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| Grave of Albert G. Duke. |
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 August 1892. Those four issues, which were dated Aug.
4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 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. Enjoy.
AUG. 4, 1892
The Journal owes an apology to its readers for the failure
of many of them to receive their paper last week. We were compelled to draw on
our limited stock of paper to supply the demand for election ballots; this
together with the delay in transit of a bill ordered in ample time to meet our
requirements, rendered us unable to supply more than one-third of our
subscribers. Amid the rejoicing over the good news we bring you this week, you
can afford to overlook this irregularity.
Another jail delivery occurred Sunday night, five prisoners
making their escape by breaking the fastenings of the cage in which they were
confined and burning through the wood work to the brick wall through which they
dug a hole. No blame attaches to the sheriff, but is due the insecure condition
of the jail. The experience of the past two years seems sufficient to
demonstrate that the manner of temporizing with this question has proven vastly
more expensive to the county than the cost of building a secure jail.
The unofficial returns of the election held in Monroe Monday
indicate the election of the straight Democratic state and county ticket by a
safe majority.
Prof. D.J. McWilliams spent several days among his many
Monroeville friends last week. Prof. McWilliams has been engaged as principal
of Pineville Academy for the ensuing term.
DIED – Mr. Albert G. Duke, a prominent merchant and citizen
of Burnt Corn, died at his home at this place on Thurs., 21st inst.,
of heart disease.
AUG. 11, 1892
Mr. J.D. Foster, Monroe’s sheriff-elect, was in town Wednesday.
A special term of commissioners court will be held on the 29th
of August for the purpose of disposing of the county convict labor and of
contracting for a new jail.
KILLED – Mr. J.B. Downs, son of Mr. John Downs, living near
here, who has been working for some time in the Peters Lumber Co.’s log camps,
met a horrible death near Repton Wednesday evening. He was standing near while
a large tree was being felled, and as it fell it rebounded and struck him in
the breast, crushing him to death. His remains were sent home for burial.
The Perdue Hill High School promises a splendid opening and
we anticipate a full attendance, and with Prof. George as principal we know it
will be a successful session.
Commissioners court convened Monday and was in session until
Wednesday. The usual business was transacted. This closes the official term of
the old board of commissioners. During their incumbency, they have done much to
commend them to the public and but little that merits just criticism. Two of
the present board, Messrs. McClure and Burson, succeed themselves.
C.J. Torrey, Esq., of Mobile was among his many Monroeville
friends this week. Mr. and Mrs. Torrey are spending several weeks at the family
homestead at Claiborne.
AUG. 18, 1892
Four of Monroe’s officers-elect – Messrs. W.J. Robison, tax
collector; W.T. Nettles, tax assessor; T.J. Emmons, circuit clerk; and J.D.
Foster, sheriff, have filed their bonds which have been approved by the probate
judge.
Politics have quieted down in Monroe and the people have
addressed themselves to their various avocations.
Heavy rains have fallen around in the past few days and were
greatly needed in many sections.
The Bethlehem Baptist Association closed its 76th
annual session at Burnt Corn Wednesday. The attendance was large and the
session a profitable one. The next session will be held at Perdue Hill.
Col. B.L. Hibbard returned to his home at Birmingham
Saturday spending several weeks at Monroeville. Col. Hibbard will take the
stump for Cleveland in the course of a few weeks.
DIED – Mrs. D.A. Wiggins, wife of Mr. Jas. H. Wiggins, died
at her home in Monroeville Fri., Aug. 12, after a long and painful illness. She
leaves a husband and a number of children and a host of relatives and friends
to mourn her loss. The sympathy of the community is with the bereaved.
NOTICE: I will be at Flat Creek on the new road, near Mr.
H.L. Whisenhut’s, at 10 o’clock a.m. Sat., Aug. 20, 1892 for the purpose of
letting out and contracting for two new bridges. Will be let to the lowest
bidder for cash. – J.T. Burson, Commissioner.
AUG. 25, 1892
KILLING AT FINCHBURG – In a difficulty between Robert Tait
and Steve Tunstall, both colored, at Finchburg last Tuesday, the former killed
the latter by stabbing him to the heart with a pocket knife. Tait was arrested
and is in jail. No particulars have been learned.
In noticing the recent jail delivery, we were in error in
stating that the escape was effected by burning through the wood work. This was
impossible and unnecessary from the fact that the stoves and all fuel had been
previously removed and in ordering the old break repaired the commissioners
failed to have the hole in the brick wall filled, merely concealing the break
on the inside with a piece of sheet iron, which the prisoners, after forcing
the door of cage, prized off and crawled through.
GYPSY CAMP: The Shenshone Gypsies will camp at Gaillard’s
Grove on Tues., Sept. 6, one hour after the Sunset Gun. Meet us, wearing the
costume of your tribe.
ATTRACTIONS: May Pole Dance; Magic Egg Tree, eggs five cents
each; Prize Sack Race for boys 12 years and over; Prize Sack Race for boys under
12 years; The Celebrated Fortune Teller, Zingara; Admission 25 cents, children
10 cents; Refreshments included; Gypsy costumes requested, but not obligatory.
The Ladies Aid Society will give a Gypsy camp entertainment
in the grove at Dr. S.S. Gaillard’s residence, Perdue Hill, on Tuesday evening,
Sept. 6, 1892 for the purpose of aiding in the improvement of the Union church.
The good citizens of the community and surrounding country are especially
invited.
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