The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 16, 2021

Evergreen boxer Clint Jackson.

15 YEARS AGO
AUG. 17, 2006

Sparta Academy head coach Clint Floyd is preparing the Warriors for their first-ever Saturday night season opener.
Sparta is scheduled to play East Memorial Christian Academy Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. in Prattville. Floyd said the game will be played at Prattville High School’s stadium on artificial turf.
Last Thursday’s scrimmage with Dixie Academy in Evergreen left Floyd feeling good about the defense and concerned about the offensive line play.
Floyd said Myles Wiggins did a good job running the offense in the scrimmage at quarterback, but he may play some running back too. J.R. Williams and Taylor Brown are also still working at quarterback.
Floyd said senior halfback Chase Brown, who broke the first play for 35 yards, had a good scrimmage last Thursday.

Hillcrest opened the second full week of summer practice with 52 players dressed out.
(Hillcrest head coach Maurice Belser) said eighth-grade quarterback Justin Nared has had a good summer along with halfbacks Derrick Page and Jarvis Holder as well as receivers Conrad Atkins and Blake Bryant.
Defensive standouts this summer include John Dees, Derrick Smith, Roderick Rudolph and Neal Presley.
“John is our middle linebacker and our leader and motivator on defense,” said Belser.

32 YEARS AGO
AUG. 17, 1989

In 1986, students of the late Coach Wendell Hart promoted a fundraising campaign designed to offer a scholarship in his memory to Conecuh County students.
The purpose of this scholarship is to honor a great teacher and an outstanding coach. Coach Hart touched the lives of many students through his caring attitude.
The scholarship committee is proud to announce that the first scholarship will be awarded at the end of the 1989-1990 school year.

Clinton Jackson has been sentenced to serve a life sentence in the state penitentiary in the kidnapping of Evergreen bank executive Tom Salo. Circuit Judge Sam Welch of Monroeville handed down the sentence.
Jackson, a native of Evergreen, was something of a local hero when he qualified for the U.S. Olympic boxing team in the late 1970s.
A Conecuh County Circuit Court jury found Jackson guilty of kidnapping, first degree, on June 29 after one of the longest trials ever held here. The trial began on a Monday and continued through Thursday.

48 YEARS AGO

AUG. 16, 1973

Jeff Kimbro holds the trophy he won as Most Valuable Player in the American League of the Evergreen Jr. Baseball League. Jeff, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kimbro, was elected by the players for this honor.

Ronald Williams receives degree: Ronald E. Williams of Brewton is a summer graduate of the University of West Florida, Pensacola with a BS degree and a major in physical education.

Williams is a graduate of Conecuh County High School where he earned several honors in basketball. He has been employed by the Conecuh County Board of Education as assistant football coach and varsity basketball coach at Lyeffion High School.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Baggett and Angie have moved to Tallassee, Ala. where he has accepted a position as coach of Tallassee High School.

These players were chosen from the Chicks and Pelicans to form an All-Star Team which played the champion Orioles in the American League All-Star Game Friday night. The game concluded the season.

These Orioles were champions of the American League of the Evergreen Jr. Baseball League this summer. They played an All-Star Team in a game Friday night to conclude the season.

63 YEARS AGO
AUG. 21, 1958

Aggies Open Drills; Play Atmore Sept. 12: The Evergreen Aggies started fall football practice this morning at five o’clock. Twenty-five boys reported for the first session under Coaches Wendell Hart and Jeff Moorer. The Aggies will have two practices daily until school starts. Early morning practices will begin at five and afternoon sessions will start at five.
Eight lettermen are back from last year’s team and will form the nucleus for this year’s 11. Lettermen are Robert Ellington, Robbie Boykin, Jimmy Bell, Elvin Higgins, Ken Tucker, Wayne Peacock, George Bolton, Byron Warren and Paul Pace.
Other Aggies reporting for duty were Billy Melton, Leon McKenzie, Leon Stinson, Ceylon Strong, Bobby Smith, Shannon Griggers, H.W. Ward, Connie Rigsby, Wayne Stinson, Cleveland Brown, Paul Hardin, Bonner Ridgeway, Brown Boykin, Robert Brooks, David Hyde, Duncan Roberts and Billy Hammonds. Several more boys will report after school starts on Sept. 4.
Practices will be limited to calisthenics and light work until the boys are conditioned. They will don pads for heavy work and scrimmages after school begins.
Fans will have the opportunity of seeing the Aggies in action Sept. 12 when they tackle the Atmore Blue Devils at Brooks Stadium: The schedule is as follows: Sept. 12, v. Atmore; Sept. 19, at Andalusia; Sept. 26, at Monroeville; Oct. 3, at W.S. Neal; Oct. 10, v. Greenville; Oct. 17, v. McKenzie; Oct. 24, v. Opp; Oct. 31, Open; Nov. 7, at T.R. Miller; Nov. 14, at Georgiana; Nov. 20, v. Dozier.

