George Singleton tells of the many misadventures and near-misses of hardcore Alabama turkey hunters

Bobcats love to eat turkey.

(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 “Spring – the time of love and turkey hunting” was originally published in the March 28, 1991 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

According to poets and songwriters, spring is the time when we begin to think of love. As the flowers blossom and our surroundings take on the fresh spring smells, all thoughts turn toward the search for a companion. Older folks, like myself, must put on their good behavior during spring and show their love and appreciation to the one courted many springs ago.

I have read many, many poems and stories about love in the beautiful and blossoming time of spring. I have even tried to write a few verses of sweet nothings, with sugar drippings, back when I was young and on the courting circuit. I didn’t have much luck with those words that I tried to make rhyme and sound rosy, but I tried, I really did.

But, in all of my reading and listening, in all of my travels and searching, I have yet to find a poet who will write anything about turkey hunting.

I can name several people, right here in this area, whose first love is turkey hunting. During this time of the year, all caution is thrown to the wind, and these dedicated souls risk job loss, divorce and the complete separation from all their worldly goods just to go out to hunt a courting turkey gobbler who is not even bothering them.

Now I can see hunting a mean old fighting bull or an alligator that is eating up all the young chillum in the neighborhood. I can even see going forth to do battle with a ragin’ bull elephant that is destroying the farmers’ crops. But to go out in the morning, before daylight, and try to shoot a large turkey gobbler who is strutting around, trying to catch the eye of a lovely, young turkey hen… well, I just don’t understand it.

What if someone had tried to sound the mating call when you had been out courting? Just say, you answered the call only to find yourself looking into the end of a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun? It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to get the real picture. It’s heartbreaking to think of a turkey seeking love and courtship, only to end up being baked in a red-hot stove to be served for the main course on Sunday.

It’s quite often that spring loves and courtships end up in separation or in one seeking greener pastures. But it is very, very rare to hear of a devout turkey hunter giving up hunting during the spring turkey season. There are a few exceptions, but they are as rare as pulling hens’ teeth.

My brother-in-law was one of these people. He always took his vacation during this time of year. If he couldn’t get off for spring turkey season, he would quit his job. Nothing ever stood in the way of spring turkey hunting.

I must say that he was good at this sport. On Sunday afternoons, when all would sit around on the front porch and discuss local matters and world problems, he would get on the far end of the porch and practice his turkey calling. If you didn’t know better, you might think he was a little strange, sitting over there on the edge of the porch practicing his mating calls.

One morning after one of his hunts, a strange thing happened. He took his trusted shotgun and placed it on the deer-horn gun rack in the hallway. He informed his bewildered wife that if his gun was ever taken down from the rack again, it would be done by someone else. He stated that he had been on his last turkey hunt. His wife was so startled that she had to sit down for a spell. She was dumbfounded.

During his last turkey hunt, he sat down beside a large pine tree and began giving the mating calls that were sure to bring a large turkey gobbler high-tailing it that way. As he listened for a sound of the approaching gobbler, he chanced to catch a movement out of the corner of his right eye.

There, crouched and ready to spring and do battle, was the largest bobcat he had ever seen. As the bobcat sprang in his direction, my brother-in-law screamed and tried to jump up. He forgot all about his trusty shotgun in all the commotion. He must have scared the bobcat out of his wits also, because when they got untangled, the cat high-tailed it for taller timbers. It was several days before my brother-in-law regained his normal color.

I won’t call any names, but I know another one of these dyed-in-the-wool turkey hunters, who lives right here in our county. He also hold a very important position in our county government. It seems that after much deliberation, he purchased a turkey caller for $8 from a well-known store in town. I was told that he made two trips into the store before he made the purchase.

The next morning, he ventured into the deep woods to try out his new turkey caller. He sat down and proceeded to give those sexy mating calls designed to lure a very large turkey gobbler within shotgun range.

