Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Sept. 1, 2021

Alabama Gov. Emmet O'Neal

68 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 3, 1953

Camden Schools Open Friday: The Camden School will open Friday, Sept. 4. All interested people are invited to attend the opening day.
A general assembly of all 12 grades will be held in the auditorium prior to the students going to their home rooms. N.P. Benton, principal, urges all students to be present to register and get book lists and familiarize themselves with their schedule.

Guard Company Back From Camp: Camden’s National Guard unit returned Sunday from Fort McClellan, where they had been attending a two-week summer camp. Leaving here on Aug. 16, the local group joined other units from Linden and Selma in Selma and proceeded by convoy to Fort McClellan.
Attending with the local group, Co. A of the 203^rd Infantry Battalion, were Lieutenants Jasper A. Hayles, Clifford Bradford and John M. Middlebrooks; Sgt. Labon Reeves, Sgt. Alfred Fall, Sgt. Herman Harrison, Sgt. Charlie Spencer, Sgt. John L. Kircharr, Bubber Dunnam, Travis Durant, Mickey Tait and Dan Campbell.

Sample White Way Light Set Up: A mercury vapor street lamp similar to the 25 planned to be installed as whiteway lights for the business section of Camden, has been set up at the corner of Water and Court streets, near L.Y. Sadler law office. Pointing out the contrast between the amount of light cast by the new type light and those in use at the present. Mayor Cooper said this week that the lights to be installed in the downtown section would be similar though not necessarily identical to the new light at the Water Street corner.

81 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 5, 1940

Miss Frances Perryman will open her kindergarten school Sept. 10. It is interesting to visit this school and see the little children at work and how happy they are. Miss Perryman has a beautiful room and is a wonderful teacher.

DEATH OF REV. GEO. W. JONES: Camden and Wilcox County friends will regret to hear of the death of Rev. George W. Jones of Adamsville, Texas. Mr. Jones preached at the Shelter Church here many years ago and made many friends in this section.

Judge R.T. Ervin of Mobile, who has recently returned from a two months stay in Maine, spent a weekend recently at his old home in Rock West.

Beginning Sept. 2, throughout entire month of September, a prize of one dress shirt of highest quality and one box of Berkshire pure Chiffon Crepe Twist Hose will be given to the gentleman and lady bowling highest score for the month of September, providing 20 or more games within the month have been played.
These prizes can be seen in show windows of the firm of Hickey’s, Camden, Ala.
Camden Bowling Alley will continue to give 10 free games for highest weekly score.
All participants are urged to enter for these worthwhile prizes at earliest possible date as YOU may be the lucky winner.

94 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 1, 1927

OLIVER PERRY KELLY DIES AT SELMA HOSPITAL: Oliver Perry Kelly, resident of Pine Hill, died at a Selma hospital Friday afternoon after a short illness. The body was sent on the Mobile train at 4 o’clock by Brislin Brothers to Pine Hill for funeral services and interment Saturday morning.

TO THE PUBLIC: The Wilcox County High School and the Camden Public School will begin the fall session on Tues., Sept. 6, at 9 a.m. It is important that all students be present on the first day. The Junior and Senior High Schools will be together in the High School building and the first to six grades will be in the Grammar School Building. Matriculation fee for the first eight grades will be $7.50 per pupil and for the last four, from eight to 12, the fee will be $9. Half in each case is due when school opens, and the other half at the middle of the year. Let’s all make this the banner year in school history for Camden. – CURTIS MATTHEWS, Principal.

Chas. Dobbins, a popular Camden boy, left Tuesday for Camp Cosby, where the Howard College football team will train a few days before the opening of the school.

James Miller will leave for Erskine College Friday. He will go a few days early on account of football practice, he being captain of the team.

The schools in Wilcox County will open Sept. 6, the teachers for Camden district 1 are: Curtis Matthews, Holtz Pitts, Miss Zelma Ward, Miss Agnes Smyley, Miss Frances Stuckey, Miss Jessie Monroe, Miss Pearl Perdue, Mesdames. Ann Ervin, H.H. Dale and Frank Cook and Misses Gladys Herman and Elise Bonner.

107 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 3, 1914

Dale Lodge No. 25 will meet in regular communication next Friday night at 8 p.m. Work in Fellowcraft degree.

We have received from Mexico, with the compliments of Capt. Leon Schwartz of Mobile, copies of the Mexican Herald, published at Vera Cruz.

Camden regrets the removal to Selma of Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Ellis and bright little boy, Sam. Mr. Ellis has for a year or more been conductor on the Camden branch of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.

A pleasant dance in compliment to the visiting young ladies was given at the Masonic hall last Monday night.

Gov. O’Neal has appointed Hon. J.B. Lloyd of Pine Apple and Mr. John W. Pharr of Catherine as delegates to the Farmers National Congress to be held at Fort Worth, Texas oct. 15-17.

Mr. M. Gerhardt, who formerly resided in Camden, but is now in business in Mobile, was murderously assaulted in his store by a man who pretended he wanted to make a purchase. He was struck over the head with an iron pin and sustained serious injuries that are not however fatal. He is slowly recovering and the man is in Mobile jail.

