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

C.H. Miller's grave in Sweet Water, Ala.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Oct. 11, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Hon. C.H. Miller, state senator from Marengo County, is dead, aged 60 years. He was one of Marengo County’s most prominent citizens, and is death is much regretted. Senator Miller was a native of Wilcox and was born in Bonhams beat. He was a successful businessman and planter, and Hon. W.J. Miller, county commissioner, is one of his nephews.

Lower Peach Tree: Our community was saddened by the death of Mr. Joab Sheffield, a few days ago. We all sympathize with his loved ones in their bereavement, but God knows best.

Lt. Emmett Kilpatrick, who has been attending his father in his last illness, has returned to his post in Georgia.

The second medical examination of drafted men was held at the courthouse last Monday and Tuesday and was conducted by doctors Z. Moore, county health officer, W.W. Moore, E. Bonner, W.B. Jones and B. Benson. About 200 were re-examined and of these only 12 were excepted.

We learn, with regret, that the handsome residence of Mr. M.F. Jackson of Pine Apple was destroyed by an accidental fire last Saturday afternoon. Almost all the furniture was also destroyed. The loss was probably four or five thousand dollars, for which there was some insurance.

The post office at Camden has been designated a central accounting office and, in future, all reports from every post office in the county will be made to the Camden office, and audited by Postmaster Dannelly, who will also distribute all stamps and stamped paper to the 24 offices in the county.

A special meeting of the Commissioners’ Court was held last Thursday. There was present Commissioners McLeod, W.J. Miller and Chairman Dannelly. The purpose of the meeting was to receive bids for graveling the unfinished part of the Jackson Highway in West Wilcox. The bids received were unsatisfactory and the court adjourned to meet again next Monday.

About a month since the large storehouse of Mr. Jeff B. Sessions of Bellview was destroyed early on Saturday night while Mr. Sessions and family were attending a moving picture show at Vredenburgh. The store house and stock of goods valued about $4,000 was entirely destroyed. There was no insurance. The origin of the fire is a mystery, which the grand jury will probably investigate.

Proposed New Mail Route: Postmaster Dannelly informs us that with an effort on the part of the citizens of Camden, a daily Star route would be gotten from Millers Ferry to Camden.

This would give us our daily papers at 10 a.m. as well as all first-class matter, eight to 12 hours earlier than now. During the winter months, with only one mail and generally a late train at night, the present schedule is very inconvenient. Besides, this route would also benefit our citizens in West Wilcox. Let us all pull together for the new route.

To School Trustees: The County Board of Education will meet at Camden Thurs., Oct. 18, to apportion the public school funds, and to transfer such other business as may come before it. – O.C. Weaver, Superintendent of Education.