The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 28, 2014

C.T. Ivey in 1955

44 YEARS AGO

MAY 7, 1970

“The 7th Annual Conecuh County FFA and 4-H Boys Barrow Show will be held here at the Conecuh Stockyard Arena Monday morning, 81 top hogs will be shown by 35 boys from over the county.

“Charles Burt is show chairman and Dave Fleming is advisory chairman. Showmanship will be judged by Phillip Ellis, Charles Grant, Miles Covin and Roger Waller, all students at Jefferson Davis Junior College. Dr. Carl Wilson is show veterinarian.

“Boys who will exhibit hogs included Jimmy Beverly, Larry Knight, Sawyer Griffin, Jerry Daw, Anthony Preyer, Clayton Cobb, Tommy Shipp, Richard Wilson, James Traweek, Eric Pugh, Ralph Pugh, John Johnston, Sammy Brown, Herbert Brown, David Davis, Ernest Shipp, Ivon Gomes, Johnny Daw, Sandy Floyd, Jimmy Salter, Ashley Andrews, Stanley Boykin, Larry Harris, Frank Murphy, Whaymon Tullis, John Crum Sessions, Robert Ward, Eddie Reeves, Jeb Barron, Randy Coker, Hillary Harper, Eddie Ralls, Gerald Salter, Arnold Hall and Johnny R. Salter.”

“U.S. Army, Vietnam – One of the Army badges that soldiers wear with special pride is the Combat Infantryman Badge. It was recently awarded to PFC Richard D. Nettles, 20, in Vietnam.

“PFC Nettles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Nettles, Rt. 2, Evergreen, is assigned as a machine gunner with Co. C, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry of the Americal Division’s 11th Light Infantry Brigade.”

59 YEARS AGO

MAY 5, 1955

“Pilot Club Organized Here With 19 Members: Election of officers was the main order of business at the organizational meeting of the Evergreen Pilot Club on Wed., April 27. The following officers were elected: Mrs. J.R. Taylor, president; Miss Elsie Couey, first vice president; Mrs. Dennis Majors, second vice president; Miss Eula Mae Johnson, treasurer; Miss Emelyn Reddoch, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. Paul Reid, recording secretary.”

“Repton To Burnt Corn Road To Be Built Soon: The Conecuh County Board of Directors signed a contract with the Alabama State Highway Department for a road to be built by the state from Repton to Burnt Corn about three weeks ago, J.H. Tranum, chairman, said today. The road will be a little over 11 miles long.

“It is hoped that the road from Burnt Corn to state highway 83 can be black topped soon. Also contemplated is the completion of state highway 106 from Georgiana to Highway 83, probably around Antioch Church.”

“The annual campaign for renewal of Chamber of Commerce memberships is now underway, according to C.T. Ivey, who is chairman of the Membership Committee directing the drive.”

“The Evergreen City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday night voted to extend sewage lines to residents of Williams Street. At present, the homes on this street all have septic tanks.”

74 YEARS AGO

MAY 2, 1940

“Lightning Damages Home of Rev. E.E. Ellis: The home of Rev. E.E. Ellis at West Side was struck by lightning about four o’clock Wednesday morning and considerable damage was done, but no one was injured.

“Rev. Ellis reports that two windows were completely destroyed and others damaged. The screen wire of the sleeping porch was entirely burned up and other damage done to the walls of the building. Mr. Ellis said when he and his family were awakened by the terrific explosion they found the whole house filled with smoke. Though none of them suffered shock, they were very much frightened.

“Heavy rains fell in all parts of the county during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.”

“AT REASONABLE PRICES – CASKETS – Wilson Hardware & Gro. Co., Castleberry, Ala.”

“Dr. Emmett Ayers, a medical missionary from China, will preach at the Baptist Church Sunday morning, May 5, at 11 o’clock.

“Dr. Ayers is well informed about conditions in China and his lectures will be interesting, instructive and helpful. This will be a rare opportunity to obtain a better understanding about China.”