The Evergreen Golf Club’s annual Handicap Tournament is slated to get underway soon, according to Brown Boykin, chairman of the tourney.
Boykin says that the entrance fee is $1.50 and urges local golfers to contact him immediately so that play may begin as soon as possible.
The tournament will be a match play affair. Herman Bolden is the defending champion.

The swimming classes at the Evergreen Swimming Pool ended their summer instruction with a swimming and diving contest Tuesday.

Phillip Camp and Knud Nielsen tied for first place in the diving contest. The Short Distance Swimming race was won by Larry Yeargan and Larry tied with Sally Anderson for first place in the long-distance swimming match.

The final event was a relay affair and the team headed by Sally Anderson won the first-place honor. The other members of the team were Phillip Camp, Elinor Stallworth, Larry Griffin and Bobbie Helen Herlong.

The swimming classes were under the direction of Recreation Director Jeff Moorer and about 50 youngsters received instruction during the summer.

77 YEARS AGO

AUG. 17, 1944

Dove and Duck Hunters Given Longer Seasons: Montgomery, Ala. – The 1944-45 migratory bird hunting regulations, promulgated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Ira N. Gabrielson, approved by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes and enacted into law by signature of President Roosevelt, will give Alabama dove and duck hunters longer shooting periods, it was announced by Conservation Director Ben C. Morgan. Dove bag limits will remain the same as last year – 10 per day or in possession – but duck bag limits have been liberalized in what Dr. Gabrielson explained “as a temporary expedient.”

A shooting period of 55 days – 15 more than last year – will be given dove hunters in the form of a split season, Sept. 16-Oct. 15 and Dec. 25-Jan. 20, with shooting being permitted all over the state.

Ten days have been added to the migratory waterfowl season – which includes ducks, geese, brant and coots or poule d’eaux – opening Nov. 2 and closing Jan. 20. The additional days in January will permit hunters a better opportunity to bring home a normal bag of ducks, the latter being down in great numbers during that time. November shooting, because of warm weather and lack of ducks, has always been looked upon with disfavor. The Department of Conservation has, for some years, sought extension of the duck season to its present closing date.

The daily bag limit for ducks will remain at 10, but an additional bag of five mallards, pintails and widgeons, singly or in the aggregate, will be permitted.

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

Radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.

29 YEARS AGO
AUG. 20, 1992

Frisco oil find draws acclaim: The fifth oil well drilled by Nuevo Energy Co. in the North Frisco City Field was tested Friday, and it is the third consecutive well found to be capable of producing more than 3,000 barrels of oil per day.
The North Frisco City Field has attracted national media attention with reports that it is one of the largest fields of high-quality crude oil in the continental United States. For example, ABC’s nationally broadcast radio commentator Paul Harvey mentioned the Frisco City discoveries on the air Tuesday.

Coker makes big career step: George Coker made a step from college straight into the coaching field that very few first-timers ever make when he became the head football coach at J.F. Shields High School in Beatrice.
Coker graduated from Troy State University last September with a bachelor of science degree in business management and a minor in administration.
Coker began working with 26 players when fall practice began Monday of last week. He expects to pick up a dozen more good football players when school starts next week.

Monroeville native Mark Whittington is currently serving a pastoral internship at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile.
A religion major, Whittington, 21, is a 1992 graduate of Mobile College and a 1988 graduate of Monroe County High School. He is the son of Rev. and Mrs. Vince Whittington. Vince Whittington served as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Monroeville from 1981-1990.

54 YEARS AGO
AUG. 17, 1967

Diving Course Begun By Squad: Five members of the Monroe County Rescue Squad began initial lessons in skin diving Monday night with the second lesson set for tonight (Thursday). Don Sales of Monroeville is the instructor.
Members of the squad who took the first lessons were Randolph Lambert of Goodway, Sheldon Bayles and Tommy Booker of Monroeville, and Darrell Browning and Buddy Enzor of Frisco City.
Lessons are being taught at the municipal swimming pool in Frisco City.
Claude Wilkerson of Frisco City, president of the rescue squad, said advanced lessons will include learning to work together as a team in locating drowned victims in lakes, ponds, rivers, etc.

Plans For New Shopping Center At Monroeville Are Revealed: Plans were revealed this week for a proposed new shopping center and an addition to the present one in Monroeville by Fred Sheffield.
Mr. Sheffield of Monroeville said the new shopping center will be located on a 12-acre plot one block east of Alabama Avenue and two blocks from the square on Winston Avenue. The location is near the present shopping center, which was opened by Mr. Sheffield in February 1965.

The construction of an inlands docks and grain facilities on the Alabama River in Monroe County was one step nearer reality this week due to a bond issue which is up for vote in the House. The $2 million bond issue, which has already passed the Senate, will provide for three different facilities along the Alabama River with the facilities in Monroe County expected to cost about one-half million dollars.

