Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for June 22, 2022

Benjamin Meek Miller

62 YEARS AGO
JUNE 23, 1960

First Cotton Bloom Reported For County: The first cotton bloom for the 1960 season in Wilcox County to be reported to the Progressive Era was brought in Mon., June 20.
The bloom was brought in by J.M. Brooks of Coy.
The bloom was from a field of 11.2 acres located on the Malinda Brooks place at Coy. Cotton in this field was planted on April 11, and shown a good stand. The field has not been poisoned yet, it was stated.

Methodist Building Air Conditioned: The Sunday School annex of the Camden Methodist Church is having air conditioning equipment installed. The work is being done by the Campbell Roofing Co. of Selma, low bidders on the project. The project will include cooling for the hot weather months, and heating for the winter. The present heating system by gas unit heaters will be retained as an auxiliary.
Work should be complete on the cooling system by early in July, it was announced by Rev. Frank Scott, pastor of the church.

Annual homecoming services at Old Scotland Presbyterian Church, near Tunnel Springs, have been set for Sun., June 26. The service of worship will begin at 11 a.m. with the sermon by Henry Lewis Smith, minister-in-charge. Former members and those having family connections with the historic church are cordially invited to be present for this occasion.

P.C. Jenkins attended the Sheriffs Convention in Mobile this week.

73 YEARS AGO
JUNE 23, 1949

Plans Made For Camden Gymnasium: Mr. B.A. Bond, architect, of Montgomery will meet Friday night with the local trustees, F.G. Hollinger Sr., Dr. J. Paul Jones, P.D. Burford, Chad B. Hawkins, Coach Connie McKelvey, Supt. W.J. Jones and J.M. Moore, to make plans for a new gymnasium at the Camden High School. The gymnasium will be located on the site of the old water tank. Construction is planned to begin just as soon as the tank is moved.

Final Inspection On Pine Hill Auditorium: Final inspection was made on the auditorium building at the Pine Hill school Wed., June 22. This building was constructed by Ford Building & Supply Co. of Selma, Ala. at a cost of $50,000. W.E. Campbell of Montgomery was architect. An elementary building, consisting of six classrooms and a lunchroom, at Camden Academy, is now under construction and will be completed by Sept. 1. J.H. McClelland is in charge of building operations.

Johnston Boys’ State U.S. Senator: Jimmie Johnston of Gastonburg, representing Wilcox County in the annual Boys’ State at Tuscaloosa, was named as the group’s United States Senator. Elections were held Tuesday with boys from various parts of Alabama trying their hands at handling state posts. The group left Tuscaloosa Wednesday for Montgomery where their “administration” will take place at the State Capitol.

Tap Sadler and Clip Albritton left Monday for Camp Grist, to be gone 10 days.

82 YEARS AGO
JUNE 27, 1940

Barbecue and baseball double header, July 4, at Tills Place, Braggs, Ala. Barbecue and ball games all for 75 cents. Dance extra – come.

Charles and Junius Cook of Birmingham are visiting their grandmother, Mrs. Lola Cook on Sterritt Lane. They are fine boys and Charles wishes to know where he can buy a pony for 50 cents. Any information regarding one will be appreciated. – A.C.F.

Edwin W. Morris, Camden, Wilcox County, is learning to fly an airplane this summer at Auburn, where he is enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program conducted by the College there and the Civil Aeronautics Authority. The Auburn pilot training program is part of the national plan to train 45,000 civilian pilots during the next 12 months.

Mr. Bob Gay Passes: Mr. Bob Gay, erstwhile resident of Camden, passed away Tuesday morning, June 25, 1940, at 2 o’clock, at his home in Montgomery, after many months of ill health. He resided here several years after his marriage to Miss Pauline Brown, one of Camden’s popular and loveliest girls. He was a close relative of the late Dr. Gay of Selma, a well known and beloved physician.

Rev. R.C. Kennedy returned Wednesday from Norman, Okla. While there he held services Sunday evening in the University of Oklahoma and Monday addressed the Rotary Club at Norman.

92 YEARS AGO
JUNE 26, 1930

American Legion Post Organized at Camden: On Friday night, June 21, about 20 men met at the Court House and organized a local post of the American Legion. All of the ex-service men were enthusiastic and determined to make the post a successful one.
The following officers were elected: E.E. Dunn, Post Commander; Dr. J. Paul Jones, Vice-Commander; Robert Smith, Post Chaplain; Earl Bryant, Sgt. of Arms; Carl M. Watts, Post Historian; and C.A. Skinner, Adjutant.

Mrs. Lee Youngblood and Misses Mary and Alice Ashley Kyser of Carlowville attended the meeting last Thursday of the Charter Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, which met at Mrs. Geo. H. Strother at Canton with Mesdames. Geo. H. and Purnell F. Strother as joint hostesses.

Houston “Pop” Dunn left Sunday for Linden, where he has accepted a position with the Democrat Reporter. Pop is one of the best printers in this section and we fell sure that his work will be highly satisfactory to the manager of the Reporter as he will find him on the job early and late.

SPEAKING AT MAGNOLIA: Hon. J. Miller of Camden will speak to the citizens of Marengo and adjoining counties at Magnolia on Thurs., June 16, at 11:30 a.m. in the interest of the candidacy of Judge B.M. Miller for Governor. The people of Magnolia and surrounding territory will have a barbecue on this date and a large crowd is expected.

Misses Addie Lee Farish and Louise Matthews are at home after a vacation spent in Cuba.

102 YEARS AGO
JUNE 24, 1920

The first load of water melons of the season was sold here on Wednesday by R.G. Campbell.

Mr. Pinkston Albritton has accepted a position with McLeod Drug Store as chief soda dispenser.

A large delegation of Monroe citizens appeared before the Wilcox Board of Revenue on Thursday of the past week for the purpose of determining a route for the Camden-Monroeville Highway. The route designated leads through Bellview and Franklin to Monroeville.

First Cotton Bloom – Mr. C.D. Thompson of Canton Bend brought the first cotton blooms of the season to Camden Saturday. They were taken on the fifth from the field. Both were free of boll weevil punctures.

At a regular communication held with Beatrice Lodge No. 691, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Wed., June 16, the following officers was elected for the ensuing year: J.M. Holloway, Worshipful Master; J.J. McMillan, Senior Warden; J.N. Andress, Junior Warden; J.R. Carter Jr., Senior Deacon; I.J. Robins, Junior Deacon; D.R. Andress, Secretary; S.D. Andress, Treasurer; J.F. Harper, Senior Steward; Lee Fountain, Junior Steward; Mack H. Helton, Tyler.

LOST – About June 11, one bunch of six or eight keys with Coca Cola key on bunch. Finder please return to W.F. McWilliams and receive reward.