Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Fri., Feb. 22, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): Trace amount.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.25 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  2.65 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 13.15 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 9.55 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

Beck's book on Streight's Raid is a must-read for Alabama history buffs

If you’re looking for a good book to read, especially if you’re a history buff, I highly recommend that you check out “Streight’s Foiled Raid on the Western & Atlantic Railroad: Emma Sansom’s Courage & Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Pursuit” by Dr. Brandon H. Beck.

Published in 2016 by The History Press, this 111-page book details one of the most dramatic incidents to have occurred in Alabama during the Civil War, the ill-fated and embarrassing “Streight’s Raid” in North Alabama. For those of you unfamiliar with this incident, in the spring of 1863 Union Col. Abel D. Streight set out to destroy portions of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital supply and troop transport route in northern Georgia. Your first clue that this was going to be a disaster for the Union side was that Streight decided to set out on ill-mannered mules instead of horses.

Once the Confederates figured out what Streight was up to, they sicked Nathan Bedford Forrest on Streight’s forces, and Forrest proceeded to harass and chase Streight’s men all over North Alabama. The Yankees, who were as terrified of Forrest as they were of the boogeyman, were severely outmatched by a force of much smaller size that happened to be more ably led. The end result was Streight’s surrender to Forrest at Cedar Bluff after Forrest tricked Streight into thinking that he was grossly outnumbered.

Beck, who is the Director Emeritus of the McCormick Civil War Institute at Shenandoah University in Virginia, does an outstanding job of describing the role that Gadsden teenager Emma Sansom played in Streight’s Raid. Sansom, who was just 15 years old, famously guided Forrest and his men to a shallow water crossing of Black Creek in Gadsden. Sansom earned Forrest’s personal thanks for her assistance and secured herself a place in Civil War lore for years and years to follow.

Beck’s book is also full of easy-to-understand maps and unique photographs that help illustrate the finer points of the subject matter. The book also makes mention of a number of sites and museums that will no doubt interest Civil War tourists in the reading audience. I was unfamiliar with several of the sites mentioned in the book, and I plan to pay them a visit the next time I’m in that part of the state.

Serious Civil War readers in the audience will also want to check out the nearly 10 pages of references in the back of the book. Beck has essentially laid out a roadmap for further reading in his detailed list of sources, which includes a comprehensive list of other books, articles and other sources.

I’ve read quite a bit about Streight’s Raid over the years, and I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a better book about the incident than Beck’s 2016 book. Not only will it interest Civil War enthusiasts, but I’d say it’s also a “must-read” for Alabama history buffs. If you read this book and enjoy it, you might also want to check out some of Beck’s other books, including “The Battle of Okolona: Defending the Mississippi Prairie” and “Holly Springs: Earl Van Dorn, the CSS Arkansas and the Raid That Saved Vicksburg.”

Faith Academy's Josh Donaldson reports early on Sunday for Braves spring training

Pitchers and catchers for the Atlanta Braves reported for spring training on Friday and position players were scheduled to report for duty yesterday (Wednesday) with the first full-squad workouts set for today (Thursday) in Kissimmee, Fla.

Once the entire team arrives, they’ll waste little time getting right into their slate of spring training games. Over the course of the coming week, they’ll play the Mets twice, the Astros, the Nationals, the Cardinals and the Tigers before getting into the meat of their March schedule.

Perhaps the biggest news of the spring so far has been the arrival of new third baseman Josh Donaldson, who arrived early on Sunday after signing with the Braves as a free agent in the off-season. Last season, the 33-year-old Donaldson started out with the Toronto Blues before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in August. In November, Donaldson signed a one-year contract with the Braves for $23 million.

Many in the reading audience will know that Donaldson was born in Pensacola, but graduated from high school at Faith Academy in Mobile. Donaldson was a record-setting football and baseball player at Faith, where he helped lead the school to a state baseball title during his senior season. Donaldson went to Auburn University as a catcher, but transitioned to third base.

Donaldson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and bounced around the minors for several years before making his Major League debut with the Oakland A’s in 2010. He went on to play for Toronto before ending up with the Indians and the Braves.

Personally, I’m hoping that Donaldson will make a good showing with the Braves. He’s had some injury issues, but being from the Pensacola-Mobile area, I think it’s safe to consider him a “local” boy. It’s always nice to have a really good reason to pull for the Braves, and having a person from our neck of the woods fits the bill in my book.