Capt. John Marston of Mobile, who died last week, aged 70 years, was a native of Camden and was a relative of the Ervins and Taits. Mr. Wm. B. Dunn, one of our oldest Camden citizens, says he remembers when he lived near here.

120 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 5, 1901

An altercation occurred near Furman last Friday between two men, about some pigs going into the field through a neglected gap. The dispute ended in the murdering of Jordan McChondichie by the other, Frank Savage Jr. Jordan McChondichie was one of our old men, and seemed to be a good, quiet old fellow. The murderer is a young man but has never been known to do anything bad. He is still at large.

Mr. F.W. Hare of Auburn was in the city a few hours Saturday. Mr. Hare graduated from the law department of the University last year, and took a very creditable stand in his class. He was en route to Monroeville on a prospecting visit, having stopped by here to see some of his college friends.

A BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE COUNTY: To the People of Wilcox County: The undersigned is gathering data for the purpose of writing a history of Wilcox, to be published in the near future.
The work will be historical, biographical, statistical, anecdotal and reminiscential. I trust the people of the county or elsewhere will give substantial aid in subscribing for this book, the only one of the kind ever undertaken in the county. It will be sold by subscription at 50 cents per copy. Parties desiring to subscribe can address the author at Oak Hill, Ala. – J.F. Lee, Oak Hill, Ala.

The first carload of cattle that has been carried over the Camden road was shipped by Mr. Joe Lambert Saturday afternoon. There were 39 head.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 30, 2021

Cliff Harper

23 YEARS AGO
AUG. 27, 1998

Barlow recipient of Hart Scholarship: Rotary Club of Evergreen, administrators of the Wendell Hart Scholarship Fund, announces that Ben Barlow has been named the recipient of the 1998 Wendell Hart Scholarship in the amount of $2,500.
This scholarship is presented in memory of Wendell Hart, former football coach of Evergreen High School. Coach Hart was dedicated to the success of his students not only in athletics but academics as well.
His enthusiasm and generosity so earned the respect of former students that they established this memorial scholarship in his name.
The Rotary Club of Evergreen continues to raise funds to help provide even more financial assistance to deserving students seeking higher education.

The Hillcrest Jaguars will kick off their 1998 football season at W.S. Neal in East Brewton tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The Sparta Academy Warriors kick off their 1998 football season on the road against Monroe Academy tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Their first home game is here in Evergreen next Friday.

34 YEARS AGO
AUG. 27, 1987

Warrior blanks Sparta 21-0: Warrior Academy blanked the Sparta Academy Warriors 21-0 Saturday night in Eutaw.
Robbie Bolton had 15 yards on four carries; Lee Wild, 10 on 12; Kenny Bledsoe, 15 on 9; and Jamie Deason, 7 on 5.
Bledsoe completed five of eight pass attempts for 24 yards and was intercepted once. Brad Watts was incomplete on two tosses. Jeff Carrier had two catches for 21 yards; Watts, 1 for 9; Craig Blackburn, 1 for 1; and Deason, 1 for a loss of 7 yards.

Probable starters on defense for the Evergreen Aggies when they open the season with J.F. Shields here Friday night at 7:30 at Brooks Memorial Stadium are Craig Palmer, James Gross, Patrick Atkins and James Grace; Travis Stallworth, Greg Stanton, Tony Simpson and Russell Meeks; and Earl Johnson, Steve Cunningham and Marvin Cunningham.

This is probably the way the Evergreen High Aggies will line up on offense here Friday night when they meet J.F. Shields in Brooks Stadium in the season-opener at 7:30: Travis Stallworth, TE; Patrick Atkins, T; James Gross, G; Craig Blackburn, C; Russell Meeks, G; Scott Jones, T; and Marvin Cunningham, SE; Tony Simpson, TB; Steve Cunningham, FB; Jack Harvey, QB; and Greg Stanton, TB.

Head Coach Ed Parrish and Assistant Coach Gerry Watson are readying their Evergreen High Aggies for their season opener with J.F. Shields High School of Beatrice Friday night.

48 YEARS AGO
AUG. 30, 1973

Evergreen Aggies open the season: The Evergreen High Aggies will open the 1973 football season tomorrow night when they meet the powerful Georgiana High Panthers in Georgiana at 7:30.
The Aggies are hoping for better things this season under their new head coach, Buddy Davis. Coach Davis has as assistant coaches Charlie Branum and George Armstrong.

Sparta Warriors meet Greenville: The  Sparta Academy Warriors will open the 1973 season here Friday night when they meet Greenville Academy in Stuart-McGehee Field.
Head Coach Richard Brown and assistant Jimmy Hart and “Check” Ellis are hoping to improve on last season’s 5-5 record.
Returning starters are Walt Lee Ward, fullback; Buddy Monroe, quarterback; Greg McKenzie, Will Ward and George McKenzie, guards; Sam Skipper and Walker Scott, halfbacks; Tubby McInvale, tackle; Larry Reid, center; and Bruce Hutcheson, end and quarterback.
Other players being counted on are Eddie Hooks, end; Danny Joyner, Larry Darby and Ronnie Pugh, guards; Woody Register and Dennis Culbreth, tackles; Johnny Cook, center; Joe Andrews, quarterback; and Danny Baggett and Bobby Johnson, halfbacks.

