The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for May 18, 2026

Wilbert Pickens, left, and Frank Lee in 1979.

22 YEARS AGO
MAY 20, 2004

Bailey seeks to make town better as Repton councilman: The Repton Town Council filled a vacant council seat Tuesday of last week by swearing in new councilman James “Linn” Bailey during a meeting at Repton Town Hall.
Bailey has lived in Repton for three years, he said. Bailey was born in Montgomery and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1954. He later moved to Atmore, then to Mobile, then to Pensacola, where he lived for 40 years before moving to Repton.

Shields players, coaches dominate all-star team: J.F. Shields High School dominated The Journal’s annual all-star boys and girls basketball teams this year, placing four players on each team.
In addition, Shields coach Jerome Sanders, who led the boys to the 1A state championship, and Herbert Blackmon, who led the girls to the Final Four tournament, were named Coaches of the Year.
Wesley Jones, a senior 6-8 forward at Shields, and April Hollinger, a senior guard at Shields, are The Journal’s Players of the Year.

Cotton Patch Festival ‘most successful’ one of all: One of the most successful Cotton Patch arts and crafts festivals at Uriah was held Saturday, according to Patricia McCullers, publicity chairperson for the annual event.
Uriah’s annual event is sponsored each May by the Uriah Arts Council. The 11^th annual event was held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Uriah. The festival included booths featuring oil and watercolor paintings, mesquite wood walking canes and oil lamps, monogrammed purses, woodwork, clothing and more.

47 YEARS AGO
MAY 17, 1979

Honorary fire chief: Frank Lee accepts a plaque from Monroeville Fire Chief Wilbert Pickens which designated him honorary fire chief of Monroeville last week. Lee, the 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lee Sr. of Monroeville, was recognized for rushing into a burning home at Destin, Fla. March 30 and awaking Mrs. Dave Katz of Monroeville, possibly saving her life. The Monroeville Volunteer Fire Department presented Lee with the plaque and made him fire chief for a week and Mayor B.C. Hornady signed a proclamation because of his heroic act.

Nine men from area to play on East team: Nine area players will participate in the Jackson Lions Club East-West Baseball divisional game Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on Jackson’s Legion Field.
Clarence McCarthy, Carl Langlois and Richard Anderson will represent 3A area champ Monroe County High School. From 1A champion J.U. Blacksher will come Ricky Smith, Harry Akins and Kevin Barnes.
Gary Seales and Tracy Baggett, both of Excel High, and Dennis Curry of Frisco City High are the three other area players.

John Barnett III elected chairman of bankers group: John B. Barnett III of Monroeville has been elected group chairman for the area 1979-80 Alabama Young Bankers Economic Education Program. Barnett is assistant vice president of Monroe County Bank and is married to Rebecca Lewis Barnett. Barnett will work directly with school coordinators appointed by area banks, school boards and principals.

72 YEARS AGO
MAY 20, 1954

Postal Theft In Hybart Reported By Inspector: Post Office Inspector J.C. Engel in Mobile reported recently that a large quantity of mail was stolen from the Frisco railway depot at Hybart, Monroe County, Sunday night, May 9.
Engel said the theft was discovered Monday morning and that some of the mail and wrappings from parcel post packages were discovered under a railway trestle about 200 yards from the depot.
The incoming mail was stored in a strong box at the depot awaiting opening of the Hybart post office.

Honor students of the 1954 senior class at Excel High School are Miss Beverly Gardner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Gardner, valedictorian, and James Fleming, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Fleming, salutatorian.
Guest speaker for graduation exercises for the Excel seniors on Monday night, May 24, in the school auditorium will be Dr. David Mullins, executive vice-president of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn.

Pamphlets On Polio Now Being Distributed To All Monroe Students: Around 7,000 pamphlets containing tips on polio precaution are now being distributed to students in all Monroe County schools, H.G. Greer of Monroeville, county education superintendent, reported recently.
Around 600 of these pamphlets were left over from the county distribution, Mr. Greer declared, and all interested persons may obtain one of them by calling in person at his offices in the City Hall in Monroeville.
He urged parents in the county to read and abide by the pamphlets when they are brought home by students.

97 YEARS AGO
MAY 16, 1929

NEW POST OFFICE COMPLETED: The new post office building has been completed with the exception of laying the sidewalk in front of the building. New furniture and equipment is being installed which will materially facilitate the handling of mail matter.

Prof. H.G. Greer, principal of the Frisco City High School, is leaving this week with his family to spend time with relatives in Brookhaven, Miss. Prof. Greer with his entire faculty has been reelected for the next session of the school.

Rev. L.B. Green, pastor, and Messrs. A.C. Lee, J.A. Lazenby and J.F. Lathram and Mrs. I.J. Foster, delegates from the Monroeville charge, attended the Andalusia District Conference at Dozier on Thursday of last week.

