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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