Today in History for Jan. 9, 2018

Aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37)

Jan. 9, 1324 – Italian merchant and explorer Marco Polo died at the age of 69 in Venice, Republic of Venice.

Jan. 9, 1431 – Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc began in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation government.

Jan. 9, 1493 - While sailing near the Dominican Republic, Christopher Columbus described seeing three "mermaids" who were "not half as beautiful as they are painted." In reality, he was actually observing manatees.

Jan. 9, 1643 - Giovanni Riccioli first reported the elusive phenomenon known as the Ashen Light of Venus, a faint luminescence on the night side of our sister planet.

Jan. 9, 1773 – Watercolor painter Cassandra Austin, the sister of novelist Jane Austen, was born in Hampshire, England.

Jan. 9, 1776 - Writer Thomas Paine published his 47-page pamphlet “Common Sense,” setting forth his arguments in favor of American independence.

Jan. 9, 1788 – Connecticut became the fifth state to be admitted to the United States.

Jan. 9, 1809 - A delegation of Cherokees from the upper and lower towns of the Cherokee Nation went to Washington, D.C. in 1808 to inform the President of the United States that not all Cherokee people wanted a “civilized” life. The delegation requested that the President divide the upper towns, whose people wanted to establish a regular government, from the lower towns who wanted to continue living traditionally. On this day, the President allowed the lower towns to send a party to find suitable lands on the Arkansas and White Rivers. Seven of the most trusted men explored locations both in what is now Western Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma. The people of the lower towns desired to move across the Mississippi River so they could continue the traditional Cherokee life. In 1817, the United States ceded land to the Kituwah people (also known as Old Settlers, or Western Cherokee) in exchange for a portion of the Cherokee land they had occupied and were entitled to in the East.

Jan. 9, 1829 – Confederate officer William Joel Lee born in Conecuh County.

Jan. 9, 1829 – German botanist and explorer Adolf Schlagintweit was born.

Jan. 9, 1836 – The second battle of Micanopy takes place, and one soldier from the 2nd Dragoons was killed in battle.

Jan. 9, 1836 – The Alabama State Legislature created Cherokee County, DeKalb County and Marshall County. Cherokee County was named for the Cherokee Indians who controlled the territory until the early 19th Century. DeKalb County was named for the Revolutionary War hero, General John B. DeKalb. Marshall County was named in honor of John Marshall, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835. The new counties were created from Cherokee land acquired in the 1835 Treaty of New Echota, which ceded all Cherokee Nation land east of the Mississippi and stated that the Cherokees would remove in two years.

Jan. 9, 1836 – Cherokee County, Ala. was created by act of the state general assembly. Bounded on the northwest by DeKalb County, on the east by Georgia, on the south by Calhoun County and Cleburne County, and on the west by Etowah County. The name, that of a powerful Iroquoian tribe, is probably derived from Creek “Tciloki” or “Chilokeee” ‘people of a different speech.’ The first county seat was Cedar Bluff, until 1844, when the present one, Centre, was chosen.

Jan. 9, 1836 – Former Claiborne, Ala. residents William Barrett Travis (commander of the ill-fated Alamo) and Rosanna Cato Travis were officially divorced by the Marion County, Ala. courts by Act No. 115.

Jan. 9, 1843 – A band of Apalachicola Creek under Chief Pascoffer was causing problems along the border of West Florida on the Ocklockonnee River. Lieutenant-Colonel Ethan Hitchcock was ordered to take control of this country by land and water, with boats, mounted men and foot men. The result was the surrender on this day at St. Marks of Pascoffer and his band of 51 (29 warriors). They were sent to Indian Territory. The Middle and the West Florida Territory were now almost entirely free of Natives.

Jan. 9, 1858 – Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas, committed suicide.

Jan. 9, 1861 – Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union before the outbreak of the American Civil War. Mississippi followed South Carolina in seceding from the Union when a state convention at Jackson ratified an article of secession by a vote of 84 to 15.

