The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for March 7, 2023

Thomas Mercer Riley

28 YEARS AGO
MARCH 2, 1995

Evergreen Baptist Church is celebrating its Sesquicentennial during March 1995. Its pastor, the Rev. Jack Williamson and its Sesquicentennial Committee invite the public to participate in special emphases scheduled for March 5, 12 and 19. The Founders Day Service will be observed on Sun., March 19, and will be followed by the noon meal in the Activities Building. Historical items will be on display all month.
With a current membership of 602 and a current budget of $218,000 and under the leadership of a beloved pastor and effective preacher, seasoned by 20 years of service locally, the Evergreen Baptist Church is poised to move with strength into the 21st Century (just five years away).
The Evergreen Baptist Church was constituted on March 15, 1845 with seven members, all by transfer of letter.

Mr. Frank McInvale was recently presented a 50-year pin by local Woodmen of the World field rep Mitch Crutchfield.

The George Washington Hollinger Sr. Foundation, Inc. announces the 1995 Bernice Hollinger Memorial Scholarship to be given a high school graduate living within a 50-mile radius of Repton.
The 1994 recipient of the Bernice Hollinger Memorial Scholarship was Miss Toris K. Brown. Miss Brown is a freshman at Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville.

43 YEARS AGO
MARCH 6, 1980

Dr. Jim Bricken has announced the opening of his practice of veterinary medicine here. Dr. Bricken is practicing in the Evergreen Animal Health Center building on Old Sparta (Yarborough) Road.

DJ John Bolton of radio station WBLO was glad to be back spinning platters last Thursday when the local station began broadcasting again after being ‘off the air’ since Feb. 16 so that broadcast equipment could be repaired and improved and the station’s ‘signal’ expanded.

March ‘roared in’ with rain Saturday followed by plunging temperatures. Earl Windham reports .71 of an inch of rain Saturday. He also explained that as the official weatherman, he takes his readings at six o’clock each morning with the high and low temperatures of the 24-hour period ending at that time being noted.
So, the 20-degree low reading shows below for Sunday and the high of 61 were the low and high readings from 6 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday.

This 4.5-acre lake will be the focal point in the new city recreation park being developed by the City of Evergreen on a 55-acre tract that is just off of Brooklyn Road and adjoins and is behind of TPI. The lake ranges from shallow (wading) depths to 13 feet deep. Its use is yet to be determined as costs of insurance must be considered, according to city councilman Aubrey Padgett, who is the councilman in charge of parks and recreation.

58 YEARS AGO
MARCH 4, 1965

Harris J. Williamson, assistant postmaster of the Evergreen Post Office, has received the Superior Accomplishment Award. The award, a certificate, a lapel pin and a check for $100 from the Post Office Dept., were presented to Williamson by Postmaster Bill Salter this week. He commended his assistant for more than 26 years service.
Williamson began work at the local post office on Aug. 1, 1938, as a substitute clerk-carrier. He was promoted to regular clerk on March 31, 1948 and to assistant postmaster on Aug. 10, 1957. He has been continuously except for service in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

Mrs. Ann Brooks Salter, age 50, died unexpectedly at her residence on Liberty Hill Drive Friday morning. She was one of the few women to ever hold elective office in Conecuh County, having served as Circuit Clerk and Register.
Mrs. Salter served as Circuit Clerk by appointment in the 1940s and as Deputy Clerk when her husband, who held the office, was recalled to active Army duty during the Korean War. In 1952, when her husband was on active duty and due to time limitations could not qualify for reelection, she filed for the office and won it.

Miss Margaret Hagood, Alabama’s 1964 Junior Miss, crowned 1965 Junior Miss, Miss Heather Strait of Montgomery, at the Junior Miss Padgett in Birmingham recently. Heather will compete for the national Junior Miss crown in Mobile this month. Margaret concluded her reign with the coronation of Heather. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hagood of Evergreen.

73 YEARS AGO
MARCH 2, 1950

William Kendall Horton, age 86, died at a Montgomery hospital Monday night following an extended illness.
Mr. Horton was a pioneer citizen and lifelong resident of this county. He was born and reared on a farm 10 miles from Evergreen on the Brooklyn Highway and lived there until a few years ago when he moved to Evergreen. He owned a large farm and thousands of acres of timber land and engaged in farming, timbering and mercantile business. He also owned considerable business and residence property in Evergreen.
Pall bearers were: Ray Carpenter, R.G. Kendall Jr., Tom Kendall, W.O. Mack, M.S. Holley, Howard Landon, John Henry Bolton and Billy Adams.

Plant Kudzu: Kudzu, both green and frosted, is recommended for grazing. Its use seems best adapted to the soils of the Coastal Plains and Piedmont Areas of Alabama.

Thomas Mason Mills, age 74, widely known and highly respected citizen of this city, died in his sleep at the home of his son, Carl H. Mills, in Pensacola, Wed., Feb. 22.
Mr. Mills was born in Wilcox County at Pineapple on March 6, 1875. He moved to Evergreen about 35 years ago and made his home here until about one month ago when he moved to live with his son in Pensacola because of his failing health. He was for many years connected with the L.L. Moorer Store, large mercantile establishment here in former years.

88 YEARS AGO
FEB. 28, 1929

Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Bozeman and children were called to Searight Sunday because of the death of the former’s father, James D. Bozeman, who died Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at Good Hope church.

Mr. and Mrs. G.O. Dickey, Messrs. C.A. Jones, W.L. Stanley, S.H. Rawls and W.L. Howell attended the funeral of Mr. J.D. Bozeman near Searight Monday.

The friends of Mr. W.G. Riley will regret to learn of the death of his older brother, Capt. Thomas Mercer Riley, which occurred Saturday at his home near Beatrice.

Reduced Phone Rates Effective April First: Residents of Evergreen will benefit by a reduction in telephone rates as announced Tuesday of this week, new rates to become effective April 1, 1935. Reduced rates effective on this date here are as follows:
One party business, $3.50; two party business, $3; four party business, $2.50; one party residential, $2.25; two party residential, $2; four party residential, $1.50.

Edward Perkins, age 50, well known citizen of this city died at his home Friday night at 9:20 o’clock as a result of a stroke which came upon him about eight o’clock Friday morning. He had lived here for about 10 years, coming here from Owassa.