Local Marine Returns From Service In China: After some interesting experiences in China, where he was on duty with the Sixth Regiment of Marines, Paul McKenzie of Uriah arrived in New York recently on the transport Somme, which brought back several Marines who had completed periods of service abroad.
McKenzie went to China early in 1927 when the detachment of Marines were hurriedly dispatched to that country to protect American citizens. He remained in the Orient nearly two years and came back to California by way of Guam, the Philippines and Honolulu.
McKenzie is a native of Alabama and formerly made his home with his mother, Mrs. Lora McKenzie, Rural Route 1, Uriah. He has been with the Marines for five or six years and has had many travels and adventures.

122 YEARS AGO
MAY 19, 1904

Ice Cream Supper: To be given at Quigley Institute, Beatrice, Thursday night, May 26, for the benefit of buying desks for school. Everybody invited.

LONG NEEDED RAIN: The long wished for and greatly needed rain drenched the thirsty earth throughout this section last Monday afternoon and night, breaking a drought of about five weeks duration. Although no gauge was taken, we are of the opinion that the precipitation would have measured one a half to two inches. The downpour was steady for a considerable time and unaccompanied by electrical display or damaging winds.

F.H. Smith Dead: Mr. F.H. Smith, bookkeeper for the Holmes Lumber Co., Finchburg, died at that place on Friday evening, May 13, after a short sickness. His remains were interred at the Baptist cemetery here Saturday afternoon. Two bright little boys survive him. His former home was in Michigan.

ELOCUTIONIST ENTERTAINMENT: A rare treat is in store for all who appreciate grace and talent in the art of elocution. Miss Georgia Ray MacMillan, whose gifts and accomplishments as an elocutionist are highly commended by press and people where ever she has given recital, has been induced to give an entertainment in the courthouse at Monroeville on Tuesday evening, May 25, for the benefit of the Presbyterian church. A full house should be accorded. Admission 25 cents, children 15 cents. Tickets on sale at the Drug Store.

George Singleton tells of adventures in his brother's 1933 Chevrolet

A 1933 Chevrolet sedan.

(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 “A car was a prized possession in early days,” was originally published in the June 27, 1991 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

The youth of today don’t realize how lucky they are to have places to go and a means of getting there. They jump in their own personal automobiles and speed down to the beach or to some movie a hundred or so miles away. This is an every day affair.

It was not this way when I was growing up. If, by some miracle, a young teenage boy had the chance to use the family care (if his family had one), he thought he was the lucky one. And if this happened, he always had strict orders to carry someone else with him, usually his best friend and his date, if his friend could get a date.

My brother, a few years older than I, became the proud owner of one used 1933 Chevrolet sedan. Many times I marveled at this fine piece of machinery and wondered how it would feel to go on a date without the worry of having to be asked by a friend to go along as filler personnel, to use an old Army phrase. If there were more than two in the auto, there would be no under-the-moon parking or holding hands.

I never did understand why my brother had a change of heart and let me use his most prized possession. But one day he informed me that if I would help him do some things he needed to do, he would let5t me borrow his fine automobile for a night on the town.

A night in Sweet Water was like howling at the moon. There was nothing to do other than gather some friends and go to a special spot on a nearby large creek, build a fire and tell tall stories. I was given special orders by my brother that I was not to drive his care more than 20 miles that night, not even a trip to the nearest movie in Linden some 22 miles away. I also had to furnish him with a list of my friends who were going along so he would know who was in his car if it got damaged.

Nevertheless, I was so excited about using the car that I complied with all his instructions. The last order of the day was that I had to have his beloved vehicle back home no later than 10:30 p.m. 

It took quite a bit of doing to get everything lined up for this exciting night. The group consisted of my date and two other couples, six in all. Our dates were to spend the night with the girl who lived the closest to save mileage. My two friends had to get to my brother’s house the best way they could; this, too, would give us more mileage to ride around and see the sights.

The night was young as the six of us sped around town so that everyone could see us and know we were wheeling and dealing. As the mileage began to build up on the speedometer, we knew that things had to slow down or we would be out of luck before 10:30 p.m. We decided to go to the favorite spot at the nearby creek and do some socializing.

The night air was hot, and the full moon’s light cast shadows through the tall timbers on the creek bank. As the clouds moved across the face of the moon, the darkness would creep over the area for a few seconds, and then it would get light again as the moon moved from behind the clouds.

With all the windows of the auto rolled down, a cool breeze helped make the crowded vehicle as pleasant as possible. This was the night to be alive. How lucky could one get? Good times were with us, and it was only 8 p.m.

About a mile from where we were parked, there lived a family who had a middle-aged lady among them who was feeble-minded. This lady would, at various times, run away from home and hide in the woods. When this happened, the menfolk of the area would be rounded up and all would spread out and search the wooded areas until the lady was found and brought home.

Everyone in the group knew about this lady and the circumstances of her running away from home. But no one, especially myself, gave any thought to the matter. Not tonight anyway. Tonight was special, a night to have fun and be jolly.

As we sat joking and laughing, I was in the driver’s seat with my left arm resting in the open window of the crowded auto. Just as a cloud moved across the face of the full moon, someone or something stuck its head inside the window, right beside my face, and screamed the most chilling sound I have ever heard, before or since. Words cannot describe the bedlam that took place inside that 1933 Chevrolet. The six teenagers inside went totally berserk.

