Sunday, November 1, 2015

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Nov. 1915

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 100 years ago during the month of November 1915. Those issues, which were dated Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18 and Nov. 25, 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.

NOV. 4, 1915

Sheriff L.M. Sawyer has purchased the handsome Maxwell home on College Avenue, which he is occupying with his family.

The fall term of the Monroe Circuit Court will convene on Mon., Nov. 15.

The County Board of Revenue held a three days session this week with all members present. In addition to the transaction of the ordinary routine of business, the board considered plans for a more vigorous prosecution of the road improvement enterprise already entered upon.

Those who attended the Gulf Coast Fair at Mobile say that the exhibit from Monroe showed up in very favorable comparison with the exhibits of other counties. They observed numerous blue and red ribbons attached to various parts of the exhibit.

Mr. M.R. Sowell will shortly erect a cozy bungalo on the lot adjoining his home, which will be occupied by Mr. E.R. Morrissette Jr. and family. Mr. J.M. Daniel is the contractor.

Messrs. M.M. Fountain of Monroeville and W.J. Nettles of Tunnel Springs motored to Marion last week on a brief visit to their daughters who are students at the Judson.

Their many friends here are glad to know that Mr. L.W. Locklin and family of Perdue Hill are soon to become residents of Monroeville.

Dr. W.J. Hairston of Burnt Corn is circulating among Monroeville friends today.

NOV. 11, 1915

There will be an oyster supper and dance at the Masonic Hall, Perdue Hill, Ala. on Wednesday night, Nov. 24, for the benefit of the school.

Capt. Charles L. Johnson died at his home at Franklin, this county, on Mon., Nov. 8, at an advanced age after an illness of several months. Captain Johnson was engaged in steamboating for many years and enjoyed a wide acquaitanceship.

One of the results of the series of meetings held by Dr. Gwaltney is a definite determination of the congregation to erect a handsome new church building, costing some $8,000 to $10,000. The location has not yet been definitely selected but it is understood that the building will be placed closer into the business section of the town than the present location.

The many friends of Congressman Oscar L. Gray regret to learn of his illness at a sanitarium in Meridian. He underwent a serious operation for gall stone a few days ago, and latest information received indicates marked improvement in his condition, although he will probably have to remain in the hospital for several weeks.

The School Improvement League of old Pineville will give an old fashioned Turkey Dinner on Fri., Nov. 19, at the residence of Mrs. R.F. Sanders. Supper will be served from 6:30 throughout the evening at 25 cents per plate. Amusements will consist of contests, Tom Thumb wedding, music, etc.

NOV. 18, 1915

The census bureau report on the quantity of cotton ginned in Alabama from the crop of the present year shows a heavy decrease in the number of bales ginned as compared with the figures for the corresponding period last year. The falling off is especially marked in all counties that have been invaded by boll weevil. The report shows that up to Nov. 8 only 7,176 bales had been ginned in Monroe County against 17,932 last year. About the same decrease is shown in Autauga, Butler, Clarke, Crenshaw, Escambia and others, while in Wilcox the disparity is more marked. In that county, 7,258 bales were ginned this year against 21,771 last year.

The county board of revenue held a two days session this week, going over some of the road that it is planned to improve and transacting other business.

Mr. E. Talbert, who spent a few days with his family last week, reports that the work of grading the Deep Water Route is practically completed to Pine Hill.

Mr. B.B. Finklea, tax assessor of Monroe County, was in Montgomery Friday. Mr. Finklea has been tax assessor of Monroe for many years, and has made of the most popular and efficient officer the county ever had. He has no opposition for re-election and his friends declare he should have none.

Mr. Hoffman of the Pensacola Excelsior Co. was a business visitor to the city Wednesday.

NOV. 25, 1915

Mr. R.G. Scott of Eliska, accompanied by his son, Lt. Charles Scott of the United States Army, favored The Journal sanctum with a pleasant visit while in the city Monday. Lt. Scott has been assigned by the war department to an important post in the Philippines and will sail for that far away archipelago early in December. In the meantime, he and his family are spending a few weeks with parents at Eliska.

Mr. E.L. Covan, who lives in the northeastern part of the county and who is serving on the jury here this week, killed a 17-months old shoat recently which dressed 522 pounds. The pig was of the Duroc-Bekshire-Tamworth strain. He also killed three others a little older, the aggregate dressed weight being 1,115 pounds.

The County Board of Revenue has determined to apply for Monroe’s quota of state aid funds for the improvement of county highways. Between four and five thousand dollars have accrued to the credit of the county and if the application is granted this fund will be supplemented by the county and employed in the building and improving the Old Federal Road from the Butler County line to Burnt Corn.


The fall term of the circuit court adjourned Wednesday evening. The docket was unusually light and all cases were disposed of either by trial or continuance. Judge Turner and Solicitor McDuffie will go from here to Clarke County where court will convene next Monday.

No comments:

Post a Comment