Century-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive-Era newspaper in Camden, Alabama

Congressman John R. Tyson

Today marks the first Thursday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in July 1922.

In the July 6, 1922 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that “Chas. H. Newsom, for two years principal of Moore Academy, Pine Apple, Ala., was admitted to the Alabama Bar by the Supreme Court of the State of Alabama, June 29, 1922. His admission was made on motion. An examination was not necessary as he had formerly been admitted before the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia.”

Also that week, under the headline “Camden To Strengthen,” it was reported that “Jack Rutledge, a fast semi-pro from St. Louis, Mo., is to join the Camden (baseball) team Saturday and will play third base against Demopolis, also Screech Neilson, a star left-hander from Pensacola. The manager of the team reports three more new men will be added within the next week and expects to give everybody a battle from now on. All of the new men come highly recommended with good records back of them.”

In the July 13, 1922 edition of The Progressive Era, readers learned that “on last Wednesday morning, June 28, death visited our town and removed from our midst our beloved co-worker and superintendent, Brother O.T. Landrum. Brother Landrum was born near Pelham, Georgia on Jan. 4, 1866 and afterwards lived in Florida, and for the last 19 years has been a faithful employee of the Vredenburgh Saw Mill Co., living seven years in Pine Hill and 12 years in Vredenburgh.”

It was also reported that week that “Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Robins of Catherine attended the 50^th anniversary of the Baptist Church at Lower Peachtree Sunday.”

In the July 20, 1922 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that the “Matthews Hardware Co. is nearing completion of its new building, which is thoroughly modern and adds much to Camden’s spirit and appearance. Mr. B.H. Matthews, President of the company, is a live wire, and his 15 years with us have contributed much to Camden’s progress.”

Also that week, readers learned that “Hon. John R. Tyson, Congressman from the Second District, was in Camden last week and visited other points in the county in the interest of his candidacy for re-election.”

Big news in the July 27, 1922 edition of the paper came under the front-page headline, “Seale Calhoun Dies At Grove Hill Home.”

“The game scheduled here today between Selma and Camden was postponed on account of the death Sunday of Seale Calhoun, centerfielder on the Camden team during the early part of the season. Mr. Calhoun died at his home at Grove Hill in Clarke following an attack of typhoid. Several members of the Camden club went to Grove Hill Monday afternoon to attend the funeral of their teammate.

“Mr. Calhoun was 22 years old. He was a popular member of the team. Illness forced him to retire from the game a short while after the season opened. His brother, Culver Calhoun, who played third base early in the season, is now playing centerfield.”

Also that week, it was reported that “Mr. Howell Turner sent in to Mr. R.L. Rentz a stalk of cotton, about four feet high which had at least 50 cotton bolls on it. It reminded us of the times we used to have before the boll weevil came to show us what he could do to the cotton crop.”

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 August 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.