“The local post office will close at noon Thursdays during the summer months along with other business places and offices observing a half holiday, according to an announcement made by Postmaster R.G. Bozeman.”

89 YEARS AGO

MAY 6, 1925

“MEAT INSPECTOR: Citizens of Evergreen will be pleased to learn that the city has recently employed a meat inspector who went on duty on May 1. Dr. B.F. Jones, a veterinarian who enjoys the universal confidence of our people, will inspect all meats that are hereafter placed on sale at the markets, as well as meats brought in from the county.”

“W.G. Riley and daughter, Miss Elizabeth, visited Capt. T.M. Riley, the former’s brother, in Monroe County last week.”

“Workmen have been busy all this week setting new poles and otherwise improving the Bell telephone service of Evergreen.”

“It is reported that a big Ku Klux celebration was staged at Andalusia on Tuesday night and that many members of the local Klan attended.”

104 YEARS AGO

MAY 4, 1910

“Halley’s Comet: The comet which makes its visit to the U.S. every 75 years is now due, and the people are getting up every morning before day in hopes of getting a sight of it.”

“The First National Bank is now occupying its magnificent new building having moved in today.”

“I.I. Ward, a former citizen of this county, was killed by A.J. Mathes at Stapleton, Baldwin County, on Monday at the election. Ward stabbed Mathes, who in turn shot him. Ward died at once and Mathes is in a serious condition.”

“Jno. T. Williams received a message a few days ago stating that a man who murdered his brother eight years ago in Louisiana had been captured and confessed to the crime. He will be tried on the 20th, inst., and Mr. Williams will attend the trial.”

“Halley’s Comet is all the talk now, but look over this and see if we can’t divide the attention. Thirty pounds whole grain head rice, $1; best patent flour, hickory hoops and staves, $6.39; seven bars best soap, 25 cents; seven packs Arm & Hammer soda, 25 cents. We sell the goods, cash prices count. F.L. Riley, The Racket Man.”

“The new Methodist parsonage is nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy in a couple of weeks. It will be one of the most attractive homes in that neighborhood.”

“James Giddens, a prominent citizen of Lowndes County, and a Confederate veteran, stopped over to visit his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Sam J. Robertson on his return from the reunion in Mobile. Mr. Giddens is a valued friend of the Robertson family and their only regret is that his visit was brief.”

“Following a long established custom, the merchants of Evergreen have signed an agreement to close their places of business at six o’clock every afternoon, Saturday’s excepted, from May 1 to Sept. 1. This gives the merchants and their employees an opportunity for recreation during the heated term.”

“No Courant Last Week: Owing to the illness of both the editor and foreman of the mechanical department, The Courant was not issued last week. This is the first issue we have missed, except one or two occasions at Christmas, since The Courant was established nearly 15 years ago.”

Daily Weather Observations from SW Alabama for Mon., April 28, 2014

Temp: 72.5 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.00 inches.

Humidity: 85 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy; birds audible and visible.

Barometric Pressure: 29.31 inHg

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 7.90 inches

Spring to Date Rainfall: 11.25 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 24.85 inches

NOTES: Today is the 118th day of 2014 and the 40th day of Spring. There are 246 days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE. 

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK – “The Sensational She-Hulk” #7 (November 1989)

'Sensational She-Hulk' #7 (Nov. '89)

This week’s “Comic Book of the Week” is “The Sensational She-Hulk” #7, which was published by Marvel Comics in November 1989.  This issue was titled “I Have No Mouth and I Am Mean!”

The issue’s creative team included John Byrne, writer and artist; Bob Wiacek, inker; Glynis Oliver, colorist; Jim Novak, letterer; Bobbie Chase, editor; and Tom DeFalco, editor in chief. Byrne was also the cover artist for this issue, which sold for $1.50 at newsstands.

