100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant

A sterling silver 'loving cup'

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Feb. 5, 1919 edition of The Evergreen Courant newspaper in Conecuh County, Ala. 

H.A. Shields Presented Loving Cup: H.A. Shields was swept off his feet Saturday when his co-workers in the railroad employ presented him with a loving cup. The first of February marked his 50^th anniversary in the employ of the railroad. The supervisors and the foremen of the M&M and the A&F divisions gave this cup as an expression of their appreciation of his wise and faithful leadership. J.T. Amos was the spokesman and in a few happy words presented the cup. This was an honor worthily bestowed.

BEEDLESTOND: The death angel visited the Baptist Orphanage last Friday night and when its flight was made, for the better world, it took with it one of the orphanage’s sweetest girls, 16-year-old Ida Mae Beedlestond. The young lady along with quite a number of the other children contracted influenza which later developed into pneumonia which resulted in the taking of this young and useful life. All that tender, loving hands could do, was done to prolong her life, but when the angel beckoned to her there could be no resistance. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. JW. Stewart at 11 o’clock Saturday morning and interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.

Rev. Crumpton Walker spent Monday night in the city. Crumpton is an old Evergreen boy, and his friends were glad to see him. He has been assigned as Missionary Supervisor of the Baptist Home Mission Work in the Panama Canal locality, and was en route to his appointed duties.

We note that there is an effort being put forth to move the Baptist Orphanage from Evergreen. We acknowledge that the home has been very unfortunate in the loss of its two best buildings by fire, but that is no reason why it should be taken from our town. The board of trustees has given the places wanting the home 30 days in which to put up the cash, or shut up the gas. Agitation is not what we want, but action is the thing needed. We hope to see the two buildings needed in course of reconstruction in a few weeks.

Flu Situation at Orphanage: The condition at the Baptist Orphanage has been quite serious for about a week. All the children but six, and all the helpers but one, have been down with flu. The teachers from the Agricultural school, a number of the pupils, the young ladies of the town, and the good women from our homes have been there helping nurse. On Friday night, Miss Ida Mae Beedlestond died of pneumonia. At this writing, Dr. Stewart says that he is fearful that there are three other children developing pneumonia. They have six trained nurses with the children and it is hoped that the worst is over.

Miss Emma Hawkins has returned from an extended visit to her sister in Texas and is now behind the counter at the millinery store, ready to beautify the women and torture our men.

MIZE: On Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock, the beautiful spirit of Rev. G.E. Mize left its house of clay for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For years, Mr. Mize has lived in Evergreen, and he was loved and appreciated by all. He had been out on one of his missions of ministry when he took a severe cold and before he reached home, he was a very sick man. Pneumonia developed. He made a brave fight for life, but all in vain. His body was laid to rest in the Evergreen cemetery, the Masons burying him with grand honors.