Today in History for Jan. 24, 2019

Truman Capote in 1968

Jan. 24, 1814 – The Battle of Enitachopco occurred only two days after General Andrew Jackson’s victory over the Red Sticks in the Battle of Emuckfau. Jackson and his Tennessee militia were ambushed by Red Sticks in a ravine near the village of Anatitchapko in present-day Clay County, Ala.

Jan. 24, 1814 – As Andrew Jackson’s forces started tọ cross Enitachopco Creek in Alabama, they encountered Red Sticks led by William Weatherford. Jackson made a distracting attack, hoping to spring a trap and fool the Creeks, but was unsuccessful. His troops did not hold their ground, but Jackson rallied them and caused considerable losses to the Red Sticks. The Creeks lost 189 warriors during this battle on this day and the battle of Emuckfau two days before. Jackson’s force sustained 20 fatalities.

Jan. 24, 1861 - Federal reinforcements headed to Fort Pickens, Fla. set sail from Fortress Monroe, Va. Also on that day, the U.S. Arsenal at Augusta, Ga. was seized by Georgia state troops.

Jan. 24, 1886 – “Severe cold and rainy weather” prevented many from attending church on this Sunday, according to The Monroe Journal.

Jan. 24, 1895 – In this edition of The Monroe Journal, the correspondent from the Nero community reported that “we had a snowfall here last night of about half an inch in depth and have had one of the hardest freezes we have experienced in several years.”

Jan. 24, 1895 – The Monroe Journal reported that work on the Monroe County Courthouse was progressing rapidly. “A few days more and Monroe will have the largest, neatest and most conveniently arranged courthouse of any interior county in Alabama. The large oak trees surrounding the courthouse have been topped and trimmed adding greatly to the appearance of court square.”

Jan. 24, 1907 – The Monroe Journal reported that Mrs. S. Faulk and Miss Callie Faulk were visiting relatives at Laurel and Meridian in Mississippi.

Jan. 24, 1907 – The Monroe Journal reported that Mr. J.L. Bowden, president of the Moore-Bowden Mercantile Co. of Jones Mill, was in Monroeville earlier that week.

Jan. 24, 1907 – The Monroe Journal reported that the Rev. J.W. Killough, pastor of the Bell’s Landing circuit, visited his daughter, Mrs. J.S. Busey, earlier that week.

Jan. 24, 1907 – The Monroe Journal reported, in news from the Chestnut community, that Miss Martha Sessions, who had been teaching school at Finklea, was at home for a while. Also, Miss Mary Beard, who was teaching at Chestnut, visited her “home folks” at Pineapple on the previous Saturday and Sunday.

Jan. 24, 1907 – The Monroe Journal reported, in new from the Buena Vista community, that Mr. O.B. Finklea and his young son had attended the Cotton Press Association in Birmingham, “whilst visiting friends and looking after mill machinery.” Also, Miss Edna Middleton was the happy recipient of some beautifully bound books for her new library – among them, the popular, “John Halifax, Gentleman,” “Miss Merlock, The Prince of the House of David,” and some works of Bulwer and Scott.

Jan. 24, 1913 – Confederate veteran Thomas C. Cargill, “an old and respected citizen of Evergreen,” passed away at the age of 86 after a lingering illness. Born on Dec. 25, 1826 in Maplesville, Ala., he served as a private in Co. A&K of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry. He enlisted at Camp Hunter in April 1862. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Conecuh County, Ala.

Jan. 24, 1914 – On this Saturday afternoon, eight women met at the home of Mrs. E.C. Page in Evergreen, Ala. for the purpose of formally organizing a United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter in Conecuh County. Mrs. Page was elected President; Mrs. Mathews, Vice-President; Miss Mary McCreary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. G.G. Newton, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Crumpton, Director; and Mrs. A. Cunningham, Historian.

Jan. 24, 1914 – Congressional candidate Woodford Mabry delivered a speech at the Conecuh County Courthouse in Evergreen, Ala., but the audience wasn’t large “owing to the fact that on Saturday afternoons businessmen are engaged with customers and shoppers are anxious to get off home.”

Jan. 24, 1916 – Several horses and mules were sold at public auction in front of the Conecuh County (Ala.) Courthouse on this Monday, according to The Conecuh Record.

