The Monroe Journal News Flashback for May 27, 2024

The USS Dortch in 1943.

18 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 2006

Stores to get biography on Harper Lee: The long awaited, first-ever biography of Monroeville’s most famous resident is scheduled for public release on Tuesday.
“Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee” by Charles J. Shields will be shipped to retail outlets on Tuesday and should be fully distributed to all major book stores by Mon., June 5, according to Emily Montjoy with Henry Holt & Co., the New York City publishing house that is publishing and promoting “Mockingbird.”
Shields’ 352-page book is the first-ever biography of Monroeville’s Harper Lee, the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the 20^th Century’s most widely read American novel.

FC rolls up 370 yards to beat MHS: Frisco City High School’s football team rolled up 370 yards of total offense on their way to a 40-0 stomping of McKenzie in spring football action Friday night in Frisco City.
Rising senior Jeffery Williams, The Journal’s 2005 Defensive Player of the Year, led the Whippets on both sides of the ball.
On defense, Williams made 21 solo tackles, six assists and recorded a quarterback sack. On offense, Williams carried the ball nine times for 140 yards and scored two touchdowns. Williams also scored twice on two-point conversion plays.
(Other top Frisco City players in that game included Jimmy Banks, Ladarrius Banks, Scotty English, DeAngelo Hill and Ephraim Johnson. Troy Quinn was head coach.)

The Goodway Volunteer Fire Department received its new fire truck Saturday morning that cost the department $175,000. Fire Chief Fred Brake said the new truck gives the department two pumpers, two tankers and a brush truck.

43 YEARS AGO
MAY 28, 1981

Search off for escapee: The official search for one remaining Holman Prison escapee was called off yesterday (Wednesday) at 8 a.m., according to Ron Tate, public information officer for the state Board of Corrections.
Tate said the search for James R. Straitz, the only one of eight prison escapees still at large after 10 days, was called off Wednesday morning and “we are satisfied that he is out of the immediate Atmore area.”
Straitz was one of eight prisoners who escaped Holman, a maximum security prison, May 17 between 9:30 and 10 p.m. during a blackout that happened when the prison’s power generator was sabotaged, Tate said.
Straitz was sentenced to 18 years in prison on April 30, 1980 from DeKalb, Elmore and Montgomery counties for grand larceny, escape and robbery.

Top athlete named: Monroe Academy senior Tracy McPherson was the winner of the coveted Bill Grant Award as the outstanding senior athlete when the local private school held its annual spring sports banquet last Thursday at Bill Grant Memorial Gym.
Bill Grant played at the school in 1970-71. He died while running track in Selma his senior year.
McPherson was an all-district basketball selection his junior and senior year, all-state basketball as a senior, the most valuable player the last two years at the Alabama Private School Association’s state track meet.

68 YEARS AGO
MAY 24, 1956

BIA Principal Plans Retirement After 50 Years As Teacher: After more than 50 years as an educator and principal, Horace J. Lamar, principal at Monroeville’s Bethlehem Industrial Academy, Clausell, is retiring from the teaching profession.
Lamar has served as principal of the BIA school for the past 32 years, during which time all of the present school buildings were constructed.
Prior to that time, he was founder and principal of the Washington Junior High School at Perdue Hill, the first colored school to be built in Monroe County.

Three Monroevillians Take Shrine Degrees: Three Monroeville Masons took their Shrine degrees Saturday afternoon in Mobile at the Shriner’s Day at the Abba Temple in Mobile.
They were Milton Thames, Kermit Branum and John Calvin Snyder. Also attending from Monroeville were Dayton Russell, W.S. Nash, Tommy Hines, Norton Wiggins, Fred Sheffield, Raymond Owens, Calvin Ryland, John Coxwell, Pap Geddert and James Burns.

Excel Sailor Spends Short Leave At Home: Jerald McQueen, Fireman, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. McQueen, and his wife, the former Miss Marian Jaye, all of Excel, are spending a short leave at home while his ship, the USS Dortch, a destroyer, is in the Navy Shipyard at Boston for overhaul, according to Chief “Red” Lee, the traveling Navy recruiter from Jackson.
Since joining the Navy three and one half years ago, McQueen has seen service on several Navy ships, including the USS Staten Island, an icebreaker, which took him to the North Atlantic and Greenland. Other Navy travels have taken him to Ecuador in South America and to the major ports of the Mediterranean Sea.

93 YEARS AGO
MAY 28, 1931

Katz Stores Are Nearing Completion: The two new store buildings of M. Katz are nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy early in June. In addition to making the front of these two buildings more attractive, Mr. Katz is having a wide concrete sidewalk laid from the south side of the new building to the corner and around to his property line in front of the store now occupied by G.C. Watson. This part of the walk in front of the store will be widened to eight and one half feet. Mr. Katz has planned other improvements to add to the attractiveness of his property. He believes in the future of Monroeville and is showing his faith by his work.

Small’s Market is Moved to the Jitney-Jungle: The C.L. Small Meat Market, which has been located in the Simmons Building, has been removed to the Jitney-Jungle where ample market and display space has been provided. Mr. Small will continue to handle the choicest native and western meats and kindred lines. The market will be equipped with an up-to-date cooling system and with Mr. Small’s experience as a butcher, the public is guaranteed first class service at all times. All sales will be made for cash only. No delivery.

On May 19, 1931, the Junior Chamber of Commerce had a banquet at the City Hotel of Monroeville with 35 present. Mr. A.V. Culpepper, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, called on different committees for a report after which he turned the banquet over to the toast master, Dr. T.E. Tucker. Dr. Tucker called on all present for a short talk and all had a real good time. – L.L. Dees, Secretary.

118 YEARS AGO
MAY 24, 1906

The Journal tenders congratulations to Capt. J.F. Foster, editor of the Wilcox Banner, on his appointment as probate judge of Wilcox County, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge James T. Beck.

Drs. Clarence Jones of Camden, A.G. Stacey of Activity, John J. Dailey of Tunnel Springs, E.G. Burson of Furman and Dr. Farish of Wilcox were before the Board of Censors of the Monroe County Medical Society this week undergoing examination for license to practice medicine. Dr. Jones has been in the quarantine service in Mexican waters for a year past. The other young gentlemen were recently graduated from the Alabama Medical College.

Rev. W. Ira Powers, aged 81 years, one of the best known itinerant superannuated preachers of the Alabama Methodist conference, died at the Hillman Hospital, Birmingham, on Thurs., May 17, from injuries received on Saturday by being struck by an electric car at Woodlawn. Mr. Powers served for four years as preacher in charge of the Monroeville circuit just prior to his retirement on the superannuate list, and had many friends here who regret to learn of his tragic end.

Ice Cream Supper: The ladies of the Scotland Presbyterian Church will serve ice cream at the home of Mrs. M.L. McMillian on Friday night, June 1, 1906. Liberal patronage will be appreciated.

Wilcox Progressive Era celebrates the 137th anniversary of its establishment

This week’s edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era is dated May 23, and I didn’t want the month of May to slip by without wishing the newspaper a happy 137^th birthday.

According to old, archived editions of The Progressive Era, the newspaper traces its official roots to May 1, 1887 when it was organized by editor and president Solomon Daniel Bloch under the name The Wilcox Progress.

In and around 1887, there were a number of other newspapers operating within Wilcox County, including The Wilcox New Era, the Wilcox Banner and the Camden News. The Wilcox New Era was established in 1889, the Wilcox Banner started in 1903 and the Camden News began publication in 1912. However, all of those newspapers eventually merged with the Wilcox Progress, which took the name, The Wilcox Progressive Era.

A little over 107 years ago, in the May 10, 1917 edition of The Progressive Era, Bloch, who was 62 years old at the time, celebrated the newspaper’s 30^th birthday with an editorial in which he declared May 1, 1887 to be the newspaper’s official date of organization. He also said that it was “with pride that we recall in these years, that not a line has ever appeared in its columns that any lady or girl could not read with pleasure. With our people, we have passed through years of adversity and sunshine, and shared with them sorrow and happiness.