Jan. 9, 1861 - The Union ship Star of the West was fired upon by South Carolina artillery as it tried to bring supplies to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. This event was the first time that shots were fired between the North and South, and it is considered by some historians to be the "First Shots of the American Civil War."

Jan. 9, 1861 – During the Civil War, Fort Johnston, North Carolina was seized by rebellious citizens of Smithville, N.C.

Jan. 9, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Columbus, Mo. and at Elk Run and Pohick Run in Virginia.

Jan. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, the Battle of Fort Hindman began in Arkansas.

Jan. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, a Federal operation began between Huntsville and Kingston in Arkansas. The Confederate salt works in the vicinity of St. Joseph, Fla. were also destroyed. A two-day Federal evacuation of Holly Springs, Miss. also began. The Federal garrison at Hartville, Mo. also surrendered to Confederate Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke. Skirmishes were also fought at Brentville, Fairfax Court House, Grove Church and Providence Church in Virginia.

Jan. 9, 1864 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Terman's Ferry, on the Sandy River between Louisa and Catlettsburg in Kentucky.

Jan. 9, 1865 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Pine Bluff, Ark.; at Mount Sterling, Ky.; in Texas County, Mo.; and near Disputanta Station, Va. President Abraham Lincoln dispatched Edwin Stanton, U.S. Secretary of War, to Savannah, Ga. for a meeting with Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, addressing military strategy and his alleged mistreatment of freed slaves. Federal reconnaissance began from Eastport to Iuka in Mississippi as remnants of the once mighty Confederate Army of Tennessee begin arriving in Tupelo, Miss., as they fell back from their resounding defeat at Nashville.

Jan. 9, 1866 – The Fisk School, now known as Fisk University, first opened its doors in Nashville, Tenn. as one of the first American colleges founded for black students.

Jan. 9, 1882 – Joseph Tarpley Peacock (Lewis Lavon Peacock’s father) was elected constable of Beat 12 (Red Level), a position he’d already been appointed to in November 1881 to fill a vacancy. His stepson William T. South and his neighbor John C. Gomillion were his securities for a $1,000 bond, and he took the constable’s oath of office on this same day.

Jan. 9, 1885 – George and Charlie Davis, who were brothers charged with the murder of D. Morris near Hunter’s Mill in Monroe County, Ala., escaped from the Wilcox County Jail with seven other prisoners. The Bell’s Landing postal carrier spotted the Davis brothers near River Ridge on Jan. 16 as they made “their way back to their families in South Monroe.” The Davis brothers were later recaptured and returned to the Wilcox County Jail. The murder they were charged with was described as “one of the most cowardly and brutal in the criminal annals of Monroe.”

Jan. 9, 1886 - Alabama author and theatrical manager Noah Ludlow died in St. Louis, Mo.

Jan. 9, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that “the holidays just closed have been the most quiet, and we might add, the dullest, ever experienced in this place, reminding one more of so many Sundays than anything we can compare them to.”

Jan. 9, 1886 – The Monroe Journal reported that there was only one prisoner in the Monroe County Jail.

Jan. 9, 1886 - Several “Turks” were in Monroeville, Ala. on this Saturday and “amused the boys and negroes by ‘makes te b’ar dance.’”

Jan. 9, 1887 - On one of the worst days of the “worst winter in the West,” nearly an inch of snow fell every hour for 16 hours, impeding the ability of already starving cattle to find food.

Jan. 9, 1896 – In an affidavit in connection with the renewal of his Confederate pension, Noah Dallas Peacock (Lewis Lavon Peacock’s older brother), deposed that, besides the 100 acres of land in his wife’s name, his only assets were a wagon, a mule, a gun and a clock. The wagon and mule may have been used for hauling freight, as Ealie Diamond recalled that Noah had a freight business operating to and from Andalusia, where he encountered his long lost brother, Lewis Lavon Peacock, about this time.

