The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Nov. 16, 2021

Old L&N Depot in Evergreen, Ala.

29 YEARS AGO
NOV. 19, 1992

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .25 of an inch of rain on Nov. 10, .88 on Nov. 11 and 1.75 on Nov. 12. He reported a high of 72 degrees on Nov. 12 and lows of 37 on Nov. 14-15.

A Castleberry man escaped serious injury last Wednesday when his vehicle was struck by a south-bound train in downtown Evergreen.
According to Evergreen Police Department Patrolman Foy Ray, a 1985 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by 23-year-old Leroy Andrews, edged in front of the CSX train at approximately 11:22 a.m.
Patrolman Ray said Mr. Andrews’ vehicle was hit on the passenger side as it began crossing the tracks closest to the Old Evergreen Depot toward West Front Street.

Angela Michelle Pate was named Conecuh County’s 1993 Young Woman of the Year at Wiley Salter Auditorium on the campus of Ed Reid State Technical College last Saturday night.
Michelle succeeds Kimberli Griffin as the county’s representative for the Young Woman of the Year competition.

Members of the Conecuh County Board of Education were given the oath of office by Conecuh County Probate Judge Rogene Booker last Monday night. Pictured are Jean Harter, Willene Whatley, David Cook, Robert J. Floyd, Johnny F. Atkins and Judge Booker. Mr. Floyd was later selected as the board’s chairman. He replaces Mr. Cook, who was named vice-chairman.

36 YEARS AGO
NOV. 21, 1985

Evergreen’s Christmas parade will be held this Sat., Nov. 23, at 3 p.m.
This year’s parade promises to be one of the best yet. This year’s parade will feature bands from Southern Normal, Conecuh County High School and Evergreen High School. There will also be a division for horses as well as many floats and cars. There will be something for everyone.

The City of Evergreen hosted a welcome to Evergreen supper Friday night at Giuseppi’s honoring Chemi Linz Corporation of Austria which will begin construction of a $10 million manufacturing facility here early next year. Chemi Linz officials present were Anthony Baker, project manager, and Dr. Peter Woisetschlager, plant consultant.
City officials present included Mayor Pat Poole and Councilmen Aubrey Padgett, Jones Sasser, T.L. Sims and John Claiborne, City Clerk Miller Sellers, City Attorney Tommy Chapman and Chief of Police James Powell.

The TG&Y Family Center in Evergreen will hold a grand re-opening today after extensive remodeling. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at nine o’clock this morning and the store is celebrating with a big, three-day grand re-opening sale today, Friday and Saturday with many prizes to be given away and bargains throughout the store.
TG&Y opened its local center on June 8, 1978 and has served the people of this area continuously since that time.

65 YEARS AGO
NOV. 15, 1956

The Evergreen Garment Co. will go back into operation on Monday or Tuesday of next week,” Vernon Millsap, vice president and manager, said today.
Fire raged through the company’s building on Pecan Street Saturday night, Nov. 3, causing a loss of about $300,000.
We are actually already in production,” he said, “with cutting operations being performed at the Steven-Robert Corporation. Sewing operations will begin on a partial basis at the new location in the Recreation Center early next week, and by the following week we hope to be in full operation, with everyone back on the job.

At a recent meeting of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club, T.O. Langham, popular local businessman, was elected president, and will take office in January. Other officers chosen were Dr. John Crook, vice president; Ivey Booker, secretary; and John Gibson, treasurer.

Jay Villa Plantation of Evergreen has placed one horned Hereford bull and one polled Hereford bull on performance test at the North Auburn Beef Cattle Research Unit of the API Agricultural Experiment Station.
The animals are included among 55 bulls on a 140-day test to determine weight-gaining abilities. The performance program will be climaxed next spring with a field day and sale of bulls calved between Sept. 1, 1955 and Feb. 29, 1956.

75 YEARS AGO
NOV. 21, 1946

Pvt. L.C. Worrell Jr. left Monday for New Jersey to be shipped overseas soon.

Expenditures to Conecuh County’s unemployed last month and in the preceding month were as follows: To veterans in October, $6,700; to veterans in September, $10,862; to civilians in October, $2,286; to civilians in September, $1,874.

Carmon L. Padgett, farmer living in the Mt. Union community, enjoys the distinction of being the first farmer in the county to pay for his farm under the tenant purchase plan of the Farm Security Administration with profits from his farming operations, and the very remarkable thing is he paid for his farm, together with many improvements in the short period of six and one half years.

Alabama’s cotton crop was estimated at 780,000 bales by the Alabama Cooperative Crop Reporting Service as of Nov. 1. This is 16 percent less than 1945 production and 23 percent below the 10-year, 1935-44, average.

There were 3,526 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Conecuh County, from the crop of 1946 prior to Nov. 1, 1946 as compared with 5,558 bales ginned to Nov. 1, 1945.

