Friday, December 13, 2013

Mother and son die from strychnine poisoning a century ago at Manistee


An old bottle of strychnine.
Monroe County has changed a lot in the past century and you’ll really notice the big changes if you ever review the pages of old editions of The Monroe Journal newspaper. Earlier today, I took advantage of the archives at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville and looked closely at the four editions of The Journal printed 100 years ago this month, way back in December 1913. Here are some of the news highlights from those papers.

DEC. 4 1913

“The Bank of Peterman formally opened its doors on Dec. 1. The bank occupies its own building, a handsome brick structure, equipped with modern fixtures and the stockholders are among the most prosperous merchants, farmers and businessmen of Peterman and vicinity.”

“Riley Kelly was up from Excel Monday.”

“There were 18,829 bales of cotton ginned in Monroe County from the crop of 1913 prior to Nov. 14, as compared with 17,009 bales ginned prior to Nov. 14, 1912. S.D. Nettles, Special Agent.”

“Mr. J.U. Blacksher of Maros was a business visitor to the city the first of the week.”

“Solicitor John McDuffie left Sunday for Grove Hill where the Clarke County Circuit Court convened on Monday.”

“Mr. P.D. Hudson is having his store across from the bank remodeled which add greatly to the appearance of that part of town.”


DEC. 11, 1913

“Information reached here on Monday of last week of the death of Mrs. W.W. Davis and her four-year-old son near Manistee under most deplorable circumstances. It seems that Mr. Davis had occasion to correct one of Mrs. Davis’ children by a former marriage; this so distressed the mother that she administered strychnine to her young son and ended her own life by the same means. A note was found near her body indicating that the rash act was deliberate.”

“Esquires J.B. Barnett and L.J. Bugg represented clients in the federal court in Mobile this week.”

“Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee and little daughter have returned from a visit with relatives and friends at Bonifay, Fla.”

“An oyster supper and dance will be given at the Masonic Hall, Perdue Hill, Ala. on Friday night, Dec. 19.”

“A bright, energetic boy 16 to 20 years old is wanted to learn telegraphy and railroad agency. Must be honest, sober and industrious. Apply to Eugene Parvin, Mous, Ala.”

DEC. 18, 1913

“Tax Collector Marshall reports that only 400 persons have paid poll taxes in Monroe County up to date. There should be at least 1,000.”

“Sheriff B.H. Stallworth, F.W. Hare, Esq. and others from this vicinity were in attendance on the federal court in Mobile this week.”

“Mr. J.M. Bell of Castleberry was a pleasant caller at the Journal office while in the city this week. He was accompanied to the city by his daughter who took the teachers’ examination.”

“Prof. Chas. Lane of the Alkahest Bureau delivered one of his characteristic humorous lectures at the High School auditorium on Tuesday evening, the second entertainment of the season.”

“Reports are coming in from all sections of the county of fine porkers being slaughtered and the people are enjoying the hog killing season with its accompaniment of sausage, spareribs, etc. The home raised meat supply, however, will be somewhat limited as a result of the destructive ravages of cholera.”

DEC. 25, 2013

“A special term of the Commissioners Court of Monroe County is hereby called to meet in Monroeville on Mon., Dec. 29, 1913, for the purpose of arranging the disposal of the county convicts for the year 1914. I.B. Slaughter, Chairman.”

“Mr. A.P. Hardee, the leading real estate dealer of Roy, was in to see us Friday. He reports considerable building activity in his town.”

“Miss Ruth Bivin is at home from the Livingston Normal School.”

“Prof. G.A. Harris attended a conference of presidents of state high schools in Montgomery the first of the week.”

“Practically all the teachers and out-of-town pupils of the High School and City School are spending their holiday vacation with folks at home.”

“Messrs. S.J. Yarbrough and R.P. Hudson are at home from the Atlanta Dental College for the holidays.”

“Misses Lucille Kempton and Alma Kearley are at home from the Synodical Female College, Talladega, to spend the holidays.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for today. Next month, I’ll take a look at the events of January 1914 in Monroe County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s history yourself, take advantage of the Monroe County 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 your started.

2 comments:

  1. Lee, when you drive to Polar Bridge cemetery, the road will pass at the SE corner. Look to the left and find two markers at that point. The ground marker is W.W. Davis (8/14/1856-7/12/1930) and the tallest marker is M.E. Davis, w/o W.W. Davis (11/14/1855-9/22/1911) It marks the grave of the woman you discussed. The boy is reportedly buried at English Cemetery.

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  2. Thanks for the info, Steve! I'm not familiar with the English Cemetery. Where is it located?

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