Davison-McMillan Cemetery at Old Scotland, Alabama contains graves of early pioneer settlers

Old graves at Davison-McMillan Cemetery.

I was talking with my friend Al Nettles the other day, and he told me that his grandson, Andrew, in Florida recently led an effort to clean up the old Davison-McMillan Cemetery at Old Scotland. Andrew is active in Scouting and took on the cemetery clean-up work as a service project to earn his Eagle Scout rank. Andrew was assisted by members of his troop in Gulf Breeze and scouts from the Monroeville troop.

After talking with Al, it occurred to me that I had not been to the Davison-McMillian Cemetery in about 20 years. Many readers will remember how pretty the weather was on Friday, and I took advantage of it by taking a quick field trip to this this historic cemetery. For those who have never been there before, this cemetery is located on the north side of Old Scotland Road, about a mile and a half from the Old Scotland Presbyterian Church, which is about 12 road miles from Monroeville.

If memory serves, the last time I went to this cemetery, I was with local history expert Steve Stacey, who was giving me a tour of lesser-known history sites. At that time, the cemetery was overgrown and snakey with many of its grave markers covered by vegetation, dirt and other debris. If memory serves, it was hard to see very much in the cemetery back then due to its overall poor condition.

When I stepped out of my truck on Friday afternoon, I was very impressed by how much work had been done to this cemetery. The lane leading up the cemetery was as clean as a whistle, complete with new barrier posts and ropes on each side. The wooden sign at the cemetery’s entrance also looked new (and on the reverse of the sign you’ll find the names of the scouts who helped with the clean-up project).

The cemetery, which is located in a shady spot beneath a patch of tall trees, had also been cleared of all brush and vegetation. I could tell that a lot of effort had been put into the clean-up project. Visitors in the near future will have no trouble getting around inside this historic cemetery.

I wouldn’t call this cemetery large because, just eyeballing it, I’d say it contains less than 20 marked graves. The oldest that I saw dated back to 1837. Those graves include that of the Rev. Neil McMillan, a North Carolina native, who passed away in September 1837.

I must admit that I have always had a special interest in McMillan family history. My great-great grandmother was Mattie A. McMillan, who is descended from South Carolina pioneer, Bennet McMillan, who settled in Burnt Corn in the 1800s. Whether or not my family is related to any of the McMillans at Old Scotland, I do not know.

Andrew and the other scouts are to be commended for the fine work they have done at the Davison-McMillan Cemetery. It looks like there was a lot of hard work involved, and I’m sure that future visitors to the cemetery will appreciate their efforts. No doubt Andrew will receive high marks for his service project.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know any more information about the McMillan family in Monroe County or the Davison-McMillan Cemetery at Old Scotland. I’m especially interest in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from the Old Scotland area. If you know of anything along those lines, please let me know.

Unarmed Wilcox County hunter chased turkey gobbler on horseback, then ran the turkey down on foot

Biblical hunter Nimrod.

Spring turkey season is in full swing in Wilcox County, and I’m sure that many local hunters have had a good time trying to bring home one of these elusive sporting birds. Turkey hunters are a lot like most other hunters and fishermen in that they always have their fair share of entertaining hunting stories. I ran across one such story the other day while perusing an old edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era.

It was 88 years ago, in the April 19, 1934 edition of the newspaper, that readers saw an unusual turkey-hunting tale under the headline, “A THRILLING EXPERIENCE.” According to that story, S.J. Ervin of Rock West “proved himself a veritable Nimrod” on April 10, which was the last day of turkey season in 1934. (This year’s turkey season in Wilcox County doesn’t end until May 8.)

On that fateful day in 1934, Ervin had “gone on business into the swamp land of his plantation, riding horseback, and carried no gun. As he was jogging along at a slow gait, a fine turkey gobbler appeared some distance ahead of him. He immediately started in pursuit, running him through brush and briars until his horse gave out.”