83 YEARS AGO
NOV. 17, 1938

VIADUCT WILL BE DECORATED DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON – Tree Will Be Placed At The Head Of The Bridge: Evergreen citizens and visitors who pass this way during the Christmas holidays will have a rare treat in store for them if present plans materialize. Plans are underway to decorate the huge viaduct with pretty lights and ornaments in keeping with the holiday spirt. The viaduct, itself a thing of beauty, enhanced with the beauty of these lights and other decorations should present a gorgeous scene.
Supt. of Lights Fred M. Wright has already bought the materials and they are here. Sometime early in December they will be installed and it is hoped to have them up and ready by Dec. 10 to 15. The Evergreen Garden Club will put up and decorate a Christmas tree at the entrance to the bridge next to the business section. In addition, it is hoped that all business houses will arrange their windows and fronts in holiday decorations. With everyone cooperating, Evergreen can perhaps be made the most outstanding beautiful city in this section of the country this Christmas.

Boy Scout Bulletin: The regular weekly scout meeting was held Monday night. “Assembly” was blown by “Sonny” Price. The scouts who had paid their monthly dues answered roll call “sheep” while the boys who had not answered “goat.” Points were given on the contest for writing the 12 Scout Laws backward. We enjoyed a talk given by George Smith, a colored World War veteran. The speech was about his “oversea experiences.” The meeting was closed with “Taps.” – Louis Murphy, Reporter.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Nov. 15, 2021

12 YEARS AGO
NOV. 20, 2009

Hillcrest High School’s girls basketball team opened the 2008-2009 season with a 49-39 win over Monroe County High School Friday night in Monroeville.
Charlotte Maye led the Lady Jags with 16 points, and Brittany Smith followed with 12 points. Kiwanis Thomas finished the game with seven points, and Shatika Mims scored six points.
Hillcrest High School sophomore DeAndre Lyons scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Jags in their season opener Friday night in Monroeville.

Sparta Academy tipped off its 2008-2009 basketball season on Tuesday night when they took on Wilcox Academy at Richard Brown Gymnasium in Evergreen.
This season, Sparta’s varsity boys team looks to benefit from the play of four seniors. They are Mason Black, D.J. Buckhault, Michael Morris and Riley Davis.
Sparta’s varsity girls team features three seniors. They are BreAnna Pate, Mallory Kendrick and Morgan Harden.

T.K. Brantley, five-years-old, killed his first deer Saturday while hunting with his dad during the Youth Weekend. He is the son of Tim and Michelle Brantley.

32 YEARS AGO
NOV. 16, 1989

The Hillcrest High School Jaguars will open their season at 6:30 Friday night against Clarke County High School in Grove Hill. Their first home game will be Tuesday at 5 p.m. against W.S. Neal. Players are Laura Delaney, Tracey Dailey, LaRhonda Booker, Tracey Elliott, Nikki Likely, Katrina Bradley, Tammy Taylor, Sabrina Johnson, Kim January, Beronica Toliver, Coach Ronnie Williams, Rena White, Katina Cunningham, Shirley Bryant and Sandra Rogers.

Evergreen Tiny Mite Westside Team’s homecoming court and their escorts, honored in pre-game activities Oct. 14 were Raymond Taylor and fifth runner-up, Tamika Williams; Henry Scott and third runner-up, Lamika Rankin; Kevin Riley and first runner-up, Lawanda Hall; Miss Football Sherry Hines and Willie Likely; Miss Homecoming Crystal Boykin and Barry Grace; second runner-up Holly Hart and Lyle Bell; and fourth runner-up Casey Pugh and Carey Pugh.

Evergreen Pee Wee Westside Team’s homecoming court and their escorts honored in pre-game activities Oct. 14 were second runner-up Crystal Scott and Josh Scott; Miss Homecoming Shantell Scott and Donald Williams; Miss Football Aletha Perkins and Sedrick Williams; first runner-up Lakesha Womack and Reggie Boykin; and third runner-up Christina Grace and Ronald Riley.

43 YEARS AGO

NOV. 16, 1978

The Evergreen High School Aggies will open their 1978-79 basketball season here tonight against the Southern Normal Cyclones of Brewton.
Charles Branum will begin his tenth years as the Aggie Head Basketball Coach. He has one of the top basketball prep records in the state with 280 wins and 71 losses. He hopes by winning 20 games this season he can reach a milestone in his career with his 300th victory during this season.
Coach Branum states that his team for the coming season is one of the youngest varsity teams he has ever coached, with James Straugh, his only senior starting for the Aggies. At the other guard will be 6-2 sophomore, Horace Smith, Center spot will be Joseph Mitchell, a 6-5 junior. At forwards will be 6-4 Perona Rankins and 6-1 Sanford Moye. Other players that will see action on the varsity this season are Philander Rogers, Johnny Allen, David Crosby, Rydell Samuel, Anthony Williams, Troy Salter, Wendell Parker and David Floyd.