Finally, I regained enough control to get the car stared and began backing up the narrow road at a much too high rate of  speed to a place wide enough to turn the vehicle around.

Amid the screams and hollering, I missed the spot. Down wen the rear wheels in the soft, sticky mud of the ditch. As the frightened young ladies screamed at the top of their voices, three young boys, frightened totally out of their wits, picked up the rear of the Chevrolet and sat it back on hard ground.

As we turned off the creek road, onto the main road that would carry us back to Sweet Water and home, three men flagged us down and asked if we had seen the feeble-minded lady they were looking for. We all stated that we believed  we had. Almost surely.

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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 May 13, 2026

USS Midway

44 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1982

Local weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.28 inches of rain on May 8. He reported a high of 88 on May 6 and a low of 49 on May 9.

Wayne Stafford is the new owner of Evergreen radio station WBLO, having assumed ownership Monday morning. He and Marv Heffington, the station’s new manager, are congratulated by Ernie Ashworth, noted country music and Grand Ole Opry entertainer, who is also Mrs. Stafford’s (Wanda) brother. Ashworth will become a familiar figure around Evergreen as he assists Marv and Wayne as they make improvements at the station.

Tommy Shipp of Castleberry showed the Grand Champion of the 17^th Annual Conecuh County FFA and 4-H Market Hog Show held here Monday morning at the Evergreen Cooperative Stockyard Show Arena. Jeff Little, owner of Little’s Super Market in Castleberry, paid a premium $1 per pound for this fine home.

Dr. Sergeant’s death is shock: This community and county were shocked by the unexpected death of Dr. Charles Kendall Sergeant of an apparent massive heart attack suffered at his office Saturday afternoon, May 8.
Private memorial services were held Wednesday at his home at 307 Perryman St., conducted by Dr. Lamar Jackson.
Dr. Sergeant was a board surgeon of extremely high qualifications and greatly respected in his profession. He had practiced as a surgeon and as a family physician here for over four years and had earned the love and respect of the people of this area.

59 YEARS AGO
MAY 11, 1967

The 4^th annual Conecuh County Market Hog Show will be held Mon., May 15, at the Conecuh Stockyards. Registration begins at 5:30 a.m., the show at 8:30 a.m. and the sale of the show hogs at 1 p.m. Over 100 head of top quality market hogs are to be shown.
C.L. Kamplain is show chairman and D.C. Fleming is advisory chairman.

Open house will be observed at the Conecuh County Hospital this Sunday afternoon from 2 until 4:30 o’clock, according to Milston Sullivan, administrator.
The board of trustees and the entire staff of Conecuh County Hospital invite the public to come and inspect the hospital during this time. Of special interest will be the recently completed new seven private rooms.

LTJG Freddie J. Patten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Patten of 401 Belleville St., Evergreen, Ala., is presently serving with Attack Squadron Twenty-Three, a light jet attack squadron temporarily based at U.S. Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
LTJG Patten is a three-time veteran of the Vietnam Campaign. He has served with the U.S. Advisory Group to the Vietnam Air Force and served as Weapons Officer, Attack Squadron Twenty-Three, about USS Midway (CVA-41) and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), during their deployment in the defense against communist aggression in Southeast Asia.

74 YEARS AGO
MAY 8, 1952

Conecuh County voters went to the polls Tuesday to select nominees for state, district and county offices, climaxing one of the quietest campaigns this county has seen in many years. As a consequence, only some 2,668 ballots were cast out of a possible more than 4,000 qualified list. Ideal weather prevailed throughout the day.

Bill Robinson and Pace Bozeman of the Junior Class have been named to represent Evergreen High School at the annual Boys State in Tuscaloosa this June.

Cpl. Robert Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Newton E. Johnston, Bruner Avenue, returned to the U.S. recently after serving eight months overseas. Cpl. Johnston’s overseas service included combat duty in Korea.
He entered active service with Battery “C,” 117^th Field Artillery Battalion, local National Guard Unit, in January 1951. He went overseas as a replacement after a period of training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
Cpl. Johnston, known familiarly here as “Sleepy,” is a graduate of Evergreen High School.

Miss Wilma Maurice Golson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Benjamin Golson, will marry Robert Gaston Bozeman Jr. on Sun., June 8, it is announced today by her parents.
Miss Golson is a popular member of the graduating class of the Evergreen High School.
Mr. Bozeman is the son of Robert Gaston Bozeman Sr. and the late Mrs. Susan Dickey Bozeman. He is a veteran of World War II, serving overseas with the 1^st Marine Division.

89 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1937

Exhumed Body Was Not That Of Missing Man: The remains of an unidentified man who was buried here on New Year’s Day was exhumed Wednesday at the request of relatives of W.I. Bozeman of near Chapman in the hopes that the body might prove to be that of Bozeman, who has been missing from home since Dec. 16. Relatives, including his wife and several children, viewed the body, examined the clothing and were convinced that it was not that of the husband and father of whom they have been searching.
The body exhumed was found on the L&N Railroad track near Wilcox by a train crew. It was brought here and every effort made to identify. Failing in this, officers ordered it interred in the old cemetery. The man apparently had been killed by a train several hours before he was found.
Bozeman’s relatives hearing about the occurrence and knowing that it happened shortly after he had disappeared from home, began an investigation. As a result, they secured permission to exhume the body for examination.
The missing man is said to have left home to hunt work and told his people that he was going to Evergreen to see if he might not secure a job with the crew engaged in building the overhead bridge. He has not been heard from since he left home.

