It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in February 1911.
In the Feb. 2, 1911 edition of The Conecuh Record newspaper, publisher and editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “Prof. H.T. Lile has been in Montgomery this week working for an appropriation for the Agricultural school.”
Readers that week also learned that “Robert L. Whitcomb is now at the Orphanage every afternoon teaching the boys in the woodworking department. In the forenoon, he is with the Dunn Hardware Co.”
Subscribers also saw that week that “Work on the new ice factory is progressing rapidly. The cement foundation is in, and the well is nearing completion. The factory will be ready to supply the trade early in the spring.”
Also that week, under the headline “NOTICE,” readers learned that “All farmers are requested to meet at the Agricultural School building on next Monday, Feb. 6th, at 10 o’clock to witness a demonstration of farm implements. Bring the boys with you. H.T. Lile, President.”
Whitcomb also reported that week that “The State Senate passed a bill Wednesday appropriating $20,000 for the purpose of fighting the invasion of the boll weevil in the State of Alabama. This legislature is doing more for the farmers than was ever done before.”
In the Feb. 9, 1911 edition of The Record, it was reported that “a dog supposed to be mad was killed on the street last Friday afternoon after biting DeWitt Andrews and the son of Rev. R. Hall. Several dogs were also bitten by the dog. Geo. Farnham sent the head to Montgomery for examination and received a letter Tuesday from a prominent physician stating that the dog was mad. Both of the parties who were bitten went to Montgomery Tuesday for treatment.”
That week’s paper also included the following obituary.
“Caleb Johnston Snowden was born Oct. 14, 1845 and died at his home near Brooklyn Feb. 1st, 1911, aged 65 years and seven months. Though a school boy when the tocsin of war sounded between the North and Southern states, he enlisted in the Confederate service in Co. H of the 15th Confederate Cavalry and served faithfully until the surrender in 1865.”
Readers that week also learned that “two heavily loaded trains of excursionists passed through Evergreen Wednesday en route to points south of here.”
Subscribers that week also read that “Judge Atkinson is smiling over the arrival of a 10 pound grandson.”
Whitcomb also reported that “the past week has been exceedingly warm for the season of the year, the thermometer registering 80 and above every day.”
In the Feb. 16, 1911 edition of the newspaper, readers learned that “the annual inspection of Co. K, 1st infantry will be held on March 15th. Lt. D.M. Chester Jr. with an assistant will conduct the inspection.”
It was also reported that week that “the L&N officials are contemplating double tracking their road from Nashville to Mobile. The heavy freight demands the change.”
Whitcomb also reported that “our town marshal, Ely McCrory, is slowly improving from a severe attack of typhoid fever.”
Readers that week also learned that “the Conecuh County Farmers Union will meet with Castleberry local on March 17th and 18th. R.T. Shipp, Company President.”
Whitcomb also plugged a special offer that week in the paper.
“We wish to call your attention to the very attractive offer we are making on the next page of this issue in which we are offering to send The Record, the Atlanta Constitution three times a week and your choice of three other valuable papers all one year for the small sum of $1.75.”
That week’s paper also included the following advertisement.
“During January and February, I will sell McKinley music at five cents per copy. Don’t miss this. Call and look through 1,200 copies. T.A. Gantt.”
In the Feb. 23, 1911 edition, Whitcomb reported that week, under the headline “MAD DOGS,” that “Tuesday afternoon Willis Darby was bitten by a mad dog, and it is reported that two others were also bitten. Wednesday morning the dog was killed by Giles Chapman after biting several other dogs. Keep your eyes open when you are on the street.”
Also that week, under the headline, “AN ENTERTAINMENT,” readers learned that “a sleight-of-hand and ventriloquist artist will give an entertainment at the court house, Feb. 24th. A demonstration in so called spiritualistic séance and occult sciences will be given.”
Subscribers also saw that week that “Rev. W.C. Robinson of Nashville, Tenn. is conducting a tent meeting here for a few days. He is a consecrated Christian worker and should have the cooperation of the good people of Evergreen. Tent just back of W.J. Stephen.”
Readers that week also learned that “a cold snap struck Evergreen Monday night, the thermometer going down to 26 degrees. Ice formed and much damage has been done to fruit and vegetables. The strawberry crop may be saved as the growers are keeping fires burning all night to keep off the frost.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of March 1911 in Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.
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