Hill wife slaying topped news headlines a century ago in Conecuh County

1914 Buick 5-Passenger Touring Car.

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 January 1914.

In the Jan. 1, 1914 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “the last government report on cotton ginning states that 15,685 bales had been ginned in this county up to Dec. 20 or 1,966 bales more than was ginned to the same time last year.”

Readers that week also learned that the “Evergreen lodge of Masons donated $500 to each of the following orphan homes in Alabama: Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist, as a Christmas offering.”

Under the headline, “SPEAKING,” readers learned that “Woodford Mabrey of Montgomery, candidate for Congress, will speak at the courthouse in the interest of his candidacy on Sat., Jan. 24. Mr. Mabrey will be pleased to meet as many of the people as possible. The ladies are cordially invited to be present.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Miss Emma Moorer has returned to Garland to resume her duties in the school room.”

Whitcomb, apparently still recovering from the holidays, closed out the week by saying that “we ask the indulgence of our readers this week as loss of time from the office and some pressing orders for job printing made us a little late in going to press.”

In the Jan. 8, 1914 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “Curt Hill is behind bars, charged with shooting and seriously wounding his wife a few nights ago.”

Also that week, “two houses in the outskirts of the city were burned a few nights ago, one of which had never been occupied.”

The newspaper’s correspondent from the Centerville community wrote in to say that the “Old Centerville Store is being torn down to be used for other purposes. All regret to see the old store go, as it has been the scene of many pleasant gatherings.”

Whitcomb also reported that the “old soldiers are now drawing their pension warrants,” and that the “Rev. J.G. Dickinson of Gadsden will preach at the Baptist church next Sunday morning and evening.”

Readers also learned that “Prof. and Mrs. R.E.L. Key left Sunday for Montgomery. Prof. Key will attend the Superintendents’ conference, which convened the 5th and 6th.”

That week’s paper also including the following lost-and-found advertisement – “Spectacles found. Call at this office, pay for this notice and get same.”

In the Jan. 15, 1914 edition of the paper it was reported that “Mr. Giddings, businessman of Owassa, gave a $40 check for five Evergreen hogs Monday” and that the “Rev. Richard Hall preached in Gadsden last Sunday.”

Readers that week also learned that “Miss Alverson, who recently resigned as teacher in the Agricultural school at this place, left for her home in north Alabama last Monday. The marriage of this popular young lady is announced to take place about the first of March.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Dr. Hairston of Burnt Corn transacted business in Evergreen Tuesday” and that “E.A. Beaven is having his residence remodeled.”

That week’s paper also included the following advertisement – “LOST: A Knights of Pythias watch charm. Finder please return to Record office.”

Also, under the headline, “TO FARMERS,” readers saw another advertisement – “I have a threshing machine which I will use for the public, by threshing their oats and other small grain at 10 cents per bushel. S.A. Wallace, Evergreen, Ala., Rt. 3.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by saying that “our merchants are enjoying a most satisfactory run of trade.”

In the Jan. 22, 1914 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “the woman shot by her husband, Curt Hill, a short time ago, died from the effects of the wound about five o’clock Tuesday afternoon. The wife-slayer is in jail.”

Readers that week also learned that “C.P. Deming has planned to erect a brick building on the vacant lot near the First National Bank to be used as an opera house, garage and other business purposes. Such improvements will benefit our city in various ways.”

Subscribers also saw that “J.G. Barrow of Red Level was here Monday,” and that “Dr. Stallworth has a handsome new car, one of the latest improved Buicks.”

Also that week, “several members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy came here last Monday and organized a chapter with eight members. Mrs. E.C. Page was elected president.”

That week’s paper also included the following advertisement – “Every family in the South should subscribe to The Confederate Veteran. Send postage for sample copy. Subscriptions $1 per year. The Veteran is of age – 21 years old – and has had a large circulation for a longer time than any monthly ever had in the South.”

In the Jan. 29, 2014 edition of the newspaper, Whitcomb reported that “Evergreen was visited by a severe wind, rain and hail storm early Monday morning. No damage was done, but the populace was very apprehensive while the storm lasted.”

Readers that week also learned that the “Rev. J.D. Dickerson of north Alabama has been called to the pastoral care of Evergreen Baptist Church to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Richard Hall.”

It was also reported that week that “C.F. Archer has opened up a photo gallery in the Slater building. Call and see his line of work.”

Whitcomb also let readers know that “there were 16,228 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Conecuh County from the crop of 1913, prior to Jan. 16, 1914, as compared with 14,646 bales ginned prior to Jan. 16, 1913.”

Readers also learned that “a crowd motored over to Brewton to attend an entertainment a few nights ago. Of course, they made a safe trip as Ed Bailey was at the throttle.”

The year 1914 was an election year in Conecuh County and statewide, and Whitcomb closed out the month of January by saying that the “candidates are not letting any grass grow under their feet.”

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 February 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.