120-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Sept. 1895

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of Editor and Proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 120 years ago during the month of September 1895. Those issues, which were dated Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26, 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.

SEPT. 5, 1895

Mr. J.H. Moore, the popular warehouseman of Claiborne, was here Monday.

Monroeville’s first bale of new cotton was shipped by Messrs. Sowell and Watson on last Saturday.

The board of commissioners held a special meeting on Monday to consider a contested public road.

County Court was in session on Monday and Tuesday last. The docket was unusually heavy, there being over 30 cases.

Col. B.L. Hibbard returned on Saturday from Birmingham, where he attended Midsummer Carnival of United Confederate Veterans.

Dr. S.W. Yarbrough is making extensive improvements on the City Hotel that will add greatly to the comfort and convenience of guests.

River Ridge: River Ridge seems to be on a boom. Several new buildings are going up, which add much to the attractiveness of our little town.

Died, near Monroeville on Friday night, Aug. 30, 1895, Mr. Rufus Brown, aged about 79 years.

Claiborne: Mr. J.H. Moore has gotten his machinery and is ready to meet the needs of the people.

Dr. W.R. Lambuth of Nashville, Tenn., Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the M.E. Church, South, visited Monroeville last week and delivered three very interesting and instructive discourses on Sunday.

SEPT. 12, 1895

Attention Militia: General Order No- Every member of Monroe County Corps will appear in uniform at Monroeville at 10 o’clock a.m. on the first Saturday in October 1895. Any member failing to appear without rendering a satisfactory excuse will be dishonorably discharged. – T.B. Nettles, Captain.

Killing at Burnt Corn: We learn that on last Tuesday two young men, Marion Mixon and Nat Coven, brothers-in-law, residing in the vicinity of Burnt Corn, became involved in a difficulty in which Coven received injuries resulting in his death.

A negro employee on Mr. Geo. Watson’s place, near Burnt Corn, last Saturday night while dressing in his house was shot and killed by unknown parties.

Glendale: Last Sunday while walking over his farm, Mr. B.F. Dogget killed 14 rattlesnakes, two of which measured 4-1/2 feet, and the others about 15 inches in length. Sunday was a good day for snakes.

Masonic: Monroe Chapter No. 4 will hold a regular convocation at Perdue Hill, Ala. Oct. 3, 1895 at eight o’clock p.m. All companions are requested to be present. – W.J. McCants, Sec’y.

Work on the Academy building is progressing rapidly. It had been hoped to have the house ready for occupancy by next Monday, the day for the opening of the Fall term, but the inability of the local mills to promptly supply the necessary materials has delayed the work, hence the school will begin and continue in the old house until the new is ready.

SEPT. 19, 1895

Miss Ida Henderson of Perdue Hill has been spending the past week with Miss Helen Davis at her home, “Pine Croft,” near Monroeville.

The Monroeville Academy opened last Monday with a very good enrollment. Prof. Powers feels greatly encouraged with the prospects.

Mr. Geo. Salter Jr. left on Tuesday for Evergreen, where he will be associated with Prof. J.F. Marsh in the publication of The Courant, Evergreen’s new paper.

The Academy building is nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy by the first of October. The house will present a very handsome appearance when the finishing touches are put on.

Perdue Hill: The Perdue Hill High School opened on last Monday with a goodly number of students. Prof. N.J. Ivey and his accomplished assistant, Miss Lizzie Burroughs, are very much encouraged by the prospects and have entered upon their work with an aggressiveness that insures success.

Claiborne: Mr. J.M. Slaughter and family who have been visiting relatives returned to Mobile on the Tinsie Moore.

The boats are carrying cotton to Mobile at 25 cents per bale.

Maj. G.D. Dunklin of Greenville, member of the Democratic state executive committee and former state senator, is dead.

SEPT. 26, 1895

The attendance of the Monroeville Academy is increasing.

Tax Assessor Nettles and Collector Robison will start on their official rounds in company next Tues., Oct. 1.

Mr. Gordon of the firm of D.R. Burgess & Co., cotton factors, Mobile, was in town this week in the interest of his house.

Mr. W.S. Wiggins Jr., the popular traveling salesman for the Christian-Craft Grocery Co., Mobile, called on our merchants Tuesday.

Mr. R.F. Metts has returned to his post of duty on the P&A R.R. after spending some days with his parents at Monroeville. ‘Dink’ tips the beam at 228 avoirdupoise.

The many friends of Rev. Mr. Powers will be glad to learn that he is gradually recovering from the injuries recently sustained in being thrown from his buggy. He hopes to preach at the Methodist church on next Sunday.

The local political campaign will likely be in full blast about the time the fall term of Circuit Court convenes, and candidates will begin to come out of the woods into the full sunlight of newspaper publicity. Our announcement column will be open one, after or before that date, and for a V you can have your competency, integrity and party loyalty made the subject of general comment.