Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Sept. 15, 2021

70 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 20, 1951

Services Held For D.P. Harper: Funeral services for D.P. Harper, 29, of Pine Hill on Saturday, Sept. 15, at three o’clock in the afternoon. Harper, popular salesman for the Bailey Newell Tobacco Co. of Demopolis, was killed here early Friday morning when he accidentally came in contact with an electric power line believed to have been dislodged by a storm. The accident occurred near Journey’s Inn at Camden where Harper and another salesman had occupied a tourist cabin for the night.
Wilcox Coroner Edwin Riggs said that Harper’s head contacted the low-hanging power line as he walked from the cabin, about six o’clock Friday morning.
Prior to his employment by the tobacco company, Harper had traveled in this section for four years for the Alabama Wholesale Co. of Pine Hill, wholesale grocers, and was widely known and well liked by merchants over the area. A navy veteran of World War II, he was active in the softball league of the summer recreation program in his community.

Pine Hill Defeats Plantersville: A strong Pine Hill squad last Friday night defeated Plantersville, the Dallas County High School eleven, by a score of 33 to 7. The Bulldogs were ready and outclassed the Dallas aggregation.
Coach Daniel’s boys will play on their home field again this week, when they come up against Uniontown. Last year, the Bulldogs took Uniontown by a score of 44 to 14, and are expecting to win again in this year’s meeting, though the count may be closer.

83 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 15, 1938

Deputy Sheriff Goode King Tait of Camden was shot and instantly killed while attempting to arrest Jonas Martin, about noon Sept. 8. The fatal shooting occurred in a body of woods near Miller’s Ferry.
The tragic death of Mr. Tait brought sorrow to all the people of Camden and to his many friends over the county and elsewhere. A very large crowd of relatives and friends gathered at the home of his brother, former Sheriff F.F. Tait, for the funeral service Friday afternoon, Sept. 9. People came from all sections of the county and from other counties to attend the funeral rites. The service was conducted by Rev. R.C. Kennedy, and burial was in the family lot in the Camden cemetery.
Mr. Tait was the youngest child of the late Charles E. Tait and Ada Lydia Foster Tait. He was born at the family home in Rockwest July 9, 1904 and was thus 34 years of age. He attended the Camden schools and graduated from the Wilcox County High School. Following his graduation, he went to Dallas, Texas, where he completed a business course. For some time, he was employed by the Ford Motor Co. at Mesquite, Texas. About 1930, he returned to Camden where he has resided since. For some years since his return, he has served as Town Marshal and has also been employed as a deputy sheriff. He made his home with his brother, Mr. F.F. Tait of Camden.
As a law enforcement officer, he was honest and fearless. He had the full confidence and respect of his companions in the local Sheriff’s office and was highly regarded by the law enforcement officers of the surrounding counties. He died bravely at his post of duty, attempting to enforce the law.

96 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 17, 1925

TOM JENKINS BEATS LOBERT’S MARK: Danville, Ill., Sept. 12 – Fleet footed Tom Jenkins, Danville “Three Eye” club left fielder, established a new record by circling the bases in 13-3/5 seconds at a “players field day.” He beat the major league record of Hans Lobert, formerly with Cincinnati, whose mark was 13-4/5 seconds.

Mr. W.P. Preston, who lives near Bellview, has discovered on his land two very striking rocks and has written Dr. Eugene Smith of Tuscaloosa about his find. Some time ago, there was a cave-in of the land exposing two flint rocks, one is about six to eight feet long, with top and sides and bottom perfectly smooth with a hole through the center, four inches in diameter extending within two feet of the end. Underneath the end where the hole stops are some kind of peculiar hieroglyphics. This rock probably weighs two tons. The other rock is nearby, is five or six feet long, tapering at each end, scooped out in the exact shape of a skiff. Nearby is a very large Indian mound, which has never been opened and quantities of flint arrowheads are all around the surface of the ground.

Capt. Walter M. Jackson, Principal of the Wilcox County High School, was stricken with appendicitis Monday night and was taken to the Selma Hospital on the morning train. It is the warmest wish of his many friends that he will have a speedy recovery.

Mr. R.H. Neville of Selma is enjoying a delightful trip to Atlantic City when he merited for the great amount of insurance he has written during the past year.

109 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 19, 1912

The cotton fields are white with cotton, and the fleecy is opening and is being ginned very fast.

Be careful about ginneries. Mr. E.R. Glass of Uniontown, a well known resident, was caught in some belting and crushed to death.

Prof. Emmett Kilpatrick has been elected Professor of Modern languages and history at Blacksheer College, Georgia and has gone to fill the new position. He is amply qualified to occupy the chair and his many Camden friends are pleased at his selection.

Camden Grammar School now has an enrollment of 118 and still increasing.

Dale Lodge No. 25 of Masons will meet next Friday night at 7:30 o’clock.

The Caterpillars are now destroying the cotton crops on the river and creek bottoms and prairie land. Many are now using Paris Green to check their destructive efforts.

The gulf storm reached Camden last Sunday, and the winds while not very high, were pretty galy. Considerable rain fell. The Alabama riverboat National sunk while anchored at Mobile. At Pensacola, the storm was severe and old considerable damage. Last Tuesday afternoon, a thunderstorm passed over Camden. Lightning struck the residence occupied by Mr. J. Somerhalder and damaged a chimney. No other damage reported.

123 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 21, 1898

Ellis’ Landing: We have again opened Ellis’ Landing for the benefit of the public. We are prepared to receive and ship all country produce and our landing is especially adapted for shipping stock. Freight consigned to our care will be delivered promptly. We are fixed up for business and ask for a share of your patronage. – B.W. GRIUR, Manager.

Mr. Jos. Lambert passed through our berg last Thursday with a large drove of fine cattle.

Mr. R.C. Jones opened his school at Canton last Monday with very flattering prospects. He will be ably assisted by Miss Annie Mae Jones. With these talented and accomplished teachers, Canton can expect a first class school. The Progress wishes for teacher and pupils a pleasant and prosperous session.

The Wilcox County Bible Society, auxiliary of The American Bible Society, keeps Bibles on hand for rich or poor. If you are not able to buy, one will be given you. – J.W. McCaskey, Depository.

Trade improved a little in our town last Saturday, but it still is not tremendous.

Only about one-fifth the cotton has been shipped from our town this fall as there was at this time last fall.

Daily Hack line from Camden to Catherine: Mr. Moultrie Ratcliffe, Conductor, will look after the comfort of the ladies. Leaves Camden 5:30 a.m., arrives in Camden 6 p.m., meets both trains. Fare one way $1.50. Best roads and quickest trip will carry light freight and express packages at satisfactory prices. – W.T. Alford Jr., Manager.