The Lyeffion Yellow Jackets open their 1978-79 basketball season at home Fri., Nov. 17, against area foe W.J. Jones High of Pineapple.
Starters include Adrian Woods 6-4 forward, center, Eric Finklea 6-0 forward guard and Ricky Hall 6-0 guard. Part-time starters from last year’s squad are Ricky Johnson 5-9 guard, James Riley 6-1 forward and Charles Watts 6-1 forward.
Players coming up from the ‘B’ team that are expected to see action are senior, Mike Brown, junior, Herman Mobley, sophomore Willie Nevlous and freshman Donald Lee.

75 YEARS AGO
NOV. 21, 1946

MAKING GOOD RECORD: OTTIS JOHNSON: TROY, Ala., Nov. 20 – Ottis Johnson of Evergreen will be completing his first year of football here Friday night when Troy State’s Red Wave completes its 1946 season.
Johnson, weighing 205 pounds, never played football before coming to Troy, but turned in such a wonderful performance in initial practice sessions this year that Wave mentor A.E. Choate quickly placed the Conecuh County youth on the varsity squad.
Johnson has made an impressive record on defensive play this year and should prove a valuable cog in next season’s machine.
He is a freshman and holds down a tackle position on the Wave second team.

Aggies Defeat Flomaton: The Evergreen Aggies handed Flomaton a very decisive defeat Friday night in Brooks Stadium. Led by halfback Glenn McIntyre, the Aggies rolled up 32 points while Flomaton could score only one touchdown.

Flomaton kicked off to the Aggie 15 and Ivey returned to the 45. Carpenter made 23 yards on a reverse and after a five-yard penalty was inflicted against the visitors, Carpenter made four and Ivey made two more for a first down. A pass to Benton Carpenter was incomplete and Flomaton was penalized five yards. Carpenter made seven yards for another first down. Ivey picked up two and Carpenter made three more. A pass from Logue to Ivey was good for a touchdown and Ivey made the yardage necessary for the extra point.

Flomaton made six points after a long pass set the touchdown up. The extra point was good.

The second Aggie touchdown came in the second period when McIntyre went over. The pass for the extra point was no good.

Carpenter raced 50 yards to set up the third marker in the second quarter. Ivey made four and Carpenter three. McIntyre lost two and a pass was incomplete; Carpenter lost three and McIntyre scored on a reverse. Ivey’s attempted conversion was no good.

The Aggies fourth score came when McIntyre ran for 30 yards and six more points. The extra point was good.

The final touchdown came when McIntyre scored on an end run. Ivey’s kick was wide.

This Thursday night, the Aggies close the season when they take on a strong Brundidge 11. The game will be played in Brooks Stadium and should be a thriller.

88 YEARS AGO
NOV. 16, 1933

Messrs. C.A. Jones, M.B. Binion, G.L. Heath and G.O. Dickey, Deming Jones and John Deming Jr. were weekend visitors to Auburn where they attended the Auburn-Oglethorpe game.

Jimmy Foxx, Philadelphia first baseman, voted the American League’s most valuable player for the last two years, was one of the first nimrods in the field at the opening of the hunting season in Pennsylvania. He was after small game and got it.

A shipment of bass and bream from the State Fish Hatchery was liberated in the streams of Conecuh County during the last few days. Many local sportsmen were present and assisted, the planting being under the direction of the district game warden and an assistant from the State Hatchery.
The fish were received from the State Fish Hatchery at 2 p.m. near L&N Railroad Station being brought in by truck. In addition to the two hatcheries operated by the State at Eastaboga and Aliceville, the Department of Game and Fisheries has control of Oxford Lake, from which it secures both bass and bream. A total of 750,000 fingerling were produced and distributed last year, these fish going into every county of Alabama, according to a statement by I.L. Quinn, Commissioner of Game and Fisheries of Alabama.
The following local sportsmen were present and assisted in the planting: W.D. Lewis, T.S. Bates, A.H. Lewis, A.L. Lewis, Hunter Hines.

Woman in pink casket said to haunt Flat Creek near Rikard's Mill in Monroe County, Alabama

Visitors talk with 'World's Greatest Flintknapper'

Last Saturday morning, I rode up to the Rikard’s Mill Historical Park for the annual Cane Syrup Makin’ Day event. My son James is in Monroeville’s Scout troop, and the Scouts always go to the event to assist with the cane-grinding and syrup-making operation. The cane press cranked up around eight o’clock that morning, and James put in a solid four hours of work with the Scouts before we cut out around noon.

I’ve been to Rikard’s Mill many times before and while there on Saturday, I could not help but think about the time some friends and I spent the night there as part of a ghost hunt. That was on a cold Friday night way back in October 2011, and I was accompanied by The Monroe Journal’s Josh Dewberry and paranormal researcher John Higginbotham. We’d heard many tales about the supposedly-haunted mill, and we wanted to see if there was anything to it.

