The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for Dec. 30, 2024

Lee Roy Jordan of Excel

12 YEARS AGO
DEC. 27, 2012

Christmas comes alive in Frisco City: The biblical story of Jesus Christ’s birth came to life in a big way last Friday and Saturday nights in Frisco City when Revive Frisco City, 300 volunteers and 20 churches presented a live, drive-through nativity.
The event encompassed an entire block in Frisco City, and organizers said 1,300 people rode through to view the 10 stations, starting with the announcement of a coming savior and moving through the story to the birth of Christ in a manger.
In addition to the 10 stations, there were also choirs singing in downtown for visitors to enjoy as they waited in line.

MCHS Tigers pound the Excel Panthers: The fourth-ranked Monroe County High School Tigers remained unbeaten with an 80-48 pounding of Excel last Thursday night, led by Tytus Howard’s double-double. Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, plus a block, an assist and three steals.
(Other top MCHS players in that game included Deveon Kimbrough, Laderian Odom, Mario Richardson and Skyler Stallworth. Karl Johnson was MCHS’s head coach.)

Former Beatrice mayor and current councilman James B. Bigger Jr., 75, died Sun., Dec. 23, at the USA Medical Center in Mobile.
Since 1966, he was continuously elected to the Beatrice Town Council and served one term as mayor.
Bigger graduated from Beatrice High School in 1956 and was valedictorian of his class. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Washington, D.C. and aboard the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Essex.

37 YEARS AGO
DEC. 24, 1987

Barnes’ ribbon-cutting: The Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Billy Barnes Enterprises trucking facility outside Frisco City was attended by almost 200 people. Remarks were made by Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs. Biggs, Frisco City Mayor Ronnie Ray, company vice president Terry Kilpatrick, company founder and president Billy Barnes and vice president Donnie Barnes shared in the ribbon-cutting duties.

Randy Brown’s sensational senior season was further enhanced Dec. 10 when he was named the recipient of the coveted Roy Stacey Award during Excel High School’s football awards banquet at the school.
The award is presented each year to the outstanding senior football player in behalf of the late Roy Stacey, who was a former standout athlete at Excel and a dedicated Excel supporter.
Brown rushed for 1,469 yards from halfback this season to help the Excel Panthers post a 10-2 record. In addition to receiving the Roy Stacey Award, Brown was named the Panthers’ most valuable offensive back.

New well being drilled at Megargel: The drilling of a new prospective oil and gas well began last week at Megargel.
Conoco Inc. began drilling the wildcat well Dec. 17. The proposed depth is 14,200 feet, and drilling was at 2,903 feet Monday, according a to State Oil & Gas Board spokesman.

62 YEARS AGO
DEC. 27, 1962

Lynam Home Burns Here On Dec. 23: The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Lynam on Washington Street in Monroeville was destroyed by fire Sunday morning.
The flames apparently started from a hot water heater located in the kitchen. Mr. Lynam was at work and Mrs. Lynam and the children were at church, according to firemen, when the fire was discovered.
Mr. Lynam said a couch, table and television set were saved from the blaze which was so far advanced when firemen reached the scene that it was impossible for them to effectively fight the fire.

Lee Roy Jordan Day Is Planned For Jan. 19: Lee Roy Jordan Day is planned for Jan. 19, 1963, with activities at the Excel High School during the afternoon and a banquet at the Community House scheduled at 7:30 p.m. when Coach Bear Bryant will be featured speaker.
W.C. Myrick is chairman and Coy Stacey, Jim Anners, Carl Brown and Owen Dawson are members of the special committee in charge of the event. The Excel Quarterback Club is sponsoring Lee Roy Jordan Day.
Plans are for about 500 tickets to be sold for the banquet.

Army Pvt. Kenneth C. White, the son of Mrs. Nettie M. Hilgeman, 4670 Durham Drive, Pensacola, Fla., completed the 15-week manual central office repair course at the Southeastern Signal School, Fort Gordon, Ga., Dec. 7.
Pvt. White entered the Army in June 1962 and completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
The 18-year-old soldier is a 1962 graduate of Escambia High School.
His father, Cleon White, lives on Route 1, Frisco City.

87 YEARS AGO
DEC. 23, 1937

Music Recital Thursday Evening: A large audience enjoyed a recital by the pupils of Mrs. F.F. Feagin at the High School auditorium last Thursday evening. The following took part in the program: Mary Smith, Emma Lou Agee, Betty Chambers, Margaret McMillan, Ida Jenkins Wiggins, Virginia Hybart, William Bowden, Jennings Carter, Vivian Driggers, Jean Morris Feagin, Louise Snowden, Myrtle Huey Greer, Sara Ann McCall, Barbara Estelle Locklin, Elizabeth Snowden, Nancy Sheffield, Nell Lee, Pauline Dale, Sara Ann Hundley, Patsy Lazenby, Emily Finklea and Sonny Gardner.

County Schools Close For The Holidays: The Monroe County schools closed Wednesday and will remain closed for the Christmas holidays until Mon., Jan. 3.

Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Hendrix, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Hendrix and Mr. and Mrs. Evans were painfully injured when the car they were driving collided with another car between Monroeville and Mexia, on Saturday night. They were blinded by the lights of an approaching car.

First National Declares Dividend: At their December meeting, directors of the First National Bank of Monroeville declared an eight-percent dividend on the Capital Stock of the bank and passed to the surplus account an amount equal to two percent of the capital account. The dividend will be payable Jan. 3, 1938 to stockholders of record Dec. 31, 1937.

Dr. A.B. Coxwell has been advised that his name will be included in the 1937-38 edition of “Who’s Who Among Physicians and Surgeons” together with a sketch of his life and activities. This is a distinction that is accorded only to professional men of outstanding reputation and ability, and is an honor worthily bestowed.

112 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1912

Head-on Collision at Corduroy: Failure to properly lock a switch at Corduroy, a few miles north of Beatrice, caused a head-on collision between the northbound passenger and a freight train on the siding at that point on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Saturday night, resulting in the death of Engineer Byron Shofner and John McMillan, a fireman. Engineer John Day of Pensacola and a fireman whose name has not been learned were injured. Both engines were derailed, delaying traffic several hours.

Mr. Chas. McArthur Killed: Mr. Charles McArthur met a tragic death near Dottelle on the Manistee & Repton Railroad Friday afternoon. Mr. McArthur, with four or five others, was a passenger on the motor car returning from Manistee Junction, when, evidently frightened by the popping of the engine, he jumped from the car which was running at a speed of some 20 miles per hour. His head struck a crosstie fracturing the skull and bruising his body otherwise, causing his death within a few moments. He was about 53 years old and is survived by his wife and several children.

LOST – Dec. 19, between Jones Mill and Tekoa, one .38 caliber pearl handle, Smith & Wesson pistol, five in barrel. Five dollar reward for return of pistol to this office or to W.C. Neville.

Rev. M.E. Lazenby was called to Pine Apple on Saturday on account of the sickness of one of his children and his appointment to preach at the Methodist church last Sunday was called in. He expects to preach her next Sunday.