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

USS Sproston

19 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 2002

Andrews named director: One of Monroeville’s finest is the first African American to be named interim director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (ADPS) in Montgomery.
Lt. Col. Charles Andrews, 47, was promoted from assistant director last week by Gov. Don Siegelman. Andrews held that position for three years and is a 22-year veteran of the Alabama State Troopers. He is replacing Col. Jim Alexander, who retired last week.
“I do sincerely appreciate the opportunity Gov. Siegelman has given me,” said Andrews, a former academic and athletic standout at Monroe County High School in Monroeville.

J.F. Shields High School’s boys improved to 8-5 overall and 3-0 in area play Friday night, defeating area rival and defending 1A state champion Pleasant Home High School 61-55 in Andalusia.
Shields’ Wesley Jones, a 6-5 junior center, posted a double double to lead the Panthers, collecting 34 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist.
(Other top Shields players in that game included Delarrian Broadhead, Shane Castophoney, Jeffery Finklea, Cortez Johnson, Donte Lefall, Brandon Nettles, Josh Simpson, Antwan Smith and Cody Stallworth. Jerome Sanders was Shields’ head coach.)

Air Force Airman Brandaun T. Love has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Daffin Love and Tyrone McCorvey, both of Frisco City. Love is a 2002 graduate of Frisco City High School.

44 YEARS AGO
DEC. 22, 1977

Horsley gets death penalty in slaying of teenage girl: A judge Friday affirmed the death penalty for a North Carolina prison escapee convicted last month of robbing and killing a North Carolina teenage girl in Monroe County.
Edward Horsley, 20, of Charlotte, N.C. was sentenced to execution March 16, pending automatic appeal of his case before the state Court of Criminal Appeals.
Horsley was convicted last month of robbing and killing Naomi Rolon, 16, of Hudson, N.C., whose nude and mangled body was found near Franklin in March.

Frisco wins Yule tournament: The Frisco City High School Whippet varsity basketball team successfully defended its county 1A Christmas tournament title last week, defeating both Excel and Blacksher.
Frisco City’s varsity swept the tournament, defeating Excel, 67-54, Saturday night. Blacksher’s varsity fell to Frisco City in the second game Friday night, 58-52.
(Top Frisco City players included James Bailey, Dennis Curry, Jerome Dudley and Julius Lambert. Top Blacksher players were Harry Akins, Kevin Barnes, Calvin English, John Smith, Alvin Wiggins, Melvin Wiggins and Michael Woods. Top Excel players included Keith Bender, Roy Black, Joe Galimore, Mark Ledkins, Michael Mixon, Curtis Parker and Allen Robinson.)

Hospital to break ground: Construction of Monroe County Hospital additions and renovations should begin within 30 days, according to hospital administrator Harold Pittman. Contract-signing and ground-breaking ceremonies have been scheduled for today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the hospital. The signing will take place first, in the dining room.

69 YEARS AGO
DEC. 25, 1952

John F. Gailliard Dies At Residence: John Frye Gaillard, 98, retired farmer and prominent Perdue Hill resident, died at his home in Perdue Hill Thursday following a short illness.
Mr. Gailliard, a member of the Episcopal Church and a Mason, served for a number of years as chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Executive Committee and two terms on the county board of revenue. He retired from farming activities about 30 years ago.

WMFC To Broadcast Orange Bowl Game: Radio station WMFC of Monroeville will carry the Orange Bowl football game between Alabama and Syracuse University, it was announced Tuesday by George Shurden, station manager. The game will be played next Thursday, Jan. 1.
Permission to broadcast the game has been received from CBS Radio, which will air the game nationally, and Gillette Safety Razor Co., which sponsors the broadcast.
The Platter Chatter program, regularly scheduled every Thursday afternoon from 2:30 to 4 o’clock, will follow the football broadcast.

Frisco City Sailor Has Destroyer Duty: Pearl Harbor, T.H. (FHTNC) – Serving here aboard the destroyer escort USS Sproston is James L. Mosley, seaman, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Mosley of Route 2, Frisco City.
The Sproston recently completed a six-month tour of combat duty in the far East, seeing duty on both coasts of Korea and with the Formosa patrol. Japan, the Philippines, Formosa and Hong Kong, saw the “577” steam into their harbors.

94 YEARS AGO
DEC. 22, 1927

This is the last issue of The Journal before the holiday season. We take this occasion to wish for each and every reader the compliments of the season. We trust that the season may pass without untoward events to mar its pleasure.

DEATH OF F.L. RUTHERFORD: Mr. Frank L. Rutherford, an esteemed citizen and prominent businessman, died at his house at Franklin on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 15, after an illness of several months, aged 61 years. The funeral was held Friday, conducted by Rev. C.H. Seibert of Monroeville, assisted by Rev. J.W. Marshall of Mobile; interment in the cemetery at River Ridge Presbyterian church.

Judge M.M. Fountain is desirous of information as to the war record of Green Stringer, who served in the Confederate army and whose death occurred in 1866 as a result of wounds received in battle.

Mr. Trim Davis, the popular traveling man of Mobile, was a visitor to the city Wednesday. Mr. Davis stated that he expected to return to Monroeville with his family early in the new year.

STRAYED – From my place three miles from Jones Mill on Dec. 17, one dark blue horse mule: weight about 1,000 pounds. If found, please notify Sam D. Sawyer, Jones Mill, Ala.

Watch for an announcement of the American Legion banquet. Be sure to get a ticket. There will be an interesting speaker, good music and plenty to eat.

119 YEARS AGO
DEC. 25, 1902

Dr. R.A. Smith was down from Nadawah this week. Dr. Smith will leave for New York early in January to take a special course.

Dr. D.R. Nettles of Tunnel Springs was here Tuesday. Dr. Nettles is now physician for the Bay City Lumber Co.

Dr. John C. O’Gwynn of Jones Mill was in to see us Tuesday. Dr. O’Gwynn expects to remove to Century, Fla. soon, where he will probably be employed as physician for the Sullivan Lumber Co.

Miss Lucile Bizzelle, who has been in New York for several months pursuing her studies in elocution, is at home for the holiday season.

Mr. Thomas W. Daugette, a former resident and well known in Monroe, where he had many friends, died at his home at Jacksonville, Ala. on Dec. 13, 1902. Mr. Daugette had been in ill health for several years. He leaves a wife, one daughter, Mrs. I.K. Agee of Perdue Hill, and two sons, Prof. C.W. Daugette of Jacksonville, and P.P. Daugette, Esq., of Birmingham.

Miss Hortense Deer left a few days ago to accept a music school at Opp.

AXLE: Prof. N.J. Kearley is teaching a large school here.

WEATHERFORD: Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, there was a large congregation at the Weatherford Spring last Sabbath to witness the baptizing and afterwards attend service.