At that point, Ervin quickly dismounted and began to chase the turkey on foot, running with all his might before finally capturing the bird. Once he had the turkey in hand, Ervin discovered that the turkey was missing some of the feathers on one of its wings, which prevented the bird from flying very high. Ervin and his horse were almost exhausted when they arrived home, but Ervin was “proud of his catch and enjoyed the thrilling race and the unusual and novel sport.”

After reading the story above, I did a little research, and I believe that S.J. Ervin was actually Samuel James Ervin Jr., who was born on New Year’s Eve in 1902. He would have been 33 years old in April 1934. From the sound of things, he was a remarkable man.

According to newspaper accounts, Ervin was a prominent Wilcox County cattleman and sportsman. In May 1959, he drowned in the Alabama River at Holley’s Ferry when he fell from a houseboat and into the river at night. His body wasn’t recovered until the next day.

His obituary said he was “widely known as an enthusiastic hunter and woodsman… an alumnus of Auburn and a strong supporter of the school’s football team, his interest in the sport taking him to many other games as well as those of his alma mater. He was an active planter and cattleman.”

I thought it was interesting that in 1934 the newspaper described Ervin as a “Nimrod,” a term that has largely fallen out of use. Nimrod was a character in the Bible, a great-grandson of Noah. In Genesis, Nimrod is described as a “mighty hunter before the Lord.”

In the end, I know that many hunters in the reading audience have their own hunting stories to tell. If you’ve got a good one that you’d like to share, please let me know. I’m especially interested in any old tall tales, ghost stories or local legends associated with hunting, so if you know of anything along these lines, please let me hear from you.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for April 27, 2022

Franklin K. Beck of Wilcox County

77 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1945

WITH THE 81^ST “WILDCAT” DIVISION IN THE PACIFIC: Pvt. Conrad H. Brantley, son of Mrs. Amanda W. Brantley, Pine Apple, Ala., has been awarded the Bronze Star by Maj. General Paul J. Mueller, Commanding General, 81^st “Wildcat” Infantry Division, for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the Japanese in the Palau Islands.
The ”Wildcat” Division invaded the Southern Islands of the Japanese held Palau Group, 500 miles east of the Philippines, on Sept. 17, 1944.
Pvt. Brantley was employed at the Maritime Shipyards, Mobile, Ala., prior to his entry into the service in June 1942.

Josiah Robins Bonner has returned from Washington, D.C. and will begin the practice of law in Camden. We wish for this fine young man a successful career. We are glad to have “Jo” with us again, and wish to welcome his pretty bride to our town.

KIMBROUGH: We continue to have heavy spring rains which is getting the farmers behind with their work, as most of the upland has been plowed and planted.

Mr. and Mrs. Corlis Coursey announce the arrival of a baby girl – weight, 8-1/2 pounds, whom they have named Leola Paulette.

BRITTON-HOOPER: The marriage of Margaret Strother Britton to W.A. Hooper of Danville, Kentucky was solemnized in Camden, April 20. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper left immediately for their home in Kentucky.

89 YEARS AGO
APRIL 27, 1933

Arlington: The funeral of Miss Marietta Bolen who died Saturday afternoon at a local hospital in Selma was held Monday morning at 11 o’clock at the County Line Baptist Church and the interment was made in County Line cemetery, Rev. White of the Baptist church conducted the services. Arlington joins with friends of the bereaved family in offering sympathy and condolence.

Confederate Memorial Exercises were most fittingly observed late Sunday afternoon. Prof. Fred Simmons of Bay Minette delivered a very beautiful and interesting address to a very appreciative audience. Bill Cook gave a splendid reading, the “Veterans Parade,” in fine style.

At a recent art exhibit at the Fine Arts Museum in Montgomery our own Miss Katherine Young Neville had a beautiful painting “Roses” on exposition and had honorable mention.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF HALF A CENTURY AND MORE AGO – F.P.M. Gilbert: Mr. Gilbert was an editor of a country newspaper of the olden times. He was rather a tall man of good size and slightly stooped in his shoulders. He had his printing shop on the lot that is now the front yard of Mr. Spencer Springer and had several rooms back of the shop in which he and his wife lived. His wife used to be his able assistant in setting type but I hardly reckon that she could be called the “Printer’s Devel” as she was a kindly disposed and useful woman. We think that Mr. Gilbert’s paper was called “The News and Pacificator.” We rather think that the old man left here in his old age and died elsewhere. – “SIXTY”

100 YEARS AGO
APRIL 27, 1922

The county board of education met in Camden last Wednesday and postponed the election of High School Principal.

