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

Prof. Herbert Huntingdon Smith

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the June 28, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Gastonburg: Mr. A.C. Moore left on June 13 for Auburn where he will spend six weeks.

Yellow Bluff: We are all very sad over the death of our friends and relatives the last few weeks. Those who died were Mr. G.H. Mayton, Mr. William Sheffield and Mr. Redden Tyler. Many are left to mourn their loss.

Cotton Honor Won By Wilcox County: Another cotton bloom was received at the local cotton exchange yesterday, coming to Baker Lyons & Co. It was grown by Mr. A.L. Slaughter of Lower Peach Tree. Wilcox County, for the sixth time in 10 years, furnished the first cotton bloom this year. The first came from Arlington and was found on June 8. Twice the honor has been taken by Clarke County, once by Baldwin and once by Mobile, while Wilcox divided honors with Monroe County one year, when blooms were found in both counties on the same day. – Mobile Register.

The County Board of Equalization, consisting of Mr. W.W. Agee of Lamison, Chairman, and Messrs. W.T. Alford of Camden and P.E. Wallace of Ackerville, was in session last week. There were but three complaints, which were adjusted. Tax Assessor McClurkin was with the board.

Rev. L.L. Gwaltney, D.D., of Greenville will assist pastor I.N. Kimbrough in special meetings at the Camden Baptist church, beginning Monday, July 2, 8:30 p.m.

Fourth of July: Next Wednesday is the glorious Fourth of July and in accordance with the custom of this paper, our office force will be given the patriotic holiday. Therefore all advertisements and correspondence should reach this office not later than Monday morning to insure publication the current week. Our friends will please remember the paper will go to press one day earlier next week.

The Wilcox County Masonic Conference will this year meet with Dale Lodge on Monday night, Aug. 13. The conference will be presided over by Worshipful Master Rennie of Central City Lodge, Selma. Grand High Priest J. H. McCormick of Mobile will attend the conference. The members of Dale Lodge are making preparations to receive their brethren in true Masonic and royal spirit. A large number of our county and adjoining county Masons are expected to attend the conference.

A regular communication of Dale Lodge No. 25 will be held Friday night when the following newly elected Masonic officers will be duly installed: Claude Hardy, Worshipful Master; E.W. Berry, Senior Warden; J.T. Edwards, Junior Warden; D.J. Salter, Treasurer; J.C. Benson, Secretary; B.H. Matthews, Chaplain; F.F. Tait, Senior Deacon; W.P. Harris, Junior Deacon; W.T. Hale, Tyler.

OAK HILL: On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 23, the people of Oak Hill held a patriotic meeting to organize a local branch of the Wilcox County chapter of the American Red Cross. The meeting was opened by Hon. John T. Dale, who very properly and in simple language told the object of the meeting. Next, Dr. McConnico made a short talk on the Red Cross and its work. The branch was then organized with Miss Etta McConnico as chairman, Mrs. Jessie B. Jones, secretary and treasurer.

The meeting was a great success, 24 being present and 24 members being enrolled.

The work on the town (Camden) well continues and it is said the two wells will supply the present needs of Camden in water; when the strainers are put in the pumping of water will begin and the town of Camden will then be supplied with water.

Mr. E.D. Stewart of the Montgomery representing the sterling and progressive Montgomery Advertiser was a recent visitor to Camden and paid the Progressive Era a pleasant visit.

The Alabama River is falling and will soon again be low. The steamboats however have sufficient water to make their regular trips.

The progressive L&N Railroad Co. is building a new concrete and iron water tank at Nadawah.

Matthews Hardware company has installed a free air service for automobiles and this service is appreciated by the public.

PINE HILL DRAMATIC CLUB: On next Friday evening at 8:15 p.m. the Pine Hill Dramatic Club will present the “Prince in Buckskins.” This is the second appearance of this club in Camden and we trust a large and appreciative audience will great our Pine Hill visitors.

Under the new law, there will be no meeting of the County Commissioners Court until August, at which time a regular term of the court will be held.

Sheriff McDowell informs us that there are 12 prisoners in jail.

A few nights since, while returning from the post office, Mr. John Miller was thrown from his buggy. It is expected that he will soon be up to continue his business in law.

Mr. W.L. Glessner of Atlanta, Field Editor of the Southern Ruralist of Atlanta, was in Camden a few days since. He was here to write up for his great agricultural journal the many registered and high grade herds of fine cattle that are in the various sections of our county which is the banner cattle county of our Alabama. The Progressive Era was pleased to receive a call from the editor of the Southern Ruralist.

The Progressive Era was pleased to receive an invitation to the closing exercises of the school of medicine of Tulane University, which was held at the French Opera House, New Orleans. Among the graduates in medicine were Dr. John Paul Jones Jr., the bright son of Dr. and Mrs. T. Wharburton Jones.

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver of Irvington, Ala. are Camden visitors this week and are guests of the Bloch Wilcox Hotel. They are viewing various properties and may locate here.

The first load of this season’s watermelons came to Camden last Saturday. They were raised by Mr. Henry Roberts of Mt. Hope beat. Apples, peaches, blackberries, fresh river fish, roasting ears and frying size chickens, nice beef, mutton, pork and kid are on the market.

Prof. and Mrs. H.H. Smith and Mr. C.A. Burke of the State Geological Department of the University of Alabama are in and around Camden, gathering fossils and specimens of which there are many in our county.