Cheering the Aggies on when they open the 1973 football season in Georgiana tomorrow night will be these Evergreen High School cheerleaders: Lisa Armstrong, Susie Neese, Maxine Matthews and Martha Smith; and Sara Ward, Co-Capt. Melinda Ausby and Capt. Rita House.

Eight of north Alabama and Georgia’s top professional wrestlers tangle in an eight-man battle royal tonight at the Evergreen High Gymnasium at 8 p.m. The battle royal will lead off the Evergreen Quarterback Club’s first big wrestling card.

73 YEARS AGO
AUG. 26, 1948

From “The Week’s Wash” by Bob Bozeman – Cool nights have brought a flurry of football talk, the consensus of which seems to be that Evergreen will have a better team than last year. Well, it won’t be long before we find out just what they do have.
Practice will start at the high school next Wednesday, and exactly three weeks from Friday night Evergreen tangles with the improved Bulldogs of Repton High. One of the season’s largest crowds will probably be here for that one.
I understand that last year the people over in Repton had to hire a few night watchmen from Monroeville to guard the town the night of the Evergreen game. Everyone in Repton had gone to Evergreen to see the game.

Aggie Gridders Report To First Practice Sept. 1: Coach Wendell Hart issued a call this week for all football candidates to report to the high school next Wed., Sept. 1, at nine o’clock. The Evergreen High School head coach said that equipment would be issued and practice get underway at once.
Coach Hart has a big job in front of him to get the team ready for their first game Sept. 17. The Aggies will play the Bulldogs of Repton High in the season-opener at Brooks Stadium on the night of the 17^th.
All boys who will try for the team are urged to be at the school at nine next Wednesday morning, so that no delays will be encountered. The team will have only about 11 practice days before the game with Repton.

The Evergreen Greenies lost to the Standard Roofers of Montgomery by a 9 to 6 score. It was the first game they had lost at home this year.

High School Stars Play At Tuscaloosa Friday: Football will get an early start in Alabama this year with two teams of handpicked high school stars of the 1947 season scheduled to play in Tuscaloosa tomorrow night. The game will be played in Denny Stadium under the best lighting system in the state.
The best backs and linemen that concluded their high school careers last year have been divided into two squads, one representing the northern part of the state and the other the southern. H.L. “Shorty” Ogle of Decatur is head coach of the northern squad and J.E. “Hot” O’Brien of Tallassee heads the southern coaching staff.
No Evergreen High players will play in this first all-star classic, but Coach Wendell Hart of EHS is assisting O’Brien. Russell Taylor of Enterprise and Comer Sims of Selma are the other members of the south’s coaching staff.
Cliff Harper, former principal of Evergreen High and now the first full-time secretary of the state athletic association, was a member of the South’s staff, but resigned to put all his time to promotional work on the game. The athletic association is sponsor of this annual game.

Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

USS Dalton Victory (T-AK-256)

23 YEARS AGO
AUG. 27, 1998

Sen. Richard Shelby told a group of about 120 Monroe County business and civic leaders that he supports President Bill Clinton’s decision to launch raids against terrorist bases in Afghanistan and the Sudan, though he isn’t sure what the president’s personal future holds.
On his annual swing through Monroe County, Shelby spoke to a luncheon meeting sponsored by the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, he was presented with a painting of the Old Monroe County Courthouse.

Frisco, Excel kickoff tonight: One of the most storied high school football rivalries in Monroe County will, for the first time in at least the past 22 seasons, help kickoff the 1998 season in the county.
Frisco City and Excel high schools are slated to open their seasons tonight (Thursday) in the “Battle of Escambia Creek.” Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Frisco City.
In the past, this game that pits two of the county’s biggest rivals against each other has been played much later in the season.

Spec. Michael Lynn Heath of Kongstein, Germany died Mon., Aug. 17, 1998 at Kilimik Sued Hospital in Germany after being injured in a car accident the previous week.
Heath was a native of Frisco City. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Frisco City, and a loving, devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was enlisted in the U.S. Army for the last four years, stationed in Vilsick, Germany.
Services were Mon., Aug. 24, 1998 at Anderson Funeral Home in Cameron, West Virginia. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery.

46 YEARS AGO
AUG. 30, 1973

Old Courthouse plans approved: The architectural firm handling the remodeling of the old Monroe County Courthouse building got the approval of the county commission Tuesday to advertise for bids on the work of renovating the exterior of the structure.
The estimated cost of repairing the exterior of the building will be from $45,000 to $50,000, according to the architects.
(Architect M.A.) Delahay said the plans call for grouting loose brick veneer back into place and making the building water tight. The structure will be covered with silicone and the cupola will be repaired.
He said engineers have checked the building and have found it to be structurally sound.