The livery stable of Mr. B.M. Miller Jr., the barn of Dr. Hustis Jones and the shop of Mr. R.T. Dunn were destroyed by fire Saturday night. The 25 mules of Mr. S.F. Stuckey were saved, but mules were lost by Mr. Miller. All shop tools were destroyed, also two automobiles. The loss is estimated at about six to eight thousand dollars. It was only by heroic efforts that saved the home of Mr. Joe Dunn and the house owned by Dr. Hustis Jones. There is no clue as to the origin of the fire.

Camden High School boys played the Fulton High School boys two games of ball in Camden last week. The game was won by Camden, the score being 21 to 9. The game Saturday was in favor of Fulton, the score being 11 to 8.

It is with regret that we give up our efficient town marshal, Mr. Ed McWilliams, who has resigned to accept a position in Mobile with the railroad.

The fire alarm was given again Tuesday about noon when the plainer mill of Mr. Mobley caught on fire. They were not long in getting the fire under control and the damage was very small.

Mr. Tom Jenkins, one of our favorite ball players, and a Camden boy is at home this week.

\114 YEARS AGO
APRIL 30, 1908

Shawnee: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tait and baby, while returning from Ackerville Sunday, had quite a serious runaway. Mrs. Tait and baby were thrown from the buggy. The child was unhurt, but Mrs. Tait was considerably, though not seriously bruised. Mr. Tait escaped unharmed by finally jumping out. His buggy was considerably torn up, and the horse very much injured.

For Sale: One lady’s bicycle. High grade Waverly, and good as new. Cost $75. Will sell for $15 as owner has no use for it. Address “Bicycle,” care ERA office.

The Rain and Storm: One of the most severe rain storms that has ever fallen in this county occurred last Friday afternoon and night. About 4 p.m., the rain fell in torrents and again from 7 p.m. until about 10 at night it fell, fast and furious. While no one about here gauged the down pour, it is estimated that at least six inches of rain fell in that time. Pursley Creek rose to a tremendous height and people who have lived near the creek for more than 40 years say that it was from six to eight feet higher than ever known. Its bed could be seen from Broad Street in Camden and its rushing waters as it swept through the forest-lined banks were heard for several miles. The rain seemed to be general and from every portion of the county comes the news of destruction of crops and the washing of lands.

127 YEARS AGO
APRIL 24, 1895

During my absence from Camden, Mr. N. McArthur is my authorized agent and will be in my office every Wednesday and Saturday and will attend to all business affairs pertaining to myself or to the Wilcox Progress. – S.D. Bloch

The meeting of the United Confederate Veterans of Franklin K. Beck Camp No. 224 will be held in the courthouse at half past 2 p.m. on Fri., 26^th inst. The election of officers and of delegates to the Reunion to be held in Houston, Texas on May 23 to May 25 with other important matters are to be attended to, at said meeting.

NOTICE TROOP B: There will be a Mounted drill of Troop B every Wednesday evening at four o’clock and every Tuesday and Friday nights at Masonic Park. Each member will be expected to be present in uniform. By order of J.T. Beck, Capt.

PRAIRIE BLUFF: A terrific cyclone between three and four hundred yards wide visited this place on the night of 16^th inst., at about eight o’clock, coming from the direction of Southwest and traveling in a northeastern direction. Houses, trees and fences were completely demolished. On the Mathews plantation there were nine houses with their contents completely wrecked and blown away. The following day there was shattered furniture, bedding and shreds of clothing picked up a half mile away. A greater portion of the furniture and clothing has never been found. There were fifty or a hundred chickens killed. Some of them picked as clean of feathers as if they had been scalded in hot water. Some turkeys were stripped clear of feathers. Some people were badly bruised, but none were killed which was a miraculous escape.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 26, 2022

F-86 Sabre fighter plane.