“The Progressive Era has ever been the champion of unsullied democracy and the people’s rights, and has ever stood for the betterment of our farmers’ interests and the general improvement of our country. We thank our friends and subscribers and the county officials, professional and mechanical men, the businessmen of Mobile and Selma, and we hope soon to add the businessmen of Camden, for their liberal patronage. We trust by attention to our affairs and with the aid of our people, to merit their future approval and continued favors.”

Solomon “Sol” Bloch was an interesting man and was without a doubt the man who helped mold The Progressive Era into Wilcox County’s dominant newspaper. According to the 2002 book, “The Heritage of Wilcox County, Alabama,” Bloch was “one of the county’s most renowned newspaper editors” and was an “active political, civic and business leader of the early 20^th century.” Bloch was born in Camden on Jan. 16, 1855 and was buried in Mobile’s Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery after his death at the age of 69 on March 17, 1924.

In late 1917, S.C. Godbold purchased The Progressive Era and his family published the newspaper well into the 1960s. Alabama newspaper legend M. Hollis Curl purchased The Progressive Era in 1969, and his family continues to operate the newspaper today.

In the end, the current newspaper staff at The Progressive Era finds themselves carrying on the outstanding tradition of community journalism that was established 137 years ago this month. This week, if you happen to see a Progressive Era employee out and about, tip your hat to them for a job well done and wish them a happy 137^th birthday.

Ancient mound a short walk from modern softball fields in Oxford

Mound at Choccolocco Park.

Crystal and I followed Excel High School’s softball team to Oxford last week to watch Harper and the rest of the girls play in the state softball tournament. The tournament was played at Choccolocco Park, which covers more than 300 acres and is home to some of the finest softball and baseball facilities in the state. Prior to last week, I’d never been to this park, but I’ve wanted to see it in person for years.

In addition to the athletic facilities, this park sits on an ancient Indian village site that dates back thousands of years. Sources say that there is evidence that shows that Indians lived on this land as far back as 12,000 years ago. To put that into perspective, that means there were Indians living where Choccolocco Park is now about 5,300 years before the first pyramids were built in Egypt.

If you go to the park today, aside from the sports fields, you’ll see that one of the park’s most prominent features is a large Indian mound that once served as the focal point of a regionally important ritual center. Sources say that before the 1830s this site served as ceremonial grounds for the Abihka Indians and was one of the most ancient tribal towns in the Creek Nation. The mound at Choccolocco Park is also one of about a dozen mounds throughout the state that are listed on the Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail.

Between Harper’s two games last Thursday, Crystal and I took advantage of the break and walked over to the mound to see it up close. The mound, with its well-manicured grounds, is an impressive site and is similar to the large mounds you will see at Moundville in Hale County. Sources say that this mound is one of three that were once located on the property.

A short walk from this large earthen mound is a smaller stone mound. Sources say that this mound once sat on nearby Signal Mountain and that it represents “burden” stones carried by Indians in remembrance of relatives who were killed in a “great flood.” Archaeologists who have studied the site believe that people who lived at the site in prehistoric times experienced several significant flood events and sometimes caused large sinkholes.

Some readers might be interested to learn that Choccolocco is an old Indian word made up from the words “Chahko” and “lago.” Chahko means “shoals” and lago means “big.” This word lends its name to Choccolocco Creek, which runs just north of the park, a short walk from the large mound described above. The infamous “Hell’s Gate Bridge,” said to be the most haunted bridge in Alabama, sits across this creek, not far from the large mound. But that is a story for another day.

In the end, if you ever find yourself in the northeastern Alabama city of Oxford, take a few minutes and visit Choccolocco Park. If you enjoy learning about Alabama’s ancient history and seeing ancient sites in person, it’s hard to beat Choccolocco Park. Located a short distance off Interstate Highway 20, you’ll find the quick trip well worth a few minutes of your time.

George Singleton tells of mysterious 'Face in the Courthouse Window'

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “An innocent man’s haunting image remains,” was originally published in the May 23, 1991 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I have seen many strange and unusual happenings in my lifetime. Today, I once again viewed with my own eyes one of life’s strange phenomena.

Today is Sunday, May 19. My wife and I and two good friends of ours have just returned from Carrollton, the county seat in Pickens County. The courthouse building there that stands today was built in 1877, shortly after the end of the dreaded war that caused brother to fight against brother and father against son, in my instance.

The courthouse that serves Pickens County until 1876 mysteriously burned on Nov. 16 that same year. No one knew who might have had reason to commit this act of arson.

The construction of a new courthouse got under way at once. But the hunt for the one who had caused the destruction of the old courthouse continued. Someone had to be guilty of this tragic crime. The arsonist would be found and punished.

In January 1878, a freedman, or freed slave, by the name of Henry Wells was arrested and held in confinement in the garret of the new courthouse to await trial for the act of arson on the old courthouse. County officials turned a deaf ear to the plea of Henry Wells that he did not commit the crime. He pleaded his innocence and begged to be set free. Time and time again, the accused man begged for his freedom but to no avail.

Determined that justice would be done, the officials of Pickens County sentenced Henry Wells to death by hanging. The condemned man continued to claim his innocence. The date for the hanging spread around the county like wildfire.

Outside the small county courthouse a crowd gathered to see the accused man pay for his crime. The sheriff and a deputy went up the narrow stairway to the garret to bring down the man who was to die within a few minutes on the gallows nearby. Once again, Henry Wells begged his innocence. Again, his begging fell on deaf ears.

The time had come. Henry Wells made one last request. He asked that he be allowed to pray before he was taken to the gallows. The sheriff, probably feeling a bit sorry for the doomed man, granted his last wish. Henry Wells turned toward the window of the garret and fell to his knees. As he arose from his kneeling position on the floor, he raised his arms toward the ceiling of the small room and shouted, “To prove that I am innocent, the reflection of my face will forever be seen in the glass of this window.” Within a few short minutes Henry Wells died at the end of a hangman’s noose before a large crowd of local onlookers.

The hanging over, the sheriff decided to return to the garret window. He did not believe he would find the reflection of the doomed man’s face. Anyone who is about to die might say such silly and foolish things, especially a man who claimed he was innocent.

As the sheriff made his way across the floor of the garret, he saw to his amazement and surprise the face of Henry Wells looking out the window toward the courtyard below. A loud scream was heard from the upstairs of the courthouse. Everyone rushed up the narrow stairway to see what was happening there. There stood the county sheriff, deathly white in color, pointing to the reflection of the face of Henry Wells in the glass window.

No one knew how the face of this doomed man came to be seen in the garret window. Much speculation and talk centered around the phenomenon that starred down from its place in the upstairs window. County officials decided that a new window would correct their problem, and a new window was installed. Within minutes after the installation of the new glass window, the face could be seen as before.

Several times during the next few years, the window glass was replaced. Each time as before, within minutes after the glass was exchanged, the face of Henry Wells could be seen.

When replacing the window glass didn’t work, someone decided to cover the window with wooden boards. Surely this would end the appearance of the face in the window. But by the time the boards were in place, the face could be seen as though painted on the boards that covered the window.

As time passed, glass was again placed in the garret window. Each time, the reflection of the face of Henry Wells reappeared as before. The news of the face in the window spread throughout the country and world. “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” writers came and saw for themselves that what they had heard was true.

Even today, as one stands in the courtyard, visitors from all over the county come and stand to look at the image in the window.

As I stood there 113 years later and looked at this phenomenon in the glass window high above the street, I was convinced that there is another dimension or something that parallels this life. Perhaps someday we will know. But for now, the answer lies on the winds of time and tomorrow. Maybe, one day.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for May 20, 2024

USS Bataan

24 YEARS AGO
MAY 17, 2000

Timber mill to locate in Mexia area: Construction is expected to begin next month for a new timber processing facility in the Mexia community.
Rocky Creek Lumber Co. will employ 50 when fully operational. The new company will process large pine pulpwood into timbers and chips.

