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

Grave of Ernest J. Baggett in Montgomery, Ala.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Jan. 17, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Earnest J. Baggette: Earnest J. Baggette, aged 53, died Friday morning at 8:30 o’clock at the family home, No. 424 South Hull St., following a brief illness. He had been a resident of this city (Montgomery) for the past few years and was held in the highest esteem. Mr. Baggette was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias and a number of other prominent fraternal orders.

The funeral services will be conducted from the family home, No. 424 South Hull St., Saturday afternoon at 3:30, Rev. S.W. Williams of the Dexter Avenue Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Modern Woodmen of America will conduct services at the grave. – Montgomery Advertiser.

Mr. Baggette formerly lived in Wilcox County in Pine Hill. He was an esteemed citizen and many friends in this county will regret to learn of his death.

Prof. J.B. Sellers of the McWilliams public school was a visitor Saturday.

The Street Fair has come and gone and many Camden citizens are wiser and poorer.

The coldest weather since 1899 was experienced throughout the South the past week.

Mr. J.K. Cammack of Primrose, Ala., a substantial citizen of Wilcox County, has moved to Columbia, Texas. Mr. Cammack for several years, has been a successful farmer of Gees Bend, and we note his departure with regret.

Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Wilkinson of Gastonburg, after almost two score years residence in Wilcox have moved to Selma. Mr. Wilkinson is one of our best-known citizens and Wilcox has been enriched by his stay here. His efforts and influence were always devoted to the betterment of his town and county. Our loss is Selma’s gain.

Lightning Strikes Barn: A barn belonging to Mr. R.J. Goode Jr. of Gastonburg, was struck by lightning and set on first last week. About 50 tons of beans and 40 tons of hay were lost with the barn, which was practically new. This is rather an unusual occurrence for this time of year.

Words from the bedside of Miss Myrtle Fail, who was seriously burned last week, is very encouraging. She was attending school at the State Normal (School).

Hon. S.D. Bloch left Sunday for Mobile, where he will spend several weeks looking after business interests. While Mr. Bloch will retain his citizenship here, his future business efforts will be directed largely from Mobile.

A recent addition to our exchange list is The Baldwin Times. This paper is edited by Mr. Abner J. Smith, who formerly owned and edited the Progressive Era. Bro. Smith gets out a good paper – we know him of old – and we are not disappointed in the Baldwin Times.

Demopolis is sorry to have to lose one of her doctors in the coming week, but when Uncle Sam needs them, we have to given them up. Dr. T.C. Savage received a call last week to report at Fort Oglethorpe for duty in the medical reserve corps, and will leave the later part of the week. He will re-enter the service with the rank of captain. – Demopolis Times.

Dr. Savage is a son of our fellow townsman, Mr. F.H. Savage, and gives up a large and lucrative practice to serve his country.