130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from June 1886

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of manager Q. Salter, published four editions 130 years ago during the month of June 1886. Those issues, which were dated June 4, June 11, June 17 and June 24, 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.

JUNE 4, 1886

Col. T.C. McCorvey, Commandant of the State University, was recently appointed by President Cleveland a member of the board of visitors of the United States Military Academy at West Point for the present year. The faculty of the University granted Col. McCorvey a two weeks leave of absence.

The following officers of the Alabama Press Association were elected for the ensuring year at Marion on the 27^th ult.: President, W.M. Meeks of The Gadsden Times; Vice Presidents, Thos. Hudson of The Marion Standard and H.G. McCall of The Shelby Sentinel; Secretary, J.H. Nunnelee of The Tuscaloosa Gazette; Treasurer, Robt. Rawls of The Athens Courier.

Mr. Brown of Camden, who has been engaged in painting Capt. Wiggins’ store, completed the job last Tuesday and returned to Camden.

There is a move on foot to obtain a P.O. Money Order office at Monroeville. It is a move in the right direction.

Mr. J.H. Moore of Claiborne was in to see us last Tuesday. He reports crops in his section in a promising condition.

The neighboring creeks and mill ponds are popular resorts for bathers and are much frequented on Sunday evenings.

Rev. G.R. Upton, pastor of the Episcopal church of Evergreen, preached a series of sermons at Perdue Hill last week.

A refreshing little shower of rain fell Tuesday evening.

JUNE 11, 1886

A little son of Mr. S.F. Daniel, living near town, was bitten by a rattlesnake’s pilot one day last week. We are glad to learn that the little fellow sustained no serious injury from the bite. Children should be more careful where they put their hands when picking berries.

Jailed – We clip the following from The Clarke County Democrat: We learn that the perpetrators of the mysterious murder near Gosport, this county, in January 1885, have been ascertained and three of the four implicated in the deed have been arrested and imprisoned in the jail of Escambia County, Fla. in Pensacola. It seems that four men, one of them white, were participants in the murder, that they were all timber men of Escambia County, Fla. and that they followed their victim to this county, awaiting a favorable opportunity to kill him, knowing that he had about $800 on his person. In the division of the money, one of the negroes received a very small share, and, from the dissatisfaction therefrom, made revelations which led to the arrest of the others. So, this very diabolical and mysterious matter is at last cleared up, and we are glad to learn that none of our people are connected with it.

A report was circulated on the streets one day last week that Mary Kelly, a colored woman, and several of her children had been poisoned. Dr. Packer was hastily summoned to ascertain the truthfulness of the report. He at first suspected the statement to be true, by the fact of their having been taken violently sick so suddenly and all so nearly at the same time, but upon investigation he found that it was only cholera morbus produced by the immoderate eating of some rice pudding, which was bad and unfit for use.

JUNE 17, 1886

Mr. T.W. and Miss Ida Russell and Arthur Sowell went to Evergreen last week to attend the commencement exercises of the Evergreen Academy.

Masonic – The following are the officers elect for Monroe Chapter No. 4 and Alabama Lodge No. 3, Perdue Hill, for the next year:

Monroe Chapter No. 4: N.A. Agee, H.P.; H.J. Savage, K.; J.W. Cotter, S.; T.L. Sowell, C.H.; J.A. Savage, P.S.; J.F. Gaillard, R.A.C.; J.B. Williams, W.C. Sowell, P. Bradley, M. of V.; J.W. Slaughter, Treas.; I.D. Roberts, Sec’y.; Wm. Tomlinson, Sentinel.

Alabama Lodge No. 3: N.A. Agee, Worshipful Master; J.F. Gaillard, Senior Warden; A. Shiff, Junior Warden; J.A. Savage, Senior Deacon; Philip Bradley, Junior Deacon; I.D. Roberts, Secretary; S.S. Gaillard, Treasurer; J.D. Frye, Tyler.

Earliest Cotton Bloom - Mr. J.S. Thompson of Perdue Hill, one of Monroe’s most substantial farmers, sent to this office on last Wednesday the first cotton bloom we have seen. It was found in his field on the 14^th inst.

Mr. E.J. Cloud purchased the celebrated trotter, “Flying Cloud of Membrino,” last week for three hundred and fifty dollars.

Dr. L.H. Henley of Burnt Corn was in town last week, engaged in the practice of his profession.

JUNE 24, 1886

Public Installation – There will be a public installation of officers of the Monroeville Lodge No. 153 on Saturday before the third Sunday in July 1886, at 10 o’clock a.m. The Fraternity and public are invited to attend. – F.M. Jones, Sec’y.

Sheriff Johnson of Santa Rosa County, Fla. and Deputy Dawe of Conecuh passed through town last Friday in pursuit of one McDonald, a white man charged with murder in Santa Rosa County. McDonald was last seen near Evergreen, and was making his way toward the Alabama River, intending to cross at or near Claiborne.

Masonic Notice – The Masonic Fraternity are invited to attend the funeral of Bro. Nathan Bell on second Sunday of July at 10 o’clock a.m. from Masonic Hall at Monroeville. – F.M. Jones, Sec’y.

Killed – A little negro boy was killed near town last Wednesday by a falling tree.

Masonic – The following are the officers elect for Monroeville Lodge No. 153 for the ensuring year: S.H. Daily, Worshipful Master; T.L. Sowell, Senior Warden; W.W. McMillan, Junior Warden; D.J. Hatter, Treasurer; A.M. Leslie, Secretary; J.F. Fore, Senior Deacon; G.W. Salter, Junior Deacon; Isaac Andress, Tyler.

Died – At his home near Monroeville, on Monday night 21^st inst. after a lingering illness, Mr. George W. Metts, a brother of our townsman Mr. F. Metts, in the 50^th year of his age.

Dr. J.M. Wiggins of Lower Peach Tree was on a visit to his father this week.