One of the most unusual stories about the mill that we’d heard involved a woman in a pink casket. The story goes that many years ago, several young siblings were fishing on a Sunday in Flat Creek just down from the old mill. They were just enjoying their day when a woman in a pink casket came floating down the creek. The children, shocked by the sight of the woman in the casket, vowed to never fish on Sunday again.

With that said, I have to admit that the spookiest things that we experienced on that October night in 2011 was the eerie sound of a hoot owl and the loud bang of a heavy nut, falling from a tree and striking the mill’s roof unexpectedly. 

Also at Rikard’s Mill on Saturday, I ran into Mr. John Reed, who has deep roots in the south end of Monroe County. I always enjoy talking with John, and on Saturday he spent a few minutes telling me a couple of ghost stories from the Narrow Gap community, located just northeast of Uriah. This community is said to be the site of tales about huge balls of light that travel along roadways and up the trunks of large trees.

The mysterious Narrow Gap light is said to favor a large oak tree that’s about 150 yards from the Qualls Cemetery on George Williams Road. Longtime residents of this community also claim to have seen the ghost of a woman in a long dress and wearing a bonnet. This ghostly woman is said to always be seen walking toward the cemetery, and some theorize that she is the long dead wife of Andrew Jackson Qualls.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have a local ghost story to share. I’m sure that many of you were told spooky tales by older relatives when you were little, and I’d like to hear them. It would be a shame not to pass these stories along or to let them become lost to time and memory.

The old Nellie community was once located between Coy and Dry Forks in Wilcox County, Alabama

St. Emanuel No. 2 Baptist Church

I got the itch to get out and do some riding around the other day and eventually found myself at the Dry Forks crossroads in the southwestern part of the county. At Gullett’s Bluff Baptist Church, I cut west on County Road 13, which takes travelers down into Coy. About two miles later, I pulled over for a closer look at the St. Emanuel No. 2 Baptist Church.

According to the church’s cornerstone, this stately old church was founded in 1890 and was rebuilt in 1964. When the cornerstone was laid, the Rev. E.M. Dubose was the church’s pastor, and the church’s deacons were Scrap Nettles, Eli Moye, Robert Kelsaw and Willie Williams. Robert Kelsaw was the church’s clerk.

Before leaving, I spent a few minutes exploring the cemetery behind the church. Just eyeballing it, I’d say that there are at least 50 graves there, maybe more. Some of them appear to be very old with no legible dates on them.

While examining a grave near the wood line, an unseen animal snorted loudly and set me on edge. I froze in place and listened intently, thinking that it might be a wild pig in the woods behind the church. Another loud snort followed a minute or so later and after a good look through the woods, I could see what looked like a couple of mules or donkeys in the field on the other side of the patch of woods. Good thing it wasn’t an angry wild hog with menace on his mind because I’d neglected to put my pistol in my back pocket when I got out of my truck.

On my way out of the cemetery, I was reminded that this church is located near what was once called the old Nellie community. Records reflect that Nellie was once so large that it had enough people to support its own post office. Sources say that the Nellie post office was established in 1887 and that it closed in 1915.

The earliest reference to the Nellie community that I could find in old editions of the Wilcox Progressive Era was from 1889. In that year’s May 8 edition, the paper mentioned a “Capt. Sam. C. Cook of Nellie,” who had promised to write a complete history of the Wilcox Dragoons for the newspaper. I believe that this Capt. Cook is the same Samuel Calvin Cook, who passed away in 1904 and is buried in the Cook Cemetery at Cook Hill, west of Camden.

As I stood there by my truck, I was also reminded that I wasn’t standing too far from the ancient Indian village of Uxapita, which was located a short distance northeast of the Nellie community. According to the 1977 book “Dead Towns of Alabama” by W. Stuart Harris, Uxapita was located at the mouth of Pursley Creek, at its junction with the Alabama River. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his expedition visited Uxapita on Oct. 8, 1540.

In the end, as I pointed my truck back towards town, I thought more about the old Nellie community and wondered what it must have looked like during its heyday. If anyone in the reading audience knows any more about the history of the Nellie community, I’d like to hear from you. I’m especially interested in any ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county, so if you know of anything along these lines, please let me know.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Nov. 10, 2021

76 YEARS AGO
NOV. 8, 1945

D.T. Stuart: All Wilcox County citizens were shocked to learn of the death on Sunday, Nov. 4, of Mr. D.T. Stuart of Pine Apple.
Mr. Stuart was a fine citizen, a successful farmer and cattle grower. He is survived by his widow, Julia Melton Stuart, two sons and two daughters and a number of other relatives.

