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| U.S. President Woodrow Wilson |
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 October 1913.
In the Oct. 2, 1913 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “J.C. Lassiter had his buggy badly wrecked and himself considerably bruised up by being run into by another buggy driven by another man. The accident occurred on what is known as the Stallworth hill on the Brooklyn Road.”
Readers that week also learned that the “Agricultural school opened last Monday with an enrollment of about 100 pupils. Quite a number of visitors were present and addresses appropriate to the occasion were made, especially that of Hon. J.F. Jones who emphasized in a clear and forceful manner the importance of getting an education. President McKee has worked unceasingly for the building up of the school and the institution never had brighter prospects than it enjoys today. The attendance is gradually growing while the faculty and patrons look forward to a most successful term.”
It was also reported that week that “Confederate veterans drew their quarterly pensions Wednesday” and that “several Confederate soldiers were decorated with Crosses of Honor last Saturday by the Greenville Daughters of the Confederacy.” Whitcomb also let readers know that the “Veterans of Camp Wm. Lee held a meeting at the courthouse Wednesday morning and was well attended.”
In the Oct. 9, 1913 edition of The Record, it was reported that gubernatorial candidate Reuben F. Kolb “delivered an address at the courthouse Monday morning to a fair sized audience.”
Readers that week also learned that the “tabulation of the separate returns from the ginners for the Sept. 25 report shows your telegraph summary to be correct. There were 4,924 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Conecuh County, from the crop of 1913 prior to Sept. 25, as compared with 3,191 bales ginned prior to Sept. 25, 1912. (Signed) Wm. J. Harris, Director Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C.”
Whitcomb also reported that “Circuit Court convened Monday noon, Judge Gamble presiding,” and that “J.A. and J.J. Sanders of Brooklyn are spending the week in Evergreen, not voluntarily, but because they were ‘kotched on de jury.’”
Subscribers also read that the “Sacred Harp singing at Tomlinson’s mill last Saturday and Sunday was largely attended. There was dinner on the ground in abundance. Quite a number were present from Evergreen.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by reminding readers that “today, Oct. 9, is the anniversary of the great Chicago fire – 42 years ago.”
For some reason, the Oct. 16, 1913 edition of The Record, is not among the microfilm records at the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library. It’s possible that no paper was published that week, but it’s also possible that no copy of it exists anywhere for inclusion on microfilm. With that in mind, let’s skip on ahead.
In the Oct. 23, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that the “Rev. S.P. Lindsey, who served as a juror during one week of court, paid us a pleasant call a few days ago. This gentleman served as pastor of the Baptist church at their place for several years and is highly esteemed by our people.”
Elsewhere in the paper, readers saw the following notice – “Lost or Stolen from the J.H. Farnham Merchantile Co.’s store, last Thursday, one grip sack belonging to Rev. S.P. Lindsey of Belleville. The grip contained a Bible which is highly prized by Mr. Lindsey. Please return to him and oblige.”
Readers also learned that “there were quite a number of convictions during the term of court just closed. Five were sent to the penitentiary and seven to do time at River Falls.”
Whitcomb also reported that “on Friday evening, Oct. 31, the students of the Agricultural school will give a Halloween entertainment in the school auditorium. Admission fees of 25 cents and 35 cents will be charged and the proceeds will be used for the improvement of the school library.”
Readers that week also learned that “132 pupils are enrolled at the City School.”
Whitcomb closed out the week by telling readers that “while hanging a picture the other day, a New York man fell and broke his neck. Husbands tell your wives about this.”
In the Oct. 30, 1913 edition of the newspaper, Whitcomb reported that “a large crowd gathered at the depot Monday afternoon to see President (Woodrow) Wilson as he passed through Evergreen,” and “about 50 Evergreenites went to Mobile Saturday and Monday to see the president and attend the land congress.”
According to Whitcomb, the “stereotyped question last Monday was – ‘Did you see the President?’”
Readers that week also learned that “Mr. Sam J. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Dunn and Mr. Ed Bailey left Sunday morning, by way of automobiles, for Montgomery, to be in readiness to take in the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, which was billed for Monday afternoon. They went ostensibly to take the Dunn children to the show.”
It was also reported that week that “several light frosts have visited Evergreen within the past few days, but did very little damage to vegetation.”
Whitcomb closed out the month with this not-so-subtle suggestion – “If you are in debt to The Record, be kind enough to call and settle at your earliest convenience.”
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 November 1913 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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