Today in History for Jan. 11, 2017

Union General Samuel Thomas

Jan. 11, 1569 – Elizabeth I held England’s first recorded state lottery to raise funds to rebuild some harbors and make England more competitive in global trade.

Jan. 11, 1696 – French priest, missionary, and explorer Charles Albanel died at Sault Ste. Marie in present-day Ontario, Canada.

Jan. 11, 1746 – Botanist William Curtis was born in Alton, England.

Jan. 11, 1775 - Francis Salvador, the first Jew to hold an elected office in the Americas, took his seat on the South Carolina Provincial Congress on this day.

Jan. 11, 1805 - The Michigan Territory was created.

Jan. 11, 1842 – Philosopher and psychologist William James, the older brother of novelist Henry James, was born in New York City.

Jan. 11, 1861 – At the Alabama Secession Convention, 61 representatives voted for immediate secession and 39 voted against, and Alabama became the fourth state to secede from the Union. Alabama had a much closer vote than other states, due to strong Unionist sentiment in the northern part of the state. The vote resulted in the passage of an Ordinance of Secession that declared Alabama a “Sovereign and Independent State.”

Jan. 11, 1861 - Pinckney D. Bowles first entered Confederate service on this day as a first lieutenant at Sparta in Conecuh County, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1861 – During the Civil War, Forts Jackson and Saint Phillip, La., near the mouth of the Mississippi River, below New Orleans, were seized by Louisiana state troops, by order of Governor Thomas O. Moore. The surrender of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, S.C. was also demanded of Union Major Robert Anderson by the South Carolina Governor, Francis W. Pickens, and was refused.

Jan. 11, 1862 - Alabama author Martha Young was born on her family's plantation near Newbern, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1862 – During the Civil War, approximately 100 ships departed Fort Monroe, Va. headed for the North Carolina Coast, including Roanoke Island, N.C.

Jan. 11, 1862 - Union General Ambrose Burnside took a force of 15,000 and a flotilla of 80 ships down to North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Jan. 11, 1862 – During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln accepted the resignation of Secretary of War Simon Cameron and appointed him ambassador to Russia, that being about the most distant place Lincoln could think of to send him. Although no proof of personal dishonesty or theft by Cameron was ever determined, there had long been accusations of fraudulent contracts for war materiel, excessive involvement of politics, and general incompetence in the War Department.

Jan. 11, 1863 - Union General John McClernand and Admiral David Dixon Porter captured Arkansas Post, a Confederate stronghold on the Arkansas River. Porter had started bombing the fort the night before. The victory secured central Arkansas for the Union and lifted Northern morale just three weeks after the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Jan. 11, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Hartville, Mo. and at Lowry’s Ferry, Tenn. The USS Gramphus Number Two was also destroyed by Confederate forces on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn.

Jan. 11, 1863 – The Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama encountered and sunk the USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse, off the coast of Galveston, Texas.

Jan. 11, 1864 – Gillchrist R. Boulware of the Conecuh Guards began working for the Confederate Secret Service Department and served with them until the end of the war in 1865. Boulware was born near Brooklyn on Aug. 15, 1842 and first entered Confederate service as a private at Sparta on April 1, 1861 with Co. E of the 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Jan. 11, 1864 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Lockwood’s Folly Inlet, N.C., resulting in the destruction of the Confederate blockade runner Ranger and the steamer Vesta. A Federal reconnaissance mission to Lexington, Tenn. was conducted, in combination with an operation from Maryville up the Little Tennessee River to Chilhowee, Tenn.

Jan. 11, 1865 - During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought in Texas County, Mo.; near Lexington, Mo.; and at Beverly in Randolph County, West Virginia A 10-day Federal operation against Navaho Indians, between Fort Wingate and Sierra Del Datil in the New Mexico Territory, began. A Federal reconnaissance mission also began, from New Creek to Franklin, West Virginia.

Jan. 11, 1865 - A detachment from the 60th United States Colored Troops departed Helena, Ark. aboard the steamer Dover, and went to Harbert’s Plantation on the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River. There they found Harbert hiding in his corn crib. The 60th USCT was somewhat peeved at Harbert because he was a Negro enlisted Federal soldier who decided he had enough of the war and deserted back to his Mississippi plantation.

Jan. 11, 1875 – William R. Sawyer named postmaster at Burnt Corn, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1876 – National Baseball Hall of Fame right fielder Elmer Flick was born in Bedford, Ohio. During his career, he played for the Philadelphia Philles, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Cleveland Bronchos/Naps. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.

Jan. 11, 1887 – Writer and ecologist Aldo Leopold was born in Burlington, Iowa. He is best known for his 1949 book, “The Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There.”

