110-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from July 1907

James A. Bilbro

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published four editions 110 years ago during the month of July 1907. Those four issues, which were dated July 4, July 11, July 18 and July 25, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those four editions on microfilm. Enjoy.

JULY 4, 1907

The Second Infantry Regiment, Alabama National Guard, will go into encampment at Selma, July 22.

President Seymour of the Alabama division of the Southern Cotton Growers Association looks confidently for 15 cents cotton as a result of unfavorable weather conditions. The reports made to the department show that stands are poor, the crop late and in many cases grassy. While there has been great improvement recently, there is in his opinion no possible chance for as much as an average output now.

Monument of Senator Morgan to be Erected in Selma, Alabama: The movement towards this memorial, started by the Ladies’ Memorial Association and the United Daughters of the Confederacy of Selma, is meeting with pronounced approval.

The site is preferably the intersection of Alabama and Lauderdale Streets, near the Courthouse and the Federal Building lot. It is hoped that the city officials will favor this selection of a site.

The Pensacola District Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, closed one of the most pleasant and profitable sessions in its history in the Monroeville Methodist Church last Sunday night. The attendance of both clerical and lay members was unusually large and the sessions throughout characterized by a marked spirit of harmony and Christian fellowship. The Conference was presided over by Rev. B.C. Glenn, Presiding Elder of the District, under whose wise direction the occasion was made one of great spiritual power, the memory of which will long linger as a delightful experience.

JULY 11, 1907

Miss Callie Faulk is teaching at Axle.

The Commissioners Court is in session this week to pass on numerous raises in tax values reported by the Tax Commissioner.

The following officers of Blacksher Lodge No. 593 were elected for the ensuing Masonic year: D.C. Mims, worshipful master; J.F. Lambert, senior warden; Tillman Lomax, junior warden; A.T. Ellis, senior deacon; H.R. Seals, junior deacon; J.H. Brown, treasurer; G.W. Grimes, secretary; J.J. Dunn and Walter Donald, stewards; F.N. Grant, tyler.

There will be a basket picnic at Davis Bridge on Flat Creek on Sat., July 20. Baseball game in afternoon, between Ridge and Scotland teams. Everybody cordially invited.

WILCOX MINERAL SPRINGS is now open for the season. The health giving properties of these waters can be vouched for by many who have been benefitted by them. A hack line to and from the depot to meet the trains morning and evening. Every arrangement for the comfort and entertainment of guests will be carefully looked after. Special terms by the week, month or season, can be had on application to G.W. Stuart, Proprietor, Schuster, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Pension Examiners for Monroe County will meet in Monroeville on Mon., July 15, 1907 and remain in session 10 days, for the purpose of examining applicants for Confederate pensions.

JULY 18, 1907

Sheriff M.M. Fountain spent a few days at the state capital this week.

Two new Pythian lodges are soon to be organized in this territory, one at McWilliams and the other at Repton. There are some 16 or 18 applicants for dispensation at each place and the necessary paraphernalia has already been ordered. Prof. L.K. Benson has been reappointed Deputy Grand Chancellor for this district and will institute both lodges.

The following officers of Alabama Lodge No. 3, Perdue Hill, were elected for the ensuing year: R. Perry, worshipful master; J.F. Gaillard, senior warden; H.J. Coxwell, junior warden; L.N. Lambert, treasurer; W.E. Broughton, secretary; J.A. Marshall, senior deacon; S.F. Busey, junior deacon; L.J. Frye, tyler. Regular meetings Saturday night before the full moon in each month.

The following officers of Cokerville Lodge, No. 75, McWilliams, Ala., were elected for the ensuing year: G.E. Kyser, worshipful master; T.D. Forte, senior warden; C.L. Grimes, junior warden; D.C. Sadler, treasurer; W.P. Roberts, secretary; H.B. Hardy, senior deacon; J.D. Brantley, junior deacon; J.W. Smith, tyler. Regular meetings Saturday before the second Sunday at 9 a.m. and Wednesday before the fourth Sunday at 8 p.m.

Rev. J.M. Gilmore filled his regular appointment at the Baptist church Sunday. He preached at Ollie school house in the afternoon.

JULY 25, 2017

Miss Jennie Faulk left today for New York where she will purchase her fall stock of goods. She will visit the Jamestown exposition before she returns.

Mr. J.S. Lambard, a prominent merchant and planter of Gainestown, favored The Journal with a pleasant call while passing through town last week en route to Riley, Ala., where he attended a reunion of the survivors of Co. C, 5^th Alabama, at the home of its commander, Capt. T.M. Riley. While we have no direct report, it goes without saying that the occasion was a most pleasant one.

BURNED TO DEATH: Lula McMillan, a colored woman, wife of Andrew McMillan, was fatally burned near Burnt Corn last Sunday afternoon and died the following morning. The woman attempted to start a fire in the stove with kerosene oil. The can exploded and her body was enveloped in flames in an instant. Before assistance reached her, she was burned beyond hope of recovery.

MASONIC CONFERENCE: The Monroe County Masonic Conference will meet in annual session with Blacksher Lodge, No. 593, at Maros, this county, on Tues., Aug. 6. Past Grand Master James A. Bilbro, Grand Lecturer Angus M. Scott and other prominent Masons have accepted invitations to be present. Wed., Aug. 7, will be devoted to public exercises and an address will be delivered by Judge Bilbro. Every lodge in the county is earnestly urged to send a full quota of delegates and a cordial welcome will be extended to visiting brethren.

OBITUARY: Bro. Jno. R. Ross, who was one among the oldest men and citizens of Monroe County, died at his home, near Zion Baptist Church, at 1 a.m. July 13, 1907. His body was interred in the cemetery at Zion Church that evening.

Bro. Ross spent his long life in Monroe County, coming here from South Carolina at one year of age. He had been a Mason a long time and had been a member of Zion Baptist Church for 25 years.