110-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Feb. 1906

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of publisher and editor Q. Salter, published four editions 110 years ago during the month of February 1906. Those issues, which were dated Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, 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.

FEB. 1, 1906

Mr. Gunter, late of Pine Apple, has purchased the turpentine business from Mr. Baker of Drewry. Mr. and Mrs. Gunter are boarding with Mrs. Sebe McMillan.

Miss May Belle Davis of Manistee was guest of Monroeville friends a few days this week.

Miss Lucile Bizzelle has returned home from Boston where she completed a course in a school of oratory and expression.

Mr. J.H. Moore of Perdue Hill passed through town Monday on his way to Selma to buy machinery for a saw mill plant which he is establishing at Perdue Hill.

Mr. A.F. Howington of Excel was a pleasant caller at The Journal office Thursday. Mr. Howington has lately engaged in the mercantile business at Excel which is rapidly forging to the front as an important business point.

Dr. J.T. Russell’s office is now located in the room formerly occupied by the late Dr. Wiggins. Dr. Russell is the youngest man for his years of our acquaintance. His endurance of the fatigues of a successful and an ever increasing practice is something marvelous.

ROBINSONVILLE: We are expecting to have an R.F.D. soon, which will be a great convenience to this community. Also, a telephone line, which will connect with the long distant at Atmore. Our part of the country is advancing to the front.

FEB. 8, 1906

MANISTEE: Rev. J.B. Kilpatrick filled his regular appointment at Pleasant Hill church on the fourth Sunday and preached a most excellent sermon. We have been discussing the subject of building a new church at this place, but there seems to be a split among the people, some want it right at Manistee, others contend that the proper place is on the same old church ground where the cemetery is, which is not too far for anyone to go from Manistee if they have religion enough to serve God after they get there, of course, invalid ladies excused, as we all know that ladies cannot attend church always as men can, not even if the church is right near their door.

Our little town was quite crowded on the night of the 3^rd to see the Clark combined show which was acknowledged to be about as good as has ever been through this part of the country.

Two fire alarms were sounded within the last few days. Dr. Russell’s dwelling caught fire on Saturday morning and on Monday Misses Patrick’s kitchen was discovered to be on fire. Both fires were put out before material injury had been done.

Mr. D.W. Davis died at his home in Monroeville on Tuesday night, Feb. 6, aged 62 years. The announcement of his death was a profound shock to the entire community. His body was laid to rest with Masonic honors at the Methodist cemetery Thursday afternoon.

PINEVILLE: Mr. Larrie Stallworth, who belongs to the light artillery at Fort Barrancas, is at home on a furlough for three months.

FEB. 15, 1906

TINELA: Mr. J.A. McCants has built a new post office in one corner of his lawn.

DREWRY: Dr. Gunter, a gentleman of considerable experience as a dentist, is now among us.

Convictions at Last Term of Court:

George Untriner, murder second degree, 10 years in penitentiary

Tom Snyder, murder second degree, 15 years in penitentiary

Andrew Broughton, murder second degree, 15 years in penitentiary

Bennett Robison, assault and battery, $20

Marvin Williamson, assault and battery, $30

Bill Hunter, assault and battery with weapon, $50

Jesse McCorvey, assault and battery, $20

Leon McNeil, manslaughter second degree, $500

Will Sanders, assault and battery with weapon, $400

Harrison Liddell, manslaughter second degree, $500

Boney W. Booker, disturbing religious worship, $20

John Silas, presenting fire arms, $10

Joe Gray, grand larceny, three years

The J.W. Fore Co. and J.C. Hudson & Co. have been consolidated and latter firm no longer exists.

Mr. S.P. Hetherington of Hixon was in to see us the first of the week. Mr. Hetherington is just back from Mobile where he sold a raft of timber for the highest price he has ever realized.

The first regular term of the Commissioners Court for the current year convened Monday with all members of the board in attendance.

DEATH BY CREMATION: An Old Man Burned to Death at Tunnel Springs Monday Night: Mr. Colin Falkenberry, an aged citizen of Tunnel Springs, came to his death in a tragic manner on Monday night. Mr. Falkenberry, who was upward of 90 years old, occupied a room apart from the dwelling, but within the yard of his son, and it was his custom to arise from his bed at various hours of the night, kindle a fire and sit by it until he became drowsy. On Monday night the family was awakened at a late hour to discover the little house occupied by the old gentleman in flames and the roof falling in. The building was so far consumed that it was impossible to enter the building or rescue the body of the unfortunate man, and it was only by the most heroic efforts of neighbors who were attracted to the scene that the son’s dwelling was saved from destruction.

Accidental Killing: Mr. W.L. Watson was accidentally shot and killed at Jeddo, Monroe County Saturday. Mr. Watson left Brewton Friday morning on a business trip to Monroe County and Saturday morning was at the residence of his brother, John Watson, when his nephew, Frank Watson, became involved in a difficulty with a man by the name of Frank Boone. Frank Watson came out of the house with a gun and W.L. Watson caught hold of it to prevent its being used when the gun was accidentally discharged, the charge entering Mr. Watson’s right side, from the effects of which he died in about three hours.

Mr. Watson was about 50 years old and had been a resident of Brewton for many years. He was a carpenter by trade, of a quiet disposition and well liked by everyone.

FEB. 22, 1906

JONES MILL: Middleton Bros. have disposed of their old saw mill which was located one mile south of here and are now constructing a new one at Lufkin.

Sniders Crossing now has the prospects of having the first telegraph operator between Manistee and the Junction.

LUFKIN: Mr. Luther Lizenba’s horse became frightened in our little town last Saturday afternoon and ran about 100 yards and broke loose from the buggy and kept going.

BUENA VISTA: We were sorry to learn, after having sent our last week’s letter to press, that the nice store belonging to Mr. Wash Watson and sons was burned and everything lost. The burning is said to have been the work of incendiaries – a white and a negro boy. The fiendish deed was the work of malice, the negro having been whipped by the Watson boys for misdemeanor several months ago. The guilty parties were arrested, but we hear that the white lad made his escape while being conducted to Camden jail. We haven’t heard of his recapture.

The Journal had hoped to print in this issue a photograph of Mr. John McDuffie in connection with a complimentary reference to his candidacy for Representative, but is prevented by delay of the engravers.

Miss Jennie Faulk left Tuesday for St. Louis to purchase her spring goods of hats, millinery and ladies goods, which will be larger and better than ever.

The store of Mr. Julius Farish in Beatrice was burglarized last week.

M.M. FOUNTAIN: Elsewhere in this issue of The Journal will be found the announcement of Mr. M.M. Fountain for the democratic nomination for Sheriff of Monroe County, the position which he now holds and which he has so acceptably filled for several years past.