Jan. 9, 1896 – The Monroe Journal reported that Miss Lula Wills, “one of Pine Hill’s beautiful and accomplished young ladies,” had resumed the operation of her school at Manistee a few days before. “Miss Wills is an excellent teacher and has a flourishing little school at Manistee,” the newspaper reported. The Journal also let readers know that “the Bear Creek Mill Co. (was) running the mill regularly now. The railroad is also progressing finely. Hon. W.H. Louisell, the general manager, is a most capable business man.”

Jan. 9 1896 – The Monroe Journal reported that Dr. Yarbrough had “disposed of his entire stock of goods and retired from the mercantile business.” Elsewhere in that week’s paper, Postmaster Ricou has obtained permission from the Department and will remove the post office to the Yarbrough store building on southside.

Jan. 9, 1900 – Adventurer and author Richard Halliburton was born in Brownsville, Tenn.

Jan. 9, 1908 – Novelist and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris, France.

Jan. 9, 1908 - The largest crowd that had assembled in Monroeville in many a day was that which greeted Governor Comer and State Auditor Brandon on the occasion of their visit to Monroeville on this Thursday in the capacity of the High School Locating Board. The announcement and invitations had gone out more than a week in advance and every nook and corner of Monroe County responded with a liberal representation of its citizenship. The people began assembling the evening before and by 10 o’clock on this Thursday morning private dwellings, stores, offices and the public streets were thronged with visitors. Gov. Comer and Auditor Brandon arrived on the noon train from Selma and were met at the railroad station by a committee of citizens with carriages and conveyed to the city.

Jan. 9, 1909 – Ernest Shackleton, leading the Nimrod Expedition to the South Pole, planted the British flag 97 nautical miles from the South Pole, the farthest anyone had ever reached at that time.

Jan. 9, 1913 – Noah Dallas Peacock (Lewis Lavon Peacock’s older brother) renewed his Confederate pension in Crenshaw County, Ala. and deposed that he was entirely dependent on it.

Jan. 9, 1913 - Richard Milhous Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. He went on to become the 37th President of the United States.

Jan. 9, 1913 – On this Thursday morning, the “Big Jim” reached the Coffeeville landing in Clarke County, Ala. The boat needed wood to fire its boilers and to warm its passengers and there was freight to take on so the boat tied up. Later that day, shortly after noon, the “Big Jim,” while tied up a Powe’s Landing, would be rocked by a devastating explosion that killed 26 people and injured 21 others.

Jan. 9, 1916 – During World War I, the Battle of Gallipoli concluded with an Ottoman Empire victory when the last Allied forces are evacuated from the peninsula.

Jan. 9, 1917 – During World War I, the Battle of Rafa was fought near the Egyptian border with Palestine.

Jan. 9, 1917 – After several months of preparations, British troops under the command of their new regional chief Sir Frederick Maude launched an offensive against Turkish forces at Khadairi Bend, to the north of Kut, Mesopotamia.

Jan. 9, 1918 - U.S troops engaged Yaqui Indian warriors in the Battle of Bear Valley in Arizona. This skirmish was one of the last battles between the United States and Native Americans.

Jan. 9, 1918 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the last census report showed that Conecuh County produced in 1917 a total of 4,041 bales of cotton as compared with 2,236 in 1916.

Jan. 9, 1918 – The Evergreen Courant reported, in news out of Castleberry, it was reported that two local boys, Sergeants John Barron and Talmage Neely, were among those selected to take a course in the officers training camp at Leon Springs, Texas.

Jan. 9, 1929 – Brian Friel, the playwright sometimes described as the “Irish Chekhov,” was born near Omagh in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Jan. 9, 1932 – Conecuh County, Ala. teachers were called to a meeting at the Conecuh County Courthouse by Superintendent M.A. Hanks for the purpose of starting an educational survey of the county for the State Department of Education.

