125-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Jan. 1892

Grave of cotton broker Louis Touart of Mobile, Ala.

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 125 years ago during the month of January 1892. Those issues, which were dated Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21 and Jan. 28, 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. 7, 1892

Capt. F.M. Jones began his annual rounds for making assessments of property on the 4^th.

The young people of Monroeville celebrated the advent of the new year by a New Year ball at the Academy.

There was quite a sudden drop in the thermometer Wednesday evening and a slight snowfall was witnessed.

Mr. H.E. Hudson, the enterprising proprietor of the Hudson Hotel, is erecting a commodious new livery and feed stable on East side.

Five prisoners confined in the county jail made their escape Wednesday night. Their names are Sam Rogers, charged with murder; John Salter, burglary; Joe Stallworth, alias Joe Crum, burglary; Mose Horn, grand larceny; Jesse Mims, burglary. They were all confined in the iron cage and by some means forced the doors and then burned a hole through the wood work to the brick wall through which they effected an opening by means of a broken part of the stove, thus gaining entrance to the jail yard, then tying their blankets together improvised a rope which assisted them in scaling the outer wall. It is presumed that the escape was made between midnight and daybreak.

Messrs. Thompson and Yarbrough have reopened the store north side Court Square and are selling goods are prices in keeping with the hard times. The injunction stopping the sale of their goods has been dissolved by Chancellor Tayloe, and while the closing of their store temporarily embarrassed them, they are again on top.

JAN. 14, 1892

Copious rains have visited all sections of the county during the week. The creeks are out and the mails have been very irregular.

The prisoners who escaped from jail last week are still at large. Some of them, it is said, have been seen in the neighborhood of their homes, but have not been captured.

Just before going to press, we learn that Mr. George Powell died at his home near Monroeville this morning, from the effects of a gunshot wound received while turkey hunting a few weeks ago. Mr. Powell was under treatment of Dr. McMillan who was very hopeful of his recovery until a short time ago when scepticemia set in, resulting in death.

ROBBED ON THE HIGHWAY: Perdue Hill, Ala., Jan. 11, 1892 – Editor Journal. I was held up and robbed of $376 on yesterday evening near Limestone bridge on the Pine Orchard road by two white men. One of them is about six feet high and will weigh about 165 pounds and looked to be about 30 years old, light complexion, light hair and moustache and very quick spoken. The other is about five feet, eight inches high, weight about 145 pounds, dark complexion, dark hair and moustache and has one or two front teeth out. They were both dressed in dirty clothes and had the appearance of tramps. I will give a liberal reward for their capture and confinement in the county jail. Please publish and ask other papers to copy. – Respectfully, J.H. SPENCE.

JAN. 21, 1892

The roads were much damaged by the rains last week.

The regular monthly drill of the Military company was held in Monroeville last Monday. The attendance was very good considering the weather.

A joint committee from the Presbyterian church and Masonic Lodge are taking steps to have the building, which is owned jointly, repaired and painted and otherwise improved.

Perhaps the largest mail ever handled at the Monroeville post office in a single day was that received for distribution on last Monday. It was the accumulation of an entire week, delayed by high water and damage to railroads, and required a number of extra clerks about two hours to distribute.

Monroe County needs a new jail. The old one has been so badly damaged by fire and frequent breakings that it seems impossible to make it strong enough for the safekeeping of prisoners. The commissioners will probably take some steps in the matter at their February meeting.

The members of the Monroeville Gun Club have been enjoying some fine sport lately.

Col. D.L. Neville, who has been confined to his room several days, is able to be on the streets again.

The County Alliance will meet here tomorrow.

The Journal would like to secure a regular correspondent at every post office in the county, to send us the local news of their neighborhood. We will bear all expenses of postage, etc.

JAN. 28, 1892

Sowell & Sons Groceries – General & Merchandise – They will be pleased to supply you at prices As Low as you will Find.

NOTICE: I will visit the following places to assess the State and county tax for the year 1892:

Second Round:

Wild Fork, Wed., Feb. 17

Johnson’s Mill, Thurs., Feb. 18

Mount Pleasant, Sat., Feb. 20

Hunter’s Mill, Mon., Feb. 22

Claiborne, Tues., Feb. 23

Perdue Hill, Wed., Feb. 24

Ridge, Fri., Feb. 26

Ponds, Sat., Feb. 27

Tinela, Mon., Feb. 29

Buena Vista, Tues., March 1

Pineville, Wed., March 2

Bursonville, Thurs., March 3

Wilkerson’s, Fri., March 4

Simpkinsville, Sat., March 5

Midway, Mon., March 7

East’s, Tues., March 8

Kempville, Wed., March 9

Burnt Corn, Thurs., March 10

Monroeville, Mon., March 14

-          F.M. JONES, TAX ASSESSOR

LOUIS TOUART – Cotton Factor and Commission Merchant – MOBILE, ALA. – Liberal advancements made on consignments of cotton. Careful attention to all business entrusted to me.