Watkins, Jones win golf tourney: The annual Vanity Fair Golf Club Tournament began Aug. 9 and concluded Aug. 25 with 54 local golfers competing. Forrest Watkins won the “A” division championship flight, and George Jones captured the “B” division championship flight.
Jim Kelly was runner-up in the “A” division with John Shannon winning the consolation. Jerry Dyess took the runner-up slot in the “B” division, and Jerry Steele won consolation.

Public school students in Monroe County will begin the 1973-74 school year tomorrow (Friday) when they report to their respective schools at 8 a.m.
Regular classes will not be held tomorrow as the day will mostly be taken up with registration and fee collection. Students are expected to be released by noon, said James Allen, county education superintendent.

73 YEARS AGO
AUG. 26, 1948

Four World War II Dead From Vicinity Are Enroute Home: Four World War II dead from Monroe County and vicinity are among the 206 from Alabama being returned to this country soon, according to information received this week from the Army Distribution Depot in Atlanta, Ga.
The remains of Pvt. Bennie F. Amerson, whose next of kin is listed as Mrs. Grace S. Amerson of Excel, and Pvt. Harry L. Gary Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Gary Sr. of Lanett, former residents of Monroeville, are scheduled to arrive from France aboard the U.S. Army Transport “Lawrence Victory.”
Arriving from the Pacific area aboard the “Dalton Victory” are the bodies of STM1 Preston V. McMillan, whose next of kin is Will A. McMillan, Star Rt. C, Atmore, and Pvt. Fred L. Stuckey Jr., son of Fred L. Stuckey Sr., Rt. 1, Evergreen. Both lost their lives during the struggle for the Philippines.

FRISCO CITY WILL PLAY JAY DOUBLEHEADER TODAY: Frisco City will meet Jay, Fla. this afternoon (Thursday) on the Frisco City diamond in a doubleheader baseball game which will conclude the playoff series between the two teams of the Tri-County Baseball League.
The Frisco City team defeated Jay, 11-2, on the Florida team’s diamond Sunday. T.I. Springer was the winning pitcher.

Clerk Is Appointed For Draft Board: Miss Jewell Coxwell of Monroeville has been appointed clerk of Monroe County Local Draft Board No. 50, it was announced this week by State Selective Service Headquarters. She is attending a three-day school for draft board clerks in Montgomery this week to learn registration procedures.

98 YEARS AGO
AUG. 30, 1923

MONROE COUNTY HIGH OPENS SEPT. 4: The annual session of the Monroe County High School will open on Tues., Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. An interesting program of exercises is being arranged for the occasion, the principal feature being an address by Hon. John McDuffie. All patrons and friends of the school and the public generally are cordially invited to be present.

MONROE HIGH PLANNING BIG FOOTBALL SEASON: With the opening of the High School only a week off, football fans are already beginning to sum up the prospects for the 1923 season. The authorities of the High School have arranged the most ambitious schedule ever attempted by a school in this part of the state. Atmore, Bay Minette, Grove Hill, Andalusia, Greenville and the Sidney Lanier High School of Montgomery have already signed contracts with Monroe High. The remainder of the schedule will probably be composed of Brewton, Selma and Jones Mill. Arrangements are being completed to bring the Sidney Lanier state champions here on Oct. 20 during the Monroe County Fair.

Monroeville’s first bale of the new crop of cotton was delivered in bulk at the local ginnery last week, but owing to the installation of new machinery the plant has not yet been able to convert it into marketable shape.

NOTICE TO ALL AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS: The town of Monroeville has on its Code of Ordinances a speed limit of 15 miles per hour. A car making 15 miles an hour is traveling at a very slow speed. So I hope all drivers of automobile will consider the danger of operating cars at a greater rate of speed on the narrow and crooked streets of Monroeville. I will prosecute all offenders to the fullest extent of the law after (July 3, 1923). – J.L. Bowden, Sheriff.

136 YEARS AGO
AUG. 28, 1885

We want 500 new subscribers to The Monroe Journal by Sept. 1^st in this county.

Prof. Eugene A. Smith, state geologist, was in Monroeville Wednesday and is at present in the county, examining our many marl heads, etc. He is an energetic worker and a competent officer.

Monroe Chapter No. 3 – Perdue Hill will have a regular convocation on the first Thursday in September, 1885. All members are expected to be present.

Perdue Hill – Cadet Pelham Agee of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis is visiting Jacksonville, the guest of Gen. Wm. H. Forney. – Jacksonville Republican.

Beef! Mr. W.B. Jones will have fine beef for sale on the 8^th and 10^th of September for the benefit of the Sunday School Convention.

Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Hybart of Bell’s Landing were visiting their many friends in Monroeville last week.

Mr. W.B. Jones has again opened his beef market at this place where he will be pleased to furnish his customers with choice beef at lowest market price. Market will be open every Saturday morning at 6:30, Northeast Corner Public Square.

Thanks to Mr. John White for a nice, large watermelon, received at (The Monroe Journal) office some time ago. We always appreciate such kind remembrances.

