Today in History for Dec. 27, 2017

Lee Roy Jordan of Excel, Ala.

Dec. 27, 1512 – The Spanish Crown issued the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regard to native Indians in the New World. The law forbid the mistreatment of the indigenous people and endorsed their conversion to Catholicism.

Dec. 27, 1571 – Astronomer Johannes Kepler was born in Wurttemberg, Germany.

Dec. 27, 1763 - Fifty white vigilantes broke into the Workhouse at Lancaster, Pennsylvania housing the remaining 14 Conestoga Indians not killed in an attack on Dec. 14. The vigilantes hacked to death all of the Indians. Benjamin Franklin wrote the “Narrative of the late massacres in Lancaster county” condemning the attackers for brutalizing the Conestoga.

Dec. 27, 1780 - American Brigadier General Daniel Morgan detached a force of approximately 275 troops commanded by Colonel William Washington to destroy a force of 250 British Loyalists under the command of Colonel Thomas Waters, who had been terrorizing Patriots in the vicinity of Fairforest Creek, on Bush River, South Carolina. Hammonds Store was a blacksmith’s shop and trading post in what became Laurens County, northeast of Mountville, in the district of Fort Ninety-Six, and Colonel Washington, a cousin of General George Washington, surprised the Loyalists and Redcoats camping at the store. American forces killed or wounded 150 British Loyalists and captured 40 prisoners during the four-day siege without incurring any losses of their own.

Dec. 27, 1814 – Duriing the War of 1812, the American schooner USS Carolina was destroyed. It was the last of Commodore Daniel Patterson's makeshift fleet that fought a series of delaying actions that contributed to Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans.

Dec. 27, 1816 – Early Conecuh County teacher and minister Rev. Hanson Lee was born in Johnston County, N.C. He would go on to serve as president of Mount Lebanon College and as editor of the Louisiana Baptist.

Dec. 27, 1822 – Chemist Louis Pasteur was born in Dole, France.

Dec. 27, 1831 – Charles Darwin embarked on his journey aboard the HMS Beagle, during which he will begin to formulate the theory of evolution.

Dec. 27, 1835 - Dade was warned on this day by a friendly Seminole Chief, but continued. The trail was soft with sand and bogs, and they did not arrive at the forks of the Withlacoochee until this day, the fourth day's march. During the last two days, they had seen signs that the Seminole were watching them. Dade did not realize that his half-breed interpreter Louis Fatio Pacheco was aiding the Seminole. Chief Micanopy and Osceola were waiting with plans made to attack.

Dec. 27, 1837 - Cannon's party, the second group of Cherokee to emigrate after the New Echota Treaty, arrived in Indian Territory just southwest of the Missouri-Arkansas border. Eighteen people including 11 children died during the march.

Dec. 27, 1846 - Mobile’s Jewish community, which was called “Congregation” Shaarai Shomayim (Gates of Heaven), dedicated a small building on St. Emanuel St., between Church and Government Streets as the first Jewish house of worship in Alabama. Shaarai Shomayim moved to a larger location on Jackson St., between St. Louis and St. Michael Streets, in 1853. The structure burned in 1856 but was quickly rebuilt through the combined ecumenical efforts of Christians and Jews in 1858.

Dec. 27, 1858 - Peter Garland, a known gunman leading a group of 20 Texans, attacked a peaceful group of Anadarko and Caddo camped on Keechi Creek near the Brazos River Reservation. They killed seven, including three women, while they are sleeping. The Texas Rangers refused to arrest Garland for the murders. A grand jury was set up to investigate the murders, but ended up charging Anadarko Chief Jose Maria with horse stealing instead of indicting the murderers. They were never brought to justice, despite the efforts of many to do so.

Dec. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought near Hallville, Mo.

Dec. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, Confederates skirmished with Creeks and Seminoles in Indian Territory. The Confederate Cherokee Mounted Rifles were under the command of Confederate Col. Stand Watie.

Dec. 27, 1861 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Mossy Creek, New Castle and Somerville in Tennessee.

Dec. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Snyder’s Mill, on the Yazoo River, in Mississippi as Federal General William T. Sherman moved within a few miles of Vicksburg, Miss. Two days of skirmishes occurred before Sherman ordered a major attack on Dec. 29. Sherman was thwarted in the attempt that became known as the Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs.

