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| Old-timey moonshine whiskey still. |
In the June 1, 1922 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era,
publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that “Deputy Sheriff Watson found
and captured two stills Sunday and destroyed more than 60 gallons of beer. The
stills were located in Possum Bend, and both of the operators were arrested.”
Readers that week also learned that “Zeb Rudolph, who was
in Camden last year and graduated at Wilcox County High School, has received an
appointment to Annapolis. This is a recognition of the ability and application
he displayed here, and he has many friends in Wilcox County who are glad of his
success and who wish him well.”
In the June 8, 1922 edition of The Progressive Era, under
the front-page headline, “BASE BALL,” it was reported that “On Monday, June 12th,
the baseball season will open at Camden with Selma vs. Camden. Everybody take a
day off and come out to see this game. The management of the ball club would
like to have an attendance of at least 1,000. Manager Barrett has gathered
together one of the best teams in our league. It’s a winning team and is
entitled to your support. Come one, come all and let’s teach Selma how to play
ball.”
In the June 15, 1922 edition of the newspaper, readers learned
that the “first cotton bloom of the season, sent to The Progressive Era, was
received on June 9 from Mr. Tom Tate, Rt. No. 2, Camden, Ala. Also one on June
10 by Mr. H.L. McClurkin of Caledonia, Ala. These men are good farmers and
their cotton is early enough to make well, despite the boll weevil.”
That week’s paper also reported that Camden’s baseball
team defeated Selma, 13-5, in the season opener. “Head and front of the
assaulting forces was Levi Smith, commonly called by those who know him at all
by the unpoetic name, Lefty. Lefty was good all through the game and especially
good in the pinches. Letting the lads from the biggest city in the circuit down
with seven scattered hits and kept them from scoring in one inning after they
had filled the bases with nobody out.”
Lefty grabbed more headlines in the June 22, 1922 edition
of the paper when it was reported that “Mr. W.R. Alford, one of our most
progressive citizens, has just finished another new house on Fails Street,
which will be occupied by our pitcher, Lefty Smith. He is also having the house
which Mr. A.C. Carlton occupied remodeled.”
Readers that week also learned that the “nice sorrel
trotting horse that Mr. Will Boykin has been handling for Mr. Gilmer Tait has
been turned over to Mr. Galliger of Lowndes County, who is now taking him on
the race circuit. This horse bids fair to become famous and win some large
purses.”
On the front page of the June 29, 1922 edition of the
paper, it was reported that the “newly elected officers for Unity Lodge No.
136, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (at Lower Peach Tree), are as follows:
Dr. A.B. Curtis, Worshipful Master; Dr. K.A. Mayer, Senior Warden; Ben D.
Stabler, Junior Warden; A.L. Slaughter, Treasurer; J.W. Gibson, Secretary; J.P.
Gibson and L.L. Jeffrey, Deacons; J.M. Kirk, Tyler; W.F. Floyd, Chaplain; and W.R.
Welch and J.M. McCloud, Stewards.”
Editor Godbold closed out the month of June by letting
readers know that “Camden ball players appeared on the diamond Tuesday evening
with a large letter ‘C’ sewed on the left sleeves of their shirts. This was
done through kindness of some of the ladies of our town.”
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 July 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.
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