'Genius - poet, artist and author' faced murder charges 125 years ago

Perdue Hill, Alabama's Masonic Hall

Monroe County has changed a lot in the past 125 years and you’ll really notice the big changes if you ever take a look at 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 125 years ago this month, way back in January 1889. Here are some of the news highlights from those papers.

JAN. 4, 1889

“The preliminary trial of George C. Sellers, charged with the murder of Mr. Wright S. Hall, and of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Gibson and daughter, charged with being accessory to the crime, took place Monday and Tuesday. No fact being elicited in the trial tending to establish the guilt of either of the parties, they were acquitted.”

“MAIL SCHEDULE: Evergreen to Claiborne – daily, arrives at Monroeville from Claiborne, 8 a.m., arrives from Evergreen, 3 p.m.

“Monroeville to Repton – Leaves Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 3:30 p.m., arrives 10 p.m.

“Pineapple to Monroeville, arrives Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 p.m., leaves Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6 a.m.

“Monroeville to Bells Landing, leaves Monday and Friday, 6 a.m., arrives Tuesday and Saturday 3 p.m.

“(Signed) F.A. Seymour, Postmaster.”

“On Saturday evening (10th ult.) between sunset and dark, some would be incendiary attempted to burn the gin house of Mr. W.H. Patrick by throwing a lighted match on a pile of seed cotton under the gin house door. The smoke was discovered by Messrs. W.L. Mims, John Mims and G.M. Holman, who rushed to the place and gave the alarm and with the aid of other neighbors, succeeded in extinguishing the fire before much damage was done.”

JAN. 11, 1889

“Hon. N. Stallworth of Evergreen, the able Senator from the 17th Senatorial District in the present legislature, was in Monroeville Monday on professional business.”

“Our efficient county sheriff, Mr. John S. Harengton, has moved with his family from the Pineville neighborhood to Monroeville and is occupying the Clausell residence recently vacated by Mr. Jas. M. Daugette.”

“Capt. W.B. Kemp, Monroe’s able and influential representative in the state legislature, was in town Monday as one of the delegates from his neighborhood to the Farmers County Alliance.”

“A petition to establish a daily mail from Monroeville to Repton is being circulated. Should the daily mail be established and the schedule so changed as to make connections with the evening train at Repton, it will be a great convenience to our people.”

“Prof. M.W. Webb of Perdue Hill favored us with a pleasant call last Saturday. Prof. Webb presides over one of the finest schools in Alabama.”

JAN. 18, 1889

“George C. Sellers, who had a preliminary examination before Judge Sowell a few weeks ago on the charge of the murder of Mr. Wright S. Hall, and acquitted, was arrested again a few days ago on the same charge, new evidence bearing on the case having come to light. He was arraigned before Squire Sawyer Wednesday for a new investigation. The evidence educed was about the same as before with a few new points. Sellers was bound over to the Circuit Court.”

“Mr. John Thames of Perdue Hill has been appointed County Superintendent of Education to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rev. M.M. Graham.”

“FUN FOR ALL – On Friday night, Feb. 1, at the Masonic Hall, the Amateurs of Perdue Hill will present the popular comedy, ‘Won at Last,’ concluding with an amusing farce, ‘Which Shall I Marry.’ The proceeds will be given to the Union church.”

“There will be a concert given by the music students of the Perdue Hill High School on Friday night, Jan. 25.”

JAN. 25, 1889

“George Sellers, who is confined in jail, is quite a genius – poet, artist and author. We have been shown samples of his drawing and a poetic effusion of quite a number of verses on ‘The Dark and Lonesome Prison Cell,’ but as we are not very well informed upon either subject, we will not venture a criticism.”

“TO THE PUBLIC: I adopt this method of announcing to my friends and the public that I have opened a boarding house a quarter of a mile from the town (the late residence of Dr. McMillan) where I am prepared to furnish the best of accommodations at the most reasonable rates. Each room contains a fireplace.”

“The Sons of Temperance have a flourishing lodge at Mount Pleasant. The membership numbers something over 70.”

“Three or four new students have been enrolled in the Monroeville Academy recently. The school is in flourishing condition.”

“Mr. Hillary Hudson has had an attractive sign painted for the ‘Hudson Hotel.’”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for today. Next month, I’ll take a look at the events of February 1889 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.