79 YEARS AGO
AUG. 20, 1942

LIGHTNING STRIKES J.F. FINKLEA HOME: During a thunderstorm Sunday afternoon, lightning struck the home of Mr. J.F. Finklea and did considerable damage to the walls of a bedroom, burned out a radio and slightly damaged a window sill and chimney.

Miss Doris Hendrix Joins WAAC Forces: Miss Dot Hendrix of Monroeville, one of the first 17 girls from this state to enlist in the WAAC, was sworn into the Army at Ft. McClellan on Friday. Miss Hendrix is at home now subject to call at any time, and will report to Des Moines, Iowa for further assignments.

BIRTHDAY PARTY: Misses Jennie and Nannie Faulk were joint hostesses Thursday afternoon at a birthday party given for little Cecelia Ingram. The honoree was the recipient of many attractive gifts.
Games were enjoyed and a refreshment course was served to the following guests: Doris Dees, “Punk” Simmons, David Stallworth, Jimmy Wiggins, John Fowler, Joe Smith, Ann Busey, Anette Ryland, Jeanette Green, Bill Owens, John Byron Carter and Cecelia Ingram.

Biggest Sale Of Summer Held At Stockyard Tuesday: The biggest and best sale during the summer season was held at the stockyard here Tuesday when farmers marketed an unusually good grade of cattle and hogs. At the sale Tuesday, there were 293 cattle, 264 graded hogs, weighing 49,260 pounds, and 133 feeders, which sold for $18,814.33. Top hogs sold for $13.80.

104 YEARS AGO
AUG. 16, 1917

Mr. A.C. Lee and ye editor were business visitors to New Orleans last week.

Miss Jennie Faulk left a few days ago for Atlanta to select her fall stock of millinery. Her numerous friends and patrons will await with impatience her return and the announcement of her seasonal opening.

The work of demolishing the old grammar school building is well advanced and the material for the new brick structure is arriving. Dirt will be broken for the erection of the new edifice within a few days, and the building will be rushed to completion as rapidly as possible. It is hoped to have it ready for occupancy by the usual date for the opening of the school term.

Rev. A.J. Kempton has accepted calls to the pastorate of the Baptist churches at Excel and Ollie for the remainder of the year. The Ollie church is served on the afternoon of the first Sabbath in each month; Excel, morning and evening of the second Sunday. The appointment at Roy on the third Sunday, morning and evening, will be continued as at present.

Dr. J.W. Rutherford was over from Franklin Monday. The doctor reported the loss of 50 to 75 acres of corn on river and creek bottoms by high water during the recent rise in the Alabama River. The corn prospect on the low lands along the river is said to have been the finest for many years.

After canvassing a portion of the county, Prof. W.L. Porter reports the prospects favorable for the prosperous opening of the seventh annual session of the Monroe County High School on the 10^th of September.

129 YEARS AGO
AUG. 18, 1892

Politics have quieted down in Monroe, and the people have addressed themselves to their various vocations.

Heavy rains have fallen around in the past few days and were greatly needed in many sections.

Cotton is beginning to open and the prospect is for a short crop. Time is short in which any change for the better to take place. The corn prospect however is favorable.

Col. B.L. Hibbard returned to his home at Birmingham Saturday after spending several weeks at Monroeville. Col. Hibbard will take the stump for Cleveland in the course of a few weeks.

The Bethlehem Baptist Association closed its 76^th annual session at Burnt Corn Wednesday. The attendance was large and the session a profitable one. The next session will be held at Perdue Hill.

Four of Monroe’s officers-elect – Messrs. W.J. Robinson, tax collector, W.T. Nettles, tax assessor, T.J. Emmons, circuit clerk, and J.D. Foster, sheriff, have filed their bonds which have been approved by the probate judge.

DIED – Mrs. D.A. Wiggins, wife of Mr. Jas. H. Wiggins, died at her home in Monroeville, Friday, Aug. 12, after a long and painful illness. She leaves a husband and a number of children and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. The sympathy of the community is with the bereaved.

George Singleton tells of trip to Nancy Mountain, crows, armadillos and other unexpected visitors

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “High atop Nancy Mountain” was originally published in the Aug. 7, 1997 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Pick a day if you will, and for all practical purposes decide not to do anything except the one thing that strikes your fancy. I would like to share with you one of these days that I had the privilege to enjoy a few days back. My dear wife had other plans for this day, so I had nothing to do but to disappear and return just when I wanted to.

Had this been in the old days, I would have had to saddle my horse or seek some type of transportation to carry me where I was going. But, in these modern times, all I had to do was to gas up my motorcycle and make a quick stop at a grocery store and pick up my lunch of sardines and crackers, a can of pork and beans, two moon pies and a couple of canned drinks. Then, with all my goodies, and the morning sun in my face, and the fresh wind blowing around my neck, I head toward the place where I know that time will stand still and everything is at peace.

