100-year-old news highlights from The Wilcox Progressive Era

Grave of J.C. Ballard.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the May 31, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Mr. P.E. Wallace of Ackerville has passed the mental and physical examination and is now in the U.S. training camp at Ft. McPherson, Ga. He is 21 years old. We commend his example to our young men.

Sgt. Willy Murphy, 1^st Alabama Cavalry and Cpl. Robert Young, 1^st Alabama Infantry, were recent Camden visitors.

The wind of last Sunday was so severe that the Steamboat Burke had to tie up at Cobb’s Landing. Fortunately, no damage was done in Wilcox County.

Press Pharr of Caledonia recently killed in a pasture on Snells plantation and near Bear Creek a monster rattlesnake with 13 rattles and six inches in diameter.

DEATH OF COLONEL ED N. JONES SR. – After a long and useful life, worthy of himself, his loved ones and his family, Col. Edward Nathaniel Jones Sr., a good man, father, friend, neighbor, citizen, Democrat and high-toned patriot, died under treatment at a Birmingham infirmary last Saturday, aged 79 years. His remains were interred in his hometown of Camden last Monday, the Editor was honored with his esteemed friendship, and as a slight tribute to his memory, an extended notice that is crowded out this week will appear in our next issue. – S.D. Bloch.

COL. E.N. JONES: On yesterday, May 28, we laid away in a brick vault in the Camden Cemetery the last remains of Col. E.N. Jones of the Camden bar. “Colonel Ed” was about 78 years of age and had been an active lawyer here since before the Civil War.

Prof. Emmet Kilpatrick is now in Co. 4 and also J. Brad Holman Jr., Esq., are in the officers training camp at Fort McPherson, Ga. Judson Hawthorn, who was in Idaho in business, is now in the Second Regiment, U.S. Army, at San Diego, Calif. Hurrah for you young men.

THE WILCOX COUNTY TEACHERS INSTITUTE: The sixth annual Institute of Wilcox County Teachers met in the auditorium of our County High School building at Camden last Wednesday and was in continuous session until Friday afternoon. The proceedings were conducted by Prof. Ledbetter of the State Dept. of Education, assisted by Miss Gray of Birmingham, who is also in the State Dept. of Education. There were 61 teachers present.

Official Notice, Registration Day, June 5: Notice is hereby given to all male citizens of Wilcox County, that there will be a registration on Tues., June 5, 1917 of all who are of the age of 21 to 30 years, inclusive, and subject to military duty in the United States.

Every male resident of the United States who has reached his 21^st birthday must register on the day set, June 5, 1917. Registration is distinct from draft. No matter what just claim you have for exemption, you must register. No one is exempted, whether sound, blind, married, white or colored.

It is gratifying to many Wilcox County friends of Reo. Francis Pappy, formerly of our county, but now at Huntsville, to learn that the honor of doctor of divinity, a degree, has been conferred on him by the Alabama Presbyterian College of Anniston.

Pine Hill: Mr. J.C. Ballard, who will be remembered as being very sick for some time past, died last Wednesday, the 23^rd, and was buried at Enon on Thursday, the 24^th. The W.O.W. camp of which he was a member buried him with all honors due a brother woodman.

The Pine Hill Dramatic Club, presenting the “Dramatic Players,” went to Camden, Ala. last Friday evening and presented at the school auditorium the three-act comedy, “Facing the Music.”

Mrs. Joedy H. Curry of Darlington has presented the Editor with a large Rutabaga Purivip that weighed 4-1/2 pounds. It was grown in her garden where she has many fine, nice vegatables.

NOTICE: My cattle are branded O in right side. Please notify me in case of any of them are found. H.H. Dale, Camden, Ala.

The McWilliams Medal, offered by Hon. R.E. McWilliams, for the big, best average made in the Camden Grammar School was won by Jessie Lee Bonner, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E. Bonner. Grace Wallace and Jennie Stewart were next highest and received honorable mention.

We are informed that Mayor McIntosh and the Council have made a contract with Mr. O.B. Bradford of Selma to repair the second waterworks well, as to furnish more water or build a new well, so the Camden waterworks may be completed in a few weeks.

The county teachers association elected the following officers for the ensuing year: President, R.L. Griffin, Pine Hill; Vice President, J.B. Sellers, McWilliams; Secretary, Miss Alberta Chambers, Snow Hill.

CATHERINE: There will be some stereopticon scenes at the Baptist church Monday night for the benefit of the Missionary Society, carried out by Rev. Page of Nicholsville.

President Wilson has been invited to address our Confederate veterans when they assemble at our National Capital on June 7.

Pine Apple: Commencement exercises of the Moore Academy were held here Monday night. The graduating class, consisting of Misses Lila Davidson, Julietta Norred, Nellie McCrory and Adele Haskew, rendered their essays in a creditable way. John H. Wallace Jr. delivered the graduating address and was introduced by J.R. Melton.

The diplomas were delivered to the graduates by J.T. Adams, mayor of the city.

At the conclusion of the exercises, C.H. Newsom, principal of the school, delivered a prize offered by Miss Julia Barge for punctuality in the fifth, sixth and seventh grades, which was won by William Stasford Jr.

Professor Newsom was re-elected for the term 1917-1918.

VREDENBURGH: A real live camp in the Modern Woodmen of America was organized Wednesday night at Vredenburgh, Ala. by District Deputy G.B. Morgan, assisted by Messrs. L.Y. Moore and W.H. Drew, who has been very active in the organizing of this camp, and deserve much credit for such a large membership to start on, as the camp was organized with over 50 new members. The meeting nights will be on Monday night of each week.