10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 2012

Evergreen Mayor Pete Wolff III signed a proclamation Monday afternoon that officially declared the week of May 6-12 as Nurses Week in the City of Evergreen. A number of local nurses and hospital officials were on hand for the proclamation signing ceremony, which was held at Evergreen City Hall.

Hillcrest students headed to D.C. – Southern Pine Electric Cooperative announced this week that two Hillcrest High School students have been selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June.
Hillcrest High School’s Jassmine Riley and William Nettles Jr. were two of four students picked from a field of 25 high school juniors from Baldwin, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia and Monroe counties to attend the upcoming trip to the nation’s capitol.
Riley and Nettles were selected for the trip to Washington as part of the Southern Pine Electric Cooperative’s recent 2012 Washington, D.C. and Montgomery Youth Tour competition. Riley, Nettles and 23 other high school juniors were selected for the competition by the faculties at each of the high schools in the cooperative’s service area.

The Leadership Community Bankers division of the Community Bankers Association of Alabama held its annual Legislative Day in Montgomery on April 18. Representing Sparta Academy were Gabriella Hamrac and Amanda Thompson and representing Hillcrest High School were Brittany Jenkins and Tanae Rankin along with Kenny Bledsoe from the Bank of Evergreen.

35 YEARS AGO
APRIL 23, 1987

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported no rain between April 14 and April 20. He reported a high temperature of 86 degrees on April 20 and a low of 47 on April 16.

Little business council meeting: Mayor Pat Poole read a letter he received from the Navy. The Navy is giving the city an F-86 fighter plane to put on static display at Middleton Field Municipal Airport. The Navy will also repaint the airplane at the airport and put an insignia on it to give it its original appearance.

The first Strawberry Festival will be held Sat., May 2, in Castleberry. In the early 1920s, Castleberry was known as the Strawberry Center of Alabama. With the flood of 1924, three years of late freezes and the depression, the strawberry business was wiped out. So with all of this in mind, it was thought it would be appropriate to have a Strawberry Festival in Castleberry.
The proceeds from the Strawberry Festival will be used by the Town of Castleberry for improvements and repairs on the sidewalks downtown.

Construction is moving along on a new substation in Evergreen Industrial Park. The substation will serve firms in the Industrial Park and also serve Polyfelt, Inc. and Florida Favorite Fertilizer on Miller Sellers Drive.

The Thirty-Second Anniversary and Retirement Service for the Rev. H.J. Hawkins, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, 129 South Main St., Evergreen, will be observed Sun., April 26, at 3 p.m.

60 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1962

‘Open gates’ set Friday at Lagoon: The City of Evergreen will have “open gate” Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the new sewage disposal plant on lower Bruner Avenue near Sandy Creek, Mayor Zell Murphy, announced today.
On a fenced-in 40-acre site, the new plant probably would be little suspected as a sewage disposal if no sign identified it and no one was there to explain the set-up. What is seen is 27.7 acres of water and a neatly constructed masonry building that houses one of three pumping stations for the systems. The sloped banks of the lakes are well grassed, frogs are thriving there and one duck with several little ones has been seen on the water.
The total system, modern and adequate for a population of 8,000, cost a total of $321,856.55. It’s the biggest project ever undertaken by this city. Contract on the lagoon disposal, consisting of the site development and lake construction was awarded to Hooper McDonald of Andalusia at a cost of $62,215.
L.F. Wilder Construction Co. of Birmingham constructed the pumping stations and outfall lines on a low bid of $234,125.23. Engineering for the system was done by J.B. Converse & Co., Inc. of Mobile. A third of the cost, $96,556.97, was paid by the federal government and the city issued bonds on the electrical and sewer revenues to finance the remainder.
Someone will be on hand all day Friday to answer questions and explain the system. Everyone interested is cordially invited to go by.

