It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip
down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in
Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in January 1917.
In the Jan. 3, 1917 edition of The Evergreen Courant,
editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported that “Ishman Spears was killed
on Saturday night about 10:30 by Deputy Sheriff R.G. Kendall and Night Marshal
Conrad Davis, who had him under arrest for being drunk and disorderly. It is
stated that Spears discharged his pistol several times near the Robson home and
the marshal and deputy were called to take him into custody. He was found near
the Episcopal church. After arresting him and starting with him to jail, the
deputy and marshal say that the prisoner drew his pistol and snapped it several
times in Deputy Kendall’s face, whereupon the officers opened fire and shot him
dead, several shots taking effect in his body.”
Readers that week also learned that “the old soldiers held
an interesting meeting Monday with a good attendance. The circuit court room
being in use, the meeting was held in the Masonic hall. The old officers were
re-elected without opposition.”
It was also reported that week that “the pupils of the
Conecuh County High School are writing a history of the county. Exceedingly
interesting data is being tabulated and put in permanent form for the first
time. The first settlers, the first churches and schools and the first county
officials are being treated somewhat in detail.”
Salter closed out the week by letting readers know that
“there was nearly six inches of rainfall during December and as a consequence
the roads in many places are in a sloppy and muddy condition.”
In the Jan. 10, 1917 edition of The Courant, Salter reported
that “two more deaths occurred in the military company from this county on the
Mexican border last week. They were Jeff Holloway of Belleville and Harry Ellis
of Castleberry. Pneumonia was the cause.”
Readers that week also learned that “B. Long, once a
citizen of Conecuh County, now of Garland, Butler County, celebrated his 91st
birthday Jan. 7. There were 45 relatives present, only 33 being absent,
received a large number of presents majority of which was smoking tobacco,
which amounted to $9 worth. Smoking is his chief delight. At the noon hour, all
gathered around a large table so bountifully supplied with goodies that it
could scarcely be missed when we had finished eating. May he live to see many
another such day as this, is the wish of his son, John.”
In news from the Castleberry community that week, it was
reported that “Preston Castleberry, an optician of Pine Bluff, Ark., visited
relatives here during the holidays.”
In the Jan. 17, 1917 edition of The Courant, it was
reported that “the newly elected Probate Judge, Hon. S.P. Dunn; Clerk of the
Circuit Court, Hon. J.M. Thomas; and the new board of commissioners, Hons. N.T.
Aarons, M.J. Brown, E.A. Pritchett and T.M. Salter, on Monday morning formally
entered upon the duties of their respective offices, and the old officers,
Judge (F.J.) Dean, Clerk (S.L.) Tisdale and commissioners Hudson, Newton,
Salter and Salter, retired to private life.”
Readers that week also learned that “Gov. Henderson left
on Friday night for Nogales, Ariz. to make a thorough inspection of the
military camps of the Alabama brigade.”
It was also reported that week, under the headline
“Destructive Fire at Orphanage,” that “shortly after 10 o’clock last night fire
destroyed the large concrete building at the Baptist Orphanage together with
practically all its contents. How the fire originated is not known and when
discovered was beyond control. The building was used for school and chapel
purposes and all the books and contents is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 with
only $4,000 insurance.”
Readers that week also learned that “a preacher’s school
for this district will be held at Beatrice Jan. 29 to Feb. 9 by a very
efficient faculty, Dr. C. Ross Baker, L.L. Gwaltney, Jno. F. Gable and others.
The church and pastor especially urge that every preacher attend as you will be
entertained free. Write W.L. Skinner, chairman of reception committee, and you
will have a home ready for you.”
In the Jan. 24, 1917 edition of The Courant, under the
headline “Evergreen Honors Memory of Gentle and Heroic Lee,” it was reported
that “Evergreen people paid appropriate tribute to the memory of Robert E. Lee
on last Friday afternoon when a representative gathering on her people
assembled in the Baptist church for this purpose. It marked the 110th
anniversary of the birth of the south’s greatest hero. The meeting was presided
over by Mrs. E.C. Page, president of the local chapter United Daughters of the
Confederacy, and after appropriate songs by the choir and invocation by Rev.
D.W. Haskew, Dr. J.G. Dickinson delivered a splendid address on the life and
character of the great man, who through four years of civil strife was the
guiding spirit of the armies of what is commonly referred to as ‘The Lost
Cause.’ A recitation by Mrs. Ivey of Father Ryan’s poem, ‘Lee’s Sword,’ was
much enjoyed.”
Also that week, under the headline “School Student Meets
Horrible Death,” readers learned that “Frank Wade, a student in the County High
School (at Castleberry), met a horrible death at the depot here (in Evergreen)
last night about 10 o’clock.
“Young Wade, in company with a number of other students,
came up from Castleberry to witness the basketball game between Evergreen and
Fort Deposit, and the party were at the station awaiting the arrival of the
regular passenger train when a freight train came along running at high speed
and young Wade attempted to board it and was thrown violently beneath it and
his body horribly mangled. The gruesome sight was witnessed by nearly all of
his companions.
“An undertaker was called and the fragments of the body
prepared for burial. The remains will be taken to the home of the parents of
the unfortunate youth, Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Wade, near Brooklyn, for burial today.
Deceased was about 20 years of age and was highly esteemed in the student body
of the high school.”
In the Jan. 31, 1917 edition of The Courant, it was
reported that “Lt. R.A. Baird of Castleberry was here for a few hours on
Saturday last. He was brought home from Nogales some weeks ago, suffering from
pneumonia. His many friends will be glad to learn that he is convalescent.”
Readers that week also learned that “Mayor J.W. Gaston,
L.C. Gaston and Lee Stallworth of Repton were here Monday on business.”
It was also reported that week that “County commissioners
held an informal meeting Monday to go over some matters relating to their
duties in future. The regular session will be held on Feb. 12.”
Readers that week also learned that “I.B. Rutledge, who
has served the county for the past several months as engineer and road supervisor,
has accepted a similar position at Sumter, S.C. and left on Monday last for
that place. Mr. Rutledge has proven to be the most efficient and energetic
engineer this county has ever had. He was largely instrumental in introducing
the wooden drag for keeping the graded roads in repair and kept constantly in
touch with the work, and as a result, where they have been used the roads are
as a general rule in excellent shape.”
Salter closed out the month of January with this somber
story.
“Conecuh County High School is grieved because of the
death of its splendid friend and student, Frank Wade, who lost his life at
Evergreen on the night of Jan. 23.
“He was the kind of student and citizen by whom the real
strength of a school or community may be measured – eager at play, earnest at
work and standing for the right at all times. He worked all last summer, saving
his money that he might enter school this session. Now he has entered that
heavenly school and has truly begun to live the life eternal.
“On Sunday afternoon, the students and friends of the High
School gathered in the auditorium to hold a service in memory of him.
Devotional exercises were conducted by Mr. Calloway, pastor of the Baptist
church. The Boys Glee Club sang “Now the Day is Over.” Other musical numbers
were duets,
“The Lord is My Shepherd” and “Still, Still with Thee” by Misses
Davis and Stallworth.
“Marguerite Page, President of the Worth While Literary
Society,” made a beautiful talk on Frank as a society member. Appropriate
resolutions were offered by the society and by the school and adopted at the
meeting.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this
month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of February 1917 in
Conecuh County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past
yourself, take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s
excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The
library’s friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you
started.
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