Excel girls reach sub-state round: Christmas came a few months early for Excel High School softball coach Jim Gibbs when the Lady Panthers finished runners-up in the 3A Section 1 tournament in Chatom.
In the first round of the tournament, Excel blasted Leroy, 13-3. The Panthers fell, 6-2, to UMS-Wright in the second game, then eliminated Leroy, 8-1, in the third game. In the championship round, UMS-Wright slipped by the Panthers, 8-6.
(Top Excel players in those games included Erica Burton, Shondra Gross, Sheila Jordan, Crystal Levins, Anna Kay Melton, Nicole Norris and Robyn Reed.)

New Hope Baptist Church added to heritage register: New Hope Baptist Church in Natchez has recently been added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage.
Believed to date from as early as 1855, the church remains as one of the few intact 19^th century religious buildings in the county and depicts a highly significant vernacular architectural form.
The adjacent cemetery contributes to the significance of the resource for its historic association with the congregation. The cemetery there is most widely known as the last resting place of a late-19^th century itinerant entertainer known as the Bear Man.

49 YEARS AGO
MAY 15, 1975

Flash flood makes train leave rails: A flash flood in the Hybart community washed out a portion of railroad track and caused six cars and two engines of a Frisco Railroad train to derail Wednesday morning of last week at 2:30. No injuries were reported. The northbound train reportedly was headed to a terminal in Amory, Miss.

MA girls state track champs: Monroe Academy’s girls track team easily won the Alabama Private School Athletic Association’s track meet, held Friday and Saturday in Greenville at Fort Dale Academy. Members of the squad are Missy Middleton, Janet Huggins, Mary Louise Smith, Angie Stokes, Jo Ann Wiggins, Jan Sales, Elizabeth Cauley, Kay Dees, Kay Williams, Martha Tucker, Sandra Watson, Janice Pugh, Miriam Williams, Lori Lane, Beverly Daniels, Angie Dean, Francine Hollinger and Coach Jerry Steele.

Repton fire badly damages Roberson’s store Tuesday: Fire heavily damaged the grocery and clothing parts of the Roberson Mercantile store in Repton early Tuesday, Repton Fire Chief Billy Mims reported.
The fire apparently started with an explosion in a stock room at the rear of the store, Mims said. But he said it was unknown Tuesday afternoon what had exploded or what had set off the blast.
He said Roger Terry, who lives near the store, heard the explosion and reported the fire about 2:05 a.m. Repton, Monroeville and Frisco City volunteer fire departments answered the alarm.
The store was unoccupied when the fire started, and no one was injured, Mims said. Located on the town’s main street, the store is owned and operated by Windel Roberson.

74 YEARS AGO
MAY 18, 1950

FOUND: Two bicycles (boys). One red and white, other blue and white. Blue and white found a month ago, red and white found two weeks ago. One of the bicycles was found on the courthouse square and the other near Millsap’s Stable. Owners can claim by identifying the bicycles and paying for this ad. Contact Alex Stevens, Police Chief.

Marlon Hendrix, radarman, third class, U.S. Navy, was recently graduated from the Combat Information Center Team Training School at Boston, Mass. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hendrix of Frisco City, and the husband of Mrs. Virginia Hendrix of 47-1/2 Wilson St., Brooklyn, N.Y., he attended Uriah High School before entering the naval service in March 1944. He is now serving aboard the light aircraft carrier, USS Bataan.

PERSONAL – Phil; Come home. All will be forgiven if you promise to carry your livestock to Farmers Cooperative Market in Frisco City next time. Love, Mary.

Manager LeVaughan Hanks nudged leftfielder “Hop” Stevens out of the top spot in hitting on the Monroeville club this week with a .445 average to .412 for Stevens.
Hanks, through Sunday’s game, had banged out 10 safe hits in 22 trips to the plate, while Stevens had seven safe hits in 17 attempts.

Frisco Resident Is Buried Tuesday: Funeral services for Robert Stacey, 80, of Frisco City, Rt. 2, were held from the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. A.E. Wells and the Rev. C.C. Pruette officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. A native of this county, he had lived in Monroe County all his life. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

99 YEARS AGO
MAY 21, 1925

Capt. J.L. Marshall left Saturday to attend the annual reunion of Confederate veterans in Dallas, Texas.

Judge Fountain requests any survivor of Co. H, 52^nd Alabama Regiment, CSA, to communicate with him at once.

Material is being placed on the ground for the erection of a new brick building on the vacant lot between the Monroeville Pharmacy and the European Café.

At the recent meeting of the County Board of Revenue, contract was awarded Mr. E.W. Williamson for the building of a new bridge spanning Limestone Creek on the Monroeville-Peterman road. The bridge has been in a shaky condition for some time.

A committee of citizens from Lower Peach Tree and vicinity, consisting of Dr. K.A. Mayer and Messrs. A.L. Slaughter and W.J. Adams, were in attendance at the last session of the Board of Revenue in behalf of a new bridge across Long Branch on the west side of the river. The request was granted and contract will be let at an early date.

Coley-Blacksher School, Vocation, is closing the most successful year of its history. Prospects for a permanent plant which will be of untold benefit to the boys and girls of this piney wood region are brighter than ever before.
An electric light system is being installed this week. The plant was a gift of Mr. J.C. Hecker of Michigan and some generous friends of Century, Fla.

124 YEARS AGO
MAY 17, 1900

The town election last week resulted as follows: Mayor, C.L. Hybart; Councilmen, J.I. Watson, S.W. Yarbrough, J.M. Wiggins, H.W. Jones and J.P. Stallworth. The officers elected promptly qualified and entered on their duties. Mr. Jno. B. Stallworth was appointed Marshal. Judging from the beginning, the administration promises to be vigorous.

Mr. Noah A. McNiel has been appointed County Surveyor by the Commissioners Corut to fill the unexpired term of Capt. W.T. Nettles, resigned.

Col. B.L. Hibbard has notified President Powers of the University of Alabama of another shipment of 350 volumes for the John Leslie Hibbard Memorial Library, making 600 of the 1,000 volumes that is to constitute the library. This collection has been selected with great care and will make a valuable addition to the University library which has been enriched to an unusual degree by the B.F. Meek collection and other donations.

The first week under the new administration of the town government has proved pretty lively. About a dozen arrests for various offenses were made during the first three or four days and several convictions and pleas of guilty have been entered on the Mayor’s docket. The town treasury is in better condition to the extent of $50 or more.

The Marshal is entitled to the thanks of the community for the diligent and faithful manner in which he is endeavoring to enforce the law and preserve order. The firmness of the Mayor in connection with efforts of the Marshal will do much toward the accomplishment of the purposes for which the corporation was established. Let all law-abiding citizens sustain them.

George Singleton tells of the lost gold treasure of Claiborne, Alabama

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “In search of the lost gold treasure of Claiborne,” was originally published in the May 11, 1995 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

During my years in Monroe County, I have heard many stories about happenings that have taken place near old homesteads and other locations throughout the area. During all these events I have investigated, and there have been many, I have never heard, until a short time back, any story pertaining to lost wealth.

Stories of gold or money being lost or hidden on the back trails or old stage roads of the county had never surfaced until this one.

I choose not to disclose my source of information pertaining to the following story, because I have been asked not to. But, I have been given permission to try and write the story as it happened. From what I have learned, even today, the search might yet go on for the lost treasure.

The year was around 1858, during the time that the town of Claiborne was in full blossom. The town by the mighty river was the focal point of many of the settlers as they made their way westward, stopping in the bustling town only long enough to buy supplies and other needed goods such as medicine and food. Also, needed repairs were made to their wagons, while resting and seeing the town before the crossing of the great river and moving westward to points unknown.

Stage routes

There were several stagecoach routes that came into Claiborne. These stages brought travelers and mail from other parts of the country. Also, on some occasions, money in the forms of gold and silver was transported by the stages, just as they did in the western states, but probably on a much smaller scale.

The stages to Claiborne from the East came through the area of what is now the community of Pine Orchard. A few miles west of the Pine Orchard area, the stage route forked: one going into a lesser settled area, known as Bell’s Landing, and the other, and more traveled road, turned southwestward toward the busy and bustling town of Claiborne.

As the stagecoaches began to draw near this bustling town by the river, the stage drivers were tired and impatient, because they knew that here their trip was about to end. All knew that a soft bed or a night on the town awaited.