85 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1937

AGED CONFEDERATE VETERAN PASSES: Robert Thompson, known to all as “Uncle Bob,” aged 93 years, and a Confederate veteran, died at his home in the Loree community on Thursday evening at 6:30, death apparently due to heart failure or stroke of apoplexy. He fell dead as he attempted to rise from his bed. The deceased was born and spent his entire life at his home where he died, was never married and since his mother’s death, some 20 years ago, had lived alone. Nearest surviving relatives are nephews and nieces.
Funeral services and interment were held at the Arkadelphia cemetery, seven miles west of Evergreen, conducted by Rev. S.P. Lindsey of Belleville with Rutland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Body of Accident Victim Identified: Identification was made Monday of the body of a young white man which was found mangled and dismembered on the L&N right of way two miles north of Castleberry last Saturday, when J.B. Bell of near Brewton, declared that description of the body confirmed the belief that the victim was Rex Matheney of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
The body was buried in Potter’s field here Monday with Rutland Funeral Home in charge.
The young man had been employed by Mr. Bell, according to reports, and the names and addresses found among the effects of the pockets were those of friends with whom the victim had intended corresponding following his arrival at his West Virginia home.
Tattoo marks on the arms, including initials “R.B.,” were instrumental in determining the dead man’s identity.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for April 25, 2022

Chris Hines of Evergreen, Ala.

10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 2012

Warriors record baseball victory: Sparta Academy finished the 2012 season with a win Monday of last week by beating Atmore Christian, 11-4, in Evergreen.
Eli Tyree led Sparta on offense, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a three-run home run. Ethan Roberts followed closely with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate.
Drew Hardin finished the game with two hits. Hunter Hanks, Jacob Hendrix, Taylor Chavers and Jacob Lee chipped in one hit each.

Hines to host hoops tourney: Conecuh County basketball legend Chris Hines announced on Monday that the Hines Basketball Academy’s inaugural Spring Fever Classic Basketball Tournament will be held on May 11-13 at Hillcrest High School in Evergreen. All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Hines Basketball Academy to help pay for upcoming basketball camps in Conecuh County and different summer sports activities for Conecuh County youth, organizers said.

SA girls tie for state title: Sparta Academy’s girls track and field team tied for the AISA’s AA state title during the recent state track and field meet in Selma, and one member of the team (Grace Matlock) was named the state’s top triple jumper.
During the state qualifying round and state finals on April 18-19 at Jordan Memorial Stadium in Selma, the team tied Escambia Academy for first place in the Alabama Independent School Association’s AA Division.
(Members of the team were Alex Etheridge, Ashley Riley, Rachel Riley, Emily Rodgers, Stephanie Martin, Matlock, April Palmer, Brandy Moorer, Kaitlyn Beverly, Charlie Conway and Coach Russ Brown.)

35 YEARS AGO
APRIL 23, 1987

Warriors win 3 games, lose 1: The Sparta Academy Warriors won three baseball games and lost one in recent action.
Sparta defeated Fort Dale-SBA, 10-7, in Greenville on April 7. Jeff Walker was the winning pitcher, giving up six hits and seven runs. Sparta had 12 hits and 10 runs. Walker, Tim Wilson, Johnny Brock and Brad Watts had two hits each.
Sparta defeated Crenshaw Christian Academy, 12-2, in a game played in Evergreen April 10. Lee Wild was the winning pitcher, giving up four hits and two runs. Watts had two hits, including a triple. Jeff Carrier, Walker and Brock also had two hits each.
Wilcox Academy defeated Sparta, 10-4, in Evergreen April 14. Walker was the losing pitcher. Wilcox had 10 hits and 10 runs while Sparta had six hits and four runs. Mike Osban had two hits and Carrier and Wild one hit each.
Wild hurled a three-hitter in Evergreen April 16 as Sparta blanked Escambia Academy, 10-0. Sparta had 13 hits and 10 runs. Jeff Walker had a single, a double and a triple. Kenny Bledsoe, Robbie Bolton and Brock had two hits each.

