Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

Marquis de Lafayette

19 YEARS AGO

MARCH 16, 2000

Mixon is named superintendent: Smiles were abundant in Beatrice Thursday evening when the Monroe County Board of Education unanimously appointed Dennis Mixon of Excel as superintendent of education during its monthly meeting.

With some 30 excited and enthusiastic parents, teachers and support personnel looking on in the auditorium at Beatrice Elementary School, Mixon said he was honored to accept the appointment.

J.F. Shields improved to 2-0 Tuesday of last week when the Panthers defeated Southside of Selma 13-7 in Beatrice behind the pitching combination of Cory Stallworth and Eric Johnson.

On offense, Kendall Montgomery went two-for-two with a double and two RBIs. (Other standout Shields players in that game included Leonard Stallworth, Joseph Manuel and Cedric James. Ron King was head baseball coach at Shields.)

Washington tickets for sale: Tickets for the debut of “To Kill a Mockingbird” play at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater in Washington, D.C. are for sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Monroe County Heritage Museums office in the old courthouse for $40 each. A performance will be held for the 96^th U.S. Congress June 14, and performances for the public will be at the Terrace Theater June 16-17. The play will be performed those days at 2 and 7:30 p.m., according to Kathy McCoy, museums director. “I believe we will be the first amateur act to perform at the Terrace Theater,” said McCoy.

44 YEARS AGO

MARCH 20, 1975

Fire destroys Uriah Café: Uriah Café was destroyed by fire early Friday morning. Monroeville Fire Chief Wilbert Pickens, whose department was one of three fighting the blaze, was bruised when the brick front of the building fell on him.

The fire gutted the building on Uriah’s main street, leaving two walls and the back standing, but firemen avoided any apparent damage to adjacent buildings, said Monroeville Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Everette.

The Monroe County High School Tiger baseball team officially began practice Monday, preparing to defend the Alabama High School Athletic Association 3A baseball championship, which it won last season.

Last year’s 10-0 regular season record and 16-1 record overall are a hard act for Coach Ronnie Dees and his Tigers to follow – especially since five of last year’s starters graduated last spring.

Lost from the team were Buddy Black, a pitcher and first baseman; Tim Pullen second baseman; Al Carr, shortstop; Reid Nettles, catcher; and James Brown, outfielder.

Fisherman’s body found Sunday: The body of 24-year-old Bruce Wright of Robertsdale, who drowned after the fishing boat in which he was riding accidentally hit a buoy and he was thrown into the Alabama River March 7, was found floating in the river early Sunday afternoon.

Volunteers James McKinley of Frisco City, a member of the Monroe County Rescue Squad, and John Salter of Burnt Corn found the body about 150 yards upstream from the state grain elevator near Claiborne, and 40-50 feet from the river’s east bank, said rescue squad captain Ike Williamson.

69 YEARS AGO

MARCH 16, 1950

‘Groundbreaking’ Service Is Held At Peterman: Special “groundbreaking” services were held at Peterman Sunday morning, when the traditional first spade of earth was turned as the initial step in the construction of a new Baptist Church there.

Joe Smith, senior deacon in the church, turned the first shovel of earth toward the building of the new church.

The Rev. C.M. Gullette of Beatrice is pastor of the church.

(Spring football) drills at J.U. Blacksher High at Uriah began Monday with about 20 boys answering Coach J.M. Sawyer’s opening practice call.

Only five letter-winners from last year’s team, which won four, lost four and tied two, are returning. These include center John Madison, guard Luke Dees, right half Jeffie Johnson, left half Curtis Harris and quarterback Evins McGhee.

Losses from last year’s team include John Weatherford left half; all-county tackle Mac Dunn; Charles Wasden, fullback; Russel Woods, end; second all-county left half James Madison; tackle Elliott Ward; guard Sam Turberville; end O.C. Caylor; and Carleton Turberville and Charles Cumbie.

Beatrice Kiwanis Club Is Installed: During special ceremonies Monday night, a Kiwanis Club was formally installed at Beatrice with 25 residents of that town and the surrounding area joining the organization as charter members.

During the evening, officers of the new unit were selected. These included T.N. Stallworth Jr., president; G.K. Simpkins vice president; and James E. Black, secretary-treasurer.

94 YEARS AGO

MARCH 19, 1925

PROGRAM Of the LaFayette Centennial Celebration to be Held at Claiborne, April 9, 1925: The Marquis de LaFayette, represented by a member of the French Embassy at Washington will arrive at Fort Claiborne Thursday morning at 10 o’clock April 9, 1925 on the Alabama River packet John Quill. He will be escorted from the ferry, the original landing place of the Marquis April 5, 1825 by Hon. John McDuffie, representing Mr. Dillette of old Fort Claiborne, a company of prominent men of the county, a group of old soldiers of the Confederacy, Boy Scouts, Indians and a United States Marine Band to the grounds prepared for the celebration. The addresses will be made from the rostrum on which LaFayette made his address 100 years ago.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The LaFayette Ball to be given at the Masonic Hall, Perdue Hill, April 9, will be in costume. The costumes may be rented from J.C. FISHER, Inc., 255 South 9^th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Less than 20 costumes $2.50 each; 20 or more, $2 each; wigs, 50 cents extra. Orders should be mailed not later than March 25.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The people of the county attending the LaFayette celebration at Claiborne April 9 are requested to bring baskets containing the following: cakes, pies, sandwiches, salads, pickles. The bread will be furnished and the meats will be barbecued on the grounds. The dinner will be served in cafeteria style and ladies from different communities have been appointed to help. On arrive, please deliver baskets to the committee in charge.

119 YEARS AGO

MARCH 15, 1900

A post office has been established at Monroe with Mr. Sam H. Tucker as postmaster. The office is served daily from Monroeville.

The Baptist cemetery has been greatly improved under the direction of the Ladies Aid Society.

Agent Kelly informs The Journal that it is the purpose of the L&N authorities to begin running regular trains with passenger accommodation over the Southern Alabama division on Monday, 19^th inst.

Hon. George W. Ellis, the present efficient State Treasurer, was in Monroeville Saturday receiving the cordial greeting of his many friends. Mr. Ellis is a candidate for State Auditor, a position for which he is eminently qualified.

Died, at her home near Wait, on Sun., March 11, 1900, Mrs. Mary Henderson, aged about 80 years. Deceased was most estimable Christian lady and had a large circle of devoted friends. An only grandson, Mr. E.E. Henderson, survives her.

Mr. H.W. Boulware of Excel was here Wednesday and remembered The Journal. Mr. Boulware expects to make it interesting for his competitors on the day of the primary.

An excursion to Defuniak, Fla. will be run over the Southern Alabama on Sat., 17^th inst. Train will leave Beatrice at 12:05 a.m., passing Monroe at 1 a.m. The occasion will be Veterans Day at the Chautauqua.

Mr. J.G. Johnson of River Ridge spent a few days with friends in Monroeville this week and gave The Journal an appreciated call. Mr. Johnson is hale and hearty at the advanced age of 84 years.