130-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from Aug. 1887

Grave of Mrs. Mary Sowell

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of publisher Q. Salter, published four editions 130 years ago during the month of August 1887. 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, 1887

Open Cotton – The first boll of open cotton we have seen this season was sent us by Messrs. Roberts, Locklin & Co., Perdue Hill. It was grown by one of their customers, Burrel Crawford, and was found open July 24^th.

Died – Mr. B. Partin, one of Clarke County’s best citizens, died at his home near Gainestown Sat., July 30, after a lingering illness. He was near 70 years of age.

Col. B.L. Hibbard of Birmingham is spending some time on a visit to his father-in-law, Judge J.W. Leslie. The Colonel says the Magic City’s still booming.

Col. D.R. McMillan of Columbiana is visiting relatives and friends at this place.

Postmaster Inspector Booth spent some time in town last week overhauling and examining Postmaster Seymour’s books and accounts, which he pronounced all O.K.

Four cases were tried before the County Court which was in session Monday.

Mr. E.D. Conover, accompanied by Mr. Jno. I. Watson, went to Brewton this week with a view of establishing his photograph gallery at that place.

Mr. M.B. Ritchie of River Ridge gave us a pleasant call Monday. He reports crops pretty good, but says the river has risen about seven feet and if the rains continue, fears are entertained of an overflow.

The regular August term of the Commissioners Court will convene Monday.

AUG. 11, 1887

Justice court convened Monday.

Commissioners court was in session the first of the week.

Died – At the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Andress, about six miles north of Monroeville, on Monday night the 8^th inst., Mrs. Mary Sowell, mother of Judge W.C. Sowell, of our town, in the 81^st year of her age.

The Perdue Hill Dramatic Club will give an entertainment at the Masonic Hall Friday night, Aug. 12. The plays will be “Won at Last” and “Handsome Husband.” This is the first entertainment of the season and promises to be a great success.

Mr. Lambert Daniel, a prominent young merchant of Robeline, La., son of Mr. Joseph Daniel, formerly of this place, was on a visit to his uncle, Mr. S.F. Daniel, near town last week.

Died – At Perdue Hill, Tuesday morning, Aug. 9, Mrs. Cotter, wife of the late Dr. J.W. Cotter.

Miss Belle Kimball of Charlotte, N.C. is visiting Mrs. Emma Seymour and other friends at this place.

CHESTNUT: Mr. John A. Riley is lying at the point of death with consumption, so said by the doctors.

BUENA VISTA: Mr. John A. Riley, a young merchant of Chestnut, is seriously sick. At quite an early age, he has fallen a victim to consumption. His friends entertain no hope of his recovery.

AUG. 18, 1887

RIVER RIDGE, Aug. 13, 1887: The blacksmith shop of Mr. W.J. McCants of this place was burned Wednesday night at 12 o’clock. The fire originated from a pile of coal on the forge. It was a total loss. Mr. J.F. McKinley, who had the shop rented, has suffered greatly, having lost all his tools and some material of a new wagon, etc. McCants thinks he will have the shop ready for use by the 20^th of August.

JOHN A. RILEY – died this morning at his residence at Chestnut, Ala. He has gone to meet his wife, who proceeded him to the Spirit Land but a few short months. The leave two sweet little girls to battle with the world alone.

Miss Georgie Rawls, a most pleasant young lady of Repton, and formerly of this place, is visiting Miss Emma Seymour and numerous other friends in Monroeville.

Col. B.L. Hibbard and family, who have been spending some time at this place on a visit to Hon. J.W. Leslie, returned to their home in Birmingham Sunday.

Rev. Mr. Cowan closed a very successful revival meeting at Puryearville Wednesday night with 18 accessions to the church.

Rev. Jas. P. Miller, who is visiting his many friends here (River Ridge) and at Scotland, will preach for us Tuesday night at early candle lighting.

AUG. 25, 1887

Mr. S.W. Yarbrough has purchased the steam gin, saw and grist mill of Mr. T.J. Emmons, about two miles from town.

DIED – Near Axle, Sunday 21^st, Mr. H.S. Wiggins, aged about 26.

KILLED – A man by the name of Helton was killed by a stroke of lightning near Rev. M. Stabler’s place Monday.

C.J. Torrey, Esq., of Mobile, who is spending some time at Claiborne, was among his Monroeville friends Saturday.

Mr. L. Daniel, who has recently been visiting relatives in Monroe, has returned to his home in Robeline, La.

Mr. R.F. Metts’s cozy new residence is rapidly nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy in a few weeks.

Miss Katie Cuming of Birmingham is visiting the family of Capt. T.S. Wiggins.

Master Willie Neville has been employed as clerk in Mr. Jno. I. Watson’s grocery store.

Mr. Mark Taylor of Buena Vista passed through town Tuesday on his way to the pine section a few miles south of town for the purpose of locating a homestead.

There has been quite a race between several of our young farmers the present week to see which could get the first bale of new cotton on the market.

Mr. Johnnie Sowell will begin a 10 months school at the Academy Sept. 15 with about 25 pupils.