a relief to many anxious relatives and friends.”

That week’s paper also included the following public notice – “To the Public: If our neighbors want to put their cows in the pasture at the Orphanage, they must send three dollars by the messenger who brings the cows. A dozen or more have had such service and no books have been kept nor will any be kept hereafter. After Nov. 30, your cows will be turned back unless your messenger has three dollars. – Baptist Orphanage, Jno. W. Stewart.”

Salter wrapped up the month by letting readers know that “Mrs. J.L. Sinquefield had the misfortune to lose the handsome diamond setting from her ring on Friday night. The gem has not yet been found.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of December 1917 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.