Singleton tells of 'Joe Buck' and his community cake sale misadventures

1931 Model A Ford coupe.

(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 “Joe Buck: A country headache remembered” was originally published in the July 24, 2003 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As I have said many times in my writings, I think a boy who didn’t grow up in the country during the hard times of the Depression missed a lot.

I would not like to see our country suffer from the hardships of this time in our history again, but all in all, there were also many good times enjoyed during these hectic days on a farm in the country.

I see the youth of today cruising around in their fine automobiles with plenty of gasoline to burn and money to spend, and I remember the times when no young person in the community had any form of transportation other than a farm horse or a mule to ride.

The “get together” or community gathering for the young folks always took place on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Horses and mules would be saddled up, and all met at the gathering place, and the afternoon fun time would start from there.

In this community where I grew up, there was a man everyone called “Joe Buck.” He was around 50 or so years of age, but he thought and tried to act as if he was about 15 or 16. He was a blacksmith by trade, and there in the farm community, he stayed quite busy in his blacksmith shop doing work for the local farmers.

Joe Buck made a good living due to his profession and that he was the only blacksmith in the area. He owned a 1931 Model A Ford coupe, which was quite nice in the days just before the start of the Second World War.

Joe Buck’s wife had passed away a few years before, and he could come and go as he pleased. He never let those who knew him forget that he was single and that he had an automobile and some money to spend.

Joe Buck liked to hang out with the young people of the farm community. He would always show up at the youth gatherings and church socials and many other events such as watermelon cuttings and ice cream suppers. So that he could be one of the crowd, he bought himself a fine horse and saddle. Then, when the youth of the community would get together for a Saturday afternoon trail ride, Joe Buck was always present with his fine horse and new saddle.

The boys of the youth group would seek out every opportunity to make Joe Buck’s life as miserable as possible on the afternoon get-togethers. If he turned his back for a moment or two, he might find that his saddle had been turned around on his horse, or his saddle girth had been taken off and hidden. But, with all the tricks that were played on him, Joe Buck never missed a community get together.

In a community nearby lived several quite attractive young ladies. Each time that some type of event took place over there, we, the youngsters of our community, were always invited to attend the event. Somehow, the news of a Saturday afternoon trail ride or any other event would always be known by Joe Buck. And, as always, before the good times of the afternoon got going, Joe Buck would show up, either on his fine horse or in his 1931 Model A Ford coupe.

Word was passed around that a cake sale was to be held at the old school house on a given Saturday night. The young ladies of the community would bake a cake or two and the cakes would be up for bid. If the high bidder of a given cake desired, he could sit with the young lady who cooked it, and they would cut the cake and the high bidder could share a slice with the young lady.

The group of young men there had earlier worked out a signal that notified the other young men not to bid against those who wanted to buy a certain young lady’s cake. This was due to the lack of money among the young boys of the area.

At that time, I was sweet on a dark-haired young thing in this community. I wanted very much to get the bid on her cake and enjoy eating some of it with her. However, as with most of the young boys there, my money was very limited. This was the reason for the signals, so as not to run up the prices that we couldn’t afford.

Shortly, as the cake sale was getting organized, in walked Joe Buck. Much to everyone’s surprise, Joe Buck was sporting a brand new cowboy hat. After making sure that everyone had seen his new hat, he removed it and placed it on top of a large old piano that sat right beside the window.

Within minutes, the bidding got underway. Joe Buck bought or raised the bids on several cakes, causing the young boys to miss the bids and not being able to share the cake with their favorite young lady.

The time came for my favorite young friend’s cake to be bid off. I had the total amount of $3.25 in my pocket. If the bid exceeded that amount, I would not be able to share the cake with the young pretty thing dressed in the nice gingham dress.

Much to my surprise, Joe Buck made the first bid on the cake. His bid was $1.25. I saw very quickly that I was about to be out-bid and my money was fast fading. I made the bid for $2.25. Joe Buck out-bid me by 50 cents. One could tell that my lady friend was very displeased, having to share the cake with the old man whom she disliked so much.

Disgusted and mad, I was about to turn and leave when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find one of my good friends standing behind me. My friend whispered for me not to move, that everything was taken care of.

While Joe Buck was enjoying eating the cake, two of my friends slipped out of the building and went around and reached up through the open window and got Joe Buck’s new cowboy hat off the piano. From a pasture just across a fence, a pile of fresh cow manure was placed in the new hat and placed again atop the old piano. Within a minute or two, my friend whispered that everything was under control.

As the evening drew to a close, the time came for Joe Buck to pick up his new hat. By this time, almost everyone there knew what had taken place. Everyone seemed to be waiting to witness what was about to take place. After Joe Buck carried his cakes to his automobile, Joe Buck came back for his hat.

As he picked up his new hat from atop the old piano, the weight of the cow manure in the hat caused him to almost drop it. Much embarrassed, he picked up the hat as one would grasp a paper sack by the top. Hurrying across the large room, with his new cowboy hat in hand, a very red-faced Joe Buck hurried to his car.

This would end for all times Joe Buck’s attendance at the community youth gatherings. Losing my bid on the cake and not being able to share it with the dark-haired young lady in the beautiful gingham dress had been worth it.

