Wednesday, December 13, 2017

100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Dec. 13, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

SALUTATORY: This issue of the Progressive Era is its initial appearance under our management, and we deem it proper to set out, with more or less definiteness, our policies and purposes, our aims and ideals, in the conduct of this paper.
We expect to give you a readable weekly; one that is worthwhile and one which will measure up to the rapid progress and development of our county.
It is our idea that this paper can be of real service in the upbuilding of our county and State, and it shall be our constant ambition and controlling purpose to aid in realizing the highest ideals in our social and economic life. – O.C. Weaver, S.C. Godbold.

Mr. S.H. White resigned the keeping of the Wilcox Poor House at the last meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Mr. W.M. Lawler was awarded their keeping for the next year.

At the regular meeting of the County Medical Association, Dr. E. Bonner was chosen as county health officer for 1918. Dr. J.D. Donald was elected president of the association; Dr. J.H. Jones, vice-president; Dr. W.B. Jones, city health officer.

Lt. J. Carney Hicks, formerly member of the Camden bar, now assigned to the 56th United States Infantry, on furlough, visited his family at the home of Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Curtis. Lt. Hicks left Tuesday to join his company at Fort Oglethorpe.

Mr. J.P. Holman, after several day’s visit to his parents, has returned to Fort Oglethorpe, where he is connected with the medical department of the artillery. John volunteered his services among the first from Wilcox, and although the soldier’s life is not so attractive to him, he feels it his duty and is anxious to cross the waters. And you may count on it, when the supreme call is made, John will be there.

Camden is on the Boom: The Matthews Hardware Co., we are informed, has purchased the vacant lot in front of the National Bank building from Hon. Sol. D. Bloch. This progressive firm will place a building on it that will be a credit to Camden. The Bonner building under process of erection by Mr. Eugene Powell is well under way and will enhance the value as well as beauty of the upper business section. The total business transactions the past week amounted to over $9,000 which indicates the confidence businessmen have in the future of our town and county.

Mr. Peyton Burford, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Burford of Camden, has been made battalion Sergeant Major. His many Camden friends are glad to note his advancement and although he has been at Camp Wheeler only a short while this is not a surprise to them, as his genuine ability and persistent energy has made its impress in civilian life.

The traditional firefighters’ efficiency of the Camdenites was again demonstrated on Thursday afternoon when the residence of Mr. O.C. Weaver was discovered to be on fire. Sam McNeil and Hazel Ross, two school boys, discovered the fire and sounded the alarm. Almost the entire community were soon on hand and the fire quickly extinguished with little damage to the building.


FAIR WARNING: There is so much complaint to the town council about cows running at large inside the corporate limits of the town that I have orders to take up all animals violating the ordinance. This will surely be done after the date of this paper. Keep your stock up and save money. – W.H. Holt, Town Marshal.

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