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

American aircraft carrier USS Monterey.

20 YEARS AGO
JAN. 24, 2002

James Tucker is Cattleman of the Year: James Tucker was named the Monroe County Cattleman of the Year Thursday night of last week at the association’s annual banquet.
Tucker was selected for his outstanding contributions in the cattle business, according to Robert Thames, who presented the award.
Tucker still maintains a herd of Angus and Simmenta cattle. Last year, Tucker was named the pecan grower of the year for the state.

MCHS standouts sign with ASCC: Monroe County High School baseball standouts Travis Granberry and Ben Busby sign scholarships with Alabama Southern Community College Tuesday of last week in Monroeville. Granberry plays centerfield, and Busy pitches and plays shortstop. Attending the event are Reid Utsey, head baseball coach at MCHS, Mike Kandler, head baseball coach at ASCC, who is also Granberry’s father, Granberry’s mother Lynn Kandler, and Busby’s parents Cathy and George, Larry Turner, principal at MCHS, and Darrell Blevins, assistant baseball coach at ASCC.

Smith joins Excel council: The Excel Town Council voted unanimously during a meeting Monday of last week to have Nancy Smith replaced longtime Councilwoman Carol Casey, who resigned from the council Dec. 10.
Smith will serve out the remainder of Casey’s four-year term, about three years, Mayor Jenny Countryman said. Smith will be required to run in a town-wide election at the end of her term to keep her council seat.

44 YEARS AGO
JAN. 26, 1978

Allen is reappointed school superintendent: Monroe County superintendent of schools James R. Allen has been reappointed to that position for a four-year term going through June 30, 1982.
The current term of Allen, who has served as schools superintendent since November 1972, does not expire until June 30, and the school board reserved the right to set salary prior to that time.
The reappointment was made after a reporter left a Nov. 10 meeting so the board could discuss the suspension of two students.

Post-Herald picks five as all-stars: The Birmingham Post-Herald recently named five Monroe County area players to is 1977 Class A all-star football team for public high schools in Alabama.
Two of the five, Danny Harrison of J.U. Blacksher and Danny Brooks of Excel High, were named to the first team.
Keith Bender of Excel was named to the second team, and Ted Watson of Repton and Tim Bailey of Frisco City were picked for the third team.

Top cattleman is announced: Stockyard manager Aubrey Anderson of Frisco City won the 1977 Cattleman of the Year award presented during the annual Monroe County Cattleman’s Association banquet last Thursday.
Associate farm agent Mike Gamble of Monroe County Extension Service presented the Cattleman of the Year award to Anderson in merit of “his dedication to the cattle industry and assistance to the (cattleman’s) association.”
Traditionally, the award has been given to a beef cattle producer, but Anderson is an exception because of his close work with county cattlemen, Gamble said.

69 YEARS AGO
JAN. 22, 1953

Earl Nettles Dies Here On Monday: Earl Nettles, prominent 61-year-old Tunnel Springs farmer and former merchant, died at the local hospital Mon., Jan. 19, following a few days illness. Mr. Nettles, a lifelong resident of Monroe County, was a member of the Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Beatrice Quintet Downs Uriah 50-46: The Beatrice High five were victors over the J.U. Blacksher High quint 50-46 on Tuesday night.
Action kept at a close-paced trek throughout the game with Beatrice scoring 14, 13, 8 and 15 by quarters as opposed to 7, 12, 13 and 14 for Uriah. Center Vernon Anderson led Beatrice scoring with 20 points while Uriah center Mason Woods paced the Blacksher team with 25.

Local Scouts Cruise On Aircraft Carrier: Twelve Monroeville Boy Scouts, members of the local Explorer Post and Troop No. 24, went aboard the aircraft carrier USS Monterey, stationed at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. on Tues., Jan. 13, for a day’s cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.
During the cruise, they were given a complete tour of the carrier, including officers and crews’ quarters, work shops and departments by D.W. Wootten, Airman Photographer, U.S. Navy, a member of the carrier’s crew.
Local Scouts visiting the carrier were Billy Nettles, Billy Morgan, Robbins Williams, Wilbur F. Ellis, Jimmy Moore, Donald Russell, William Nettles, Blanchard Stallworth, Bert Nettles, Albert Nettles, Grayson Simmons, David Stallworth and A.B. Blass Jr. and Jack Dennis, Monroeville adult Scouters.

94 YEARS AGO
JAN. 26, 1928

OLD COURTHOUSE MAY BE REBUILT: Mr. F.W. Clarke, architect of Mobile, was here Thursday to inspect the walls of the old courthouse to ascertain whether or not the damage caused by the fire rendered them unfit for use in restoring the building. After a careful examination, Mr. Clarke expressed the opinion that the greater portion of the walls, possibly all, might be used safely.
Mr. J.B. Barnett, lessee of the building, is considering the matter of rehabilitating the building in order to provide office room for his own firm as well as for the convenience of former tenants.

JONES MILL HAS NEWSPAPER: The Advocate is the newest candidate for public favor in the newspaper field, the first issue, which appeared on Jan. 18, C.E. Boutwell is named as editor and Richard V. Peavey assistant. The nominal office of publication is at Jones Mill though we understand that the mechanical work is executed for the present in one of the shops in Atmore.

SIMMONS BUILDING COMPLETED: The finishing touches are being given the new Simmons brick building on Southside. The building has been fitted up into suites of offices which will be occupied largely by professional men. Drs. A.B. Coxwell, R.A. Smith, G.H. Harper and S.J. Yarbrough will occupy office apartments in the new building.

HOG TOO BIG TO WEIGH: Rev. J.M. Lynum, a citizen of Monroeville, reports having killed a 13-month-old Poland-China shoat recently that was too hefty to weigh. The fact that 150 pounds of lard was rendered from those portions of the carcass usually devoted to that purpose would indicate that it was rather a sizeable pig.

119 YEARS AGO
JAN. 22, 1903

Gov. William D. Jelks was inaugurated with fitting ceremonies at the state capitol, and the new state officers sworn in on Monday. Addresses were delivered by Gov. Jelks and Lt. Gov. Cunningham.

W.G. McCorvey, Esq., went to Montgomery Sunday to be present at the inauguration.

Capt. Thomas S. Wiggins left Thursday for Montgomery to enter upon his duties as a member of the legislature.

Hon. Thos. S. Wiggins, Monroe’s representative in the legislature, received three important committee assignments at the hands of Speaker Tunstall, viz: Revisions of Laws, Local Legislation and Penitentiary and Criminal Administration.

Rev. W.N. Huckabee of Pine Apple dropped in to see us Saturday on his way to Salem, where he preached Sunday.

Oyster Supper: There will be an oyster and game supper at Tunnel Springs on Friday night, Feb. 13, for the benefit of the Tunnel Springs Institute. Those in charge declare that the function will excel anything of the kind heretofore attempted.

FOUND: A bunch of keys. Owner can get same by giving description and paying for this ad.

MIXON: The citizens say there was less drinking and shooting on Christmas than usual at that time of the year.