It seems that he, too, had the daylights scared out of him by one large and mean bobcat. Again, I won’t call any names, but if this fellow quits spring turkey hunting, you will know the reason. Only time will tell.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for April 12, 2022

President George Bush and Barbara Bush

32 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1990

Evergreen weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .53 inches of rain on April 2 and .19 inches on April 9. He reported a high of 79 degrees on April 5 and lows of 37 degrees on April 6 and April 7.

Mrs. Susie Pittman, a resident of Evergreen Nursing Home, celebrated her 106th birthday on Sun., April 1. Mrs. Pittman received a telegram from President and Mrs. George Bush wishing her a Happy Birthday and Willard Scott of The Today Show on NBC wished her a Happy Birthday during his segment of the show Monday morning.

Annie Pearl Oliver, 57, of Evergreen was killed when her vehicle collided with another car, driven by Edward P. Reeves of Brewton. Ernestine Roach, also of Evergreen, a passenger in Ms. Oliver’s vehicle, was injured and taken to Andalusia Hospital. The accident occurred at 3:45 p.m. Monday on U.S. 84, about four miles west of River Falls, troopers said.

Two men who escaped from the Conecuh County Jail early Wednesday morning of last week were apprehended later that same day on the Old Sparta Road, according to Conecuh County Sheriff Edwin L. Booker. William James Furger of Wisconsin and Terry Johnson, aka Terry Smith, of Virginia City, Ala. were caught late Wednesday afternoon after a citizen called the sheriff’s office and reported seeing two men fitting the description of the escapees walking down the Old Sparta Road.

47 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1975

Weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.1 inches of rain on April 1 and 0.2 inches of rain on April 2. He reported a high of 76 on April 2 and a low of 35 on March 31.

The newly organized Evergreen Lions Club will meet at noon today at the Evergreen Jaycees’ Hut. The club has 20 members and is still accepting charter members. Evergreen has not had a Lions Club since the 1930s.

Don McInnis is new Trooper: Don L. McInnis was accepted as a recruit by the Alabama State Troopers on March 26. He is now attending recruit school.

Formal dedication of Evergreen’s new “Avenue of Flags” will be held downtown Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. A representative of the State Commander of the American Legion will be the featured speaker. The Evergreen High School Band will play. It is also anticipated that there will be a flyover by U.S. Navy jets.
The “Avenue of Flags” is in the park area on the West Front Street side of the L&N. Funds for the flags were raised by the Pilot Club of Evergreen and many of the flags were donated as memorials.
The City maintains the flags at City Hall and the Evergreen Police Department displays them on holidays and other special occasions.
A special invitation to all veterans of all wars to attend and take part in the dedication is extended by Alma Martin Post 50, the American Legion and by the Pilots.

62 YEARS AGO
APRIL 14, 1960

Annual Fat Calf Show begins at nine Monday: One of the biggest and best of a long line of successful Conecuh County Fat Calf Shows is to be staged here Monday. Events get underway in the annual show at nine o’clock Monday morning at the Conecuh Cooperative Stockyard on North Main Street.
Kenneth Copeland, general chairman of the show, said today that 46 calves will be entered by county 4-H and FFA members. A large crowd is expected to be on hand to witness the show and give encouragement to the youngsters taking part in it.

Armed Escapee Is Nabbed Here Tues.: An escaped prisoner from the Georgia State Prison at Leesburg was captured in front of Olen’s Department Store in downtown Evergreen Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock by Conecuh County Sheriff James (Shorty) Brock, Evergreen Police Chief Johnny Andrews, Deputy Sheriff Mancel Pearce and Highway Patrol Sgt. Tom Melton.
The escapee was identified as Russell Lee Harris, 32, a former resident of Brewton. Harris has been using the alias of Harold L. Robinson. He was driving a 1957 Cadillac hardtop, which he parked and entered Wild Brothers Hardware store, West Front Street, Evergreen. He asked the clerk to sell him a box of shells for a .25-caliber automatic that he had on his person and shells for a .32-caliber pistol, which was found by arresting officers hidden in the stolen automobile. Also found in the Cadillac was a 1959 Georgia license plate with the numerals, 34-A-25.
Harris was serving a sentence in Georgia for murder.

