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

Rikard's Mill in Monroe County, Alabama.

16 YEARS AGO
JUNE 1, 2006

Fifteen Monroe County juniors will compete Sat., June 3, for the title of Monroe County Junior Miss. The program, “Miss, Junior Miss, 007,” will be held at 7 p.m. in Nettles Auditorium at Alabama Southern Community College. Monroe County Junior Miss 2006, Martha Lee Anne Ryals, will “star” during the opening number.
(Contestants in 2006 included Sarah Allen, Anna Katherine Black, Tia Black, Stephanie Brewton, Stephanie Cunningham, Sarah Darby, Jenilee Foukal, Caitlan Grimes, Cecily Hornady, Hillary Sawyer, Sawyer Saliba, Brooke Reynolds, Natalie Newton, Erin King and Dallas Jordan.)

Sixteen local runners competed in the ninth annual Monroeville Area YMCA Mockingbird Run on May 13 in Monroeville.
Chris Needham of Monroeville finished first to win the 5K (3.1 miles) race. Lanie House of Excel claimed first-place in the Women’s Under 40 Division.
(Other runners included Wayne Caylor, Terry Dailey, Cindy Greene, Cecily Hornady, Fred Kelley, Alexandria Nunley, Jeff Nunley, Mike Sowell, Ben Templin, Andrew Wilde, Dan Wilde, Jackie Wilde, Jacob Wilde and Megan Wilde.)

The Beulah Camp Meeting, held near Excel, will be June 8-18 and will feature, as always, an interdenominational spiritual retreat for those who attend. The camp, founded in 1941 with its first services in June of 1942, can trace its ancestry to the old-fashioned Brush Arbors in early, rural America. This year’s speakers will include evangelist Eldon Neihof, evangelist Martin Hotle, Bible teacher Dale Dorothy, missionaries Michael and Angela Kelley, and family and song evangelist Ken Osborne.

41 YEARS AGO
JUNE 4, 1981

Ross is MA headmaster: John Ross of Fort Deposit has been named new headmaster for Monroe Academy in Monroeville and will begin work here in the next few weeks, according to acting headmaster Rob Kelly.
Ross has just completed his second year as headmaster of Fort Deposit.
At MA, he will replace Dale McLaurin, who served as headmaster for nearly six years before resigning in March to join an electrical firm with out-of-state headquarters.

Harrigan Lumber Co. defeated Southern General, 19-2, to highlight action in the Monroeville Babe Ruth Baseball League Thursday at Ronnie Dees Field.
Keith Langham led the undefeated Harrigan team with three hits and teammate Anthony Cunningham added two base hits.

Gas district to building $90,000 office here: Plans for a new $90,000 building for the Conecuh-Monroe Counties Gas District’s Monroeville office were approved by the district’s board of directors Monday.
Manager Ed Smith Sr. presented plans for the office-warehouse building combination drawn up by architect Timothy W. Pierce of Greenville.
The building, which will be built on lots owned by the district on East Claiborne Street, will encompass 3,200 square feet and be built on concrete blocks with a brick face structure.
Smith said he and attorney Milton Coxwell have already checked into city zoning in the area and had the plans for the building approved by the Monroeville Board of Adjustment.

66 YEARS AGO
JUNE 7, 1956

Commission Signs Contract For New Jail Building Here: A construction contract with the A.W. Talbert Construction Co. of Selma for a new Monroe County Jail building here was signed Friday by the County Commission.
In making the announcement, Probate Judge E.T. Millsap, president of the commission, said construction on the new jail must start June 21, according to the contract.
He stated the Selma concern expects to complete the structure by Jan. 1, 1957. The new building, to house living quarters for a jailer or sheriff, will be located on a lot 88 feet by 162 feet fronting North Mt. Pleasant Street, just north of the Courthouse Square.

Braves, Cubs Win In Little League: In Little League play Monday afternoon, the Cubs dropped the league-leader Dodgers by a score of 14-0 while the Braves dropped the Giants in a thrilling 3-2 upset.
The winning pitcher for the Cubs was Jimmy Andress, who allowed only one hit. In the nightcap, the pitching talent of Bill Hanks cuffed the Giants to a 3-2 victory. In the four innings played, Hanks held the loser to only two hits.

Kenneth Hundley Gets Wings As Jet Pilot: 2^nd Lt. Kenneth O. Hundley, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Hundley of Monroeville, received his wings in graduation ceremonies of Class 56-N at Greenville Air Force Base, Miss., Sat., May 12.
Lt. Hundley’s scholastic rating was fifth in the graduating class of 69 jet pilots. Lt. and Mrs. Hundley and son, Kenneth Jr., are now residing in Montgomery, where Lt. Hundley has been assigned with the refueling squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base.

91 YEARS AGO
JUNE 4, 1931

23 Graduate From the M.C.H. School: At the annual graduating exercises of the Monroe County High School, which were held at the school auditorium on Wednesday evening, May 27, 23 graduates received diplomas.
Albert Nettles, president of the class, presented the school a gift from the Class of ’31.
Diplomas were presented to the following graduates by Professor York: W.J. Andress, Virgie Browder, Mary Etta Davis, Walter Dees, Riley Eubanks, Mildren Farish, Claudia Gaines, Joseph Gregg, Nona Mae Jay, Clyde Murphy, Alvin McDonald, Clifton McLaurin, Albert Nettles, Kathryn Neville, Percy Riley, Marvin Russell, Ida Rutherford, Minnie Mae Smith, Alice Stallworth, Ethel Thames, Mary Charles Thompson, Rose Etta Vickery and Mildred Frank Williams.

American Legion Erects Club House: The contract has been let and the foundation begun for the erection of an American Legion club house on the east side of the Legion landing field. Work will be rushed so as to insure completion of the building by the first of July.
The local post has been working on the project for some time and the generosity of several interested in the work of the American Legion made it possible for the immediate erection of the house for which there has been a long-felt need.

The Monroeville Pharmacy has been sold to Mr. Foy F. Feagin, formerly of Brewton. Mr. E.H. Carter who has been in charge of the business for several years will return to his home at Castleberry. Since his residence here, Mr. Carter has made hosts of friends who will regret to lose him as a citizen of Monroeville.

116 YEARS AGO
JUNE 7, 1906

CHESTNUT: We are sorry to hear of a sad accident that happened at Rikard’s Mill Sunday. Mr. Bob Stallworth Jr. was crossing the pond on the dam and fell below and would have drowned if he had not been rescued by his cousin Mr. John Lee Stallworth.

PINEVILLE: Mr. R.L. Stallworth Jr., while bathing with a companion, a few days ago, slipped off the dam in the creek, striking his head, which caused insensibility. It was some time before consciousness returned, he had to be carried home and is still sick from the effects of it.

MANISTEE: Our town is on the boom. New houses continue to go up and the program now, is to erect a nice new church soon, which will add much to the pleasure of the citizens owing to the convenience.
Dr. G.H. Harper is thinking of resigning as post master at this place.
The patrons of Grimes school house expect to start a school at that place on the 18^th inst., nothing preventing with Miss Annie B. Murphy as teacher, we trust that she may receive the hearty cooperation of all the patrons and her work here will be a grand success.
J.W. Wilkinson made a trip to Perdue Hill Saturday, attending the Masonic Lodge.
Mrs. Sarah McLeod and Mrs. Susan Stacey are both on the sick list at present.

REPTON: Mr. H.L. Dees is now having an addition built to the Brantley Hotel.