The green trees and the fields of growing corn raced by as I headed up through the Finchburg area. I leave the pavement and turn west toward the river and high hill known as Nancy Mountain. I made a quick run down the scenic steep hill that leads to the river to see if it is still there. Then, I turn my iron steed around and climb back up the hill to my favorite spot atop the high bluff. I look around to be sure that I’m not going to be disturbed. The sun is getting warmer with each passing minute, so I knew that if I was going to take a quick nap before the heat settled in, I would have to hurry.

Just as I was about to doze off into that nap that I was looking forward to, about 25 crows decided to settle in the top of a large oak tree there on the hill. I laid back and decided to listen. The conversation among the group of crows was something to be told. I would have given anything to have had a tape recorder there with me.

I listen for a long time as they scold each other and each in their own way “has its say.” If by some miracle I had been able to understand their talking, I would have known just who in the crow society was going out with who and I would have been greatly enlightened on all the happenings around the area. The conversation came to a sudden halt when I tried to join in with the crow caller that I had put in my pocket just prior to leaving home. I must have said something that they didn’t like because they left the large oak tree in an awful hurry.

Just as thing began to settle down again, and I thought that I might get on with my nap, I heard a noise in the underbrush across the road. Out of the weeds and tall grass comes a large armadillo slowly making his way across the gravel road. I sit very still as he slowly makes his way toward the table where I am sitting. I didn’t mind him looking around but I wish he would go on about his business. I wasn’t looking for the company for lunch, but it seemed that this is what the armadillo had in mind. I wasn’t sure if an armadillo ate sardines and crackers or not, but he wasn’t about to get a can of mine. Besides, I always eat two cans.

After what seemed to be a very long visit, my friend the armadillo moved into the underbrush and down the hill toward the river. According to my stomach, it had gotten to be about lunch time. The thought of the moon pies and sardines had flung a craving on me. I was ready for lunch. After a feast fit for a king, I thought I might doze off for a few minutes there on the hill as a cool breeze crept over the area of Nancy Mountain.

Just about the time I doze off, the sound of an approaching automobile reached the hilltop. Before I could get up off the table, up drives an elderly couple from lower Baldwin County. Before I could get a word in, they were removing from the trunk of their auto a large picnic basket and an ice chest. Assuring them that I didn’t mind if they had a picnic lunch there under the shelter, they began to unpack their goodies. After seeing all the good food they had, I was sorry that I had eaten. My sardines and moon pies weren’t much compared to the lunch they spread out there on the table.

They had never heard the story of Nancy Haines and the tragedy of her family there on the hill during the early days of the dreadful Civil War. They knew nothing of the ghost of Miss Nancy as it walked the old road and faint trails that led down to the river, hoping to meet her loved ones coming home from the bloody war.

Our conversation went on for quite some time about the happenings around the area and throughout the county. After relaying to them the adventures that I had experienced while traveling over the country by motorcycle, they were about ready to sell their auto and invest in an iron horse. As they were about to depart Nancy Mountain, they wanted to know if I would come with them again here to the hill and retell the story of the ghost of Miss Nancy. Next time they were going to bring along some friends. I assured them that I would meet them there if they would let me know the day they were coming.

As I stopped for a final look across the vast valley and river below me, I decided that it had been a very good day after all. Even though I didn’t get my nap, I had made some new friends and I had gotten the latest gossip from the band of crows, although I hadn’t been able to get a word in edgeways. And, looking across the valley, I had witnessed once again a portion of the great Creation.

The evening shadows had begun to gather there atop Nancy Mountain as I watched the golden rays of the setting sun through the trees to the west. I mounted my motorcycle as one would mount a fine horse in the olden days. Leaving the mountain is never an easy task, but I knew that I must go. It had been a very fine day, it really had.

(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.)

Camden's Tom 'Sut' Jenkins blasted game-winning home run against the Boston Red Sox in August 1925

Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri.

Yesterday – Aug. 13 – marked the 90^th anniversary of the finest Major League Baseball moment for Camden native, Tom “Sut” Jenkins.

Jenkins, one of the greatest professional baseball players to ever call Wilcox County home, was born in Camden in 1898. He was the brother of longtime Wilcox County Sheriff Lummie Jenkins, and those who knew Tom best called him by his nickname, “Sut,” a reference to his soot-black hair. Not long after graduating from Wilcox County High School, where he was a standout athlete, Jenkins turned pro in 1921 when he signed with the Mobile Bears.

In the minor leagues, Jenkins, who was known for his hitting ability and speed on the base paths, quickly attracted the attention of Major League scouts. He eventually joined the famous Boston Red Sox as an outfielder and pinch hitter, making his Major League debut at Fenway Park on Sept. 15, 1925.  Jenkins played left field in that game in front of Fenway’s famous “Green Monster” and reached base on a walk, but the Red Sox came up short, 2-1.

