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

Grave of Lyston Allen Hixon at Fountain, Ala.

30 YEARS AGO

JAN. 25, 1990

Restoration featured nationally: The January-February 1990 National Trust for Historic Preservation magazine contained an article about the restoration of the Old Monroe County Courthouse. For any of you who are members, the article is on Page 13, or you may see the article at the Monroe County Library.

On Tues., Jan. 9, the Monroe County Commission approved the advertising of bids for the work of restoring the dome of the Old Courthouse. On Tues., Jan. 30, the bids will be opened and a contractor selected.

J.U. Blacksher is regular-season champion: J.U. Blacksher High School upended Excel High 67-48 Friday at Uriah to record its first 1A Area 2 regular-season varsity boys basketball championship since the Alabama High School Athletic Association began using the area system in 1974.

Kevin Bohannon led Blacksher’s scoring with his 17 points. Johnny Green and Jarrell Hollinger added 13 points each to Blacksher’s charge. Blacksher’s Mike Dailey followed with eight points off the bench.

(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Darrell Hollinger, Pat Lambert, Ed Taylor and Phillip Wallace. Gary Lambert was Blacksher’s head coach.)

Rescuer of the Year: Lt. James McKinley of Frisco City is awarded a plaque by Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs for being chosen “Rescuer of the Year” by the Monroe County Rescue Squad. McKinley helped organize the squad more than 30 years ago and has remained active since. This is the first year the award has been given, but the squad plans to make it an annual event.

55 YEARS AGO

JAN. 28, 1965

Death Said Caused By Blow On Head: The death of a Mobile man found in his car in Little River between the Monroe and Escambia County lines Sunday morning was caused by a blow on the head and not from drowning as was first reported, according to officials.

An autopsy performed by State Toxicologist Nelson Grubbs of Mobile Tuesday revealed the cause of death of Ernest Lee Keller, 60, of Mobile.

Mr. Keller was found Sunday morning in the river at Prestwood Bridge by a passing motorist who called Monroe County Sheriff Charlie Sizemore. The body was removed from the automobile, which was partially submerged in the river and taken to Monroeville but later transferred to Atmore.

Sheriff Sizemore said it appeared that Mr. Keller ran off the end of the bridge into the water. Investigators from both Monroe and Escambia Counties are investigating the accident.

OPENED THURSDAY – The new modern Piggly Wiggly building located on Claiborne Street had its grand opening Thursday. The new building boasts the most modern equipment and facilities and features a 200-car parking lot at the front.

Walter Cleveland Nicholas, 72, died Fri., Jan. 22, in the University Hospital in Birmingham following a short illness. Mr. Nicholas was a native of Monroe County. Mr. Nicholas was a World War I veteran, serving over two years in France.

He resided in Excel most of his life where he was in the general mercantile business for about 45 years.

80 YEARS AGO

JAN. 25, 1940

Faulk Residence Destroyed By Fire Last Friday Night: The home of Misses Jennie and Nannie Faulk, just south of town, was completely destroyed by fire last Friday night. Practically all the furniture and household effects were burned.

The building caught about 10 o’clock. It is thought that the blaze originated in the kitchen, but it is not definite because the occupants of the house had retired when the blaze started. Passersby discovered the fire in the house and aroused the family.

Football Banquet Held At LaSalle Hotel Thursday Night: A most enjoyable occasion was the banquet held at the new LaSalle Hotel last Thursday night, honoring the Monroe County High School football team. The people of Monroeville are proud of this fine bunch of boys, and they are deserving of the many nice compliments paid them on this occasion.

Mr. A.V. Culpepper acted as toastmaster, and the program opened with the invocation by Prof. H.G. Greer, followed by piano selections by Miss Sigler and a violin solo by Sam Yarbrough. Following timely remarks by Boyd Pullen, team captain, talks were made by R.L. Jones, A.C. Lee, H.G. Greer, G.L. Nettles, P.S. Jackson, L.L. Dees and others.

Mr. T.W. Weatherford died at his home at Eliska early last Thursday morning, following an illness of several months.

Mr. Weatherford had spent most of his life in Monroe County and was well known in other counties in South Alabama. He had been engaged for many years in extensive farming and stock raising, and at times had been engaged in the timber business in that section. For a number of years, he served as a member of the Board of Education of Monroe County.

105 YEARS AGO

JAN. 28, 1915

Dr. W.A. Mason of Excel killed an O.I.C. hog a few days ago that dressed 460 pounds.

Mr. W.C. Stinson, a prosperous farmer of South Monroe, was in to see us Monday. Mr. Stinson belongs to a happily increasing class of farmers that the prevailing hard times is not seriously affecting. He has a full corn crib, barn and smokehouse and is readily selling surplus property for hard cash.

DEATH OF LISTON A. HIXON: Mr. Liston A. Hixon died at his home in Monroeville on Tuesday night, Jan. 26, after an illness of several weeks, aged about 63 years.

For many years, Mr. Hixon had been successfully engaged in planting and merchandising in conjunction with his brother, the late Alfred C. Hixon, at his farm home at Hixon. A few years ago, he removed to Monroeville to afford his children better school advantages and during his residence here he continued in the mercantile business.

Interment was made on Wednesday at Hamilton Hill cemetery.

Dr. W.A. Stallworth and Mr. J.N. Andress of Beatrice were at the county capital Wednesday.

Rev. C.W. Henson attended the Baptist Ministers Institute at Repton last week.

Rev. D.F. Ellisor went to Montgomery Tuesday to attend the celebration of the Anti-Saloon League.

130 YEARS AGO

JAN. 24, 1890

It was our privilege and pleasure to be present, by invitation of the brethren, at the institution and public installation of officers of Monroe Lodge No. 485, A.F.&A.M., at River Ridge Tuesday last, for which purpose dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge at its last grand communication.

Upon our arrival, we met a number of visiting brethren from neighboring lodges and at the hour appointed all were assembled at the lodge hall and marched in procession to the church, which afforded greater seating capacity for the large number of interested spectators, where after a few pertinent remarks by Dr. W.H. Abernathy, the following officers-elect were introduced and duly installed by Hon. J.W. Leslie, in his most solemn and impressive manner: W.J. McCants, Worshipful Master; T.G. Reynolds, Senior Warden; H.L. Whisenhunt, Junior Warden; C.C. Nettles, Secretary; Jno. G. Johnson, Treasurer; W.A. Whisenhunt, Senior Deacon; C.T. Simmons, Junior Deacon; Jackson McKinley, Tiler.

A small tent show, consisting chiefly of acrobatic performances, visited us on Tuesday last. There was quite a large attendance both afternoon and night, and the management seemed highly pleased with Monroeville.

Prof. J.F. Mills of Canada gave a fine literary entertainment in the courthouse on Wednesday evening. His marvelous memory enables him to dispense with books and prompters, and he excels both in the serious and the comic. Altogether the performance was good and satisfactory, and worthy of the intelligent audience who patronized it.

MARRIED – At the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. Geo. Powell, by Rev. Geo. Fontaine, Mr. Joseph R. Stainton to Miss Mattie Powell.