77 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1945

An early morning fire last Thurs., April 5, virtually destroyed the new home and contents of Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Gilmore on Magnolia Street. The fire originated in the kitchen from an oil stove while the cook was preparing breakfast. The flames spread quickly to all parts of the house and the entire building was in flames when the fire department arrived.

A telegram from the War Department received by Mrs. Louise Pierce Crawford April 8 announced the sad news that her husband, Pfc. Neadie Crawford, was killed in action in Germany on March 24. Pfc. Crawford was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Crawford.
General Marshall paid this tribute to Pfc. Crawford: ‘Pfc. Crawford served valiantly in a supreme hour of his country’s need. His memory will live in the grateful heart of our nation.’

Top Sgt. James Freeman, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Freeman of Nashville, Tenn., formerly of this county, was killed in action in Germany on March 30, according to a report which reached relatives here this week. Sgt. Freeman was a paratrooper and had only been overseas about one month when he was killed. He had been in the regular army for about 10 years or since he graduated from Evergreen High School. He was a nephew of Clarence Miller, well known local citizen.

92 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1930

16-Year-Old Girl Hangs Self To Rafter: The body of Emma Lizzie Bolden, age 16, was found suspended from a rafter by a short piece of rope at the home of her brother, Will Bolden, Friday, April 4, at noon by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Will Bolden. When found the girl was not dead, but she lived only about 20 minutes and never regained consciousness. Her neck was not broken. The physician stated that death resulted from strangulation.
The Bolden family with whom she made her home, as well as the young woman, had been at work in the field earlier in the day. The girl went to the house at 11 o’clock to prepare dinner for the family. It seems that she tied herself securely around the neck after having tied the rope to the rafter, and it is supposed that she kicked the chair upon which she was standing away in order to hang herself.
Reports coming to this paper say that the girl was to have been married on April 13 to McRay Cotten of Evergreen and it is said that her brother was opposed to the marriage. Some advance opinion that this caused her to commit the unfortunate act.
Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion Sat., April 5, and interment made in the cemetery at that church.
She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Albert Joiner, one sister and two brothers.

Harvesting and marketing of the 1930 strawberry crop is fast getting underway in this county. Express shipments have been going out for over a week but no carlot shipments were made until the latter part of last week at which time several cars were shipped from Castleberry. Evergreen shippers loaded their first cars Monday of this week.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for April 11, 2022

Wendell Hart

34 YEARS AGO
APRIL 14, 1988

At its last meeting, the Conecuh County Board of Education approved the naming of the new high school, selection of school colors and mascot. The board’s considerations came from recommendations that were given by a committee of students from the Repton High, Conecuh County High, Evergreen and Lyeffion School communities who met on several occasions to compile this information.
Several choices of school names, colors and mascots were then sent back to the local high schools, so that all students from each community were permitted to vote on these considerations.
The unanimous choices and votes were recorded and, based on popular vote, were submitted to the Board of Education as recommendations. The board approved the recommendations that were submitted to it by the student committee. The name for the new high school will be Hillcrest High School. The school colors are red, silver (gray) and black, and the mascot will be a Jaguar.
The board commended the student committee on their work and cooperation.
The new school colors will be incorporated into the décor and interior of the new school. The school will open in the fall of 1989.

48 YEARS AGO
APRIL 11, 1974

From ‘The Colyum’ by Bob Bozeman – Coach Wendell Hart parked his car in front of the Holiday Inn Sunday morning, in broad daylight, and went in for a cup of coffee. He drank the coffee and talked a while, then returned to his car. It wouldn’t start. He raised the hood… someone had stolen his battery.

Charles Owens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tenies Owens, was chosen ‘Senior of the Month’ for March at Lyeffion High School. He played on the varsity football squad, member of FFA for three years, selected for ‘Who’s Who’ in his junior year and is a member of the track team.

Paul Brantley, president of the Lenox Saddle Club, and Mrs. Christine Gandy, president of the Lenox Community Club, today expressed their thanks and appreciation to all who helped and all who attended the annual Spring Rodeo and Horse Show, Saturday night.
They said they spoke on behalf of the entire community for the outstanding support that made this the most successful yet of the annual events.