Jenkins went on to play for the Philadelphia Athletics (now known as the Oakland Athletics) and later joined the St. Louis Browns (now known as the Baltimore Orioles). Jenkins played for the Browns from 1929 through 1932, mostly as a pinch hitter. Jenkins had many fine moments as a baseball player, but the finest moment of his career took place on Aug. 13, 1931 in St. Louis.

Tom 'Sut' Jenkins

On that day, the Browns faced Jenkins’ former team, the Boston Red Sox, at the old Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis before a crowd of around 1,000 people. Right-handed Californian George Blaeholder got the pitching start for the Browns, and the game was tied 4-4 in the bottom of the third inning when Browns manager Bill Killefer put Jenkins into the game to pinch-hit for Blaeholder. Jenkins grabbed his bat and stepped into the batter’s box against Red Sox righty, Jack Russell of Paris, Texas.

With one out and the game tied, there were already two Browns on base, first baseman Jack Burns of Cambridge, Massachusetts and shortstop Jim Levey of Pittsburgh. Jenkins, a 33-year-old veteran at this point in his career, watched as Blaeholder let loose with a pitch, no doubt hoping that Jenkins would either swing and miss or ground into an inning-ending double play. Instead, Jenkins swung his powerful arms, connected with the pitch and sent it deep into right field for a three-run homer.

That evening’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch carried an account of the game under the headline, “BROWNS 9, RED SOX 6: TOM JENKINS, BATTING FOR BLAEHOLDER, HITS HOME RUN.” That story, written by sportswriter James M. Gould, told readers that Jenkins’ home run blast bounced off the stadium’s right-field roof. In the top of the fourth, pitcher Chad Kimsey of Copperhill, Tenn. replaced Jenkins in the lineup, and he never returned to the game.

St. Louis went on to finish the 1931 season with a 63-91 record and fifth in the American League, which at that time only had eight teams. Jenkins was sent back down to the minors in the summer of 1932, and he eventually hung up his spikes after the 1934 season, having appeared in a total of 171 Major League games. Jenkins lived to the ripe old age of 81 before passing away in Weymouth, Mass. on May 3, 1979.

Quiet, old Janes Mill community lies on the east side of Burnt Corn Creek in Conecuh County, Alabama

Old school and church building in 'downtown' Janes Mill.

Conecuh County’s Janes Mill community is located southwest of Evergreen, between Castleberry and Burnt Corn Creek, just north of the Escambia County line.

I was out riding around in this part of the county the other day and eventually found myself on Janes Mill Road, a dirt road that will take you right through the heart of this quiet country community. It was already on up in the day, and only a light breeze stirred the hot summer air. The only thing stirring was a whip-thin black snake that wasted no time crossing the road in front of my truck.

Not far down Janes Mill Road, I pulled over for a closer look at an old wood-frame structure sitting in the forks of a shady intersection. Someone long ago had tacked a green sign reading “Janes Mill” to the trunk of a large post oak beside the building. Friends have told me that this old building was once used as a community school and others say they remember attending church services there many years ago.

I eventually climbed back in my truck and continued down Janes Mill Road to the New Hopewell Baptist Church. According to the sign out front, James Aubrey Wilson is the church’s pastor, and they have services twice a week on Sundays and Wednesday. I pulled into the churchyard, parked in the shade beside a pair of flagpoles and stepped out into the humid air.

The flagpoles in front of the church were topped by American and Christian flags, and a pair of plaques can be found at the base of each pole. One plaque says that the American flagpole was dedicated in memory of Dubert and Lucille Pettis. The pole bearing the Christian flag was dedicated in memory of Hanis and Voncile Emmons.

From there, I walked behind the church and spent what seemed like a long time exploring the graveyard there. Just eyeballing it, I’d say this well-maintained cemetery contains about 250 graves. During my walk through the cemetery, the oldest grave that I saw belonged to Emily Hammond, who passed away at the age of 38 in January 1867, less than two years after the end of the War Between the States.

To no surprise, you will also find a number of graves belonging to members of the Janes family, who lent the community their namesake. The oldest Janes grave that I found belonged to an unnamed infant who died at less than a month old during the Great Depression year of 1934. Another grave belonged to young Palmer Janes, who died at the age of 17 after having served as a private in the field artillery in World War II.

From there, I eased down to the wooden bridge over Burnt Corn Creek and found another shady spot to pull over. No one seemed to be around for miles, so I walked out onto the bridge and observed the high, swift creek for a few minutes. Somewhere out of sight to the north, Brushy Creek flows into Burnt Corn Creek adding its waters to the flow before the creek enters Escambia County a few miles to the south.

As they often do, my thoughts turned to the ancient Indians who once lived in this area. How far was I from the site of the Battle of Burn Corn Creek? How many old villages once lined the banks of this old creek? Are there any Indian mounds, arrowheads or other relics and artifacts to be found nearby?