The story begins in the Star Stop, a deep space “truck stop,” which is supposedly the best placed to get “a good cup of java” in 12 systems. The last issue ended with She-Hulk and a group of friends having to deal with a large, hairy Yeti-looking monster (with no mouth) called Xemnu the Titan. Xemnu has made a mess of the place, and then says that he’s there to get the baby of She-Hulk’s friends Mary McGrill and Ulysses Solomon Archer.

Xemnu seeks out children as part of a project to repopulate his home world, but he hasn’t had much luck with children who’ve already been born. She-Hulk and her friends attack Xemnu, but he puts them in a trance that stops them in their tracks. When She-Hulk and her friends awake, they’re tied up and hanging upside down.

Mary’s in worse shape. Xemnu’s got her tied down to a high-tech dentist’s chair and he’s placing a psycho relay helmet on her head so he can begin transmitting metamorphological data to Mary’s unborn child. She-Hulk regains her sense and breaks out of her bonds.

She knocks Xemnu for a loop while her friend, the superhero Razorback, also breaks free. Xemnu eventually gets the upper hand and puts She-Hulk back in a paralyzing trance. When she wakes up, she’s strapped to a chair and covered in green fur.

While she was knocked out, Razorback destroyed the machine Xemnu was going to use on Mary’s unborn baby, so he went to Plan B, that is, turn She-Hulk into the “Bride of Xemnu.” Xemnu launches into a time-wasting monologue that’s interrupted when a fleet of spaceships shows up to help She-Hulk and her friends.

In the aftermath, Xemnu fled, and it turned out that the fleet had arrived in response to a distress signal that had been sent by Archer. Maybe best of all, She-Hulk is back to normal, hairless once again, thanks to laser-olosis the alien named Al’s wife gave her. She learns later that Xemnu has been captured, and his trance-inducing powers have been subdued thanks to a “hypno-damper.”

Xemnu mentioned earlier that he wanted to make She-Hulk his bride because he was lonely. This gave her friend Poppa Wheelie and idea – they decided to hand Xemnu over to Big Enilwen, an large humanoid alien that collects teddy bears.

In the end, Archer and Al show She-Hulk a supped-up 1959 Dodge that is capable of making one space flight back to earth. Once it arrives, it’ll be just a regular “run of the mill flying car.” To boot, it’s green just like the She-Hulk.

This comic (unless I’ve sold it) and others are available for purchase through Peacock’s Books on Amazon.com. If you’re interested in buying it, search for it there by title, issue number and date of publication.

'History of Brooklyn, Alabama' tells of area's Civil War experiences

Pinckney D. Bowles

(In 1982, The Evergreen Courant newspaper published a six-part series called "A History of Brooklyn," which was originally written by the late R.G. (Bob) Kendall Jr. The fourth installment in the series, which you'll find reprinted below, was originally published in the April 22, 1982 edition of The Courant. Other installments of the article can be found in the April 1, April 8, April 15, April 29 and May 6 editions of The Courant from 1982. I plan to post those installments on this blog in the coming weeks, so if you enjoy reading Part IV, keep you eyes open for the other installments in the near future. Without further ado, here's Part IV.)

“A History of Brooklyn: Part IV” by the late R.G. (Bob) Kendall Jr.

One of the area’s early and interesting small industries was a leather tanyard built in the Pea Ridge area by Julius G. Robinson, son of Edwin, the founder of Brooklyn, in the late 1850s. Robinson constructed 24 small wooden vats, as well as a number of larger ones, all served by branch water. By 1860, this operation had become substantial with some 30 employees working at the tanyard and factory that was added to make boots and shoes. A contract to supply the Confederate Army was in effect during the Civil War.

During the years immediately prior to the Civil War, Brooklyn along with the remainder of Conecuh County was engrossed in two public questions, the sectional conflict over slavery and the desire for a railroad to serve an area that was starved for transportation. Brooklyn did her part in both endeavors. Many of her sons perished in the great conflict that began in 1861, incidentally, the year that the Montgomery and Pensacola Railroad began service through the county.