Jan. 24, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported, under the headline “John Paul Jones – Wilcox Boy Selected For Special Service In France,” that “Lt. John Paul Jones of the Medical Reserve Corps, located at Camp Greenlief, is one of the 15 officers selected from the training camp for extended field service in France. The nature of the work, of course, is not given out, but the importance of the same is attested to by the fact that a competitive examination was held to determine the qualifications of the applicants and of the 15 selected all the others were from Princeton, Harvard and Yale, and who had two or more years of hospital training.”

Jan. 24, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that George Hawthorne, who was stationed at Fort Monroe, Va. with the Coast Artillery, was now at home. Hawthorne stopped by at Auburn and stood his term examination. “He is looking well and seems pleased with his army work.”

Jan. 24, 1918 – This day’s edition of the Wilcox Progressive Era carried the following notice – “Lost, from the depot in Camden, one dehorned Devon steer, branded ‘WH’ on left hip. Last seen going in the direction of Possum Bend. Reward of $5 if returned to Wm. Henderson.”

Jan. 24, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported, under the headline “Labor Agent Arrested in Wilcox,” that “the revenue of the county was swelled to the tune of $750 when a man by the name of Wallace was caught attempting to entice labor to Florida without a license. He was arrested at Nadawah before he had time to make any serious raid on Wilcox labor. He plead guilty and was fined $750 and costs of $11. This is the first case so far to come into our court of this nature and we trust should any more similar proceedings be necessary that the full limit will be imposed. We believe this warning however will convince others that such business in Wilcox is unprofitable.”

Jan. 24, 1918 – This day’s edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era carried the following “Town License Notice” – “Privilege Licenses were due Town of Camden on Jan. 1 and will be delinquent Feb. 1. Fifteen percent is added after Feb. 1. Call on the Town Clerk S.C. Godbold at his office upstairs over the post office, and save the penalty.”

Jan. 24, 1918 - Mrs. Mary Vaughn Powell, wife of Mr. P.E. Powell, died at her home near Camden, having suffered the fourth stroke of paralysis since July 1916. She was born Jan. 23 1860 and had just passed her 58^th birthday. She was an esteemed member of the Baptist church, having joined the old Gravel Creek Baptist church when a young girl. Rev. I.N. Kimbrough conducted the funeral services at the home and she was interred in the Nettles cemetery, about six miles from Camden, near where the old church stood.

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

Jan. 24, 1929 – The Evergreen Courant reported that there were only 21 living Confederate veterans left in Conecuh County. Six passed away during 1928 and another died in early 1929.

Jan. 24, 1932 – The county-wide interdenominational revival meeting, part of a statewide series, was held at the Conecuh County Courthouse in Evergreen, Ala., starting at 2:30 p.m. Dr. D.L. Coale, “noted evangelist of California,” was the guest preacher.

Jan. 24, 1941 - Alabama author John Finlay was born in Ozark, Ala.

Jan. 24, 1941 – Evergreen High School’s basketball team was scheduled to play Monroe County High School in Monroeville, Ala.

Jan. 24, 1946 – The political pot in Conecuh had begun to boil since the meeting of the County Democratic Executive Committee held at the court house on Sat., Jan. 19. A number of candidates promptly qualified and their formal announcements could be found elsewhere in that issue of the newspaper. Those who had announced as of Jan. 24 were J.G. Moore for sheriff, A.E. Johnson Sr. for member of board of directors from District One, Walter C. Simmons, for member of board of directors, from District Two and A.K. Williams for member of the board of directors from District Two.

Jan. 24, 1949 – Monroeville, Ala. Mayor Fred A. Fountain, a 58-year-old retired merchant, passed away from a heart attack at his home a few months into his term as Monroeville’s mayor after his election without opposition to that office in September 1948. Prior to his retirement, he operated Fountain’s Fancy Grocery. Funeral services were held the following day.

Jan. 24, 1953 – The Alabama Historical Association erected six historical markers in Butler County. The markers were erected in memory of the Creek Indian Confederacy, Fort Bibb, the Butler Massacre, the Ogly Massacre, Gary’s Stockade and Fort Dale.

Jan. 24, 1956 – Evergreen High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Repton in Evergreen, Ala. Randy White led Evergreen with 23 points, and other standout Evergreen players in that game included Robert King, Wayne Frazier, Kelly, Tolbert, Joyner, Boykin, Pugh and Edson. Ray Blackwell led Repton with 14 points and other standout Repton players in that game included Terry Nall, William Ashcraft and Gerald Owens.

Jan. 24, 1956 – Excel High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Lyeffion, 45-38. Matchett led Excel with 20 points, and Stacey followed with 16 points. Gabe “Tiger” Booker and Robert Dees led Lyeffion with 10 points each, and Clarence Riley followed with nine points.

