Spanish-American War Medal of Honor recipient spoke in Evergreen in 1914

Alabama Rep. Richmond P. Hobson

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 April 1914.

In the April 2, 1914 edition of The Conecuh Record, editor J.C. Whitcomb reported that “Congressman (Richmond Pearson) Hobson spoke at the courthouse Tuesday night to a large and enthusiastic crowd.”

The year 1914 was also an election year in Conecuh County, and Whitcomb reported that “the candidates are all looking forward to next Monday as the day upon which each one will be rewarded with office by their fellow citizens. Somebody is going to be disappointed.”

Readers that week also learned that “Captains Kolb and Cheney came down to Evergreen and were taken in hand early Monday morning by several of their friends and supporters on a speaking tour through this and adjoining counties.”

Whitcomb also reported that “considerable new land has been cleared and prepared for cultivation this year in Conecuh County.”

Readers that week also learned that “cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Hermione Newton to Oliver Clark McGehee Jr. on Thurs., April 9, at 12 o’clock noon.”

That week’s paper also included the following advertisement – “FOR SALE – My residence lot and home on Park Street, next to the Baptist Church. For price and terms, call on the undersigned. (Signed) Mrs. M.B. Thomason.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by letting readers know that “E.J. McCreary, one of Isaak Walton’s most expert disciples landed a seven-pound bass at the Country Club Pond a few days ago. This was a stroke of piscatorial skill (or luck) which falls to the lot of few ambitious anglers and caused quite a ripple of excitement among the boys.”

In the April 9, 1914 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “Capt. J.C. Cheney came down from Montgomery Monday to cast his ballot.”

Readers that week also learned that “several crates of strawberries have been shipped from Castleberry. Rain is needed now to mature the crop.”

Subscribers also read that “East Front Street is being graded and when completed will be a great improvement to the appearance of that part of the city.”

It was also reported that “Misses Augusta and Ailene Farnham gave a linen shower for Miss Hermione Newton who becomes a bride today.”

Whitcomb also let readers know that “John Savage, principal of Castleberry school, was in the city Tuesday. The professor reports his school in splendid condition and with bright prospects of still greater improvement.”

Readers were also told that “the advertisement of the Savage Hotel, Mobile, appears in another column. L.W. Savage, formerly of this place, is the proprietor, and Geo. R. Powell manager. Evergreen parties while visiting that city would do well to stop at that up-to-date holstery. Everything modern and rates reasonable.”

Readers also learned that “the Arcade Theatre is open again with some good pictures” and that “the spring term of court convenes here Tuesday, Judge Gamble presiding.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Judge Aleck Thames of Brooklyn was handshaking with his numerous Evergreen friends Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Whitcomb closed the week by telling readers that “a carload of Uncle Sam’s sailors, belonging to the naval branch of the service, passed here going south on the L&N Tuesday.”

In the April 16, 1914 edition of the newspaper, Whitcomb reported that “State Superintendent of Education W.F. Feagin spoke at an educational rally in Castleberry Wednesday. Several other speakers were in attendance. The new high school building is nearing completion, and the citizens may justly feel proud of the new building.”

Readers also learned that “the county jail is being thoroughly renovated at a cost of $1,400. The work will be done in the near future.”

Whitcomb also reported that “A.A. Williams is now the new sheriff of Conecuh County as R.G. Kendall, the next highest in the race, declines to enter the ‘run-off.’”

Subscribers also heard that “both banks closed Monday the 13th in observance of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.”

Whitcomb also reported that “W.W. Lamb died last week in Jackson. Mr. Lamb will be remembered as proprietor of the Hotel Evergreen.”

Readers also learned that “the hail and windstorm of Monday night did considerable damage to the strawberry crop of W.M. Newton. While we heard of the damage wrought in other sections, yet the hail, it seems, was not general over the county.”

Whitcomb closed out the week by reporting that “a fire last week on the roof of W.H. Robson’s residence was quickly extinguished by the fire boys.”

In the April 23, 1914 edition of the paper, Whitcomb reported that “J.F.B. Lowrey of Burnt Corn was a business visitor here Monday,” and that “Dr. W.B. Crumpton visited his son, Hon. Wm. C. Crumpton, this week.”

Also that week, readers learned that “several carloads of strawberries have been shipped from Castleberry and Sparta. Also many crates have been shipped from Evergreen.”

Subscribers also saw that “a civil service examination will be held in Evergreen on May 9 to fill the vacancies of rural carries for Repton, two routes, and Castleberry, one route.”

Under the headline, “A Sunday Morning Blaze,” Whitcomb reported that “a 3:30 Sunday morning fire was discovered in the frame building by Mrs. C.S. Rabb on Perryman Street, near the cemetery. So fast did the flames spread that the occupants had barely time to escape with their lives. All of their goods was destroyed and the building a total loss. The origin of the fire is unknown.”

Readers that week also learned that “the third annual meeting of the Woman’s Missionary Society of the Alabama Conference in session here this week. Quite a number of delegates and visitors in attendance and the proceedings of a most interesting character. Those from a distance in attendance are being entertained in a royal manner, the homes of our big hearted Baptist, Presbyterians and others, being thrown open with warm hearted hospitality.”

Whitcomb also reported that “J.D. Deming is spending some time at Hot Springs, Ark.,” and “Robert Dickson of Rowland, N.C. left Monday after a brief visit to his kinsman, Geo. L. Sloan of West Side.”

In the April 30, 1914 edition of The Record, Whitcomb reported that “Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Kelly of Repton were among the visitors here recently.”

He also let readers know that “Mr. and Mrs. Crumpton, Mrs. Walter Lee and Miss Augusta Farnham left Sunday afternoon for Atlanta to attend the opera.”

Readers that week also learned that “a farmer’s wife who was shopping in Evergreen the other day said that she had nearly 200 young biddies in her poultry yard.”

Whitcomb also reported that “Mack Binion of this city and Miss Pansy Nash of Mobile were married at the home of the bride Wednesday. The young couple will make their home in Evergreen.”

It was also reported that “Miss Mildred Rutland was thrown from a buggy last Tuesday and sustained a broken arm. Her friends will be glad to know that she is resting as easy as could be expected, considering the nature of the injury.”

Readers also learned that “during the months of May, June, July and August all the stores in Evergreen will close at six o’clock.”

In news from the Owassa community that week, it was also reported that “there will be a Masonic funeral here the third Sunday in May in honor of John Yates, who was killed in a railroad wreck a short time ago.”

Whitcomb closed out the month by reporting that “Prof. A.J. Liner, formerly of this city and principal of the Agricultural School here, died in Oklahoma on the 15th inst. He is survived by his wife.”

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 May 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.