58 YEARS AGO
APRIL 9, 1964

The Evergreen High Aggies ended their Spring football practice with two scrimmage sessions this week.
Monday Coach Robinson divided his troops into groups and held a control scrimmage. The Green team led by quarterback Scott Cook defeated the Whites, 8-0. Cook passed to end Johnny Huggins for the TD.
Coaches Robinson and Allman named tackle Alvin Dees, linebacker ‘Snuffy’ Smith and Cook as outstanding for the winners. Jimmy Warren and Kenny Harper were White standouts.
Tuesday the two teams went at it again with the Whites showing a powerful offense and topping the Greens, 20-0. Jimmy Warren, Brent Thornley and Wayne Tolbert ripped through the Greens at will for huge chunks of yardage. Kenny Harper and Tommy Hartley led the White linemen.
Scott Cook, Alvin Dees and Calvin Smith were outstanding for the Greens.
Aggie Coaches John Law Robinson and Henry Allman were well pleased with the training session. They said that they felt like their first unit was pretty well set, but that depth would be a big problem. One bright light of the practice was the performance of Ronnie Hayes. Hayes tips the scales at over 200 pounds and although he is a senior and this is only his first year out, he has shown a lot of desire.

The Evergreen Aggies led by the no-hit pitching of Homer Faulkner and Steve Baggett won their first game of the season from the Castleberry Blue Devils 8-0 Tuesday afternoon at the Evergreen Recreation Center field.

64 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1958

Aggies Win Opener; Drop Lyeffion 2-0: The Evergreen Aggies baseball team started the hard ball season on the right foot by dropping the Lyeffion Yellow Jackets, 2-0. Ken Tucker was the inning pitcher and Dees was credited with the loss for Lyeffion.
Other than giving up two bases on balls, Dees of Lyeffion pitched a fine game. He fanned 16 batters and allowed only two hits.
Ken Tucker who pitched the first five innings for the Aggies gave up two hits and no walks. Bill Ivey pitched the last two innings and allowed one hit and no walks.
Dees led the Lyeffion batters with a double and a triple. Cook got the other Jacket hit, a single. Daniels had a double, and Tucker a single for the Aggies.
The lineup and batting order for Evergreen and Lyeffion was: Evergreen: Daniels, CF; Ellington, LF; Grace, RF; Pate, 1B; Bateman, SS; Ansley, 2B; W.A. Pate, 3B; Melton, C; Tucker, P; Ivey, P.
Lyeffion: Burt, 2B; Coker, SS; Dees, P; G. House, 3B; Riley, C; Anthoney, 1B; Cook, CF; J.House, RF; Hick, RF; Powell, LF.

The Evergreen Golf Club’s annual one-day tournament is scheduled for today. If weather is good a large number of golfers from over South Alabama and Northwest Florida are expected to enter the invitational tournament.

The first player try-out for the Evergreen Junior Leagues scheduled yesterday was canceled by rain. Another is scheduled next Wednesday afternoon and another on the Wednesday following.

85 YEARS AGO
APRIL 8, 1937

Dr. H.C. Fountain attended the AKC Dog Show in Birmingham Sunday.

Evergreen High School: Our baseball team lost its first game of the season to Brewton last Tuesday by a score of two to one. The Evergreen batteries were Lane and Hart. The outstanding players were James Lane, Raiford Key, Wendell Hart and Billie Wiggins. The base-running and failure to hit in pinches resulted in the boys’ defeat.
Every Tuesday the local Bulldogs will play baseball at Gantt Field.
Jerome Weaver and Tom Rountree are at Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Miss., for spring football practice. They intend to enroll there next year.

Singelton remembers the bygone days of the traveling stove fixer

Old antique cook stove.

(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 “Stove fixer always came around during the springtime” was originally published in the March 17, 1994 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I yet believe that those of you who didn’t grow out of the Great Depression missed an awful lot. Again, I say that I do not wish for another depression, but many fond memories come to mind of these years of hard times and hard work endured by the country families on the farms.

