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| Alabama Gov. Charles Henderson |
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 August 1915.
In the Aug. 4, 1915 edition of The Evergreen Courant,
editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “about noon on Friday
morning, the two condemned men, John Salter and Robert Watkins, will pay the
penalty of their awful crime on the gallows of the county jail. The crime for
which they are to pay the death penalty, the brutal murder of Mrs. Martha
Lassiter, was committed on the night of June 23rd. They were apprehended the
following day and 14 days later were tried at a special term of circuit court,
convicted and sentenced to be hanged on Fri., Aug. 6, just 44 days lacking a
few hours after the commission of the crime.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper, Salter reported that “Ed
Jackson killed a rattlesnake on the farm of I.L. Mills, three miles from town,
that measured five feet, six inches in length, 7-1/4 inches in circumference,
weighed five pounds and had 20 rattles. The snake had just bitten a dog and was
ready to spring at him when he saw the snake and raised his gun and shot him.”
Readers that week also learned that “Evergreen and Chapman
played a 13-inning game here on Thursday last with a tie score of 3 to 3.”
Also that week, Salter reported that the “Rev. D.J. Wright
came dangerously near meeting a tragic death one night last week. He was
attending a revival meeting at Owassa and shortly after leaving the church some
person driving a horse at rapid speed ran into him, throwing him violently to
the ground and very painfully injuring him.”
In the Aug. 11, 1915 edition of The Courant, Salter
reported that “John Salter and Robert Watkins were hanged in the county jail on
Friday morning about 11 o’clock.
“The two condemned men showed the most remarkable nerve
from the time of their conviction until they each stepped upon the gallows; not
seeming to fear death.
“Watkins was first to mount the scaffold and this he did
with steady step. The noose and cap were adjusted, Sheriff Williams pulled the
lever and his body shot through space and he was pronounced dead in a few
minutes. Salter watched the process without an apparent quiver. He was placed
on the scaffold and the same process carried out.
“The bodies were prepared for burial and turned over to
relatives and in the afternoon were buried side by side in the same grave.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper, Salter reported that “Gov. (Charles) Henderson yesterday appointed W.E. Rushing of Atmore, probate judge of Escambia
County, to fill the vacancy caused by the death recently of Hon. M.F. Brooks.
Mr. Rushing has for some time been mayor of Atmore.”
Subscribers that week also read that “George Foshee and
Mrs. Foshee were over from Cohassett Monday. Mr. Foshee intimated that he might
bring a wild hog to exhibit at the county fair.”
Salter wrapped up that week by saying that “if every
family in the county will bring something to put on exhibition at the county
fair we will have a show in Evergreen that will be of interest to everyone who
comes to see it.”
In the Aug. 18, 1915 edition of the newspaper, under the
headline “Highway Robbery,” it was reported that “L.S. Hyde of Herbert was held
up and robbed of $23.50 about two o’clock on Saturday afternoon beyond the home
of Mrs. Temple Rutland by two strange men. Mr. Hyde described the men to
citizens at Herbert who kept a lookout for them. Early in the night they
appeared in the little village and were taken in charge by citizens and held
until the arrival of the sheriff, who brought them to jail and lodged a charge
of highway robbery against them. They gave their names as Charles Morris and
Walter Murphee.”
Salter also reported that week that “the ‘first new bale’
was brought in last week by County Commissioner John F. Salter and brought 10
cents.”
Also that week, “Brown Eyes,” the correspondent from the
Effie community, reported that “Edgar Adams, J.T. Bolton, Percy Burnie and
Clinton Sanders attended baseball game at Bowles Saturday afternoon.”
Readers that week also learned that “Barlow Hardware Co.
is putting in a feed mill to utilize velvet beans and other products in the
manufacture of mixed feeds. Evergreen, Andalusia and Georgiana will have
similar mills and farmers are assured of a market for their beans and corn.”
Also that week, Salter reported that “Mayor J.M. Thomas of
Castleberry was here last week. He is an enthusiastic county fair booster and
will have a nice exhibit himself and also from his beat at the fair.”
Salter wrapped up that week by reporting that “The Courant
is glad to note the hearty interest being manifested by the people generally in
the county fair. A large number of farmers throughout the county are planning
an exhibit of some sort.”
In the Aug. 25, 1915 edition of the paper, Salter reported
that “the cry of hard times and business depression does not stop the progress
of building in Evergreen to any great extent. George and Robert Jones have just
had completed a very attractive new home on Salter Street, which is an ornament
to that part of town. Work is now in progress for the erection of a handsome
residence on Bruner Avenue. The old Orrie Hotel building is being removed to
give place for a more pretentious structure. This building is being constructed
for the Misses Barfield. Contractor Tate is doing the work one each of these
buildings.”
That week’s paper also featured the following
advertisement – “Second District Agricultural School, Evergreen, Ala. – The
oldest, best equipped, best located high school in this section of the state.
Standard and Practical courses of study, also Music and Stenography. Expenses
low. Faculty of eight experienced teachers, graduates from two State
Universities, one Normal, three Technical Scientific Schools, two Women’s
Colleges, Business College and New England Conservatory. Evergreen is the
business and geographical center of the district, her people love the school,
appreciate your patronage and give you a warm welcome. For catalogue write W.C.
Blasingame, President.”
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 September 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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