Today in History for Nov. 19, 2014

Capt. Raphael Semmes

Nov. 19, 1703 – After 34 years of imprisonment, the “Ancient Prisoner,” who inspired “The Man in the Iron Mask,” died in the Bastille Prison in Paris, France. He was buried in a nearby churchyard under a false name.

Nov. 19, 1818 - A year before Alabama became a state, the town of Athens in Limestone County, was incorporated. It was chosen to be the seat of Limestone County in March 1819. The county was created from former Chickasaw and Cherokee Indian lands ceded to the United States in 1816.

Nov. 19, 1819 – A town plat map for Coffeeville, Ala. was drawn up, and the state legislature approve articles of incorporation for Coffeeville six days later.

Nov. 19, 1840 – Richard Francis Burton began attending Trinity College, Oxford.

Nov. 19, 1861 – The “Monroe Rebels” were mustered into the Confederate Army in Montgomery as part of Co. E of the 23rd Alabama Infantry.

Nov. 19, 1862 - Union General Ambrose Burnside and his army arrived at Falmouth, Virginia. His decision to move across the Rappahannock River was delayed until the end of the month because pontoon bridges had not arrived.

Nov. 19, 1862 – Under the cover of foul weather, Capt. Raphael Semmes guided the CSS Alabama out of Martinque, where it had been blockaded in by the USS San Jacinto, which was under the command of Commander William Ronkendorff.

Nov. 19, 1863 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered his two-minute “Gettysburg Address” as he dedicated a national cemetery at the site of the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania. The speech was only 272 words long.

Nov. 19, 1864 – During the Civil War, a skirmish occurred at Duckett’s Plantation near Paint Rock River, Ala.

Nov. 19, 1867 – Edith Cornwell was named postmaster at Burnt Corn, Ala.

Nov. 19, 1893 - The first newspaper color supplement was published in the Sunday New York World.

Nov. 19, 1911 – The Conecuh Record reported that on this day T.W. Baggett shot and killed J.A. Green at Castleberry. R.E. Baggett was also slightly injured, and it was said that T.W. Baggett shot in self defense.

Nov. 19, 1917 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Ephraim F. McCurley of Opp “died from disease.”

Nov. 19, 1947 – The murder trial against Elbert J. Hoomes began in Evergreen. Hoomes was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of his son-in-law, Joe Greer in Brewton in December 1944. The trial was moved to Evergreen from Escambia County to help ensure that Hoomes received a fair trial. Judge A.E. Gamble of Greenville was the presiding judge, and Hoomes was represented by Hybart & Horne. Circuit Solicitor A.H. Elliott, County Solicitor Broox Garrett of Brewton and R.E.L. Cope of Union Springs were in charge of the prosecution. The case was of wide interest in Escambia County and a large number of Escambia County citizens came to Evergreen to observe the trial.

Nov. 19, 1949 – The Airways Communication and Weather reporting station at the Evergreen Airport in Evergreen, Ala. began operations.

Nov. 19, 1961 - Michael Clark Rockefeller, 23, the fifth child of New York Governor Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, disappeared during an expedition in the Asmat region of southwestern Netherlands New Guinea.

Nov. 19, 1966 - In college football, first-ranked Notre Dame and second-ranked Michigan State played to a 10-10 tie at Spartan Stadium.

Nov. 19, 1977 – The Conecuh County Branch of the NAACP celebrated “Clint Jackson Day” in Evergreen in honor of Olympic boxer Clint Jackson, who fought on behalf of the U.S. in the 1976 Summer Olympics.

Nov. 19, 1979 - Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros signed a four-year contract for $4.5 million. At the time, Ryan was the highest paid player in major league baseball.

Nov. 19, 1984 - Dwight Gooden, 20-year-old, of the New York Mets, became the youngest major-league pitcher to be named Rookie of the Year in the National League.

Nov. 19, 1993 - Nirvana recorded an MTV unplugged concert in New York.

Nov. 19, 1993 – Episode No. 10 of “The X-Files” – entitled “Fallen Angel” – aired for the first time.

Nov. 19, 1996 - Albert Belle signed a contract with the White Sox for a record $55 million. He was the first player to surpass the $10 million per year mark.

Nov. 19, 2001 - Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants became the first baseball player to win four Most Valuable Player Awards.

Nov. 19, 2011 – The post office at Brooklyn, Alabama closed.