Eventually, I climbed back in my truck and pointed it back towards Evergreen. As I drove back into town, my thoughts continued to go back to the Janes Mill community, a place that its residents no doubt are proud to call home. From a historical standpoint, my feeling is there is much more to this community than what meets the eye.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know any more about the history of the Janes Mill community. I’m especially interested in hearing any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you have any information to share along these lines, please let me know so that it can be documented for future generations to come.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Aug. 11, 2021

PFC Sam E. Beard of Pine Apple, Alabama.

65 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1956

National Guard Unit Back From Camp: Camden’s local National Guard Unit, Battery A of the 203^rd Field Artillery Battalion, returned here Sunday following two weeks of summer field training at Fort McClellan, Ala.
Among those attending the camp with the local battery were the following: Capt. Thomas G. Holman, commanding; first lieutenants Peyton D. Burford Jr. and Howard A. Taylor; and 2^nd Lt. Whilden P. Breen Jr.
(Enlisted men on the trip included Delvin C. Irby, Elijah B. Luker, Fred Sheffield, Charlie B. Spencer, James A. Acker, John T. Bridges, Lee Chappell, Travis L. Durant, John C. Luker Jr., Robert L. Rogers, Richard M. Tait, John M. Andrews, Jack K. Bailey, Stanley G. Bonner, James E. Brock, Dan D. Campbell, David L. Dailey, Francis B. Dobson, John J. Harvell, William E. Morgan, John B. Newberry Jr., William H. Smith Jr., Paul L. Spencer, David H. Tait, John Cook, Charles H. Dailey, William E. Dailey, Jackson E. Knight, Joe B. Harvell, William J. Lawler Jr., Herod C. Richards, Samuel W. Wilkinson, Robert J. Bailey, Phillip Collins, Charles F. Dunn, Percy C. Jenkins Jr., James B. Jones Jr., Richard E. Luker, Gerald D. Morgan, Paul E. Morgan, Darrell Nettles, Marten E. Norris, Bobby Pearson, T.E. Pearson, Willie G. Pearson, John R. Ross, Ed D. Griffin and Russell D. Parker.)

Oscar Thomas, local merchant, qualified Tuesday to run for Mayor of Camden in the election to take place on Sept. 17. Thomas will oppose R.R. “Fritz” Carothers, who qualified last week. Incumbent Mayor Charles Tait has said that he will not seek reelection.

78 YEARS AGO
AUG. 12, 1943

Miss Mary Liddell has returned from a week’s visit with Ensign Virginia Henderson at Charleston, S.C. Ensign Henderson received her commission in the Waves after two and one half months training at Smith College, North Hampton, Mass. and has been stationed at Charleston since that time.

The Commissioners Court of Wilcox County was in session last Monday with the following members present: Judge C.H. Albritton, Chairman K.E. Agee, S.P. Dale, H.L. Kennedy and C.E. Powell.

In Memory of Sam E. Beard: The hearts of many friends and loved ones was made sad when news came last Wednesday, July 28, that Sam was killed in Southwest Pacific, he was a fine young man only 23 years old, every one knew him loved him so much, he was very kind to every one he met, last time he came home he left saying don’t worry mama I’ll be back Christmas.
He leaves to mourn, his dear mother and father, uncle Beard, four sisters and seven brothers. There is a vacant place in our home, which can never be filled, let’s try and not weep loved ones but strive to meet him where there will be no more parting or goodbyes.
He died a noble death, died for his country on the 11^th day of July, would write mama it’s hard over here, but I can stand it, don’t worry I’ll be back soon.
All loved him, both old and young, he was a member of Friendship Baptist Church at Pine Apple. Will be missed by all his loved ones and friends.

91 YEARS AGO
AUG. 14, 1930

Messrs. J.C. and L.P. Andrews were called to Perdue Hill on last Sunday by the death of their uncle, Capt. W.H. Andrews, whose death occurred Saturday night.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 26: We had our meeting in the dark because Mr. Matthews had gotten the key during the week and had gone to Montgomery, and we couldn’t get in. We discussed about how we could get some way to buy scout things. The meeting was turned over to our assistant scout master. He showed us the wigwag signaling while our scout master gave some of the boys the tenderfoot test. After that, Mr. Batty showed us how to us a compass and asked us some questions about it. Some of the boys went home and the rest went in swimming. – Edward Morris, Scribe.

OBITUARY: Whereas, God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all that in them is, and His wisdom has seen fit to remove from us, our beloved Bro. James N. Perdue, to rest forever, in the Celestial, after serving for over a quarter of a century as a Master Mason, in three lodges, doing his full duty, in promoting Masonry and living, kept the tenets of Masonry, all of which, by his death which occurred on the 8^th day of July 1930, we have last therefore, resolved, that the entire membership of Wilcox Lodge No. 80, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, mourns the loss of Bro. James N. Perdue, and recommend to all Masons, that they strive to emulate his Masonic career.

104 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1917

Lt. Emmett Kilpatrick, now of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., has been recommended for promotion as intelligence officer on the staff of the U.S. Army at Washington.