Dec. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Elizabeth City, N.C.; and at Huntingdon, Stewart’s Creek Bridge and Triune, in Tennessee.

Dec. 27, 1862 – During the Civil War, three days of Federal operations on Dumfries and Fairfax Station in Virginia began.

Dec. 27, 1863 – During the Civil War, a three-day Federal operation began between Newport Barracks and Jackson in North Carolina. Skirmishes were also fought at Huntingdon, Talbott’s Station, Colliersville, Grisson’s Bridge, La Fayette and near Moscow, in Tennessee.

Dec. 27, 1864 - The broken and defeated Confederate Army of Tennessee finished crossing the Tennessee River as General John Bell Hood’s force retreated into Mississippi. After crossing the Tennessee River in December, Hood reported some 18,700 officers and enlisted men, a figure that another Confederate general, Pierre Beauregard, thought was significantly inflated. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was no longer a viable fighting force.

Dec. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, a skirmish occurred at Decatur, Ala.

Dec. 27, 1864 – During the Civil War, a Federal operation was carried out between Pine Bluff to Simpson’s Plantation in Arkansas; and a skirmish was fought at Okolona, Miss. Federal forces also withdrew from the vicinity of Fort Fisher in Wilmington, N.C.

Dec. 27, 1901 – Film actress and cabaret singer Marlene Dietrich was born Mary Magdalene Dietrich in Berlin.

Dec. 27, 1904 – The Abbey Theatre opened in Dublin as a permanent space for the Irish Literary Theatre, a company created by a group of writers that included W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory.

Dec. 27, 1905 - A church festival was scheduled to be held at the home of Dr. W.A. Stallworth in Beatrice, Ala. on this Wednesday evening for the benefit of Moore Street Baptist Church.

Dec. 27, 1908 - The world didn't end as Nyack, New York's would-be prophet Lee J. Spangler claimed it would.

Dec. 27, 1910 – Poet Charles Olson was born in Worcester, Mass.

Dec. 27, 1912 – The No. 2 Passenger Train, which passed through Evergreen, Ala. at 5:19 a.m., wrecked at Garland. The engine and three cars overturned, and it was reported that the engineer, fireman and several others were injured. This was the third wreck on that division of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 10 days.

Dec. 27, 1915 - F.R. Whittle’s gin, one of the largest in Conecuh County, Ala., was completely destroyed by fire on this Monday night and the fire was believed to have been of “incendiary origin.”

Dec. 27, 1915 - W.S. Keller, State Highway Engineer, spent this Monday in Monroeville, Ala., supervising the letting of a contract for a section of state aid road.

Dec. 27, 1915 – The Rev. N.H. Gibson, who was pastor of the Franklin, Ala. circuit during the previous year, left the Monroeville area on this Monday for Greenville “to take up the duties of his new charge.”

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that “never in the history of our county has a quieter or more peaceful passing of the yuletide been witnessed than experienced in Camden prior and through the holidays. Only a few years ago, the only function of the express office was to disburse the accumulated packages of Christmas joy imported from the nearby cities. The scenes immediately following were such as to cause many heart aches and tears; the streets were unsafe and the noise and uproar kept the town in a state of suspense. In fact, it was a relief to many to see the holidays pass. On Christmas eve the town was absolutely quiet. No sign of drinking could be detected. The town marshal complained that he had nothing left to do except chase into the pound pen the straggling calves of some negligent citizen. The true spirt of the yuletide prevailed.”

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that “among the Wilcox boys who have made good in the army are two brothers, known in civil life as Dr. George and Professor Emmett Kilpatrick. Both had made remarkable success in their chosen professions, and both in answer to their country’s call volunteered their services. Dr. Kilpatrick now holds the rank of captain while Prof. Kilpatrick is first lieutenant. They are the sons of Capt. J.Y. Kilpatrick, who was a distinguished veteran of the Civil War.”

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that there were 7,450 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1917 prior to Dec. 1, 1917 as compared with 4,089 ginned to Dec. 1, 1916.

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Frank S. Tait, who was in training at the United States naval operating base at Hampton Roads, Va., was improving after a month’s illness.

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Marshall Smith of Selma was spending the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Smith of Canton. Marshall had volunteered for service in the Aviation corps.

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Clem Sills, who was attending the Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, had been honored by election to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternity. Elections of this type were made by the faculty each year from the senior class and the faculty. The qualifications of membership were based on merit alone.