Speaking of baseball, Alabama opened their 2019 baseball season by winning two of three games in a series against Presbyterian College on Friday and Saturday in Tuscaloosa. My newspaper colleague Butch Adams and I were discussing this on Monday, and Butch asked me a question that I could not answer: Just where is Presbyterian College?

I immediately googleated it and learned that Presbyterian College is a private college located in Clinton, S.C. Presbyterian has one of the most interesting nicknames in college athletics. They call themselves the “Blue Hose.” This name comes from the socks worn by the school’s football team over a century ago. Presbyterian’s mascot is a guy dressed up like a Scottish highlander.

I also saw this week where Alabama dedicated its Hall of Fame at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in honor of Babe Ruth McAbee on Friday before Alabama’s season-opener. I was interested to learn that McAbee was a native of Northport and was named after her grandmother Rosanne “Ruth” Franklin and two famous “Babes” from the world of sports – baseball player Babe Ruth and Olympic medalist Babe Didrickson. McAbee, a co-founder of McAbee Construction in Tuscaloosa and a major supporter of Alabama athletics, passed away in 2014.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Thurs., Feb. 21, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.25 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.25 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  2.65 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 13.15 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 9.55 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

Little remains from the heyday of Wilcox County's once-thriving Rehoboth community

Old Rehoboth Cemetery in Wilcox County, Ala.

The Rehoboth community in northwestern Wilcox County was once a thriving village that prospered during the latter half of the 19^th century, but little remains today from the heyday of this community just north of the Alabama River.

According to historical maps, “downtown” Rehoboth was located near Chilatchee Creek, at what is now the intersection of County Road 29 and County Road 4. If you go there today, the most remarkable thing you will see is the ABC Elementary School campus, which is just a stone’s throw away from this remote crossroads. Little else remains to show visitors that this was once one of the most prominent communities in Wilcox County.

Perhaps the best source of information about the Rehoboth community is W. Stuart Harris’s 1977 book “Dead Towns of Alabama.” According to Harris, Rehoboth “once contained stores, a hotel, the Rehoboth Male Academy (a private boarding school), and a number of homes. The cemetery of the church (for which the village was named) contains many graves; the oldest burial dates from the 1840s. The private cemetery of the Young family, surrounded by an iron fence, stands at the side of the village.”

Harris noted that in 1977, the antebellum home of the late John Laird, educator, was still occupied by his sisters, and that two other large antebellum houses were still standing. All of the other buildings of the village, including the old Rehoboth church, had already disappeared by the time of his book’s publication. He also mentioned that Rehoboth did not appear on any state maps until the early 1860s.

With all of this in mind, I jumped in my truck on Friday afternoon and rode up to Rehoboth. As I crossed the J. Lee Long Bridge at Millers Ferry, dark clouds began to gather from the northwest, and when I reached County Road 29 at Alberta, it was misting rain. By the time I reached the old Rehoboth crossroads, I had to use my windshield wipers just to see the road.

At the crossroads, I pulled over and spent several minutes taking in my surroundings. As the rain began to slacken, I noted that there was not much to see there aside from the modern school building. I tried to imagine what this spot must have looked like over a century ago when it was the center of a hustling, bustling community.

From there, I turned down County Road 4, a dirt road that runs from County Road 29 to State Highway 5. A few miles from the crossroads, on the right-hand side of the road, I came upon the remnants of the old Rehoboth cemetery. While a few of the more modern graves there are visible from the road, I discovered that almost all of the older graves are nearly hidden in the surrounding woods.

After a few minutes of paying my respects to the pioneer families buried there, I got back in the truck and continued down County Road 4 towards Highway 5. A few miles later, I came upon perhaps the most remarkable landmark in all of Wilcox County, that is, Jake Peavy’s private baseball field, which features a replica of Fenway Park’s famous “Green Monster.” From the road, I snapped a few pictures of the baseball field before continuing on my way.

On the ride home, I pondered all of the things that I had not seen during my trip to Rehoboth. Where were the antebellum homes mentioned by Harris in his 1977 book? Where was the Young family cemetery? I was pretty sure that none of these were visible from the road, but was it possible that I’d driven right by them without noticing?

In the end, I was certain of one thing: It would be a mistake to label modern-day Rehoboth as a “ghost town.” During my visit on Friday, I saw a number of residents working in their yards, kids shooting basketball and jumping on trampolines, and more than a few cars headed here and there on a surprisingly busy County Road 29. No doubt these people are proud of their community, and I’m sure that you can still say that Rehoboth continues to thrive as the home for many of Wilcox County’s finest residents.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Wed., Feb. 20, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): Trace amount.