The drivers probably paid less attention to their duties as they neared the roaring town on the high banks of the river. But, as in everything, there are exceptions.

Middle of the evening

The hour was getting on toward the middle of the evening this day in early May 1858. Just a short piece down the road was the crossing, where the stagecoach would cross a stream called Limestone Creek. On this stage, a small amount of gold rode in a strong box at the stage driver’s feet. It was on its way to a merchant in Claiborne town; this was to be used to purchase needed supplies to replenish his stock being bought up daily by the settlers moving West.

Few people knew about this thousand dollars in gold. Due to the small amount, and since there wasn’t a guard riding shotgun this trip, everything seemed to go as usual.

But, the secret had been given away by a clerk in the store that was to receive the gold shipment; and as the stagecoach turned to make the crossing of the large creek, the holdup began to take shape. There, sitting there horses, waiting for the stagecoach to come down the bank, were the robbers with guns drawn. The thousands of dollars in gold coins were about to be theirs.

As the lead horses approached the crossing and were about to begin to make the left turn down the bank, the stage driver, seeing the robbers, reached down and picked up the small iron-bound box by the handle on the side. Completely unnoticed, the driver threw the box with the gold coins inside into a deep hole of water just aways above the stage crossing.

The shouting and the firing of the weapons of the holdup men had drawn all the attention to the robbers there in the creek awaiting the stage. No one on board the stage had seen the driver throw the strong box over the side.

The story goes that the driver was beaten because he insisted that there had been no strongbox on board. A thorough search was made of the stagecoach and its passengers. All valuables were taken as the stage robbers made off with their loot. The small strong box was not among the few items seized; the stage robbers had missed their prize.

As the wounded driver and the passengers struggled into the town of Claiborne, a severe thunderstorm had already begun to dump heavy sheets of rain on the town and the surrounding area. The rain storm was so severe until the search for the strongbox had to be postponed until the weather cleared.

The terrible rain storm lasted three days and nights. As the heavy rain fell, Limestone Creek began to overflow its banks. The swollen creek made a search impossible for the lost gold. The store owner just had to wait for the waters to recede; this took several days.

As the waters of the creek finally returned to the banks, a search party began to comb the area, but to no avail. Had the small box been carried by the swift current downstream, or had it been washed up under the bank, out of sight and out of reach of searching hands? The gold coins and the small strongbox were never found.

Throughout the years, many searches for the gold have taken place. No record of its finding has ever surfaced. So, somewhere near the old stagecoach crossing on Limestone Creek, there might still lie a small iron-bound box. The box is perhaps covered with mud and silt. Or, maybe it is lodged far up under the creek bank, waiting to be pulled out and claimed by some lucky treasure hunter.

The price of the gold coins on the collectors’ market perhaps may now be worth many thousands of dollars. But today, the lost gold of Claiborne awaits in time, as it has for more than 130-odd years. Someday, maybe, the prize will be claimed. Then again, it just might not; who knows, we can only speculate.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for May 6, 2024

19 YEARS AGO
MAY 5, 2005

Maples receives Medal of Honor: Frisco City Police Chief James Maples was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police during a ceremony in Montgomery in March.
Maples was recognized for his efforts to protect his community during a bank robbery in January. During a robbery at The Bank of Frisco City, Maples returned fire and struck one of the masked robbers, who died from his wound.

Panthers are still alive! – Excel staged a two-out, three-run rally in the top of the seventh inning Sunday afternoon in Wicksburg to record a 4-3 win in the final game of the second round of the state Class 2A baseball playoffs. Sunday’s victory improved the No. 7-ranked Panthers to 22-8 and advanced them to the quarterfinal round that starts Friday in Excel.
Patrick Bowen ignited the rally with a single, and Justin Ridgeway reached on an error. Josh House drew a walk to load the bases.
Justin Whatley and Blake White were both hit by wild pitches, sending Bowen and Ridgeway to the plate to knot the score at 3-3.
With House at third and Brian Barlow at the plate, Wicksburg’s pitcher threw a pitch by the catcher, and House scored, giving Excel the 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, White struck out the side to the end the game. White finished with 10 strikeouts and five hits charged to him, improving his record to 7-3.
(Other top players on Excel’s team included Toby Hilton, Neil Hudson, Seth Mack and Josh Morgan. Robbie Carpenter was Excel’s head coach.)

44 YEARS AGO
MAY 1, 1980

School closes two days; advice on head lice given: A Monroeville school closed last Thursday and Friday after a head-lice problem was discovered, according to the Monroe County Health Department, which this week issued tips in spotting and getting rid of lice.
Virginia Little, director of the Health Department, said health officials were called to Monroe Academy about two weeks ago to examine children, and found many cases of lice but did not recommend that the school be closed.
“We recommended that children we found infested be sent home,” Ms. Little said, “but the decision to close the school was made by Mr. Dale McLaurin, headmaster.”

Last Thursday, it was no contest whatsoever as Monroe County High School embarrassed a woefully weak Evergreen team 11-0 and 21-1 in a doubleheader sweep.
Doug Cook and Bill Bowen had two hits each in the opener to support winning pitcher McCarthy’s one-hitter. In the nightcap, Von Ham was the winning pitcher, and Burke Chance and Mac Baker had a pair of Tiger hits each.
(Other top MCHS players in that game included Kelvin Lett and Keith Nettles.)

Sworn in: Monroe County native Carol M. Godwin was installed as postmaster at Mexia Friday. Congratulating her after administering the oath of office is Frank Retherford, Mobile sectional center finance director. Also attending from Mobile was John Hyatt, director of employee and labor relations. Sectional center manager A.E. Andress selected Mrs. Godwin from a list of qualified candidates on the basis of merit. She has served as postal officer in charge at Mexia for the past year.

69 YEARS AGO
MAY 5, 1955

Frisco City Gets New Subdivision: A new subdivision has been opened in Frisco City by Fred Busey of that community. It is located parallel to the Perdue Hill road, approximately a half mile from the center of town. The subdivision consists of about 15 lots and one home already has been constructed. R.O. Wiggins was the contractor.

MCHS Nine Conquers Repton, Miller To Wrap Up Victories No. 6 And 7: The Monroe County High Tigers rolled to their sixth and seventh victories of the current baseball season this week as they walloped Repton, 12-3, in Repton, Friday afternoon, and took a 7-4 decision from T.R. Miller of Brewton in Vanity Fair Park Tuesday afternoon.
Pitchers John Fowler and Joe Stevens each registered their third victories of the season without a defeat. Fowler hurled four-hit ball against Repton while striking out eight and walking one. Miller tagged Stevens for seven hits, but the big righthander was tough in the clutches, striking out 10 against but three walks.
(Other top MCHS players included Pat Cobb, Nickey Manning, Boone McNorton and Jim McNorton. Hubert Finlayson was MCHS’s head coach.)

Joseph Ryland With Air Force In Korea: Airman Third Class Joseph E. Ryland, son of Mrs. Gladys Ryland, Monroeville, arrived in Korea recently for an assignment with the USAF 5^th Communications Group. Airman Ryland, 20, enlisted in the Air Force in August 1954, shortly after his graduation from Monroeville High School.

94 YEARS AGO
MAY 1, 1930

DISTRICT BANKERS MEETING AT CLAIBORNE WEDNESDAY: The annual meeting of the bankers for this district of Alabama was held yesterday, the sessions being held aboard the Steamer Helen Burke on the Alabama River.
Mr. P.S. Jackson, President of Bank of Peterman, is the District Chairman in charge, and headed the arrangements for this session.
The party assembled at Claiborne at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, where the boat was in waiting, and an outing consisting of a trip on the river constituted the major portion of the entertainment.

NINETEEN RECEIVE DIPLOMAS AT FRISCO CITY MONDAY NIGHT: Sixteen young ladies and three young men were awarded diplomas at the graduating exercises of the Frisco City High School, which were held at the First Baptist Church on Monday night.
Members of the graduating class are: Cora Essie Duncan, Mildred George Davis, Carmie Galloway, Annie Mae Baas, Tom Jack Murphy, Myrtle Aline Galloway, Gertrude Lane, Hazel Elizabeth Lyda, Flora Scenthey Lynam, Lula Mae Wright, Willie Sam McMillan, Maybeth Howington Byrd, Myrtle Antoinette McKinley, Merle Louise Murphy, Gladys Morris, Barbara Lisenba Rollen, Bonnie Inez Sims, Lillian Opal Smith and William Lawrence Chappell.

