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 January 1917. Those issues, which were dated Jan. 4,
Jan. 11, Jan. 18 and Jan. 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.
JAN. 4, 1917
VOLUME FIFTY: The Monroe Journal enters today upon the
fiftieth year of its existence as a county newspaper. With the exception of a
few numbers issued at Claiborne during its first year, and the further
exception of a brief period of suspension in the panicky Seventies, its
publication has been continuous at Monroeville, and the prosperity of the paper
has kept pace with the growth of the town and the development of the county.
Mr. Hugh Cameron is preparing to erect a commodious new
dwelling on an eligible site in Monvil Park residence section.
The Monroe County High School resumed the usual routine Monday
after a week’s vacation. All members of the faculty are occupying their
respective chairs and practically all pupils in class with one or two
additional matriculates.
With the beginning of the new year, several changes in the
official roster of the local Methodist Sunday school became effective. Mr. J.B.
Barnett, who has been the efficient superintendent for 12 or 15 years is
succeeded by Mr. A.C. Lee.
The date of the annual reunion of United Confederate
Veterans in the City of Washington has been changed from May 28 to June 4 and
continue through June 8.
Rev. H. Wallace of Camden occupied the pulpit at the
Presbyterian church last Sunday morning and evening.
The Christmas holidays passed uneventfully in Monroeville.
Fireworks and incidental noise and confusion were conspicuous by their absence.
JAN. 11, 1917
The clearness of the atmosphere and mild temperatures Sunday
night afforded most favorable conditions for observing the total eclipse of the
moon. The lunar orb passed within range of the earth’s shadow at about 11:40,
its disk first presenting successively a slightly flattened rim, full crescent
and almost total obscuration, which latter condition continued for some
minutes, finally emerging again in full brilliance in the same gradual manner.
On Mon., Jan. 15, the date fixed by statute, Judge I.B.
Slaughter will formally transfer to his successor, Mr. M.M. Fountain, the
responsibilities involved in the administration of the office of Judge of
Probate of Monroe County. Judge Slaughter has held this office for the last 12
years and retires from the position with the consciousness of having made an
honorable record of which both he and his hosts of friends throughout the
county have reason to feel proud.
The Monroe County Law and Equity Court will pass out of
existence on Jan. 15 after six years of usefulness, the act establishing the
court being superseded on the date named by the general court consolidation
act. The Law and Equity Court has subserved a useful purpose in largely
relieving the congested dockets and affording more speedy trial of causes.
Judge W.G. McCorvey, who has the distinction of having been the first and only
judge of the court, has made an enviable record on the bench, there being fewer
reversals of his rulings by higher courts than ordinarily falls to the lot of
nisi prius judges during similar periods.
JAN. 18, 1917
Judge M.M. Fountain took the oath of office Monday morning
and was formally installed as Probate Judge of Monroe County.
It was learned by friends here through a telephone message
yesterday morning that the storehouse and stock goods of W.G. Hairston &
Co. were destroyed by fire at Burnt Corn Tuesday night. No particulars were
learned hence it is not known whether the fire was of accidental or incendiary
origin, or whether or not there was any insurance on building or stock.
Mr. G.B. Sellers has purchased the city water plant and
assumed charge of same a few days ago.
Judge W.G. McCorvey gracefully retired from the position of
judge of the Monroe County Law and Equity Court upon the expiration of his
term. Coincident with the retirement of the judge, the court became defunct.
Judge McCorvey has reopened his law office upstairs in the old courthouse and
will devote himself to the practice of his profession with all of his old time
energy and with the ripened experience which his presidency of the court has
given him.
Dr. Sibley Holmes presented the editor with specimens of the
largest pecans ever exhibited here. The largest measured two and one-fourth inches
from tip to tip and three and one-eighth inches in circumference. Dr. Holmes
has a nice grove of pecans in bearing as well as an extensive orchard of citrus
fruit in Baldwin where he removed a few weeks ago.
JAN. 25, 1917
REUNION TRIP TO WASHINGTON: Surely the powers that be never
did the people of the south or west a greater kindness than when they selected
Washington as the next place for the Confederate reunion, thereby giving a
railroad rate of one cent a mile in each direction. It is the lowest rate of
transportation given to our capital city, and perhaps such an opportunity will
never be offered again.
The date has been postponed to June 4 and that will give
opportunity for teachers and pupils to take advantage of the rate. Now it is
very important that you engage your hotel at once, otherwise you may have to
pay a very high price. We suggest you write Mrs. Ella Hixon, Hixon, Ala. or
Radnor Tours, Nashville, Tenn., to get excellent plans for the trip.
Mr. H.A. Baggett of Roy, Monroe’s tax collector-elect, was a
business visitor to the city Wednesday.
Dr. G.H. Harper was up from Uriah Sunday, accompanying his
two sons who are in school here, after a brief visit home.
A number of high school students are laid up with severe
colds, an epidemic of which prevails in consequence of weather conditions.
Dr. A.B. Coxwell was confined to his room several days last
week with a severe attack of la grippe. His many friends are glad to see him
out again.
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