Jan. 24, 1956 - A “historic landmark,” the old water standpipe of Standpipe Hill, was torn down on this Tuesday, and as The Evergreen Courant went to press, was being cut up with torches, headed for the scrap pile. The old reservoir was erected in 1900, and for years was a guide for people coming to Evergreen. The “new” water tower was erected about four years before this, according to the Jan. 26, 1956 edition of The Courant.

Jan. 24, 1957 – The Monroe Journal reported that John Shannon was named president of the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association at a recent meeting in Monroeville. He replaced P.J. Norris of Eliska in the position. Vice-presidents named were Gene Garrett of Uriah and Edward Broughton of Perdue Hill. Jeff Martin of Monroeville was elected secretary-treasurer.

Jan. 24, 1964 – Evergreen High School’s varsity boys basketball team, led by Coach John Law Robinson, ended a long losing streak against Conecuh County High School by beating the Blue Devils, 85-59. Sid Lambert and Kenny Harper led Evergreen with 18 points each, and George Godwin led CCHS with 17 points. CCHS Principal M.C. Thomasson coached CCHS in place of head coach Wayne Pope, who missed the game because he was recuperating from surgery.

Jan. 24, 1968 - A television version of “Laura,” teleplay by author Truman Capote, was broadcast.

Jan. 24, 1972 - Monroe Academy’s varsity boys basketball team defeated Crenshaw Academy, 59-48, on this Monday night in the Monroeville Coliseum for the ninth win of their season. Leading the scoring for the Vols was Rob Kelly with 16. Other standout Monroe players in that game were Johnnie Aiken, Doug Boswell and Jack Everette.

Jan. 24, 1974 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Repton High School linebacker Gerry Watson had been named to the Who’s Who National High School Athletics All-American Football Team. He was one of only 26 players from Alabama named to the team, which was selected by the vote of more than 1,500 coaches and sportswriters on a nationwide panel. Watson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Watson of Bermuda.

Jan. 24, 1978 – Greenville High School’s boys basketball team beat Evergreen, 55-53. Evergreen had three players in double figures. Terry Floyd led the scoring with 18 points; Earnest Williams, 11; and Michael Floyd, 10. Other players on Evergreen’s team were Tony Rogers, Joe Mitchell and Christopher Askew.

Jan. 24, 1978 – Weather observer Earl Windham recorded 4.30 inches of rain on this day in Evergreen and a total of 3.60 inches the following day, for a total of 7.90 inches over a two-day period.

Jan. 24, 1991 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Mike Bledsoe’s Sparta Warriors had run their season record to 11-2 with a sound 78-32 defeat of Catherine Academy. Leading scorers were Wayne Cook with 18 points, Steven Gall with 16, Mark Watts with 15 and Tim Salter with 13 points. Others scoring included Scott Brown with five points; McPherson Cook, four points; Terry Conway, three points; Chip Gibson, two points; and Sandy Salo with two points. Team member Richard Weaver was sidelined at that time because of injury.

Jan. 24, 1991 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Southern Pine Electric Cooperative was in the process of upgrading the three-phase line on the Owassa-Brownville Road. This construction was part of the cooperative’s two-year work plan and was expected to be completed by late March or early April, depending upon the weather.

Jan. 24, 1992 - Monroe Academy was the overall winner of the first match of Alabama Southern Community College’s Scholar’s Bowl held on this day. The competition included 19 area schools in two divisions, large school and small school. Monroe Academy’s scholars bowl team that year included team captain Mary Hinnant, Mike Broughton, Stacey Hamrick, Courtney Hardee, Missy Hardee, Jason Pope, Chad Sessions, Wade Wilson and Jeff Wohlers. Winston Session was the team’s advisor.

Jan. 24, 1994 – The Conecuh County Commission and election officers in Conecuh County, Ala. met to discuss possible solutions to potential problems brought about by the new House of Representative and State Senate division lines that split the county. The problem arose because the court-approved lines did not follow district and voting precinct lines in the county.

Jan. 24, 2006 – Veteran Circuit Judge Sam Welch of Monroeville announced on this Tuesday that he would run for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals as a Republican. Welch had been the circuit judge serving Conecuh and Monroe counties (the 35th Judicial Circuit) since 1989.

Jan. 24, 2015 – Former Conecuh County (Ala.) Sheriff Edwin L. Booker, who served as sheriff for 28 total years, passed away at the age of 74.