Camden Defeats Greensboro 40-13: On Friday night, Nov. 2, in Greensboro, the Camden football team defeated the strong Greensboro team by a score of 40-13.
The running and passing of Farish, the all-state fullback, was a deciding factor in defeating the Greensboro team. Hall, Overstreet and Reeves played outstanding ball. Capt. Strickland, the fleet back of Camden, was out of the entire game with a broken hand.

Legion Oyster Fry: Near two hundred Legionnaires and their guests assembled at the Masonic Lodge in Camden Friday night to attend the Legion’s first Oyster Fry of the season. Commander Lewis Hybart, in a few chosen words, welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers. State Service Commissioner for Veterans, Clarence Horton of Montgomery, the main speaker, gave a most interesting talk on what the veterans could expect to obtain under the G.I. Bill of Rights and how to obtain the same. Commissioner Horton placed special emphasis on the educational features and advantages offered to all veterans of World War II. He advised all veterans to consult with the County Veterans Representative Hollinger or with officers of the Irby-Savage-Sam McNeil Post of the American Legion for assistance in obtaining benefits under the bill.

88 YEARS AGO
NOV. 9, 1933

Rev. H.M. Henry, D.D.: The Rev. H.M. Henry, D.D., for many years a citizen of Wilcox County, died in a Selma hospital Thursday night, Nov. 2, and was buried at Oak Hill on Friday afternoon, Nov. 3.
Dr. Henry was for 54 years the beloved pastor of the Oak Hill Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. A great crowd of friends gathered for his funeral at the church where he had preached for over half a century.
Dr. Henry was a native of Chester, S.C. He came to the Oak Hill Church as a young man in 1879. For 54 years, he went in and out among his people at Oak Hill fulfilling his office of preacher and pastor. His people respected and loved him through all those years and his influence upon them has been incalculable. He was a student of the Bible, a close observer of life and an interesting personality. Our county has lost one of its finest characters.

The (Camden) football team went to Georgiana last Friday and played the Georgiana High team. The team played a good game and held the Georgians to a three-touchdown victory. One of our most valuable players, Oliver Powell, was hurt in the game and will probably be out the rest of the season. Heustis Williams, also, suffered a severe accident in getting two teeth broken in the game. Despite the fact that two of our players were hurt, the team reported that the Georgiana fellows were good, clean sports and that they enjoyed playing against them.

101 YEARS AGO
NOV. 11, 1920

Body of Lt. Irby Savage Enroute Home: Mr. F.H. Savage has received word from New York that the body of his son, Lt. Irby Savage, had arrived at that port and would be sent to Camden. The body is expected to reach here at any day now. Lt. Savage served in the A.E.F., being a member of the 42^nd Regiment of the Rainbow Division, which played such a conspicuous part in the war. He received wounds during battle and later died at a base hospital after the Armistice was signed.

At the Methodist Church next Sunday there will be a Union Memorial service in honor of those who gave their service and, in some cases, their lives for their country in the great war. The remains of Lt. Irby Savage will be here and his final interment will be in connection with these services. The hour is 11 a.m.

Camden Theatre: Tues., Nov. 16 – Tom Mix in “Cyclone” and FOX NEWS – Thurs., Nov. 18 – Dorothy Gish in “The Hope Chest” and FOX NEWS – Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 – William S. Hart in “Hell’s Hinges” and Fatty Arbuckle Comedy – Watch for Advertising and Big Picture THANKSGIVING.

FOR SALE: My place near Camden. Nearly 400 acres of land about 3-1/2 miles from Camden courthouse. One of finest residences in county. Eight tenant houses now occupied. Place well-watered and well fenced. Can give immediate possession. Will also sell following personal property: nine mules and horses, four colts, about 30 head of cattle. – Madeline S. McDowell.

114 YEARS AGO
NOV. 14, 1907

Mr. W.J. Leppert, our genial postmaster, spent a few days in Mobile the past week.

Hon. S.D. Bloch, Representative in the Legislature, returned from the State Capitol yesterday on leave of absence to attend the Knights of Pythias convention in session here.

The board of county commissioners, consisting of Probate Judge J.N. Stanford, S.M. Cathcart, Percy Wallace, A.C. McNeil and T.B. Farish, convened in regular session Monday, all of the members being present.

The district Pythian Convention, composed of the lodges in Wilcox, Monroe, Clarke, Choctaw and part of Conecuh counties, convened here yesterday and will remain in session until tonight when it will close with a grand banquet. Grand Chancellor Jacob D. Bloch and other officers of the Grand Lodge are present.

The New Light: The Hydro-Carbon light is quite a fad. Rev. Mr. Huckabee of Pine Apple said it is the greatest luminant he ever saw, the sun excepted. J.H. Mixon from Des Moines, Iowa is in Camden putting up street lights and lighting up some of the big stores.