Announcement is made elsewhere in this issue of The Courant of the purchase by J.C. (Cary) Murphy of the City Café, popular restaurant, formerly operated by J. Arthur Lewis.

104 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1922

The following is the commencement schedule of the State Secondary Agricultural School at Evergreen… Wednesday, May 31^st, 8 p.m., Graduating Exercises; Address by Dr. Spright Dowell, President Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn.
The senior class is the largest in the history of the institution, numbering 17 boys and 15 girls. The class roll is as follows: Ruby Allen, Annie D. Brooks, Ira Mae Bryant, Julius Edward Chapman, Harry Edwin Dickinson, Reginald Rex Golson, Eva Myrtle Hurst, Daisy Leigh Harvell, Helen Lucille Hagood, Charles Thaddeus Ivey, Aline Marie Johnson, Battie Drucilla Johnson, Mary Allen Johnson, Martha Jennings Lundy, Carl Henry Middleton, Algia French Miller, Benjamin Franklin Miller, Carlos Holgrove Mills, Samuel Robert Morris, Claudia Oswald, Ollie Phares, John Carey Pritchett, James Edward Ridgeway, Joseph Pickett Rutland, Lucy Clare Shannon, Johnnie Mae Shoemaker, Henry James Smith, Lemuel Robert Stallworth, Robert Lee Stallworth, John Deming Stearns, Charles Robert Taliaferro Jr. and Sara Elsie Williamson.

The board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce has chosen the following officers: Dr. W.F. Betts, President; W.B. Ivey, Vice President; Byron Tisdale, Treasurer; R.A. Winston, Secretary.

Edward C. Barnes was reappointed on Monday by President Harding to be Postmaster at Evergreen. This makes the third successive term for which Mr. Barnes has received appointment. He has been a most acceptable postmaster and the appointment will meet with general satisfaction.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for May 12, 2026

44 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1982

Junior League opens season: Evergreen Junior League Association will officially open the 1982 season Sat., May 15, at 4 p.m. at the City Park. The teams this year are as follows: Little League – Braves coached by Mike Bledsoe and sponsored by Conecuh Timber, Inc. and Whites Home and Auto; Dodgers, coached by Melvin Johnson, sponsored by B&S Drugs, Inc.; Giants, coached by Tom Jones and sponsored by Presley-Fluker; and Yankees, coached by Norman Marable and sponsored by Crispy Chick.
Minor League – Mets, coached by Arlton Hudson and sponsored by Phillip Harold’s Carpet; Orioles, coached by David Thomas and sponsored by Webb’s Car Wash; Red Sox, coached by Gerald Salter and sponsored by Powell’s Dozier Co.
Ponytail League – Angels, coached by Sylvia Morris and sponsored by Sassers Jewelry and Hardees; Tomboys, coached by Elaine Colvin and sponsored by Holiday Inn of Evergreen and Lady Arrow, Inc.; Wildcats, coached by Darwin Covin and sponsored by Aubrey Padgett’s Garage and Woodmen of the World.
T-Ball League – Athletics, coached by Jerry Evers; Rangers, coached by Mike Faulkner; Tigers, coached by Hillary Harper.

A smiling Eddie Salter won both the total beard length and total weight divisions of the turkey hunting contest at Carter’s Hardware & Supply Co. this season. Eddie’s five Toms had beards that measured 53-1/4 inches and weighed 95 and 7/8 pounds.

59 YEARS AGO
MAY 11, 1967

Aggies nip Jackson lose to Lanier: April 26 – Lanier – Away: The Lanier Poets proved to be too much for the Aggies as they defeated the Aggies, 8-1. For 2-1/3 innings, the game was tight as Homer Faulkner struck out six of the first eight batters he faced.
In the fifth inning, the Aggies got their run when Homer Faulkner got on by an error. He advanced to third on a single and a sacrifice. Wayne Caylor finally brought him in with a sacrifice fly. Aggie hits were made by Grover Jackson, Leon Hinson and Homer Faulker.

May 3 – Jackson – Home: The Aggies picked up four runs in the first inning and made them stand up for a 4-0 victory over Jackson. Lead off batter Don Montgomery got on first with a single and advanced to second on an error. Grove Jackson singled to right which brought Don Montgomery home.
Homer Faulkner followed with a home run over the left field fence that scored Leon Hinson and Grover Jackson.
Jackson had good scoring opportunities in the first, fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to get hits when they needed them. Grover Jackson ended all of these threats with strike outs.
Jack White and Bill Bailey made good defensive plays for the Aggies. A good throw to the plate from Jack White prevented Jackson from getting a run in the fifth inning. Bill Bailey made a good fielding play followed by a good throw to end the game. Grover Jackson pitched his best game of the year.

