News highlights from 100-year-old editions of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Alabama

Matthews Hardware Co. Building in Camden, Ala.

Today marks the first Thursday of the month (and the new calendar year), so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in January 1922.

In the Jan. 5, 1922 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold began the new year by telling readers that, “the year 1922 will be what we make it. All predictions of approaching good times cannot benefit us unless we prepare the way ourselves.”

Godbold also reported that week that “equipment has arrived for the new McWilliams school building which gives that community a most complete school plant. They are to be congratulated on their remarkable achievements.”

A front-page story in the Jan. 12, 1922 edition of The Progressive Era, carrying the headline of “THE FENCE OF THE BASEBALL PARK,” informed readers that the “baseball park fence was a thing of beauty for about 10 days after its erection. Now some of it has fallen, the rest of it swaying in the breezes. It adds but little to the beauty of its neighborhood. It would seem that there should be some way of putting this fence up right or of removing it entirely. Like it stands and lies, it is an eyesore. Why can’t we fix it up?”

Readers that week also learned that the “boys of the Pine Hill High School defeated the team representing the Fulton High School in a well-played game of basketball today by a score of 24 to 17. The teamwork of both teams was good while the good throwing of the Pine Hill team was a feature. The Pine Hill boys showed more training than did their opponents.”

In the Jan. 19, 1922 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Dr. John Wesley Hill of New York City will be in Camden on Feb. 8 and will speak on the ‘Remaking of America.’ Dr. Hill is an eminent Methodist preacher. He has been pastor of a number of leading Methodist churches and our people can look forward to a treat in his address. Dr. Hill will be accompanied by Rev. Brooks Lawrence.”

Readers that week also learned that “the dirt that is being excavated by Matthews Hardware Co., where they are making the foundation for their handsome brick store, is being moved to the lots on Clifton Street, recently purchased by Mr. W.R. Alford. He is filling in the low places before he lets contract for two bungalows, which he expects to build in the near future.”

In the Jan. 26, 1922 edition of the paper, under the headline “SCANDAL,” it was reported that the “people of Camden are taking rare interest in a Breach of Promise Trial that will be settled in the near future. Miss Mary Alma Stanford is suing Mr. Estin Purefoy for failing to keep his promise to marry her. The admission charges of 25 cents and 35 cents to this unusual entertainment will be used by Circle No. 2 of the Baptist Church as a benefit fund.”

Elsewhere in that week’s paper, under the headline “Judge Turnipseed,” that “it may be news to some people of Camden to learn that Mr. J.W. Turnipseed has been sworn in as a special judge to try the case of Stanford vs. Purefoy. The public is delighted with the selection – as the quiet dignity of Mr. Turnipseed comports well the deportment of judge.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of February 1922 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.