The entertainment at the Institute Friday night, Nov. 15, for the benefit of the Baptist Church, will consist of Stereoscopic views and appropriate music. The advance to 25 cent entrance fee is owing to the costly films ordered, each being rented for $24 per night. One of these films is “The Holy City” and Mrs. Hardy will sing the beautiful anthem.

132 YEARS AGO
NOV. 13, 1893

THE CONFEDERATE VETERANS ASSOCIATION: Last Friday was Ex-Confederate soldiers day at the fair and mingled with the crowd here and there could be seen old veterans who had battled for four long and weary years.
At dusk, the drum sounded the call for gathering and soon a goodly number assembled at the courthouse, when the county association was called to order by Gen. R.C. Jones, chairman. Hon. John T. Cook, secretary, was at his post.
An elegant address of welcome was delivered by Col. R. Gailliard of Camden, which was elegantly responded to by Hon. W.W. McConnico of Allenton.

THE BALL: The ball on Friday night was a grand success. A large crowd assembled many dances and many spectators. The occasion passed off most happily. All were pleased. Many engaged in the merry dance, and “chased with winged feet the flying hours” until past the stroke of one.

Our estimable sheriff, J.J. Hawthorne returned from Montgomery, where he has been attending the Sheriff’s association of Alabama, of which he has the honor of being president.

THE RAINBOW PARTY: A delightful event of last week was the Rainbow party given by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church. The proceeds were devoted to the purchase of a new bell. It was a delightful occasion and was delightfully enjoyed.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Nov. 9, 2021

Philco radio from 1950.

19 YEARS AGO
NOV. 14, 2002

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .18 inches of rain on Nov. 4, .72 inches on Nov. 5, .01 inches on Nov. 9 and .82 inches on Nov. 10. He reported a high temperature of 81 degrees on Nov. 10 and lows of 39 degrees on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

There were several Veterans Day programs held throughout the area last Friday. Pictured at top is Richard Brown, who was the guest speaker at the Sparta Academy program. Brown served in the United States Navy in World War II and in the Army in the Korean War. Pictured at bottom is the program at Evergreen Junior High. Hillcrest Band Director LaFrancis Davis, who is also a Major in the Army National Guard, was the guest speaker for their program.

Terry Jackson was the guest of honor at the Marine Corps birthday party held last Thursday at the David L. Burt Agricultural Center. Pictured with Jackson are Lee F. Smith, oldest Marine present; Maurice Bozeman, who cut the cake; Jackson; and Myles Anthony, youngest Marine present.

The Castleberry Town Council is going to consider purchasing a garbage truck to begin their own garbage pickup in the near future. Mayor Douglas Graham brought up the possibility at their regular meeting Tues., Nov. 5.

The Conecuh County Commission and Sheriff Tracy Hawsey discussed the hiring of a full-time nurse for the Conecuh County Detention Facility at the commission meeting Tues., Nov. 12.

27 YEARS AGO
NOV. 10, 1994

The Evergreen Post Office is currently being renovated to make the building handicap accessible. West Tumbleson of Kentucky is the contractor for the job. He is shown working on the ramp last Tuesday afternoon. He has done 60 post offices, and Evergreen makes his 61. The job will take several weeks to complete.

Conecuh County voters elected their first new sheriff in over 20 years Tuesday night. Former State Trooper Thomas W. Hall received 2,943 votes while Republican Donnis Barnes received 412 votes. Sheriff Edwin L. Booker received 1,334 write-in votes according to the complete, but unofficial, results in Tuesday night’s general election.
Conecuh County native Judge Sue Bell Cobb won election to the State Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2, by defeating Greg Griffin in the statewide election. It has been many years since a Conecuh County native has been elected to a statewide office.

A new Conecuh County Junior Miss will be chosen this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Ed Reid State Technical College’s Wiley Salter Auditorium.
Eight senior girls from Conecuh County will be competing for the title, scholarships and the right to represent Conecuh County in the state competition in January.
(Contestants that year included Rachel Bohannon, Kelly Booker, Amanda Chavers, Kristie Ivey, Ruby Lett, Carmon Salter, Heather Watson and Monica Williams.)

35 YEARS AGO
NOV. 13, 1986

Evergreen weather reporter Earl Windham reported .64 inches of rain on Nov. 5. He reported a high of 85 on Nov. 9 and a low of 54 on Nov. 4.

David Lamar Burt, 61, of Route 1, Peterman, died Friday night, Nov. 7, in a local hospital after a long illness. He was chairman of the Conecuh County Commission and a member of a prominent pioneer family.
Mr. Burt was elected chairman in 1976 and re-elected in 1980 and 1984. A popular and well known man, he lived all of his life in the Fairnelson community. He was a successful cattle farmer prior to being elected chairman. He had devoted his full time to the duties of that office.
He was an active member of the Purnell Methodist Church, a graduate of Lyeffion High School and a veteran of service in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

Mrs. Katie Sue Burt, widow of the late Chairman David L. Burt, took the oath of office as Chairman of the Conecuh County Commission shortly after nine o’clock Wednesday morning in the commission meeting room. The oath of office was administered by Circuit Judge Robert E.L. Key in the presence of the members of the commission, members of the Burt family and friends.
Mrs. Burt was appointed to fill her late husband’s unexpired term at a meeting of the Commission on Monday. The resolution appointing her was introduced by Commissioner Freddie Stallworth and seconded by Commission Woodrow Windham and unanimously adopted.

