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 March 1896. Those issues, which were dated March 5,
March 12, March 19 and March 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.
MARCH 5, 1896
Miss Ellen Harrengton has returned from a pleasant visit to
friends at Manistee.
The Journal is pleased to note that Capt. John DeLoach
continues to improve.
Claiborne: Our old town is on a boom now, the streets are
full of wagons from morning until night, hauling commercial fertilizer.
Mr. W.S. Moore was seen leaving the old town early Sunday
morning in route to Pleasant Hill where he attended religious services.
Perdue Hill: On Tuesday night a very enthusiastic and
encouraging meeting was held at the City Hall by some of the members of our
company, under the supervision of Lt. Moore.
Cowardly Assassination: Monroe maintains her unenviable
reputation for violence and bloodshed.
On the night of the 26th ult., in the northeast
portion of the county near Simpkinsville, Jake Petty, son of Mr. John Petty,
was assassinated by some party or parties unknown. Particulars of the killing
are very meagre. It is learned that suspicion strongly attaches to one Yancey
Stinson, between whom and the deceased a feud had for some time existed. The
evidence adduced before the coroner’s jury tended to confirm the suspicion, and
a warrant has been sworn out charging Stinson with murder.
The Spring Term 1896 of the Circuit Court of Monroe County
will convene on Mon., April 20, but owing to the extreme lightness of the civil
docket, the petit juries for the first week will not be organized until
Thursday, as Circuit Clerk Emmons has been advised by Judge Anderson. The
criminal docket is not as full as at last term, and but for two or three
capital cases, three or four days would serve to clear it.
Mr. S.M. Roberts of the Monroe Mill was in town Tuesday.
Mexia: Prof. Ivey was in town Saturday on his bike.
Pineville: Ex-Sheriff J.S. Harrengton of Monroeville was in
town several days last week.
Brother Crumpton filled his regular appointment at the
Baptist Church Sunday and Sunday night.
MARCH 12, 1896
Prof. J.N. Ivey, principal of the Perdue Hill High School,
was in town on Saturday, attending the meeting of the Board of Education.
Hon. Perry C. Walker of Evergreen, ex-Probate Judge of
Conecuh County, was in Monroeville last Saturday on professional business.
Deputy Sheriff Neville came in Sunday afternoon, having in
custody Yancey Stinson and Richard Edy, charged with killing Jacob Petty in the
northeastern portion of the county on the 26th ult. The accused was
arraigned before Hon. N.J. Stallworth on Monday morning, and waiving
examination, were released on bond in the sum of $300 each.
Manistee: Our good Brother Lambert preached a most excellent
sermon last Sunday.
Nero: Mumps are prevalent at Messrs. Hunter Been & Co.
logging camps.
Mr. F.E. Robison, our popular Tax Collector, passed through
our community last week.
Glendale: Brother Feagin filled his regular appointment here
on last Sunday and preached a very impressive sermon.
Mobile News: Col. Chas. L. Scott of Monroe, the old
Democratic war horse and ex-minster to Venezuela, is at the southern, and will
remain a few days longer among his old friends. Col. Scott says Monroe is sure
for Johnson.
Pineville: The farmers are all very busy planting corn and
you can hear as you go through the woods the little birds just beginning to
sing their sweet songs, while you can see a tree every now and then budding all
unconscious of the cold to come.
Railroad Bill Killed: Mobile, March 7 – Morris Slater, alias
Railroad, a noted negro desperado, who has terrorized Escambia and adjoining
counties along the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad for a year
or more past, was shot and instantly killed tonight about nine o’clock at
Atmore, a small station on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, by a posse
who had been on the lookout for him all day.
He was killed in the store of Tidmore & Ward, and the
posse was taken somewhat unawares when he entered, but instantly they
recognized him and opened fire on him with double-barreled shotguns. He was
literally perforated with shot and was instantly killed.
He had a Winchester rifle in the leg of his pantaloons and
two pistols in his belt, which was full of cartridges. Several nights ago the
residence of the telegraph operator at Atmore was robbed, and a negro, Will Payne,
was accused of the robbery, but said that Railroad Bill forced him at the point
of a pistol to stand guard while he (Railroad Bill) went in and robbed the
house, after which he took to the woods. The negro stuck to his story so
earnestly that some of the white citizens believed him, and the posse was
organized which killed the desperado tonight.
Railroad Bill has been pursued for the past year at
intervals, but has always managed to elude is captors. During that time, he has
killed a man named J.H. Stewart, near Hurricane Bayou, who was a member of a
posse which was after him, and he also shot and killed Sheriff McMillan of
Escambia County at Bluff Springs not very long ago. Of late there has not been
much heard of whereabouts; at one time he was reported to have sailed from
Savannah to Africa.