74 YEARS AGO
MAY 8, 1952

Skinnerton Tops Shreve In Sunday Contest 17-12: The pitching of Eugene Davis and hitting of Sam Brown gave Skinnerton a 17 to 12 victory over Shreve Sunday. Sam Brown got a double and a triple, and Grady Booker got a double for Skinnerton. Shreve used four pitchers in absorbing the loss.

Starlington Hits Well But Bows To Bermuda: Starlington got 16 hits to no avail Sunday afternoon as the Bermuda Bears used eight hits effectively to score and 8 to 4 victory. Tink Stinson pitched well but had poor backing afield while Thompson twirled a neat game for the Bears to gain the win. Stinson also led the Bermuda team in stickwork, rapping out three hits.

Paul Aces Take Win From Loree Dollies: The Loree Dollies absorbed a 10 to 7 loss at the hands of the Paul Aces Sunday afternoon. Bertie Hassell was the winning pitcher, and Bernard Powell suffered the loss. Cobb and McClan led the batting for Paul with three hits each, and Charlie Brock led Loree with two safties.

Quarterback Club President Raymond DaLee is shown presenting the keys to Evergreen High’s new activities bus to Principal C.W. Claybrook in the top picture. Looking on are R.G. Bozeman, Ward Alexander and Coston Bowers, QB members, and Coach Wendell Hart. In the bottom picture, the men pose with the Aggie baseball squad just before it boarded the bus bound for Brewton and a game with T.R. Miller as the bust got an early “christening.” Chassis for the bus was purchased with funds raised for that purpose by the Quarterback Club and the body was furnished by the County Board of Education.

89 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1937

Century Here Today, Game With Locals: Evergreen retained the lead in the Interstate League by winning Sunday’s tilt from Jay, by a score of 6 to 4 on the latter’s home field. Bill Seale held Jay to five hits to chalk up his second win of the season.
Doc Jones, cross-fire exponent, won over Jay Thursday in a slugfest, to register his first victory.
Evergreen scored in the third, fourth, seventh and ninth frames Sunday, combining timely hits with Jay bobbles to take full advantage of 11 bingles.
Jay scored two runs each in the sixth and ninth, on hits and weird fielding, coupled with Seale’s wildness in cutting loose two wild pitches with men on the bags.
Thursday’s game saw Evergreen scoring in the second, eighth and ninth innings, to win 6 to 6, with Jay pushing runs across in the second, fifth and sixth. Jim Lane drove in the winning run by slamming a scorching line drive to left scoring Seabrook who had walked and stole second.
“Coach” Clements, who base running has been sensational throughout early games, continued his swiping tactics in both games last week, stealing second and third Thursday, and purloining third Sunday to run his total to eight stolen bases.

Invitations have been mailed throughout the county for the “Spring Dance,” which is being sponsored by the Evergreen Baseball Club, proceeds from which will be placed in the fund for enclosing Gantt Field.
The dance will be held tonight, May 13, at the National Guard Armory.

104 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1922

Base Ball Goods – Field and Garden SEEDS – Let Us Supply You – Conecuh County Drug Co.

The following is the commencement schedule of the State Secondary Agricultural School at Evergreen:
Monday, May 29^th, 3:30 p.m., Baseball game;
Wednesday, May 31^st, 3:30 p.m., Baseball game;
Wednesday, May 31^st, 8 p.m., Graduating Exercises.

The Monroe Journal's News Flashback for May 11, 2026

Buel B. Bell, left, and Oscar Wiggins of Ollie in 1984.

17 YEARS AGO
MAY 14, 2009

Riley to sign books today: With the opening performance of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Monroeville is a busy place, and today (Thursday) Alabama’s first lady will pay the city a visit to sign copies of her cookbook.
Patsy Riley, Gov. Bob Riley’s wife, will be at the Old Courthouse Museum on the downtown square from 2-4 p.m. Riley’s cookbook, “When the Dinner Bell Rings at the Governor’s Mansion,” is a sought-after collection of recipes from her own family and from every other first lady in America.

EHS Panthers earn berth in state tourney: Excel’s Lady Panthers will start play in the AHSAA Class 2A state tournament today (Thursday) at 9 a.m. at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
Excel, 34-9, finished second in the South Regional tournament in Gulf Shores last weekend and is scheduled to play the North Regional champion today in the first round of the double-elimination state tournament.
(Top players on Excel’s team that season included Courtney Addison, Morgan Agerton, Lauren Anderson, Alycia Baggett, Deanna Henderson, Amy Hudson, Claire Jordan, Kayla Jordan, Kristen Lassiter and Kelsey Ledkins. Charlotte Wiggins was Excel’s head coach.)

Resolution approved for FC Schools: The Frisco City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night urging the Monroe County Board of Education to consider all options in keeping its school open.
In January, the Board of Education unanimously voted to close the school for all grades from kindergarten to the twelfth grade at the end of May. The school’s enrollment is 242 with a racial makeup of more than 90 percent black.

42 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1984

Soldier honored: Buel B. Bell of Mobile and Oscar Wiggins of Ollie unveil markers at the graves of Revolutionary War soldier William Wiggins and his wife, Elizabeth Cooper Wiggins, during a special ceremony Saturday at Wiggins Cemetery in Mexia. About 300 people attended the event, which was sponsored by Huntsville’s Hunts Springs chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. One of Wiggins’ descendants, Lucy Wiggins Colson, is a member of the chapter.