71 YEARS AGO
NOV. 9, 1950

All offices at the Court House will be closed Sat., Nov. 11, in observance of Armistice Day. All persons having business to transact at the courthouse should bear this in mind. The post office and all other business houses will be open, according to the best information available.

The First Baptist Church of Evergreen will have a homecoming and dedication program Sun., Nov. 19, according to an announcement made this week by Rev. Sam Granade, pastor.
The church has just about completed a modern educational building and on this date a dedication service will be held. Dr. A. Hamilton Reid, executive secretary of the Alabama Baptist Convention, will preach at the morning service and also deliver the dedicatory address.

A grand cooking school will be held at the Pix Theatre tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10 o’clock. Admission to the school is absolutely free, courtesy Canterbury Hardware, Inc., local Philco dealer.
Miss Eliza Clark, Philco’s nationally known home economist, will conduct the school.

County Finals Of Jaycee Speech Contest Friday: Conecuh County finals of the “Voice of Democracy” contest sponsored by the Evergreen Junior Chamber of Commerce will be held at Evergreen High School tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10 o’clock. Winners of the contest will have his speech transcribed for entry in the state finals.

90 YEARS AGO
NOV. 12, 1931

Clarence Crenshaw On Trial Today: Clarence Crenshaw, young man charged with first-degree murder for fatally stabbing John D. Barnes, farmer living near Castleberry last spring, goes on trial for his life today (Thursday) for the second time. Crenshaw was convicted and sentenced to the electric chair at a special session of court immediately after the murder was committed but due to the late introduction of certain evidence by the State, Judge Hare set aside the verdict and granted a new trial. Since that time, Crenshaw has been held in the county jail.
He is represented by attorneys B.E. Jones and Edwin C. Page Jr., who were appointed by the court to handle the case. Besides the regular jurors serving this week, a special venire has been summoned here for the case. The case has attracted a large crowd of people from over the county to the courthouse today to hear the trial.

The case of Cap Edson, who was indicted by the grand jury last week for second-degree murder, charged with the murder of Jim Merritt, was set for Tuesday morning. Due to absence of certain defendant witnesses the case was carried over to Friday morning at which time it will be tried. Edson is represented by attorneys G.O. Dickey of Evergreen and Marcus Fletcher of Andalusia.

Officers Capture Big Moonshine Outfit: Sheriff J.G. Moore and a corps of deputies captured a 125-gallon still and 60 gallons of beer Tuesday morning about five miles south of Repton. The still was a homemade outfit of copper and wood. When found, it was not in operation, but gave evidence of having been run recently.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Nov. 8, 2021

15 YEARS AGO
NOV. 9, 2006

Hillcrest High School’s first season under head coach Maurice Belser came to an end last Friday night in Evergreen when Georgiana High School upended the Jaguars 34-19.
Derrick Paige closed out his senior season with a big game on offense. He rushed eight times for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Jaguars. He also had five pass receptions for 43 yards. Paige also completed one of two passes for 16 yards.
(Other standout Hillcrest players in that game include Blake Bryant, Dexter Chapman, Malcolm Jackson, Justin Nared, William Robbins and Roderick Rudolph.)

Sparta Academy senior halfback Chase Brown has been named to compete on the Alabama Independent School Association’s (AISA’s) West all-star.
Brown rushed for 1,034 yards during the 2006 season to help the Warriors post a 5-5 record.

Hillcrest High School’s varsity boys will begin defense of the 2005-06 Class 4A state basketball championship Tuesday.
(Hillcrest’s varsity boys roster that year included senior Curtis Richardson, senior P.K. Riley, junior Cleveland Knight, senior Blake Bryant, senior Brandon King, senior Justin Holder, sophomore Prentice Salter, sophomore Dereck Smith, junior Tony Watson, senior Leroy Herbest, junior Aaron Dees, junior Jeremy Thomas, junior Clarence Jackson and senior Quinton Lee. Tommy Dukes was head coach.)

24 YEARS AGO
NOV. 13, 1997

Excitement was in the air Friday night at Stuart-McGehee Field as the Sparta Academy Warriors defeated the Dixie Academy Rebels, 34-6, in the first round of the AISA Class A state playoffs.
Lee Goodwin was the leading rusher for the Warriors with 185 yards on 38 carries and four touchdowns. Next was Cliff Herbest with 104 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown; Charlie Ward with 15 yards on one carry; Chris Mitchell, 11 yards on six carries; and Seth McIntyre, -6 yards on two carries.