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman: I have just finished reading “Bowl, Bama, Bowl” by Al Browning and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are a football fan, I heartily recommend it. If you are a Crimson Tide fan, it is a must for your library.
Al Browning is a native of Brewton and some of you may know him. He is a 1973 graduate of the University of Alabama and served nine years as sports editor and columnist with The Tuscaloosa News.

60 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1962

Already hitting the 1962 baseball season with a smashing success, the Evergreen Aggies, along with their coach, Lewis Ramsey, are mighty proud of their efforts. They are Arlie Phillips, Tommy Hartley, Marvin Padgett, Leon Stinson, Robert Rigsby, Donnie Jones, Grady Ralls, Eddie Lambert, Jimmy Pate, Duncan Roberts, Sid Lambert, Don Holcomb, Bonner Ridgeway, Legran Lynch, Frank Pugh, Ronnie Jones, Willie Mack Pate, Jimmy Weaver, Conner Warren and Coach Ramsey. As of Tuesday morning, the Aggies had four wins out of five games.

Jimmy Ryan of Greenville won his fifth Evergreen Invitational Golf Tournament championship on April 12 while defending champion Bill McGehee finished second and Bayne Petrey third to bolster home club pride. McGehee has won the local tourney twice and current Club President Bonnie King is the only other local golfer to keep the title at home.

Quarterback To Post Election Returns, Sell Snacks May 1: The Evergreen Quarterback Club will sponsor a concession stand and vote return tally Tuesday night, May 1, next to the Courthouse, Tom Tidwell, president, said today. Up to the minute reports on all local and state election returns will be prominently posted on a large blackboard. All proceeds from the drinks and snacks will go to support and athletic program of Evergreen High School.

85 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1937

Evergreen High School: Tuesday morning we were very glad to have “Shorty” Propst, a former Alabama football star, visit us. Coach Propst was in search of future football material for Memphis college.

Bulldogs Lose to Georgiana, 14 to 4: Georgiana High defeated the Evergreen Hi Bulldogs last Friday afternoon by a score of 14 to 4 on the Georgiana diamond.
Jim Lane, starting Bulldog hurler, was wild and inefficient, and his mates’ bobbles added to the rout of the locals.

Robert Kendall Jr. of Evergreen resigned as president of the new Interstate Baseball League at a meeting held in Brewton last night, being succeeded by James McCurdy Jr. of Flomaton.
C.R. James of Evergreen was elected league statistician, and William N. McGehee treasurer at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Practice sessions by the local club are to be held beginning late this week at Gantt Field and all residents of Conecuh County who desire to participate in baseball this summer are urged to contact Mack Binion Jr. or Cumbie Snowden, so that the roster may be prepared in time for submission to the league office.

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

Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile.

36 YEARS AGO
APRIL 24, 1986

Six Monroe County citizens plan to attend the first statewide convention of the Alabama New South Coalition in Mobile May 9-10.
“A local chapter of New South has been formed, and we are sending six voting delegates to the convention,” said Kenneth Lamar of Monroeville, the president of the Monroe County chapter and one of the delegates.
The other five delegates from here to the two-day convention at Stouffer’s Riverview Plaza Hotel are Johnny Jones, Herbert Knight, Robert Ollison, Eloise Watts and Antoinette Kinchelow.

Winningest coach: The University of South Alabama’s head women’s basketball coach Charles Branum, a former resident of Monroeville, recently became the Lady Jaguars all-time winningest coach, averaging 20 wins per season for the last four years. He noted in an interview with The Mobile Press Register recently that he was looking forward to the 1986-87 season. Branum is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Branum of Monroeville.

Water Board buys land on Rose Drive: Monroeville’s municipal water system has made a down payment on 22 acres that may be used eventually for a new well and warehouse, and wants to sell land that it now owns next to outlet property.
(Water system manager) Johnny Snyder explained that when the board was looking for a well several years ago, hydrologists studied the Monroeville area and determined that the best sites were on Ivey Street, the Camden Highway and Rose Drive. The Rose Drive acreage has now become available, and the board wanted to buy it so that “when we need a well, we’ll have a potential site,” Snyder said.