Week to Date Rainfall: Trace amount.

Month to Date Rainfall:  2.40 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 12.90 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 9.30 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

Today in History for Feb. 19, 2019

Feb. 19, 1807 – Former U.S. vice-president Aaron Burr was arrested in the Mississippi Territory at McIntosh Bluff, Washington County, in present-day Alabama and was escorted back to Fort Stoddert by Lt. Edward Gaines. Burr was accused of treason for attempting to form a new, independent republic in the southwest, plotting to annex Spanish territory in Louisiana and Mexico. After spending several weeks in custody in Alabama, Burr was returned to Richmond, Va. for trial. Burr was acquitted of the charges, but quickly left the country to avoid other charges relating to the murder of Alexander Hamilton during an 1804 duel.

Feb. 19, 1828 – Elisha Moseley became postmaster at Burnt Corn, Ala.

Feb. 19, 1864 - The Knights of Pythias were founded in Washington, D.C. A dozen members formed what became Lodge No. 1.

Feb. 19, 1864 – During the Civil War, a federal operation was conducted at Brown’s Ferry, Ala.

Feb. 19, 1865 – During the Civil War, the first day of a five-day Federal operation between Eastport, Miss. and Russellville, Ala. began.

Feb. 19, 1867 – Joseph Ganes Sanders, the “Turncoat of Dale County,” was killed outside Decatur, Ga.

Feb. 19, 1867 – The Alabama Legislature approved an act, “for the relief of maimed soldiers and sailors,” who were veterans of the War Between the States. Under the act, the state would provide an artificial leg to those veterans who had been maimed while in the service. (Men of Wilcox)

Feb. 19, 1884 – More than 60 tornadoes struck the Southern United States (including Mississippi, Alabama North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana), one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history. About 800 people were killed.

Feb. 19, 1884 - The town of Goshen, in Pike County, Ala. lost 26 people to an F4 twister, classified as "devastating" with winds between 207 and 260 mph. A brick school building literally exploded when the tornado hit it dead on, killing six students and a teacher. Outside of Goshen, 13 more people lost their lives in Alabama.

Feb. 19, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that Ernest Ricou’s “handsome new” storehouse was rapidly nearing completion and would “be ready in a few days for the reception of his goods, where he will be pleased to see and wait upon his many friends.”

Feb. 19, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that the Rev. M.M. Graham of Burnt Corn, who had recently appointed Monroe County Superintendent of Education, was in Monroeville, Ala. on Wed., Feb. 17.

Feb. 19, 1903 - The Vanderbilt Glee and Instrumental Club of Nashville, Tenn. planned to stop in Evergreen on this Thursday to give an entertainment for the benefit of the School Library. There were in the Glee Club, about 16; Instrumental Club, about 14, male quartette, string quartette, etc. Justin Thacher, perhaps the finest tenor in the south, was with them, as well as Prof. C. Roland Flick, the well-known violinist. They were on their way to De Funiak Springs, Fla., and an entertainment was promised that no one could afford to miss. In order to enable all to attend, the rate was to be as low as 50 cents; children, 25 cents; reserved seats, 75 cents.

Feb. 19, 1903 – The Monroe Journal reported that the Hon. Thos. S. Wiggins, Monroe County’s representative in the legislature, was home for a few days.

Feb. 19, 1903 – The Monroe Journal reported, in news from the Burnt Corn community, that the building committee had about closed the contract for the new church at Puryearville; the building to be placed beside where the old one stood, the latter having been sold.

Feb. 19, 1903 – The Monroe Journal reported, in news from the Drewry community, that J.B. McMillan was putting up a telephone line from the store to his residence, which was expected to be a great convenience. The people at Drewry had also built a “fine new school house” and a residence for the teacher, Prof. Hardy, to live in.

Feb. 19, 1903 – The Monroe Journal reported, in news from the Perdue Hill community, that the oyster supper “was a complete success. A handsome cake was voted to Miss Callie Davis, and the quilt was won by Mr. Owen Burk of the Nettie Quill.”

