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

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Nov. 15, 1917 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Death of Sherwood Bonner: A sad and tragic accident caused the death last Friday evening of Sherwood Bonner, the bright, manly, esteemed and beloved elder son of Mrs. D.H. Turner.

Last Friday evening, while riding a motorcycle which was ridden by him and Harvey Tait, a school mate, and while the rear light was being lit by Harvey Tait, he did not see a horse and buggy approaching, driven by Mr. G.G. Cunningham Jr. of Selma, and in a moment a collision occurred that caused his death early Saturday morning.

The funeral services were held at the home of his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. D.H. Turner, Saturday morning, Rev. B.H. Grier officiating. The burial was in the Camden Cemetery.

The entire student body of the Wilcox County High School attended his funeral. The boys were in uniform, in honor of the deceased.

The state vital statistics of Wilcox County show that there were births, 22; deaths, 50; birthrate, 22 percent; death rate, 11 percent. The prevalent diseases are typhoid fever, malaria, pulmonary tuberculosis, diphtheria, pellagra, measles and smallpox.

Prof. Harris of the Monroe County High School was a recent visitor to Prof. O.C. Weaver, County Superintendent of Education, a few days ago.

Mr. Thomas A. Cook of Dallas, Texas writes to us that Lawrence Lee Stallworth, a Spanish war veteran, died there several weeks ago, leaving a widow and three boys, aged eight, six and three years. He has a sister living at Tinela, Ala.

The Wilcox County High School boys in their uniforms make a hike almost every Friday night three or four miles, and they look very soldierly in their uniforms.

First Lt. Sam McDowell of Camden, who has been located at Camp Harris in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been visiting his brother, Sheriff McDowell, and other relatives. He will return to his regiment now in New Jersey.

Postmaster Dannelly informs us that he has learned that the contract for the daily mail to be established between Catherine and Camden has been awarded to Mr. W.F. McWilliams. The service is to begin Dec. 1.

The Camden post office has been made the supply office for the distribution of stamps to the 30 post offices in the county. All postage stamps for all county post offices will in future be gotten here.

Entertainment at Oak Hill: On Wednesday night, Nov. 28, there will be given an entertainment at the Oak Hill School for the benefit of the school. – Miss Nettie Lou Andress, Principal.

Mr. G.W. Watson, county registrar, is making his rounds for the purpose of registering the voters of our county. Important elections will be held in 1918 and those entitled to registration should do so. All registered voters must pay their poll tax before Feb. 1 or they cannot vote.

Cotton Report: There were 6,247 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1917 prior to Nov. 1, 1917 as compared with 3,477 bales ginned to Nov. 1, 1916. – C.S. Dale, Special Agent.