100-year-old January 1920 news highlights from Conecuh County, Ala.

Alabama Gov. Thomas E. Kilby

It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in January 1920.

In the Jan. 7, 1920 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported, under the headline “Castleberry Will Build New School,” that “at a mass meeting held yesterday with the citizens of Castleberry and the entire school district, it was decided to erect a $15,000 brick building for the use of the Consolidated School for Castleberry. A committee consisting of J.W. Thurmond, P.M. Skinner, E.A. White and J.P. Baggett was appointed to secure a location for the new building and report the same to the county board. Much enthusiasm is felt in the new move as the old city school building is inadequate to take care of the large enrollment now, and the High School is taking care of some of the lower grades.”

Also that week, it was reported that “Dr. J.S. Frazer and family will again take up their residence in Evergreen. They will occupy their home on Bruner Avenue as soon as it is vacated by R.R. Long and family, who will remove soon to Atmore.”

Readers that week also learned that “D.C. Brooks, a young farmer near Owassa, reports that he recently killed a hog a little under two years old that weighed 640 pounds.”

Salter also let readers know that the “Methodists of Evergreen will give a banquet for the male members of the church on next Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, at eight o’clock. On this occasion, a sumptuous supper will be served at the Evergreen Hotel, after which an interesting program will be executed.”

In the Jan. 14, 1920 edition, under the headline “Young Boy Meets Tragic Death,” it was reported that Leslie Brooks, 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Tilden Brooks of near Owassa, met death in a tragic way on Thursday last. It appears that he had been out hunting and reaching home he was in act of placing the gun in its proper place in the house when the weapon was discharged, the entire load taking effect in his face and head, two fingers being torn away. He lingered until an early hour the following morning when death relieved his sufferings. A bright young boy, he was the idol of his parents and their grief over his untimely death is pitiable.”

Readers that week also learned that “Gov. Kilby last week appointed A.E. Johnson of Beat 3 to fill the vacancy on the board of county commissioners caused by the death of T.M. Salter Sr.”

That week’s paper also included the following announcement from Dr. W.F. Betts to the “Midwives of Conecuh County” – “You are hereby notified to appear at the office of Drs. Betts and Newton in January on Wed., Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. for the purpose of examination to practice midwifery as required by law. A fee of $5 will be charged for the examination and a kit furnished each midwife out of this fee, by direction of S.W. Welch, state health offices.”

It was also reported that week that “the work of finishing the pressed brick front to the old McCreary building, which was held up for a while, is under way again. It will be rushed to early completion. The interior will be finished with steel walls and tiled floor for the new drug store soon to be established by Doctors Hagood and Hairston and Eugene Powell.”

In the Jan. 21, 1920 edition of the newspaper, under the headline “Orphanage to be Removed,” that “the Baptist Orphanage will be removed to Troy. This decision was arrived at last week by the special commission appointed by the state Baptist convention some weeks ago. The institution will be removed as soon as the necessary buildings are constructed, which will probably be within the next 12 months.

“The Courant regrets this action by the Baptists of Alabama and while this paper may not have the right to criticize, we are frank to say that Evergreen has not had a square deal. The Orphanage has been here from its foundation some 30 years ago and here it has grown from an insignificant beginning to its present position of importance; and now when the time has come to make it something of an asset instead of a liability it is unceremoniously to be picked up and removed to another part of the state, to a point certainly less accessible than Evergreen. Evergreen people have very generously contributed more than their part during these years to the support of the unfortunate children, and they did it not grudgingly but with a willing hand. All that the institution has ever needed to make it a success was the necessary funds and now ample funs are available both for the maintenance of the inmates and for adequate housing facilities.”

It was also reported that week that the “following Evergreen ladies went up to Montgomery to hear the noted grand opera singer, Mme. Galli-Curel on Saturday night: Mrs. W.F. Betts, Mrs. R. Millsap Jr., Mrs. J.W. McFarland, Misses Farnham, Logan and Davis. They very thoroughly enjoyed and were charmed with the noted singer.”

In the Jan. 28, 1920 edition, it was reported that S.B. Cowling “died on Thursday last at an infirmary in Montgomery, where he went some weeks ago for medical treatment. Several months ago it is said he suffered internal injuries by being struck by an automobile and it was for this injury that he sought treatment. He is survived by four sons and one daughter residing in Montgomery and Elmore counties, his body being buried in the latter county. He had lived here for several years past being engaged in veterinary work.”

That week’s paper also included the following notice – “A reward of $25 will be paid any one prosecuting and convicting any person for practice of the profession of dentistry, or any part thereof, without a state license, the violator residing in four named counties: Butler, Conecuh, Escambia and Covington. For information, address South Alabama Dental Association, P.O. Box 27, Evergreen, Ala.”

Readers that week also learned that F.J. Cramton of Montgomery was here on Friday last. He is president of the Alabama Good Roads Association and was making a tour of the southern part of the state in the interest of the bond issue. Mrs. Cramton accompanied her husband in his touring car. Mr. Cramton thinks the bond issue will be ratified as sentiment is strongly for it wherever he goes, he says.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of February 1920 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.