(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, 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 Lamison community in Wilcox County, Alabama was named after area's first railroad depot agent

Lamison Baptist Church in Wilcox County, Ala.

Wilcox County’s Lamison community is located in the northwest corner of the county, just south of the Marengo County line. If you ever travel north up State Highway 5 from Pine Hill, you’ll find Lamison about seven miles north of Anne Manie. You’ll know it when you get there thanks to the distinctive, green highway signs that let travelers know that they have entered one of the most historic communities in all of Wilcox County.

According to the book, “Place Names in Alabama” by Virginia O. Foscue, Lamison was first established as a settlement with a post office in 1888 because of its location on the old Mobile & Birmingham Railroad. Records reflect that the community was named after the location’s first railroad depot agent. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to discover his full name.

The earliest reference to Lamison that I could find in old newspapers was in the July 18, 1888 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era. That paper featured the Mobile & Birmingham Railroad schedule, which showed that daily trains arrived in Lamison at 9 a.m. every day except for Sundays. The next stop down the line toward Mobile was at Arlington, where trains could be expected to pull into the depot at 9:20 a.m.

I found myself traveling through Lamison on Friday, which many of you will remember was dark and stormy. Heavy rain began to fall and thunder boomed as I crossed into Lamison on State Highway 5. To wait out the worst of the weather, I pulled into the driveway of the Lamison Baptist Church, hoping that the downpour would eventually slack off.

When the rain slackened, I got out of my truck and took a closer look at this fine-looking, brick church. Of note on the church grounds is an old water well that’s covered with an old-fashioned, tin-topped wooden enclosure. While the well doesn’t presently have a bucket, you will find an old pulley that’s only in need of a good rope with which to draw up the cool waters from below.

On the other side of the church, you’ll find an old church bell that’s mounted on a distinctive wooden platform beside a flagpole topped with an American flag. A well-kept length of side walk leads up to the base of the platform and if you look closely, you’ll see a metal ring that can be pulled to sound the bell. While standing there, I could not help but wonder how many people over the years have rung this bell to call worshipers to and from services at this stately, old church.

Back in my truck, I pulled out my trusty National Geographic map of the area and saw that Lamison is sandwiched between Graham Creek and Mud Creek. These large creeks flow into each other just south of Lamison, and where they conjoin would have been prime real estate for ancient Indians centuries ago. One is left to wonder if there are any old village sites or mounds in and around this area today.

In the end, please let me hear from you if you have any additional information about Lamison’s early history. I’m especially interested in hearing any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Aug. 25, 2021

Alabama Gov. Gordon Persons

67 YEARS AGO
AUG. 26, 1954

Abernethy Speaker Here Tonight: Tom Abernethy, Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama, will speak tonight at 7:30 at the Camden softball field.
Abernethy is editor of the Daily Home, Talladega newspaper. For a number of years, he was a States Rights member of the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee. His father, the late Dr. T.Y. Abernethy, was at one time pastor of the Camden Methodist Church.
Abernethy will speak just prior to the local softball playoffs, when the final games will be played for the current season.

Hare, McLeod Fill Court Vacancies: Circuit Solicitor James A. (Jimmy) Hare of Browns has been named circuit judge, and Camden attorney Blanchard L. McLeod has been appointed solicitor of the circuit, replacing Hare. Announcement of the appointments was made Tuesday of this week by Governor Gordon Persons.
Judge Hare’s appointment fills the vacancy on the local circuit bench which was left when Judge W.E. Callen of Selma died on July 20. Hare has served as solicitor of the circuit since the death of the late Joseph H. James of Greensboro, who was solicitor for many years.
McLeod is the youngest son of Wilcox Probate Judge and Mrs. J.M. McLeod.

Sheriff Captures Robbery Suspect: Sheriff P.C. Jenkins announced this week the capture of Ezell Williams, a Pascagoula, Miss. man, in connection with the burglary of the Alabama Wholesale Co. at Pine Hill last month. Sheriff Jenkins said that approximately $2,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen in the July burglary.

80 YEARS AGO
AUG. 28, 1941

Mr. and Mrs. Roland Cooper and little Judy Cooper have moved into their lovely new home.

Hon. G. Lee Albritton Sr. is undergoing treatment at the Vaughan Memorial Hospital. His many friends over the county and state will be glad to hear that his condition is steadily improving.

MASONIC MEETING: Regular meeting of Dale Lodge No. 25 Monday night, Sept. 1, 1941. – Will Albritton, Secretary.

Dr. B.F. Jones of McComb, Miss. is visiting relatives in Caledonia and spent Tuesday in Camden. He was accompanied by his father, Mr. J.M. Jones.

Mr. Blanchard McLeod of Birmingham is the guest of his parents, Judge and Mrs. J.M. McLeod.

PINE HILL: The vacation Bible school held at the Baptist church last week was enjoyed by all children attending. The Intermediate Department closed their work with a formal dinner in the basement of the church on Friday evening. Members of the Methodist Intermediate Department were present.

CANTON BEND: Prof. Wm. Bryant left Saturday for Riverton where he joined his wife for a short visit to her relatives before returning to their home in Athens, Ohio.