Dec. 27, 1917 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Judge and Mrs. Helsel of Fort Dodge, Iowa are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Liddell.

Dec. 27, 1918 - In the wake of the German defeat, members of the People’s Guard, the Polish military organization, joined by a number of volunteers—many of them veterans of the Great War—took up arms against the occupying German army in the major industrial city of Poznan.

Dec. 27, 1930 – Novelist Wilfrid Sheed was born in London, England.

Dec. 27, 1934 – The Monroe Journal reported, under the headline “Frisco City Tree Attracts Attention,” that “many night travelers through Frisco City have commented favorably on the outdoor Christmas tree erected by the town.” This large tree was located on the highway at the well in front of the McWilliams store. “At night, it presents a very striking appearance with its many colored lights and other Christmas ornaments, and can be seen from some distance,” The Monroe Journal reported.

Dec. 27, 1948 - Captained by pilot Robert Linquist, NC16002 ended its Miami to San Juan leg at 19:40 EST. During its return trip to Miami, it would disappear over the Bermuda Triangle a few hours later.

Dec. 27, 1959 – Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett was born in Birmingham, Ala. He went on to play for Iowa and the New England Patriots. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Dec. 27, 1964 – Marine Pvt. James Marshall returned to his station at Camp Lejeune, N.C. on this Sunday after spending the Christmas holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Marshall in Monroeville, Ala.

Dec. 27, 1966 – The Cave of Swallows, the largest known cave shaft in the world, was discovered in Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Dec. 27, 1966 - A United States and South Vietnamese joint-service operation took place against one of the best-fortified Viet Cong strongholds, located in the U Minh Forest in the Mekong Delta, 125 miles southwest of Saigon.

Dec. 27, 1968 - Three teenage girls were slightly injured on this Friday in a one-car accident on Clausell Road in Monroeville, Ala. Ann Gordon, Nancy Lynch and Jennifer Andress, all of Monroeville, received minor cuts and bruises when the late model automobile in which they were riding went out of control, ran up a four-foot embankment and turned over, City Police Sgt. Jim Cave said.

Dec. 27, 1969 - In the fiercest battle in six weeks, U.S. and North Vietnamese forces clashed near Loc Ninh, about 80 miles north of Saigon.

Dec. 27, 1969 – Journalist, essayist and author Sarah Vowell was born in Muskogee, Okla.

Dec. 27, 1973 – The Monroe Journal reported that Riley Nicholas Kelly of Excel, Ala. had published his third volume of poetry, “The Human Way.” The new volume, released by Exposition Press of New York, “succeeds in bringing a vibrant and dramatic new dimension to the sonnet form, and it most surely marks Riley Nicholas Kelly as a bright new star in poetic skies,” Richard G. Beyer of Florence, founding president of the Alabama State Poetry Society, said in a review. Kelly, a former Monroe Journal editor who was a partner in Kelly Mill Mercantile Co. of Dottelle, earlier published “In Search of Light” in 1969 and “Patterns” in 1970.

Dec. 27, 1973 – The Monroe Journal reported that Lee Roy Jordan of the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Alabama and Excel High School had been named to the All-Star team of the National Football Conference. Jordan, a 10-year veteran of the NFC, was “having his best year with seven interceptions.” Jordan was defensive captain for the Cowboys, calling all defensive signals, and was also co-captain of the team.

Dec. 27, 1974 - Fred Stinson and Tommy Hutcheson killed three bucks on this Friday in Wilcox County, Ala., two three-pointers and one five-pointer with Stinson claiming two of them.

Dec. 27, 1976 – Actor Aaron Stanford was born in Westford, Mass. He is best known for his role as Pyro in “X2” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”

Dec. 27, 1978 – Spain became a democracy after 40 years of fascist dictatorship.

Dec. 27, 1979 - The Monroe Journal released its fourth annual all-star football team, which was selected from the largest number of players ever nominated for the elite team. The 1979 Coach of the Year was Rob Kelly, who led the Monroe Academy Volunteers to the Alabama Private School Association 3A title in 1979. The year’s first team offense was headed by two 1,000-yard rushers, Randall Norris of Monroe Academy and Henry McPherson of Monroe County High School, as running backs. Other first-team members of the all-star team included Thomas Agee, Chuck Black, Jimmy Bonner, Davison Carter, Sammie Carter, Curtis Childs, Dennis Cole, Doug Cook, Errol Cook, Kenny Harris, Daryl Lambert, Curtis Lee, Cedric Logan, Charles McGinnis, Norman Montgomery, Daryl Nettles, Jeff Tatum, James Prevo, Doug Smith, Alphonso Stallworth, Tripp Stallworth, Jerry Waters and Rick Williams.

