100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Jan. 15, 1919 edition of The Evergreen Courant newspaper in Conecuh County, Ala.

NOTICE DOG TAX: Dog taxes are now due. Procure your tags from the Marshal or the Clerk’s office before Feb. 1, 1919. – H.A. Shields, Clerk.

The picture of Rev. C.W. Gavin, who is a brother of Mrs. D.W. Haskew, appeared in the Sunday Advertiser, along with the officers of the 117^th Field Artillery. This division will soon be mustered out of service.

Representative Geo. W. Salter left on Monday for Montgomery to be present at the opening of the legislature at noon yesterday. It appears to be generally conceded that the legislature will remain in session only a few days when adjournment will be taken until probably May or June, so that the legislative program may be better prepared for the real work of the session.

Jack Thompson Escapes From Insane Asylum: Judge Dunn had official notice a few days ago of the fact that Jack Thompson had made an escape from the insane asylum at Tuscaloosa and that his whereabouts were unknown.

Jack Thompson had been confined in the asylum a large portion of the time since his conviction several years ago for the murder of his wife and her father, John B. Cooper. The terrible tragedy is yet fresh in the mind of many citizens of the county. He will most likely be apprehended and again placed in prison.

CASTLEBERRY: The boys basketball team of the Conecuh High School increased their string of victories to five Friday when they defeated the heavier Repton High School team by a score of 20 to 4. The local high school team has not been defeated this season and an interesting game is expected Friday when they meet the Greenville High School at Greenville. This game may be transferred here though because of the influenza conditions at that place. The local line-up for Friday’s game was Suddith, W., center; Holland and Shepard, forwards; Suddith, E. and Vann, guards.

The home of Mrs. W.D. Skinner was destroyed by fire Monday evening. The house and practically all the contents were destroyed and it was said that no insurance was carried. The fire started from the kitchen flue.

COME to the Spinsters Convention and see the “old maids” transformed into beautiful young maidens before your own eyes at Belleville School Jan. 24, 1919. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Admission 25 cents.

Great Rejoicing In Evergreen Home: There is great rejoicing in the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Binion over the news of the safe arrival at Newport News, Va. of their son, Eugene Binion, from France. The glad news came Friday in a message from the young man himself, who conveyed the tidings that he was back in “God’s country,” and to the Binion household it was the happiest day of their lives, except when the boy reaches the parental roof where the home fires will be burning brightly. He will probably be discharged from the service in a short while.

Young Binion was attached to the 167^th Infantry of the Rainbow Division, and landed overseas some 14 months ago. He was severely wounded during the early stages of the war and his parents and relatives were greatly distressed until the assurance came that his recovery was complete.