Brooklyn citizens took an interest in the project and Asa Johnston, Caleb Johnston and Wilson Ashley were among the early large subscribers to the project. The story is told that the railroad was constructed simultaneously from both ends, but final completion was held up by an extensive cut necessary in the Garland area at Dilly Hill and a shortage of funds for the work. The final work on the cut was said to have been done by farmers who donated their own efforts in order to finally get a reliable way to market. Brooklyn community doubtless did its part.

With the coming of the Civil War, the Brooklyn area gave of its blood and its treasure, along with most of the rest of the South. For reasons not understood today looking back over 105 years, the Convention called in Conecuh to elect and instruct a delegate to the Alabama Secession Convention reversed its earlier vote in which Wilson Ashley, who favored immediate secession, was elected, and chose instead John Greene of Burnt Corn, a highly respected citizen who was a cooperationist. This implied that all efforts toward conciliation should be exhausted before secession was resorted to. As a result, Conecuh was the only South Alabama county not voting for secession.

Once the die was cast, however, the county was in the forefront of the action, and the Brooklyn area supplied many men for the Confederate forces. Among the Conecuh units were:

Co. E, 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment (The Conecuh Guards commanded by Col. Pinckney D. Bowles, long time Probate Judge, who commanded a brigade at war’s end.

Co. D, 16th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Co. D, 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment (Cary Rifles).

 C. H, 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Co. I, 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Co. E, 38th Alabama Infantry Regiment (Miller Guards).

Co. E, 42nd Alabama Infantry Regiment (The McCullach Avengers).

Co. F, 65th Alabama Infantry Regiment (Conecuh Reserves).

Co. F, 23rd Battalion Alabama Sharpshooters.

Co. F, First Battalion Hilliard’s Legions.

Although no cavalry units were formed in Conecuh, a number of county men served in units raised in other counties.

The war did not bring an actual Federal incursion into the Brooklyn area until March 21-26, 1865, in the closing days of the conflict, Col. Andrew B. Spurling advanced at the head of a regiment of cavalry from Milton, Fla. to Andalusia, Ala., using a line of march slightly to the east of Brooklyn. He then moved westward to Gravella, now Owassa, just north of Evergreen, captured a train and cut the railroad. Advancing southward through Evergreen to Sparta, the depot at Sparta Station and the jail at Sparta were burned.

Spurling’s movements from Sparta on his way southward are not well documented. However, it is well established from the stories told by those living at the time that a portion of Spurling’s command went into the Brooklyn area by way of the Wilson Ashley plantation, now owned by the Horton family. My grandfather told me of the cavalry raid in the Johnstonville area just west of Brooklyn when the Federals raided the cribs and the smokehouses and drove off the stock that had not been hidden in time.

An interesting anecdote of the war years concerns Amanda Floyd who married Alexander Travis Henderson at Brooklyn in the early days of the Civil War conflict. She was notified shortly after her husband’s death on Dec. 17, 1863 that he had been killed in action near Claiborne, Ala. She immediately set out for Claiborne with her infant daughter, Mary, with her trusted slaves by wagon drawn by two mules and taking with her several shovels.

Upon arriving in Claiborne she inquired of the burial place of the soldiers who were killed in the battle. It is said that “she dug until she discovered his body,” then brought his body back to Brooklyn for burial. Later, Mrs. Amanda Floyd Henderson married William T. Sills and ran a boarding house at Brooklyn, which was famous for its good meals.

All the drummers and traveling men would endeavor to get to Brooklyn late in the afternoon, so that they could have supper and breakfast at The Sills Hotel. After Mrs. Sills’ death, her daughter, Mrs. Tom (Mary) Liles operated the hotel, and after her Mrs. Bessie Cary, all of who were always careful to maintain the reputation established by Mrs. Sills.

(To be continued)

(If you’d  like to go back and read Part I, Part II and Part III of Kendall’s “History of Brooklyn,” visit http://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2014/04/part-i-of-rg-bob-kendall-jrs-history-of.html,  http://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2014/04/part-ii-of-kendalls-history-of-brooklyn.html and http://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-history-of-brooklyn-describes-sinking.html.) 