There were rewards of $1,350 for his captures.
Killing at Evergreen: Evergreen, March 10 – Yesterday afternoon
Govan Moorer and Wm. Byrd, students in the Agricultural School, became involved
in a difficulty at their boarding house. Moorer stabbed Byrd under the left
shoulder and Byrd retaliated by striking Moorer on the head with a piece of
scantling, inflicting injuries that resulted in the death of the latter. The
deceased was from Lowndes County and Byrd from Monroe. The occurrence is
greatly regretted as both the young men were popular.
MARCH 19, 1896
Mr. J. Hope Moore, the popular warehouseman of Claiborne,
was in the city Saturday, shaking hands with his many friends.
Mr. W.H. Louiselle of the Bear Creek Mill, was in town a few
days ago. Mr. Louiselle says Manistee is a unit for Joseph F. Johnston for
governor.
Captain John DeLoach showed his familiar face on our streets
Tuesday for the first time in many weeks. His late illness rendered him quite
weak but he is rapidly regaining his wonted vigor.
Our townsman Dr. S.W. Yarbrough has been awarded the
contracts for carrying the U.S. mail on the star routes from Monroeville to
Pine Apple and from Evergreen to Perdue Hill for the term of four years,
beginning on the first of July next. Dr. Yarbrough will give the public
efficient service.
Perdue Hill: Another meeting of our military company was
held at the city hall Tuesday night; attendance was very good.
Burnt Corn: Dr. W.F. Betts has just completed a handsome
residence opposite Mr. Kysers.
Deputy Sheriff Harrengton received a telegram Monday
announcing the capture at Hillsboro, Texas of James Nettles, charged with
killed Dr. W.E. Whisenhunt at Buena Vista, this county, about a year ago, and
who has since been at large. Mr. Harrengton left Thursday for Texas for the
prisoner.
Mr. John Chunn had the misfortune to lose a barn containing
a quantity of cotton seed, oats and farming implements by fire at Tinela
recently.
Manistee News: Farmers are quite busy planting corn and
preparing their lands for cotton.
Pineville: The debate at Pineville High School on Friday
evening was a success in every sense. The arguments on both sides were well
advanced, but the negative won.
MARCH 26, 1896
Miss Hortense Deer, who has been attending school at
Pensacola, returned home Monday. The presence of small pox in Pensacola alarmed
her parents, who advised her return.
Deputy Sheriff Harrengton returned Wednesday from Hillsboro,
Texas with his prisoner, James Nettles, charged with murder. Mr. Harrengton is
out again among “the dear people” making up for the time spent in the discharge
of his official duty.
Jones Mill: We have a flourishing literary school at New
Hope a few miles from the mill.
Kempville: We heard two excellent sermons during our pastor’s
last appointment. Mr. Riffe is a truly consecrated Christian, therefore a good
worker, and we are always benefited by his true, helpful sermons. We were glad
to see several visitors among our congregation.
Pineville: Mr. B.F. Wiggins, representing Christian Craft
Grocery Co. of Mobile, was in the city Wednesday.
Tinela: We have now two stores, a post office and a
blacksmith shop here, besides three churches and Knights of Pythias Castle
Hall.
Pineville: The children are taking the day at Pineville: A
candy pulling and a dining on the same day.
Mount Pleasant: Col. Hibbard spoke here on the 16th
to an audience of some 50 or 60. He is an able advocate of the free and
unlimited coinage of silver and of the nomination of Capt. Johnston for
governor. The Colonel is himself a candidate for representative from this
county in the legislature.
Manistee News: We are sorry to learn that our amiable school
teacher, Miss Wills, leaves for her home at Pine Hill Saturday.
A certain gentleman near this place ploughed up two acres of
land last week and killed 69 rattlesnakes and hit at the 70th one.
At the Courthouse by special request, on Friday evening, the
27th inst., Robinson, Lightning Charcoal artist, will appear in a
refined exhibition of rapid freehand drawing, introducing dexterous left and
right hand sketches. Portraits, landscapes, caricatures, etc. will constitute
the program, and an interesting and instructive entertainment is promised.
To each person upon entering the door will be furnished a
chance in the prize picture. The holder of the lucky number will be given a
lifesize nicely finished portrait and frame.
Admission is, adults 15 cents, children 10 cents.
News reached here Saturday of a terrible tragedy enacted at
Bells Landing on the 19th. Jno. McLeod, who lived just over the line
in Wilcox, while intoxicated, committed suicide by shooting himself with a
pistol. The deceased was a near relative of Hon. E.R. Morrissette.
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