I know that there are some of my readers who remember some of these happenings that took place along the dirt roads of the back country. I never did understand just how news about certain events or visitors managed to travel so fast without the aid of modern telephones or radio.

Everyone in the farm country used the wood-burning cook stove in the preparation of feeding the family. Bringing in stove wood was always a chore for the very young. Those who were not old enough to do manual labor in the fields always caught up the slack around the house by doing jobs like brining in stove wood, drawing water from the well, helping to shell corn and various other jobs. If these jobs were boring and didn’t appear to exciting, this was kept to yourself. Perhaps, you could tell your older sister if you could get her to swear an oath to never tell about not liking the handyman jobs.

The latter days of March and the early days of April were the time for the arrival of the stove fixer. As much as these wood stoves were used in the country homes, there was most always something wrong with them, maybe a burned out or broken grate or perhaps a lost screw in the door hinge to the over was needed.

Sometimes the water reservoir might have a small leak, that is if you were lucky enough to have one on the family stove. Most times the need for repairs was tolerated until the time for the traveling stove fixer to show up.

I can see him now, coming down the road in his horse-drawn buggy. The old man was always dirty, having soot on his clothing from working on the many broken cook stoves. His horse was neither fat nor skinny but always healthy. Since this was his only means of travel, he always saw to it that his horse got fed. Many repair jobs were done for a place to stay overnight in someone’s barn and a couple of square meals for himself and his horse.

Getting the wood stove fixed was not the only service the stove fixer provided for the country folks. He always knew the latest news from other communities where he had been. His coming was like getting the newspaper or the news on the radio or television as we do today.

Most always, the same stove fixer would return year after year into the same area of the farm country. Since my father always kept a room of a sorts out in the barn just for wayward vagabonds, the stove fixer always stayed at least two or three days at our place.

Upon arrival, he would give my mother’s old Southern Comfort cook stove a good going over. He would always replace the grates, whether it was needed or not. He always carried the old grates with him when he left, perhaps to use again in someone else’s stove. He would tighten all the screws and bolts in the stoves, always waiting until it had cooled. Then, he would check the water reservoir for leaks. Finally, the stove pipe was inspected to be sure there was no chance of the kitchen catching fire from a leaking pipe or chimney.

After the repairs were finished, he and my father would sit out under the shed where the farm tools were kept. Here, my father would catch up on the news until it was announced that supper was ready. As a small boy, I was allowed to be present at these conversations, but I could only listen. I was not allowed to ask any questions or give my views on anything being talked about.

I was, however, allowed to sit at the small table in the kitchen with the traveling stove fixer while he ate. He would always bring me up to date on the events he thought interesting as we sat there eating. My darling mother was probably the best cook in the whole world. I could never understand how the old man ate as much as he did. He would truly put away the groceries, as a small, wide-eyed boy stared in total disbelief.

When the supper meal was over, the conversation between my father and the stove fixer would continue. A coal oil lantern would be lighted and hung under the tool shed. Sometimes, a couple of neighboring menfolk would come over to be part of the talks. Most times, these talks would last into the midnight hours. On rare occasions, I was allowed to be present, also. But, after an hour or less, this small boy would cuddle up on a saddle blanket in a sound sleep, always having to be carried to the house by my father or older brother.

After a hardy breakfast, the stove fixer would scout the community and surrounding area for repair work on stoves. Most times, he would be giving his lunch at another farm, but always, he returned to our house for the supper meal. Always, I would be given some kind of prize by the old man. An old pocket knife or perhaps several pieces of lead that had been fashioned into fish hook sinkers.

A well-fed and rested horse would be hooked up to the old buggy on the morning of departure. An early breakfast was served the old stove fixer. He would carry along with him a large box of food prepared the night before by my older sisters and its preparation supervised by my darling mother. Along with the box would be a large jar of fresh buttermilk. The old stove fixer was ready for travel.

A remorseful and sometimes tearful old man would bid my father farewell, always assuring him that he would return with the coming of the next spring. He would always tell my mother that her Southern Comfort stove was in good shape and would be all right until next year when he returned.