Vols to play for state title on Monday: Monroe Academy’s baseball team will pack its gear Monday and head for Block Park in Selma, where it will begin a double-elimination tournament against seven other teams. All will be battling for the Alabama Private School Athletic Association state baseball title.
The Volunteers, who were sporting a 19-2 overall record yesterday (Wednesday), earned a No. 2 seeding in the state affair with wins of 10-5 and 15-5 over Patrician Academy in the recent Region 1 championship series in Monroeville.
(Players on MA’s team that season included Tim Carter, Donald Foster, Steve Lambert, Keith Langham, Mark Manning, Michael McCrory, Steven Simmons and Don Smith. Mike Amerson was MA’s head coach.)

TG&Y names Allen manager: Phillip Allen has been named manager of the TG&Y department store in Monroeville, replacing Bill Joiner, who has retired. Allen has worked with the TG&Y chain since 1973, when he began work as assistant manager of the Gautier, Miss. store. He also has served as co-manager at stores in Gulfport, Laurel, Waveland and McComb, and as manager of stores in Biloxi and Tylertown, all in Mississippi.

67 YEARS AGO
MAY 14, 1959

Civitans To Hear Sam Engelhardt: Sam Engelhardt, Director, State Highway Department, will be featured speaker at a meeting of the Monroeville Civitan Club Thursday night, May 21.
Mr. Engelhardt is expected to speak on federal road projects, according to Civitan vice-president, C.M. Pouncey.
The dinner meeting begins at 7:15 at the Hi-Ho Restaurant. Members are urged to be present.

College Football Game Slated Here Sept. 19: Final arrangements for a football game between Livingston State College and Troy State College, Sept. 19, were made here this week by the Monroeville Civitan Club.
C.M. Pouncey, Civitan vice-president, said tickets will probably go on sale after June 1. Club committees have been appointed to work on final plans for the event, he declared.
The game will be played at Vanity Fair Park. Reserve tickets will cost $2 while general admission will be $1.50.

Joseph J. McMillan Dies At Residence: Joseph Julian McMillan, 84, prominent pioneer resident of Monroe County, died at his home in Natchez Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Mr. McMillan was a native of Wilcox County, but had resided in Natchez for the past 60 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Tunnel Springs, and a member of the Old Scotland Church.

92 YEARS AGO
MAY 10, 1934

Bids Asked For Claiborne Road: Advertising by the State Highway Department for bids on the road from Monroeville to Claiborne began this week. The highway departments asks for bids of grading, draining and surfacing 12.740 miles of road extending from Monroeville to Claiborne. Bids will be received until May 23.

Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee and family spent Sunday with Dr. and Mrs. C.F. McKinley at Atmore.

Jones Gets Office In First Primary: Ralph L. Jones of Monroeville, candidate for the office of Solicitor of the 21^st Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Monroe, Baldwin, Escambia and Conecuh, was elected to this office in the first primary, he having a substantial majority over both his opponents. Running against him were G.O. Dickey, Evergreen lawyer, and H.M. Caffey Jr., Brewton attorney, who was named by Gov. B.M. Miller to complete the unexpired term of the late L.S. Biggs.

Miss Callie Faulk spent last Friday and Saturday in Montgomery.

Returning to their homes in Monroeville last week following the closing of schools were Miss Velma Dees from Excel, Miss Willie Bayles from Uriah and Miss Ida Belle Roberts from Tunnel Springs.

Prof. and Mrs. J.A. York, the Monroe County High School Band and members of the Glee Club spent last Friday in Montgomery at the annual music festival. They returned home Saturday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Finch and Miss Louise Lee spent the weekend in Atmore.

117 YEARS AGO
MAY 13, 1909

Mr. J.U. Blacksher was up from Maros the first of the week on business with the probate office.

Mr. W.H. Tucker, the postmaster and merchant at Jones Mill, was here on business Wednesday.

Rev. L.C. DeWitt left Tuesday for Louisville to attend the Southern Baptist Convention. Mr. DeWitt goes as the representative of the Bethlehem Association.

Hon. J.F. Jones of Evergreen was a visitor to the capital city of Monroe last week. Mr. Jones’ many friends are glad to know that he is growing affluent as evidenced by his ability to utilize an automobile in looking after his extensive law practice.

A small but merry crowd assembled at the home of Mr. J.J. Shirley Saturday afternoon and had quite a jolly time cutting a bee tree, resulting in only one sting from the busy little bees, Mr. Homer Shirley, being the owner of the tree, also was the recipient of the sting.

One of the men who claims he is walking around the world passed through Jones Mill last Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Bizzelle have issued cards announcing the marriage of their daughter, Miss Lucile, to Mr. Hunter H. McClelland on Thursday evening, May 20. Miss Bizzelle and Mr. McClelland are two of Monroeville’s most popular young people, and the Journal expresses the sentiment of all our people in extending heartiest good wishes in advance of the happy event.