93 YEARS AGO
AUG. 23, 1928

Camden’s First Bale of Cotton, Season 1928: Camden received its first bale of cotton for the 1928 season on Tuesday, Aug. 21, and was ginned next day, Aug. 22.
It was grown by Tommy Lewis in the Rock West neighborhood on the plantation of W.P. Harris.
It was auctioned off by Mr. Tom Roberts in front of the Court House on the public square and the bidding was by two of our cotton buyers, Mr. A.C. Carlton and the Matthews Hardware Co. Mr. Carlton made the first bid at 20 cents and after a spirited period of bidding, it was finally knocked off to Mr. A.C. Carlton for 24 cents, which would have made it bring 26 cents had it classed middling.

Mr. Joe Morgan of Pine Hill was a Camden visitor Tuesday. Prof. Huey, who has charge of the Vocational school at Pine Hill, was a visitor here Tuesday.

Prof. R.G. McWilliams of Oak Hill is rapidly recovering from an appendicitis operation at Vaughns Memorial Hospital. Richbough will teach at Birmingham Southern this next year.

Miss Adele Kirk, one of the popular teachers of Lanier High School in Montgomery, is spending the remainder of her holidays at her home in Lower Peach Tree. Miss Kirk spent several weeks on an extended Eastern tour. Miss Kirk will be pleasantly remembered as a former teacher in the Wilcox County High School.

Messrs. Joe Dunn and Bennett Slade were Selma visitors on Friday. While there, they attended the Montgomery-Selma ball game.

106 YEARS AGO
AUG. 26, 1915

The County Masonic Conference: The 23^rd annual conference of the Wilcox County Lodge convened with Dale Lodge at Camden on Tuesday night and will remain in session, through Thursday. Grand Master H.C. Miller of Birmingham is present and is imparting the unwritten work. Among other visitors are Dr. J.M. McConnich of Mobile; Dr. A.B. Curtis, T.A. Powe, A.L. Slaughter, of Lower Peach Tree; W.W. Ptomy, J.K. Ptomy and P. Giddens of Pine Apple; E.I. McBryde Sr. of Oak Hill; Rev. F.J. Tappey of Hunstville; S.C. Maxwell of Pensacola. The Grand Master, county delegates and visitors were felicitously welcomed by Past Grand T. Ill. Master Bloch and fraternal responses were made. The other lodges are expected to be present today. A full account of the proceedings will appear in our next issue. About 40 Masons are present at the conference.

The Senior Editor thanks Mr. W.R. Alford Sr. for an auto drive to Selma through Mt. Hope and the re-opened Boykins bridge route. The distance by speedometer measurement is 45-1/2 miles. Those in the party were W.R. Alford Sr. and Jr., D.H. Turner, Geo. Boltz and S.D. Bloch. We thank Mr. Alford for the nice drive.

Hon. Stonewall McConnico of Oak Hill had the misfortune to lose his barn the past week. Early in the night, he happened to walk out on his porch and saw the barn enveloped in flames. By rapid work, all the stock was saved but oats from about 100 acres were stored in it and were a total loss. The fire is supposed to be of incendiary origin and one suspect already has been arrested and placed in jail.

119 YEARS AGO
AUG. 28, 1902

Col. E.N. and P.E. Jones, Esq. have had their law office very much improved the past week.

Last week a storm at Shawnee blew a tree down across a man’s leg, breaking it, blew over several houses and did considerable other damage.

Dr. A.G. Ervin and family left last week for Evergreen, which city they will make their future home. Their daughter, Miss Ethel, has accepted a position in the District Agricultural College located there. The Era regrets to lose these good people from our county.

Dr. I.B. Foster, who has been at Nadawah the past two months, has accepted a position in Dr. F.B. Jones’ drug store. The doctor and Mrs. Foster are boarding at Miss Bettie McCaskey’s.

The drought has again interfered with the growth of cotton and the indications are Wilcox will not make a “bumper” crop this year.

The Era office was honored Monday by a visit from Misses Loretta and Carrie Sheffield of Canton Bend. Miss Loretta, who is a graduate trained nurse with four or five years experience, places an “ad” in this issue of the Era.

Trained Nurse: Any one desiring my service, call at my home in Canton Bend. Charges $3 per day & board. – MISS LORETTA SHEFFIELD.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 24, 2021

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley

15 YEARS AGO
AUG. 24, 2006

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported highs of 97 degrees on Aug. 15 and Aug. 20 and a low of 68 on Aug. 18. He reported .22 inches of rain on Aug. 15.