Dec. 27, 1980 - The 19-cent Sequoyah stamp was issued at Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The stamp honored the Cherokee who brought literacy to his people by devising a written alphabet.

Dec. 27-29, 1984 - Sparta Academy was scheduled to host a “Tournament of Champions” in the school gymnatorium in Evergreen, Ala. Teams in the boys division were Minor of Birmingham, Pike Liberal of Troy, Lakeside Academy of Eufaula, Woodland of Phenix City, Edgewood Academy of Elmore, Wilcox Academy of Camden, Jackson Academy of Jackson and Sparta Academy of Evergreen. Teams in the girls division were Sparta Academy, Jackson Academy, Wilcox Academy, Pike Liberal and Woodland.

Dec. 27, 1984 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Gerald W. Rolling killed a seven-point buck in Conecuh County, Ala. that weighed 185 pounds. Tommy Hall also killed a 150-pound, seven-point deer in Butler County.

Dec. 27, 1984 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the office of Chairman of the Conecuh County (Ala.) Commission would change from a part time position to full time position if a proposed piece of local legislation became law. The proposed bill was being advertised in The Courant at that time and was to be introduced in the legislature early the next year.

Dec. 27, 1984 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the entrance of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Owens won first place in the Evergreen (Ala.) Chamber of Commerce Decorations Contest.

Dec. 27, 1984 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Sparta Academy’s Kindergarten class had visited the Evergreen, Ala. Post Office and mailed their letters to Santa Claus. Their teacher was Katrine Sanford. Postmaster Eugene Hyde assisted the youngsters.

Dec. 27, 1991 – “Fried Green Tomatoes,” a movie version of Alabama author Fannie Flagg's book “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe,” was released.

Dec. 27, 1992 - The U.S. shot down an Iraqi fighter jet during what the Pentagon described as a confrontation between a pair of Iraqi warplanes and U.S. F-16 jets in U.N.-restricted airspace over southern Iraq.

Dec. 27, 1994 - Only half of the Monroe County’s commissioners – Charlie McCorvey and Silas Tucker – and Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs attended the final meeting of the year on this Tuesday and heard reports relating to road work and environmental concerns over the county shop. Commissioners Carlisle McClure and Alex Roberts were absent. Monroe County was to receive as much as $400,000 in federal aid for repair of three problem roads, according to County Engineer John McAnulty.

Dec. 27, 1994 - At about 6 a.m. on this Tuesday, the Frisco City High School varsity cheerleaders left on a trip they had been preparing for since October. The six girls were to join 2,500 cheerleaders from around the country in the televised halftime performance at the 50th anniversary of the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. on Dec. 20. Going on the trip were April Lott, Leslie Sims, Renee Stinson, Misty Godwin, Spring Evans and Rhonda Luker.

Dec. 27, 1998 - The Dallas Cowboys became the first team to sweep all of their NFC East games in a season.

Dec. 27, 1998 - Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys set an NFL record for career touchdowns.

Dec. 27, 1999 - Alabama author Michael McDowell died in Boston, Mass.

Dec. 27, 2000 – Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 1.05 inches of rain in Evergreen, Ala.

Dec. 27, 2003 - New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fainted at a memorial service. He was released from the hospital the following day.

Dec. 27, 2004 - In a game against the San Diego Chargers, quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts found wide receiver Brandon Stokely in the end zone for his 49th touchdown pass of the season, breaking the previous National Football League (NFL) single-season record held by Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins. Manning's record stood until 2007, when Tom Brady of the New England Patriots threw 50 touchdowns in a single season.

Dec. 27, 2014 – Weather reporter Betty Ellis reported 1.95 inches of rain in Evergreen, Ala.

Dec. 27, 2014 – Witnesses reported seeing a UFO around 3:30 a.m. near Pell City in St. Clair County. The witness in this case was traveling on Interstate Highway 20 from Powder Springs, Ga. to New Orleans when he spotted something strange between Lincoln and Pell City. The witness said that he saw a “bright flash of silvery-white light” to the southwest about 15 miles away and close to the ground on the horizon.