60 YEARS AGO
APRIL 26, 1962

Vredenburgh Mill Destroyed By Fire As Area Firemen Fight Holocaust: One of the largest sawmill operations in the South was destroyed Saturday night when fire leveled the E.L. Bruce Co., Inc. sawmill at Vredenburgh.
Seven fire trucks, all pumpers, from Camden, Beatrice, Excel, Monroeville, Frisco City and Vredenburgh fought the fast burning blaze, but were unable to curb the fire’s destruction.
The cause of the blaze was not known immediately.
Founded by the late Peter Vredenburgh, a multi-millionaire lumberman, the mill reportedly produced more than a half-million feet of lumber each week.
Andy McAlpine, a company official, said no estimate has been made of the damage caused by the fire or the number of persons who would be out of work as a result.
One eyewitness said two firemen were on duty in the boiler room at the time the blaze started in the sawmill.

HOMECOMING QUEEN – Miss Melba Booker reigned as queen over the homecoming festivities at Beatrice High School Friday. She was crowned during the parade of floats at 7 p.m. Her attendants were Misses Jimmie Alice Booker and Margaret Scofide.

IT’S NO TALE – Clarence Young of Frisco City has proof to back up his fisherman’s tale as he shows the 10-1/2 pound green trout he caught in a branch near Dr. W.R. Carter’s pond Monday afternoon. His “rig” was a hand pole, minnow hook and worm bait.

85 YEARS AGO
APRIL 22, 1937

Elementary Schools Close This Week: The elementary schools of Monroe County will close on Fri., April 23, after a term of seven and one-half months, which is the longest in the history of education in this county.
A term of seven months is provided for the elementary schools of the state in the minimum program and for the first time in some years the state has been able to meet appropriations for this field of education. The extra two weeks were obtained in this county by the collection of the fee at the beginning of the school year which is authorized by the state. During the past years, it has been necessary to use these fees for incidental expenses of the schools when the state failed to meet its appropriations.

R.W. Baggett Is Made First Lieutenant: Robert W. Baggett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Baggett of Monroeville, was recently appointed a First Lieutenant Infantry in the service of the Militia, State of Alabama. This was a promotion from the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was made on the basis of the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Mr. Baggett.

Local Orchestra Is Re-Organized: The Coxswains, local dance orchestra, has recently been reorganized.
The personnel of the band includes: Elizabeth Feagin and Sam Yarbrough, violins; Ed Clapp, Moses Katz and Charles Skinner, trumpets; Alvin Coxwell, Roy Hendrix, Mack Feagin and David Katz, saxophones; Mrs. A.V. Culpepper, piano; Dayton Russell, bass; and Charles Robert Dennis, drums. The band is now open for any public engagements.

111 YEARS AGO
APRIL 27, 1911

A total eclipse of the sun will occur Friday next, April 28, and if the evening is clear can be observed about 6:30 o’clock as a partial eclipse. The eclipse will be generally visible throughout the southern states between the hours of six and seven o’clock, weather permitting. The line of totality passes through the south Pacific Ocean only. The duration of the eclipse will be longest at Vauva Island in the South Pacific archipelago and several expeditions will make observations from that point.

The law and equity court will hold its first regular term during the coming week. Business on the equity side will be dispatched.

Criminal Cases Disposed Of: The following cases were disposed of during the second week of the spring term of circuit court: The State v. Cora Hutchison, murder, nol. pros.; W.M. Booker, assault to murder, continued; Geo. Phillips, assault to murder, sentenced to penitentiary for five years; Aaron Watts, murder second degree, continued; Ed Rabb, assault to murder, continued; Jim Owens, assault to murder, plea of guilty a.w.w., fined $50; Arthur Stallworth, murder second degree, nol. pros.; Clyde Watson, assault to murder, plea of guilty a.w.w., fined $100; Alex Murphy, murder second degree, sentenced four years in penitentiary; Bailey Sims, assault to murder, continued; Andrew McMillan, murder, continued; W.C. Neville, murder, continued; Todd Culbreth, murder, continued; Henry Sanders, murder, continued; Will Smith, murder, sentenced to penitentiary five years; Stephen Lawyer, assault to murder, continued; Leslie Coleman, assault to murder, guilty a.w.w., fined $50.

