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 May 1915.
In the May 5, 1915 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor
and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “copious showers have fallen in
several sections of the county, but many sections are yet suffering from lack
of moisture.”
He went on to say that “the month of April was the driest on
record, according to the report of the local weather observer. During the 30
days, only .20 of an inch of rainfall was recorded. It is said that not since
1873 has there been an April in which less than one inch of rainfall was
registered.”
Elsewhere in that edition, readers learned that the “25th
annual reunion of United Confederate Veterans June 1st, 2nd and 3rd. For the
sixth time, the renowned and patriotic old city of Richmond will entertain the
veterans and their descendants, in the old time Virginia style. Round trip
tickets will cost $16.35 from Evergreen.”
It was also reported in that week’s paper that “C. Bennett,
living on the Greenville road beyond the convict camp, had the misfortune to
get his home and contents destroyed by fire on Thursday night last. Bennett is
a hard worker and had managed to buy a small piece of ground and had built on
it a very comfortable home and owed on it only $89. He said the property and
furnishings cost him about $1,500. The loss falls quite heavily upon him, but
he is full of grit and energy and says he will try to come again. His white
friends have contributed some to aid him in his misfortune.”
In the May 12, 1915 edition of The Courant, it was reported
that “one of the convicts of the road crew made his escape several days ago,
and the dog which has so successfully trailed down other escapees is missing.
It is not known whether the convict killed the dog or it was lost. At any rate,
both the convict and the man trailing dog are unaccounted for.”
Elsewhere in the paper, under the headline “Another of the
Old Landmarks Gone,” it was reported that “W.T. Waren, one of Alabama’s old
veterans, died at Roy, Ala. April 20th, 1915, while visiting one of his sons,
Tunley Waren, after a few days illness. He was born Nov. 30, 1834, served in
the Civil War, enlisted in Co. A, 23rd Alabama Regiment, Aug. ’61, and returned
home, April ’65. He was a member of the M.P. church and a devout Christian. He
did not only go to church on Sunday, but was there on Saturday ready to be used
for God’s service. He was also an honorary member of the W.O.W. Ceder Camp, No.
585.”
Readers that week also learned that “T.S. Hagood came near
losing an eye on Thursday last. A nail which he was attempting to drive struck
him in the eye, inflicting a very painful wound. His son, Dr. Hagood, took him
to an eye specialist in Montgomery, and the gratifying news comes from him that
he will not loose his sight. He is expected to reach home the latter part of
the week.”
Also that week, it was reported that “Dr. J.G. Dickinson and
Rev. S.P. Lindsey left yesterday for Houston, Texas to attend the annual
session of the Southern Baptist convention.”
In the May 19, 1915 edition of the newspaper, it was
reported, under the headline “Agricultural School Commencement,” that
commencement exercise would be held May 30-June 2 at the Southwest State
Agricultural School. The exercises included a baccalaureate sermon by the Rev.
E.C. Moore and D.C. Montgomery; a dramatic play called “The Lost Chaperon” by
the junior class; a musical concert by the music department; an address to the
“County Tomato Club Girls” by a Miss Reese; an address on tomato diseases, a
canning demonstration, a basketball game between the town team and school team;
a baseball game between Brewton and the school; graduating exercises with an
address by S.H. Dent. Members of the graduating class included Addie Amos,
Sarah Cunningham, Corinne Dickinson, Lorena Millsap, Annie Lois Wiggins, Louise
Williams.
Also that week, it was reported that “the closing exercises
of the Orphanage School will be held in the orphanage chapel at 8 p.m. on May
25. A children’s operetta, ‘The Quest of the Pink Parasol,’ will be given and
certificates presented to four of the pupils who have completed the seventh
grade.”
It was reported elsewhere in that week’s paper that
commencement was also scheduled for May 30-June 2 at the Conecuh County High
School in Castleberry. Diplomas were to be passed out by J.B. Hobdy of the
Dept. of Education in Montgomery.
Readers that week also learned that “the electric light
plant was out of commission a couple of nights due to a breakdown of the
dynamo, and patrons of the plant learned to appreciate the convenience of
lights in the home, in stores and offices. The plant is now in excellent
shape.”
It was also reported that “the convict camp will be removed
this week to the old Grange Hall. The road work will then proceed to Flat Rock.
The portable cage for sick prisoners was taken to the camp yesterday.”
In the May 26, 1915 edition of the paper, it was reported on
the front page, under the headline “Modern Farm Machinery in Conecuh,” that
“two pieces of farm machinery, which are much needed in this county, arrived
here last week. One was a modern threshing machine for J.E. Witherington of
China and the other a gasoline tractor engine for Bob Simmons of Flat Rock, to
use in operating a threshing machine for cleaning oats, wheat, rye, peas,
beans, etc.”
That week’s paper also included the following advertisement
– “STOLEN: From my place Monday night, one brindle work ox. Anyone giving
information leading to his recovery will be rewarded. J.G. Baggett, Owassa, Rt.
1.”
Also that week, readers learned that “The Courant learns
that Evergreen is to have a modern dry cleaning establishment at an early date,
a muchly needed enterprise.”
It was also reported that week that “J.E. Miller, a leading
farmer of Old Town, was asked the other day if boll weevils were troubling his
cotton. ‘No,’ he replied positively. ‘I have none.’ There are a large number of
farmers in Conecuh like Mr. Miller, they have no cotton for weevils to pester.”
Readers that week also learned that “Evergreen merchants and
business houses have signed an agreement to make Thursday a half holiday, all
places being closed at noon. This arrangement will continue during the summer
months, thereby giving proprietors and employees an afternoon respite from
work.”
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 June 1915 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.
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