The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years
ago during the month of April 1905. Those issues, which can be found on
microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, were dated April 6,
April 13, April 20 and April 27. What follows are a few news highlights from
each of those editions. Enjoy.
APRIL 6, 1905
Circuit Court: Judge John T. Lackland, the new presiding
judge, arrived Sunday and convened the Spring Term of the Monroe County Circuit
Court shortly after two o’clock Tuesday afternoon. The criminal docket is
unusually heavy, there being several capital cases set for trial next week.
DEATH OF COL. HIBBARD: Leading Attorney of Monroeville Bar
Passes Away: Col. Bertrand L. Hibbard calmly breathed life’s last fleeting
breath at his home in this place at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning, April 2, aged
63 years.
LOST CHILD: Causes Uneasiness and Excitement Until Found
Sunday: Great excitement prevailed in the vicinity of Tekoa last Sunday on
account of a little boy who became lost in the woods and much uneasiness was
felt for several hours until the little wanderer was found.
A little son of Mrs. Evan Manning, aged about five years,
went into the woods with several boys older than himself, when their dog jumped
a rabbit. The boys followed in pursuit, but the little fellow being unable to
keep up, was lost off from his companions and wandered about in the woods for
several hours.
The older boys returning from the chase discovered that
their companion was missing and reported the fact. The neighborhood was soon
alarmed and searching parties went in all directions. After several hours, the
little boy was finally overtaken several miles from home and restored to the
arms of his half-distracted parents.
HOBSON TO LECTURE: A number of his local admirers have
induced Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson of “Merrimac” fame to deliver one of
his noted lectures in Monroeville, and his managers have designated Wednesday
evening, April 12, as the date. The lecture will take place in the court house
and seats are now on sale.
APRIL 13, 1905
Cooper B. Scott, who fired the first gun at Fort Sumter,
died at Gainesville, Ga. on the 7th inst., aged 65 years.
MANISTEE: The Bear Creek Mill Co. have got their dam
repaired and are going again.
Mr. J.M. Lambert of Nero is repairing the grist mill dam of
Mr. George Harris which was torn out by the big freshet some weeks ago. Mr.
Lambert will operate it this season as repairs are complete.
BEUNA VISTA: Since posting my usual weekly letter to The
Journal, a very tragical affair occurred Monday afternoon about four o’clock,
almost in sight of my door. Everett Jones, the 15-year-old son of Mr. Tom
Jones, shot and instantly killed a negro boy named “Jack,” who was a farm hand
in the employ of Mr. Ollie Finklea. Young Jones entered the “Kearly” field
where Jack, another negro and Mr. Lacy Courtney were at work. Everett Jones
carried his shotgun. He quarreled with the negro, and after some words, fired
his gun, shooting the boy Jack in the head, causing instant death. Young Jones
has respectable parents. After, the rilling Young Jones walked off, and has not
been caught, or arrested at this writing.
The Hobson Lecture: Capt. Richmond P. Hobson delivered one
of his justly celebrated lectures on the topic “American Naval Supremacy” at
the courthouse Wednesday evening to a house filled with the county’s most
prominent and intelligent citizens.
APRIL 20, 1905
The capture of Will Ptomey, the negro who shot and seriously
injured Prof. Claude Hardy at Pine Apple some weeks ago, is reported to have
been accomplished at Waco, Texas. A reward of several hundred dollars had been
offered.
The Brewton grand jury indicted F.L. Hancock who killed
Prof. Jessee Troutman at Canoe last New Year, charging murder in the first
degree. The case was continued for trial until the fall term. An effort to
remove the trial to another county on account of the alleged inability of the
defense to secure a fair trial, failed.
The Spring term of Monroe Circuit Court adjourned on
Saturday morning after two weeks of steady grind.
Following are the more important cases disposed of:
- Jim Stallworth, murder, sentenced to 45 years in the
penitentiary.
- Tom Stevenson, murder, sentenced to 37 years in
penitentiary.
- Robert Packer, murder, life imprisonment
Mrs. Levi Garner, an aged lady of Sepulga, died on Saturday
night from the effects of a snake bite
inflicted a week before. She got up during the night and stepped on the
reptile, a rattlesnake, on the floor which bit her foot twice. She became
speechless in a few seconds and suffered great agony until death. She was 75
years old. – Evergreen Courant.
APRIL 27, 1905
Dr. R.A. Smith left for New York Tuesday to accompany a
patient who goes to be operated upon.
Fire at Nadawah: Fire was discovered in the drying house of
the Shoal Creek Lumber Co. at Nadawah on last Saturday afternoon about three
o’clock. Pumps were at once set to work and a steady stream of water was poured
on the highly combustible material, but to no purpose. The loss is estimated at
about $10,000, with $9,000 insurance. – Camden Banner.
Town Election: An election for the purpose of electing a
Mayor and five Councilmen for the town of Monroeville, Ala. is hereby ordered
to be held in the courthouse on Mon., May 1, 1905. M.R. Sowell and N.T.
Stallworth are hereby appointed managers to hold such election. – J.W. Fore,
Mayor.
A Strawberry Centre: One of the busiest places in this
section at present is the little town of Castleberry, the activity being caused
by the opening of the strawberry season at that place. Ordinarily, the
population of the town is about 250, but at present it is nearer 3,000, about
2,000 berry pickers being there besides commission men, spectators and
prospectors.
In the vicinity and adjacent to Castleberry there are
something like 600 acres planted in strawberries and new farms are being opened
up all the time.
Messrs. Bayles, Hybart and Burns are now fitting up a
handsome law office in the old court house next door to the bank.
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