'A Dance with Dragons' returns to paperback best-sellers list this week

Today is Sunday, so that means that it’s time for my weekly breakdown of this week’s Publishers Weekly Best-Sellers Lists. According to those lists, there is only one new book at the top of the four major best-sellers lists this week.

"The Collector" by Nora Roberts replaced "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Mary Higgins Clark as the No. 1 book on the hardcover fiction best-sellers list.

"Flash Boys" by Michael Lewis remained the top book on the hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list for the third straight week.

"Never Go Back" by Lee Child remained the top book on the mass market paperback best-sellers list for the third week in a row.

"Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo remained the top book on the trade paperbacks best-sellers list for the second week in a row.

There were four new books on this week’s hardcover fiction best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. Those books (and their places on the list) included "The Collector" by Nora Roberts (1), "The Husband's Secret: by Liane Moriarty (13), "Sycamore Row" by John Grisham (14) and "William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back: by Ian Doesher (15).

There were six new books on this week’s hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list that wasn’t on the list last week. Those books included "Players First" by John Calipari (6), "The Confidence Code" by Katty Kay (8), "Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet" by Mark Hyman (9), "The Divide" by Matt Taibbi (11), "Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Gold Book" by Diane Muldrow (12) and "Stronger" by Jeff Bauman (15).

There were two new books on this week’s mass market paperbacks best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. Those books included "The Panther" by Nelson DeMille (14) and "A Dance With Dragons" by George R.R. Martin (15).

There were four books on this week’s trade paperbacks best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. They included "Skinny Meals" by Bob Harper (5), "The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook" by America's Test Kitchen Eds. (8), "Minecrafter 2.0 Advanced" by Triumph Books (12) and "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan (15).

As a reminder, I’m posting these lists each Sunday because they, as a whole, represent a great, contemporary recommended reading list. These lists are initially released each week on Thursday, and if you’re interested in reading them then, visit Publishers Weekly’s Web site at www.publishersweekly.com. Below you’ll find all four of this week’s best-seller lists.

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. "The Collector" by Nora Roberts

2. "I've Got You Under My Skin" by Mary Higgins Clark

3. "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt

4. "NYPD Red 2" by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

5. "Carnal Curiosity" by Stuart Woods

6. "Keep Quiet" by Lisa Scottoline

7. "Missing You" by Harlan Coben

8. "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd

9. "Power Play" by Danielle Steel

10. "Blossom Street Brides" by Debbie Macomber

11. "The King: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood" by J.R. Ward

12. "The Bootlegger" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

13. "The Husand's Secret: by Liane Moriarty

14. "Sycamore Row" by John Grisham

15. "William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back: by Ian Doesher

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. "Flash Boys" by Michael Lewis

2. "The Doctor's Diet" by Travis Stork

3. "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

4. "The Women of Duck Commander by Kay Robertson

5. "Grain Brain" by David Perlmutter

6. "Players First" by John Calipari

7. "Thrive: The Third Metric" by Arianna Huffington

8. "The Confidence Code" by Katty Kay

9. "Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet" by Mark Hyman

10. "10 Percent Happier" by Dan Harris

11. "The Divide" by Matt Taibbi

12. "Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Gold Book" by Diane Muldrow

