Sunday, October 18, 2015

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

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published five editions 120 years ago during the month of October 1895. Those issues, which were dated Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 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.

OCT. 3, 1895

October was ushered in with some very cold weather, which rendered fires quite comfortable.

County officials and attorneys are busy getting matters in shape for the fall term of Circuit Court, which will convene on Oct. 21.

Dr. Yarbrough is making extensive improvements on the City Hotel, that will be greatly appreciated by the guests of that popular house of entertainment.

Mr. John H. Moore Sr. died at his home near Perdue Hill on Sun., Sept. 22, 1895 after a long and painful illness. Mr. Moore was one of Monroe’s oldest and best citizens and had a host of friends who deeply deplore his loss.

Cotton sold in Monroeville for eight cents per pound. That is more than many expected to get in Mobile. The great trouble is, there is but little to sell at any price.

The attendance at the Monroeville Academy is constantly increasing. Several new pupils were enrolled on Monday.

Dr. J.J. McClellan of Turnbull was in Monroeville on Tuesday.

Capt. F.M. Jones returned Sunday from a trip to Milton and Mobile.

We are glad to see Col. B.L. Hibbard out again after several days of indisposition.

Hon. W.G. McCorvey and Mr. Walter Sowell visited the Capital City last week.

OCT. 10, 1895

The weather has turned off quite cool and bracing.

Mr. J. Hope Moore, the popular proprietor of the Claiborne lower warehouse, was in town on Monday. He says shipments of cotton at his point show a great falling off as compared with last year.

Obituary: On the 4th inst., our home was darkened by the death of Leslie, the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Mal Stabler. He was born May the 15th, 1889, aged six years and five months. He was almost instantly killed by the press belting, the exact way is not definitely known.

Under the new schedule adopted by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, trains will arrive at Repton on Wednesday night instead of Friday, as heretofore, and leave on Thursday morning.

County court was in session Monday, only a few cases were tried.

The Academy is about ready for occupancy, and the school will move into its new quarters as soon as the patent desks arrive.

The attendance at the Monroeville Academy continues to increase. Five new pupils were enrolled Monday.

A refreshing shower fell Monday evening. Gardeners hailed it with delight as affording a greatly desired opportunity for the fall sowing of turnips.

OCT. 17, 1895

Prof. Powers’ school opened up in the new academy building on Monday.

Capt. W.B. Kemp of Kempville was in Monroeville on last Saturday. The Captain says the “silver craze” refuses to die in his neighborhood.

Mr. W.W. Tucker of Perdue Hill came out to Monroeville Sunday on his “bike,” making the run of 12 miles in a little over an hour and a quarter.

Mr. R.W. Wiggins, living about seven miles north of Monroeville, had the misfortune to lose his dwelling by fire on last Monday night. The fire caught from the kitchen stove and owing to the lateness of the hour and its isolated situation, the flames were beyond control before assistance could be obtained. The greater part of the household furniture was saved but the contents of the kitchen were entirely destroyed.

We regret to learn of the death of Dr. Ray Fountain which occurred at his home at Finchburg this county, on the 11th inst.

Death of old Joe Scott: This faithful old colored man, so well known to the older citizens of Camden, died on the 2nd of September 1895 at Mount Pleasant, Monroe County, where in his extreme old age he was residing under the nursing care of Maj. Charles L. Scott and his wife, Mrs. Hattie Scott.
The deceased was in the 96th year of his age, and all his life, with the exception of the last 12 or 15 years, was by his intelligence, activity, honesty and faithfulness to duty a most valuable help and servant. He was born in South Carolina, but lived for many years with the family of Mrs. Sarah Willison, who owned him while a slave, in the states of South Carolina and Florida. Mrs. Willison, about the year 1854, with her son, Edward F. Willison, now Mrs. Scott, moved from central Florida to Wilcox County, Ala., bringing with other slaves, the subject of this notice.
Though he realized and understood what his emancipation meant, old Joe remained faithful in his devotion to his old Mistress, working for her, and guarding with vigilance and care her property. Emancipation worked no change in his thoughts, his manners or his sense of duty, and he was faithful to the end.
In the end, he was fully rewarded the kindness, care and devotion of those who never let him suffer, and who to the last gratified his every want and softened the rough places of his closing days.

OCT. 24, 1895

Bold Robbery: A most bold and daring robbery took place at Belleville a few days ago, Mr. Reid Knight, a well-to-do farmer, being the victim. The particulars are related by the Evergreen correspondent of The Advertiser as follows: “Mr. Knight went into the store of Messrs. C.A. Newton & Sons at that place and after making some purchases pulled out his pocketbook, which contained about $60, to pay for his goods, and while waiting for the merchant to give him some change he laid it on the counter. His fingers had scarcely released the purse however before a big, brawny negro grabbed it and made for the door. Another negro standing just outside gave a shrill whistle and the two together went off up the road toward Burnt Corn… but after a spirited chase of about one mile (Knight) came up with the negro that had snatched his purse. The scoundrel whipped out a pistol, though as soon as Mr. Knight came up and threatened to shoot if he (Knight) came any further, as he had no ‘shootin irons’ on him, Mr. Knight had to give up the chase. The other negro was afterward captured by Mr. J.W. Gaston and brought here yesterday and placed in the county jail. On being asked, he gave his name as Joe Brandon and said he and his pal lived in the neighborhood of Burnt Corn. Mr. Knight, with a posse, left yesterday armed and equipped to make another effort to capture the thief that snatched his pocketbook, and it is expected that he will return soon with his game.

OCT. 31, 1895

Mr. C.W. Zimmerman of the Bear Creek Mill Co. was in Monroeville this week. He informed us that they have completed and are operating about three miles of their railroad.

The business of the Circuit Court is being transacted very rapidly this week. There have been three convictions for felonies and quite a number for minor offenses. Albert Jackson has been sentenced to 25 months in the penitentiary; Mose Hall goes up for three years; and Lazarus James will pass four years in the coal mines in expiation of the crime of burning Mr. J.H. Moore’s warehouse some months ago.

Mr. Lafayette Riley of Bermuda, who was in town Monday, informed us that his son, Enoch, killed a large rattler on last Saturday. The reptile measured five feet, four inches in length, five or six inches in diameter and had eight rattles and a button.

Death of Col. D.L. Neville: After a protracted illness, David LaFayette Neville quietly breathed his last at 10:30 p.m. on last Thursday, 24th inst., surrounded by his devoted family.

Deputy Sheriff Ben McMillan went to Jefferson Parish, La. last week, and returned Tuesday, having in custody Sam Rogers, who broke jail here about four years ago, and who has since been at large until captured recently by officers of Jefferson Parish. Sam is now behind the bars and will perhaps be tried at this term of court on an indictment for murder.


An oyster supper will be served at the City Hotel tonight for the purpose of raising funds to fit the new academy with improved furniture.

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