The regular term of the county commissioners court will be held at the courthouse next Monday morning. A considerable number of our county citizens are expected to attend.

The many friends of Captain John Y. Kilpatrick regret to learn that he recently fell and since then has been confined to his home. His son, 1^st Lt. George C. Kilpatrick of the U.S. Army is now in Camden visiting him.

The Wilcox County Masonic Conference will convene with Dale Lodge beginning next Monday night, Grand Lodge Deputy Rennye of Selma will preside. Grand High Priest McCormick is also expected. The eight Masonic lodges located at Lower Peach Tree, Sunny South, Pine Hill, Furman, Oak Hill, Pine Apple, McWilliams and Camden will be represented by their worshipful masters and wardens and other visiting and county Masons. The members of Dale Lodge are preparing to give their county brethren a most fraternal welcome.

Mr. Howell Hamilton died at his home at Fatama, aged about 35 years. He was born and raised in Mims beat and was in early life happily married to Miss Majors. The interment was at Fatama, where many friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory.

McWilliams: Joe Bonner was fiercely attacked and bitten on the foot Saturday morning by a vicious dog supposed to be mad. He was killed and his head was sent to Montgomery.

117 YEARS AGO
AUG. 11, 1904

DANGER: A telegram from V.B. Atkins Grocery Co., Selma, Ala., states that Weather Bureau reports that the Alabama River will rise 27 feet by Wednesday.

Camden on a Boom: Never in the history of our town was there such a boom and spirit of improvement exhibited – the old dry bones of a once sleeping town, has awakened into activity and taken on new life – during last week 20 odd thousand dollars was raised for a cotton seed oil mill.
The Institute property was bought by the Trustees and will be remodeled, and made an up-to-date school building in all of its appointments.
Mr. E.P. Boltz is building a new and handsome residence.
Drs. Moore and Semmes are putting up a drug store with offices in the building.
Mr. D.B. Jones has let contract for a residence on Broad Street.
Messrs. F.W. Spurlin, N.D. Godbold, R.L. Hawthorne and D.A.K. McDowell have bought building lots, and Dr. Ernest Bonner, Mess. W.J.J. Hearst, P. Giddens, R.L. Spurlin and Dr. W.W. Moore are looking around for suitable building lots.
The A.R.P. Church has bought the residence now occupied by Dr. O.C. Farish for a parsonage.
Hon. B.M. Miller, some months since, purchased the Gordon residence opposite the Wilcox Hotel, and will erect an up-to-date modern two-story residence.
Mr. M.M. Pickett in the near future will build a residence and storehouse on Claiborne Street.
The boom is substantial, and we will not only have an up-to-date school, but our town generally will improve.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 10, 2021

USS Oakland (CL-95) in 1943.

32 YEARS AGO
AUG. 10, 1989

Harry Ellis reports no rainfall during the week, but plenty of high temperatures. Ellis, the local weather reporter, recorded high temperatures of 91 degrees on Aug. 4, Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 in 1989 and a low temperature of 66 on Aug. 7.

County Coroner Danny Garnett congratulates Jeff Armstrong, 25, whose prompt action saved a youngster’s life at the Carver Recreation Center Swimming Pool on July 14. Armstrong was the lifeguard on duty at the pool when his cousin, Trey Barlow, 5, had a seizure. Armstrong pulled the youngster from the pool, got the water out of lungs and got him breathing again. The victim was taken to Evergreen Hospital and then transferred to a Montgomery hospital in critical condition, but is doing OK now. Garnett credits Armstrong’s prompt action and trained procedures with saving the youngster’s life.

Mrs. Allie R. Faircloth celebrated her 100th birthday Aug. 5. On Aug. 6, about 200 family members, friends and relatives gathered at her home on the Appleton Road, Rt. 2, Castleberry, for a covered dish lunch. Mrs. Faircloth is a remarkable lady as she still enjoys working in her flower beds in the summer and then crocheting during the winter months. She was blessed with seven children, 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She credits her long life and good health to her faith in God.

54 YEARS AGO
AUG. 10, 1967

U.S. Air Force Major Samuel W. Hanks, son of Mrs. Opal L. Hanks of 2054 S. Bucker Road, Mobile and formerly of Conecuh County, has been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, for meritorious service while engaged in military operations against Viet Cong. Major Hanks, a member of the Pacific Air Forces, was cited for his performance as an air operations officer at Bien Hoa.

Evergreen city limits extension is now law: The City of Evergreen over doubled in size on July 31 and bet you didn’t even notice it.
Gov. Lurleen B. Wallace signed into law on July 31 Act. No. 106 which extended the city limits of Evergreen. With her signing of the Act, it became law and the city’s size increased from 6.25 square miles to 16 square miles.
The enlarging of the City began with the introduction of House Bill 227 by State Represenative Wm. D. (Billy) Melton. The bill passed the House on June 20 and was signed by Speaker Rankin Fite. It passed the Senate on July 11 and was signed by Lt. Gov. Albert Brewer.
The act was signed into law at 9:05 p.m. on July 31 by Gov. Wallace. It was received and enrolled by Secretary of State Mabel Amos at 11:27 a.m. on Aug. 1.