These young men were selected as Players of the Week by the coaches at Hillcrest High School for the Georgiana game. They were defensive player Ashley Coleman, who had six tackles and two tackles that gained loss yardage. Offensive player was Henry James. He graded 2.20 on the 16 championship plays. He rushed for 75 yards and had one reception for 12 yards. He also had 10 knock downs.

These young men were selected as Players of the Week by the coaches at Hillcrest High School for the game against Dothan. They were Defensive Player of the Week, Jason Watkins, who had five tackles, six assists and one tackle for loss of yardage. Offensive player Malcolm Andrews had 17 knock downs and graded 1.80.

36 YEARS AGO
NOV. 14, 1985

Junior quarterback Jeff Walker of Sparta Academy is third in the state in passing with 51 completions in 104 attempts for 735 yards. He is sixth in total offense with 749 yards. Senior Danny Reed is second in the state in pass receptions with 23. He is third in receiving yardage with 407 yards.

The Sparta Academy Warriors closed out regular season play with a 40-6 win over Fort Deposit Academy in Fort Deposit Friday night.
Chad Grace rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries to pace Sparta. Lee Adams had 53 yards on nine attempts and a touchdown. Grace scored on runs of 1, 16 and 21 yards and ran for two points. Adams scored on a five-yard run. Jim Reed scored on a five-yard run and Mark Rigsby on a 48-yard pass from Jeff Walker and Walker passed to Tommy Conway for two extra points.
Tim Wilson had 13 yards on six carries, Rigsby seven yards on one try, Jim Reed six yards on two, Jeff Carrier five on four, Danny Reed one on one, Walker lost three on three, Brad Watts lost five on two, and Mike Osban netted four on one try.
Walker completed seven of 11 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Danny Reed had three receptions for 35 yards, Rigsby one for 48 and a TD, Conway two for 26 and Scott Salter one for 22.
Rigsby had 10 solo tackles and three assists and an interception.

43 YEARS AGO
NOV. 9, 1978

Linament Bowl at Lyeffion Friday night: The Evergreen Old Timers will meet the Lyeffion Old Timers in an Old Timers Football Game (tackle, not touch) this Friday night at Lyeffion. The kickoff for The Linament Bowl is set for 7:30 at Mabry Covin Field. All proceeds from the game will go to help air condition Lyeffion High School.
Playing Coach Arlton Hudson of the Evergreen Old Timers lists the following players: Rayvon Henry, Jerome Thomas, Stanley Blair, Frank Lee Jr., Tommy Freeman, William Ryals, Ronald Johnson, James Henry, Robert Lark, Herbert Floyd, Rodney Pleasant, Allen Padgett, Willie Merrills, David Stonestreet, Mike Niven, Terry Plummar, Ronnie Robinson, Lindsey Grace, Eddie Bozeman and Ricky Gasken.
Murray Griffin, playing coach of the Lyeffion Old Timers, lists these players: Eddie Salter, David Primm, Terry Frierson, Terry Chapman, Johnny Blackmon, Scott Davis, Greg Davis, Johnny House, Johnny Booker, Gary Smith, Kent Cook, Jesse Joyner, Wendell Joyner, Paul Grimes, Doug Williams, Randy Robinson, Pete Hicks, Bruce Salter, Jimmy Booker, Wayne Brown, Eddie Brown, Leroy Salter and Jerry Pate.

64 YEARS AGO
NOV. 14, 1957

Tommy Tatum, student at the University, attended the Alabama-Tulane game in Mobile on Saturday and spent the weekend with his parents.

The Evergreen Aggies played host to T.R. Miller Friday night. Miller started off things early in the first quarter as they scored a touchdown and kicked the extra point. Miller scored again in the second quarter, but the Aggies failed to score in the first half.
Miller kicked off to the Aggies to get the second half underway. On the first play from scrimmage however, the Aggies fumbled and Miller recovered for the touchdown. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Miller scored two more touchdowns. The Aggies also scored on a pass from Grace to Daniels set up by a key block on the part of Captain Buddy Zukowski. Evergreen failed to convert and the final score was Miller 41, Evergreen 6.

Eagles Down Thomasville 20-7: Evergreen’s CCTS Eagles wrote ‘finis’ to the annual homecoming festivities by crushing Thomasville, 20-7. Playing an inspired brand of football, the Eagles appeared to make up for all their mistakes in previous outings. The cool crisp Saturday night air echoed the crowds’ approval as the Eagles ripped gaping holes in the Thomasville forward wall for swivel-hipped halfbacks and bulldozing fullbacks.
(Outstanding CCTS players in that game included Jimmie Armstrong, Bobby Booker, Hood Johnson, John Malden and Leroy Thomas.)