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| Eugene A. Smith |
The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the
direction of Editor and Proprietor H.R. Hood, published four editions 130 years
ago during the month of August 1855. Those issues, which were dated Aug. 7,
Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County
Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those
four editions. Enjoy.
AUG. 7, 1885
Commissioners court will convene Monday.
Mr. F.A. Seymour is having another room added to the post
office building.
Several cases went before the County court last Monday.
Rev. James Lapsley of Brewton has been holding a series of
meetings at the Presbyterian church at this place.
A protracted meeting is in progress at the Methodist church
at this place. Rev. Mr. Moore is begin assisted by Rev. J.W. McCann and Rev.
J.A. Moore.
Perdue Hill – The Perdue Hill Dramatic Club will give an
entertainment on the evening of the 14th inst. Two splendid plays will be
presented, one of which will be the “Persecuted Dutchman.” This club has
splendid histrionic talent, and all those who attend may expect to witness a
most excellent entertainment.
MARRIED – On the 29th ult. at the residence of the bride’s
mother near Monroeville by G.W. Salter, Esq., Mr. T.F. Royster and Miss Addie
Jones.
For Sale – A new Mosler & Bemanan fireproof safe
combination lock and in perfect condition on easy terms. Apply to Mr. F.A.
Seymour.
When you visit Mobile, don’t fail to call and examine the
large, well selected and stylish stock of clothing at Brisk & Jacobson.
We want 500 new subscribers to The Monroe Journal by Sept.
1st in this county.
AUG. 14, 1885
Perdue Hill – Mr. J.S. Hines of the Hill has been appointed
by U.S. Marshal Allen, deputy marshal for this county.
Glendale: A little colored boy, son of Isaac Ingram, aged
seven or eight years, was drowned on Saturday last, while bathing with other
small boys at Mosley’s Mill. None of the others were large enough to render any
assistance.
The Evergreen Star last week appeared in an enlarged form
and in a handsome new dress. It is now a seven-column paper and is printed in
large new type, and not only presents a neat typographical appearance, showing
superior mechanical taste in its make-up, but its editorial, local and news
columns give evidence of journalistic ability. In its new form, the Star is a
credit to Evergreen and to Conecuh
County and it deserves a liberal and unstinted support. We wish our
esteemed contemporary continued prosperity.
The Caterpillar is putting his destructive work in many
portions of the county. The cotton of Col. John Lyon, who early sent to this
office a worm found on his plantation, has been ragged, and like reports come
from other points in the county. A great many are using poison with good
results. Capt. C.W. Locklin of Perdue Hill, who is a close observer and a good
planter, says that the late heavy rains and winds destroyed, he thinks, all the
first worms that made their appearance in his cotton.
AUG. 21, 1885
A Good Change – The mail route from Repton to Bermuda,
established July 1, last, has been changed to this point. Monroeville now has
direct communication with the young and growing town of Repton three times a
week. The mail leaves here Monday, Wednesday and Friday 3 p.m. and makes close
connection with the incoming train at 7:30. This is a most excellent change in
the interest of the general public and our citizens are indebted to their
distinguished representative in Congress, Hon. J.T. Jones, for it.
River Ridge – Mr. John McDuffie and family, also Miss Laurie
McDuffie, are visiting Turnbull.
Mr. W.B. Jones has again opened his beef market at this
place where he will be pleased to furnish his customers with choice beef at
lowest market price. Market will be open every Saturday morning at 6:30,
northeast corner, Public Square.
We hear that Mr. W.A. George has accepted the position of
principal of the school at Monroeville, and that he will move to that place the
early part of the fall to enter upon his duties. – Camden Home Ruler.
Dr. W.A. Patrick of Monroeville, a promising young dentist
of Monroe County, called on his friends in Evergreen this week. – Evergreen
Star.
Buena Vista – Mr. H.B. Rikard, a live and enterprising young
merchant at Buena Vista and Mr. A. Rhode of the same village, were in town
Wednesday, and they report crops to be good, though they were injured some by
the dry weather.
AUG. 28, 1885
Prof. Eugene A. Smith, state geologist, was in Monroeville
Wednesday, and is at present in the county, examining our many marl heds,
&c. He is an energetic worker and a competent officer.
Two Desperate Negro Scoundrels – One of the most daring
attempts to secure their liberty ever
recorded in the criminal annals of the state was made last Friday by George
Fountain and Richard Kyle, two colored boys confined in the county jail, one
charged with larceny and the other burglary. Sheriff Burns had occasion to go
to the jail in the evening, and opened one of the cell doors and went into the
cell, as was his usual custom to look after the prisoners and see that
everything was all right. As he turned to come out, one of the prisoners,
Richard Kyle, threw a blanket over his head, and George Fountain jumped on him
and attempted to choke him down. In the scuffle, Sheriff Burns got the blanket
off his head and grabbed George and choked him to the cell floor, when Richard
ran up and choked the Sheriff until he was forced to relax his hold upon
George, and fell to the floor himself, exhausted for want of breath. They had
all got out by this time in the hall of the jail, and the negroes becoming
frightened attempted to drag Sheriff Burns in one of the cells and lock him up,
but he recovered sufficient strength to prevent this, but Richard, who was
pulling Mr. Burns while George pushed, himself got in the cell, when Mr. B by
accident or intention drew the iron door to him and locked Richard in. He was
then left alone in the hall with George who seeing himself alone grappled desperately
with Mr. B who was then quite exhausted; in the desperate struggle that
followed, was struck in the head by George with a paint bucket and fell to the
floor senseless. George repeated the blows upon the prostrate officer’s head till
the door of the picket had been cut almost down by the excited crowd who had
heard the noise and cries and had come to the jail to discover through crevices
in the pickets the terrible drama being enacted within. The door was soon cut
open, and the excited crowd rushed in. The negro crept in one of the cells and
hid himself. Mr. B was at once brought out in an unconscious condition and
carried to his room and a physician sent for. When Dr. Packer arrived, Mr. B
had sufficiently recovered to tell who had attacked him, and state also that he
had been robbed of his pocket book and some three or four dollars of loose
change which he had in his pocket; but he was still faint and weak from the
shock and loss of blood. He was covered with blood and was still bleeding
profusely. The doctor dressed his wounds, which he did not regard as
necessarily serious, as there was no fracture. Everything that could be done
for Mr. B to relieve his sufferings was done by ready and willing hands, and at
this writing, Thursday, is getting along as well as his physician has expected.
The negroes were brought out of the cells and questioned
about the difficulty. They didn’t deny what they had done, but denied having
taken Mr. B’s pocketbook. A few blows in the face from an excited bystander made
George Fountain disgorge the pocketbook and three silver dollars in change. There
was a great deal of feeling among the crowd, and there was at one time some
danger of the negroes meeting summary punishment for their terrible crime.
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