The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville published five editions 50 years ago during the month of October 1964. Those papers came out
on Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. What follows are a few new highlights
from each of those papers. Enjoy.
OCT. 1, 1964
Former Resident Killed In Shooting In Mississippi: Wife Is
Held In Connection With Slaying: A former resident of Monroeville died in a
Meridian, Miss. hospital Sunday morning from a bullet wound in the stomach and
his wife has been charged with murder in connection with the slaying, according
to Lauderdale County, Miss. authorities.
J.D. Booker, 48, who had been living in Mississippi for
about the past four months, was shot Friday night during a family argument,
according to Deputy Sheriff Bill Jackson.
Deputy Jackson said Mrs. Evelyn M. Booker, the victim’s
wife, admitted shooting Mr. Booker during the argument at the couple’s home in
Causeyville, about nine miles from Meridian.
The deputy said Mrs. Booker was arrested Friday night
following the shooting and charged with assault with intent to commit murder.
She was released on bond from Lauderdale County Jail Saturday night but
returned to jail Sunday after Mr. Booker died.
She was formally charged with murder Monday afternoon and
released on $10,000 bond.
The officer said Mrs. Booker allegedly shot Mr. Booker with
a .38-caliber pistol.
The body was returned to Monroeville where funeral services
were held Wednesday morning at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev.
W.G. Robertson officiating.
Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Beatrice High School, which dropped football from its
schedule of activities lat year, has resumed the sport this year on a limited
basis.
OCT. 8, 1964
The world premiere of “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” the life story
of country singer Hank Williams, will be held in Montgomery Nov. 4, it was
announced last week.
George Deavours, manager of the Paramount Theatre, said the
premiere performance was sponsored by the Country Music Association, with all
the money to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum planned in
Nashville, Tenn.
The late singer was born Hiram Williams on a farm, Rt. 1,
Garland, Sept. 17, 1923, but McWilliams in North Monroe County is proclaimed
the “boyhood home of Hank Williams.”
Miss Jane Hamilton was named Frisco City High School’s
homecoming queen Tuesday night at the school auditorium. A senior, she is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross W. Hamilton. First runner-up was Miss Cecelia
Harrison and second runner-up was Miss June Griggers, both seniors. Miss
Hamilton was presented a bouquet by Student Council president Bill Wiggins and
will be crowned during the homecoming football game Friday night, Oct. 16,
between Frisco City and Grove Hill.
Lightning Knocks Radio Station Off Air: The remnants of
Hurricane Hilda knocked Monroeville’s radio station, WMFC, off the air for the
entire day Monday.
Harold Harris, station manager, said lightning struck the
radio tower sometime during the night Sunday, knocking out several transmitters
and tubes in the station’s transmitter located on Highway 21 on the outskirts
of Monroeville.
OCT. 15, 1964
B.E. Lee, principal at Monroe County High School, was named
president of the Monroe County Junior College by the State Board of Education.
Announcement of the appointment was made by the board Friday.
3 Towns Swear In New Councils: Councils in three of the four
area towns which held municipal elections this year have already gotten down to
business. Illness has been the cause of delay in the fourth town.
Beatrice, which named a new mayor, has a vacancy in one of
the council positions due to the candidates being ruled ineligible before the
election because they failed to file the proper qualifying papers.
Thomas A. Black, who had served on the council, was named
new mayor.
Councilmen who were sworn in were Francis D. Stallworth,
Conrad Stone Wall Jr., W.J. “Billie” Martin and R.C. Philen. The vacancy exists
in Place No. 1.
Frisco City’s new city fathers got into its work Monday
night, Oct. 12. A new mayor and three new councilmen were named in Frisco
City’s election.
J.M. Hendrix is the new mayor while John J. McNeil, E.W.
Kelly and Bush King are the new members to the council. Incumbents are W.P.
Albritton and J. (Jeffie) Jones.
Repton is the third area town which saw a new mayor sworn
in.
M.A. Hanks won the four term election as mayor with E.M.
Brantley and C.F. Carter Jr., new members of the council.
OCT. 22, 1964
“Your Cheatin’ Heart,” the life story of Hank Williams,
former Monroe County native, will be shown in Monroeville at the Monroe Theatre
Nov. 8-11, it was announced last week by Milton Dorriety, manager.
Mr. Williams, famous country singer, died New Year’s Day
1953 at the age of 29. He was born in Garland, Ala., but had spent most of his
boyhood life at McWilliams, where his father, E.H. Williams, and stepmother
still reside.
Grading Started On New Airport: Grading was started in
September for the new Monroe County Airport near Monroeville, which is also a
project of the Alabama Department of Aeronautics.
The field, which is being constructed without federal
assistance, will be graded 4,000 x 250 feet, will have a paved runway 3,800 x
80 feet, a paved apron, paved connecting taxiway and runway lights when
completed.
EXCEL HOMECOMING QUEEN – Miss Reylon Melton was named
homecoming queen at Excel High School last week. The senior is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Melton. Alternates are Debra Oswald, eleventh grader, and
Pansy Waren, senior. They will reign during homecoming festivities at Excel High
Saturday night when the Panthers play host to the Uriah Bulldogs.
NAMED PRINCIPAL – C.H. McCrory, formerly of Excel, has been
appointed principal of Mobile Christian School. Mr. McCrory attended Christian
College in Montgomery and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from
Troy State College. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCrory of Excel.
OCT. 29, 1964
A seven-year-old Negro girl from Peterman was fatally
injured Monday morning when struck by a Monroe County school bus about two
miles north of Peterman on Highway 21.
State Trooper Angus Whitley said the girl, Eula L. Munnerlyn
of Peterman, apparently ran out into the highway in front of the school bus.
The child was taken to the Monroe County Hospital, Mr.
Whitley said, and then transferred to the Maxwell Air Force Base Hospital,
where she died.
Murder Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Monroe Man: Floridian
Gets Life Sentence In Circuit Court: A Century, Fla. bar operator was convicted
last week in circuit court in Pensacola of first degree murder in the fatal
shooting of a Monroeville man.
A circuit court jury returned a verdict of guilty with a
recommendation for mercy. This made a life sentence mandatory.
Circuit Judge Woodrow Melvin gave counsel for Joseph R.
Adams, 40, 10 days in which to file motions for a new trial. No date was set
for sentencing.
Mr. Adams was convicted of shooting Odis E. Fails, 30, of
Monroeville at Adams Tavern, two miles south of Century May 22.
The defendant testified he fired in self defense when Mr.
Fails advanced on him with a wine bottle. Medical testimony was to the effect
that Mr. Fails was shot in the back of the head and right shoulder.
The shooting allegedly followed a fight which occurred
outside the tavern.
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