Jan. 11, 1888 - Alabama journalist Grover C. Hall was born in Heleburg, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1890 – National Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Max Carey was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. During his career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Brooklyn Robins and he also managed the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961.

Jan. 11, 1894 – The Crimson White student newspaper was established at the University of Alabama.

Jan. 11, 1897 – German SS officer August Heissmeyer was born in Gellersen, nowadays part of Aerzen.

Jan. 11, 1903 – Former Union General Samuel Thomas, after whom Thomasville, Ala. takes its name, died at the age of 62 in New York and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, Westchester County, New York. After the Civil War, he became a railroad financier, and Thomasville, Ala. was named in his honor. He also donated $500 toward the construction of Thomasville’s first school. Born on April 27, 1840 in South Point, Lawrence County, Ohio, Thomas enlisted in July 1861 as a second lieutenant in the 27^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was rapidly promoted to captain, major, lieutenant colonel and colonel before being brevetted a brigadier general. He was engaged mostly in the south and west during the Civil War, including at the Battles of Pittsburgh Landing, Chattanooga and Vicksburg. He was in the rear with the reserve forces during Sherman's "March to the Sea." He was an Adjutant General on the staff of O.O. Howard until January 1867 when he was mustered out of the army. After the war, Thomas entered the industrial sector, first as a pig iron manufacturer and then in the coal mining business. He achieved greatest success as a manager of railroads later in his life.

Jan. 11, 1906 – The Monroe Journal reported that W.H. Tucker, “the obliging postmaster and merchant at Jones Mill,” had visited The Journal’s offices while in Monroeville last week.

Jan. 11, 1906 – The Monroe Journal reported that efforts were underway to establish a rural, free delivery mail from Snider’s Station on the Manistee & Repton Railroad to serve an “extensive circuit” in the vicinity of Jones Mill.

Jan. 11, 1906 – The Monroe Journal reported that L.W. Locklin of Perdue Hill had visited the newspaper office during the past week to announce that he had started a mercantile business, a firm that was incorporated under the name of The Claiborne Mercantile Co. Locklin expected to do a “general mercantile and advancing business.”

Jan. 11, 1906 – In this day’s edition of The Monroe Journal, editor and publisher Q. Salter put out a call, seeking correspondents from throughout the county. Salter sought a “correspondent at each post office in the county to report promptly and briefly the local happening in their respective communities.”

Jan. 11, 1908 – On this Saturday morning, fire was discovered in the residence of T.A. Waller in Conecuh County, Ala. The household goods were saved, but the building was a total loss. The origin of the fire was unknown.

Jan. 11, 1908 - U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt declared the massive Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona a national monument, an area that includes more than 800,000 acres. "Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is," he declared. "You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see."

Jan. 11, 1916 – Prof. Dannelly of Montgomery visited Evergreen, Ala. on this Tuesday.

Jan. 11, 1916 – A state bond election was held and “passed off quietly” in Conecuh County, with cold weather keeping a “good many” voters from the polls, according to The Conecuh Record. The newspaper reported that the state bond issue was defeated with 384 voters in Conecuh voting in favor of the measure and 367 voting against.

Jan. 11, 1916 - V.J. Reinke, proprietor of the Claiborne Ranch, visited Monroeville on this Tuesday, accompanied by his farm manager, George Seaback. Reinke to The Monroe Journal that he “expects to locate a colony of some 50 Polish families on his extensive property in the vicinity of Perdue Hill.”

Jan. 11, 1916 - To provide a safe and stable haven for the growing number of refugees pouring out of the devastated Balkan state of Serbia, French forces took formal military control of the Greek island of Corfu.

Jan. 11, 1919 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Andrew E. Snow of Uriah, Ala. “died from disease” at the age of 22 at Fort Logan H. Roots, Ark. Born on Aug. 19, 1896 to Andrew James and Nancy Cumbie Snow, he is buried at Poplar Springs Cemetery near Uriah.

Jan. 11, 1923 – During the Occupation of the Ruhr, troops from France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr area to force Germany to make its World War I reparation payments.

Jan. 11, 1924 - Alabama author H. E. Francis was born in Bristol, R.I.

Jan. 11, 1935 – Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Jan. 11, 1941 - Zack T. Jones, 72, died at his home in Brooklyn, Ala. on this Saturday morning. He was a member of the Brooklyn Masonic Lodge and a lifelong resident of Conecuh.

Jan. 11, 1952 – Beatrice High School’s varsity boys basketball team, led by head coach Hubert Finlayson, improved to 6-3 on the season with a 61-43 win over J.U. Blacksher. Dale Brown led Beatrice with 22 points, and Bob Grissette led Blacksher with 15 points.