TAKEN UP: At my place last November, one black and white pig, weight about 75 pounds. Owner can recover by identifying and paying costs. Ida Stanley, Drewry.

Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Carter and Miss Tiny Faulk spent several days in Troy last week.

119 YEARS AGO
MAY 4, 1905

Fine showers of rain visited various sections of the county during the past few days, and crops are growing off nicely.

The election for town officers of Monroeville took place Monday. Very little interest was manifested, not more than half the qualified voters participating. The old officers were re-elected.

Rural Free Delivery of mail on Route No. 1 was inaugurated on Monday last. A large number of the people living along the route have provided boxes required and fully appreciate the convenience the delivery affords. In all probability other routes will be established in the near future.

Library hours are now from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The New York Herald is now received every day, thanks to the courtesy of Mrs. Sallie Hibbard, who donates it to the library. A number of new books have been presented also, among them Jack London’s famous, “Sea Wolf,” and Maurice Thompson’s “Alice of Old Vincennes.”

Attention Veterans: A meeting of Geo. W. Foster Camp, United Confederate Veterans, will be held in the courthouse in Monroeville on Sat., May 20, 1905, for the election of officers and appointment of delegates to the annual reunion. A full attendance of members is requested. – T.J. Emmons, Commander; F.M. Jones Sr., Adjutant.

Sheriff Fountain effected the capture of a suspicious man last week whom he is holding for identification. The man answers the description of a man who shot a Mr. Reese at Lee Station, Sumter County, last year. The prisoner’s nervous and uneasy manner indicates that he is guilty of some crime even though he should not prove to be the man suspected.

George Singleton tells of the coming of the annual whippoorwill storm

Whippoorwill perched on a branch.

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “April storms bring back whippoorwills,” was originally published in the May 1, 1997 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Legend has it that during the last days of April, a spring storm will pass through the area. Upon the strong winds of this storm will return the whippoorwills to the surrounding countryside. The old legend that has been passed down through the years tell of these small birds riding the winds of the evenings and return for the remaining days of spring and the following summer. Within a few days after the storm has passed through, the calls of the whippoorwill will ride the evening air and the countryside will come alive with the lonesome calls.

The whippoorwill storm never comes during the daylight hours. Always, the strong winds and drenching rain comes shortly after the hours of darkness. On Tues., the 22^nd of April around 6:30 p.m., the arrival of the small birds into this area took place. The severe wins and rains on this date was most likely the storm that brought the whippoorwills with it.

The whippoorwill is a small brownish-colored bird with small white spots mingled in no certain pattern along the back and breast. This bird is heard only during the late evening hours around the coming of darkness. It can be found nested around the edges of fields and in the thick underbrush of fence rows and the growth along the edges of pasture land.

Many songs and stories have been written about the whippoorwill and the sound of its lonesome calls. Usually, most of these tales and songs are sad; stories of broken hearts and faded loves. Many of the early settlers linked the sounds of these lonesome calls to the coming of death or other tragedies. Most always, the lyrics of the call of this small bird tells of sadness. And, the coming of darkness was almost always compared by our ancestors as a parallel to departing this life, just as the coming of dawn is compared to the beginning.

The lives of the early Indians was also associated to the arrival of this small and strange bird and its lonesome calls. They believed that when hearing the whippoorwill, it was a time for serious thought and meditation. When hearing the first calls after their arrival on the strong winds of a late April storm, the early Indian knew that it was time for planning the raising of their crops of corn and squash and the planning for the summer fishing and their journeys to the coast to gather food from the sea.

They also believed that when the call of the whippoorwill rode the evening winds, that all was well and danger lurked not in the dark shadows of the coming darkness. The calls of this small bird was a sound of peace and contentment. It was also a reminder that life was not forever, and death would come just as the whippoorwill would disappear during the later days of summer, and the soul would depart into the realms of the great unknown.

Very few of us today bother to listen for the calls of the whippoorwill as the shadows of the evening gather at the closing of the day. Many would no recognize the call if they heard it. We would have to turn to our televisions or computers and hear and read it there. Then, we might believe that we had heard it, and then it would be forgotten within a very short time.

None of us today seek out the high hills or the open fields when the shadows creep across the open spaces at the close of the day and listen for the calls of the whippoorwill. I, myself, go forth every chance I get during the time of late spring to try and hear their lonesome calls that almost appear to come from another time. That reassurance that there is more  to this life than television and worlds of fantasy and fairyland when one hears the lonesome calls from the deep bottoms and rolling hillsides.

I believe that we, as a society, have put aside too many of the old legends and beliefs of our ancestors. On may things we try to demand proof, while on others, we look at those who believe as being uneducated or stupid. I myself know that true contentment and peace of mind goes hand in hand with many of these old sayings and beliefs. This does not mean that one has to seclude themselves from the rest of the world and become a hermit. I do know, however, that my closeness with my God is felt more when the shadows of the evening gather across the rolling hills and the call of the lonesome whippoorwill will ride the winds while watching the colors of a glorious sunset.

And, as legend tells us, the whippoorwill storm has come for this spring, and within the next few evenings the lonesome cry of this small strange bird will sound across the countryside during quiet hours of the late evenings, when work is done and shadows falls.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

Thomas Earl McKenzie Sr. of Mexia killed ‘mystery animal’ in March 1984

Thomas Earl McKenzie Sr. with 'mystery animal' in 1984.

Last week in this space, readers saw a story about a “strange animal” that Franklin farmer Leo Dees found in a swamp while turkey hunting on April 10, 1948 near the Alabama River, about 2-1/2 miles north of the Franklin community. Dees and others were unable to identify the strange creature, which weighed about 40 pounds and had a head shaped like that of a bear. The incident was so unusual that it merited a front-page story in The Monroe Journal.

Leading up to last week’s story, more than a few readers gave their opinions as to what Dees found on his hunting trip. Some said that it was probably a coyote while others suggested that it might have been a river otter or some similar creature. Others said that it was a “Chupacabra,” a creature that may or may not exist that’s famous for attacking livestock.

One of the more interesting remarks came from Thomas Earl McKenzie Jr., who said the animal found by Dees sounded like the same kind of animal that his father killed in 1984. He described it as a “nasty thing,” and said that they sent it to Auburn University, where experts there were unable to identify it. He said that the animal had been eating his father’s calves on Drewry Road.

On Friday, I did a deep dive into The Journals that were published in 1984 and found the story about McKenzie’s creature. Published in the March 15, 1984 edition of The Journal and written by Mike Qualls, the story said that Thomas Earl McKenzie Sr. of Mexia was inspecting his cattle on March 12, 1984 when he saw a pack of about eight “dogs” taunting several of the cattle, which were located on Fred Sheffield’s farm about a mile outside Monroeville.

The pack had about 15 cattle surrounded when he arrived, and McKenzie took a shot at the “dog” that appeared to the be the leader of the pack. The pack dispersed when he killed the animal, allowing McKenzie to get a closer look at the creature. McKenzie described the animal as “jet-black” with features that resembled a wolf or coyote. The animal weighed between 80 and 85 pounds.

McKenzie took the animal to Monroeville pharmacist Dickie Williams, who was a delegate to the National Wildlife Federation, in hopes that Williams could identify it. Williams wasn’t sure what the animal was and arranged to have it sent to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for identification. They, in turn, sent it to a lab for identification and apparently, they too were unable to do so.

In the end, it would be interesting to know if any other readers have any other ideas about what these animals could have been. It would also be interesting to know if anyone in the reading audience has had similar experiences with animals they couldn’t identify. These types of situations may be more common than we realize once we take a closer look.

100-year-old news highlights from May 1924 editions of The Wilcox Progressive-Era in Camden

Spright Dowell

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 May 1924.

