100-year-old news headlines from The Wilcox Progressive Era in Wilcox County, Alabama

Kodak Folding Brownie No. 3

Today marks the first Wednesday 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 November 1924.

In the Nov. 6, 1924 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, editor Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that, “a fire occurred in Camden about daylight on Friday of last week, burning the town calaboose, 500 feet of the town’s new water hose and a large dwelling, known as the Burrell house, and owned by Mrs. D.H. Turner. It was the birthplace of Dr. W.B. Crumpton of Montgomery and was one of the landmarks of Camden. It was with difficulty that the nearby buildings were saved, owing to the exceeding dry weather. The fire was caused from a burning trash pile.”

Also that week, readers learned that “John H. Watts of Caledonia has been appointed marshal for the Town of Camden. He is well known here, having served as marshal and deputy sheriff during the term of P.C. Jenkins.”

In the Nov. 13, 1924 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Mr. Clarence Smith, Miss Addie Lee Farish, Mr. Ernest Lambert and Miss Mamie Finklea motored to Montgomery Friday to attend the State Fair and remained over to see the football game between Auburn and Tulane Saturday.”

Readers that week also learned that “the ‘Birth of Nation,’ a picture that is ever new and ever thrilling, will be shown at the Camden Theatre next Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19-20.”

In the Nov. 20, 1924 edition of the paper, it was reported that “Mr. Jack Tepper is slowly improving after his serious accident during the past week. A cow which had a young calf gored him upon the leg, which would have been more serious except for the aid of a servant.”

Readers that week also learned that “Senator Tom Carlton of Thomaston accompanied the football team to our town last Friday when Wilcox County High played Thomaston High and was the guest of Mr. J.M. Bonner.”

In the Nov. 27, 1924 edition of the newspaper, it was announced that “Mrs. Nettie Grier, a returned missionary from China, will speak at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Sunday morning at 11 o’clock and all denominations are cordially invited to come out and hear her.”

Also that week, readers saw the following advertisement – “LOST: Between Hollys Landing and Mosses mill, Kodak, folding Brownie No. 3. Finder please return to L.P. Andrews and receive reward.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Wednesday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of December 1924 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.