Mounting the seat of his buggy, he would always tip his old hat to my mother and sisters. Then the old stove fixer and his horse and buggy would fade from sight around the bend of the road. The coming of the stove fixer has long passed from the scene, as have many other events of country folks. Sometimes I think time doesn’t always change for the better.

(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.)

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

33 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1989

Bank to celebrate 85^th anniversary: The Monroe County Bank will celebrate its 85^th anniversary with a reception Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main office on Hines Street in Monroeville.
Organized by the late J.B. Barnett, the Monroe County Bank opened for business on April 19, 1904, with its location in the first Monroe County courthouse. From 1909 to 1972, the bank was located in the building on the southwest corner of the square. The current 20,000-square-foot, two-story main building opened March 27, 1972, with a south Monroeville branch added at Monroe Square in 1985.

Taylor strikes out eight as Blacksher defeats Coffeeville: Senior right-hander Ed Taylor, getting his first start of the 1989 season, struck out eight batters and scattered four hits Friday at Uriah to lead J.U. Blacksher High School to a 14-4 victory over Coffeeville High School.
Taylor, who only walked one batter in the five-inning contest, also had a triple to help spark Blacksher’s offense.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Kevin Bohannon, Mike Dailey, Johnny Green, J.B. Gulsby, Joel Lambert and Jerry Qualls.)

Dueitt elected Kiwanis president: Mike Dueitt, procurement supervisor for Alabama River Woodlands, was elected Friday as president of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club.
Other officers elected are Phil Allen, first vice president, and Greg Norris, second vice president. Newly elected directors are Larry Compton, Herbert Bean, Tom Kennedy, Aaron White, Tom Daniel, Edwin Johnson, Tommy Stacey, Jim Crocker, George Heard and Fletcher Melton.

58 YEARS AGO
APRIL 9, 1964

Second Sabin Oral Sunday Set April 12: The second Sabin Oral Sunday will be held in Monroe County April 12. Officials of the program urged everyone in the county to make preparation to take the vaccine Sunday afternoon.
“Vaccine for Polio Type I will be given, and it is extremely vital to the health of the people of Monroe County that everyone take Type I,” a spokesman for the Monroe County Medical Society, sponsors of the event, said.

Track Team Will Attend Leroy Meet: Members of the Monroe County High School track team will attend an individual track meet in Leroy Monday night.
Members of the track team include Jerry Powell, John Williams, Johnny McPherson, John Murray, Larry McAliley, Billy Jones, Curt Wideman, Johnny Biggs, William Lowery, David Eddins, David Smith, Kenneth James, Ray Owens, Louie Hayles, Tim Jones and Roger Black.

Four Scouts Named To Order Of Arrow: Four Monroeville Scouts were tapped out for membership in the Order Of The Arrow, a National Boy Scout Honor Camping and Service Organization, in a ceremony at Little River State Park during the annual AEA Camporee.
They were Mike Lewis, Lee Riley Howington, Lewis Robinson and Dale Sellers.
At a meeting of the OA held for election of officers, Bobby Colquett was elected chief; Albert Dunning, secretary; John Williams, treasurer; and Wilbur Pickens, chief advisor.

83 YEARS AGO
APRIL 13, 1939

California Couples Guests Of Mr. and Mrs. Deer: Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Peterson of Santa Maria, Calif. spent several days this week with Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Deer at Claiborne. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson left Wednesday and will go to South Florida to spend a couple of weeks, after which they will proceed up the Atlantic Coast to New York, from which point they will sail on the Queen Mary for Europe. They expect to return to their California home about the first of September.
Mr. Peterson is one of the largest publishers in the West and is a member of the California State Board of Social Welfare.

Golf Tournament Begins Here Today: The Monroeville Golf Club will begin a local tournament this afternoon and matches will continue through Thurs., May 4. A great deal of interest is being manifested among local players and plenty of fun for everyone is promised.
Mr. R.L. Jones, president of the Club, has made the pairings and they will be posted at the Monala, where all interested may see the results of the matches from day to day.