The first bales of cotton of the 1967 crop were ginned in Conecuh County on Tuesday. Both Castleberry Gin Co. and Evergreen Gin Co. reported ginning bales on that date.
J. Ed Glass, president of the Castleberry Gin. Co. reported that he ginned a bale brought to his gin by W.J. Davis, Route 2, Repton.
Crum Foshee of Evergreen Gin Co. also reported ginning a bale on Tuesday for Isaac Franklin and Les Crosby of Rt. E, Evergreen.

76 YEARS AGO
AUG. 9, 1945

H.S. Hagood Gins First Bale Today: The first bale of cotton of the 1945 season to be ginned here is being ginned today for H.S. Hagood at the gin plant of Evergreen Mfg. Co.

Conecuh County Schools Will Open Sept. Third: Announcement was made this week by County Superintendent of Education Harvey G. Pate that all schools of Conecuh County would open Mon., Sept. 3. The teachers institute will be held on Sat., Sept. 1.
Supt. Pate announced that for the first few weeks short schedules would be observed in order that pupils might assist in harvesting the cotton and peanut crops.

Aboard the USS Oakland: James E. Raines, seaman, first class, USNR, son of Mrs. Cummie Raines, Rt. 1, Evergreen, Ala., fought aboard this light cruiser when she helped sink a Jap destroyer and a 7,500-ton transport and shoot down 12 Jap plans as highlights of her combat career of 40 naval actions.

Mrs. W.M. Bateman and little son, Billy Bob, left Tuesday for New Orleans, where they will go by plane to the Panama Canal Zone to join her husband.

Jap City Dissolved By Atomic Bomb: GUAM – Equal in destructive power to an attack by 2,000 B-29s normally loaded with high explosive and incendiary bombs, the first single atomic bomb dropped on Japan dissolved the city of Hiroshima in a vast cloud of dust.

86 YEARS AGO
AUG. 8, 1935

Ulay Pitts Held For Killing Ben Smith: Ulay Pitts, young white man age about 21 years, is being held in the county jail charged with the murder of Ben Smith, white man age about 59 years, the shooting having occurred last Friday morning about eight o’clock near Smith’s home.
It seems from the facts The Courant has been able to gather that Pitts, who was a brother-in-law of Smith’s, they having married sisters, was farming on Smith’s place. He and his wife, according to the story told to officers, were passing Smith’s home that morning and he called Smith and told him to figure up what he owed and he would come back by shortly and settle with him. At this point, it seems that Smith went out toward where Pitts and wife were and a fuss arose between them. According to the story told by both Pitts and his wife, and corroborated by Walt Jordan, another witness, Smith took after Pitts with a pair of knucks and chased him up the road out of sight of the house and of Jordan and Mrs. Pitts. What took place after that was not witnessed by anyone except Pitts himself. He says that he fell down and when he regained his feet, Smith was so close upon him that he had to shoot him to keep him off.
Four shots were fired with a .32 caliber automatic, all of which took effect. The shot which resulted in Smith’s death passed through the abdomen. The other three took effect in his legs.

Mr. C.E. Mills, good farmer living five miles south on Castleberry highway, ginned two bales of cotton at the gin plant of the Evergreen Manufacturing Co. Tuesday of this week, being the first of the 1935 season to be ginned here and so far as The Courant has learned, the first to be ginned in Conecuh County.

114 YEARS AGO
AUG. 14, 1907

The 15^th annual session of the Agricultural school will open on Mon., Sept. 2. The school will be presided over by Prof. W.W. Hall with the following corps of assistants: Prof. W.G. Slappey, Latin and mathematics; Miss Susie Carmichael, English and history; Miss Vida Mae Jones, principal preparatory department; Miss Irene Chapman, assistant in preparatory department; Miss Kate Colyer, principal primary department; Miss Carrie Clindenen, assistant in primary department; Prof. R.E. Black, director music department.
The chair of Agriculture and allied sciences has not been filled as yet but will be by the opening of school.
The matriculation fee for each term will be $4 for primary and $6 for collegiate department.

Dave Lee, John Barnett and Lillie Aarons, who were arrested in Pine Barren, Fla. about two weeks ago by Sheriff J.F. Irwin and who were suspected of the murder of Jim Bullock, which occurred near Gravella last March, were given a preliminary hearing before Judge F.J. Dean Friday and were released from custody.
Dave Lee and John Barnett proved that they were in Pine Barren at the time the crime was committed. Jane Barnett, wife of John Barnett, who was arrested shortly after the murder of Bullock, and who was also shortly afterwards released and again re-arrested, was bound over to await the action of the grand jury without bail.
The testimony of some witnesses showed that she knew something about the crime.