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

33 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1989

Bank to celebrate 85^th anniversary: The Monroe County Bank will celebrate its 85^th anniversary with a reception Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main office on Hines Street in Monroeville.
Organized by the late J.B. Barnett, the Monroe County Bank opened for business on April 19, 1904, with its location in the first Monroe County courthouse. From 1909 to 1972, the bank was located in the building on the southwest corner of the square. The current 20,000-square-foot, two-story main building opened March 27, 1972, with a south Monroeville branch added at Monroe Square in 1985.

Taylor strikes out eight as Blacksher defeats Coffeeville: Senior right-hander Ed Taylor, getting his first start of the 1989 season, struck out eight batters and scattered four hits Friday at Uriah to lead J.U. Blacksher High School to a 14-4 victory over Coffeeville High School.
Taylor, who only walked one batter in the five-inning contest, also had a triple to help spark Blacksher’s offense.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Kevin Bohannon, Mike Dailey, Johnny Green, J.B. Gulsby, Joel Lambert and Jerry Qualls.)

Dueitt elected Kiwanis president: Mike Dueitt, procurement supervisor for Alabama River Woodlands, was elected Friday as president of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club.
Other officers elected are Phil Allen, first vice president, and Greg Norris, second vice president. Newly elected directors are Larry Compton, Herbert Bean, Tom Kennedy, Aaron White, Tom Daniel, Edwin Johnson, Tommy Stacey, Jim Crocker, George Heard and Fletcher Melton.

58 YEARS AGO
APRIL 9, 1964

Second Sabin Oral Sunday Set April 12: The second Sabin Oral Sunday will be held in Monroe County April 12. Officials of the program urged everyone in the county to make preparation to take the vaccine Sunday afternoon.
“Vaccine for Polio Type I will be given, and it is extremely vital to the health of the people of Monroe County that everyone take Type I,” a spokesman for the Monroe County Medical Society, sponsors of the event, said.

Track Team Will Attend Leroy Meet: Members of the Monroe County High School track team will attend an individual track meet in Leroy Monday night.
Members of the track team include Jerry Powell, John Williams, Johnny McPherson, John Murray, Larry McAliley, Billy Jones, Curt Wideman, Johnny Biggs, William Lowery, David Eddins, David Smith, Kenneth James, Ray Owens, Louie Hayles, Tim Jones and Roger Black.

Four Scouts Named To Order Of Arrow: Four Monroeville Scouts were tapped out for membership in the Order Of The Arrow, a National Boy Scout Honor Camping and Service Organization, in a ceremony at Little River State Park during the annual AEA Camporee.
They were Mike Lewis, Lee Riley Howington, Lewis Robinson and Dale Sellers.
At a meeting of the OA held for election of officers, Bobby Colquett was elected chief; Albert Dunning, secretary; John Williams, treasurer; and Wilbur Pickens, chief advisor.

83 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1939

California Couples Guests Of Mr. and Mrs. Deer: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Peterson of Santa Maria, Calif. spent several days this week with Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Deer at Claiborne. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson left Wednesday and will go to South Florida to spend a couple of weeks, after which they will proceed up the Atlantic Coast to New York, from which point they will sail on the Queen Mary for Europe. They expect to return to their California home about the first of September.
Mr. Peterson is one of the largest publishers in the West and is a member of the California State Board of Social Welfare.

Golf Tournament Begins Here Today: The Monroeville Golf Club will begin a local tournament this afternoon and matches will continue through Thurs., May 4. A great deal of interest is being manifested among local players and plenty of fun for everyone is promised.
Mr. R.L. Jones, president of the Club, has made the pairings and they will be posted at the Monala, where all interested may see the results of the matches from day to day.

Beatrice Planning Gala Day For Opening Of Stockyard April 27: With work on the Beatrice Stockyard rapidly nearing completion, plans are being made for a gala occasion of the opening sale, April 27. The Chamber of Commerce is joining the Stockyard Association in promoting this day. Many interesting features will mark the occasion.
A number of buyers will be present to bid on the stock offered for sale. A visiting authority on stock raising will speak on a subject of vital interest to all interested in stock. For entertainment, there will be present a band which will furnish music.

109 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1913

The preliminary trial of Weldon Cobb for the killing of Sylvester Griffin at Franklin on April 1 was held before Judge I.B. Slaughter Friday, resulting in admitting the defendant to bail in the sum of $1,000 to await the action of the grand jury. A number of citizens of the community were present at the hearing.

$1,000 REWARD: I am offering $1,000 reward for any evidence leading to the conviction of any one connected with the burning of my mill and gin on the morning of Jan. 8, 1913. – D.D. Cole, Eliska, Ala.

Mr. John D. Mosley of Selma was in the city last week. Mr. Mosley has been an inspector of loans on land for the last 15 years and is regarded as an expert in his line.

Dr. G.H. Harper was up from Manistee Wednesday. Dr. Harper will remove to Atmore very shortly for the practice of his profession. The Journal wishes him success in his new field.

Mr. Joe Dees of Mexia sent to The Journal office a few days since a specimen of his garden truck in the shape of a purple top globe turnip weighing 5-1/2 pounds and measuring 22 inches in circumference.

An ice cream supper will be given by the ladies Missionary Society of Mexia at the home of Prof. S.O. Arnold Saturday evening, April 19, for the benefit of the Baptist church. A musical program is being prepared by Prof. Arnold, A.L. Brown and Miss Sallie Baggett. A treat is in store for all who come.

133 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1889

As is their custom, the Commissioners made a thorough examination of the county jail before adjourning and found that considerable repairs were necessary to make it safe for keeping prisoners. The plans and specifications were drawn up and the contract let Tuesday, to the lowest bidder. The contract was awarded Mr. S.W. Yarbrough for $600.
The frequency and apparent ease with which prisoners have recently made their escape would seem to demand something more substantial than wooden ceiling.

Several cases of mumps are reported in this community.

Dr. C.C. Busby, the blind lecturer, delivered a lecture at the courthouse on Thursday night of last week on his travels in Palestine, and another on last Monday night, a continuance of his travels, and on the Pyramids of Egypt, etc. The lectures were very entertaining and instructive, and all expressed themselves as being well pleased with them. Dr. Busby left Wednesday via Claiborne for his Texas home.

HONOR ROLL of Bells Landing Academy for February 1889: Katie Stallworth, Minnie Hunt, Sarah Nettles, Minnie Chunn, Mattie Abernathy, Marie Pattison, Nannie Abernathy, Corinne Dunn, Katie Abernathy, Hellen Davis, Willie Davis, Ollie Grace, Harry Davis, Judson Chunn, Walton Hybart, Urn McCants and Willie Holloman. – M. Dannelly, Teacher.

Rev. S.P. Lindsey filled the pulpit at the Baptist church last Sabbath. A good congregation were as greatly benefited by his discourse as Bro. Lindsey was encouraged by their presence.