The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Aug. 5, 2024

Model 31 Linotype machine.

23 YEARS AGO
AUG. 2, 2001

11 dancers to perform in Tampa: Eleven Monroeville dancers were chosen for the “Just For Kix” National Dance Team Saturday during dance camp at Applause Dance Studio on Drewry Road in Monroeville.
The team will perform during the half-time show at the Florida-Outback Bowl Jan. 1 in Tampa.
Chosen for the team were Megan Brasell of Beatrice, Preethi Covin of Mexia, Jayme Crenshaw and Kendyle Lofton, both of Excel, and Sophia Martorana, Kasey Phillips, Marlee Smith and Cameron Stallworth, all of Monroeville.
Brantley Anne Stallworth of Monroeville, Stephanie Hoffman of Frisco City and Danielle Ray of Mexia were chosen as alternates.

Shields names coach: J.F. Shields High School’s new head football coach Chris Holmes, 36, isn’t wasting any time preparing his team for the upcoming football season.
“I’m ready to get things cranked up and to get them rolling,” Holmes said in an interview Tuesday of last week.
Holmes brings a wealth of football experience to Beatrice. For the last five years he coached at Booker T. Washington Middle School in Mobile and has coached with the Mobile Seagulls professional indoor football team for a year.
He moved to Mobile in 1992 and coached two years at LeFlore High School. Before moving to Mobile, he served as a graduate assistant at Delta State Community College in Mississippi.

48 YEARS AGO
AUG. 5, 1976

Dominoes and politics: Bill Davenport, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for Alabama’s First Congressional District, kicked off his campaign Tuesday in Monroeville with a little informal chit-chat and hand shaking on the square. Domino players continue their game, but give considerate attention all the while to the Congressional aspirant. Davenport’s opposition is incumbent Rep. Jack Edwards, Republican.

Kicks for all-stars: Rhett Barnes of Excel stayed busy Friday night handling the kicking duties for the South in the annual Alabama High School Athletic Association all-star game at the University of Alabama. Barnes kicked two extra points for the South in their 14-6 win over the North. A kicker, running back and defensive back at Excel for four years, Barnes pulled a muscle in Thursday’s practice and wasn’t able to play defense. He participated in only a few offensive plays.

Getting ready for mill: The driver of a road grader waits while another Monroe County machine deposits clay on a road leading to the site of a $300-million pulp mill to be built near Claiborne. The county is acquiring a 50-foot right-of-way and widening and improving the road – until now barely wide enough for one vehicle – in preparation for construction of the mill. Several hundred vehicles will be used in construction, and the road must be wide enough for two-way traffic, says Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs. This road begins at the paved county road between Fountain and Hixon – about four miles from the plate site on the Alabama River. A permanent paved road passing the plant site will follow a different route.

73 YEARS AGO
AUG. 2, 1951

County Has Three Polio Cases In Month: Only three cases of polio in Monroe County have been confirmed since the latter part of June, Dr. W.E. Eddins, county health officer, announced this week.
These victims were residents of Vredenburgh, Frisco City and Goodway, he stated, with diagnoses of their cases being reported from out-of-county hospitals. Reports on all three cases listed the disease as being contracted in a mild form with very little paralysis or deformity expected as results, he said.

NEW LINOTYPE INSTALLED AT JOURNAL: This new Model 31 Linotype machine is one of the latest additions to The Journal’s office, having been installed two weeks ago. Containing many of the latest devices for speeding up the work of type setting for newspaper, the new machine replaces a Model 8 Linotype that has occupied the same spot in The Journal shop for more than 25 years. The old machine has been sold to a printing concern in Eufaula.

Monroeville Radio Station Application Is Approved By FCC: The Federal Communications Commission in Washington Wednesday granted the application for a new standard radio station for Monroeville to be operated by the Monroe Broadcasting Co.
The application allows a 60-day period for the selection of a site on which the transmitting facilities for the station will be located. The station is to be 250 watts power, daytime only, and located on 1220 kilocycles.
Partners in the Monroe Broadcasting Co. are Jimmy Faulkner of Bay Minette and Bill Stewart of Monroeville.

98 YEARS AGO
AUG. 5, 1926

Miss Mennie Faulk is now in the St. Louis Market selecting a large stock of fall coats, dresses, millinery and novelties.

Among the loads of fine watermelons marketed in Monroeville this season was a 67-pound melon presented to Judge M.M. Fountain by Mr. J.H. Ryland on Monday. The next largest was a 61-pounder brought to town by Mr. Joe Nettles of Mexia. These two gentlemen have been known as the most successful melon growers in this section for many years.

Hon. Hilary Herbert Holmes of Baldwin County, former senator from this district and for several years principal of the Daphne Normal School, is spending a few days in Monroe filling speaking dates in the interest of the candidacy of Governor McDowell.

DEATH OF MR. J.W. BOOKER: Mr. J.W. Booker died at his home at Goodway on July 30, aged 70 years. Mr. Booker was a native of Monroe County and was held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. He is survived by his wife, seven sons and three daughters and numerous other relatives. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. A.T. Sims. Interment was made in Enon cemetery on Sat., July 31.

The Methodist ladies will serve dinner on election day, Aug. 10, at Bowden’s store at Jones Mill, Ala. The public is invited and urged to come and get a good dinner for 50 cents.

Mrs. J.L. Bowden left Tuesday for Fairhope where she will act as chaperone at a house party given by Mr. John F. Busey of Jones Mill. Misses Elizabeth Lathram, Louise McMillan and Louise Maxwell are among those in the party.

123 YEARS AGO
AUG. 1, 1901

The first boll of open cotton reported this season was brought to this office last Saturday by Mr. Julius Wiggins. He also reported the first bloom and it is reasonable to expect that he will put the first bale on the market.

Mr. John D. Rawls of Mexia presented The Journal with a fine melon a few days ago. Weather conditions have not been favorable for melon growing, but this specimen would compare favorably with any both as to size and quality.

Store Robbed: On last Sunday night the store of Mr. F. Metts was entered by some person or persons unknown and robbed of cash amounting to some $650. No safe was kept in the store, but the money was concealed in various out-of-the-way places as a means of greater safety. All of the hiding places, with one exception, were discovered and the treasure stolen; about $25 escaped the thievish fingers. The burglarious visitor effected entrance by prizing open the rear door into a back room, but must have had a duplicate key to the door communicating with the main body of the building, as this door was always locked at night, and was so found on the morning following the robbery, and there was no evidence of any other opening have been forced.
The loss falls heavily on Mr. Metts, who is a maimed ex-Confederate soldier, who, by dint of years of energy and economy, had saved up a few hundred dollars from a small but prosperous business to provide a few comforts for his declining years. We do not know that any clue has been discovered, but hope that the thief may yet be run to earth and the stolen money recovered.