135 YEARS AGO
APRIL 28, 1887

Circuit Court was called Monday at 12 o’clock precisely. Mr. Wm. Cater of Turnbull was made foreman of the Grand Jury. Judge Clarke then delivered his charge to the jury respecting their obligations and powers in his usual able, clear and explicit manner after which that august body immediately retired to their room to enter upon the discharge of their responsible duties as the great moral teachers of the commonwealth.
Solicitor Taylor – the friend to the oppressed and the terror of evil doers – is at his post to look after the interest and dignity of the State. The docket is light in comparison with previous terms, there being only 66 criminal and 20 civil cases.

Mr. H.B. Rikard, the energetic and progressive young merchant of Pineville, was in to see us Monday.

The Monroe County Medical Society met in the office of Dr. J.T. Packer at this place yesterday with a good attendance of members.

Dr. Packer has had his buggy newly painted, and it now looks as neat as a new pin.

The dry spell of the past six or seven weeks was broken last Friday night by a most refreshing rain.

Cotton planting will occupy the time of the average farmer for the next few days.

Miss Flora Parker of Tuscaloosa, one of the most beautiful and accomplished young ladies for which the City of Oaks is famous, is visiting the family of her aunt, Mrs. J.H. Frye, at this place.

Alabama's ancient Indian mounds come in all shapes and sizes

Fuller Indian Site in Spanish Fort.

A couple of Saturdays ago, my wife and I rode down to Malbis to eat at one of her favorite restaurants. Our route took us down State Highway 225, between Stockton and Spanish Fort. As we passed General Canby Boulevard, I could not help but remember that it was about a year ago that my son James and I took a few minutes to visit an ancient Indian site that can be found within the large subdivision on the east side of the Blakeley River.

This prehistoric site is known as the Fuller Indian Site and sits on a bluff that overlooks Mobile Bay and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This site, which is listed on the Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail, consists of a shell midden left behind by Indians who gathered there to eat as far back as 5,000 years ago. (“Midden” is just a fancy word for a trash pile.)

Much of this midden mound consists of Rangia clam shells. I later learned that these clams are native to the Gulf of Mexico and were consumed in great numbers by Indians in that area. Many of you have no doubt seen these small clam shells along the beaches at Gulf Shores.

You’ll find this site nestled in a residential neighborhood, surrounded by upscale homes with luxury vehicles parked in the driveways. One of the first things you see when you arrive is a historical marker that tells you more about the site. That marker reads as follows – “This ancient shell midden and the surrounding area were occupied by prehistoric Native Americans dating back 5,000 years. Numerous stone tools and pottery sherds were recovered during a cultural resources study conducted by Archaeological Services, Inc. This archaeological site was donated to the Archaeological Conservancy by the Fuller family in 2006 to be preserved for future generations.”

Most of the midden mound is enclosed within a wooden fence. Up close, you can see that the mound is made up of thousands and thousands of clam shells, many of which are as hard as a rock from age.

Those of you who have been to the Fuller Site before will know how much this site resembles the elaborate shell mounds at Dauphin Island. James and I visited those mounds in August 2017 during a trip to Fort Gaines. Those mounds are contained within a large park that features a network of walking trails that takes visitors in and around the large mounds.

Over the years, I’ve tried to locate and identify any old Indian mounds that can be found in Monroe County, and while I know where a few are located, I haven’t had much luck.  I’ve heard that there are a few scattered about on private property, but the owners prefer to keep their locations private. With that said, if you know of an Indian mound in our area and wouldn’t mind showing it to me, please let me know because I am always up for a good field trip.