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

Congressman Jo Bonner

17 YEARS AGO
NOV. 25, 2004

Congressman visit: U.S. Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, visited the Claiborne Mill Complex recently during a trip to Monroe County. While at Alabama River Pulp, Bonner met with ARP Chairman George Landegger and discussed issues with mill employees related to storm damage to timber, high fuel prices, river navigation and funding for locks and dams and the expansion of U.S. Highway 84. During the congressman’s visit at the local pulp-making facility, he praised Alabama River Pulp’s efforts of continuous improvement to remain competitive in today’s global economy.

Lady Bulldogs gun down three foes: J.U. Blacksher’s Lady Bulldogs have come out of the gate smoking, outscoring their first three opponents, 126-60.
Blacksher opened its 2004-05 basketball season Tuesday of last week with a 45-17 drumming of Excel’s Lady Panthers in Excel. The Bulldogs followed it with a 38-27 win over area rival Fruitdale last Friday at Uriah. On Monday, the Bulldogs cruised past area rival Frisco City 43-16 at Uriah.
(Top Blacksher players in that game included Jennifer Caraway, Amber Caskey, Tiffany Dale, Kayla House, Brooke Little, Jartavar Packer, Taylor Pierce, Erica Selzer and Paris White.)

Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs and Monroeville City Councilman John Rice sign a resolution proclaiming this week as Farm-City Week in Monroe County. On hand to witness the event are Scott Saucer, president of the Monroe County Young Farmers Association; Ruth Saucer, a member of the Monroe County Farmers Federation Women’s Committee; and Ronnie Joe Jordan, president of the Monroe County Farmers Federation.

42 YEARS AGO
NOV. 22, 1979

Council to have hearing: A proposal to add fluoride to Monroeville’s public water supply will be the subject of a City Council hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall.
Local dentists, with encouragement from the state Health Department, brought up the proposal. Monroeville’s water now contains a small amount of fluoride, but not enough to be effective for dental purposes.
The council is considering passing an ordinance permitting, but not requiring, the city Water Board to fluoridate the water.

MA Vols whip Sumter, move into state finale: Monroe Academy rode Jeff Tatum’s four-touchdown passing performance to a 48-30 playoff win over the Sumter Academy Eagles at Volunteer Stadium Friday night, withstanding a mammoth rushing performance by Sumter’s Allan Stallings.
Tatum, who complete all nine of his pass attempts for 252 yards and four touchdowns, has now completed 61 of 87 passes for 1,254 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
(Other top MA players in the Sumter game included Davison Carter, Sammy Carter, Ron Eddins, Larry Gaston, Troy Kendrick, Tommy Kilpatrick, Randall Norris, Tommy Owens, Doug Smith, Tripp Stallworth and Rick Williams.)

Free Repton dialing due: Toll-free telephone service between Repton and Monroeville as well as most other Monroe County telephone exchanges is scheduled to begin Dec. 1. Monroeville Telephone Co. spokeswoman Myrtle Fore said Repton customers’ telephone rates will go up when the additional service is added Dec. 1. The new residential rates for Repton customers will go from $8.65 to $9.90 for a one-party line and from $7.25 to $8.50 for a four-party line.

67 YEARS AGO
NOV. 25, 1954

Pfc. Samuel C. Belcher Is Serving in Korea: 24^th Division, Korea – Pfc. Samuel C. Belcher, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Belcher, Monroeville, is now serving in Korea with the 24^th Infantry Division.
A radio operator in Headquarters Company of the 21^st Infantry Regiment, Belcher entered the Army in March 1952 and received basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. before arriving overseas in October 1953.

Monroe High Tigers Take Mythical County Grid Crown: Displaying effective teamwork, Monroeville’s Monroe County High Tigers Friday downed the Frisco City High Whippets, 28-0, to take the 1954 “mythical” grid championship in Monroe County.
Quarterback John Fowler paced the Tiger offense, hitting on nine of 10 passes for 117 yards and adding over 60 more running 15 sneaks and options.
(Other top MCHS players in that game included Nicky Manning, Boone McNorton, Jim McNorton, Red Sawyer, Ray Sirmon, Grayson Simmons, Hick Wiggins and Robert Wiggins. Top Frisco players included Max Johns and Steve King.)

Blacksher High Principal Unopposed For 1955 District AEA Office: John Sawyer of Uriah, principal of the J.U. Blacksher School, is an unopposed candidate for the office of vice-president of District One in the Alabama Education Association. Announcement of his candidacy was made recently by Mrs. Laura Gaines Sprott of Troy, AEA president, along with the listing of other AEA candidates for the year.

92 YEARS AGO
NOV. 28, 1929

LANDING FIELD TO BE DEDICATED DEC. 12: The local landing field made possible through the untiring efforts of the Monroe County Post 61, American Legion, will be formally dedicated Thurs., Dec. 12. There will be 10 or 12 planes here for the dedicatory exercises, five of them being government planes from the Pensacola air station. Music for the program will be furnished by the Monroe County High School band. It is understood that there will be several speeches, though the officials in charge have not yet revealed the names of the speakers. Stunt flying will be a feature of the day, and we hope that a good crowd will be out to witness these stunts. There will also be passenger planes along, so those who wish to take a trip aloft may be planning for it now.

WORK PROGRESSES ON THE NEW HOTEL: We understand that Mr. George Lee Nettles is making very satisfactory progress with his plans for the new hotel for Monroeville. He has purchased a lot on the west side of the public square, consisting of the Q. Salter old residence lot and a portion of the old Presbyterian church lot, and has already contracted for the removal of the Salter residence. Plans for the hotel building are being rapidly completed, and it is the intention of Mr. Nettles to have actual work on the hotel building start at an early date.

MONROE FARMERS JOIN COUNTY BUREAU: Since the statewide drive for new members to join the county farm bureaus began a few days ago, Mr. A.V. Culpepper, county agent, announced that 70 new members had been added to the membership list of Monroe County Farm Bureau. Mr. Culpepper states that the aim of the campaign is to place the membership list at 500.

117 YEARS AGO
NOV. 24, 1904

Today is Thanksgiving and many, if not all, business houses will be closed in observance of the occasion. It is well for all, once a year at least, to meditate upon the manifold blessings bestowed by a bountiful Providence.

The new walls of the jail have been completed and work on the inside is progressing steadily. The contractors hope to complete the job within the next few weeks.

Mr. J.M. Coxwell, the new Circuit Clerk, was at the county capital last week. He will probably enter upon his official duties in a few days.

Probate Judge-elect I.B. Slaughter was here last week to file his official bond. As soon as his commission arrives, he will assume the official harness.

WIGGINS HOTEL (Watson House) – Monroeville, Ala. – This hotel has been thoroughly renovated and newly furnished throughout and ready for the accommodation of the public. Table will be supplied with the best in the market. Patronage solicited. – J.L. Wiggins, Proprietor.

PETERMAN: We have not heard anything lately about the artesian well that was talked of last summer. Something in that line will have to be done if we are going to have anything to drink besides whiskey. The wells are nearly dry and the creek is dry that runs through town. Improvements and progress must come if we are to attract people to locate in our city.