Thursday, December 13, 2018

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

1917 Model T Ford Roadster

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Dec. 12, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Willie Snell Gives Life To His Country: On Saturday last, Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Snell of Caledonia received notice from the War Department telling of the death of their son, Willie, who died from pneumonia in France. The death of this promising young man is a severe blow to his devoted parents and a shock to his and their many friends. His death is truly that of a hero just as much as if he had fallen on the firing line. He was universally liked by his associates and was faithful unto the trusts imposed on him. This is about 10 boys that Wilcox has given as a sacrifice for democracy, but they have not died in vain nor shall their glory be forgot. To these parents as well as to the other loved ones who have passed through the vale of sadness, we extend our sympathy.

A letter from Pvt. Richard C. McWilliams to his father, Mr. R.E. McWilliams, tells of his safe arrival overseas after an exciting voyage in which a severe storm was encountered which lasted 24 hours. Soldiers were not allowed to remove life preservers and engaged frequently in life-saving drills. He did not know whether he would be returned to the States at once or not, having reached port the day the armistice was signed.

Owing to continued prevalence of influenza, the Camden schools have been closed until Dec. 30. Pine Apple, Fatama, Griffiths and Mt. Hope schools were also closed the past week.

Canton Bend has suffered more from the prevailing scourge than any other Camden district. In the dormitory of Millers Ferry school, there were 53 cases at one time and the distress so great among the poorer classes of negroes, where many deaths occurred, in some instances three and four in one family, that the charitable white people of the community got together and sent food and wagonloads of wood to numerous needy homes.

Dr. T.W. Jones, who has been at home on a furlough, returned to Camp Greenleaf Saturday to receive his discharge from U.S. service. His return to Camden will be welcomed by a host of friends as he is one of our best physicians.

Prof. C. Hardy of Camden, Dr. W.P. Roberts of McWilliams and Mr. W.W. Ptomey of Pineapple represented Wilcox at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in Montgomery the past week.

Tuesday evening about 8 o’clock our town was startled by alarms of fire. The girls dormitory at Wilson’s colored school was burned. It will be rebuilt at once.

Mr. Mark Grier, son of Rev. B.H. Grier, is at home from Camp Hancock, having been discharged from war service. He will enter the seminary at Princeton, New Jersey in January.

Mrs. Wallace and little son of Pensacola arrived in Camden last week where the expect to make their home for some time. Mr. Wallace represents the Newport Rosin & Turpentine Co. of Pensacola.

FOR SALE – A 1917 Model Ford Roadster with top. Equipped with shock absorbers. Self starter goes with car. Car in perfect running order. – F.F. Tait.

Mrs. W.J. Bonner, three sons and master Joe Bonner visited Selma Saturday.

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