On the front page of the May 1, 1924 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, editor Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that on “Sunday afternoon a beautiful Memorial service was held in memory of our Confederate dead, and in honor of those who wore the Grey. The speaker of the afternoon was presented to the large crowd present, by Mr. J.M. Bonner in a few appropriate words, as Mr. Hugh Ervin needed no formal introduction to his hometown. Wreaths of cedar that are made every year by the Daughters of the Confederacy were tenderly placed upon the graves of the Soldiers by the school children.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. H.A. Pharr, a former citizen of Wilcox County and for the past 14 years connected with the Peoples Bank of Mobile, was recently appointed assistant cashier and trust officer for the First National Bank of Mobile. This news will be gratifying to his many friends in Wilcox County, who wish him much success in this important position.”

In the May 8, 1924 edition of The Progressive Era, it was reported that “Mr. J.M. Bonner addressed the graduates of the Arlington Consolidated School on Tuesday night. Mr. Sam Cook is the efficient Principal of this school. Mr. O.C. Weaver was also present at the closing exercises of this school on Tuesday night.”

Readers that week also learned that “Mr. H. Winston Beltz has returned from Selma where he received the Sacrament of Confirmation from the hands of Right Rev. Edward P. Allen. The Bishop was assisted by Fathers Stagg and Wilkinson, S.J. of Selma, and impressive ceremonies were held in the Church of the Assumption.”

In the May 15, 1924 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that the “Camden Grammar School closed a very successful year on May 13. Twenty pupils from the seventh grade were promoted to the high school. The following teachers will compose the faculty next session, Miss Annie Brice Miller, Principal and seventh grade; Miss Carlotta Stewart of Jonesboro, Ga., sixth grade; Miss Kathleen Davidson of Brewton, fifth grade; Mrs. H.H. Dale, fourth grade; and Miss Elise Bonner and Francis Perryman, the first, second and third grades.”

Readers that week also learned that “Miss Ellen Moore of Vredenburgh has accepted a position as operator of the Camden Telephone Exchange. Miss Moore has filled this position before, and her friends are glad to have her back again.”

In the May 22, 1924 edition of the paper, readers saw the following public notice – “The Stockholders of the Camden Sweet Potato Association are notified to be present at the Court House at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at 2:30 p.m. Object of Meeting! To determine upon sale of warehouse. – C.W. Jones, President.”

Readers that week also saw the following advertisement – “GASOLINE FREE to every fortieth customer, we give free gasoline. Planters Hardware Co., Camden, Ala.”

In the May 29, 1924 edition of the newspaper, under the headline “GRADUATING EXERCISES,” it was reported that the “final services of the Wilcox County High School were held on Wednesday night, the baccalaureate address was made by Dr. Spright Dowell, President of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Alabama. Those receiving diplomas were Mabel Bigger, Smithie Bodiford, Jessie lee Bonner, Chas. Cook Capell, Alvin Dunnam, Leo Hall, Gladys Hicks, Sam Jones, Virginius Jones, James Miller, Cecil Nall, Lula Rea Pharr, Willard Powe, Robert Riggs, Homer Springer, Verner Springer, Jack Strother, John Spurlin, Elizabeth Stanford, Philip Tate, Hope Tait, Edith Till, Mildred Watson and Douglas Watson.”

Readers that week also learned that the “young people of Camden enjoyed a dance in M. Danziger’s vacant store on Monday night. Mr. and Mrs. Everette Pritchett, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Carlton and Mr. and Mrs. Danziger acted as chaperones. The music was furnished by a band from Selma.”

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 June 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.

Singleton shares memories of growing up in the Great Depression

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “A country boy’s fond memories,” was originally published in the April 17, 2003 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As long as I live, I will always continue to believe that those who didn’t lived through some of the Great Depression in their youth missed some of life’s finer moments.

This is not to say that I would like our country to go through another period of hard times like this period in our history, but this time in our past was quite unique.

In talking to some of the older members of our society about this time in our history, the things that are remembered are always about hard work, lack of money, hard to come by things that were needed for the families to survive. But always, if one listens long enough, always a story or two of the good times that were had will always burst forth.

Our modern society and our so-called progress that we have made since the time of the Great Depression has produced a generation or two that don’t know one thing about the finer things in life.

Take, for example, tomato gravy. Very few of our youth of today even know what tomato gravy is. No more do we know what it is like to sit down to a breakfast of hot biscuits, homemade butter, tomato gravy and good ribbon cane syrup. No more do we hear words like buttermilk pie, candy-pulling, pecan roastings or watermelon-rind preserves.

The womenfolk of today know nothing about a quilting party or a knitting get-together. Who among us knows how to set up a quilting frame? If someone should, by chance, organized a lye hominy cooking on a cool Saturday afternoon, everyone would think the organizer had gone off the deep end.

What if someone were to serve a slice of baked pumpkin pie with brown sugar sprinkled over the top with a cup of hot coffee made over an open fire in the fireplace?

Is it true that tomato gravy,
Is to be savored and eaten slow?
With buttered biscuits light and fluffy,
Only a country boy would know.

How about some of our youth of today having a candy pulling? A group of teenagers would get together under the supervision of an older couple or two. They would cook fresh ribbon cane syrup until it became like soft candy.

Then, each would apply butter to his hands and take the soft candy-like syrup and pull and work it until it became almost white in color. Then, as the candy cooled it was twisted and cut into short pieces or sticks.

Games were played by the country youth while waiting for the candy to cool enough so that it could be eaten.

My, oh my, that sounds delicious,
Pumpkin pie so sweet and brown.
Spring-cooled milk or hot black coffee,
Would make a jack rabbit slap a hound.

Who of us today knows how to organize a party to hunt possum grapes? As the hot months of the summer began to turn a bit cooler and the autumn season began to creep across the country side, the time of hunting wild possum grapes would be at hand.

A group of 10 or 12 young people would get together on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, always escorted by a couple of parents, and go into the deep woods in search of those tasty wild grapes and sweet persimmons. The season for the beginning of the good times was fast approaching.

Always, in each party, there would be an expert tree climber. The success or failure of the afternoon lay on the shoulders of the expert climber. This young man would be the one to climb the tall trees and shake down the ripe, juicy persimmons. Or, he was the one to climb the wild grape vines and pull the wild tasty bunches of grapes.

Most times, he would pluck the nicest bunches and drop them ever so carefully to that special young lady who smiled so beautifully from the ground below. She always got the finest bunches, while the others in the party had to scramble for those thrown less carefully among the jumping and laughing group at the base of the tree.

Tell me more of all those good times,
While we rest in the deep cool shade.
Life was good and forever beautiful,
Little did we know that we had it made.

True, the things that were important during those days are only fond memories now. Gone are the Sunday afternoon horseback rides and the fun time of getting together and boiling fresh corn on the cob.

Always then would come the contest of seeing who could eat an ear of fresh boiled corn in the shortest length of time. Always, the contestants put forth great effort so as to stay in favor with a certain beautiful young lady who was dressed neatly in beautiful homemade slacks or a pair of overalls, who smiled ever so approvingly from the sidelines.

Let’s walk again those paths of yesterday,
And live again those memories of old.
For soon the shadows of coming darkness,
Will forever gather within the soul.

Due to the passing of these many good times, I think that we are poorer for it. We tend to measure our so-called success on the fantasies and the make-believe world around us. We sit with our faces and minds glued to the televisions and never really know the meaning of a good time or a good frolic.

We make heroes out of freaks and deadbeats while we push from our minds the true guidance that could put us on the path of success and happiness with our society.

Few of us today bother to journey into the deep woods or on a high hill for a moment of peace and to be alone with nature. We know nothing about meditation and the joys of life while being there.

When I mention or write about being alone on a high hilltop and raising my arms to the heavens for a moment with my God, I get strange looks from some. But the time is at hand when we should turn to our yesterday’s guidelines if true peace and happiness is to come in this world.

But, as for now, I will again remember,
All the good times and dear memories flow.
Sweet, sweet life forever onward,
Only a country boy would know…

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

 

What ‘strange animal’ did Leo Dees encounter in April 1948?

North American river otter. 

Everyone enjoys a good mystery, and I stumbled upon one such local mystery the other day while looking through some old Monroe Journals.

