Wednesday, April 11, 2018

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

William Jennings Bryan

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the April 11, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN IN CAMDEN: William Jennings Bryan, the Great Commoner, and thrice candidate for the Presidency of the United States, addressed an audience in Camden on Monday afternoon last on the High School campus, in behalf of the National Prohibition Amendment. Mr. Bryan was preceded by Mr. Brooks Lawrence, who made a very effective talk. Mr. Bryan was introduced by Hon. J.M. Bonner in a very effective and eloquent style. With a few remarks along patriotic lines, Mr. Bryan launched into a discussion of the prohibition question. His remarks were eloquent and with unerring logic and convincing truth, he laid bare the folly of the claims of the liquor traffic for consideration of the voter. He presented two very important facts, facts which might well be noted by those who are accustomed to gauge their convictions on the basis of the two leading newspapers opposing ratification.
That he, would bitterly oppose the issue at this time if it hampered in the least the war activities of the United States. He told of the efforts of the saloons to place their liquors within reach of our boys at the training camps and aviation schools, thereby proving their regard for the business paramount to the nation’s welfare. He also stated and also Mr. Lawrence, that he did not receive one penny compensation for his services, but that his returns for services were derived in the pleasure he had in battling for the safety of the home and in behalf of the children.
Regardless of the bad roads and unfavorable weather preceding, hundreds of people were on hand to greet the distinguished speaker and the effectiveness of the address was shown by the close attention of all throughout the speech. His exposition of the states right’s plea completely shattered this line of defense, and we know of several who came to the meeting with that as their plea who left determined to join the ranks of forces of righteousness. Many of the most prominent citizens of the county were present and the seed sown no doubt will bear fruit in the coming campaign. Mr. Bryan left immediately for Fort Deposit where he spoke at 8 p.m.

Dr. W.R.K. Beck of Fort Oglethorpe spent several days with his mother the past week.

Messrs. Peyton Burford and Irby Savage, who have completed their course at the Officers Training Camp at Camp Gordon, returned for a short visit to their parents.

NOTICE TO PUBLIC: The Board of Education will meet on Thurs., May 16, to nominate (a) principal for the Wilcox County High School, and to attend to such other matters as may come before it. – O.C. Weaver, Supt. Education.

There will be no preaching at the A.R.P. Church next Sabbath, the 14th, the pastor will be absent at Marion Junction. On the third Sabbath of this month, the 21st, he will also be absent at Red Level, Ala., attending the meeting of Presbytery and his pulpit will be vacant on that day. – B.H. Grier.

Miss Kittie Burford of Montgomery Woman’s College spent several days with her parents this week.

Mr. and Mrs. D.O. Watson of Caledonia are the happy parents of a 10-pound boy.

Mrs. E.H. Pritchett spent this weekend with her father in Selma.

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