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

16 YEARS AGO
JULY 7, 2005

Justin House took his first solo flight June 22 from the Monroeville Airport. House said he hopes to receive his private pilots license by the fall. A 2005 graduate of J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah, House plans to attend Troy University. He is the son of Larry and Maureen House.

South Monroe Little League names its all-star team for 11-year-olds earlier this month. Team members are Ryan Casey, Trent Benson, David Watson, Jay West, Trevor Benson, Dustin Whatley, Will Ferrell, Trevor Harris, David Willis, Martin Brooks, Bo Burgess, Trenton Day, coach Gary Benson, manager Shannon Casey and coach Scott Brooks.

Groundbreaking held for Perdue Hill fire station: Ground was broken Friday for a new fire station at Perdue Hill, which will eventually mean lower insurance rates for home and business owners in the area.
According to Mexia Fire Chief Luther Godwin, the new station will serve as a substation for the Mexia Fire Department, which already responds to emergency calls in Perdue Hill and Claiborne.
“The need for a new station has been a long time concern for Perdue Hill residents,” Godwin said. “Currently, the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating for this area is listed as a 10, which is considered ‘not protected.’ When the building is completed, it will house three (fire) trucks, and the ISO rating will drastically improve.”
Members of the building committee are Agee Broughton III, T.L. Haskew, Nancy Boroughs, J.J. McMillian, Roger Rawls and Godwin.

41 YEARS AGO
JULY 3, 1980

New Episcopal church planned: Plans are being made for ground-breaking ceremonies for the new St. John’s Episcopal Church building. The Rev. Charles Mabry, vicar, said the church has outgrown its old building, now located on Whetstone Avenue. The new church will hold twice as many members. The church plans to begin building in about five weeks and to have it finished in time to hold Christmas Eve services in the new building. In addition to the sanctuary, the church will be adding two offices and two classrooms. The old building will be converted into a Parish Hall.

Minor-league champs: The Indians recently won the championship of the Monroeville Little League minor-league division. Team members and coaches are Michael Scott, Tim Bayles, Torey Kimberl, Art Owens, Todd Odom, John Watkins, Brad Perkins, Manning Williams, Pierre Martin, Darren Deas, Cedric Portis, Jeff Harrison, Charles Richardson and coaches Mike Kimberl and Ray Owens.

First cotton blooms: Holding two of this year’s first cotton blooms are Michelle and Nicki Trammell. The blooms were taken from the farm of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Williams of Uriah. They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Trammell of Uriah.

Claiborne dam men receive service pins: Two employees of the Claiborne Lock and Dam received service pins at ceremonies observing the 205^th anniversary of the founding of the Army Corps of Engineers Friday of last week. Clifford Roley of Franklin will receive a 15-year pin and Leland G. Brannan of Franklin will receive a 20-year pin.

66 YEARS AGO
JULY 7, 1955

Local Guard Unit Leaves For Camp: Ninety members of the Monroeville National Guard left Sunday, July 3, for Camp Stewart, Ga., near Savannah, for a two-week camp. Approximately 15 truckloads of men and their equipment made up the unit.

Monroeville Nine Whips Jay, 4-1: Pitchers Alvin Downs and John Fowler combined to toss a four-hitter against Jay, Thursday in Monroeville, as the locals broke a losing streak with a 4 to 1 victory. Downs hurled seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball, while, in his relief, John Fowler, allowed one run and two hits, striking out five of the eight batters he faced.
(Other players on Monroeville’s team included Reg Cooper, Johnny Finklea, Paul Fowler, Edsal Johnson and Les Prouty.)

A local bill calling for the extension of the town limits of Monroeville passed the State House of Representatives Wednesday.
The measure, introduced by Rep. N.S. Hare on June 28, would extend the corporate limits of Monroeville approximately one-quarter of a mile in each direction. Its introduction followed a decision in February by the Town Council to extend the city limits.
The new city limits, upon passage of the bill, will extend generally to the Frisco Railroad overpass on the Grove Hill highway, to Hurry’s Café on the Camden highway, to the top of Limestone Hill on the Peterman highway and slightly beyond Radio Station WMFC on the Frisco City highway.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval, and under the rule of legislative courtesy applying to local measures, it is expected to be passed by the upper house. Senator R.L. Jones of this district reportedly is in favor of the measure.

91 YEARS AGO
JULY 3, 1930

Mr. R.B. Dennis Sr. Dies Monday Morning: Funeral services for Mr. Robert Burton Dennis Sr., who died Monday morning, June 30, took place that afternoon from the family residence, Rev. T.C. Delaney of the Presbyterian Church officiating, assisted by Rev. W.H. Black and Rev. Green of the Baptist and Methodist churches, respectively. Mr. Dennis was a native and lifelong resident of Monroe County and served faithfully for many years as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and four years in the Civil War. He was buried in the City Cemetery with impressive Masonic ceremony.

Jeff Liddell, one of the oldest residents of the community about three miles north of Scotland in Monroe County, was struck by lightning Monday afternoon of this week and instantly killed. He was doing some chores about his home at the time and according to information reaching us, the lightning struck him before striking anything else. His clothing was torn and set on fire and burned up before assistance reached him.

Col. Woolsey Finnell, present Highway Director and candidate for Governor of Alabama, speaks today at Monroeville, Frisco City and Beatrice. His hour at Monroeville is at 10 a.m., at Frisco City 3:30 p.m. and Beatrice at 8 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Andress, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Putnam, Miss Carolyn Andress, Miss Ida Belle Johnson, Miss Elizabeth McCreary, Charles Crook and Joe Jackson motored over to old Butler Springs on last Sunday and had supper at that once famous summer resort.

116 YEARS AGO
JULY 6, 1905

Mr. S.H. Dailey was down from Tunnel Springs Tuesday evening to attend the meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter.

Mr. J.W. Fore is nursing a bruised hand as the result of a too vigorous encounter with a baseball.

Masonic Officers: Monroe Lodge No. 485 – Tinela – R.W. McCants, Worshipful Master; J.G. Lambriecht, Senior Warden; T.G. Reynolds, Junior Warden; J.R. McCants, Treasurer; J.D. McKinley, Secretary; J.F. Rowell, Senior Deacon; C.G. Reynolds, Junior Deacon; A.P. Najors, Chaplain; G.C. Nettles, Tyler.
Regular communications on Friday before the second Sunday in each month at 10 o’clock a.m.

At a picnic near Axle, this county, last Saturday, Andrew Broughton shot and killed Bill Henderson. Both men tanked up on Peruna or some similar concoction and the killing was the result. Broughton made a desperate effort to escape but the Sheriff overhauled him Sunday night and he is now in jail.

Dr. J.B. Stallworth desires those who are in need of first-class dental work to know that he can be found in his office during the three weeks of the special term of Circuit Court. Dr. Stallworth has a conveniently situated office upstairs in the old courthouse, equipped with the most approved appliances and is winning a large clientele of appreciative patrons.

Court officers, attorneys and others look forward to the approaching special term of court with considerable dread because of the sweltering heat they must endure.