George Singleton writes about the anniversary of World War II's D-Day

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 “D-Day, the 6^th of June, is a day we should never forget,” was originally published in the June 7, 2001 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

We Americans are a lucky people, but sometimes we tend to let slip by many events that did much to mold our lives and our society.

We forget as the years begin to grow in number and times passes into the pages of the past. This date, June 6, 1944, is one of those dates that we need never to forget. On this date, the greatest invasion force that man has ever assembled stormed ashore on the beaches of Normandy.

On this date in 1944, during the frightful days of World War II, the allied forces launched the largest invasion force the world had ever known in hopes of defeating for all times the evil forces of Hitler’s army.

On June 5, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower set into motion a plan to lay the groundwork for the Normandy Invasion to be launched the following day. This day would be recorded in history as “D-Day” throughout the known free world.

Let us look back in time and try to visualize the magnitude of this invasion force. On June 5, 1944, over 3,000 American and British bombers, protected by the famed P-51 fighter planes, dropped thousands of tons of bombs on the Nazi forces that were dug in on the high cliffs that overlooked the beaches of Normandy.

The following day, ships from a hundred ports, numbering over 4,000 began crossing the English Channel. These ships would put ashore over 176,000 men in the first wave that landed on the sandy beaches. In less than three weeks that followed, over 1 million men and 170,000  vehicles made their way across the bloody sands of the Normandy beachhead.

Thousands of young men, many no more than 18 or 19 years old, never reached the sandy beaches. Many of these young men had no combat experience, except less than eight weeks of basic training, before they were shipped to overseas ports to help make up the other thousands of the allied invasion force.

As the landings of troops increased, so many died there on the beach until bulldozers were used to push the dead bodies aside, so that the men and equipment yet to come ashore would have open space to maneuver as they fought for the high ground.

Should you visit the many military cemeteries that dot the landscape throughout Europe and see the thousands upon thousands of white crosses that mark the graves of our fallen sons and brothers, then you will realize the price we paid that fateful day.

In 1986, I had by chance, to visit one of such cemeteries. The row upon row of snow-white crosses in the Luxembourg Cemetery gave witness to the many thousands who sleep there. As I searched for the grave of a cousin who fell in the heavy fighting of the invasion, I remembered being told that he had not reached his 19^th birthday prior to his death.

I remember that day as a student in high school when the principal of the school called an assembly. This was the day after school had started in September. Mr. Johnson, a World War I veteran, read out the names of those who had gone to school there at Sweet Water and had fallen in battle that fateful day of June 6.

I remember that the old man wept as he called the names of seven young men from a prior graduating class that had fallen there on the bloody beaches of Normandy. This class would lose a total of eight young men, both in the Pacific and Europe, before the dreadful war’s end.

There are those who say that we should bury the past and let bygones be bygones. But, I believe we should remember those brave young men who gave their lives for the freedom that we enjoy today. We should hold in high esteem the memories of those who died in battle so that we can continue to live as a free people. We should forever remember those who never knew the joys of raising a family and having the chance to grow old with their children and grandchildren.

We, as a nation cannot know where we are going unless we know where we have been. We must not forget those who gave their all for our way of life  that we so often take for granted.

As we remember the millions who died in our past wars, we should remember that they too wanted to live a full and happy life. They didn’t want their lives to end there on the blood soaked sands of Normandy, or on some unknown island in the Pacific.

They didn’t want it to end on some frozen hillside in far off Korea, or the steaming jungles of Vietnam, or in the parched deserts of the Middle East.

We Americans are a forgiving people; for the want of wealth, we sell our homeland and even our souls to the very ones who tried so hard to destroy that which we cherished. We turn a deaf ear to the cries of the millions slain who tried to protect us from the armies of the aggressor.

The jingle of money pushes from our ears the cries of the dead who also wanted to live and enjoy a part of our tomorrow. We allow our sacred flag to be burned in public places by deadbeats who have contributed nothing to the freedom we enjoy.

One day we must learn that freedom is not free. Freedom has to be wanted. It has to be cherished. And, then there comes a time when it has to be fought for and protected.

So, this past Wednesday, June 6, 57 years since the sands of Normandy beach turned red with the blood of our brave young men, we need to stop again and remember. It doesn’t take much time. Find a quiet spot and raise your arms to the heavens and thank God that you have been allowed to live in this great land of ours. You will be heard if you are sincere, and those who sleep beneath the white crosses in those forgotten cemeteries in some far off land will know that they are remembered.

Do not let the spirits of those young men who fell in battle on a thousand battlefields wander forever on the winds of oblivion. Take time to be proud and let the world know that you are proud to be an American. Our country is approaching the crossroads of history. We must stand up and be proud. We cannot let that which we love cross over the point of no return.

There is a graveyard far, far away.
Where a forgotten soldier lies.
No flowers there are sprinkled,
Nor tears from mourners eyes.

I stood there no so long ago
In remembrance for these brave,
When suddenly I heard a soft faint voice
Speak out from the depts of a grave.

“Did we really win our freedom
That we battled so hard to achieve?
Do we still respect that tiny flag
Above that empty sleeve?”