Jan. 9, 1934 – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr was born in Montgomery, Ala. After starring at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, he went on to play for the University of Alabama from 1952 to 1956. He went on to play for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971. He was the head coach of the Packers from 1975 to 1983.

Jan. 9, 1936 – Alabama author Anne Rivers Siddons was born in Atlanta, Ga.

Jan. 9, 1936 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the advertising for bids on the construction of an overpass where U.S. Highway 31 crossed the L&N Railroad in Evergreen was being held up, “pending the adjustment of right-of-way matters.” The City of Evergreen had been called upon by the state highway department for more right-of-way than had previously been obtained and steps to obtain it, some of which may require condemnation, had to be undertaken.

Jan. 9, 1937 - The first issue of "LOOK" magazine went on sale. Within a month, "LOOK" became a biweekly magazine.

Jan. 9, 1941 - Alabama journalist Grover C. Hall died in Montgomery, Ala.

Jan. 9, 1947 – Elizabeth "Betty" Short, the Black Dahlia, was last seen alive.

Jan. 9, 1951 - Conecuh County High School’s boys basketball team, led by head coach M.C. Thomasson, handed Evergreen High School their second loss to county competition in a decade on this Tuesday night in Evergreen, beating the Aggies, 40-38. William Bradley led CCHS with 13 points, and out outstanding players on that team included Ralph Graddy, Hart, William Reeves, Palmer, Norris and Reed. In his first varsity start, Shirley Frazier led Evergreen with 15 points, and other top players on Evergreen’s team included Gwyn Daniels, Ed Hooks, Jeff Moorer and Gillis Morgan. Wendell Hart was Evergreen’s head coach.

Jan. 9, 1952 - Jackie Robinson became the highest paid player in Brooklyn Dodger history.

Jan. 9, 1953 – During their annual meeting at the Evergreen (Ala.) Community House, the Conecuh County Cattlemen’s Association elected M.M. “Bill” Cardwell as its new president, succeeding Howard Dees. Cardwell had previously served as vice president during 1952 before becoming the association’s third president. C.E. Robinson was the first president. Other officers elected include the following Vice-President Carl M. Stacey, Secretary M.H. Huggins and Treasurer Rutland Rowe (re-elected) and members of the board of directors, Howard Dees (State Association Director), H.S. Barrow, Melvin Johnson, C.E. Robinson and Hugh Brown.

Jan. 9, 1953 – Holtville High School’s boys basketball team beat Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Ala. Shirley Frazier led Evergreen with 23 points.

Jan. 9, 1955 - The western TV series "Rawhide" premiered. The show was cancelled in 1966.

Jan. 9, 1955 – New York Times lead fiction critic Michiko Kakutani was born in New Haven, Conn.

Jan. 9, 1957 - A radio version of Alabama author Ambrose Bierce's story, "The Man and the Snake," was broadcast as part of the “Sleep No More” series.

Jan. 9, 1958 – The Monroe Journal reported that 10 Monroe County players had been named to the 1957 All-Pine Belt Conference football team. The conference was comprised of teams from Monroe, Clarke, Washington and Conecuh counties. Monroe representatives on the team are Lee Roy Jordan of Excel; Billy Pugh, Reggie Dunn, Borris Brogden and Alto Smith, all of Frisco City; Herbert Adams, Carl McMillan and Wendel Middleton, all of Uriah; and Wayne Tait and Mickey Kennedy, both of Monroeville.

Jan. 9, 1958 - The Repton High School Bulldogs placed two men on the 1957 All-Star Football Team for the Pine Belt Conference. The all-star selections were announced on this day by conference officials. Grove Hill with five men and Frisco City with four dominated the selections. Named from the Repton club were Cleveland Morris, center, and Franklin Baggett, halfback.