On the front page of the April 22, 1948 edition of The Journal, editor Bill Stewart asked readers to help identify a “strange animal” found in northwest Monroe County. Under the headline, “Identify This Animal And You’re Expert,” Stewart explained that Franklin farmer Leo Dees was puzzled by an unusual critter he found in a swamp near the Alabama River, about 2-1/2 miles north of the Franklin community. Dees told the newspaper that he’d been out turkey hunting on Sat., April 10, when he came up a dead animal that weighed about 40 pounds.

Dees said this bizarre creature had a head shaped like a bear, sharp teeth, extremely coarse and stiff hair with feet like a dog, except it had regular toenails, not claws. Its color was a mixture of brown and red, and the animal had a 15-inch-long bushy tail. The animal’s eyes were located far back on the side of its head, which formed a perfectly straight line with the tip of its nose. Dees also noted that he found two dead hogs lying nearby and that “signs of a tremendous struggle were evident.”

During the past week, I’ve asked several outdoorsmen about what this animal could have been, and I also put the description on Facebook to see if anyone there had a good answer. Several folks asked if I had a photo of the animal, but unfortunately the newspaper did not include a picture of the creature. More than likely, Dees had no camera with him when he came upon the animal.

Several people said that the animal could have been some type of dog while others said that it may have been a coyote. Dickey Andress noted that the animal was the right size and color, and had the right type of hair and tail, to have been a coyote. Coyotes are common in Monroe County today, but they were more rare in the 1940s.

Wade Barfield, who is widely known for his champion retriever “Ace,” said the animal may have been a domestic dog that somehow had been crossbred with a jackal. Another outdoorsman suggested that the animal was a wolverine that had somehow made its way into our area.

Monroeville attorney Will Coxwell suggested that the animal may have been a North American river otter. These mammals are found throughout North America, including in Alabama waterways. They commonly grow over 30 pounds and have been known to attack dogs, which could explain the deaths of the two hogs that Dees found.

Others jokingly said that the animal was the legendary Chupacabra, which name literally means “goat-sucker” in Spanish. These creatures have been reported throughout the United States and Mexico and are said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, including goats. Reports of these strange creatures date back to 1995, well after the sighting by Dees in 1948.

Thomas Earl McKenzie said the animal found by Dees sounds like the same kind of animal that his father killed in 1984. He described it as a “nasty thing,” and said that they sent it to Auburn University, where experts there were unable to identify it. He said that the animal had been eating his father’s calves on Drewry Road.

In the end, I believe the Leo Dees in the story to have been Arthur Leo Dees, who would have been 45 years old in April 1948. He would eventually pass away at the age of 70 in 1973, and he is buried in the Springhill First Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin. It’s my understanding that he has many descendants still living in Monroe County today.

Frank M. Barnett was respected, distinguished Wilcox County citizen

Virginia and Frank M. Barnett in 1963.

Last week in this space, I wrote about how the football field at Wilcox County High School was named in honor of “Cap’n” Frank M. Barnett in 1948. Naming the field in honor of Barnett was the idea of WCHS football coach Connie McKelvey, and the proposal appears to have been widely supported in the community. Barnett, who was the school’s vocational agriculture teacher, is believed to have donated the land for the athletic field.

Barnett was a respected member of the community, and not long after last week’s newspaper hit the streets, several readers provided me with more information about this distinguished member of the community. Barnett, whose middle name was Madison, was born in February 1900, and he passed away in Birmingham at the age of 73 in September 1973. He is buried beside his wife, Virginia, at Memorial Cemetery in Montgomery.

According to articles published when he retired in 1963, he had served as a vocational agriculture agent for 15 years and went on to serve 20 years as assistant county agent and county agricultural agent. At that time, Barnett’s wife, Virginia, had served as a music teacher for about 35 years. Upon their retirement, they planned to move to their large farm in Macon County’s Fitzpatrick community.

Barnett’s retirement reception was held during Wilcox County’s annual Cattlemen’s Association meeting. The keynote speaker was Dr. “Shine” Hollinger, a veterinarian in Camden and a close friend of Barnett’s. Hollinger told the large crowd that there were few men between the ages of 30 and 55 who attended Wilcox County High School whose lives did not “reflect the worthwhile influence of Barnett’s association.”

Hollinger also noted that Barnett had a big influence on agriculture during his time as county agent. This was especially felt in the county’s thriving beef cattle industry, noting that “the top-quality herds in the county were an impressive product of the county agent’s efforts through the years,” Hollinger said. It was also noted that Barnett began promoting the use of good bulls and the saving of replacement heifers before those practices became one of the Extension Service’s recommended practices.

At that time, Wilcox County ranked among the top five counties in Alabama in beef cattle production. The county’s annual gross income from beef cattle production then exceeded $3 million. In today’s dollars, that amounts to around $29,800,00.

Barnett was also lauded for his work in promoting better pasture lands for beef cattle. Among his accomplishments in this area is that he was credited with introducing and establishing Coastal Bermuda grass in Wilcox County as a prime grazing and hay crop.

Hollinger also noted that not only was Wilcox County High School’s football field named in Barnett’s honor, but that Barnett also had a hand in the construction of Camden’s public swimming pool.  He also had a hand in the construction of Camden’s recreation center, and he was Wilcox County’s first Scoutmaster.

In the end, I think it’s safe to say that Barnett was a unique and amazing man. He left a lasting impression on Wilcox County, and finished his career as a respected member of the community. No doubt he is still missed by family and friends who remember his outstanding legacy.

George Singleton tells of the marriage between Aunt Roxie and New Orleans magician Will Street

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Memories of a country wedding” was originally published in the April 8, 2004 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I grew up in a rural farming community where everyone knew the business of everyone else. This was a good thing because there were several people in the area who had no family to turn to should they need help.

The menfolk in the community saw to it that these people got help if it was needed. Chores included cutting their firewood and repairing anything that needed repair around the farms. Those who needed personal care in time of sickness were cared for by the other members of the community.

Down the road from where I grew up lived Aunt Roxie. Aunt Roxie was a very attractive middle-aged black lady who had lost her husband in a sawmill accident some years back. Aunt Roxie owned a nice comfortable house and a small farm.

In the days of the Depression, she would have been a “nice catch” for any of the eligible black men of the surrounding area and the community.

But Aunt Roxie would have nothing to do with any of the local eligible menfolk. Many had tried to court Aunt Roxie, but had failed. She had set her standards much too high, according to the local gossip. The eligible men in the area had to earn their living either by farming or doing hard labor at a nearby sawmill.

Aunt Roxie had let it be known that before she would consider any courtship, the man would have to be a total gentleman. He would also have to be well-educated. He would have to dress neatly and have the best of clothing. And, last but not least, he would have to have some good method of transportation.

The years came and went. Aunt Roxie lived alone in her home, which was kept spotless. She was, without a doubt, the best cook in the whole community. The goodies that Aunt Roxie kept around her house was why this five-year-old boy had chosen her as one of his best friends. He could not resist stopping by her house every day to see if she needed an errand run. These stops were always good for a slice of delicious buttermilk pie that was second to none. And, the popcorn candy that she always had on hand wasn’t to be sneezed at either.

Then, one day in early June, it happened. Down the narrow dirt road came a clean and shining buggy. It was drawn by one of the finest-looking horses that had been seen by the local folks. The polished leather harness gleamed in the afternoon sun. And, the huge travel trunk strapped on the back of the buggy seemed to boast of the fine clothing that was stored there. The seats of the buggy was made of fine polished leather, not a scratch or soiled place could be seen on them.

In the driver’s seat sat a well-dressed handsome black man complete with top hat and travel coat. He had on a white, ruffled shirt, complete with bow tie. His driving gloves were soft and comfortable, and his dress boots looked as though they had just been polished.

He had stopped at the local country store and inquired about a place where he might stay for a short while. He stated that he was a traveling magician and would like to put on some magic shows in the area before moving on. The news traveled throughout the farm community like wildfire, a place was found where he could stay, and a time and place was set for his first performance. “Will Street,” the magician from New Orleans, was in business.

