100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant

Spright Dowell

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 January 1918.

In the Jan. 2, 1918 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that a “light flurry of snow fell here for a short while on Monday morning, though not sufficient to make any sign upon the earth. A few miles east of town and at Castleberry, we learn, snow fell to a depth of an inch or more.”

Also in that week’s paper, under the headline “Veterans Elect Officers,” readers learned that the “old vets held their regular quarterly meeting yesterday and quite a goodly number braved the bitter cold to be present at the meeting and to receive their meager allowance from the state. The small sum the old boys are paid is a great help to many of them who are growing too feeble to do very much otherwise. It is unfortunate that they are not better paid. The camp elected the following officers to serve the ensuing year: James T. Fincher, Commander; J.W. Powell, Lt. Commander; G.W. Northcutt, Adjutant; W.J. Tomlinson, Sgt. Major; Rev. D.J. Wright, Chaplain.”

Elsewhere in that week’s paper it was reported that “L.J. Etheridge, one of the veterans of the northern part of the county, was not present at the meeting of the Camp yesterday. His friends and comrades learned with deep regret of his feeble condition. He rarely ever misses a meeting of the veterans.”

Readers that week also learned that “John Burt killed a wild cat while hunting in Murder Creek swamp a few days ago.” 

In news from the Belleville community, it was reported that “school opened (at Belleville) Monday morning with Prof. Mulligan as principal and Miss Lyde as assistant.”

In the Jan. 9, 1918 edition of The Courant, under the headline “James Roberson Dead,” readers learned that the “remains of James Roberson were brought (to Evergreen) from Mobile yesterday and conveyed to the family burying ground in Mill beat for interment. He was a well-known citizen of that part of the county for many years but removed with his family to Mobile about two years ago. Pneumonia is said to have been the cause of his death. He was about 60 years of age.”

Salter also reported that week that the “last census report shows that Conecuh produced last year 4,041 bales of cotton as compared with 2,236 in 1916.” 

In news out of Castleberry that week, it was reported that “two local boys, Sergeants John Barron and Talmage Neely, are among those selected to take a course in the officers training camp at Leon Springs, Texas.”

In the Jan. 16, 1918 edition of the newspaper, the big news was all about the Milt Tolbert Tent Theater Company’s impending visit to Evergreen. Under that headline “Tolbert Show Coming,” readers learned that “commencing Monday night, Jan. 21, Milt Tolbert’s Tent Theater Co. will play a week’s engagement in Evergreen under canvas, opening Monday night in the beautiful four-act pastoral comedy, “The Village Parson.” On Friday night, Bertha M. Clay’s masterpiece, “Beyond Pardon,” will be presented.

“Mr. Tolbert has a new and novel heating system, and the big tent will be comfortably heated at all times, no matter how cold it is outside, and the tent is positively waterproof, so one takes no chances with the elements. While the Tolbert Co. is new to Evergreen, several familiar faces will be seen, among whom are H.I. Hale, leading man; Sam Hunter, the well-known comedian; Miss Cora Lee and Miss Beatrice Gibson, as well as Hi Washburn, the eccentric dancer.”

In the Jan. 23, 1918 edition of the paper, Salter reported that “there is said to be an epidemic of measles at the Orphans Home though all the patients are getting along nicely under the direction of Dr. Stallworth.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Clyde Williams is spending a while with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Williams, before entering upon his duties in the aviation service of the war department.”

Also that week, under the headline “Death of Mrs. I. Long,” it was reported that “Mrs. Long, wife of I. Long, and mother of our townsmen, Haimon and Robert Long, died on Thursday last at her home in Baltimore. Robert Long was with his mother when the end came. Mrs. Long had been in failing health for many months, and her death was not unexpected. Deceased was well known to many Evergreen people who sincerely sympathize with the family in their affliction.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mrs. Dean, mother of Judge Dean, is in a hospital in Montgomery where she was taken last week for a serious operation – the removal of one of her eyes. We learn the operation was entirely successful and that the aged patient will soon be able to return home.”

In the Jan. 30, 1918 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Conecuh Soldier Killed at Camp Wheeler,” it was reported that “Private Eugene English of this county was run over and killed by an automobile at Camp Wheeler on Monday. Another soldier, who was with him at the time, was seriously injured. Private English was a son of Joe English of this county.”

That week’s paper also included the following “Notice to Dog Owners” from Evergreen Town Clerk H.A. Shields – “Unless the town tax on dogs is paid by Feb. 15, 1918, the owners are liable to the penalties as provided. Tags may be secured at the Town Clerk’s office, the fee is $1.”

Readers that week also learned that “Laban Turk, a well-known citizen of Monroe County, died on Saturday last at the ripe age of 89 years. The news was received here by his brother-in-law, W.L. Stallworth.”

In news from Castleberry that week, it was reported that “Spright Dowell, state superintendent of education, made a forceful address to the teachers of Conecuh County Saturday at their regular bi-monthly meeting held at the county high school. Prof. Bennett, county superintendent, was also present.”

The Courant closed out the month with the following news item from G.E. Mize that appeared under the headline “Conecuh Citizen Celebrates His 100^th Anniversary” – “The 100^th birthday of Mr. Emanuel Burkett was celebrated at his son’s house, the Rev. J. Burkett, on Cedar Creek, Jan. 22. He was born Jan. 22, 1818, a few miles southeast of Butler Springs in Butler County. When he was a boy, Greenville was about the only town anywhere near him and it had only one store and that was a log house. The country was full of wolves, bears and panthers, turkeys and deer were plentiful. He and his brother had to mind the field to keep the deer and turkeys from eating up the corn and peas. Everything was cheap – every day shoes sold for 75 cents a pair. Mr. Burkett is a Christian with strong faith in Jesus. We had a turkey dinner. Mr. Burkett can see and hear alright and has good use of himself. As our meeting closed, while he sat in his chair, we all shook hands with him as a token that we would meet him in Heaven.”

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 February 1918 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.