“Wonder if those who planned it
All are really satisfied?
As they sing and dance and live it up
After many thousands died.

“I am that forgotten soldier
And maybe I died in vain
But, if I were alive, and my
County called, I’d do it all over again.”

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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.)

Singleton tells of ghostly Rebel soldier in Monroe County, Alabama

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 “Return to the hill country,” was originally published in the May 20, 2004 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Since my dear wife couldn’t find anything for me to do May 13, I decided to slip away for a few hours of wandering aimlessly around the hill country of Monroe County.

I cranked up my vehicle and headed toward the hill country of the Old Scotland area. I never get tired of traveling the winding dirt roads of this area of our county. I have traveled these roads and trails many times, and always something appears that I have seemed to miss on other previous trips.

My first stop was the old Cunningham cemetery, located only a short distance from the pavement known as the Ridge Road. As I had noticed earlier, the wrought-iron fence around the small family cemetery had been repaired and painted. Much work had been done on the fence and the cleaning of the grave markers of the members of the Cunningham family that are buried here.

It’s refreshing to know that there are those who yet see to it that the final resting places of their ancestors are kept clean and in good repair. But, much to my surprise the old cemetery needed some repair and cleaning.

Down the road, I stopped in front of the beautiful and scenic Old Scotland church. Almost expecting to hear the sounds of the Scottish bagpipes from the nearby wooded area, I viewed the historic old church and the well-kept cemetery nearby.

Noticing the recent burial site of a grand old lady who had just recently passed away, I remembered the day that this gracious and dear lady called me and wanted me to escort her to her old family home place, down the road aways from the church and cemetery. When we reached the old homesite, this dear lady sat down and cried, stating that it had been over 65 years since her last visit there.

Along the edges of the grownup yards, she pointed out some blooming jonquils that struggled to survive there among the tall weeds and brush. With tears streaming from her eyes, she told me that she had planted these jonquils many years ago when she was a small young girl and had lived there.

Returning to the church yard, she pointed out to me the graves of her family and her ancestors. She also pointed out the place where she was to be buried. This beautiful and darling old lady had gotten her wish. She now sleeps among those she loved so dearly, there in the beautiful old cemetery of Old Scotland church.

Making my way slowly down the narrow dirt road, I stopped for a moment at the old Davison burial ground. There under the protective branches of the trees that grow in the old cemetery, those who sleep here were also a part of the then active community of Old Scotland.

Making my way slowly down the winding hill that leads to the creek, I stopped for a few minutes on the wooden bridge that spans the creek. I remembered being told the story of the wounded Confederate soldier by my dear friend, now deceased, Raymond Fountain.

The story goes that this wounded Rebel had camped for several months under an earlier bridge that had spanned the creek here.

The wounded and sick Confederate had camped here for a period of about four or five months. He survived on the wild berries that grew nearby and the fish he caught out of the large creek. Those who passed this way said he could be seen during the early morning hours and the hours of the late evenings, walking along the narrow road near the bridge.

The stories state that the wounded Rebel, dressed in a torn and dirty Confederate uniform, would always be seen walking toward the west. Never was he seen walking east, back toward the bridge where he camped.

The stories go on to say that one day the wounded soldier disappeared, never to be seen again. No one knows what happened to the wounded and sick Rebel.

My friend stated that those who traveled this narrow road during the years after the terrible war had seen the ghost of the unknown Rebel, walking the road and across the wooden bridge. As always, he was seen walking to the west. I have visited this location many times, searching for the ghost of the unknown Rebel. But, that’s another story.

Slowly making my way across the low flat bottom lands, I thought of the many times that I had journeyed this way. As I started the climb up the steep hill known as Locke Hill, I thought of the many stories that had been told to me by my friends, Mr. Fountain and Mr. Wiggins.

Many times, we would come this way, and they would tell and tell again the stories of this area. Both of these dear friends had a thorough knowledge of the early history of this area. The ancestors of my friend, Oscar Wiggins, had settled up the narrow road in the old community known as the Red Hills community.

A stop for a few moments atop Locke Hill was breathtaking. Looking back across the vast bottoms to the east seemed almost as being in another world. I remembered being told the story by my friends of the family who had settled nearby, thus giving the tall hill its name. Many stories of good times and heartaches had taken place here on Locke Hill.

Stopping at the old Red Hills cemetery, I visited the final resting place of my friend’s ancestors. He, too, had fought for the Southern cause and had been laid to rest in the red clay of the Red Hills cemetery.

Walking through the old burial grounds, the many stories told to me crowded my mind. Many of the old grave markers and crumbling burial crypts brought to mind the stories of their lives and good times related to me by my dear friend. Then, too, many of those who sleep here had suffered many hardships as the dreadful Civil War took its toll on the community nestled here in the hill country.

As I mounted my transportation and head westward toward the Franklin community and Highway 41, I new that I had made the right choice by coming this way. I felt as I had on all the other excursions through this area. I had done the right thing by coming this way.

Perhaps, somewhere beyond the sunset, there are those who sleep in the old cemeteries and burial grounds along the way know that they are not forgotten. They are remembered. I was glad that I had come, if only for a short time.

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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.)