Beatrice Planning Gala Day For Opening Of Stockyard April 27: With work on the Beatrice Stockyard rapidly nearing completion, plans are being made for a gala occasion of the opening sale, April 27. The Chamber of Commerce is joining the Stockyard Association in promoting this day. Many interesting features will mark the occasion.
A number of buyers will be present to bid on the stock offered for sale. A visiting authority on stock raising will speak on a subject of vital interest to all interested in stock. For entertainment, there will be present a band which will furnish music.

109 YEARS AGO
APRIL 10, 1913

The preliminary trial of Weldon Cobb for the killing of Sylvester Griffin at Franklin on April 1 was held before Judge I.B. Slaughter Friday, resulting in admitting the defendant to bail in the sum of $1,000 to await the action of the grand jury. A number of citizens of the community were present at the hearing.

$1,000 REWARD: I am offering $1,000 reward for any evidence leading to the conviction of any one connected with the burning of my mill and gin on the morning of Jan. 8, 1913. – D.D. Cole, Eliska, Ala.

Mr. John D. Mosley of Selma was in the city last week. Mr. Mosley has been an inspector of loans on land for the last 15 years and is regarded as an expert in his line.

Dr. G.H. Harper was up from Manistee Wednesday. Dr. Harper will remove to Atmore very shortly for the practice of his profession. The Journal wishes him success in his new field.

Mr. Joe Dees of Mexia sent to The Journal office a few days since a specimen of his garden truck in the shape of a purple top globe turnip weighing 5-1/2 pounds and measuring 22 inches in circumference.

An ice cream supper will be given by the ladies Missionary Society of Mexia at the home of Prof. S.O. Arnold Saturday evening, April 19, for the benefit of the Baptist church. A musical program is being prepared by Prof. Arnold, A.L. Brown and Miss Sallie Baggett. A treat is in store for all who come.

133 YEARS AGO
APRIL 12, 1889

As is their custom, the Commissioners made a thorough examination of the county jail before adjourning and found that considerable repairs were necessary to make it safe for keeping prisoners. The plans and specifications were drawn up and the contract let Tuesday, to the lowest bidder. The contract was awarded Mr. S.W. Yarbrough for $600.
The frequency and apparent ease with which prisoners have recently made their escape would seem to demand something more substantial than wooden ceiling.

Several cases of mumps are reported in this community.

Dr. C.C. Busby, the blind lecturer, delivered a lecture at the courthouse on Thursday night of last week on his travels in Palestine, and another on last Monday night, a continuance of his travels, and on the Pyramids of Egypt, etc. The lectures were very entertaining and instructive, and all expressed themselves as being well pleased with them. Dr. Busby left Wednesday via Claiborne for his Texas home.

HONOR ROLL of Bells Landing Academy for February 1889: Katie Stallworth, Minnie Hunt, Sarah Nettles, Minnie Chunn, Mattie Abernathy, Marie Pattison, Nannie Abernathy, Corinne Dunn, Katie Abernathy, Hellen Davis, Willie Davis, Ollie Grace, Harry Davis, Judson Chunn, Walton Hybart, Urn McCants and Willie Holloman. – M. Dannelly, Teacher.

Rev. S.P. Lindsey filled the pulpit at the Baptist church last Sabbath. A good congregation were as greatly benefited by his discourse as Bro. Lindsey was encouraged by their presence.

Old Indian boundary line in Clarke County, Alabama was settled over a pair of ball games around 1808

My son, James, and I found ourselves in Thomasville around lunch on Saturday afternoon and we stopped at the Taco Bell to get something to eat. While we were sitting in the drive thru, we started talking about all of the historical sites in Clarke County. I’ve been to many of them before, but there are many others that I have yet to visit.

Among those that I’d never been to before is a place called Choctaw Corner. I knew that it was located just a handful of miles outside of Thomasville, so James and I decided to take a short field trip to this unique location. A few minutes later, we found ourselves on the Bashi Road (County Road 48) with each turn of the wheel taking us closer to Choctaw Corner.