Feb. 19, 1904 - The winter term of the Jones Mill District School closed on this Friday with the “record of being one of the most successful terms of the school’s history – due to the able principal, Prof. J.A. Barnes, and his able and accomplished assistant, Miss Correy King, also the better equipped school rooms which have added very much to our comfort during the cold winter days, and we are very sorry indeed that our school has closed, and especially to know that we will be so far from our able instructors, will miss their kind and wise instructions, so we are left wondering if during the next term of our school we will be fortunate enough to have the same able and talented instructors.”

Feb. 19, 1908 - Alabama author Mildred Lee was born in West Blocton, Ala.

Feb. 19, 1918 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Jodie W. Booker, 18, of McKenzie, Ala. “died from disease.” Born on Jan. 19, 1900, he is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in McKenzie.

Feb. 19, 1919 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Dewey Morris, 21, of Flomaton, Ala. “died from disease.” Born on Dec. 18, 1897, he was buried in Rock Cemetery in Flomaton. He was serving in Co. C of the 161^st U.S. Infantry Regiment when he died overseas.

Feb. 19, 1921 - J.D. Clark, 15-year-old son of W.A. Clark, a well known farmer residing about six miles east of Castleberry, was instantly killed late Saturday when the shotgun, it is thought he was attempting to clean, was discharged and the load of shot entered the boy’s breast and stomach.

Feb. 19, 1922 – Confederate veteran Mark Luke McClammy, age 78, passed away at his home in northern Conecuh County. On March 29, 1862, McClammy enlisted as a private in Co. H of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry, a predominately Monroe raised unit. His horse was valued at $350. Born on Feb. 25, 1843, he was buried in Concord Cemetery at Mixonville.

Feb. 19, 1924 – Monroe County Bank celebrated its 20^th anniversary. The bank began business on Feb. 19, 1904 was $15,000 in capital. J.B. Barnett organized the bank and had served as its president continuously between 1904 and 1924. D.D. Mims had served as the bank’s cashier “during practically its entire career.”

Feb. 19, 1930 - Bosie Phillips of Dothan, Ala. fell under a freight train opposite the Louisville & Nashville depot on this Wednesday around 11 a.m. and suffered injuries which resulted in the loss of his left arm just below the elbow. Phillips was trying to board the train, which was running at a fast rate, when the accident occurred. Phillips was given emergency medical attention by Dr. E.L. Stallworth and was later carried to Montgomery on Train No. 6, where he was to receive treatment at the railroad hospital.

Feb. 19, 1931 – The Evergreen Courant reported that a 65-acre site for a landing field had been leased 5-1/2 miles west of Evergreen, Ala. on the Belleville Highway. The field was to serve as an intermediate landing field for use in the federal air mail service along the Atlanta-New Orleans mail route. Plans were also included for a revolving search light beacon mounted on a steel tower at the corner of the airfield.

Feb. 19, 1936 - Henry Hunter Lett of Lower Peach Tree died at his home on this Wednesday evening after an illness of five days during which time pneumonia developed. He was an outstanding citizen of the northwest section of Monroe County and was prominent among the agricultural leaders. He was one of the seven children of Henry Hunter Lett Sr. and Carolyn Goode King Lett; a great-grandson of General Edward D. King and a descendant of William Rufus King. Funeral services were conducted from the home on the following afternoon with the Rev. Barnett of Mobile officiating. Interment was made in Lower Peach Tree cemetery.

  

Feb. 19, 1943 - Alabama author Homer Hickam was born in Coalwood, West Virginia.

  

Feb. 19, 1948 – The Town of Excel, Ala. was officially incorporated as a municipality.

  

Feb. 19, 1951 - The spring term of Conecuh County Circuit Court convened in Evergreen on this Monday morning with Judge F.W. Hare presiding. The grand jury was organized with Hugh M. Brown as foreman and after an able charge by Judge Hare promptly began its investigations with the assistance of Circuit Solicitor A.H. Elliott and County Solicitor E.C. Page Jr.

Feb. 19, 1951 – Effective on this Monday, J.R. Daughtry became local manager of the Piggly Wiggly in Evergreen, succeeding Mack Everage who had been there since this store was purchased by Euclid Cook of Andalusia in 1950. Everage had been transferred back to Andalusia as manager of the Piggly Wiggly store there.

Feb. 19, 1953 – The Evergreen Courant reported that I. Long & Sons, historic department store of Evergreen, was going out of business after 63 years, according to announcement made by owner Alfred Long, son and grandson of the store’s founders. Stock of the store had been purchased by Jack J. Levenson of Birmingham, who planned to sell it at the location on East Front Street. I. Long & Sons was founded in 1890 when Haiman and Max Long, brothers, established a store called the Red Front. In 1891, their father, I. Long, became a partner and the name was changed to I. Long & Sons, the style under which it operated until this year.