Jan. 11, 1954 - Alabama author Mary McNeil Fenollosa died in Montrose, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1956 – During the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem issued Ordinance No. 6, allowing the internment of former Viet Minh members and others “considered as dangerous to national defense and common security.”

Jan. 11, 1960 – Henry Lee Lucas, once listed as America's most prolific serial killer, committed his first known murder.

Jan. 11, 1964 – Monroe Journal employee Bruce Allen White passed away from a heart attack at the age of 30. A Marine Corps veteran who was critically wounded in WWII and was cited for gallantry in action on Saipan, he began working as a printer’s apprentice at The Journal in 1946. He went on to become an accomplished pressman and later the main make up man for the newspaper. Most of the ads that appeared in The Journal from 1955 through 1963 were his handiwork. The Monroe Journal’s 1966 Centennial Edition was dedicated in his memory.

Jan. 11, 1964 – Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Luther Terry of Red Level, Ala. published the landmark report “Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States,” saying that smoking may be hazardous to health, sparking national and worldwide anti-smoking efforts.

Jan. 11, 1965 – During the Vietnam War, major cities – especially Saigon and Hue – and much of central Vietnam were disrupted by demonstrations and strikes led by Buddhists.

Jan. 11, 1967 – In an incident attributed to the Bermuda Triangle, a Chase YC-122, carrying four persons en route to Grand Bahama from Palm Beach, Fla., vanished in the Gulf Stream at some point northwest of Bimini.

Jan. 11, 1968 – Estelle Bryant Cobb of Evergreen, Ala. celebrated her 102nd birthday. Cobb married the Dr. William Foster Cobb in 1895 in Barlow Bend. They lived there until they moved to Frisco City in 1916. Dr. Cobb practiced medicine in Clarke and Monroe counties for 50 years. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and graduated from Alabama Conference Female College (now Huntingdon College, Montgomery) in 1888 when it was located at Tuskegee.

Jan. 11, 1972 – Gene T. Mixon of Old Texas killed a 247-pound buck with an “unbelievable 39-point rack,” shoot the deer in north Monroe County.

Jan. 11, 1973 - Owners of American League baseball teams voted to adopt the designated-hitter rule on a trial basis.

Jan. 11, 1977 – Former Alabama split end Shamari Buchanan was born in Atlanta, Ga.

Jan. 11, 1979 – Evergreen, Ala. native Naomi Rabb Winston, who is said to have designed the Great Seal of Alabama, died at the age of 84 in Virginia City Beach, Va. Born in Evergreen on April 17, 1894, she went on to study at the Art Students League in New York City and painted many oil paintings. She is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Franklinton, N.C.

Jan. 11, 1980 - State Trooper Major James L. Fuqua was the featured speaker at a banquet honoring Taylor Davis on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of service with the Troopers. The banquet was held on this Friday night at the Holiday Inn in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1980 – Weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.00 inches of rain in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 11, 1983 – Sparta Academy’s varsity boys basketball team beat Fort Dale, 63-61, in Evergreen, Ala. Sparta’s girls beat Fort Dale, 40-32. Russ Brown led Sparta’s boys with 23 points, and Cheri Johnson led Sparta’s girls with 16 points.

Jan. 11, 1986 – The first winter ascent of Kangchenjunga was achieved by Krzysztof Wielicki and Jerzy Kukuczka from Poland.

Jan. 11, 1996 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Hillcrest High School’s Kelvin Rudolph and Ryan Meeks were both named to all-state football honors this past season. Rudolph was named to the first team in the sports writers poll and honorable mention in The Birmingham News, and Ryan was named to honorable mention by the sports writers poll and Birmingham News. Meeks was the brother of former Denver Bronco’s player and Evergreen native Bob Meeks.

Jan. 11, 2000 – National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and manager Bob Lemon died at the age of 79 in Long Beach, California. He played his entire career for the Cleveland Indians before going on to manage the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Jan. 11, 2008 – New Zealand mountaineer and explorer Edmund Hillary died at the age of 88 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Jan. 11, 2010 - Mark McGwire admitted that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade. The time frame including the 1998 season when he broke the then single-season home run record.

Jan. 11, 2010 – Weather observer Harry Ellis reported a low of 11 degrees in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 11, 2012 - Jordan van der Sloot, a longtime suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba, pleaded guilty to the murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, in Lima, Peru. Flores was killed on May 30, 2010, exactly five years to the day after Holloway went missing while on a high school graduation trip to the Caribbean island.

Jan. 11, 2013 – Vietnamese general Nguyễn Khánh, who served as the third President of South Vietnam, died at the age of 85 of pneumonia and end-stage renal failure at a hospital in San Jose, California.