Newspaper reports two Mississippi boys were eaten by panthers in 1913

Did a panther like this one eat two boys in 1913?

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 December 1913.

In the Dec. 4, 1913 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “the little folks are already looking forward with pleasing anticipations to the coming of Christmas.”

Readers that week also learned that “L.C. Lee of Evergreen was accidentally shot Sunday last at Jones Mill. He was brought home Tuesday and is in a fair way to recover.”

Whitcomb also reported that “we notice that Cecil Tisdale is posted as a star player in Howard College baseball.”

Subscribers also read that week that “the pecan tree standing in the yard of Mrs. Loomin Savage bore a bountiful crop the present season. Why the pecan is not more extensively grown in this section, we are at a loss to understand.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Miss Keys from the Alabama Girls Technical Institute is giving some interesting lectures on domestic science at the Agricultural school this week.”

It was also reported that week that “it is thought that our young friend, Robert Jones, nephew to J.F. Jones, Esq., will be admitted to the bar at the next meeting of the examining committee.”

Whitcomb closed the week by relaying to readers that “two boys were recently eaten by panthers in Mississippi.”

In the Dec. 11, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “the residence of J.T. Williams caught fire Wednesday evening, it is thought from a flue, but little damage done.”

Readers that week also learned that “J.M. Foshee, leading citizen of Cohassett, attended to business in the city Tuesday.”

In news from the Finklea community, submitted by correspondent “Jason,” it was reported that “F.T. Thames, D.H. Lee and H.C. Fountain attended the grand lodge of Masons at Montgomery last week.”

Readers also saw that “the bank at Falco has gone to the wall after an existence of one year.”

That week’s paper also let readers know that “the old veterans will hold an important meeting at this place on the first of January.”

It was also reported that “the high cast of attractions now on the boards are making the Arcade Theatre a place of popular resort.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by saying that “our merchants are making ample preparations for the holiday trade.”

In the Dec. 18, 1913 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “T.H. Raines of Skinnerton, a sturdy old farmer, called and renewed his subscription to The Record. He reports everything quiet in his bailiwick.”

Readers also learned that “the board of county commissioners were in session one day this week to approve of a contract for making some repairs on the inside of the jail.”

Whitcomb also reported that “State Superintendent of Education W.F. Feagin was in Evergreen last week. While here, he visited several schools in the rural district.”

It was also reported that “14,984 bales of cotton had been ginned in Conecuh County up to Dec. 8, 1913, which is 2,315 more bales than were ginned to the same date in 1912.”

That week’s paper also announced that “the Agricultural School will close Friday of this week until Monday following Christmas.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by reporting that “the latest wireless brings the pleasing information that Old Santa will reach Evergreen on schedule time, despite heavy snow storms, strikes and the row in Mexico.”

In the spirit of the holidays, it appears that Whitcomb didn’t publish an edition of The Record during the week of Christmas 1913. That week’s edition would have been dated for Thurs., Dec. 25, 1913, that is, Christmas Day. If he did put out a paper that week, it is not to be found among the extensive records at the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library.

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 January 1914 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.