Will Street and his magic show was a complete success. His ability to put a small rooster in a glass bottle, along with making a large black cat that he had brought with him disappear, was the talk of the country folks.

Gossip began to ride the winds of the farm community. The shining new buggy had been seen hitched to Aunt Roxie’s yard fence on Saturday afternoons and after church for Sunday dinner the following day. Word had it that Will Street had proposed marriage to Aunt Roxie. All the local folks surmised that Aunt Roxie had finally found the man who met her specifications.

The afternoon of the wedding was the highlight of the community. The womenfolk of both races gathered and decorated the front porch of Aunt Roxie’s house. Pine ribbons were tied along the picket fence around the front yard. Delicious food of all sorts covered two large tables that had been placed under the large magnolia tree over in the corner of the yard. It was my duty, and that of my black playmate, Robert George, to keep the insects fanned away with two large palmetto fans.

A snow white sheet was placed on the ground for the bride-to-be and the groom to stand on during the wedding ceremony. Things were getting quite hectic under the large magnolia tree. The insects were quite plentiful that hot August Saturday afternoon.

Life returned to normal after the wedding. My visits became more frequent, along with my friend, Robert. The buttermilk pies seemed more plentiful, and the small magic tricks performed by the magician from New Orleans kept two small boys wide-eyed and spellbound for hours on end.

A period of almost four wonderful years would pass as the couple lived happily together. Aunt Roxie and Will Street were seen quite often traveling to and from his magic performances around the area on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Then, one Saturday during the final days of October, Will Street the magician performed for the last time. As he closed his show and was loading his buggy for the journey home, the magician from New Orleans slumped to the ground. Will Street was dead.

After the death of her husband, Aunt Roxie seemed to lose all will to live. No more did she take pride in her cooking and house cleaning. The buttermilk pies and popcorn candy ceased to exist. The house and yards fell into decay. Aunt Roxie just sat alone in a huge rocking chair in front of the empty fire place.

Then, one evening in late December, the men of the community were summoned to the home of Aunt Roxie. She had failed to answer the door when a neighbor had dropped by to check on her and leave some food, which was often done by the local folks.

The front door of the house was forced open. There sat Aunt Roxie in the large oak rocking chair. She was dead. She had joined Will Street, the magician from New Orleans – the man who had met all of her specifications, both in dress and manners; the man who had completely swept her off her feet, the man who had made her life most wonderful once more. Now, again, they were together.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 23, 2024

U.S. Senator Howell T. Heflin

22 YEARS AGO
APRIL 25, 2002

Members of the Pinckney D. Bowles Camp 1840 of the Sons of the Confederacy placed flags on Bowles Grave Monday morning in honor of Confederate Memorial Day. Members pictured are Lee F. Smith, Mitchell Anthony, Ed Deabler, Bill Hart and Michael Lambert.

James E. (Jimmy) Warren has qualified to seek re-election to the House of Representatives. He presently represents the 64th District, which includes Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties.

Frank L. Johnson Jr., 74, of Pearl, Miss. died Mon., April 22, 2002 at Hospice Ministries, Ridgeland.
A native of Evergreen, Mr. Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Berlin AirLift at the time of the Korean War. He was an Air Traffic Control Specialist in Alabama, Mississippi, Alaska and Florida.

The Conecuh County Commission passed a resolution at the meeting Monday morning to execute an agreement with the State of Alabama for a resurfacing project on County Road 29. The paving will go from Dean’s Store to the county line, according to County Engineer Winston Foshee.

On March 28, 2002, Knud Nielsen Co. held its annual awards ceremony. Each year employees are presented with company pins for their years of service at KNC. The above employees were recognized with having over 25 years of service: Julian Katz, Joann Knowles, Jerry Scott and Jim Rigby. Not pictured: Colonial Pitts.

25 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1999

Local weather observer Harry Ellis reported .07 inches of rain on April 14 and “scattered frost” on April 17. He reported a high of 87 degrees on April 14 and lows of 36 on April 17 and April 18.

Castleberry held its annual Strawberry Festival this past weekend with a nice, large crowd that turned out. Games, music, a street dance and family fun was the rule of the day and a good time was had by all.

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions will visit Conecuh County this Fri., April 23, at 4 p.m. for a town hall meeting.
Sessions will meet the people of Conecuh County at the renovated historic depot in Evergreen. He will make a few remarks and then take some questions.

Small Loan, Inc. recently held its grand opening and ribbon cutting in conjunction with Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce. The company specializes in small, quick approval loans and is located next door to Dollar General across the street from the A&P.

Members of the Allied Community Development Corp., which was organized by the late Jack M. Wainwright III, formerly of Evergreen, established a scholarship at Birmingham-Southern, his alma mater, as a memorial in his honor. He was a former loan officer at First Alabama Bank.

45 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1979

Jonestown victim is buried here: Mrs. Millie Steans Cunningham, a native of Evergreen who died in the infamous massacre and mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, South America on Nov. 18, 1978, was buried here Friday.

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported .02 inches of rain on April 21. He also reported highs of 86 on April 18 and April 21 and a low of 47 on April 16.

Dwayne Godwin, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Manford Godwin Sr. of Castleberry and member of Boy Scout Troop 225, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in an outdoor ceremony at the scout hut Fri., April 14.

U.S. Senator Howell Heflin was here last Thursday morning for a ‘Dutch treat’ breakfast at the Holiday Inn. The senator and former Alabama Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was introduced by Circuit Judge Robert E.L. Key, who was in law school with Heflin at the University of Alabama.

The Evergreen High School FFA Chapter surprised Butch Adams, veteran photographer-reporter for The Evergreen Courant, last Thursday when Chapter President Johnny Stowers presented Adams with a handsome plaque honoring the accommodating, ever-present Butch with the “FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree.”

67 YEARS AGO
APRIL 25, 1957

Plans for the Annual Fat Calf Show have been completed and the event will take place on Mon., April 29, with 26 4-H Club and FFA members competing.

BULLETIN: As The Courant went to press Wednesday afternoon, it was learned that one woman was killed, and a man and child were injured in a one-car accident two miles north of Ray Brothers Store on Highway 31 North of Evergreen.
An identification card on the man identified him as James Cannon of 809 North M St., Pensacola, Fla. The woman and child were not identified, nor was the extent of the injuries of the man and child known at press time.

A small boy, visiting his grandparents near Evergreen, was killed Friday night when he ran into the path of a car 5.3 miles north on Highway 83.
Wayne Davis, son of Lou Hattie Young of New Brunswick, N.J., was visiting his grandparents, the Charlie Morgan’s, for the first time, and had gotten there for the visit the same day he was killed. He was standing beside the road with his grandmother when he suddenly broke loose from her hand and ran into the path of an oncoming car.
The fatality was the fourth recorded in Conecuh this year. In February, a banana truck driver was killed in a collision with another banana truck north of Evergreen, and in March two others were killed in the half mile stretch of Highway 55 in Conecuh between McKenzie and Andalusia.

99 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1925

W.A. BOUTWELL – Resolution Adopted by Conecuh Lodge A.F.&A.M. No. 733, Belleville, Ala. – The subject of this memorial was born in Pike County and later moved to Lowndes County, where he resided until about 15 years ago when he moved to Conecuh County and remained until death came.
Mr. Boutwell was born Oct. 20, 1842 and died on March 11, 1925. He was made a Mason 40 years ago and lived it in a creditable manner.
Simple, straightforward, unassuming, unselfish to a degree, of rugged honesty and sincerity of purpose, and yet withal gentile in his nature, the life of this good man breathes the spirit of the old south, of a regime that is lofty and massive and yet graceful. His noble life and exemplary character are cherished by his brethren of the mystic tie.
Resolved that this memorial be inscribed upon the records of this lodge, a copy furnished his relatives and that the same be published in The Evergreen Courant. – J.D. Skinner, J.E. Baggett, J.A. Reid, Committee.

WELCOME: Quite a crowd was disappointed at Welcome church Sunday night, it being announced last week there would be preaching, and the preacher did not come. We feel that is the reason we never have a large congregation. We have been disappointed so many times.

HERBERT: The picture show at Herbert Thursday night was enjoyed by everyone.