Hawsey resigns; Booker takes office: Conecuh County was shocked Tuesday at the news that Conecuh County Sheriff Tracy L. Hawsey was resigning his position.
His resignation was presented to Gov. Bob Riley shortly before 3 p.m. Monday and was effective immediately. During the interim before the appointment of a new sheriff, Conecuh County Coroner JoAnn Harper served as the chief law enforcement officer for the county.
Gov. Riley took no time in making the decision to appoint Edwin L. Booker to fill the vacancy Tuesday morning. Booker recently defeated Hawsey for the position in the runoff election in July. Booker was sworn in just before 9 a.m. Tuesday morning by District Judge Jeff T. Brock. He held a formal swearing-in ceremony later that day in the Conecuh County Courtroom with approximately 60 well wishers on hand.
Booker’s grandson, Clayton Peavey, took the honor of pinning on his badge; the same badge Booker wore during his service as sheriff of Conecuh County from 1975 to 1995.
(Booker) also moved quickly in hiring deputies to begin patrolling the county, some of which served under the Hawsey administration. They included Tyrone Boykin, Henry Jones, Andre Drakeford and James Powell. He also had three temporary deputies (Sean Klaetsch, Sharon Caraway and Van Sims) sworn in to help the other officers till he can fully staff his office.

40 YEARS AGO
AUG. 27, 1981

Evergreen weather reporter Earl Windham reported a high of 98 degrees on Aug. 17 and a low of 68 on Aug. 23. He reported .18 inches of rain on Aug. 20.

Randall Varner killed this big rattlesnake near Cohasset on Monday afternoon of last week. He also killed a smaller one. This rattler was four feet, seven inches long and had 17 rattles and a button.

Fire in Castleberry destroys two firms: A fire wiped out two business firms in Castleberry early Friday morning, but it could have been much worse, according to Mayor Wm. J. (Sonny) Barlow, without the prompt and effective action of the Castleberry, Evergreen and Brewton fire departments and the Conecuh County Rescue Squad.
Two businesses located in downtown Castleberry were completely destroyed: The Strawberry Patch, owned by Mrs. Janie (Dwight) Roberts of Evergreen, and Castleberry Auto Parts, owned by “Buddy” Crenshaw of Brewton. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The fire was reported at approximately 12:05 a.m., according to Castleberry Fire Chief David Stonestreet, and the Castleberry volunteer firemen responded promptly. The Evergreen Fire Department and the rescue squad were called in about 12:31 and the Brewton Fire Department a little later. The fire was under control by 4:15 a.m.

Ernest Franklin Pierce, 97, of 115 Pierce St., Evergreen, died on Fri., Aug. 21, in a local hospital after a long illness. He was one of Evergreen’s most senior citizens and much loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a member of a prominent, pioneer family and widely known in this area.

65 YEARS AGO
AUG. 23, 1956

Conecuh County Schools Will Open Thursday, September 6: Conecuh County schools will open for the 1956-57 session on Thurs., Sept. 6, according to H.G. Pate, Superintendent of Education.

City’s Street Paving Takes Step Forward; Curb Work Is Started: Evergreen’s $200,000 street paving project got underway again last week on Williams Avenue with the arrival of concrete curb forms.
Thursday, workmen began assembling the forms, while others began smoothing up the sides in preparation for setting the forms up. Everyday since Friday, concrete has been poured, and about a block on both sides has been completed, ready for final grading and paving.
When the project is completed, all streets in the city limits will be paved or hard surfaced.

Miss Susan Bozeman has returned from a weeks visit with Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bozeman in Dadeville.

Fairview Drive-In Café Under New Management: The Fairview Drive-In Restaurant, featuring dining and dancing, was reopened this week under the management of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ray Baggett, who also operate Ray’s Café in downtown Evergreen.
The new enterprise is located at Fairview, at the triangle of Highways 84 and 31. The building has been repainted on the outside and redecorated on the inside.
“We hope to be able to bring live music, that is, a dance band, at least once a week to the Fairview,” Baggett said. A square dance, with the music of Uncle Charlie Roberts, was held there last night.

90 YEARS AGO
AUG. 27, 1931

LARGE RATTLERS KILLED NEAR HERE PAST WEEK: Reports have been made during the past week of the killing of two large rattlesnakes in this vicinity. Mr. G.L. Heath tells of finding one in the road near Belleville a few days ago. He ran over it with his car crippling it to such extent that he was able to get out and finish killing it with a stick. It measured 56 inches.
Simp Aaron, farmer living near Evergreen, was exhibiting one which measured six feet and one inch Monday of this week that he killed near his home Sunday afternoon. This snake had 13 rattles.

ICE COMPANY OFFICES MOVED TO JONES-DEMING BUILDING: The district offices of the Gulf Ice and Cold Storage Co. were moved Monday of this week from the First National Bank building to the Jones-Deming Building on court square. The company is occupying the two offices on the corner which were formerly used by the county board of education.

Monday Sees Two Courts In Session: Monday was some “courting” day in Evergreen. The regular monthly term of County Court which is held every fourth Monday was held with Judge L.W. Price presiding. In addition, Judge F.W. Hare held the regular non-jury term of circuit court here on that day. This court was to have been held two weeks ago, but was postponed by the judge.
Among the out of town attorneys here for the term were C.L. Hybart and A.C. Lee of Monroeville, C.E. Hamilton of Greenville, J.L. Murphy of Andalusia, Mr. Thagard of Montgomery and Mr. Caffey of Brewton.
This was the first term over which Probate Judge L.W. Price presided.