Sunday, November 3, 2019

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


27 YEARS AGO
NOV. 5, 1992

Tim Whitten, a member of the Excel Volunteer Fire Department, received the firefighter of the year award at the first Monroe County Firefighters Appreciate Banquet on Oct. 24.
Rusty Till, president of the Monroe County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, read a letter from the Excel fire department recommending Whitten for the award. Although he cannot physically fight fires due to a physical handicap, said Till, his work with the fire prevention bureau and his love and dedication make him an essential part of the fire department.

Whippets collect 69-12 victory over Cyclones: Frisco City High School piled up 424 total yards Friday to collect a 69-12 victory over Southern Normal School and a second straight 1A Area 2 championship in Brewton.
Junior quarterback Tony Gibbs accounted for 124 yards by completing six of eight passes. (A.J.) White led Frisco’s defense with nine tackles.
(Other top FCHS players in that game included Anward Andrews, Adrian Bullard, Chris Davison, Brent Enzor, Artis McGinnis, Shannon Richardson, Johnny Sirmon, Eric Williams and Greg Williams. Scott Fountain was FCHS’s head coach.)

Kiwanian award: Former Frisco City resident Randy Silcox was recently selected Kiwanian of the Year by the Union City Kiwanis Club in Tennessee. Silcox is an assistant manager at the Vanity Fair outlet in Union City. He and his wife, Linda Godwin Silcox, who is originally from Excel, live in Union City with their five-year-old daughter, Beth.

52 YEARS AGO
NOV. 2, 1967

Southeastern Contractors of Birmingham has submitted the low bid for the four-laning of Highway 21 south from Monroeville to the entrance of the Monroe County Airport, about three-quarters of a mile beyond the U.S. Highway 84 intersection.
The low bid, announced by the Governor’s office this week, totaled $413,000 and covers a stretch of the highway totaling approximately four and a half miles.
The project is supposed to tie in with South Alabama Avenue at a point approximately 50 feet north of its intersection with Poplar Street and provide a 66-foot curb and gutter roadbed for 1.7 miles of the work. The final 2.8 miles will consist of 50-foot-wide pavement.

The J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs upset Jay, Fla. by a score of 14-12 Saturday night to spoil the Royals homecoming celebration.
Junior end James Bohannon led the Blacksher offense with 165 yards. Senior quarterback Keith Cardwell followed with 103 yards.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Jessie Bohannon, Robbie Colbert, Steve Gregson, Joe Harris, Mitchell Harrison, Gary Lee Hilburn, Edwin Jeter, Joe Mims and James Porterfield.)

STEVE STACEY HONORED: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Powell and children of Atmore entertained Wednesday night with a dinner party honoring Steve Stacey, who returned to Fort Hood, Texas Thursday after spending several days leave at home. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Stacey; Marsha and Mike of Atmore; Mr. and Mrs. O’Neal Stacey; Susan, Kenny and Steve and Mrs. Janie Hawkins of Monroeville; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stacey and Beverly of Excel; Marvin Merrill of Selma; and Mrs. Walter Smith of Atmore.

77 YEARS AGO
NOV. 5, 1942

Small Vote Cast In Tuesday’s Election: An unusually small vote was cast in the election on Tuesday, but early returns indicate that a large majority of the voters favored the countywide and district school tax.

Air Raid Wardens Taking First Aid: All air raid wardens of Monroeville will start taking the Red Cross First Aid Course Thursday night (tonight) in the basement of the First Baptist Church, and lessons will be held twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, until the course is completed. The classes will start at 7 p.m. and last for two hours. Four teachers have been secured, and they expect every warden to be present and on time as the intensive course requires it in order to pass the test required.

Coffee Rationing Begins Nov. 28: Price Administrator Leon Henderson announced that coffee rationing would be effective at midnight, Nov. 28. Each person over 15 years of age will be limited to one pound every five weeks. Henderson has ordered all retail coffee sales stopped for one week beginning midnight, Nov. 21, to permit merchants to stock their shelves.

Aux. Myrtle Dot Hendrix has returned to Fort Des Moines, Iowa after having spent several days furlough with relatives in Monroeville and Mexia. Aux. Hendrix has completed her eight weeks training in Des Moines with WAAC and will soon be transferred where she will begin active duty.

Pvt. Kenneth Fountain, who is stationed at the Advanced Flying School, San Angelo, Texas, is spending a 12-day furlough with his parents at Ollie.

102 YEARS AGO
NOV. 1, 1917

DEATH OF R.L. WIGGINS: In the passing of Mr. Rollin L. Wiggins on Oct. 17, Monroe County looses one of its most promising citizens and the Baptist church one of its most faithful members.
He was the son of William N. and Lauera Wiggins; was born May 24, 1885; joined the Missionary Baptist Church in 1906, the Masonic fraternity in 1908 and the Woodmen of the World in 1909.
Nov. 22, 1911 he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Snider who was a devoted companion.
Death suddenly followed a surgical operation. Burial from Old Salem Church of which he was clerk on the 18th instant. Service by Rev. Kempton; burial service by Monroeville Lodge F&AM, of which deceased was a member.

A force of workmen are making rapid progress on the new Methodist church and from present indications the walls will be completed in a few days.

The Olsen Sisters appeared at the auditorium Tuesday night and entertained a full house for nearly two hours. Everyone present seemed to enjoy the program and especially the readings by Miss Ethel Olsen.

The fall term of the circuit court convened Monday afternoon at 1:30 with Judge Ben D. Turner presiding and Solicitor McDuffie representing the state. After prayer by Rev. Kempton, Judge Turner empaneled the grand jury. In his charge, he laid special stress on gambling and the making of blind tiger whiskey and charged the jury to thoroughly investigate all such violations.

152 YEARS AGO
NOV. 9, 1867

THE “HOP” – We attended the dance given at “Masonic Hall” last evening, at which we spent the evening, exceedingly pleasant. The dance was conducted in style, and the young folks seemed to enjoy themselves finely – especially those who took an active part in the Terpsichorean performances. We would feel irreprehensible, if dancing was the worst of our transgressions.

CASTALIAN ACADEMY: This school was opened the third Monday of September 1867 and is pleasantly situated one and a half miles from Claiborne, near the site of the old Academy, and near also to three beautiful springs, from which was suggested its Classic name.
We have no further guarantee to offer the public than our past success, here and other places, as a teacher of youth.
Our session of 9-1/2 months will close the last Friday in June 1868. Board can be obtained in Claiborne or on “Perdieu Hill” at reasonable rates. Sons of clergymen of all denominations will be educated at half price. – W.W. Spence, Principal and Proprietor.

TIN SHOP – J.M. Merry has opened a Tin Shop at his old stand (next door above Agee & Co.’s store) where he is now prepared to do everything in that line of business better and cheaper than it can be bought elsewhere, for cash.

BEEF AND MUTTON! I am now prepared to furnish the citizens of Claiborne and vicinity with fresh beef and mutton on short notice. POSITIVELY no beef or mutton delivered without the CASH. – J. Goldsmith.

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