13. "The Hungry Girl Diet" by Lisa Lillien

14. "Face the Music" by Paul Stanley

15. "Stronger" by Jeff Bauman

MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS

1. "Never Go Back" by Lee Child

2. "Starting Now" by Debbie Macomber

3. "Daddy's Gone A Hunting" by Mary Higgins Clark

4. "Forget Me Not" by Fern Michaels

5. "Alex Cross, Run" by James Patterson

6. "Best Kept Secrets" by Sandra Brown

7. "Doing Hard Time" by Stuart Woods

8. "The Hit" by David Baldacci

9. "Tell Me" by Lisa Jackson

10. "The Devaney Brothers" by Sherryl Woods

11. "Winds of Change" by Nora Roberts

12. "Kill Crazy" by William W. Johnstone

13. "North to Alaska" by Debbie Macomber

14. "The Panther" by Nelson DeMille

15. "A Dance With Dragons" by George R.R. Martin

TRADE PAPERBACKS

1. "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo

2. "Shadow Spell" by Nora Roberts

3. "Four Blood Moons" by John Hagee

4. "Whiskey Beach" by Nora Roberts

5. "Skinny Meals" by Bob Harper

6. "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

7. "King and Maxwell" by David Baldacci

8. "The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook" by America's Test Kitchen Eds.

9. "Four Friends" by Robyn Carr

10. "Mistress" by James Patterson and David Ellis

11. "Fly Away" by Kristin Hannah

12. "Minecrafter 2.0 Advanced" by Triumph Books

13. "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo

14. "The Last Bride" by Beverly Lewis

15. "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan

In the end, let me know if you’ve had a chance to read any of these books. What did you think about them? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.

Daily Weather Observations from SW Alabama for Sun., April 27, 2014

Temp: Not recorded.

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.00 inches.

Humidity: Not recorded.

Conditions: Not noted.

Barometric Pressure: Not recorded.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.00 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 7.90 inches

Spring to Date Rainfall: 11.25 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 24.85 inches

NOTES: Today is the 117th day of 2014 and the 39th day of Spring. There are 247 days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE. 

Singleton describes memorable trip to 'Nancy Mountain' in December 1984

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 “Mountain offers peace, inspiration,” was originally published in the Jan. 31, 1985 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

During the closing days of 1984, when everyone was glued to television sets watching the final playoffs of their favorite football teams, I decided to slip away for a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Since December is the month of “The moon of the popping trees,” according to an Indian legend, I decided to go to a spot where time and setting would be appropriate.

I chose one of my favorite spots, atop Nancy Mountain overlooking the river and the great valley through which it flows.

I carried my usual equipment: a small survival stove, a coffeepot that makes only one cup of coffee, and a canteen of water. As an afterthought, I hung my binoculars around my neck. I mounted my trail bike and headed north.

A graceful bird

As I arrived atop beautiful Nancy Mountain, the warm sun suggested a quick nap there among the trees. But I decided against this and proceeded to get my stove and coffeepot ready.

As I settled back waiting for my coffee to brew, I noticed a huge bird sailing gracefully over the valley below me over near the river. Its movements were not that of a common vulture that is seen in abundance throughout the area.

I reached for my binoculars and focused them on the huge, sailing bird. To my amazement, I realized that I was watching a large, golden eagle. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

The eagle would sail slowly across the flats, gracefully riding the air currents, maneuvering its way to great heights. Then, like a reckless child at play, it would fold its wings and plummet straight down toward the earth at great speed.

Across the valley

At the last moment, when I thought maybe it had forgotten to open its wings, the eagle would spread its beautiful, golden trimmed feathers and sail at a reckless speed at treetop level across the valley. The graceful creature would then gradually let the currents return itself to the desired height, where it would repeat the previous performance.

This breathtaking performance went on for almost 40 minutes. It seemed that the great bird was performing just for my entertainment and pleasure.

I had become so involved in the great spectacle before me that I completely forgot about my stove and coffee making. Needless to say, my coffee had boiled over, putting out the fire and messing up my stove.

I knew that there would be other times for making coffee, but I knew that another such performance as I had just witnessed would be rare and a long time coming. I realized, too, why many of the biblical writers had used the great eagles in their comparisons of strength and beauty.

Isaiah’s inspiration

That day I didn’t see any of the football playoffs on television. Neither did I hear any on the radio. But I witnessed something far greater and more beautiful than all the halftime performances combined. And I knew, too, that day, where the prophet Isaiah had received his inspiration when he wrote the following:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”

(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 on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County. 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.)