Jan. 9, 1958 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Weldon L. Anthony, electrician’s mate third class, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Anthony of Evergreen, had arrived at Trincomalee, Ceylon, Jan. 1, aboard the support aircraft carrier USS Princeton on a mission of mercy with the Ceylonese Relief Force. The Ceylon emergency followed continual rains for many weeks, and torrential downpours, described as cyclones, during the past few days. Reports indicated that 100,000 homes were destroyed by floods, leaving approximately 300,000 homeless flood victims.

Jan. 9, 1962 - The NFL banned the grabbing of face masks.

Jan. 9, 1965 – Battleship Park, which featured the USS Alabama, in Mobile, Ala. officially opened. The battleship USS Alabama was dedicated in Mobile as a World War II memorial. Commissioned in August 1942, the Alabama served primarily in the Pacific, earning nine battle stars. She was awarded to the state in 1964 through the efforts of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, and since her dedication has become a primary Mobile tourist attraction.

Jan. 9, 1965 – During the Vietnam War, under pressure from United States officials, Gen. Nguyen Khanh and the newly formed Armed Forces Council – generals who participated in the bloodless coup on Dec. 19, 1964 – agreed to support the civilian government of Premier Trran Van Huong.

Jan. 9, 1967 – During the Vietnam War, the Agency for International Development (AID) attempted to respond to reports in the American media of widespread corruption and thievery of commodities sent to South Vietnam by the United States.

Jan. 9, 1971 – National Baseball Hall of Fame right fielder Elmer Flick died at the age of 94 in Bedford, Ohio. During his career, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Cleveland Bronchos/Naps. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.

Jan. 9, 1975 - The 7-4 Evergreen High School Aggies, under head coach Charles Branum, were scheduled to play the Monroe County High School Tigers at Jeff Davis Jr. College gymnasium in Brewton on this Thursday night at 6:45 p.m. That game was to be followed by the Jeff Davis v. Patrick Henry game. Admission was $1 for students and $2 for adults. The Aggies previous two wins were most impressive as they beat the T.R. Miller Tigers, 97-43, and also beat the W.S. Neal Eagles, 75-48. Chuck Jones and Ronald Fantroy combined to score 51 of the Aggies 75 points.

Jan. 9, 1976 – Singer-songwriter Hayes Carll was born in The Woodlands, Texas.

Jan. 9, 1976 – Sportscaster Todd Grisham was born in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Jan. 9, 1977 - Super Bowl XI set a pro attendance record with 103,438. The NBC telecast was viewed by 81.9 million.

Jan. 9, 1979 – Conecuh County High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Southern Normal, 65-64. William Griffin led CCHS with 26 points and three rebounds. Paige Stokes had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Jan. 9, 1989 – National Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Bill Terry died at the age of 90 in Jacksonville, Fla. During his career, he played for the New York Giants (1923-1936), and he managed the Giants from 1932 to 1941. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1954.

Jan. 9, 1991 - A special committee of Major League Baseball authorities officially banned Pete Rose from being elected into the Hall of Fame.

Jan. 9, 1991 – Representatives from the United States and Iraq met at the Geneva Peace Conference to try to find a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Jan. 9, 1992 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Sparta Academy senior Steven Gall had been named the Most Valuable Player during the AISA All-State Football Game in Selma, Ala. Gall was chosen MVP for the West Squad after catching four passes for 65 yards, completing a pass and scoring his team’s only touchdown.

Jan. 9, 2004 - A movie version of Alabama author Daniel Wallace's book “Big Fish” was released.

Jan. 9, 2005 - Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings pretended to pull down his pants and moon the Green Bay Packer crowd during a playoff win. On Jan. 13, the NFL fined Moss $10,000 for the act.

Jan. 9, 2009 – English mountaineer and explorer Rob Gauntlett, 21, was killed after accidentally, falling whilst ice climbing at Chamonix in the Alps.

Jan. 9, 2012 - No. 2-ranked University of Alabama defeated No. 1-ranked Louisiana State University, 21-0, to earn the BCS National Championship in New Orleans, making it the third national championship won by Coach Nick Saban.