Feb. 19, 1953 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the grand jury of the Circuit Court of Conecuh County had made nine cases that week which were to be tried during criminal court week, starting March 2. According to Circuit Solicitor Robert E.L. Key, the grand jurors returned true bills on nine of the 10 cases on the criminal docket. Aaron (Bo) Griffin, alleged to have shot and killed Willie Guy Lee, woman, last November in Evergreen, was to face trial for murder in the first degree. His case had been set for trial on March 2.

Feb. 19, 1953 – The Monroe Journal reported that Cpl. Robert B. Lambert of Rt. 2, Frisco City, who was killed on Oct. 4, 1951, in action in Korea was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on Feb. 11, 1953 by Maj. General D.W. Canham, Headquarters Third Army. Presentation of the award was made to the father of the deceased serviceman, Pleason Lambert, at the Lambert residence on Frisco City, Rt. 2. The citation which accompanied the presentation of the DSC medal declared Cpl. Lambert “distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Chungseri, Korea.”

Feb. 19, 1953 – The Monroe Journal reported that Monroeville’s new deep water well, with a guaranteed capacity of 900 gallons of water per minute, was estimated to be in operation within a two-week period. Depth of the new well, which was begun in August 1952 was 1,500 feet. Local water board officials had stated the new deep was expected to alleviate a reoccurrence of a water shortage which was demanded by increased local consumption and dry weather in the summer months. Drilling of the well was instigated by a critical shortage in 1952 because of drought during the summer.

Feb. 19, 1954 - Evergreen High School’s varsity boys basketball team were defeated by the Andalusia Bulldogs on this Friday night in Andalusia, 59-52. Randy White led Evergreen with 16 points, followed closely by Jimmy Frazier with 14. John Ford, high man for Andalusia, racked up 19 points for the victors. Other players on Evergreen’s team that season included Ward Alexander, Wayne Douglas, Charlie King and Hosea King.

Feb. 19, 1954 – Monroe County High School’s varsity boys basketball team won their 16^th game of the season on this Friday night as they downed the UMS Cadets, 64-46, in the Monroeville coliseum. Guard Pat Cobb, an outstanding playmaker all season, hit the nets for 19 points to lead the Tigers, while center Bobby White followed closely with 14 markers.

Feb. 19, 1976 – Sparta Academy’s varsity boys basketball team played Catherine Academy at 6 p.m. in the Alabama Private School Association’s District III playoffs at Wilcox Academy in Camden. The winner and runner-up advanced to the state tournament.

Feb. 19, 1976 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Bob Kendall was collecting historical information on Brooklyn and the surrounding area in connection with the bicentennial. He was particularly interested in the names of the people who organized the bank that never opened in Brooklyn.

Feb. 19, 1979 – Sparta Academy’s girls basketball team finished the 1978-79 season with a 55-33 loss to Lakeside Academy in the APSA state tournament on this Monday night in Selma.

Feb. 19, 1982 – On their way to an eventual berth in the 1A state tournament, Lyeffion beat Repton, 58-57, in the final round of the Class 1A, Area II tournament at Conecuh County High School in Castleberry, Ala. This win gave Lyeffion the Area II championship and they won the region championship game the following night by beating A.L. Johnson in Castleberry.

Feb. 19, 1999, “October Sky,” a movie version of Alabama author Homer Hickam's book “Rocket Boys,” was released.

  

Feb. 19, 2002 - J.F. Shields High School’s varsity girls were scheduled to begin play in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Southeast Region basketball tournament in Troy on this Tuesday afternoon. Shields, sporting a 23-2 record, was set to meet defending state champion Notasulga High School at 3:30 p.m. at Troy State University. Shields won its tenth straight area championship two weeks before. Since Shields girls head coach Herbert Blackmon inherited the program 16 years before, his girls teams had won 13 area championships. Top players on Shields team that season included Tandra Blackmon, April Hollinger, Quantus Jones, Folake Knight, Tameka Knight, Latoya Lett, Constance Montgomery, Ashley Odom and Crystal Stanton.

Feb. 19, 2004 - Weather observer Harry Ellis reported a low of 30 degrees in Evergreen.

Feb. 19, 2016 – Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee died in her sleep on this morning, at the age of 89, in Monroeville, Ala.