About 4-1/2 miles from the Thomasville city limits, we came upon a historic marker. The weather was picture-perfect with the sun shining nice and bright. We stepped out for a closer look at the short, squat marker.

Here’s what it says: CHOCTAW CORNER - Established by Choctaw and Creek Indians about 1808 as the northern limit of boundary line between their lands. This line begins at the cut-off in South Clarke County, follows the watershed between Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers without crossing water. The disputed territory boundary was settled by two ball games, one between the warriors and one between the squaws of each tribe. The Choctaws won both games, clearing forever their title to the lands. Actual site of corner is 1.7 miles north, northeast. Erected by the Clarke County Historical Society, 1978.”

Next to this marker is another sign that says, “You Are Now Crossing The Old Indian Peace Treaty Line – 1808.” The sign, which looks relatively new, indicates that it was erected by Boy Scout Troop 76. This sign also bears an image of two Indians going after a ball with a pair of sticks.

I snapped a few pictures and then we climbed back in the truck. As we returned to Thomasville, James asked me about what kind of ball game the Indians played. I had to admit that I didn’t know, but from the picture of the Boy Scout sign, it looked as if they were playing an older version of lacrosse, which I know almost nothing about.

On the way home, traveling east on U.S. Highway 84, we crossed over the Old Line Road, between Whatley and Gosport. I’ve heard many times that this modern road lies along a ridge that also marked an Indian boundary line. This ridge also marks the watershed between the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers. Rain falling on the east side goes to the Alabama River, and rain falling on the west side goes to the Tombigbee River.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know of any other Indian sites in and around Monroe County. I’m especially interested in the locations of any old Indian mounds and village sites. No doubt there are many such places located in the deep woods, albeit maybe not as famous as Clarke County’s Choctaw Corner.

News highlights from century-old editions of The Wilcox Progressive Era in Wilcox County, Alabama

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Today marks the first Thursday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in April 1922.

Readers of The Wilcox Progressive Era that month learned that “Kimbrough is a new town on the Southern Railway at its crossing of the Gulf, Florida and Alabama Railroad, and is a thriving new town, which is building up rapidly. A number of new homes have recently been built and there is here a nice, well-finished hotel, which is in charge of Mrs. Hitchcock.”

It was also reported that 63-year-old Adah Lydia Tait, the widow of Charles E. Tait, died at her residence at Rock West at 5:30 a.m. on April 10. She was survived by four sons, Goode King Tait, Charles E. Tait, Felix Tait and F.F. Tait; a daughter, Mrs. W.F. Dobbs; and nephews and nieces in New York, Birmingham and Mobile.

It was also announced that there would be an Easter Egg hunt, given by the ladies of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, at Mrs. C.V. Beck’s residence on Saturday afternoon, April 15. Admission was 15 cents, and ice cream cones were to be sold.

April means Spring, and Spring leads to baseball, and this was certainly true for Camden High School in 1922. On April 14, Camden High School played Selma High School in Selma and lost, 6-5. Leon Spurlin and J.M. Bonner attended that one-run athletic contest.

Also that month, Mayor Berry of Camden was having the town’s metal water tank and tower painted. The tank and tower had not been painted since they were erected six years before and “were greatly in need of the painting. Mayor Berry has attempted to prevent all the inconvenience possible by arranging with the ‘Steeple Jack,’ Mr. Cross, who is doing the work at night. In this way, the water users will be inconvenienced only one day, and water will be turned into the tank again Tuesday evening.”

The Montgomery Advertiser also reported that Miss Mary Stuart of Camden and McKerrell Osborn of Greensboro “were quietly married at the home of Prof. and Mrs. Ellis (on April 6 in Greensboro). So secretly were the plans for the wedding arranged that no one beside the immediate families knew that they contemplated such a step. The ceremony was performed by Dr. Hubbard, pastor of the Baptist Church, who used the ring ceremony. The bride was given away by her father, and Clark Osborn acted as his brother’s best man. Only a few relatives were present at the marriage.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of May 1922 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.